Becoming a Lady (5 page)

She walked around Mr. Seton and stood directly behind his shoulder. The cards he held weren’t as bad as she feared they might be. In fact, he might win if he knew the right tactics in playing.

Her shadow cast over part of the table. Mr. Seton glanced her way before looking back at his hand. Quick as lightning, his head snapped toward her again, his eyes wide with surprise. As his gaze scanned over her, his mouth slowly lifted in a smile.

Remembering what Miss P had taught her, Dorothy dropped in a small curtsey. “Good day, Mr. Seton.”

He quickly jumped out of his chair to stand as the other men followed suit. Mr. Seton’s eyes sparkled when they met hers.

“Good day, Miss Paxton. It is a pleasure to see you out and about this morning.”

“Believe me, it’s a pleasure to be out and about instead of confined to my room.” She nodded to the others. “Are you enjoying your game, Mr. Seton?”

“Oh, the game.”
He turned sharply toward the other men as if he’d suddenly forgotten they were there. “Yes, I’m quite enjoying myself.”

The man on Mr. Seton’s right cleared his throat. “Seton, old boy,
are
you going to introduce us to this lovely creature?”

Lovely creature?
Dorothy nearly snorted a laugh from the gentleman’s compliment. Yet it was Mr. Seton’s expression that she loved watching instead, since he appeared so flustered.

“Of course.”
He
glanced
Dorothy’s way again. “Miss Paxton, I would like to introduce you to Lord
Feenly
—” he pointed to the man on his right who bowed— “Lord
Tippens
, and Mr. Clark. Gentleman, this is the Duke of
Longdale’s
granddaughter, Miss Paxton, and her companion, Miss Peabody.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” they muttered.

“Likewise.”
She smiled, and Miss P mumbled her greetings as well.

“Please, continue your game, gentlemen,” Dorothy said.

Nodding, they took their seats. As the game continued, the men made their bets. Once again, Mr. Seton hesitated too often. His frown and the way he shifted so much in his chair clued her to his lack of confidence. If the other men noticed, Mr. Seton would lose again. From the small amount of money he had in front of him, he hadn’t won many hands. Although he only held a full house, he could still win—with help from her, of course.

When the bets came around the table again, Mr. Seton shook his head and was ready to quit the game. Quickly, she bumped his shoulder. He lifted his gaze to her and she shook her head.
Keep going,
she mouthed. Confusion crossed his expression.
Trust me,
she mouthed again, in a silent plea.

She cleared her throat and smiled prettily. “Mr. Seton, I may not know much about playing cards, but with a hand like yours, I’m sure you can bet a little higher.”

Grumbles came from the other men, and she tried not to chuckle.

“Uh…” Mr. Seton looked at the other men. “She’s correct. I’ll raise the bet.”

Just as she suspected, Mr. Clark and Lord
Tippens
backed out of the game. Lord
Feenly
was a stubborn old coot, but his forehead was too moist for the cool breeze coming from off the sea. Not only that, but he swallowed more than normal.

The older gentleman raised the bet again. Mr. Seton hesitated, and Dorothy feared he’d back out. Just at that precise moment, the ship swayed. Even though the effect didn’t bother her, this was the perfect opportunity.

“Oh, dear.”
She groaned and placed a hand over her head.

“Are you going to swoon?” Miss Peabody asked, grasping Dorothy’s arm.

Mr. Seton jumped out of his chair and reached for her, his arm sliding around her protectively. “Are you all right?”

Playing the seasick woman to the hilt, she leaned against him and placed her head on his shoulder, groaning. She tilted her head and whispered in his ear, “He’s bluffing.”

He pulled away just enough to look at her. She winked. “Trust me, he’s bluffing,” she said again softly.

A grin stole across his once worried face, and he winked back.

“Oh, thank you, Mr. Seton.” Dorothy stepped away from him. “Forgive me for nearly swooning, but I’m better now.”

“Are you certain?” he asked, trying his best to look concerned, but the gleam of humor in his eyes told a different story.

“Indeed, I am.” She pushed him back to the card game.

Now with an air of confidence about him, Mr. Seton finished the game—and won. Just as she knew he would.

“I must say, Seton,” Lord
Feenley
said, “your luck has changed since Miss Paxton arrived.”

“I’ll admit it has. Perhaps I should keep her by my side a little longer.”

The other men laughed, and Dorothy’s heart skipped a beat. She wished Mr. Seton would quit saying things like that, and especially looking at her as if she were a buffet of sweetmeats. She couldn’t have these feelings for him. Her heartbreak would be just like her mother’s.

“Forgive me, Mr. Seton, but I must decline your most tempting offer. My companion and I were taking a turn around the deck.” She sank in another curtsey. The men stood and bowed before she and Miss P left the table.

Dorothy really didn’t want to leave the card game because it reminded her of home, but she couldn’t watch Mr. Seton’s dancing eyes when he looked upon her. She walked directly to the ship’s railing and leaned on it. Taking a deep breath, she breathed in the fresh sea air, hoping to clear her head.

“Oh, look,” Miss Peabody exclaimed. “There is Lady Blackwood. I haven’t seen her in years.”

Dorothy glanced at the woman her companion pointed to. “Miss Peabody, if you’d like to go chat with her,
feel
free to do so. I’ll be fine by myself for a few minutes.”

“Are you certain? I shan’t be gone long.”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. Now go.”

The older woman waddled away, leaving Dorothy to her thoughts.
Finally!
Miss P was a sweet lady, but Dorothy needed room to breathe without a Mother-hen watching her every move. Being cooped up with the older woman was driving Dorothy insane, and she didn’t know how much more of the lady’s
sweetness
she could stand.

