Page 25 of A Siren for the Duke

Ellis cleared his throat and made for the door.

“I think I should let you two sort this out. In the meantime, I will inform Mr. Coade of this unfortunate discovery and see what can be done to remedy it.”

“I think you scared him away,” Lionel said as soon as the door was closed.

“Nonsense. Everyone loves my company,” she declared.

“Some of the men were crossing themselves at the sight of you earlier today.”

“You’re making that up.”

“I am not, I assure you.”

Jemima wasn’t sure what else to say to that. As silence fell between them and she took a moment to observe him. She had not really had the chance yet, and he had changed quite a bit. His skin was darker, clearly from spending long hours in the sun. He was tall, as he always had been, but leaner and more muscular. It was the sight of his eyes that was more troubling to her. They were still that gorgeous sea blue but clearly very tired. The merriment she’d known in their youth was gone, replaced by a hard, hungry look. And there were dark circles under his eyes as if he weren’t getting enough sleep. Even his chiseled face looked a little scruffy, like he had neglected shaving for a few days.

What had happened to make him so different?

“Why did you not come back for me?” she blurted out.

Lionel blinked in surprise. “What?”

“After you left. I wrote you. You never responded. Why?”

He was clearly astonished, his brow furrowed in confusion and his mouth slightly agape.

“Jemima, I wrote to you nearly every day. But I never received a response. After a while, I presumed you’d moved on. Found some respectable first son to marry.”

She shook her head, feeling the loneliness settle around her shoulders like a winter coat. Outside, the wind howled, and the sea knocked against the hull.

“No. I... aren’t there supply ships that carry letters to and from?”

“There are, but every time we passed one or checked post at port, there was nothing from you.”

“Well, now you’re just making excuses.”

“Jemima,” he pleaded, “why would I lie?”

“Time at sea has clearly changed you!” she cried, growing more agitated by the second. “I thought you might have seen shipping out as an opportunity to start fresh. Why, I bet you have a girl in every port!”

“Jemima, that is enough! I have been nothing but loyal to you!”

She shook her head vigorously, hot tears welling up in her eyes.

“When the scandal broke, I was all alone. I took the brunt of it. The ton disdained me; shunned me and my family. They could not believe that the eldest daughter of an established family had had an unsanctioned, clandestine courtship for so long. My reputation, and even my sister’s reputation, suffered because you abandoned me!”

And now she was crying. She hated it; hated feeling so helpless and weak.

“I assure you, I did not mean to abandon you. I... I just never received your letters.”

She sniffled.

“Well, without proof, it is simply your word against mine.”

Lionel was looming over the desk as he spoke, and at that moment, Jemima realized how close they were. Even though she was quite angry with him, she still missed him, and she wondered if he might try to kiss her again.

But he broke the gaze, straightening up and shaking his head.

“I’m sorry, Jemima. I truly am. If you would prefer to stay here tonight, you are more than welcome. I can otherwise occupy myself aboard ship.”