“Now that is good news.” She peered at the captain. “You’ve long wished for such an opportunity. I’m glad it’s finally come your way.”
Brand huffed out a breath as two of the men exchanged wild snickers. “Miss Hayhurst, this is Mr. George Cantwell.”
“I’m pleased to meet you.” The fact that Brand had formally introduced her was a positive sign.
Another man, this one tall and thin with a shock of red hair, vigorously nodded. “Aye, and we’ve all signed a partnership agreement to form a shipping outfit.”
After a low growl, Brand said, “And this is Mr. Philip VanCleve.”
“Good evening. How wonderful that news is!” That meant Brand was serious about making something of himself and providing a steady income. The worry that had previously plagued her vanished. In its place came joy. Surely, he would offer for her now.
“Yes. It is.” But he seemed anything but thrilled. In fact, he held his jaw tight and anguish clouded his eye.
The last man standing about the table nodded. He possessed a barrel chest and golden hair, but his kind eyes reflected worry. “Good evening, Miss Hayhurst. I’m the captain’s best friend, Mr. John Butler. Used to be his first mate.”
She sucked in a breath. “The man who saved him the day he lost his eye.”
“Yes.” A hint of red color infused his face. “I must say, the captain has told us much about you, and I believe he’s fully smitten.”
“God damn it, John,” Brand hissed. “Enough of this gammon.” With a groan that could only signify annoyance, Brand took her upper arm and pulled her a bit away from the table to a relatively open spot a few feet from the watchful eyes of his friends. “Why don’t you go ahead into the private dining room? No doubt you’ll feel more comfortable there.”
“Are you not planning to join me?” Why did he act as if he were on edge? And why did he want her away from his friends?
“Oh, I will, of course. I was just talking with the men until you arrived.” The grin he flashed was no less charming than it always was, but this time it didn’t reflect in his eye. Neither did the delicate skin at the corner wrinkle. “They’re a rather rowdy bunch, especially once they’ve downed a few pints. I wished to spare you embarrassment.”
“That’s sweet, but I’m not embarrassed. I find your friends interesting.” She searched his face. “Are you quite well?”
“Yes, why?” He released her arm as worry entered his expression.
“You’re tense. I can sense you’re concerned about something.” She frowned. “Are you worried about your new partnership?”
“Not as much as you’d think.” For the space of a heartbeat, his mood shifted into pleasure. “Did you receive my package this morning?”
“Yes.” Her cheeks heated with a flush, for until this moment she’d forgotten about the delivery, so consumed had she been in her own thoughts. A courier had dropped off a lovely floral bouquet as well as a large, flat box. When she’d opened the package and parted the thin tissue paper, the gorgeous golden ballgown they’d spied in a shop window that seemingly long-ago day met her gaze. Complete with matching slippers. “It’s an exquisite gift and far too expensive.”
“You’re worth every farthing I paid.” Fondness lingered in his voice. His sensual lips curved in a grin. “I can’t wait to see you in it.”
She rolled her eyes, but then a wave of sadness washed over her. “I have no occasion to do so, and besides, this is my last evening here.”
“It might not need to be,” he said in a whisper. He looked at his best friend, who arched an eyebrow and made a motion with a hand as if to say get on with it. Brand’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “Elizabeth, there is something I must say to you, and I’d much prefer to do so in private.”
Excitement danced down her spine while flutters filled her lower belly. This was it! He’d ask for her hand tonight, she was certain of it. She couldn’t hold back her smile. “Oh, Brand.” Her voice was decidedly breathless. “I knew God brought us together for a purpose.”
“Uh…” He tugged at his already sloppy cravat. Shame and self-loathing fought for dominance in his expression. In fact, he looked a bit green about the mouth as if he wished to cast up his accounts, and soon. “I’m not sure I’d go that far…”
One of the men at his table let loose a loud guffaw. He collapsed into his chair. “That’s not exactly true, Miss Hayhurst,” the man, Mr. Cantwell, said. Mirth was clearly stamped across his face. “God had nothing to do with it.”
With a glance at Brand, who had gone even greener, she returned her attention to the other man. “What do you mean?” When he declined to answer, another man, Mr. VanCleve, took up the story.
“That day at the fair? We arranged that meeting.” When he grinned, a gold tooth flashed in place of one of his molars. “It was the best dare we’ve ever put forth.”
Unease dripped down her back. Chill bumps immediately covered her arms. “A dare?” She didn’t understand why he would say such a thing. “Captain Storme told me he was captivated by me from the moment he saw me…” Had that been a lie? With more than a little trepidation brewing in her chest, she sought out Brand’s gaze. “What does he mean?”
“I…” Desolate crept into his expression. “They… we…” He put a hand to his chest and rubbed the spot where his heart was located. “Oh, God.” The whisper was fraught with horror.
As the two men shared another laugh, Mr. Butler slowly moved toward her. “Miss Hayhurst, you and I have only just met. However, the captain has been nothing but distracted since you came into his life. Please bear that in mind over the next few minutes.”
“What shall occur in the next few moments?” She couldn’t separate herself from the cloud of confusion seeping into her brain. What did this man know? What did they all know? Why were they hiding it from her?