Page 67 of The Swan Syndicate
“I’m not familiar with Tenby.” Beckworth hated to mention his problem to the men. “Stella needs another dress or two. Something that reflects a higher station.”
Jamie frowned as he considered their options. “I can’t say I’m familiar with the dressmakers in these ports. She might want to take some time while we’re under sail to make adjustments to what she has on hand.” He glanced at the other men, who all stared at the floor, stymied by the question.
Beckworth barked out a laugh. “I should have known better than to ask you blokes anything about women’s apparel. Mark my words, there will come a day when you wish you knew more.”
When the meeting ended, everyone but Beckworth went up to prepare the ship for sail. He stopped in the pantry to grab a bottle of wine and two mugs before heading for the cabin.
Stella was asleep, wearing only her undergarments. All of her dresses hung from various spots in the cabin. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for him to agree she needed another dress or two.
He sat to remove his boots and had the first one off when she lifted her head.
“Is the meeting over already?” She rolled over and lifted up to her elbow, watching him remove the other boot.
“Yes. Fitz knows a man south of here that might have something that will provide a decent sample for MacDuff.”
“South? How far? Will we still make the meet in two days?”
“If we catch a good wind and we don’t spend too much time in port, yes.” He stood and removed his jacket, then opened the wine. “MacDuff’s been watching theDaphne. He’ll see us head south and assume we’re retrieving our contraband. If we’re late, he’ll wait a day. When one does business with ships, you have to make accommodations for weather and patrols.”
She sat up when he handed her a mug. “Thank you.”
“Move over.”
She scooted over a few inches, leaned against the headboard, and rubbed her stomach. “I don’t know what’s bothering me most—the motion of the ship or my nerves.”
“Was the meeting difficult?”
She hesitated, gave him a side glance, then took a long sip of wine.
“Just say it.”
She ran a hand over the bed cover, worrying at a spot. “He’s actually quite charming.”
His temper instantly flared but he somehow managed to hold it in. “Really.”
“I knew you’d be mad.”
“I’m not mad.”
She laughed. “Of course you are. Or perhaps a bit jealous?”
He drank his wine and looked at the dresses hanging around the room, anything but at her. “I thought you said it was nerves upsetting your stomach.”
“Don’t get me wrong. He’s dangerous. I can sense it. Not necessarily by his words but by his actions—his nods to his bodyguard, the way he watches a room.”
“I would do the same thing.”
She nodded as she put her thoughts together. “He has a reputation. One based on facts and his past behaviors.” She poked him. “If you remember, I had a problem trusting you in the beginning.”
Her lack of trust and her implied statement that AJ didn’t trust him had bothered him quite a bit at the time. It had still hurt when she’d admitted that she’d lied. But he couldn’t blame her. She’d been dragged from her time by ruffians and was on her own with no one she could rely on. He understood.
She took his hand. “MacDuff was enchanted by my bold nature, just like you. And all men are charming when they’re interested. In this time period, he’s the type that would woo me just to find his advantage. He knows I have no real rights. That sooner or later I’ll need a man if for nothing more than shelter or protection. But for now, I’m a competitor. He’ll want this partnership because he assumes he’ll be able to not only control me but any contacts I’ve gained. With male competitors, he’s the type that will take an honest enough percentage until he finds a way to screw them.” She laughed. “With a woman, he thinks he can just bed me then take my contraband and contacts for his illicit trading. Or, if it’s true, the Irish army he’s building for Napoleon.”
“I don’t like this.”
“I know.” She took his mug and set it next to hers on the bedside table. “Let’s not talk anymore. The men are busy. It’s time for you to calm my nerves.”
He pulled her to him and relished her giggles as he began stripping off the last of her clothes. Then he made her forget all about MacDuff.
