Page 31 of A Siren for the Duke

Mr. Coade shook his head.

“No. Serve the captain, then come back straightaway to prepare luncheon.”

Much as she wanted not to do what he said, she had to obey. She’d already made enough of a fool of herself, and she’d been late to help this morning and had skipped breakfast entirely. It would be of no benefit to resist.

As she walked back to Lionel’s cabin with the tray, her heart pounded, and her stomach turned. What would he say about last night? He’d kissed her first when she’d just arrived on the ship... perhaps they were even? Maybe it was out of their systems, and they could go on living normally again?

She would not know until she faced him. Finally at his door, she took a deep breath and knocked. Lionel’s deep voice sounded from inside as he bade her to enter.

As soon as she stepped in, he whistled wolfishly.

“You look absolutely dreadful.”

Jemima set the tray down on the desk with more force than was necessary.

“What is it with the men aboard this ship commenting on women’s appearances?”

“You’re the only woman we’ve seen in weeks. By this point in the journey, we’ve constructed the ideal image of a woman in our minds, and you do not look at all like the portrait.”

“You are lucky I did not spit in your porridge,” she retorted.

“That might be preferable to your dreadful culinary skills.”

Christ, he was maddening! For everything she said, he had a retort.

“Luckily for you, Mr. Coade made this. No spit or terrible seasoning to worry about.”

“How’s the head?” Lionel asked, taking a bit of the porridge and not grimacing.

“Swimming,” she said with a sigh.

Lionel laughed warmly.

“That happens.”

“Why do you all like to drink if this is how you feel in the morning?”

“Well, my lady, we have stronger tolerances. Sometimes the water aboard ship is unsafe to drink and we cannot drink saltwater, so sometimes ale is the only thing for us.”

Goodness. There was so much to learn about sea life and sailing. At home, if she needed water, all she had to do was ask her maid or whatever servant was in the room at that time.

Then it struck her. She had not thought about home in some time. It hurt a little, thinking of Sophia all alone, but she definitely did not want to face Ferdinand. There were a lot of thoughts swirling in her head, but all she said in response to Lionel was “Oh.”

“Are you sure you’re alright? I can tell Mr. Coade to let you be this afternoon if you’d prefer to rest.”

She shook her head. The words had to come out. She had to know if he felt the same.

“I... I am sorry if I did anything last night to cause embarrassment or inconvenience. I hope I did nothing untoward.”

Lionel’s blue eyes searched hers.

“Nothing. Just danced on a table and again out on deck before I escorted you back.”

She swallowed the unpleasant lump in her throat.

“Oh. I assure you, I shan’t do it again,” she said, her eyes cast to the ground.

She was baiting him, egging him on, subtly urging him to say something, anything, about the kiss. For a moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of recognition in his eye, but it very well could have been the sun shining through the small window.