Chapter 10

Annie allowed Sophie to pull her along, though she glanced back at Boyd several times. She didn't like being apart from him.

No one, other than her mother, certainly no male in her life, had ever cared for Annie, given her any affection the way he did. In her heart, she was always anticipating the moment he left. Decided she wasn't worth the trouble.

And when they were separated…

At the little cottage, every day when he'd left, she'd niggled with fear. The fact that his driver and carriage were with her had helped. Surely, he wouldn't just leave her with Mr. Wiggins.

And she supposed they were currently trapped on a boat. That ought to assuage her fear.

But her uncle was also now breathing down their necks and if ever there was a time for Boyd to decide she was too much trouble…this would be it.

She shivered in the cool night air as Sophie pulled her into the on-deck Captain's Quarters. "We're lucky." Sophie gave her a smile. "Fulton's first boat, his quarters were below deck, which meant going up and down the hatch ladder in skirts."

Annie looked down at her outfit. "Breeches are far easier in some respects."

"And they look much better on you than I'd imagined they would look on a woman. I think Fulton might like to see me dressed as such."

Annie giggled at that, her concerns about Sophie diminishing.

"I thought after the two babies, his passion might wane." Sophie leaned closer, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "It hasn't."

"You have children?" She looked down at Sophie, another wave of envy rising as she took in the woman's perfect figure.

"Two boys who are currently with their Uncle Gris and Aunt Violet. The boat is difficult to bring small children." Sophie patted her stomach. "But with a third on the way, it's time to stop gallivanting all about Europe. Gris is surely tired of partially raising our children and I miss them. I only travel every third journey but still…it feels like a great deal of time apart."

"And how does Fulton feel about retirement?" She was really asking because of Boyd. She knew one of the reasons he'd agreed to escort her was because he'd been looking for an adventure. Did men give that up at some point? Her heart fluttered wildly as she waited for Sophie to answer.

"He's ready too. He just wants to grow our grapes and make our wine. Grow fat and old together." Sophie laughed as she crossed the room to the cabinet built into the wall.

A longing that Annie had never known filled her as Sophie turned away to open door and rummage through the contents. Finding what she was looking for, she pulled out a red dress. "This will look lovely with your dark hair and the ties in the back will allow us to pull it in…"

"Will help make certain it fits me despite my..." Annie waved at her smaller bosom. "It was easier to disguise myself as a man like this."

Sophie laughed as she pulled out stockings and ribbons. "You must let me pin your hair as well, nothing too fancy but, something that will compliment your cheekbones and highlight your beautiful eyes."

Annie shook her head. "You don't have to do all that. It's late and…"

But Sophie cocked a brow. "I am French, which means, I excel at romance."

"Romance?" She swallowed down a lump. She knew how she felt about Boyd. If she had her way, she'd never part from him, he was more than she ever dreamed possible.

He made her ache with passion, he'd protected her every step of the way, and yet was still kind and gentle. A warm wave of emotion swelled in her chest.

All at once, Annie realized she was in love. Deep and true and… "I'd very much like it if you pinned my hair."

Sophie gave her a knowing smile. "Good. Because I've known Boyd for a few years and that man is solid gold. And the way he looks at you…" Sophie winked as she crossed back to Annie, gesturing for her to take off her clothes. "He could be yours if you wished."

Annie felt that pang of uncertainty. Would Boyd ever choose her? Give up his life of adventure? Not just for today, not because his business was on the line, but because he wanted her?

She didn't know. But Sophie's plan had potential. She'd never been much for plans. But it was time to really try for a future with Boyd. Because Sophie was right. That man was solid gold.

* * *

Boyd scrubbed his face with his hands. It had to be two in the morning. And much as he liked Fulton, the deck of his ship was cold, and he was ready to go to bed with Annie in his arms.

But Sophie had stolen her away and until she was back in his sight…

"The nice part of the storm," Fulton was saying. "Is that the winds are still blowing south. We'll crest the southern coast in record time."

"The wind should continue for the first leg of our journey north," Fulton's second in command, Lord James Bancroft nodded toward the land they couldn't see. "With any luck, we'll make it to Cumberland in just a few days."

James was a viscount, not that he did much with the title. It had been near bankrupted by his father and James had taken up working for Fulton with a vigor rarely displayed by the peerage.

Boyd and James were family…of sorts. His sister, Pippa, had married Boyd's cousin. Though Angus Lockton was more of a brother to Boyd.

Angus had told him that when he'd first met James, he hadn't liked the man much. Angus hadn't elaborated, but Boyd suspected it was because of Pippa.

Whatever the reason, James was a good man to have about now. Strong, intelligent, reliable…. Boyd was lucky to have James by his side..

"Here she is," Sophie sang from the captain's quarters, pulling Annie from the room.

Had he been complaining about being tired? He turned to see Annie unlike he'd seen her before.

The night they'd met she'd been in a night rail. And ever since, she'd been wearing men's clothes.

But tonight…she stood in a gown of deep red, her small waist on full display. Her dark hair had been swept back from her face, highlighting her large eyes and full mouth.

She stole his breath.

"Look at her," James rumbled from next to him. "I might have to?—"

"Say one more word and I'll toss ye over the side, Bancroft."

Fulton chuckled. "She's a beauty, Boyd. And to think, she just arrived at your door hand-delivered by Armstrong."

Boyd looked back at his friend. "Yer wife stowed away on yer boat. A man doesn't get luckier than that."

Fulton laughed all the louder. "See. Both of us have found women who've practically been required to love us. Makes things simple."

But those words jolted through him. Did he love Annie? Did she love him?

He looked back at her standing in the doorway, her hands clasped, her gaze uncertain.

What worried her? Was she afraid he'd not like her appearance? How could she think such a thing? She'd never been more beautiful than she was in this moment.

He moved toward her, reaching out a hand to her. "Ye look…"

Her chin dipped. "The dress fit better than I thought. I've never had anything this…" She looked down at herself.

"Ye look beautiful, lass."

Her chin titled back up, a small smile playing at her lips. "You really think so?"

How could he tell her that he found her to be the loveliest woman he'd ever seen. "Even prettier than the loch in the late spring bloom."

She softened, her body melting into his. "Boyd."

"My, but it's late," Sophie said with a stretch and an exaggerated yawn. "We should all go to bed."

Fulton came to stand next to his wife, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Bed sounds like an excellent idea."

Then, he winked at Boyd with a knowing smirk. "Allow me to show you to your room."