Page 3 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

Except, the sailor had a different gate and balance than a man or boy who had served years on a ship. The feet were smaller, limbs more delicate and their hips swayed much like a female as she tried to sneak away without being noticed. While he could not tell what the bum looked like because the coat was too long, there was no doubt that the person walking away was female.

“Bloody hell.”

“You are not supposed to swear in front of me.”

Damian rolled his eyes. The child was just explaining bums to him and he could not say bloody hell in front of her.

He handed the spyglass to Livia. “Take this to the earl. I have a stowaway to catch.”

“How do you know that he is even here.”

“Because you would not be up here if Sterling were not in the offices.”

She gave a shrug, smiled then skipped away holding his spyglass. Damian followed and took the stairs to the docks then followed the stowaway, closing the distance as he hoped to catch her before she disappeared.

*

She’d always dreamed of traveling and venturing beyond her village to experience more of life before she took over her grandfather’s bakery, but Miss Georgiana Wylde never anticipated that the first time she sailed away from Italy that it would in the cargo hold of a ship.

With the straps of the canvas satchel over her shoulder so that the weight rested in front of her body, Georgiana adjusted her coat so that it was no longer bunched and covered her body as much as it could, pulled the knitted cap down and made certain that none of her hair escaped then walked away from the ship, old worn valise in hand. Her instincts were to run, to get away before she was caught. She also resisted that urge because doing so would most certainly draw unwanted attention and see her being discovered. Instead, she kept her pace determined, with each step taking her further away. Once free of the port, ships and dock, she would locate an inn where she would plan what to do next now that she was in England.

She would also need food. When she had left home, her satchel had been loaded with various breads, dried meats, and canteens filled with water. Now, it only contained empty canteens and her carefully concealed and necessary funds.

It would also feel good to sleep in a bed again and bathe. She’d spent the past three weeks in the bowels of the ship surrounded by crates and marble slabs. More than a few times she feared being crushed by the cargo shifting when the ship rose and fell over taller waves. Thankfully, that never happened as the slabs had been stored in such a manner that they did not move.

If she had not been so frightened of being caught, Georgiana likely would have admired the transportation of the coveted Carrera marble, and enjoyed the thrill of her first real adventure, but her greatest concern had been reaching England without discovery—a task she had accomplished.

“You, sailor,” a man yelled from behind.

Georgiana did not even pause but kept walking. The man could have been calling to any sailor given the docks were full of them.

“Why are you leaving the ship?” The voice was nearer and her stomach tightened as she suspected the voice was calling to her. Still, she did not alter her pace and pretended she had not heard anything.

“Why are you leaving the ship before all cleaning and repairs are made, not to mention helping in the unloading of the cargo?”

Now she knew the man was calling after her and his voice was even closer yet.

Georgiana wanted to run but had no real direction since she’d never been here before. Instead, she kept her head down and looked for areas in which she could disappear and then run before the man caught up to her.

“I said wait.” A heavy hand settled on her shoulder, though gently and just enough for her to know that she’d been caught.

Her heart sank. She had been nearly free.

“Did you not hear me?”

Oh, she had heard him very well. She had just chosen to ignore him, not that she would tell him that.

His hand lifted as he came around to stand before her. Georgiana did not look up. Instead, she stared straight ahead and directly at his chest. It was broad, firm, and tan from being in the sun. He was not wearing a suitcoat, and his waistcoat was open over a light linen shirt, minus a cravat, revealing a portion of his firm, upper chest. Goodness, she was only used to seeing men properly attired. Not that she minded as she appreciated the smooth muscles…

Her face heated. She should not be admiring this man’s chest. She was simply shocked, that was all and panicked because she had been caught.

“Who gave you permission to leave the ship early?”

“Capt.…” Georgiana tried to recall the name of the captain. She knew that she had heard it but the name escaped her.

“Jenkins would not let a sailor go until the work was done,” the man insisted.

There had to be an excuse that he would believe but all words failed Georgiana. Further, she was afraid to speak because she feared her voice would give her away. So far this man in front of her believed her to be a male and he must continue to believe that.