Page 40 of Devil of the High Seas
“I promise to do what is necessary,” Griffin said.
“Good. I’m sorry I woke you, but I believed you would want to know the moment we had news.”
“I’m glad you did,” Griffin said. “But now that I’m awake, I should get some fresh air on deck.”
The two of them went to face the dawn above deck. Griffin was surprised to see Vesper was already standing by the railing of the waist deck. The pink skies illuminated the bright—blue gown she wore. Griffin came toward her, pulled again by that invisible force that drew them together.
“I see you’ve lost your fear of the sea,” he said as he leaned on the railing next to her.
Vesper shot him a shy look from beneath dark-gold lashes.
“The water still frightens me, my lord. But it’s so beautiful, isn’t it? I suppose that’s human nature, to crave things that are beautiful and frightening.”
“It is,” he agreed. “The sea speaks to all of us in her own way. She gives life and in a temper, she can take it away. Nature is like that, both protector and destroyer all at once.”
Vesper’s hands tightened on the railing. He reached over, covering her left hand with his right.
“We haven’t talked about it,” she said softly.
“About what?” He tried to act oblivious, but he knew what she meant.The kiss.The one that had sent a surge of life back within his body.
“It cannot happen again,” she said, her expression stoic.
Griffin watched the sunlight stretch across the water ahead of them with sparkling diamond glints.
“I suppose you’re right, but not because I wouldn’t claim you as my wife. I would if I could.”
“But you can’t. Because of my family, the disgrace...”
“That means nothing to me,” he replied, squeezing her hand. She hadn’t tried to pull away from him, and he clung to that sliver of hope. “But I asked Josephine to be my wife before I met you. If she still wishes to marry me when we rescue her, I am honor bound to see that obligation through.”
Vesper was silent a long while. “And if she refuses you?”
“Then I shall be free to follow my heart...”
Her hand trembled beneath his as neither of them dared to look at each other.
“And would your heart lead to... me?” The hope in her voice sent him soaring.
“It would... if you would have me.”
Vesper’s joyful expression was all the answer he needed. Griffin’s heart ached with a mix of joy and grief. True happiness, not mere contentment, was so close within his grasp. But he did not know which would be his fate until Josephine was safely returned to her family and he could see where her heart lay. If she wanted to be free of their engagement, he would give it to her. He wanted to assume she would refuse to marry him, but assumptions were a fool’s game. He had to wait to see if fate believed in giving him a second chance at life.
* * *
Josephine wasaware the moment Gavin left the bed. He’d returned sometime in the night to lie beside her and after a few hours had pulled her against him. She’d been sleepily aware of his presence whenever she’d briefly awakened. Rather than feeling shy and uncertain, his body quietly claiming hers just by sleeping at her side had sent a thrill through her.
Now his absence caused her to roll over and stretch her hand along the cool sheets where he had lain. She placed her palm on the indent of his pillow and replayed every moment of last night as she ached with a longing for him to come back to bed.
She’d been frightened, excited, and finally brazen as she had surrendered to the teasing removal of her clothing. And then... heavens... how it felt to let him touch her in so many wonderful ways and places. The sensations were familiar to her. She had explored her own body in the last few years, feeling things she’d been too shy to ask her mother about. What she had felt was nothing compared to how Gavin had brought her to those same peaks.
There was a purity in the pleasure she’d experienced at Gavin’s hands. It was so clear, so perfect. She couldn’t imagine any other man touching her like that and feeling the same euphoria. She rolled onto her back, giggling with the realization that she was completely naked in a bed that was rolling over the high seas. What would everyone think if they knew just how free she truly was now?
The warm sun bathed her skin, and she indulged in lying in bed another half hour before finally getting up and dressing in Dominic’s clothes again. She walked up to the door and halted, her hands inches above the handle. What if Gavin had locked her in again? She would go mad if he kept her closeted away for a month and a half.
She touched the handle and it turned. With a sigh of relief, she exited the cabin and went in search of food in the galley. Olive was cooking up a stew and gave her a bowl to sample, as well as an apple.
“Best eat up while the fruit is still fresh,” Olive said. “Now, while you eat, tell me all about that fancy dinner last night. What vittles did those fine navy men have?”
