Page 11 of Storm over the Caribbean
I swallowed.
“Um…do you think we could leave the city? I know this charming little village by the coast where—”
“No.”
“But why? We could—”
“Because a certain lady told me to, and I quote, ‘under no circumstances let me weasel my way out of it’.”
Damn! I did tell him that, didn’t I?
Me and my big mouth!
“Um…I was wondering…”
“Yes, Mrs Ambrose?”
“Back at your country manor, you have suits of armour, don’t you?” I tried my best to not sound too hopeful. I failed miserably. “Could you lend me one?”
“No.”
“But—”
“Not unless you can find a suit of armour for pregnant female knights.”
Dammit! Why does he always have to be right?
“Well, if that is it…” Rising from his seat, Mr Ambrose stepped forward and extended his hand towards me. “Time for bed.”
“Um…can’t we stay up a little longer?”
After all, the longer you stay up at night, the longer it would take for the morning to come. This was a universal law of time I had discovered while waiting for Father Christmas as a five-year-old.3
“No.” In a blink, he had crossed the distance between us and captured one of my hands in his. Deep, dark, sea-coloured eyes bored into mine, full of promise for the night to come. “Bed.Now.”
Then again…going to bed early didn’t necessarily have to mean sleeping. Judging by the look on my husband’s face, I wouldn’t get much shuteye tonight.
“Very well. Let’s go, Mr Am—”
A squeak escaped my mouth as he snatched me up and carried me off towards the bed chamber. I clung on tightly to him, shutting out any and all thoughts of tomorrow. If my doom was approaching anyway, I might as well enjoy my last night, right?
***
Bright and early next morning, we stepped out of the palace-for-rent that was the Emerald Meadow Racetrack Hotel & Casino and moved towards the carriage that awaited us. That is, Mr Ambrose moved towards the carriage, while dragging me behind him.
“Do we really have to go? I don’t think I’m feeling very well. I might vomit any moment!”
“The carriage has open windows.”
“I, um…think I just remembered I left something at home. I should go back and fetch it before—”
“Our entire luggage is still waiting at Empire House.”
Oh, crap! What the heck am I supposed to do if even my fibbing skills fail me?
The last thing I saw before I was dragged into the coach was the broad grin on Karim’s face.
“You’re the bodyguard,” I reminded him. “If I’m in danger, it’s your duty to defend me.”
