Page 15

A ll in all, Martin was feeling rather pleased with his progress as he stood on the forecastle next to Ulf, looking out at the sea and basking in a rare patch of sunshine.

An invigorating breeze filled the sails and cleared the last cobwebs of drowsiness from his head.

The ship was making good time. The weather was holding.

And Isabella’s defenses were weakening by the day.

He could only bless his good fortune and pray it lasted.

“Ulf, have you ever tried to win over a woman who was determined not to be won?”

His first mate laughed. “Before I met my Rosie, there was a woman named Emmeline who I took a fancy to. The problem was everyone else did too. She was a pretty little wench, daughter of the town cooper. When she passed by, every head turned, and she knew it. I didn’t stand a chance. But I didn’t know that at the time.”

“What did you do?” Who knew what wisdom his bearded friend might have? Perhaps he could glean an idea or two.

Ulf shrugged. “The usual things—flowers, sweet treats, offering to do chores and run errands for her. She was happy to let me beg and scrape, but she never gave me a smile that was just for me. It took me a whole year of addle-headed nonsense before I came to my senses. The first time she ever seemed to notice me was when I stood up to her and refused to do her bidding. She wanted me to carry a bundle to her cousin in the next town, but it was raining, and the roads were muddy. I decided I’d had enough, and I said no . ”

“And how did she react to that?”

Martin tried to imagine saying no to Isabella. She might very well push him overboard.

“She stared at me, and for a moment, I thought she was going to unleash seven hells on my head, but then the strangest thing happened.”

“What?” Now, he had to know.

“She smiled, and before I knew what was happening, the saucy little wench tried to kiss me. Unfortunately for her, I wasn’t interested. It was the dullest kiss of my life. Learned my lesson that day good and proper.”

Martin couldn’t help but smile. Somehow, he didn’t think kissing Isabella could ever be dull. Unlike Ulf, he knew he was in a merry war from the start, and their traded barbs only made him want her all the more.

“But I don’t think you’ll have that problem with Lady Isabella, my lord,” Ulf said, as if reading his mind. “She’s a vixen, no doubt about it. And she won’t make it easy on you, but the way she looks at you when she thinks no one is looking… I’d say you’ve caught her fancy and then some.”

It warmed the cockles of his heart to hear that. “A man can hope.” A flash of blue caught his attention. “Ah, there she is now. I think I’ll go try my luck.”

He walked over to where she now rested against the rail beside her sister, wisps of raven hair escaping from the interwoven braids down her back.

He breathed deep, reveling in the herbal scent of her mixed with the sea breeze.

Trying Ulf’s technique was a gamble, but he had to get through to her somehow. It was just crazy enough to work.

“Good afternoon, ladies.” He doffed his cap and then continued on his way, not waiting for a response. Would she take the bait?

“Where do you think you’re going?”

A bite. A little thrill of triumph ran through him. “I’m going about my business. Running a ship requires careful attention, so if you’ll excuse me…”

Yet again, he made to leave.

“Does your cook have any pheasant?”

That brought him up short. Why in heaven’s name was she asking about pheasant on board a ship? “I’m afraid not, my lady. We cannot keep fresh meat for long while we are at sea. We still have some of the venison we enjoyed last night if you are craving something other than fish.”

She sighed dramatically. “What a shame! Pheasant is a particular favorite of ours, isn’t it, Adelaide?”

Her sister frowned and opened her mouth, then closed it again. “Is it?”

“Of course, it is!” Isabella’s overly bright smile failed to convince her little sister, whose brow furrowed more deeply with each word. “We simply adore pheasant. I don’t know how we’ll manage such a long sea journey without it. Oh, but perhaps we could stop along the way and get some.”

Ah. The game she was playing became clear. “You wish for us to stop in port. To get pheasant. By any chance, would the port you wish to stop at be in Norfolk?”

Isabella narrowed her eyes. “And what if it was?”

Damn it all! He thought he was making progress. She was nothing if not stubborn and single-minded.

