Page 14 of The Lord's Compass
Her voice was softer now – he would have said weaker, but he knew better.
“You’re all right now,” he said, doing his best to reassure her. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”
“I think I broke my hand.”
He reached down, quickly at first, toward her other flailing hand but gentled when he saw her flinch. He cupped her hand within his, her bare skin nearly scorching him, but his reaction was inconsequential to whatever pain she was feeling.
As he inspected her hand, motion came from behind him and he spun around as the man began to rise. Eric crossed toward him in two steps, lifting him and wrenching his arm behind him.
“You yellow-bellied?—”
“What is going on in here?”
They turned toward the door, which was now filled with a couple of the crew members and the captain.
“The lady was attacked,” Eric practically growled. “By this man.”
He pushed the man toward him, and the captain held up his torch, casting light onto the attacker’s face.
“Who are you?” Eric asked.
“Another passenger,” the captain said once he had a better look. “Mr. Smith, isn’t it?”
“Wasn’t doing anything,” the man growled. “Just a mistake. Thought this was my cabin.”
Faith began to protest from behind them, but her annoyance was so half-hearted that Eric knew she was in pain.
“Could you bring me a bucket of seawater? Or something cold?” Eric asked, and a crewman nodded.
“Are you going to be all right, miss?” the other crewman asked.
“Yes,” she said, with a small smile that Eric expected was supposed to be reassuring but instead appeared quite pained. “Thank you.”
“Say,Señor,” the captain said, staring at Eric. “what are you doing in here?”
“I heard the noise and the shout and came to see what was the matter.”
The captain nodded, before looking suspiciously first at Eric and then Faith. “Leavin’ her now?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “She cannot be alone. Not after this. And she needs someone to look after her hand.”
“Apologies, but can’t leave another man alone in here with her even if you are acquaintances. Didn’t bring a chaperone, miss?” the captain said. “Have to know things like this will happen if you don’t.”
Faith bristled beside Eric, and he put a hand down over top of hers. He had no desire to draw further attention to either of them – or to have the captain questioning him or Faith.
“She doesn’t need a companion, as she is safe with me,” he said, setting his jaw. “For she is my wife.”
CHAPTER5
“Is this true?” The captain looked at Faith with doubt in his gaze. “You are his wife?”
Faith looked at Eric, who was staring at her with urgency in his eyes.
“Y-yes,” she said, nodding, still trying to come to terms with all that had just happened to her while also managing the pain that was radiating from her hand. “I am his wife.”
“Why are you in this cabin alone, then?” he asked, one bushy white eyebrow raised.
“Why do we not save that story for tomorrow?” Eric said, stepping forward, and for once, Faith was pleased with his ability to confront every person and situation with relative ease.
