Page 25 of Murder on the SS Leviathan
Lucrezia continued surveying him, through half-closed eyes. ’Ah! This is true, and your injury is really nothing. You shall have not even a scar, I think. Your head is clearly a hard one.’
Biting her lip, Cecile cast her eyes to her lap.
Lucrezia had quickly regained her composure—and she was so very adept at this sort of flirtatious chatter.
Lance seemed to enjoy it, too, from the way he was laughing.
‘Any news, Mr. Robinson? Of the hooligan who did this?’ Cecile sat up a little straighter in her chair.
‘Sadly, no.’ His smile faded. ‘Captain Rocha points out that any number of the crew might fit my description, having faces either weathered from the sea or scorched from feeding the furnaces. He says it’s impossible to determine the culprit, and none have come forward with information. It’s hardly surprising. No man wants to be branded a snitch.’
‘Nor a thief,’ added Lucrezia. ’That was his aim, yes—to take what was valuable?’
‘We can only suppose…’ Lance met Cecile’s eye. ‘The captain is reluctant to believe the man responsible is a member of the crew—or even that last night’s incident is related to the senhora’s death.’
‘But, that’s ridiculous. It must be the same man. How many criminally-minded, violent persons can there be on one ship?’ said Cecile.
Lance lowered his voice a notch. ‘I have the impression the captain considers me a suspect in the senhora’s demise, and that I’ve concocted this,’ he gestured to his bandaged head, ‘to make myself appear another victim.’
The idea clearly bothered him, and Cecile was ashamed to think of how she’d wondered the same.
Henry, at least, had more sense—although his opinion of Mr. Robinson might take a different turn if he learned of Cecile having visited the man’s cabin in the dead of night!
Lance held her gaze a moment longer. What was unsaid hung in the air between them: her hands were tied in the matter of verifying even a portion of what had occurred the night before.
It wasn’t simply a matter of avoiding gossip—which would be inevitable. Were she to become the subject of such talk it would reflect on her brother and Maud; on Lucrezia, also, since they were so much together.
And, such things followed one. Even in Rio, speculation would probably surround her. Any number of other passengers in first-class were residents of that city, and they would hardly forget such a titillating titbit.
It was all deeply dissatisfying.
‘I’ll leave you to finish your entertainment, ladies, and take my seat for a little diversion of my own. Ambassador Barbosa has challenged me to a game of chess. I only hope I can recall how the pieces move. It’s been some time…’
‘Another day, perhaps you would like to play with me.’ Lucrezia gave him a dazzling smile. ‘Only remember, Mr. Robinson, that I do like to win, and I shall not be easy on you.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’ Lance bent to kiss Lucrezia’s hand in farewell. When he took Cecile’s, she felt inclined, almost, to snatch it away.
When she looked again to the window, the sun was dropping, sending long shadows across the deck.
* * *
Maud was not sorry that other passengers were now invited to take their turn at the captain’s table. The man was a bore, and too pompous by half. Nor did she wish to court a closer friendship with the Ambassador and his wife, though Henry pointed out that the connection might prove useful.
At her request, they took a booth at the far side of the grand salon, their party joined only by the Texan gentleman. He was a far more fascinating specimen—but off-limits, Maud soon realized.
With every stolen glance, Cecile gave herself away, and Mr. Robinson’s eyes held an obvious returning interest. As long as Miss di Cavour didn’t come between them, an arrangement might be forthcoming.
The hour was past eleven, and all were safely in their cabins—though Maud nurtured her own speculation as to whether each would remain in their designated bed.
Henry pulled out the key to their suite. ’Ready to retire, my love?’
‘A little night air, I think.’ She always had preferred to walk at this time, while others slept, and the ship seemed to have entered calmer waters.
‘As you wish.’ Henry pocketed the key again.
On their final turn about the lower deck, they paused at the rail. As on previous evenings, the mist was drifting in. Nevertheless, the ship was keeping up an impressive speed, cleaving swiftly through the ocean.
They claimed one of the seats nearby and Henry’s arms came about her waist. They sat for a time, wrapped together.
