Chapter 4

J ames wasn’t the least bit surprised when Lady Anna Clifton’s maid suddenly staggered to the deck railing and vomited. He had already suspected that they weren’t accustomed to sea travel. The poor woman was still going at it.

He had been watching the waters of the Channel before they’d set sail. He’d traveled these waters enough now to recognize that, indeed, this wasn’t going to be one of the calmer voyages, and he hadn’t been referring to the other passengers. If he’d ventured a guess, not that he’d spoken to Clegg about it, he’d have predicted that this particular crossing would take at least three or four additional hours more than when the waters were at their calmest and most ideal.

Seven or eight hours of rising and falling seas, even in a heavy and sturdily made vessel such as Serenity , would test the resolve of many a passenger. James was exceedingly grateful that he didn’t suffer from seasickness. He’d experienced only a tiny bit of queasiness on his first few crossings but had adjusted quickly and had no problem now.

The maid, however, was gripping the railing while Lady Anna stood at her side, looking rather pale herself, while the manservant ran off to beg a bucket from one of the crew.

Blast it all . James couldn’t stay idly by and watch these people suffer the entire day. Begrudgingly, he walked over to the railing where the maid and Lady Anna stood. “May I be of assistance?” he asked.

Lady Anna visibly jerked at his question and spun to look at him. The shiny pearl was anything but this morning: her face was even paler up close, her large blue eyes dulled with worry and, he suspected, her own bout of seasickness. He watched her as she swallowed, undoubtedly doing her best to keep her own breakfast within her.

The maid still gripped the railing rigidly and stared out at the rolling waves. And then her entire body began to convulse as she retched once again.

Lady Anna laid a gentle hand on her back. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered mostly to herself.

James took that as a “yes” in response to his question. “I’ll alert Clegg,” he said as the manservant returned with a bilge bucket.

“The cap’n knows already,” the man said.

The maid shuddered and began to droop.

James surged forward to grab her by the arms and steady her, but the manservant beat him to the task.

“Never ye mind, sir,” he said, wrapping his arm around the maid. “I’ve got her secure now.”

“Thank you, Sparks,” Lady Anna said.

Nice to meet you, Sparks; enjoy your voyage , James thought with not a small amount of irony. Then he said aloud, “The best place for your maid will be away from the sides of the yacht—being as close as possible to the true center of the vessel will minimize the movement that is upsetting her. Perhaps your man can get a bit of the fresh water stowed on board for her to sip. And I have heard that a bit of ginger root will help. I shall see if Clegg has any.”

“Got that already, sir,” Sparks said. “The ginger, that is.” Sparks led the maid into the cabin at the center of the yacht.

Lady Anna followed behind them, as did James, both apparently wishing to be assured that the maid was settled.

“Thank ye,” James heard the maid mutter. “Sparks, the bucket!” she immediately added.

“Oh dear,” Lady Anna said.

Sparks placed the bucket in front of the maid, who proceeded to heave once again. “I told ye a breakfast wasn’t the thing when taking a sea voyage, but ye wouldn’t listen,” he whispered to her in a scolding tone. “Mary always eats a hearty breakfast so she can work hard all day,” he explained to Lady Anna. James doubted it would have made much difference.

Mary wiped her mouth with her handkerchief—not for the first time—and sighed deeply. “How long will this voyage last?” she asked.

“Most of the day, I’m afraid,” James said. He truly felt sorry for the poor woman. Seasickness was a devil.

Mary nodded, looking utterly defeated. “Then, we shall do our best,” she said, contrary to her expression.

The yacht rolled on a larger wave right then, making her moan. Sparks held the bucket up to her face just in case. She shook her head.

Now that they were in the main cabin, Sparks helped Mary onto the cot. It was Clegg’s own cot, and James hoped Clegg wouldn’t mind on this occasion. Once Mary was resting, she let out a groan and threw her arm across her eyes. Sparks set the bilge bucket near her face and then went to the end of the cot to remove her shoes.

