In Hiding Page 8

  He looked up as she entered and half rose as the ship tilted and Tamina almost ran down the cabin towards the desk.

  Laughing she managed to brace herself against the brass rail of the desk as the Blue Diamond righted itself once more.

  But she noticed there was no answering smile on the Earl’s face as he sank back into his leather chair.

  He looked stern and remote and suddenly Tamina was glad she had not insisted that Joe told him about Nancy.

  “I fear we are in for a rough time, my Lord,” she ventured, sliding into her seat, glad that the chair was bolted firmly to the floor, obviously prepared for such an eventuality.

  The Earl busied himself with his notes.

  His secretary looked flushed and bright-eyed.

  No doubt Miss Waites had spent her luncheon break talking with the fresh-faced young Lieutenant Oxburn.

  Well, it made no difference to him!

  He was just disappointed that, although she had seemed like an honourable girl, here she was flirting with the first man she met on board.

  “Did your Officer friend tell you how long we can expect the storm to last?” he asked briefly.

  Tamina looked up from her notebook, puzzled.

  “Officer friend? Oh, do you mean Lieutenant Oxburn?”

  The Earl leant back in his chair, his strong tanned hand fidgeting with the lid of the heavy silver inkwell.

  “The very young man who obviously finds you so attractive, Miss Waites. Yes, Lieutenant Oxburn.”

  Tamina felt hot colour flood up her face. There was a note of disdain in his voice that she found distressing.

  She had wondered if the Earl would suspect her of flirting when she had literally thrown herself into the Officer’s arms to stop him seeing Joe disappearing through the forbidden hatchway.

  She felt tears begin to prick her eyes.

  Until she had lost it, she had no idea just how much this man’s good opinion meant to her.

  She would have given anything to have explained the circumstances, but there was no way she could do so without giving away Joe’s and Nancy’s secret. And she had promised them she would not do so.

  Tamina knew she had many faults, but she had never in her life broken a promise and she never would.

  She took a deep breath, her fingernails pressing hard into her palms.

  “Lieutenant Oxburn is a very kind young man who has been very helpful, but I am sure I mean no more to him than any other passenger.”

  The Earl shrugged.

  “If you say so, Miss Waites, then of course I accept your statement. And anyway, as long as it does not affect your work, your social life is of no concern to me! Now, shall we begin?”

  Tamina bit her lip, bent her head and began to take down the notes he was dictating.

  She was angry inside; if he had known that he was talking to Lady Tamina Braithwaite, he would never have dreamt of saying such hurtful words.

  For the next hour they worked without exchanging any other comments except those concerned with his book.

  But Tamina was only too well aware that the motion of the ship was growing ever more violent and eventually as it tilted, rolled and shook itself back again, the Earl looked up and for a moment concern shone in his dark eyes.

  Then the stern expression returned as he suggested,

  “I think we should stop now, Miss Waites. The storm is gathering strength. I think it would be wise if you retired to your cabin for the evening. I doubt if the Captain will now be hosting his function so you probably brought your ball gown with you for no good reason!”

  Tamina caught back a little gasp at his sarcasm, but she was determined to remain dignified.

  She thanked him quietly and made her way out of the room.

  The tears she had been fighting all afternoon finally spilled down her cheeks and she leaned against the wall of the corridor, battling to get herself under control.

  Fresh air! That was what she needed.

  It was so stuffy below decks even though it was cold and damp, and she felt she could not breathe.

  She now staggered along the corridor and up the stairway, clutching the brass rail as the ship rolled wildly, first to port then to starboard.

  There was no one around. Even the hardiest souls had retired to their cabins, but an atmosphere of unease and concern hung over the big ship as it ploughed through the rough seas.

  For an instant Tamina wondered if she should return to her cabin. But stubbornly she refused to give in – she would not be denied her fresh air!

  At last she reached the door to the deck and tugged hard at the handle, but it would not move and she realised it was the pressure of the wind that was holding it shut.

  Bracing herself, she pulled with all her strength and managed to force it open far enough to slide out.

  The power of the storm took her by surprise.

  She found herself staggering along the deck, her hair flying free of its clips as the wind howled in across the waves crashing against the side of the Blue Diamond.

  Gulping for breath and soaked to the skin, Tamina managed to break her headlong flight at last by linking her arm round a metal post. She gazed out at the angry ocean, scared but awed by the sight.

  It was nearly dark but there was just enough light for her to see a vast expanse of grey sea with giant waves crested in white and yellow foam roaring towards the ship, driven on by a gale force wind that never ceased.

  Spray thundered over the deck, soaking her to the skin and suddenly she felt afraid.

  She had not realised how dangerous it would be to come on deck when such a storm was raging.

  And the vessel that had seemed so large when she had boarded it in Southampton, now appeared very small and helpless against this ferocious attack by nature at its very worst.

  Tamina would never have believed that such a great ship could be thrown around like a toy in a child’s bath.

  She shuddered and was glad that the lifeboat drill had been accomplished so well on the first day they had sailed.

  But looking down on the terrible sea, she realised that the small lifeboats would stand no chance even if they could be launched.

