The Ship of Love Read online

  "Oh I say, have a heart. You can't be sure it won't happen."

  "Yes, she can," came a voice from the shadows.

  It was Mark.

  "Evening old boy," Dominic said nonchalantly.

  "Evening, Dominic. Goodnight, Dominic."

  Dominic recognised the inevitable, and vanished.

  Mark met Rowena's frosty gaze.

  "My Lord Duke – " she said.

  "My Lord Duke, is it? Why so formal?"

  "Because I wish to complain about your behaviour. May I ask why you feel it necessary to appear like the devil in a pantomime every time a man pays me a compliment?"

  "Because I'm keeping an eye on you, of course, to make sure you behave yourself."

  "Make sure I –- ?"

  "I know we agreed that this was to be a Ship of Love, but I had expected you to exercise a little restraint. Instead I find you accepting attentions from two different men in a few hours, and even discussing whether you wanted to kiss a man you met only today. I'm shocked, Miss Thornhill, shocked! Have you no sense of propriety?"

  "You're not shocked at all," she declared crossly. "This is your idea of a joke. Do you imagine that I am deceived?"

  "No, you're fairly good at seeing through me, aren't you? Not always, though."

  "And what does that mean, pray?"

  "I shall leave you to guess. Shall I escort you to your cabin, or can you be trusted not to entertain any more suitors on the way?"

  There was only one response to such flagrant provocation, and Miss Thornhill made it. Drawing in her breath she announced,

  "Goodnight, my Lord Duke."

  "Goodnight Miss Thornhill."

  He bowed and stood back to let her pass. Miss Thornhill swept by him without a glance.

  *

  The next day they crossed the Bay of Biscay, which was choppier than they had expected. Some of the guests remained in their cabins.

  But Rowena was made of sterner stuff. She was a good sailor, and instead of retiring she went up on deck, enjoying the swaying of the vessel, but taking care to hold on to something as she stood by the rail.

  "Aren't you afraid to be up here?"

  Startled, she looked up and saw Mark standing beside her, watching her with a little smile.

  "No, I like the excitement," she said. "It's just a little blowy, but not too much."

  She laughed with pleasure as she spoke. She had forgotten that she was annoyed with him.

  Suddenly the deck heaved under her. Startled, she lost her balance and was only saved from falling by the Duke's strong arm about her waist. For a moment she was leaning on his broad chest, feeling his warm breath on her neck, and her skin exposed by her low cut dress. For the first time she wondered if it was immodestly low, which was strange, because that hadn't occurred to her before.

  "Are you all right?" he asked.

  "Yes, I – I'm sorry." Suddenly she found she was breathless, almost as though she had been running.

  "Don't apologise, it wasn't your fault." He too sounded a little breathless. "Perhaps you should go below."

  "Not yet, it's so thrilling up here."

  "Then hold on safely. Come further along the rail."

  He moved her along to where the rail was broken by an upright, supporting the awning above them. Now she could hold the rail with one hand and the upright with the other. To make doubly sure of her safety, he placed his own hands just outside hers, so that his body made a protective wall around her.

  "Do you feel safe now?" he asked.

  "I feel wonderful," she cried up into the sky.

  With her eyes fixed high on the stars, she didn't see the Duke's glance, half amused, half tender, just over her shoulder.

  "I think we've made a good start," he said. "All our guests are so charming, some of them are bound to fall in love."

  "I hope so," she mused, "and yet I wonder – "

  "What do you mean?"

  "You don't think we planned it too carefully? Love is something which comes unexpectedly, and not when one is deliberately looking for it. It should just happen."

  "But we've simply given it a chance to happen," he said. "There can be nothing wrong in that. But I understand what you mean. We should be careful not to try to force things. True love is elusive. I often think it is as out of reach as the moon itself, and it is something which I will never discover."

  "You mustn't think that," Rowena replied quickly. "We must believe that it will turn up at any time. However hopeless it seems, love is there, waiting for us. Don't you see? We must have faith."

