“Yes, Jenny,” Edward said. “I will meet you shortly, above-deck.”
Jenny walked to the bed and took Cassie’s hand. “All is as you wish it to be, I can see that plainly.”
“I will never wish for anything more. Perhaps I shall see you in England.”
“Oh yes, I am certain of it. Good-bye, Miss Brougham.”
“Good-bye, Miss Lacy.”
The earl offered Jenny his arm and led her from the cabin. Cassie heard her say to the earl, “I do not know much about sailing boats, my lord. Perhaps you will enlighten me.”
Edward gazed down at Cassie, his expression intent. “You are certain that this is what you want, Cass?”
“Oh yes, Edward.” She took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “Our lives have been fraught with adventure. Enough I think to make me want to grow old in one place. Or perhaps two places,” she added, smiling to herself.
“Will you return to England, Cass?”
“We have not had time to discuss our plans. Poor Eliott will be in for something of a shock.”
Edward shook his head. “He’ll believe that we’ve all lost our minds.” He paused a moment, and smoothed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Does his lordship know yet of his child?”
“No, and I would ask that you not tell him, Edward. It is up to me, you know.”
“How long have you loved him, Cass?”
“I cannot remember the beginning of it, yet I am quite secure in my feelings for him.”
“Despite all that he did to you?”
“Yes.”
“What you did this morning was outlandish.”
“Perhaps, but I believe that you would have done the same, had you been me. There was everything to lose, you see.”
“I will never understand you, Cass.”
“You will forgive me everything, Edward?”
“There is nothing to forgive you for,” he said quickly. “The earl, though, is another matter.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Good-bye, Cass. Perhaps our children will be playmates some day.”
“And mine will lead yours into wicked adventures.”
He stared at her a moment, bemused. “That,” he said, straightening over her, “remains to be seen.” He looked toward the open cabin door, hearing Jenny’s bright laughter.
“Good-bye, Cass.”
“Until England, Edward.”
Chapter 28
Cassie heaved a sigh of contentment, wiped her fingers on her napkin, and sat back in her chair. She quickly leaned forward again when she felt the wooden back press against her shoulder.
“So you like Arturo’s way of preparing oysters?”
“Cleaning my plate from one end to the other should convince him of my approval.”
“They are fresh from the bay. Although Arturo is quite outspoken in his disdain of New York, he does admit that the variety of fish is remarkable.”
Cassie sipped at her wine, suspecting that the earl had laced it with laudanum. She gazed about the cabin, her body lulled by the wine and the gentle rocking of the yacht.
“How odd,” she said aloud, “that one’s perspective can shift so dramatically. This cabin is exquisite. I did not remember it this way.”
“Both the captain and his cabin are pleased at your new perspective, Cassandra. How does your shoulder feel?”
“I fear, my lord, that you must be disappointed. I am strong as a horse, you know, and the wound is trifling. But you must keep your word—you must wait a full two days before you thrash me.”
“If I do not have to treat you as an invalid, cara, then I fancy I shall discover equally pleasurable pursuits to fill my time until I can, in good conscience, bare your bottom.”
She felt a quiver of pleasure and a rosy flush rose to her cheeks. She looked down at his strong hands as he deftly peeled an orange.
“I have not had an orange in a long time,” she said.
He handed her a section and sat back in his chair, watching her nibble delicately.
“When do we leave New York?”
He was silent for some moments, gazing at her intently.
“Is there orange juice on my chin?”
“No. You asked me this morning, Cassandra, to take you home. I must ask you if you meant what you said.”