“I like the sound of that,” she nodded.
“Now, the choice is yours, and I’ll not be offended either way. Would you like to sleep in my ma’s old chair,” I pointed, making her smile, “Or share my bed?”
I noticed that Maggie stared curiously at the cutouts in the floorboards that the feet of the chair were wedged into, so that it was secured.
She hesitated, and I didn’t blame her one bit. I was nearly a foot taller than she was, and no matter how much of a gentleman I tried to be, would crowd her in the bed.
“Let me warn you though, Maggie. You said that you don’t like enclosed spaces. No matter how honorable a man I am, my arms might wrap around you when we sleep and I couldn’t stop myself. I wouldn’t want you to wake up screaming twice on the same night.”
Those pretty eyes looked up at me with a sparkle that touched my heart. “I don’t think that would upset me,” her soft voice whispered. “The terror and shakes come from feeling that I cannot escape. I’m sure that if I poked you, you’d let me go.”
“Aye, that’s true. And another wee slap won’t hurt this rough mug,” I chuckled.
I stood up to shuck off my coat and boots, keeping my back to her as she let fall first the blanket, then her dress, laying it on the chair. I lifted the blankets so that she could climb in wearing just her slip, adding the blanket I had wrapped her in over the top.
Maggie rolled to face me as I turned out the lamp by the door, leaving the one hanging over the bed for now.
“Lass, you said that you were to be married off. Will your betrothed come for you?”
She made a face as if she’d tried Cookie’s attempt at borscht. “I couldn’t imagine it. Mr. Helsby is a drunken lout, but even he likely wouldn’t want me if he heard that I’d been...”
Although she hesitated, I knew what she meant. Her reputation would be in tatters if she was known to have been with us.
“...travelling, sir,” she finished weakly. “He’ll likely be relieved that he has more time to decide about a wife. My father had been spreading the word that I must be married off within a few months, which seemed rather quick to me.”
Propping myself up on my elbow, I was lost in those lovely eyes.
There’s a difference between handing a woman over to a fine man for her own good, or a nasty man for his own good. Terrible either way, but there was a certain distinction.
“I’m sorry that your family is no better than trash,” I said roughly. “You seem like a bright girl, an
d you should have been given the opportunity to shine.”
“It might be for the best that I’m gone,” she said. “This room is twice the size of my room back home, and I already feel like…”
She took a deep breath, that luscious bosom moving up and down as I tried not to lock my eyes on the soft swell of her breasts. I failed terribly, openly admiring her delicate, feminine skin.
“Like someone had been standing on my chest for years and now they’re gone.”
“That’s wonderful, lass. Mind you, it’s a rough life out here. You’ll have much to learn.”
“Good!” she exclaimed. “I love to learn new things. I’m a good worker, Captain. Really. I’ll be useful, I promise.”
“I know you will. But for the first few days, I’ll need you to keep your wits about you. Be extra careful. No tripping on your skirts on the deck, or leaning too far over the rail.”
Maggie nodded earnestly. “I promise.”
Watching her speak was mesmerizing. Those full, lush lips sent sparks of lust over every inch of me. Yet those lovely eyes were so sharp and attentive.
I could tell she was a woman who would arouse my mind. She really didn’t need to know how much she aroused certain other parts of me as well, and I shifted to conceal the evidence.
She needed a protector. Not a letch who couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Yet when I stared at her, it was more with admiration than untoward intentions.
“Comfortable?” I asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
I returned her sweet smile, then watched as her eyes closed. Turning off the lamp, there was just enough moonlight through the window to make out her soft cheek as her breathing became slow and even.