  He smiled at her fervour.

  "Of course you are right," he said quietly. "That is what we are looking for and what I believe, sooner or later, we will both find."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The sea was smoother as they sailed down the coast of Spain, and the next morning the young passengers came out onto the deck to enjoy the sun. Some of them played deck tennis, while others leaned back in deckchairs.

  "I hope you're making a real effort to get to know the girls," Rowena told Mark severely. "It's only right that you should have the first pick before the other men make their choice."

  "I'm doing my best, dear sister," he said. "But there always seems to be a problem. I found Dulcie charming – as long as we were discussing horses and dogs – "

  Rowena couldn't suppress a giggle.

  "But you know what happens if one tries to change the subject," Mark finished.

  "I'm afraid I do."

  "I think she and Fears will like each other. He's horse mad too. Jane Stanton I've met before, of course. She's charming, but all she really wants is to return to her fiancé. Excuse me, I see my aunt."

  Lady Honoria had come on deck, escorted by Mr. Farley, and was settling herself in a deck chair. Rowena watched the charming, kindly way Mark attended to her, and reflected that there were two young women Mark hadn't mentioned, Margaret and Elaine.

  Was that because they didn't interest him, or because they did?

  She tried to decide which of them was most likely to attract him, the shy Margaret, or the dashing Elaine?

  He could only like a really intelligent woman, she thought. And of course she must be beautiful. He's a Duke, and he knows that he's entitled to the best. Margaret's shyness might strike him as a little dull, and although Elaine is very clever, I think he could find her superficial.

  Then she was surprised at herself for thinking uncharitable thoughts about her friends. It was something she'd never done before.

  'But I've promised to be a good sister to him,' she thought, 'and not try to foist an unsuitable girl on him merely to stop Papa trying to match us.'

  She watched as Mark went round all the girls, talking gently to Jane, then speaking to Margaret, next to Elaine, who had just finished playing deck tennis.

  He spent longer with Elaine than Rowena thought was strictly necessary, and she had the strange impression that the sun had gone in.

  But then he passed on to Dulcie again, who was in a bouncy mood. She accepted a cold drink and talked eagerly to Mark for some time, before bouncing off again.

  Rowena wondered whether she'd been talking about dogs or horses.

  Then Mark looked up, saw her watching him, and grinned. Rowena realised that he had read her thoughts and was communicating a perfect understanding.

  She felt the sun come out again.

  Taking a turn about the deck she came across her grandfather and Lady Honoria, heads together, chuckling.

  "You two seem to be having a fine time," she said.

  "It isn't only the young who can enjoy themselves,"

  Mr. Farley declared.

  Lady Honoria beamed.

  "I'm so glad I came," she said. "You'll never guess what. It turns out that dear Adrian knew my husband when they were both young."

  "Adrian?" Rowena asked. "Oh, Grandpapa."

  She was so used to thinking of him only as her grandfather that she'd forgotten he must once have been young. Now
she recalled that he'd fallen in love, seen his wife die and his daughter die. And that he was called Adrian.

  "We studied together," Mr. Farley informed her. "Got up to some shocking larks. Our teachers said we had no business becoming clergymen, because we were too wicked. But it was just youthful high spirits."

  "Jack always enjoyed practical jokes," Lady Honoria recalled. "He used to play them on me when we were married." She sighed. "How we laughed."

  "I can hardly believe you're the same person who came to Haverwick Castle," Rowena said.

  Lady Honoria smiled mischievously. "You know," she said, "I've always felt that if I hadn't been born into a ducal family, I should have liked to go on the stage. I'm a very good actress."

  "Indeed you are," Rowena said.

  She passed on, wondering what Mark was doing.

  *

  They finally docked at Lisbon where Dominic Fears declared he knew an excellent hotel for their dinner, and there would be an orchestra.

