Page 80 of Hearts Aweigh
“Oh, right,” Abby trilled as if she’d forgotten the most unwelcome proposition of her life. “Thank you for your confidence in me, but in a few weeks, I’ll be returning to the teaching profession. I already have a position lined up in Florida and have no interest in working as a governess. I’m sure you want to check on Madeleine. Good night, Mr. Masterson.”
She didn’t bother to gauge his reaction as she stalked away. But that was one of the disadvantages of being five foot two. With such short legs, even her widest steps took forever to get anywhere. He could catch up with her in three seconds.
But he didn’t even try.
The humiliation escalated as she passed through the main lobby. Not only did Spencer not want her as his wife, he didn’teven consider her worth pursuing as his employee. She made it through the public area and was almost to the stairway door when she saw them.
Sitting on a circular couch were three of the Shippers. Emily’s lips lifted at her approach. She stood as Abby neared.
“How did it go, dear?” Emily asked.
“Did you make any progress?” Gerry sat with her pencil raised above a notebook.
Althea clasped her hands in front of her chin. “Did he kiss you?”
Abby looked behind her. Spencer was nowhere in sight. She sank to the couch cushion and laughed. Not a gentle, well-bred titter, but a gut-shaking, almost hysterical guffaw. She laughed so hard it shook the tears from her eyes. And once they started, they flowed in abandon. A sob broke from her lips. Anyone walking by might assume she was a nutcase.
Laugh. Sob. Laugh. Sob.
She alternated between merriment and despair. The words refused to come. Her disappointed heart stuck in her throat and blocked them.
Althea sprang from her seat and nestled next to her. Pulling her close, the older woman crushed her in a pillow-soft embrace. Smoothing a hand down Abby’s back, she cooed like someone would to a baby.
“This isn’t good.” Gerry shut her notebook. “Those aren’t happy tears.”
Abby sobbed harder. She felt so very, very stupid. Why would a drop-dead gorgeous, successful, affluent man see her as anything more than a fling? It defied logic.
Emily offered a handkerchief. Abby swabbed her runny nose and made a valiant attempt to squelch the crying jag. Clamping her lips, she concentrated on taking deep, ragged breaths.
The Shippers waited with bent eyebrows and supportive expressions.
It took several minutes, but Abby pulled herself together. She pressed her palms to her overheated cheeks. “He … he asked me to be Maddie’s governess.”
“Governess!” three voices exclaimed.
Althea clicked her tongue. “That boy is aggravating as a rock.”
“The gall,” Gerry muttered. “Has he no shame?”
Emily face-palmed. “I’m afraid we got our bearings wrong on this one, girls.” She tugged her black handbag onto her lap. “Abigail, we’ve let you down. Will you forgive us?”
Abby’s lower lip quivered. “Don’t be silly. You four have done everything I asked and more. It’s not your fault I fell for the wrong man.”
Emily toyed with the purse straps. “In a way, it is. We believed you two shared a connection, and we were creating opportunities where you could explore it.”
Abby groaned. “We definitely explored it. But I guess Spencer is done adventuring and ready for real life.” She launched to her feet. “The MSBuckinghamdocks in Galveston tomorrow, and he and Maddie will return home. All I have to do is avoid them for a few more hours.” She thumped a fist against her leg. “I hate to let Maddie leave without saying goodbye, but”—her voice cracked—“I can’t face Spencer again.”
Emily rose from the couch. “Don’t let this get you down, dear. The man is an idiot if he can’t see what’s right under his nose. We’ll find you someone better. Someone worthy of you.”
Someone better?
The idea didn’t appeal at all.
She didn’t wantbetter. She wanted Spencer. But he’d made it abundantly clear he wanted her only as an employee.
CHAPTER 41
ANOTHER VOYAGE. ANOTHER CROP OFpassengers. Another chance to help someone find true love.
