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As she walked towards her cabin, she rubbed her forehead.

Every conversation with Hector was unpredictable.

She ought to remember his past before commenting on his manners.

In a way, he behaved like a child, who was unaware of the rules of propriety, but at the same time, he definitely was no child.

Not at all. He was all manly man. Oh, bother.

When she entered her cabin, Verity was sprawled on the narrow bed, reading Ernest’s letters. The man had sent Verity letters every day during their stay at The Bahamas. Her brow furrowed as she focused on the pages as if trying to solve a riddle.

Maddie read from over Verity’s shoulder. “Reading Ernest’s letters again?”

“Bah!” Verity jolted, clenching the letters to her rising chest. She exhaled and sagged back into her pillow. “It’s you.”

“You didn’t hear me.” She searched the room for her books. Which one would Hector be interested in reading? “You should know those letters by heart now.”

“It’s their inner meanings I’m trying to decipher,” she whispered. “It’s harder than it seems.”

Maddie picked up The Scandalous Life of Lady Barlow . Would he like a romantic story? Or rather, would she combust at the thought of him reading some of the most improper passages? Yes, she would. But she’d brought only romantic novels. There should be that mystery book somewhere.

“What inner meanings?” she asked, rummaging through her trunk. She’d take her sketchbook and a piece of charcoal just in case she needed them.

Verity waved her closer, glancing at the door. “You know Mother reads our letters.”

Yes, she was aware of it. She nodded.

Verity blushed, showing her one of the letters. “Ernest and I have a little trick to communicate intimate things without Mother knowing it.” She pointed at the top line of the letter where Ernest had written the date and the time of day. “Look at these numbers here. Do you see anything peculiar?”

Maddie narrowed her gaze. “Not really. Date and time. A bit unusual to add the time of day, but Ernest is a bit unusual. In the most charming way,” she added quickly when Verity opened her mouth.

“Well, if you look closer, you’ll notice there’s a tiny blotch of ink on the number five.”

Maddie brought the letter up to take a better look. “It’s barely visible.”

“Yes, but it means the number five is the key.”

“The key?”

Verity flushed again, her eyes brightening. “Read the letter but only one word every five.”

Maddie did as she was told, skimming Ernest’s elegant writing. “My...dear...I...wish…”

“Shush!” Verity glanced at the door again. “In your head, you ninny.”

“All right.” Chuckling, Maddie started reading.

I wish to lift your skirt and dip my head between your ?—

“My goodness!” Maddie stopped reading. “Verity.”

Her sister had the good sense to blush. “The letters aren’t all like that one. Unfortunately. Sometimes he simply expresses his deep feelings for me and what he’d like to do once we’re married.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Isn’t it an intriguing reading though?”

A laugh burst out of Maddie. “It is. By all means, the man is passionate and quite...anatomical.”

Verity giggled. “Don’t tell Mama.”

“I won’t. Do you reply in the same fashion?”

She sighed. “I have to. I can’t lie about my desires. You know, my name means ‘truth’ and his name means ‘sincere.’ We’re made for one another.”

Maddie put down the letter. She would always blush when she saw one of Ernest’s letters from now on. “How did you create this code?”

“We didn’t, really. Do you remember Miss Annabelle Fanshaw?”

“Vaguely. Isn’t she the one who started a scandal with her very low-necked dress when she was a debutante?”

“Yes. I met her at my weekly piano concert, and we became friends. Almost. She told me about this code. She uses to send secret messages to her lovers, too.” Verity lowered her voice again.

“Lovers?”

“She’s a woman who knows what she wants.

” Verity gathered the letters, her features tightening.

“A woman who isn’t afraid to get it.” She cleared her throat.

“Annabelle introduced me to some of her friends. They believe in expressing their desires freely. They say there’s nothing wrong about seeking physical pleasure. ”

Maddie paused her search, worried about the serious tone the conversation had taken. “Did something happen with Annabelle? Did she make you uncomfortable? One of her friends, perhaps?”

Verity paled, but her distress lasted a moment. “No, of course not.” She waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t mind me. I’m simply having trouble deciphering Ernest’s latest. There are too many blotches.”

Nodding, Maddie grabbed her sketchbook and a few past copies of The Times . “If you need to talk, let me know.”

“I’m fine.” She eyed Maddie. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Lord Wentworth’s cabin. He asked me to bring him something to read.”

Verity turned serious. “How’s he faring after Mother was so terrible to him?”

“He’s heartbroken. I think he’s scared of returning home.” She toyed with a corner of the newspaper.

“I would be as well. Do you think Mother was right when she said he isn’t right in his mind?”

Maddie thought about her conversation about propriety with him. “No, I think he’s one of the sanest people I’ve ever met.”

“What about his body?”

Maddie clutched the newspapers against her chest. Guilt caused her to fidget. “His body?”

Verity nodded. “Does he have any physical damage?”

A vision of Hector standing half-naked in front of her flashed across Maddie’s mind. “No. I believe he’s more than fine.”