Stormy Seas (8 page)
Authors: Evelyn James
Tags: #historical romance, #regency romance, #victorian romance
sturdy tan dress and then swung the door open with an expectant
smile. “Malcolm!” she said, with more happiness than he had ever
seen her wear.
His wizened face wrinkled a bit and he slid the
spectacles on the end of his nose closer to his face. He looked a
bit confused at her sudden transformation from a nervous,
down-trodden waif to a joyous, smiling girl.
“
Ahem...” he cleared his throat,
with a slight smile. “I am to make sure you get escorted off the
boat. And then Captain O'Hare has arranged a place for you to
stay.”
Kira could feel herself starting
to flush and quickly nodded her head to cover her embarrassment.
“Alright,” Kira said with a congenial smile. The thought of
leaving
The Reliance
behind filled her with mixed emotions.
reached out to hug his short neck. Malcolm stood as still as a
statue for a moment, then slowly returned the hug. He cleared his
throat and Kira wondered if she had made him uncomfortable.
Kira took a step back and could see that Malcolm
seemed affected. He nodded at her, gave a slight smile and then
stated softly, “You remind me of my daughter.”
He cleared his throat stiffly then returned to his
business-as-usual demeanor. Kira felt a soft ache in her gut,
wondering what had happened to Malcolm's daughter, and feeling the
pain of her papa's absence all at once.
She looked around the little cabin that had become
her home. The thought of Marcus moving back into this tiny haven
distracted and unnerved her. She felt so close to him in this room,
yet she doubted this place would ever remind him of her.
Her mind flew through a thousand possibilities,
places he would go and adventures he would have, worlds away from
her. She clenched her fist and bit her lip to stop the sharp pain
she felt in her chest as turned to climb the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~
Moving out onto the deck, Kira
eyes widened at the sight before her. The dock was bustling with
activity, sailors coming to and fro, merchants selling their
colorful wares further down on the cobbled streets and huge
buildings facing out to the sea. A crowd of bystander's seemed to
be waiting for
The Reliance,
with a bustle of excitement.
exquisite, luxurious gowns. They fanned themselves with colorful
fans, splayed in front of their faces. Kira felt a slight tinge of
jealousy at their elegant perfection.
A few distinguished gentlemen stood by,
accompanying the women. Kira watched the scene before her in awe.
The crowd seemed to be cheering for the sailors as they clambered
off the ship.
She saw Johnson take a flying leap off the side of
the ship to embrace a small blonde woman with curly hair. He
twirled her around the dock, laughing happily while the more
distinguished crowd looked on in disapproval.
Johnson didn't care though and planted a sweet kiss
on his lady's lips. She shared his joyous look, holding onto him
gleefully. It made Kira feel especially alone.
She looked around frantically for
one more glimpse of
him,
hoping she would get a chance to look into those
eyes a final time. She turned to the right, in time to see his
magnificent form step out onto the deck.
Naval Uniform with his hair tied back. She almost gasped at how
handsome and regal he appeared. His eyes met hers and Kira felt her
insides start to ache. He stared at her unapologetically, his eyes
burning. Kira felt the breath catch in her chest and she clutched
her throat softly.
It seemed that time had stilled and his gaze bore
into her, forceful and unmoving. Kira's heart started to pound and
the sound of her blood rushing seemed to drown out every other
noise. She willed him to walk over to her. Willed him to kiss her
once again like he had that night in her cabin. For a second, she
thought it might actually happen. He seemed unable to look
away.
Then, from the dock, a feminine voice cried out.
“Captain O'Hare...!” At once, the spell was broken and Kira watched
Marcus' head whip sharply in the direction of that voice. His
handsome figure turned towards the dock, leaving Kira in a moment
of confusion.
She stepped forward to see who Marcus was
approaching, only to watch him dismount gracefully onto the docks
toward a radiant dark-haired beauty.
Kira felt the breath leave her lungs. This woman
was glorious, clothed in a resplendent gown of purple and blue
silk. She held an umbrella, equally as exquisite, while her
self-confident smile made it clear she knew what a sight she
made.
Her face was sculpted and perfect, with the highest
cheekbones Kira had ever seen. Kira noticed her plump and pouty
mouth and felt jealousy tighten around her throat.
She watched the alluring woman bat her dark eyes in
the direction of the ship's captain, a faint smirk on her face. The
perfection of her curves, shapely in her corseted gown, drew the
eye. Everything about this woman was perfect and Kira could feel
her heart sinking.
As Kira watched, Marcus approached the lady with a
smile. The raven-haired beauty beamed beneath his gaze and promptly
took his arm possessively in hers. They spoke quietly for a moment,
then turned to leave the docks. Kira watched as the crowd of
sophisticated Londoners trickled off the dock, following Marcus and
his gorgeous companion.
Kira felt at a loss. Was this the reason he had
pushed her away? This gorgeous rogue had turned her world upside
down and given no explanation for his reckless, unpredictable
behavior.
Now, Kira felt thoroughly unwanted and left behind,
wishing for a moment that she had been born into a life of
glamorous leisure the way the sparkling women at the docks
had.
“
Beauty is a little more than
shiny gowns and easy smiles,” came a voice. Kira turned deflatedly
to look at Malcolm's wise face. He offered a small smile then
patted her firmly on the shoulder. “We should get you
settled.”
life. Everything stable and predictable had been ripped away from
her. It was only this ship and that man that she had come to rely
on. The steady rocking of the sea, his gorgeous, sparkling gaze
telling her that someone in this world saw her. Well, now he was no
longer looking.