“There, Mary; ye’ll be more comfortable now,” he said.

Mary nodded.

“Thank you, Sparks,” Lady Anna said in a low voice. She perched on the side of the cot and took Mary’s free hand in her own.

“Mary, here. Chew a bit o’ ginger root. Apparently, eating it—just a bit,” Sparks added when the maid grimaced, “can work wonders for the seasickness. I think it’s worth a try, don’t ye?”

She turned her face toward the cabin wall. Sparks looked at Lady Anna, who nodded reassuringly at him.

“I’m going to fetch ye some fresh water, Mary,” Sparks said. “Ye need to keep drinking water. I learned that from me auntie a long time ago. But do try a bit o’ the ginger first.” He pulled a tiny cloth bundle from his pocket and held it out to Lady Anna.

“Sparks is right,” Lady Anna said. She let go of the maid’s hand to take the bundle from Sparks and unwrapped it. She broke off a piece of the ginger root and placed it in Mary’s hand. “Just a tiny bit, Mary, to see if it works.”

The maid sighed and shut her eyes, then put the small bit of ginger root into her mouth and slowly chewed.

“That’s good, Mary,” Lady Anna said in a soothing tone.

“I’ll do what it takes,” she murmured around the root she was slowly chewing. “Anything for ye, me lady, and for Master Avery.”

“You are a dear,” Lady Anna said.

“Thank you, me lady,” Mary replied. And then she leaned over the cot and cast up her accounts again.

Anna broke off a bit of the ginger root and put it in her own mouth to chew. It was unexpectedly spicy and quite different in this form from when she’d tasted ginger before. Her stomach was unsettled, and although she had been spared the indignity of losing her breakfast in front of Mr. Jennings, it had been a close-run thing, especially in the company of poor Mary when she succumbed to her own bouts of seasickness. Anna swallowed down some bile along with the ginger root and put another piece in her mouth.

It was mortifying that Mr. Jennings should see them in such pathetic straits. It made her feel more vulnerable than she already felt.

“I wouldn’t have you think you must spend the entire crossing playing nursemaid, Mr. Jennings,” she said when her stomach settled the tiniest bit—perhaps the ginger root did work after all. “As you can see, Sparks and I are prepared to see to Mary’s needs.”

“Good,” he replied. “I had no intention of playing nursemaid to any of you. Personally, I had expected that this voyage would be a solitary one; instead, I find myself being accompanied by novice sea travelers.”

“We cannot help that we don’t have your experience on the water,” Anna said defensively.

Sparks returned with a flask bearing water. “Let me help ye sit up a bit, Mary,” Sparks said. “A sip of water will do ye good.” He crouched down and helped Mary sit up enough to sip a tiny bit of water from the flask.

“That’s enough,” Mary whispered. She lay back down.

“Here is more ginger,” Anna said, handing her another small piece and trying to ignore the boorish man still in the cabin with them. Mary dutifully put it in her mouth. “I daresay the ginger has helped me already,” Anna added, sounding as optimistic as possible in order to give Mary hope.

“I shall be fine now that Sparks is here with water,” Mary said.

It was a dismissal, if a servant could offer a dismissal to her employer.

“Come, Lady Anna,” Mr. Jennings said. “I expect a bit of fresh air will do you good.”

“I’ll stay right here by her side, me lady,” Sparks said. “Don’t ye worry.”

Anna sighed and stood. She broke what was left of the ginger root into two pieces and gave the larger piece to Sparks for Mary’s needs.

“Come,” Mr. Jennings said.

She hadn’t realized how stuffy and foul-smelling the cabin had been until Mr. Jennings led her back out onto the deck. They stood facing the front of the ship, and Anna allowed the fresh sea air to fill her lungs. The yacht rolled on a particularly large swell, causing her to briefly lose her footing. Mr. Jennings put his arm around her to steady her—and lightning flashed through her, which was unexpected and incredibly alarming.