  Water crashed across the deserted deck and Tamina felt her hold on the metal post loosen. She groaned and clung on desperately. Surely this violent motion could not go on forever?

  A thrill of fear ran across her body – the doorway back to the covered deck seemed miles away. She was unsure if she could reach it safely.

  She could die out here in the cold and dark, tossed like a rag doll into the cruel raging water, and she could only imagine how devastated her parents would feel – if they even ever discovered what her fate had been.

  Tamina now realised that she had been extremely foolhardy, putting herself into such danger unnecessarily.

  Throughout her short life she had been protected, sheltered and cared for. Even when her older brothers had thoughtlessly risked their lives during their madcap games, they had always been there to help her out of trouble.

  She had taken their protection for granted.

  But now on this storm-tossed sea she was alone, completely alone.

  Carelessly she had never imagined a situation she could not cope with.

  ‘This is all my fault!’ she thought desperately. ‘If I had not been so full of my own self-pity when Edmund betrayed me, I would not have run away. I did not stop to think through the problem and now that same fault has left me in dreadful danger.’

  But as yet another wave crashed over her, Tamina forced her mind to work faster.

  She gathered together all her courage and resolve. She would worry over the shortcomings of her character and behaviour when she was safely back inside the ship.

  She dashed the icy salt water from her eyes and carefully measured the distance along the deck to the next stanchion she could grasp.

  Then as a huge wave washed back over the rails, she flung herself forward, gaining a useful yard towards the half op
en door.

  Suddenly a shape filled the doorway and a figure fought its way along the deck towards her.

  “Miss Waites!”

  It was the Earl.

  Jacketless, his new lawn shirt already soaked and clinging to his chest, he reached out a hand, and with a cry of relief Tamina grabbed it.

  “Oh – my Lord, I am – so thankful to see you!”

  His arms went around her and he half pulled, half carried her back along the deck and inside the covered passageway.

  “Good Heavens! You stupid girl! You could have been killed! Whatever possessed you to go out on deck in this weather?”

  Tamina leant against him for a moment as the ship rolled savagely once more, feeling the warm relief of his strength that had saved her from the elements.

  Reluctantly she pulled herself upright and out of his powerful encircling arms.

  “Thank you, my Lord – I am so grateful to you. I fear I sadly misjudged the conditions – it was my own fault for being stubborn. I wanted fresh air and was determined to find it at any cost!”

  She gazed up at him, not realising how attractive she looked with her long golden hair darkened to rich amber by the salt water. Drops glistened on her eyelashes and her cheeks were whipped to rose by the cold and wind.

  The Earl caught his breath.

  He had never seen anyone so lovely.

  The dark blue of her eyes, the funny little nose.

  He desperately wanted to kiss her and even bent his head towards hers, but his common sense came to his rescue.

  Before he had been interrupted by events in his cabin, he had meant to find Miss Waites and apologise for his unpardonable rudeness.

  He had been shocked at his own behaviour. Being sarcastic to a member of his staff who could not answer back was unforgivable.

  And that was what he had to remember – that Miss Waites was an employee of his – a young unprotected woman in his care.

  It would be a hellish thing to do, to take advantage of such a girl, even though his feelings for her were now growing stronger every day.

  “We all do foolish things sometimes, Miss Waites,” he remarked dryly and she wondered if she had misheard the humour in his voice.

  “Why were you looking for me, my Lord? Have you more work for me to undertake?”

  “No, no. It is far too rough to work. I came to tell you that poor Joe has taken a nasty fall and given his head a bad knock against the side of one of the trunks. He is at present in the infirmary cabin being attended by the ship’s doctor.”

  “Oh, that’s awful. Poor Joe. Is he conscious?”

  “He slips in and out, but he will not settle to rest and seems very distressed. The doctor wants him to sleep, but we cannot calm him. He is calling for you, Miss Waites.”

  “For me?”

  They had reached the doorway to her cabin and Tamina paused, bewildered at the Earl’s remarks. Why should Joe need to speak to her? She hardly knew the boy.

  Then she remembered it all clearly and to the Earl’s astonishment she flung open her cabin door and peered inside.

  She could tell immediately that no one had been in the room since she was last here.

  There was no sign of Joe’s fiancée, Nancy.

  He must have fallen and hurt himself before he could move her. And that meant that the young girl was still lying down in that cold dangerous stairwell

  Tamina staggered as the boat rocked again. She flung out a hand and the Earl caught it.

  “Whatever is wrong, Miss Waites? You look as if you have seen a ghost.”

  Tamina spun round to him.

  All she could see in her mind’s eye was that metal platform, so many feet below this deck, a young girl lying there, ill and helpless, sliding perilously close to the edge and a fall to her death on the wicked metal pipes below.

  There was no choice.

  Whatever it did to their relationship, she would have to tell the Earl and confess that she and Joe had deceived him!

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Tamina became conscious that she had been staring into the Earl’s dark eyes for long silent minutes without speaking.

  Her pulse was racing and she felt a little faint.

