Page 39 of The Hellion and the Hero

“Oh my,” she murmured as her wide brown eyes fell on his exposed throat.

“Bea,” he prompted, and she immediately looked up. “Is it seasickness?”

“I believe so. But I’veneverseen her like this before.”

Then he noticed the girl looked rather pale herself. “I’ll be right there.” He ducked back into his cabin to retrieve his coat and cane.

As they made their way down the hall, the steamer hit a particularly violent patch of sea and pitched forward, nearly knocking Bea to the floor.

“Hold on to the walls,” Henry instructed as he eased her back on her feet.

“Yes, Captain,” she gasped.

Their progress slowed significantly as Bea gingerly inched down the hallway. Henry pressed his lips together to keep his frustration in check, but when they reached Lady Arlington’s cabin, he was beside himself.

It’s only a bit of seasickness, you dolt. She isn’t dying.

The lady herself confirmed this when she took one look at him and groaned.

“I told you not to bother him, Bea. I’mfine.”

Henry begged to differ, given that she was currently lying facedown on the floor. When he asked what she was doing, Lady Arlington sighed as if he was terribly slow and turned her head toward him. “It feels better down here,” she mumbled, then squeezed her eyes shut.

Impeccable logic, that.

He turned to Bea. “Fetch some water and towels.”

“Yes, Captain,” the girl said and disappeared into the en suite.

“I think you will be more comfortable in your bed, my lady.” Her only response was another groan. “Come,” Henry added as he gently wrapped a hand under her shoulder and eased her up.

Lady Arlington let out a little whine of protest, but otherwise complied. He settled her on top of the bed just as Bea returned, looking worse than before.

“You should get some rest as well,” Henry said as he took the supplies from her.

The girl began to protest, but Lady Georgiana waved her off. “It’s all right, Bea. Goodness knows the captain doesn’t have enough bedside manner for the both of us.”

“Glad to see that sharp tongue of yours is still intact,” Henry replied once Bea left for her sleeping chamber.

“Oh, it would take more than a bout of seasickness to get rid of it, I’m afraid.”

Henry smiled to himself as he dampened two cloths with water. He slipped a hand behind her neck and tucked one against her nape. Then he placed the other on her forehead. As his finger brushed against her temple, he lingered there for a brief moment, unable to keep from stroking the golden silk of her hair just once.

“That feels nice,” she said on a breathy sigh.

Henry snatched his hand away. Thank God her eyes were still closed so she couldn’t see his cheeks ablaze.

He cleared his throat. “Are you feeling feverish?”

“No, only nauseous. Though it’s much worse than last time.”

“It’s a particularly rough crossing.” As if to demonstrate that point, the ship began to rise up another steep swell. Lady Arlington reached for his hand and squeezed it.

“There, now. Keep breathing,” Henry said softly.

As they made their swift descent, the steamer creaked in protest and Lady Arlington reached for his other hand.

“It’s all right,” he continued. “Perfectly normal.”

---