Free Mistress Below Deck by Helen Dickson Page B

you.’
    A dazzling smile creased his face. ‘Perhaps because I am a confusing and fascinating character,’ he murmured disarmingly, his eyes teasing. ‘And because I seem some kind of gift to sort out trouble with a rare understanding, as you have rightly been told, of the corsairs.’
    There was enough truth behind his words to cause a flush to creep up her neck and tinge her cheeks. ‘You do not fascinate me in the slightest—although I do findyou somewhat confusing.’ Tobias led the way out of the cabin and on to the deck. ‘Will I see you again?’
    â€˜No. I promise I’ll do my best to have your sister brought home—and if you should see the lad who I’m expecting aboard—I believe he’s called Tom Ashton—hurry him along.’
    â€˜And what does this cabin boy look like?’
    He shrugged, turning to Mr Dexter who had come to stand beside him. ‘You hired the lad, Mark. Tell Miss Golding what he looks like.’
    â€˜I arranged it with his mother, a decent enough sort. Her lad was out looking for work so I didn’t get to speak to him, but several could vouch for him. I expect he’ll be glad of the work and will be along shortly.’
    Tobias watched Rowena trip down the gang plank. Resting his hands on the rail, he smiled his appreciation as his eyes caressed her trim back, leisurely enjoying watching her. Ever since he had met her he had been for ever conscious of her closeness. The memory of her scent lingered in his mind. She was a fire glowing in his blood, and no other woman but Rowena could quench it.
    * * *
    Rowena did see the youth Tobias was expecting on board as his new cabin boy. He stood on the quay with his bundle of clothes at his feet, staring at the Cymbeline . His eyes were large in his pale face and he looked thoroughly apprehensive, clearly reluctant to board the ship. He had no taste for adventure or the sea, but with too many mouths to feed and unable to find work locally, he had been pushed into becoming Mr Searle’s cabin boy by his mother.
    Rowena smiled her understanding and in no time at all came up with a perfect solution to his dilemma and her own.
    Tom Ashton couldn’t believe his good fortune, and as he hurried home Rowena turned and looked back at the ship, a smug smile curving her lips.
    â€˜So, Tobias Searle, you didn’t want to take me along. Well, we shall see about that.’
    * * *
    With a floppy brimmed hat on her newly shorn head and carrying her bundle, Rowena quietly left the house, excited, her stomach feeling as though it were tied in knots. After spending a night agonising over her decision about her course of action and trying to bolster the courage to carry out the wild plan she had conceived, as she hurried to the ship she now had no qualms about what she was doing, or about its success.
    * * *
    It was just breaking daylight as she reached the quayside. A number of the Cymbeline’s crew were hard at work as the ship was got ready to put to sea. Mr Dexter stood on the quayside, concisely and with clarity giving orders as last-minute provisions were being taken on board.
    Trying not to appear nervous, she strode confidently to the gangway, but before she had time to place a foot on it she was halted by Mr Dexter. Keeping her head down, when he had ascertained her business, she was allowed on board. Halfway up the gang way she froze when he called out,
    â€˜Boy! Wait a minute.’
    Slowly she turned. A light swinging aloft touched on her face. He squinted a curious eye at her.
    â€˜Your face seems familiar, lad. Don’t I know you from somewhere?’
    She shook her head, deliberately lowering her voice when she answered him. ‘Nowhere I can think of.’
    He looked at her a moment longer. ‘Aye, well, maybe not. Go below. You’ll be bunking next to Mr Searle’s cabin.’ Turning away, he dismissed her with a shake of his head.
    Rowena breathed a