Page 13 of Only By Grace
“Pardon me, but I will go and change in another cabin.”
When he returned, she was still standing there, shivering, wrapped in the flannel he’d given her. She had removed her slippers and put them somewhere to dry, he supposed, but then he cursed himself.
“You have no change of clothes, do you?”
She shook her head as though ashamed. This was going to be a very long week. He went back to the cupboard, desperately searching for something she could change into. He’d never had a female on board for an overnight stay. Occasionally, Maeve would sail with him, but it was always around the bay and back.
If only he had brought her with him this time how different everything might be.
He came back from the cupboard empty-handed. “Let me see if one of the boys has something that might fit you. You may remove your wet things. I promise not to intrude when I return, but you cannot remain like that or you will catch a chill.” He did not wait for her answer but escaped through the door.
CHAPTER 5
Grace watched the door for a few moments after Lord Carew left through it, as if it would give her answers. She was frozen into immobility by the chill and the thought of undressing in his cabin, but what he said was reasonable. No one could see in the windows in the middle of the Channel, and she could not stand there and freeze to death.
She pulled her wet clothing off as best she could, grateful that the dress she’d worn that day was practical enough not to need a maid.
She re-wrapped herself in the other side of the flannel that was mostly dry and waited for him to return. When he did, he knocked on the door, then opened it a crack to shove some clothing through.
“I’m sorry it is not a dress, but these clothes will have to do for now. At least they are dry,” he said through the door.
“True enough. Thank you.”
When she made to close the door, he held it open.
“Hand me your wet clothes. We have a place to dry them near the fire in the kitchen.”
She hesitated.
“No one will see your undergarments, lass,” he said rather softly, understanding her reluctance. “It will take ten times as long to dry here in this cabin and you’ll be in the boy’s clothing longer.”
She knew he was right, but it did not make it any less mortifying.
“Very well.” She handed him her sopping wet clothing balled up, then quickly put on the rough cotton shirt, breeches, and stockings. She felt ridiculous and even a bit scandalous with no shift for modesty. She would just have to keep the flannel about her.
Lord Carew returned much too quickly, and she wondered if she should go back to her small cabin. But the thought of being cooped up in that dark room was about as appealing as eating raw turnips.
“Would you like me to return to my cabin?” she asked, thinking it wasn’t really her decision to make.
“I thought we could play cards or chess, unless you wish to return to your story.” He angled his head towards the book, which lay closed on the bench.
“You do have a rather nice selection of novels.”
“It helps pass the time. I buy them for my sister, then I also read them so I know what she’s talking about. They are amusing, mostly, if not ridiculous.”
“I love escaping into stories and imagining that I am in another place,” she admitted, and then blushed, realizing how freely she’d spoken.
“I can understand that. Sometimes I’d like to go beyond England and Ireland. But for now, it is not possible.”
“Is your sister in danger?” She watched him closely as he narrowed his gaze.
“Aye.”
Grace nodded and whispered, “I am truly sorry. I never meant to add to your worries.”
“’Tis quite a predicament we are in. I know you did not stow away on purpose, but I hope you understand why I cannot afford the time to take you back.”
“What kind of danger is she in, your sister?”