Then again, perhaps it was better to be with Miss P than with Calvin Seton. That man made her nervous…in such a way that she’d never experienced before. The way his eyes partook of her not too long ago made her actually feel pretty. Like a lady. In all these years, she always thought it didn’t matter if men treated her like one of them.

Until now.

Until Mr. Seton entered her life.

“May I ask what you are thinking?”

Mr. Seton’s deep voice made her jump. As she swung around, she didn’t realize how close he was until she bumped into him. His arms wrapped around her and tightened, keeping them from toppling over and causing a scene.

She placed her hands on his chest to push away from him, but the warmth from his arms, and his smoldering gaze kept her in place.

This was
not
a good thing at all, but heaven help her, she didn’t want to leave.

Chapter Five

Calvin couldn’t believe the transformation Miss Paxton had undergone. She didn’t even resemble the ill-mannered woman he’d met a few days ago with wild hair and a maid’s drab clothes who chewed with her mouth open. Instead, a beautiful lady stood before him. Very close to him, in fact. For the life of him, he couldn’t keep from staring into her astonishing eyes, and his limbs refused to move.

How long he stood holding her this way, he didn’t know, but he wasn’t the only one whose gaze devoured the other. The way she looked upon him with smoldering eyes growing darker by the second nearly had him begging for a kiss. And he was
not
a man who begged for anything. In his cavalry unit, he was admired for his ability to remain in control. Yet where was his control now?

“Mr. Seton?” Her voice sounded deeper than usual. “Are you all right?”

He could have laughed out loud. He was definitely
not
all right! “I’m fine, Miss Paxton.”

“Please, call me Dorothy,” she whispered.
“At least when we’re alone.”

“Dorothy—” He paused, enjoying the way her name breezed across his lips. “You are amazing.”

“Pardon me?”

What did I just say?
Quickly, he snapped out of the dream she’d somehow put him under and reluctantly withdrew. Emptiness invaded him, and he wished he could take her back in his arms again. Impossible!

“Um, I mean, your transformation is utterly amazing,” he said to correct his blunder. “Miss Peabody has done a remarkable job, has she not?”

Dorothy shrugged. “I suppose.”

“You look very much like a lady, I might add.” He skimmed his gaze over her attire again. “And you walk like a lady as well.”

“I would hope so. Miss P would have me locked in my room until I glided to her satisfaction.”

“Miss
P
?”

She shrugged. “Yes, my companion.”

He chuckled. “I assume you don’t call her that to her face.”

“Of course not.
It wouldn’t be proper
.
”

“You are correct. Miss Peabody would have the vapors if you did.”

“She’d have the vapors if she knew I also refer to her as a barracuda.”

His laughter grew. “No, do not let her know that, either.”

“So let’s keep this between us.” Dorothy smiled.

“Splendid idea.”
He took another step back and leaned against the railing.

Silence lasted only a few moments, before Dorothy touched his arm. “Mr. Seton, I want to thank you for what you have done to help my brother.”

He smiled. “You are most welcome.”

“The doctor you found to treat Jeremy is wonderful.”

“I must say, your brother’s health perked up considerably before we left New York. Do you not agree?”

“Wholeheartedly.
It still astounds me what miracles could happen with the right physician and treatment.”

“You are correct, Dorothy.
Jeremy’s health improved by the minute.”

“I thank you again.”

Calvin cocked his head and grinned. “And I would like to thank you for helping me with that card game. I did win more money than I lost, thank heavens.”

“It’s obvious you are not good at playing cards.”

He shook his head. “I’ll admit it’s not one of my favorite pastimes. Most gentlemen enjoy the sport, but not me.”

“Well, that’s a good thing, because you would need to have lessons, much the way I’m receiving them from Miss P,” she answered in a sharp tone.

“How are you getting along with your companion?”

“As well as could be expected, I suppose.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The older woman will eventually make me lose my mind, especially if she keeps me trapped in my small room.” She tugged at the ribbons under her chin. “And this bonnet is going to chafe my skin, I just know it.” Her hands moved to the cloak and swept down her chest. “This blasted garment is heavy, and I fear if I were to fall overboard, I’d sink clear to the bottom of the ocean within seconds.”

He grinned. “Come now, Dorothy. Dressing like a lady can’t be that horrid.”

“It’s worse.” She threw up her hands in emphasis. “Do you know that I’m not wearing anything under this gown—all but for my stockings, of
course.
”

The shock from her loud words had him stepping closer to her and covering her mouth. “
Shh
… You don’t want the whole ship to know.”

She removed his hand, but still held it close to her. “I’m certain the whole ship does know
,
especially if every woman is dressed like me.” She leaned closer. “According to Miss P, I cannot wear my drawers—since she thinks it’s scandalous for a noble woman to wear such a garment—and this frigid weather is freezing my nether region.”

Calvin should scold her for discussing such delicate subjects with a man. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to correct her. Especially when most every word that came from her mouth made him laugh. It’d been too long since he had enjoyed himself so much with a woman. Then again, the women he usually consorted with were never like Miss Paxton.

Shaking his head slowly, he grinned. “Dorothy, you really should not say such things in the company of a man.”

Her forehead furrowed.
“Why not?”

Of their own accord, his fingers caressed her knuckles and the palm of her hand.
“Because it will give the man improper thoughts.”

The small lines in her face disappeared and softness covered her expression. “Is that what’s happening to you now?” She moved closer until her breasts brushed against his hand. “Are you having improper thoughts about me?”

Oh good grief, was he ever! Seeing
her this
beautiful—and innocent—gave him the urge to take her in his arms and smother her with kisses. Of course, he could not act on his thoughts. If her grandfather ever discovered Calvin’s interest—