Bother . She broke off another tiny piece of ginger root and stuck it in her mouth. If there was one thing she would not do, it was cast up her breakfast with Mr. Jennings as her sole witness.

“Is the ginger helping?” he asked her. “I have heard that it can be a great reliever of seasickness but have never needed to use it myself.”

“You’re fortunate, then,” she said, staring out to sea. She chewed and swallowed. He’d left his arm around her, and she could barely concentrate on anything but the feel of that arm.

“I am, yes,” he replied. The yacht rolled on another largish swell, and his arm tightened around her shoulders, which only heightened her reaction to him and annoyed her further. “Perhaps we should sit awhile,” he said. “If we’re sitting, you might not feel as though you’re being tossed to and fro.”

“Very well,” Anna said, suddenly feeling exhausted.

He escorted her to the benches by the main cabin and sat. He turned slightly toward her, most likely to make sure he could keep a watchful eye should he be needed to assist her across the deck so she could be sick, she thought begrudgingly. But as a result, his knee touched hers, and once again, lightning flashed through her.

It was utterly disconcerting to discover that her body could respond to him like that when she was anxious and queasy and overwhelmed and utterly provoked by him! Being attracted to Mr. Jennings was untimely and wholly inconvenient, especially when what she wanted desperately to do was dislike him.

When James had initially seen Lady Anna Clifton, with her gemlike eyes and her cream-colored hair, even while wearing mourning black, he’d seen a foolish young lady setting off on her own to mingle with the elegant elite gathering in Paris for celebrations now that Napoleon had abdicated. But right now, that same young lady was a mess. Her hair had come undone in the wind, and strands of it whipped about her cheeks, now a bright pink from the sea air rather than the ghostly pale they had been earlier. Her blue eyes were without any sparkle as she stared at the sea, and her traveling gown and cloak were the worse for wear after assisting her ill maid and were soiled in places as a result.

She continued staring at the water. James turned his face away from hers to look east, to his left. The sun had risen completely above the horizon now and shot rays of red and yellow and white across the blue of the water. “And even at our most bleak, the sun rises and gives us beauty and hope for a brighter day,” he murmured mostly to himself.

“Do you consider yourself a poet?” she asked.

“Not at all, Lady Anna,” James said. “But the sight of the rising sun fills me with awe and reminds me of good days in the past and better days to come.”

“Better days to come,” she echoed.

“Yes, better days.” He took a deep breath. “I am curious as to why an unescorted lady such as yourself is attempting to travel to France in the first place,” he said. “And who is this Avery person your maid mentioned?” It was an extremely personal question, and he knew it. But considering the present state of Lady Anna and her two servants, he felt an explanation was in order, especially since Aylesham had never offered the use of his yacht in such a seemingly frivolous manner before. Of course, Aylesham hadn’t precisely acted as his usual self the past several days ...

“Avery is my brother. He was reported missing and presumed dead in a battle in the south of France. I am searching for him, or for information about him, at least.”

She was a lone female embarking on a fruitless quest in a strange land. James wasn’t sure if he’d ever heard anything more ludicrous in his life!

“Indeed?” he replied. “You’re in search of your brother who is somewhere in France. He may be dead, but he is definitely missing. Hmm. Allow me to ask: How good is your French?”

“Not very good,” she admitted. “Although I have been studying it as much as possible since I’ve begun this journey.”

James said nothing in reply, having no response fit for a lady’s ears.

“After all the years of war, I presume there are many French people who are able to speak English,” Lady Anna said. “I also presume the many English people who are currently in France can translate for me.”

“Those are rather brave presumptions on your part,” James said.

“I bought books to bring with me so I could educate myself as much as possible. I do know that I will encounter obstacles,” she said, “but there is such a thing as faith, you know.”

“Faith in a war,” James mused aloud. “I daresay that is a rarity these days—although with Napoleon having actually abdicated, perhaps it is not a bad thing to remember. Even so, to traverse a foreign land in search of one man amongst thousands during war, or even in the aftermath of war, is essentially futile. And to expect to learn French in a few days is ambitious and not altogether sensible.”

