Free Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall Page A

to pick up the mess.
     
    “No need, Mr. Rupert,” Noah said. “Just attend to the mess, if you please.”
     
    A red slice appeared on one of Rupert’s fingers, and Marianne withdrew her handkerchief from her sleeve and knelt beside him. Taking his hand in hers, she wrapped the bloody appendage. “Be careful, Mr. Rupert.” She smiled and his hazel eyes lifted to hers, shock skimming across them. “Let me help you.” She began picking up pieces of glass when a hand touched her arm.
     
    “No need, Miss Denton. He can manage.”
     
    She looked up to see Noah’s brow furrowed as tight as a wound rope.
     
    “Of course.” She rose and felt warmth flush through her. What was she thinking? A lady of fortune did not assist servants. Her gaze scanned Mr. Heaton, Mr. Hobbs, the other sailor, and Noah all staring her way.
     
    “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, my head suddenly aches. I believe I’ll forfeit my dinner tonight.”
     
    The curious look remained on Noah’s face. “Allow me to escort you to your cabin.”
     
    She waved a hand through the air. “I know the way. Enjoy your dinner, gentlemen.” And with that, she swept out the door.
     
    Making her way down the hallway, she chided herself for her mistake. Noah must never know how destitute she and her mother were. If he did, it would only fuel his desire to call off the engagement. And that must never happen. Not as long as Marianne had anything to say about it.
     
    She stepped inside her cabin and shoved the door closed then leaned against the hard wood. Her plan was set in place. Now all she had to do was wait for the captain to leave his cabin.
     

CHAPTER 6
     
    A rap sounded on her cabin door, and Marianne stopped the pacing she’d taken up for the past several hours as she waited for the sounds of laughter to dissipate from the captain’s cabin—which they had done an hour ago. Still she could not get up the courage to do what she had to do. Not until she could be sure Noah was either gone from his cabin or fast asleep.
     
    She opened the door to Agnes carrying a tray laden with cheese, biscuits, a mug, and a basin of water along with her medical satchel.
     
    “Thank you, Agnes. You are too kind.” Marianne stepped aside, allowing the elderly woman to enter and set the tray upon the shelf. The sharp smell of cheese drifted on a salty breeze that followed the woman inside, sweeping away the stagnant air that filled the tiny cabin.
     
    “I heard you did not partake of the captain’s meal, miss.” Agnes’s breath came out heavy and fast. “So here’s some food fer you an’ some water t’ clean up wit’.”
     
    Shutting the door, Marianne’s concern rose at the pale sheen covering Agnes’s normally rosy face. “Please sit, Agnes. You look tired.”
     
    “I thank you, miss.” Agnes moaned as she lowered herself onto the mattress.
     
    “You don’t have to serve me, Agnes. I am sure your duties occupy much of your time.”
     
    Agnes plucked a handkerchief from her belt to dab her forehead and neck. “Oh, I don’t mind. It is nice havin’ another woman aboard. Besides, the cap’n ordered me to attend to your every need.”
     
    Marianne flinched. “I doubt that.”
     
    One gray eyebrow rose nearly to the lace fringing Agnes’s mobcap. “For bein’ his fiancée, you don’t know him very well.”
     
    “On the contrary, I grew up with him.” Marianne reached for a slice of cheese from the tray and took a bite.
     
    “Pish.” Agnes batted the air. “All little boys can be rascals from time t’ time.”
     
    The cheese soured in Marianne’s mouth even as her stomach reached up hungrily to grab it. “He was extraordinarily devilish.” She sat beside Agnes. The woman smelled of wood smoke, fish, and spices—not unpleasant odors. In fact, they comforted Marianne.
     
    Agnes chuckled, causing the skin around her neck to jiggle. “It has been my observation that most young boys only tease girls they