Page 72 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

Chisholm left his office to consult with his clerk before he returned.

“All the cabins are claimed on the steam ship leaving tonight,” Chisholm announced and Georgie’s heart sank.

“However, and because Wynd here is a friend, you may have use of the cabin I keep for myself when making the trip.”

Thank goodness, but that would also mean that she and Damian would be sharing a bed again. “When would it return and leave again?” She did not want to delay her journey to Grace, but it wasn’t fair that Damian may be forced to share a bed with her a second time. He had almost slept on the floor last night.

“Once the ship returns, it will not sail back to Greenock for another sennight.”

Georgie glanced at Damian. He would need to be the one to decide since there was no longer a pressing need because Grace would be there regardless of whether they left tonight or in a week.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

One cabin. After he had awakened this morning, with Georgie curled about him, Damian wasn’t certain that he could endure the same. Not that he would act on his desires, but that did not lessen the fact that he wanted Georgie with a need he had never experienced with any other woman.

He could sleep out on deck and under the stars. It was something he did recall doing when they had sailed from the Cape Colony, and he might just find that was the perfect way to sleep as they sailed to Scotland.

Damian glanced at Georgie. He already knew she would demand to leave tonight instead of waiting even though her sister would be in Greenock for another fortnight.

“We will leave tonight. How much for passage?” Damian asked as he reached for his purse.

“For you, my friend, there is no cost. This will give you the opportunity to inspect the ship and review the precautions and see how it works so that you might make a better formed decision for Trade Wynd.”

“Why would you do that?” Georgie asked. “Are the two of you not in competition?”

“Rarely do we cross paths, as our ports are in different parts of the country. And my imports and exports are reduced because we also take passengers. Trade Wynd does not.”

The idea of using steamships had been discussed, but Damian was reluctant to make the investment since they sailed across oceans, not up coasts or the River Thames and other such waterways. But, to have further knowledge than simply reading about the ships may help alter his opinion. “Thank you. I will take you up on your offer.”

“Excellent!” Chisholm grinned. “Now, I insist that you join me and my wife for dinner. It will allow us more time to visit before you continue your journey.”

It was still morning. What were they to do until then? And, he and Georgie had two satchels and two valises with them, not something that he wanted to carry about as it would mark them as travelers and draw too much attention.

“Is there somewhere that we may wait until then?”

Chisholm pulled back, his green eyes wide. “Wait? Why would you want to sit and wait somewhere?”

Damian lifted the two valises. “I would prefer not to carry these around with me everywhere.”

“Leave them with me. You can return and collect them when we journey to my home, which should be near four.”

Damian looked over at Georgie. He would certainly enjoy walking about Liverpool just to visit the bustling port city since he had never been here before and assumed that she would not mind the exercise either after being forced to sit on a mail coach for so long.

Except, that was an assumption with no facts on which to base it.

“Which would you prefer?” he asked.

“It would be good to walk about and visit a new town while I have the opportunity.”

He smiled. He had judged her correctly. Damian turned back to his friend. “I will take you up on your offer. Where do you suggest that we visit?”

He chuckled. “There are several streets where there are merchants, coffee houses, and the like. Enjoy your day and we will travel to my home later today.”

It did sound like an excellent idea, and Damian rather looked forward to spending time with Georgie where they could simply be and enjoy without having to rush so that they did not miss a mail coach, or avoid conversation because others were too near to overhear.

He escorted her out of Chisholm’s office after his friend gave him further directions then offered her his arm. “Docks, or shopping.”

“I cannot afford to shop,” she reminded him, but he could and there was one thing that he had noticed that Georgie needed.