“Despite your encouraging words, Mr. Jennings, I intend on doing what I can to find my brother,” she replied firmly, then turned her head again to look out to sea.

There was no point in arguing further. She was undeterred, for whatever reason. “You are chilled, Lady Anna. Perhaps we table this conversation for now and go back in the cabin so you can warm yourself.”

“That is a good idea, Mr. Jennings,” she replied. Then she stood and left him sitting alone on the bench.

Anna didn’t think she had ever been more thankful in her life than when she realized the seas had begun to calm.

“Mary’s asleep now, me lady,” Sparks whispered when she quietly entered the cabin. Mr. Jennings had opted to remain outside on deck, thank goodness.

“I’m not asleep; I’m resting,” Mary whispered in return. “And may God bless whoever discovered that ginger root helps,” she added.

“Indeed, truer words were never spoken,” Anna said while Sparks nodded his agreement. Her own stomach had mostly settled once she’d eaten some of the ginger.

She remained inside the cabin only long enough to take the chill out of her bones, as the room was still rather malodorous. “The sea is lovely now that the waves have settled,” she said. “I believe I shall go outside and enjoy them.”

When she left the cabin, Anna found Captain Clegg giving orders to his crew in between talking to Mr. Jennings.

She opted to stay away from them and crossed to the other side of the ship. Port? Starboard? She’d heard the words but had no idea which was which. She gripped the railing, breathing in the fresh air once again. The sun was higher in the sky now, and the light warmed her shoulders soothingly.

The yacht hit a large swell at that moment, and she lost her footing and stumbled, her arms flailing.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, steadying and strong. “There now; you’re safe,” Mr. Jennings said, his low, masculine voice resonating through her entire body. His face was next to hers, and she was drawn to his intense brown eyes, his dark brows, the line of his nose, his lips ...

He gazed at her, too, and his eyes dropped to her lips, his eyelids lowering—

“Ho, now! This be no time for romancing,” Captain Clegg called from behind them, breaking the tension that had sprung up between them.

“Ridiculous,” Anna muttered to herself.

Mr. Jennings moved slightly away from her, although his arms remained about her just enough to keep her steady. But she was unsteady for more than one reason now, which was utterly absurd after how dismissive he’d been about her reason for traveling to France.

“There’s Calais, just on the horizon,” Captain Clegg called, pointing toward the front of the boat. “It be time to let the others know we be putting to shore not long now. And ye can save all yer romancing for after ye disembark.” The captain cackled after making his remarks.

“I should go tell Sparks and Mary,” Anna whispered. She barely had any breath to utter the words.

“I shall accompany you,” Mr. Jennings replied. “We both have belongings to collect.”

“As you wish, Mr. Jennings,” Anna said a little shakier than she would have liked.

He carefully removed his arms from around her and politely offered her his arm, which she reluctantly took. When she looked up into his face, she saw that the intensity of his eyes and the seriousness of his countenance remained.

And her heart, traitor that it was, raced, much against her wishes.

Having his arms around Lady Anna Clifton had sparked a fire within James that he truly had not expected. On a masculine level, the knowledge excited him. It also frustrated him. He was not looking for a romantic entanglement of any kind, not yet anyway. Besides, while she was a beautiful lady, to be sure, she had chosen to travel through a foreign country without a proper male escort regardless of the danger she could encounter, and her foolhardiness annoyed him to no end and made him question the soundness of her mind. What sort of foolishness could possibly prompt a young lady such as her to undertake such a ludicrous journey to find her brother, as though she were more capable than the British Army?

He realized that the rolling swells they’d experienced earlier had calmed, and he breathed a sigh of relief—for all their sakes. He was tired and irritable; he’d wanted a peaceful, solitary voyage across the Channel, and it had been anything but.

She was not any of his business, he reminded himself.

But what kind of a gentleman would he be were he to abandon her right now, since he was traveling to Paris just as she was?

Blast it all . He knew what he had to do.