To seek the life you desire, you must change your path and your thinking. Do something you’ve never done to reap the results you’ve only dreamed of.
How had one fleeting meeting with a fortune teller—as well as Captain Storme—caused such upheaval in her spirit? Heat flared in her cheeks, and she quickly turned to contemplate the scene in the garden once more. “By the by, I met a man in passing yesterday as we both observed a few animals. Do you know a Captain Storme?”
William snorted. “I know of him, certainly. He spends his time at one of the taverns, drinking and wagering, and is a rake by all accounts.”
“Ah.” Jealousy stabbed through her chest. Obviously, he wasn’t a stranger to the opposite sex, so why did he want to tarry in her presence? She couldn’t hold a candle to some of the women in the town. Neither did she have the experience. “Well, he was ever so polite during our brief conversation.” And she couldn’t stop thinking of the warm pressure of his lips on hers. Dear heavens, had anyone seen them in that embrace? Perhaps not if her brother hadn’t mentioned it.
“Stay away from him and his ilk, Elizabeth. He’s a man who chases scandal and sin. No doubt he’s destined for hell and relishes that fact.” He stood and took his sheaf of notes in hand. “One such as him can’t be saved.”
“Perhaps.” Would he change his ways if the right motivation came along? The fact that he’d asked her to meet him today both sent dread and elation streaking down her spine. Why had he wanted the meeting? Surely it couldn’t be as simple as him finding interest in her as a woman, but if that were true… A warm flutter moved in her belly. “I know you’re anxious to be off.” Elizabeth turned and moved toward the table to collect the tea things, merely to quiet her thoughts. “I shall see you at dinner.” They customarily took the evening meal in a private dining room at the Great White Horse Hotel on Tavern Street. Afterward, William would sometimes conduct an impromptu preaching session until the proprietor asked them to leave.
“Very well.” He nodded. “Remember to spread the Word while you’re out. Idle hands make for the devil’s work.”
Was finding a bit of enjoyment and perhaps normal conversation with a sea captain considered damning in the eyes of the church? None of them knew anything for certain about the man or his soul.
“And remember to wear your spencer,” her brother said on his way out of the parlor. “You’re a godly woman, not a lightskirt.”
“Oh, buggar off, William,” she whispered, but categorically refused to run upstairs to fetch that item of clothing. For once in her life, she would do what she wanted. Only for the afternoon, then she’d take up the reins of her duty once more and savor the memories. Surely there was no danger of temptation in simply talking to the captain.
*
An hour later,Elizabeth spotted Captain Storme standing beneath a large oak tree in the middle of the fair grounds. His arms were crossed at chest level and he leaned one of those broad shoulders against the stout trunk. The pose was inviting. She slid her gaze up and down his person. The sapphire blue jacket fit his form to perfection, as did the buff-colored breeches tucked into a pair of scuffed Hessian-style boots. Did the art of sailing keep him trim and muscled or did he indulge in some other form of exercise?
Merciful heavens, the man was a threat to her peace of mind. He was sin personified. Still, she advanced even as her pulse hammered hard in her ears and apprehension sat heavy in her belly. When she came close, she said, “Good afternoon, Captain Storme.” Of course, her voice shook. No doubt she looked like a proper ninny, a girl just out of the schoolroom approaching the first young man she saw.
“Ah, Miss Hayhurst.” A faint smile curved his sensuous lips, and her imagination gave way to flights of fancy that had her cheeks warming. “I had some doubt as to your keeping our assignation.”
His choice of words had a wave of heat rolling over her. Assignation sent her mind skittering into all sorts of illicit activities a woman of the church should never linger over. “I said that I would.” She clutched her hands together in front of her to quell their shaking. “Why did you wish to meet with me?” The area was too open. If William changed his mind and decided to visit the fair, he’d see her straight away.
“As I told you yesterday, I’m fascinated by you.” His grin widened. Mischief twinkled in his eye. The eyepatch only added to his mystery and the arresting gorgeousness of his looks. Slowly, and with a leisure that rose gooseflesh on her arms, he studied her with intensity so she felt that perusal over her skin as if he’d touched her. “I appreciate the dress. It’s quite an improvement over yesterday.”
“Thank you.” Heat infused her cheeks. “It’s the most cheerful garment in my wardrobe.”
“More’s the pity. A woman like you should find herself bedecked in luxurious fabrics and fripperies.” His gaze alighted on her bonnet. “Is that new?”
“No.” Elizbeth’s flush deepened. It was a plain bonnet, devoid of any ornamentation, for she’d removed many of the silk flowers and ribbons it had been decorated with, else William would never have allowed her to wear it. “A month ago, I was cleaning out a room in the house my brother rents. This was left behind, tucked away in a cupboard, and since it’s a tad newer than mine, I appropriated the thing. It pained me to take the pretty ribbons and flowers off…” Her words trailed away when she caught him staring at her mouth.
Did he think about that kiss too, or stealing an additional one?
“That’s too bad. No woman should feel the need to hide her personality for fear of what others might say.” The captain pushed off the tree and then offered her his arm. “Perhaps you’ll let me ply you with sweets and savories found throughout the fair.”
How darling his response was, but it sent confusion swirling about her. Not trusting her words, she laid her gloved fingertips on his sleeve. “I could be convinced to sample some of those sugared nuts. They’re a particular favorite of mine I’m not frequently allowed.” It was both odd and wonderful at the same time to have a man wish to squire her about a public venue.
“I can arrange that.” The captain took her hand and threaded it through his crooked elbow. “Much better, don’t you think?”
Merciful heavens, she couldn’t think, not when the action brought her so close to his side, and his manly scent wrapped around her. She knew next to nothing about him, but her senses threatened to cartwheel into chaos. “Will you tell me about yourself, Captain Storme?”
“Only if you promise to call me Brand.”
“Brand? What an unusual name. I’m not sure I’ve heard that before.” With every step she took, an invisible gossamer web wove around her, intent on binding her to this man, but why? What about him called to her?
“It’s a fat lot better than my given name.” He turned his head and winked. A faint flutter started in her lower belly that brought with it another round of gooseflesh even though the sun was as high and as hot as yesterday. “I was born Francis Hillenbrand Storme. As you can imagine, I felt the need to shorten that mess as soon as I attended school.”
“I can see why.” The thought of him as a boy had her smiling, but then doubts came sailing in to dash away the temporary happiness she’d found. “If this is to be our last meeting, why should it matter what I call you?”
He put his lips close to her ear. “Whoever said this was our last meeting?” The warmth of his breath skated over her cheek, and she gave into a tiny shiver. “I very much intend to see you as often as you’ll allow.”
“Oh!” Her heartbeat tapped out a frantic tattoo. “Then perhaps you should tell me how you came to land in the Navy. At least, to start with.” There was so much she wanted to know about him, but his proximity caused the questions to fly out of her mind.