Page 14 of The Girl Out of Time
“My existence,” she murmured. “Wait a bit, won’t you?”
He didn’t say anything else, but he didn’t move, either.
After a few minutes, Emmeline peeked over the fence and scanned the deck. No Father in sight.
“It’s safe.” She rose, but thoughts of leaving dissipated with the breathtaking view. The platform was high enough to overcome the clutter on deck and reveal only the ocean. The foaming of the waves against the vivid blue looked like a reflection of the sky above, where small white clouds chased across the heavens.
Leon rose to his feet and leaned on the fence next to her.
“I wish I could stay here forever,” she said, gazing at the ocean.
“The platform?”
“The ship. Because then I don’t have to worry about what’s behind, nor ahead.”
A little wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows. “You don’t want to go home?”
Did she tell him she was going home? Well, it was easy enough to infer. “Not particularly. My parents are very cross with me. The reason we’re already going home—why we’re on this ship—is my misbehavior.”
“What did you do?”
“I tried to sneak out for a dance.”
A brief smile crossed his lips, but he didn’t comment.
“What about you?” she asked. “What will you do in the States? Or are you returning there?”
“I … I’m not sure.”
“Whether you’re returning or not?”
He chuckled. “No. Just of my goals.”
“Looks like we’re in the same boat, then.”
He shook his head, but the mirth in his eyes indicated her joke had landed.
Too bad the ship, too, had to land eventually.
“Lucky you,” she said. “You can do whatever you wish.”
His gaze turned pensive, anchored to a faraway point on the horizon. “Yes. I suppose I can, now.”
Wasn’t he free before?
“Excuse me? Sir, miss?” A crewman on the deck waved to get their attention. “You’re not allowed to be up there.”
“Oh, here we go again,” she muttered, and they descended the steps. Once the crewman left, Emmeline turned to Leon. “Now, what do we do?”
“Have you been to the bow yet?”
“No. Are we permitted to go?”
“That’s what third class gets you.” He raised an eyebrow and a corner of his lips. “The promenade is right there.”
“Perfect!”
He offered his arm, and they headed down the deck. With her arm wrapped around his elbow, Emmeline felt like a proper lady, and she lifted her chin in an exaggerated motion.
