Page 71 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“But?”
“What do you mean ‘but’?”
Marc turned to face her, and he, too, leaned against the railing. “I don’t know. You seem to be thinking something overly loud over there.”
She smiled. “And how could you possibly know that?”
He’d studied her since their first meeting—he’d made a point of knowing her—but he kept those thoughts to himself. “I don’t know it. I suspect it. I’m a good reader of people.”
She pressed her lips together, glanced up at him, and then looked away. “Well, you are correct, but I’m not certain how to bring it up.”
“Does it involve me?”
She nodded and lifted her eyes back to his. “We are in an awkward situation.”
“I do not wish you to feel awkward. It might be easier for me because I know my father. I know things will work out for the best.”
“We have discussed that.” She waved her hand as though to dismiss his words. “I will feel awkward about meeting your father when the time comes, but now...”
“What is it?”
“I do feel like you hid away after dinner. That you don’t wish to be near me, that you... are perhaps at last tired of your responsibility and are hoisting me off onto your brothers.” She winced a little. “I sound incredibly needy right now. If this is a conversation you wish not to have, please just send me on my way.” She looked away again.
His chest tightened. He could not have her thinking any of those things. “I am not tired of you. I told you that you are more than a responsibility to me, and I meant it. You are, indeed, a dear friend. I am only forcing myself to share you with others, which is partly why I left you to my brothers. And I also needed to talk with the captain this evening.”
When she finally turned back to him, there was determination in her eyes. “Shall we just behave as though we are... friends?” She winced again. “That sounds odd, doesn’t it?”
He inwardly winced, and everything inside rebelled against that idea. “What is your purpose?”
“I wish to be on this voyage with you without feeling as though I am pining for your attention or that I owe you my attention or that you are avoiding me or anything in between. I wish for us to simply cohabitate as friends or cousins because I want it to be comfortable.”
“I appreciate you seeking me out to talk about this. And I can do that. So let us behave as friends. If we are friendly with each other, it is because we share common interests. If we squabble, it will be because we are like family. Whether we spend time away from or with one another, it will mean nothing because that is simply what people do.” He warmed to this idea, standing taller. “This, Miss Davies, is probably your most brilliant idea.”
She laughed. “Do you now feel like you can be in my presence in peace?”
“I do. And you do know that if I enjoy your smile or your laugh or looking into your brilliant eyes, it is not because I am trying to win over your heart? On the contrary, it is simply because you are my first choice of company on this ship.”
“Yes. And the same is true for me.”
He stepped nearer, wanting to cup her cheek in his hand, wanting to stare deeply into her eyes, but he knew it would not be a merely a friendly thing to do, so he resisted. “I am pleased.”
“I am as well.” She cleared her throat. “And now might we discuss something of greater import?”
“I am at your disposal.” He thought he would quite like this new arrangement.
“I would like to know a few very important things.” Her eyes widened in earnestness.
“And what is that?”
“Why are the waves continually rolling onward? What causes that movement, and why does it not disrupt our passage?”
He laughed, delighted at her scientific inquiry. “That is an excellent question. I would add to it how do the fish feel?”
“What?” She laughed out the word as she spoke.
“Of course, the fish. Do they roll along with the water? Or, if they swim down far enough, do they avoid the rolling motions altogether?”
“Excellent questions as well. Shall we discuss?”
