Quite a number of things, as a matter of fact, but not in present company.“Not at all, my lord. Carry on.” She hoped he would see the warning in her expression and back off, but instead his eyes flashed with heated interest.
She didn’t know whether she wanted to kiss him or throttle him as her body went up in flames at his appreciative regard.
“How do you know that the ship is headed in the right direction when all you can see is ocean all around?” Adelaide asked, miraculously oblivious to the silent exchange.
He launched into a detailed explanation of navigation and how they used maps, an astrolabe, and the position of the sun to set their course. Adelaide was entranced, much to Isabella’s chagrin. It wasn’t fair for him to inveigle her sister in his scheming.
“That’s all very interesting, but I’m certain you must be ever so busy,” Isabella said, smiling her most ferocious smile. “Please feel free to go about your business. We wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
“No trouble at all,” he said with a wink. “In fact, I was just coming to find you. I have a gift for you, Lady Adelaide.” He pulled a thin white stick about the length of his hand from the leather pouch attached to his belt, and handed it to Adelaide.
“Oh! A new plectrum! What a thoughtful gift!” Adelaide’s eyes shone as she took the odd little stick.
“A what?” Rarely was Isabella at a loss, but this was simply bewildering.
“It’s for strumming her lute. I made it myself from whalebone.”
Clever devil. He knew Isabella would never accept anything from him, so he was outmaneuvering her. For a moment, she was tempted to pluck it from Adelaide’s hands and throw it overboard, but she couldn’t bring herself to do that to her sister.
“Well played, my lord.”
Her husband grinned. “I’m playing a long game, dear wife, and I mean to win.”
“We shall see, my lord. We shall see.”
Fortunately, Ulf called out for him, giving her the perfect excuse to be rid of him. “Don’t let me keep you. Clearly you have more important matters to attend to.”
He kissed her hand and bowed to Adelaide before turning to attend to business.
She tried to ignore the tingling sensation that shot through her at the touch of his lips. It was with great relief that she watched him walk away.
“Good riddance,” she grumbled once he was gone.
“I thought he was very kind and thoughtful,” Adelaide said, frowning at her.
Isabella sighed. “Yes. A little too kind and thoughtful for my taste. Don’t fall for his act. He’s still going to deliver you to Lady Eleanor. The man can’t be trusted.”
Adelaide opened her mouth to argue, then closed it again upon seeing Isabella’s face.
“Let’s enjoy the sunshine and sea breeze and forget all about a certain inconvenient baron, shall we?” She intended to do her very best to ignore him for the remainder of their journey, if at all possible.
Isabella and Adelaide spent the morning together, alternating between sitting on deck, watching the crew go about their business, and relaxing in the cabin, Isabella with a bit of embroidery and Adelaide with her lute.
Fortunately, Martin left them alone, at least until early afternoon.
He approached them as they stood by the railing, watching a flock of seagulls drift by.
“Now that you’re feeling better,” he said, keeping his eyes on Adelaide and ignoring Isabella completely, “perhaps the three of us can dine together this evening, and we can play together after our meal.”
“I’d love that!” Adelaide put a hand on Isabella’s arm. “May I?”
Isabella nodded after a pause, unable to come up with a reason to refuse.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll see you at dinner,” Martin said, bowing to Adelaide. “And you, Isabella.” He bowed to her as well.
She lifted her chin and looked at a cloud formation past his head, and mercifully, he turned to go.
He left them to their own devices for the remainder of the day. On several occasions, Isabella felt Martin’s gaze upon her, but he was always looking away when she turned. Apparently, he was still keeping his distance, a tactic she was determined to ignore after her earlier lapse.
