Page 79 of Hearts Aweigh
“Would you consider becoming my daughter’s governess?”
A seagull squawked in the darkness.
Abby’s eyes shot open. He stood with his hand in his pocket in a casual pose. Her fingers clenched. She lowered them, hoping she didn’t appear as awkward as she felt. Her cheeks ignited like twin bonfires. Was the darkness enough to hide them?
“Your … your governess?”
A laugh floated along the breeze. Had someone witnessed her mortification? Abby’s head snapped to the left, where a young couple stood in the center of the candle setup. A man with a ring box knelt on one knee. His girlfriend squealed and threw her arms around his neck.
Abby swallowed her own tears. She turned away and wished she could teleport back to the ship. Better yet, to Galveston. Anything to get her away from the most humiliating moment of her life. How had she been so delusional to presume the rich, gorgeous Spencer Masterson wanted to marry her?
After two weeks!
The breath left her nose in short, humorless puffs of laughter. She’d acted a fool, as Althea might say. Had she imagined the signals? Let the romantic ambiance get to her?
No.
She hadn’t imagined the lip-lock at the waterfall either.
Abby rounded on Spencer. “Do you normally kiss your hired help?”
“What?”
“I’m sure I didn’t hallucinate the kiss you gave me yesterday.” She planted her feet in the sand. “Are you that affectionate with all your staff?”
“Of course not.” His aristocratic nose rose even more than usual. “It was a temporary lapse in judgment.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Please accept my apology and rest assured I will always treat you with respect and maintain strict professional boundaries when you work for me. You needn’t fear any unwanted advances.”
Unwanted?
Abby stifled a bitter chortle. That was the trouble. She wanted them too much. But to Spencer she’d been nothing more than a lapse in judgment. A cruise ship flirtation.
“Excuse me!” The woman down the beach hollered with her hands cupped around her mouth. “We’re taking engagement pictures.” She made shooing motions.
Spencer gestured the direction they’d come. “It seems we’re intruding on a private event. We should go.”
They left the amorous couple twirling in ecstasy while the photographer snapped pictures from the sidelines.
Abby retrieved her discarded shoes. Her bare toes sank in the sand as she made her retreat. But no matter how she hurried, her steps were matched by Spencer’s long strides. She huffed and puffed as she pressed forward.
Must get away.
Must remain calm.
Must not cry.
Accomplish those three things, and he might never suspect her ludicrous mistake. Abby dared a quick glance at the manbeside her. He walked in silence, unaware of the storm raging inside her.
She glared straight ahead. Plenty of her coworkers indulged in onboard affairs with passengers, but she’d always been careful to reject flirtatious advances. She wasn’t the messing around kind. She was themarryingkind. Why had she lowered her guard?
The long, mute walk to the ship allowed Abby the opportunity to replay every word, every gesture, and every interaction between them. By the time they reached the gangplank, she was certain.
She wasn’t certifiable.
Spencer had sent her romantic signals loud and clear. Whether he meant them or not was another question. One she wasn’t going to ask. Time to play it off.
They crossed the gangplank, and Abby manufactured a dazzling smile at the entrance. “Thank you for the exercise. I won’t have to visit the gym before bed. Good night.”
“Wait.” He caught her hand. “About my job offer—”
