Page 22 of Terms of Trade (Trade Wind 4)

Seamlessly, the patient and observant Mr. Irons shifted his attention to her, and her cheeks warmed accordingly. Feeling them burn, Helen reminded herself her sole concern was his approval of their venture—not of her.

“The deck planks under our feet, Mrs. Gray. What species are they?”

Damn him!He asked as if he cared about the reply, but she knew better. He sought information abouther, not the deck.

“Please call me Helen.” She couldn’t tolerate hearing his steady, deep voice pronounce her dead husband’s surname another time.

“Very well, Helen.”

Whatever his affable demeanor, his name felt so intimate on her lips, her heart sped in her chest.

“I shall view the ship as a visit to America and follow your customs. Please call me Nicholas.”

“Very well, Nicholas.”

She dropped her gaze to the pine deck before he could see the rush of pleasure in her eyes from uttering his name.Concentrate!

After she answered his question, his eyes searched for evidence around them of a different type of wood and he pointed to the hatch cover.

“Mahogany,” she said.

“The keel, what’s it made of?”

“White oak.”

“That rail over there?”

“Hard pine.”

“That figurehead statue, your eagle?”

“Cherry.”

A ghost of a smile haunted his lips after her latest rapid reply. “Each species has its advantages for a given purpose, I take it?”

Helen considered this generalization for a moment, then nodded, finding it accurate enough.

“What else?” He lifted his chin. “What did I miss?”

She was about to reassure him his understanding was fine when the nearby hatch opened, and a sailor called out for Elijah.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll leave you in Helen’s capable hands. I’m needed below deck for a moment. Join me when you’re ready.”

After Nicholas's gracious encouragement, Elijah disappeared down the hatch.

“What else might you like to see?” Helen asked pleasantly.

He stepped closer. “You were about to explain the selection of wood in shipbuilding to me.”

“Was I?” She looked at him dubiously. “Elijah would never forgive me if my speech pushed our potential investor into a deep slumber.”

“This potential investor would very much like to hear your explanation.” Nicholas sounded both commanding and reassuring at the same time.

He’s flattering you, but you know better to believe him.

She forced herself to look around, thinking of the elements of the ship they couldn’t see—the remarkable assembly of structural and decorative wood that createdAlacrity.

“A ship’s potential from the outset is determined by the quantity and quality of timber available. Each species has certain advantages, owing to resistance to rot, strength, appearance, durability, shape, and so forth. But there’s more.”

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