  Everyone was mad to go, except Mr. Farley and Lady Honoria, who declared that they would have an early night. In due course hired carriages gathered on the quay, and five couples trooped off the ship to be conveyed to the hotel.

  Rowena's eyes shone at the prospect of a dinner party that promised to be such fun. No chaperones, no watchful eyes, nothing to do but enjoy herself.

  Her gown was primrose yellow silk, with an overskirt of white muslin, dotted with tiny yellow flowers. With it she wore opals, not her most luxurious jewels, but she was glad of that. She knew they were charming and they suited her.

  As she left her cabin she found Lord Brice in the corridor.

  "I hope you don't mind, I've been waiting for you," he said shyly.

  "Of course I don't mind. Is there something I can do for you?"

  "Just – just be my partner for this evening. Sit with me and – talk – you know."

  "I'd be delighted." She liked this gentle young man a great deal.

  Mark was there on deck, watching them all coming out together. He raised his eyes at the sight of Rowena and Brice.

  "I see he's taken refuge with you," he said. "One of the other girls has set her cap at him, and he's running for cover. So now she'll fall to me for the evening."

  One by one they went down the gangplank and into the carriages. Last of all came Mark with Elaine on his arm.

  The hotel was admirable, and the food excellent. Rowena was soon deep in conversation with Brice, who relaxed in her company and displayed a gentle charm that enchanted her.

  It turned out that he had been at university with Mark.

  "When he invited me on this trip, I knew it would be something original and different. At college he always liked what other people either ignored or disliked. He thought and acted individually which I greatly admired."

  "That is a very good description of him," Rowena agreed thoughtfully.

  As the meal drew to a close, the orchestra came onto a small stage. They struck up a waltz and soon everyone was dancing. Lord Brice led Rowena onto the floor, shyly put his arm about her waist, and they began to sway to the music.

  He was an excellent dancer, the best she had ever known, and she soon melted into his arms. When the first waltz ended, he asked her again and she immediately agreed. Dance after dance they had together, until at last Mark intervened.

  "I think this one was promised to me," he said smoothly.

  "Oh, yes – of course," Lord Brice said, becoming awkward again.

  "That was quite unnecessary," Rowena fumed as she danced with the Duke.

  "On the contrary, it was very necessary. You were attracting the kind of attention that I consider undesirable."

  "Youconsider – ?"

  "This voyage is under my supervision and I insist on proper behaviour at all times." He was really angry and her own temper rose in response.

  "Well, I am not under your supervision, and I do not wish to dance with you."

  She tried to pull away but he held her firmly.

  "How dare you!" she whispered.

  "I will not let you storm off the floor, thus attracting even more attention. And you areunder my supervision. My authority if you like."

  "I do not like, and I think you must have taken leave of your senses. Release me at once."

  But his hand was tight on hers and his arm was firm about her waist. She had no choice but to waltz with him.

  "You dance beautifully," he said. "I've been watching you."

  "Yes, you've been dancing with Elaine and Margaret and – "

  "I've danced with everyone except you. You allowed your attention to be monopolised by one man until the whole port knows it."

  "That is my affair."

  "He's not the man for you, Rowena."

  "Please do not interfere with my private affairs."

  "Are you telling me you're in love with him? I won't allow it."

  "You won't allow – ? And who are you to dictate to me? I didn't allow my father to force me into marriage with one man that I disliked, and I shall not allow you to drive me away from another man."

  The music was slowing.

  "The evening is over," the Duke said. "We will leave the hotel and return to the ship."

  She dared not argue with him. There was a glint in his eyes that she had never seen before. He was moved by some very strong emotion, and she knew it would not be safe to cross him.

  At the same time, angry as she was, she knew a mysterious thrill at the aura of danger that surrounded him. This was no ordinary man.

  When the music finished he led her to the table and announced their departure. He kept her hand tucked through his arm, almost as though he expected her to make a dash for it.

  They went out to the waiting carriages. The Duke handed Rowena in and got in beside her. Lord Brice gave her a forlorn glance, as though he had been hoping to sit with her, but the Duke gave him an implacable smile, and Brice immediately gave up.

