“Of course! From the sound of it, he went to a great deal of trouble. Any girl would find that flattering.”
“His intentions are more nefarious than gaining your company for dinner.”
“You don’t know that. In fact, how do you even know that he did this at all? Or that the baroness was involved?”
“After dinner, I saw her go by the smoking room, and then I saw the count coming hard on her heels. I was curious, so I followed them. I overheard them talking—”
“So, we can add eavesdropping on other people’s conversations to the list of things I can expect from you?”
“If that’s what it takes to keep you from bad company, then yes. The count is on the hunt for an heiress, just as I suspected, and he’s been paying the baroness to assist him with introductions. Neither of them can be trusted, but the count is the real danger. His intention is to win your hand by any means, however dishonorable.”
“That may be clear to you, but it isn’t to me. Wrangling for an introduction and having a few seats rearranged seems rather flimsy evidence to condemn a man’s entire character.”
“A true gentleman doesn’t need to pay for such things.”
“I don’t doubt that a true lady would be offended by such conduct, but since no man has ever had any intentions about me, dishonorable or otherwise, I just can’t work up the proper amount of ladylike outrage to condemn him for it. I appreciate the warning, but I shall reserve judgement for now.”
“Just don’t ever allow yourself to be alone with him.”
“I don’t intend to,” she said with dignity. Shoving open her door, she stepped inside her cabin and turned to face him again. “That’s why I hired myself a chaperone in the first place.”
“One who now seems ill and unable to fulfill her duties.”
“I’m sure the baroness will be fine tomorrow,” she cut in before he could suggest any more nonsense about her staying in her room. “Good night.”
With that, she shut the door between them, and she could only hope the baroness’s illness was temporary, because staying in her room for the next six days was just not an option she was willing to consider.
The following morning, however, Marjorie’s hopes for the baroness’s quick recovery were futile, a fact she learned from a most unlikely source.
“Seasick?” Through the doorway of her cabin, Marjorie stared at Lady Stansbury in dismay. “The baroness is seasick?”
“I’m afraid so.” The countess shook her head sadly. “If she’d eaten a few digestive biscuits when she first came aboard, she’d be right as rain, but now it’s too late. She’ll just have to lie abed until it passes.”
“How awful. Will she be ill for long, do you think?”
“Who can say? Some people find their sea legs in a day or two, while others spend the whole voyage in bed. At present, the poor woman’s quite indisposed.”
“I see. Well, um... thank you, my lady,” Marjorie murmured, uncertain what else to say. “It was thoughtful of you to inform me of the situation.”
Most people would have taken those words as an end to the conversation, but the countess was oblivious to such subtleties.
Instead of departing, she smiled and leaned through the doorway to pat Marjorie’s arm. “You mustn’t worry, my dear. Your guardian and I have discussed the situation and made all the arrangements.”
“What arrangements?”
“With the baroness ill, Mr. Deverill has asked me to step in.”
A feeling of dismay began settling in Marjorie’s stomach. “You are to be my chaperone until the baroness recovers?”
“Yes, indeed. Won’t that be lovely?”
“Lovely” wasn’t how Marjorie would have put it. “How kind you are,” she said instead, forcing a smile. “But—”
“I’m happy to do it. Having raised four daughters of my own, I know just how crucial it is for a girl to have strict guidance and strong support at all times. Now,” she added before Marjorie could ponder just how strict the said guidance was likely to be, “I’ve already spoken with ship’s housekeeping, and they will have your things moved into my suite by luncheon.”
Marjorie cursed herself for ever opening her door. “Oh, that’s not necessary. I am very comfortable here in my own cabin.”
Lady Stansbury laughed, dismissing any possibility that she could remain here. “You can’t stay in a cabin by yourself, my dear. It’s unthinkable. What the baroness was about to allow such an arrangement, I can’t imagine.”