  She realised she knew this man so well even though they had spent such a short time in each other’s company.

  She knew him far better than she had ever known Edmund.

  The Earl was going to be so disappointed to learn that she and Joe had deceived him in such a way.

  To lose his respect and liking, even if it was just the liking an employer had for an employee would be real y devastating.

  Tamina mentally shook herself and took a deep breath.

  There was no time to waste in worrying about her own emotions and feelings.

  She had to rescue Nancy.

  “My Lord, I have to ask you to accompany me below decks?”

  The Earl’s dark brows now drew together in an astonished frown.

  “I beg your pardon!”

  “Oh, please, please, follow me. I need your help immediately. The explanations must wait.”

  The Earl nodded at once, impressed by the passion he saw in her blue eyes and startled by the air of command assumed by his usually mild-mannered secretary.

  Without speaking he followed her back along the corridor and to his surprise, as the boat rocked violently, Miss Waites opened a small metal door and then hurried through.

  Intrigued the Earl followed her, catching back a cry of alarm as she vanished abruptly down a steep metal ladder into the gloom.

  He began to shout a warning, but caught his breath sharply as he saw what appeared to be the body of a young boy in a green uniform clinging to the metal steps below.

  Miss Waites was crouching by his side, trying to raise his head from the metal deck and looking up, her huge blue eyes seemed almost dark as midnight in this cold fetid space between decks.

  “Dammit, who is this poor boy? What is he doing here?”

  The Earl clattered down the steps and then gulped.

  As he carefully lifted the body into his arms, he realised by the flowing red hair cascading across him that this was no boy – this was a young woman, no more than sixteen or seventeen years of age.

  Grimly he noticed too that the rug she had thrown off her in her illness was one of his own travelling blankets!

  “Explanations later, Miss Waites! This wretched child is frozen with the cold.”

  He carried her swiftly up the ladder, bracing himself easily against the rocking of the ship.

  Tamina followed him.

  She was so glad to get out of that freezing metal tomb. The sound of the storm was so loud down there, the crashing of the endless waves against the side of the ship magnified a thousand times over.

  She shuddered.

  Of course a ship this size could never sink, never be rolled over by the huge waves, but all she could imagine was what it would be like if the ship began to founder and she and the Earl were trapped below decks.

  When she reached the warm corridor, the Earl was standing, hesitating.

  “Quickly, take her to my cabin,” urged Tamina and hurried ahead to open the door.

  Staggering against the rolling of the vessel, the Earl carried Nancy inside and laid her down on the bed.

  The young woman gave a little sigh and began to regain consciousness.

  “I shall summon the medical staff immediately,” announced the Earl tersely.

  Without thinking Tamina shot out her hand and grasped his arm.

  “No, wait!”

  Then seeing the surprise on his face at her tone of voice, which had been of someone speaking to an equal in rank, she continued,

  “I am sorry, my Lord, I did not mean to speak so rudely, but if we call the doctor to attend to her, I think she will be imprisoned somewhere on the ship and probably your valet will be as well!”

  The Earl turned his dark gaze on her and Tamina realised with a sinking heart that he was looking stern an
d distant.

  “Obviously there is a story here that I have to be told. I will wait in my cabin and be grateful if you would come to me as soon as is possible.”

  He then gave her a brief nod and departed, the door closing behind him with ominous finality.

  Tamina bit her lip as she hurried to help Nancy out of the wet uniform. She wrapped the girl in a thick dressing gown and dried her long red hair as much as she could.

  “Oh, miss, thank you so much. Oh, dear, what’s goin’ to ’appen now? Where’s my Joe? Does he know the Earl found me? Will he be turned away? Oh, miss, ’e’ll be that upset if he loses his position. He’s so proud to be carrying on the job his brother had. Oh, it’ll all be my fault!”

  Big tears ran down her face and Tamina took her hand and spoke forcefully but kindly, trying to remember that she was Miss Waites and not Lady Tamina.

  “Nonsense, now don’t distress yourself, Nancy. Joe had a little accident but he will be fine. He fell and hit his head and that is why he could not come to you himself.

  “When the storm became so very violent, I felt it only right that I had to break my promise and tell the Earl about you – for your own safety.”

  Nancy wiped the tears away.

  “What will ’appen to us now, miss? Will I be arrested for stowin’ away?”

  Tamina shook her head in a decisive fashion, her blue eyes sparkling.

  “No, what I intend to do is approach the Captain and say that you are my maid, that you were supposed to stay at home, but stupidly followed me on board with a message and became scared when the ship sailed. You hid on the stairwell, but now have confessed. No one needs to know about the disguise! I will throw the uniform out of the porthole tonight!”

  “Oh, miss!”

  “I will offer to pay for your passage. There is room in here to make you up a bed and it will only be until we reach Madeira. There you and Joe must make your own arrangements to send you home, but I am sure the Earl will help. He is a caring employer and for all his stern appearance, a kind man.”

  “Oh, miss, you are so kind to me!”

  And then bidding Nancy rest for a while, Tamina left her cabin, knowing she would now have to face the Earl and hear his judgement on her behaviour.