  When they were all back on board, the Duke gave some swift instructions to the crew, and to Rowena's shock they all sprung into action.

  "We are putting to sea," the Duke informed Rowena.

  "But we weren't supposed to leave for two days. We were going to see the town and – "

  "I am protecting your reputation," he informed her curtly. "You may not remain in a place where you have caused a scandal."

  "That is ridiculous."

  "Nevertheless, it is what is going to happen."

  "You're making a tremendous fuss about nothing. So I danced with him a few times."

  "Seven times."

  She gasped. "It wasn't seven. How can you know that?"

  "Because I counted. Do you realise everyone now believes that you and Brice are madly in love?"

  "And if I were, would that be any business of yours?"

  He gave her a strange look. "Are you telling me that you are?"

  She faced him with her chin up. "I am telling you nothing."

  Suddenly his hands were hard on her shoulders. "Answer me. Are you in love with him?"

  "It does not con– "

  "Answer me!"

  "No," she said after a moment. "I am not in love with him."

  Something wild and uncontrolled faded from his face.

  "Then why did you let him monopolise you all evening?" he demanded in a quieter tone.

  "He's a good talker, and a very good dancer. And that's all I'm going to say to you."

  He took his hands from her shoulders.

  "Forgive me," he said in a jerky voice. "I should not have – I had no right to – but you must understand that I feel responsible to your father. Perhaps that has made me a little too protective of you. I ask your pardon if I went too far."

  His apology, and a kind of desperation in his voice, startled her. It was impossible to be angry with a man who spoke so unhappily. Suddenly she was on the verge of tears.

  "I'm going to bed," she said huskily, and fled him.

  In her cabin she threw herself o
nto the bed, full of turbulent feelings. What had happened tonight was terrible, disturbing, unsettling. The air was singing in her ears, and nothing would ever be the same again.

  "Excuse me miss." It was Jenny, yawning as she had just woken up. "Shall I undress you now?"

  "Yes, thank you."

  She let Jenny undo her at the back, slipped out of the dress and put on a white silk nightgown. Over it she slipped a satin and lace robe, and let her blonde hair down around her shoulders. Then she rested her chin on her shoulders, trying to think coherent thoughts, but failing.

  She kept seeing Mark's wild, distorted face, full of some intense emotion that had shaken him to the core. And her.

  Suddenly she too was filled with intense emotion. It bewildered her, and made her heart beat with intense excitement.

  "Is it all right if I go to bed now, ma'am?"

  "Goodness, I've been sitting here for half an hour. We must be well out to sea by now. Yes, Jenny, of course you can go to bed."

  "Did you have a nice evening?"

  "Yes, thank you."

  "And Lady Honoria, did she have a nice time?"

  "She didn't go out tonight."

  "Oh, but she did, miss. She and Mr. Farley left the ship about an hour after you did."

  Rowena turned sharply. "What? Did they say where they were going?"

  "I didn't speak to them, miss. I just saw them going down the gang plank."

  Rowena jumped up. Without stopping to think how she was dressed she hurried to Mr. Farley's cabin and knocked on the door. Receiving no answer she pushed it open.

  It was empty.

  She hurried along the corridor to Lady Honoria's room and knocked sharply. She was answered by Her Ladyship's maid, Gina, yawning heavily, and obviously just woken from sleep.

  "Is your mistress here?" Rowena asked urgently.

  "No, miss she said I could go to bed until she came ba– we're moving!"

  Rowena ran as fast as she could to the Duke's cabin and knocked on it as hard as she could. Then she knocked again until he opened the door.

  "What the devil – Miss Thornhill?"

  He quickly averted his eyes from her state of dress and Rowena realised that the satin and lace robe had fallen over, revealing her thinly clad bosom. He was in much the same condition, his shirt torn open, revealing a powerful chest, covered with dark hair.