Page 61 of The Admiral's Daughter

“What did he bollock you about?”

“Nothing,” she sighs, “really nothing, he was just looking for someone to be a dick to.”

“Kit, I need you to know, I’m not leading Cleo on. Don’t get me wrong, I understand why you think that’s the case, but please trust me when I say there’s something different about her. It goes beyond my bruised ego and libido. I…I can talk to her, and we have some things in common.”

20

Cleo

I know I’ve interruptedas soon as I step through the door. Kit is on her bed looking at River, and River is on her bed looking at me. I’m several hours earlier than predicted, but I just couldn’t wait any longer to talk to them as a group, and I figured lunch was as good a time as any. I saw River and Kit go into the bunk, so I followed them. In hindsight, I should have realised River was probably going to have a chat with Kit about last night.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I say, but River waves me off.

“It’s fine, we were just talking.”

Kit looks from River to me and back. She looks like she’s trying to puzzle something out.

“I wondered if now was a good time to have that discussion,” I say to River, who bobs her head.

“No time like the present. Let me go to the dining hall and grab the other two. Might as well do it as a group.”

“Do what?” Kit asks, breaking from her inner musings.

River stands and walks towards me. “Cleo will explain. I’ll be back in a minute.”

She’s gone before either Kit or I can say another word. I’m suddenly aware of how quiet the room is. Turning back from the door where my gaze instantly followed River and her lovely bum, I meet Kit’s eyes and offer her a smile.

Then I realise I’m actually a little pissed at her. Remembering River’s whole demeanour this morning and how she laid into herself because of what Kit said, hits me with a jolt.

Stepping further into the cabin, I sit on River’s bed. Kit is still staring at me silently, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s waiting for me to comment. She’s about to get her wish.

“I’d like to have a word before River gets back, if that’s okay.”

She sighs and nods. “Sure.”

“River told me what happened between you last night. To some degree I appreciate your concern, and Iknow you were looking out for me, which I find a little odd, to be honest.”

Kit frowns. “Why would you find that odd?”

“Because I’m not your best friend. If anything you should have been giving me ‘the talk,’ warning me not to hurt River.”

“We both know—”

“Nothing,” I interrupt. “We both know nothing because this is something brand new to her. I’m not a stupid woman, Kit. I know exactly what I’m getting into with River. We spoke at length about it, and yes, it started off with River having a bruised ego, but I saw past that. I saw underneath all the bravado and bullshit. We’re not promising each other anything, but we are going to try, and I know it’s not under ideal circumstances. I’m aware of the consequences and so is she.”

“What about for the rest of us?”

“That’s what I want to talk to you all about, but for now I need you to understand the damage you caused last night, Kit. Not to me or my relationship with her, but to your friendship. She was devastated this morning.”

Kit shifts forward. “She really spoke to you about it? Like properly?”

“Yes. She doesn’t find opening up easy, but she did this morning. She let me in.”

Kit taps her thigh with her fingertips in silent contemplation. I’m happy to give her some time.

“Okay, that’s new,” she finally says. “River doesn’t talk about things, ever. It’s like drawing blood from a stone, so the fact she’s opening up to you is new and very out of character.”

“Have you ever considered the character she presents to you is just one layer of a very complicated person? Because that’s what I’m sensing.”