Kira took a few steps off the dock
and onto the cobbled street. It was a wide street, with the hustle
and bustle of passing carts and people. A huge brick building with
the words
Baltic Exchange Company
dominated the path. Kira felt her head spinning
as she walked with Malcolm into town.
some playfully laughing, others begging strangers for money. There
were rough-looking sailors and docksmen, buttoned-up men in
polished clothing and simple girls just like Kira, wearing plain
dresses and plaintive looks on their faces. Kira felt like an ant
in the midst of so much bustle. What was she compared to the beauty
and sophistication of the upper class London woman? She felt
insignificant and silly for thinking that maybe she could be
more.
They passed endless storefronts that called out to
potential customers with their fancy wares and window displays.
Kira felt herself gasp at the sight of a stunning green gown,
trimmed with gold accents.
Its brilliant colors and alluring shape stood out
among the various window displays. Kira was frozen in place,
imagining how the soft lace would feel, until she heard Malcolm's
prompting whistle.
She turned and continued walking when she saw
Malcolm twenty feet ahead. Perhaps, she would have time to return
to the store window later and imagine herself in that perfect
gown.
As they made their way through the busy streets,
Kira noticed the glances of several gentlemen. She could feel her
cheeks flushing at the attention, realizing that she must have
looked a sight in her tattered dress and wild hair. She hoped that
she would have a chance to bathe and clean herself up when she
arrived at her temporary home.
“
Where is it I'm staying exactly,
Malcolm?” Malcolm passed a sideways glance in her direction and
then continued navigating his way through the street. “Captain
O'Hare has arranged for you to stay with a close acquaintance of
his. You will be well taken care of there; the Captain has ensured
it.”
How long would she have a place to stay? And what kind of people
would she be counting on for such hospitality?
Soon, Kira felt her question had been answered as
they entered a more distinguished part of town. The crowd had
dissipated and the tidy brick streets were lined with exquisite
homes. Kira was in awe of the mansions, noting their extravagant
size and the ornately decorated entrances of each.
When Malcolm began making his way up the front
steps of a very stately house, Kira felt a wave of anxiety. She was
in no condition to meet the owners of this estate.
Not dressed in her dirty gown that
she'd worn to mop the deck of
The
Reliance.
Kira sighed, she'd become cozy
in her little bunk, confident that the Captain would keep any
lurkers from her door. Now she faced a different kind of danger,
being alone in a world she was never asked to be a part
of.
Marcus looked out the large window in the sitting
room where he stood. An abundance of light streamed into the
magnificent room, highlighting the elegant furniture and vaulted
ceilings of the space.
It felt strange to be on land again and Marcus knew
he must brace himself for a very different world of challenges.
Still, the beauty of this world, the world of the affluent and
beautiful, had its allure. He'd felt like a fish out of water when
he'd first been invited into these circles. But now he knew better.
His charm and heroics had made him a celebrity of sorts, a beacon
of masculinity amidst proper, buttoned-up English gentlemen.
“
Darling...” came a sensual voice
from behind him. Luciana sauntered slowly across the room, waiting
patiently for Marcus' gaze to meet her. She was a self-assured
woman, confident of her ability to manipulate men with her dazzling
looks and seductive manner.
She'd spent her life in the lap of
luxury, her family's wealth and name making her a desirable match
for any man in her circles.
Ah
Luciana
, he thought. Always such a
dazzling temptress.
His potent gaze swept over Luciana's radiant, flawless features and
he found himself arrested by her perfection. She had slipped into a
new gown, a dazzling pearl and gold number that accentuated her
tiny waist and sensuous curves.
He could feel a tightness in his throat, as Luciana
leaned forward to whisper in his ear. “I've missed you so, darling.
The months you were at sea passed so slowly; I could hardly wait
for you to return to me.” Marcus felt his confusion and frustration
build. His powerful arms tensed, then he gave into the temptation,
kissing Luciana hard on the mouth.
Luciana pushed him away breathlessly, flashing him
a coy smile. “I knew you missed me too, darling.” She walked her
fingers slowly up the front of his blue jacket, throwing him
flirtatious glances. Marcus felt a struggle within him, but fought
to dismiss it.
“
I've missed you,” he admitted,
unsure of the veracity of his statement. This was right. Everyone
knew Luciana and Marcus were the perfect match. Taking her by the
waist, Marcus kissed her thoroughly once more, lingering
softly.
A loud coughing noise came from
the doorway, ending the moment. A befuddled Malcolm stood in the
hallway, next to a startled and flushed Kira. Marcus straightened
awkwardly, feeling the heat rise in his face.
Damnit
, Marcus thought, his whole
body tightening. She wasn't supposed to see that. Kira averted her
eyes, looking pained, her body frozen in place. Mortification
overcame her as she realized what a fool she'd been.
Luciana noted the awkward silence,
watching Kira's blushing face and feeling the tension emanating
from Marcus' body. She adjusted her hair elegantly and put on a
confident smile. “
Helloo
there, dear. You must be Marcus' little ward.”
Luciana made her way gracefully toward her newly arrived guests.
Running her hands lightly over her regal neck, Luciana smiled
haughtily.
“
When Marcus told me he'd rescued
a young girl, I had no idea you'd be almost fully grown. Marcus,
dear, you really must get better at observation. You made it sound
as if poor Kira here was just a helpless child.”
“
Don't worry, darling,” Luciana
pouted, approaching Kira to brush an errant strand of hair from her
face. “Eventually, your body will change and men will come to see
you as a woman.” Her lips parted over perfectly straight teeth and
she patted Kira on the arm in a condescending manner. Marcus stared
at the floor, willing it to open up and swallow him
whole.
couldn't look up; she couldn't even look at him for she felt such a
fool. Was he toying with her all along? Laughing at her simple
inexperience and modest ways? Kira stared silently at the carpet,
begging internally for someone to show her to her room.