Page 19 of Only By Grace
“And casting you away near World’s End, England, would not solve any problems for me or you.”
Grace supposed that was correct. At this point, she’d had plenty of time to think over what her journey alone and unchaperoned might be like days away from London. Facing rough men who thought she was a curse seemed like a better alternative. At least here she had Carew to protect her, and her family must know she was with him.
There was a knock on the door and Carew opened it to reveal Paddy again, trying to balance two trays one on top of the other. Carew took them from the boy, then placed them on the table.
They smelled delicious and Grace wondered if the food would taste as good.
She sat at the table as Paddy was dismissed, but noticed he took the kitten with him and smiled.
Earlier had been a stew with a distinctive ale flavour, but this was herring with roasted potatoes and leeks. She realized Carew was staring at her.
“Go on and eat, or my manners will escape me. I’ve worked up quite an appetite.”
Grace obeyed. “This is delicious! I never expected such fine cuisine on a ship.”
“We are fortunate that my cook is willing to come on short journeys. He’d never venture across the oceans. He grumbles nevertheless about having to limit his skills to such meagre tools. Secretly, I think he enjoys the challenge.”
“Please send him my compliments. It is the best herring I’ve ever tasted.”
“You should tell him yourself.”
“I will when I am allowed out of the cabin,” she retorted a bit sharply.
“Going to fling that hatchet at me every chance you get, eh?”
“Probably,” she agreed. She’d never spoken to anyone like that save her sisters. What was it about this journey that was making her so bold? “Tell me about your home,” she said, deciding a change of subject was in order. That afternoon’s exchange was best forgotten. He seemed amenable to the switch.
“My family home,” he corrected. “There’s no beauty anywhere quite like Ireland.”
Grace could hear the pride in his voice.
“Everything is greener than you can imagine. Our home sits atop a dramatic cliff, and when the skies are fair, you feel like you can see for eternity. The weather is very volatile there at times, but the views are worth it.”
“That is something to look forward to, I suppose.”
“Aye. You will like my sister, though she’s a bit headstrong.”
“Much like her brother?”
His lips quirked into a half-smile that she found ever so attractive. She’d fallen asleep every night of her first Season with that visage on her mind.
“No one is half so headstrong as me,” he agreed.
“And your mother?”
“She’s a dear. But she lives in daily fear of what will happen if Flynn has his way.”
“Is he truly so bad?”
“Worse.”
“Then please do not worry about me. Look to your family first.”
“I’ll not abandon you, Grace, but I must see to settling this.”
Grace wondered if he truly despised her for this mistake, but was simply tolerating her until they reached Ireland.
Ronan cursedhis resolve to stay away from his cabin, but he could not seem to stay away. If he need not apologize, he might have been able to see it through. Yet here he was, cursing his own weakness as he dined with Grace and, worse still, as his mouth formed another invitation he knew he would soon regret.
