Page 40 of Safe in the Earl's Arms
Ben’s words brought Jacob into Warrington’s mind. He’d still not be seeing him for a few days. He didn’t relish the chore that would meet him when he arrived home. The voyage hadn’t vanquished Cassandra from his memory. It had only raised more questions in his mind.
And he would help Melina find her father. But her body could put his obsession of Cassandra to rest. He’d made sure never to be in Ben’s cabin again while Melina was there. Ben would have been able to take one look at his older brother’s face and know lust crashed into Warrington every time he looked at Melina. But he would control it.
Melina might not care a halfpenny for him, but the darkness of her eyes and her hair called to him. And her body.
He’d watched her when he was on the rigging and his imagination had replaced the feel of the ropes in his hands with the strands of her hair across his fingertips. Immediately he’d thrust the thoughts aside—knowing that to let her invade his mind while he was perched in the air could be fatal.
She’d only walked on deck a few times. If she’d slipped or leaned against the mast, every seaman on deck would have been able to describe exactly where she stood when it happened. And unlike Cassandra, he didn’t think Melina would have been able to describe each watching male and where he was standing while he viewed her.
Cassandra had been gently bred a lady and had the heart of a dockside whore. Melina, the dockside whore he’d purchased, hadn’t yet learned the things she could buy with her body.
And he wanted to be with her. Over and over and over again—with only his body involved. No wondering who she talked about when she whispered with her maid and planned for her day of social calls—with detours.
‘Andrew.’ Ben spoke the word quietly.
Instantly, Warrington’s thoughts returned to the room. Ben had called War by his Christian name. His brother watched him, lips pressed together, but the smile on his face had a rueful curve.
‘You know—’ Ben gave a soft shake of his head. ‘The woman...’
‘Yes, I do.’ Warrington nodded. ‘And she’ll help me forget.’
‘I agree. But when you clean out one trunk, don’t fill it back up. Leave it neat and tidy.’
Warrington forced himself quiet while he heard the unasked-for advice.
‘I don’t—’ Ben spoke softly.
Irritation jabbed Warrington, but he also understood his brother’s concern. ‘Ben. I know. I remember. Never. Again. In fact, I want you to plan a return trip to Melos for Melina. She and I have discussed it. She agrees.’
His brother’s eyes widened. ‘I can. Not immediately, but soon. The repairs we made earlier were only temporary. I have to get Ascalon ready to sail for the East India Company.’
Warrington knew his brother had contracted to carry goods for the company and he would be gone at least two years, perhaps as long as three. ‘You’ve enough time. I already asked Gid how long the repairs would take and that gives you time to get to Melos and back again. Melina can return to her sisters.’
‘The way you look at her...’ Resignation showed in Ben’s face. ‘I will find the time to return her. Ships are a good thing, War. You get on one. You sail. A new horizon. A new woman.’ Ben smiled and flexed his leg. ‘Maybe some day you’ll be tough enough to handle a true voyage.’
‘Once my boots hit land, they’ll not be back to sail. I’m not getting over any water deeper than a bath.’
Ben expelled a breath. ‘Don’t trip over your petticoats when you leave.’
Warrington pushed himself from the door. ‘Wasn’t me pretending injury so I could lay abed drinking and sending a woman on false errands.’ He opened the door and gave a wave to his brother. ‘I’ll be at either the town house or Whitegate. See me before you leave, infant.’
‘Goodbye, old woman.’
Warrington walked out, knowing his trunk had already been taken to his room and letting the sunshine caress his face. Even the sun felt better when not reflected from below by water and not filtered from above by sea air.
Then he thought of the concern he faced. Rage caused his steps to increase. Cassandra had not merely been happy to tangle his life while she lived. She mangled afterwards, as well. He slapped a palm against the outside cabin door so hard his elbow tingled.
His past ate at him, only it wasn’t even his past. And it wasn’t even in the past, but at his country estate.
