Page 87 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

He waited by door and when she joined him, he arched an auburn eyebrow. “Your bonnet,” he reminded her.

Ah, yes, he was afraid that she might suffer a sunburn. She returned to the table where it had been left then tied the ribbon beneath her chin and joined him again before they returned to the deck where a sailor directed them to a small dining room where the captain and officers took their meals.

He stood when they entered then gestured for Damian and Georgie to take a seat. A breakfast of eggs, cold ham, and bread were placed before them.

“When do you think we will arrive in Greenock,” Damian asked.

“Likely not until tomorrow,” the captain answered.

If she were still wondering where Grace was, such news would have set her on edge. As that was not the case, she was quite pleased that she would have another night to share abed with Damian.

“The piston in the engine is sluggish, irregular. The engineer is not yet concerned, but we are not going to risk increasing steam or speed until the situation has been resolved.”

She was not concerned with when they would arrive because it would still be before Grace could sail to America, yet she grew slightly nervous given the stories Damian had told of the two steamships that had failed and caused injuries and death. “So, it could take even longer to reach Greenock?” Georgie asked,

“It is possible,” the captain answered. “I would rather our voyage leisurely than risk the ship, passengers, or crew.”

“As would we,” Damian agreed.

“Chisholm suggested that you might be interested in a tour of the ship for a better understanding of a steamship.”

“Yes, I would.”

“Then I will take you myself.”

Georgie noticed that the same offer was not made to her, and likely because she was simply a female, and, for a change, she did not mind.

Chapter Thirty-Three

“If you would like to come along, I am certain that captain would not mind,” Damian suggested after they’d returned to the deck and stopped beside a railing, where the captain said that he would meet him.

Georgie had said nothing when the captain had directed the invitation to Damian and after her speech on the unfairness of it all—that of being female, he wanted to make certain she was included.

“Thank you for asking, but I truly am not interested.”

“I do not believe it will take very long.” Though, he truly did not know how involved the tour would be or how many questions he might have.

“I will be perfectly fine on my own, Damian.” She held out her arms. “It is not as if I can run off anywhere and leave you behind.”

That was true, but there were also several men on the ship and she was the only woman and the true reason he did not want to leave her unattended.

“Go,” she insisted. “I plan on returning to the cabin anyway.”

He frowned. “Why when you can be outside.”

Mischief twinkled in her brown eyes. “I intend to begin reading Glenarvon,” she said with a grin. “Then, when I am done, I might write my own memoir.”

“Remember, she wrote hers out of revenge, supposedly.”

“I promise to be kind,” Georgie said as she patted him on the cheek before walking to the stairs that led to the cabin they shared.

Well, if she was going to pen her own novel, he intended to provide her with several scintillating details before they parted.

“Mr. Wynd, I am ready to begin the tour,” the captain said, interrupting his thoughts.

He then led Damian below where they first inspected the engine, and found a frowning engineer, and sailor, who Damian believed was his assistant.

“Is there no improvement?”