“I’m rather enjoying having you at my mercy, you know. If I was feeling wicked, I might nibble on your ear and kiss my way down your neck. Would you stop me?”
“No.”No?Had she lost her mind?
“Would you welcome it?”
“Yes.” Even worse! Her self-control hung by a thread. Or perhaps the thread had already snapped.
His teeth grazed her earlobe, and her breath caught. A hunger unlike any she had ever experienced consumed her, and a tiny whimper escaped her lips.
“Oh, Isabella.” He nuzzled her neck, and his lips brushed her skin.
It was unfair the things he made her feel. This was far too dangerous. She couldn’t afford to give in, no matter how strong her yearning. “No!”
She pulled away, and he let her go. “I have to go check on Adelaide,” she said hastily and fled below decks to the cabin where her sister dozed.
What a disaster! She absolutely couldn’t afford to give in to the mad impulses she had around her husband. It would only lead to woe, and the consequences for her and Adelaide would be dire. She couldn’t afford any further lapses.
Fanning herself in the dim light, she couldn’t help but think that her plan to marry the Earl of Norfolk was getting more difficult by the hour. For a moment there, she’d lost her mind and wondered what would happen if she surrendered to Martin. Would it truly be worse than surrendering to Lord James?
But there was still Adelaide to consider. With difficulty, Isabella hardened her heart once again. She could not surrender, no matter what.
Chapter Twelve
Adelaide awoke ontheir fourth day at sea refreshed and hungry, so Isabella went to the galley and asked for two servings of salted pork and cheese, hurrying in the hopes of avoiding Martin. After their encounter the day before, she couldn’t afford any more slips. Fortunately, the man was nowhere to be seen. When she returned, Adelaide was up and dressed, sitting at the little table in the cabin.
“How are things going with Lord Martin?” Adelaide asked as Isabella put down the bowl of pork and cheese.
“I’m not speaking to him.” Isabella took a quick bite to avoid saying anything more.
“You’ll have to speak to him sometime. He’s your husband.”
No, she did not. Perhaps it was too much to hope he would stop in Yarmouth, but if she could avoid talking to him for the duration of their journey, perhaps he would finally get the message that his attentions weren’t welcome. Not that she entirely believed it herself after yesterday, but she had to keep up the pretense.
“Only in name, and not for long,” Isabella said aloud. “How are you feeling?” She desperately wanted to change the subject. If she never spoke of Lord Martin again, it would be too soon. The whole situation was too mortifying.
“Much better. I’d like to go up on deck today and see how the ship works.”
Isabella grimaced. If she could have hidden in the cabin all day, she would have, but she couldn’t say “no” to Adelaide. “We’ll go up after breakfast.” It meant seeing Martin, but there was no way around that on the ship. And there were few things she wouldn’t do for the sake of her sister.
Lord Martin spotted them the moment they appeared on deck. Isabella’s face was aflame as he swaggered over and kissed her hand, looking so irritatingly pleased with himself.
“Good morrow, my ladies. I trust you slept well?”
No, she hadn’t. She’d privately relived his kisses along her neck again and again as she tossed and turned. How could a man she held in such low regard make her feel such things? And yet he did. There was no denying it, at least within her own head. To him, she would deny it to the ends of the earth.
Adelaide answered, “Very well, my lord,” when Isabella failed to find her tongue.
“You look much better this morning, Lady Adelaide. Has your seasickness abated at last?”
“It has, my lord. I asked Isabella to bring me up to take some air. I’m very curious about your ship.”
No! Don’t prolong the conversation!But there was nothing Isabella could do, so she stared fixedly at her toes and bit her tongue.
“The Wind Songis marvelous, isn’t she? What would you like to know about her?”
Gritting her teeth, Isabella looked up to give him a warning glance. Hopefully, he would take her hint and keep it short.
“Is there something you would like to say, Isabella?” His expression was all charm and sweetness.
