Page 23 of The Lord's Compass
Finally, she gave in, scooting backward until her back was touching his chest, and his large arm wrapped around her, tugging her in tighter.
Faith was rigid against him, uncertain at this new sensation. She was not particularly affectionate and could not remember the last time she had embraced anyone besides her sister or her mother.
“Relax,” he murmured in her ear. “We are just sleeping. I promise.”
Not long afterward, his breath became slow and she realized with a start that he was already asleep. What must it be like to be able to sleep so easily? It took her forever to settle into bed each night.
Still, his even breath calmed her, and before long she found herself relaxing into him, accepting his warmth and comfort.
The next thing she knew, it was morning.
* * *
Eric staredout over the rail, watching the land slowly become larger in front of them.
It had been a full two weeks since they had begun this journey to San Sebastian. The captain had been accurate in his initial estimate.
But Eric was glad of the length of the journey, for it had turned into two of the best weeks of his life.
Faith, who had quite clearly grown to resent him over the past few years, seemed to be slowly opening up to him. They had shared moments of laughter, she had let down a few of her walls, and she had accepted, at least, his friendship.
He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her since she had decided she no longer wanted him in her life. He might have met other women, but none of them had been Faith, as much as he had always wished that there would be another who could take her place in his heart and in his head.
As far as he could tell, everyone aboard the ship believed their tale that they were husband and wife. None of the men had again attempted anything with Faith, although Eric had made sure that she was always in his sights, even when she was spending time with Patricia, whom she had befriended, or reading alone in her – their – room. Her hand had healed and he had only caught a glimpse of Mr. Smith from across the ship.
“There it is.”
Eric turned when Faith’s voice met his ear beside him, her fresh lemon scent intermingling with the spray of the ocean. He had seen her bar of soap beside the washbasin and could admit to using it himself a few times as he enjoyed it so much.
“Spain,” he murmured. “So close yet so far.”
“When one must avoid the country between, yes.”
Eric turned around, leaning back on the rail so that he could more closely admire her. She had continued to allow him to hold her at night, and he could admit how much he enjoyed the mornings when he woke up with her head on his chest, her hand splayed over his abdomen. He always made sure to move before she woke up, in fear that if she realized how she clung to him in sleep she would make him return to the floor.
She hadn’t made any suggestion that she would be interested in any further contact with him, even as each night brought him increasing frustration from being so physically close yet unable to act on his desire.
“Are you ready for what is to come next?”
“Searching San Sebastian for a clue or a treasure when we know nothing of where to look?” she shrugged. “Sure.”
“That’s the spirit,” he said, just as the captain called to the crew to prepare to dock.
They had made it to their destination.
Now the question was just what they might find there.
CHAPTER8
“It is a beautiful place,” Faith said, appreciating the vibrant streets of the town as they made their way through, Eric carrying some of their belongings, a hired man behind them with the other two bags.
“It is,” he agreed. “We should speak Spanish while we are here unless we know we are completely alone.”
“Very well,” she said, switching languages. “Is that the inn around the corner?”
“Yes, according to our friend here,” he said. “Would be a good place to start – to get settled, find something to eat, and ask the locals some questions about the family.”
She nodded and followed him through the front doors, crossing through the tavern to find the innkeeper. Quite a few heads turned their way as they approached, but Eric with his usual brightness greeted them all as though he was meant to be there.
