Page 28 of The Wager and the Wedding

That was all fine and good but of no help to her plans. “Tell me about the ports we’re passing on our voyage. Surely some are better than others. If we were forced to stop along the way, where would you recommend?”

Ulf stroked his bread. “Hmm. It depends on why we had to stop. Different ports offer different advantages. Lord Martin knows the local lords in Scarborough, Skegness, Yarmouth, Ipswi—”

“Yarmouth! How interesting!” Yarmouth was exactly where she wanted to go. “Lord Christopher is the local baron, is he not?”

“Aye, my lady. It’s a goodly port. Plenty of trade when there isn’t a war on, and there’s an excellent shipwright who knows his business when it comes to repairs.”

That could be useful. “Is this ship in need of any repairs?” She wouldn’t go so far as to sabotage anything, but if there was some maintenance that was needed, perhaps she could argue for a stop.

“Not at present, my lady. Have no fear. Everything is ship shape aboardThe Wind Song.”

How disappointing!“And what about—”

Her thought was interrupted by Martin clearing his throat behind her.Good.Exactly the man she wanted to see. She whipped around to find him holding a bundle of scrolls and an astrolabe. “A thousand pardons for my interruption, but I must borrow my first mate. Ulf, I need you to take a look at these charts with me. Come.”

Curses!He wasn’t here for her.

Ulf bowed his head. “Apologies, my lady. Duty calls.”

“Will I see you later, Lord Martin?” she called after the retreating back of the bane of her existence. How was she supposed to convince him to stop in Yarmouth if he wouldn’t take the time to speak to her?

He paused and turned. “I’m afraid navigation in this part of the sea requires careful attention. I’m likely to be occupied all day. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

He turned his back on her again, the scurvy knave!

“Will I see you for supper, at least?” What happened to the man who had all the time in the world to ask her about weaving and play his citole?

“Unlikely, my lady. As you can see, I am otherwise occupied. Now, if you’ll please let me go about my business…”

She pursed her lips together and narrowed her eyes. He was playing a game with her. She was certain of it. “If you must.”

The long-suffering smile he wore failed to hide the glint of mischief in his gaze.

Fine.If he was going to ignore her, she was going to ignore him right back, making sure he saw every moment of her complete inattention.

Catching the arm of the first passing sailor, she said, “Excuse me, my good man. Would you mind assisting me? I wish to ascend to the forecastle, but I’m afraid I may be unsteady on theladder. Would you mind climbing up behind me to make sure I don’t fall?”

The poor man turned bright red and made noncommittal noises.

“Excellent. Thank you so much for your assistance. What is your name?”

“Oh…er…um…Fergus, my lady.” He looked a bit like her brother, Crispin. They had the same dark hair and similar muscular build. He seemed exactly the sort of man who might make her temporary husband jealous.

“Thank you so much for agreeing to help me.”

“I…um…I didn’t—”

“Wonderful.”

She headed over to the ladder to the forecastle, making a production of climbing up and then slipping intentionally so that Fergus had to catch her. He released her as soon as she was righted, as if she was made of hot coals.

“My lady, I don’t think you should—”

“Nonsense. I’ll be just fine.”

She winked at him and started up the ladder again, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Martin was watching. He was. At least for a moment. He quickly turned away and started speaking to Ulf, but she’d caught him.Good.This was working.

On the forecastle, she twirled around and breathed deeply. “I simply love it up here! Don’t you?”

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