“Then I would tell you that we do not have plans to stop in Norfolk. It would lengthen our journey and, given the ongoing war, put us all at risk. We will not stop and endanger the crew for a mere craving, but I would be happy to introduce you to Baldwin so that you can plan your meals with the provisions we have at hand. Come. I’ll show you to the galley. ”

He held out his arm, waiting for her to take it. Perhaps calling her bluff wasn’t the wisest tactic at the moment, but her continued obsession with Norfolk annoyed him too deeply to think straight.

“Oh, but I wouldn’t want to trouble him.” She clasped her hands in front of her and averted her gaze.

He couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “You were willing to divert my entire ship and put my crew in danger for a whim, and now you won’t even talk to my cook? You must choose more subtle stratagems, my lady. Your motives are all too transparent.”

She raised herself up to her full height and crossed her arms as she stared at him. “It was worth a try.”

So brazen! She wasn’t even bothering to pretend. He wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or impressed. From the way his cock twitched, he rather thought the latter.

“No, it wasn’t,” Adelaide interjected. “We would never want to trouble you or your crew, my lord. You have been most kind to us.”

Well, that was unexpected! Adelaide had certainly come around to his side. And what a pleasant surprise it was to see her standing up to her sister.

He bowed. “You, dear Lady Adelaide, are no trouble at all. Your sister, on the other hand…”

Isabella arched an eyebrow. The flash of defiance in her eyes set his heart ablaze.

“She is exactly the type of trouble I like. God help me.”

For a glorious moment, Isabella smiled despite herself. Another chink in her castle wall. Before their journey was through, he would bring it all crumbling down. She tried to school her face back into a look of haughty disdain, but it was too late. In that moment, she had revealed herself.

“And you are the type of trouble I cannot afford, my lord.” She turned away and looked out at sea.

A more honest answer than he expected. Somehow, he needed to convince her that he wasn’t trying to trap her, that she was safe with him. “If only you would give me a chance to make my case—”

“Save your breath. There is nothing you can say to sway me.”

“What offense have I committed that you are so adamant against me?” He hadn’t intended to speak so plainly, but perhaps he might get an answer.

“ You , my lord, are the offense. Is that not obvious?”

She certainly didn’t pull her punches. Her bald attack made him chuckle. “And which part of me do you find most offensive?”

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, perusing him.

“It is difficult to choose. Your position is lowly. Your ship is small. Your person has all the appeal of a boiled potato. Your eyebrows are too thick. But of all your flawed parts, I must say your tongue causes me the most frequent offense.”

“My tongue ? I have much better uses for it, if you will but let me demonstrate.” His imagination began to spiral with possibilities as he watched her reaction.

Her eyes widened, and something like interest sparked deep within them, but she quickly shuttered it. “Your conversation is as interesting as a boiled gruel. Please leave me in peace.” Turning away from him, she looked out to sea once more.

Clearly, she had no interest in continuing the conversation. Very well, then. He’d won a small victory, and now he needed time to regroup and rethink his tactics. And he still hadn’t fully given up on Ulf’s advice. “Then if you’ll excuse me, I have a ship to run.”

Adelaide put her hand on his arm and waylaid him. “Please don’t mind Isabella. You truly have been most kind to us. We appreciate your taking us away from Bamburgh and taking such good care of us on board your ship. My sister is grateful too, even if she doesn’t show it.”

What a dear Adelaide was! He smiled and patted her hand, ignoring Isabella’s huff from the railing. “Have no fear. I know she’s coming around, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.”

Isabella made a rumbling noise in her throat, and he thought it best to make a swift retreat. “If you’ll excuse me.”

As he headed to the forecastle, Isabella and Adelaide began arguing in low murmurs. About him, no doubt. The thought made him grin ear to ear.

“You look pleased with yourself, my lord,” said Ulf, glancing away from the astrolabe he was studying. “Any luck wooing your bride?”

“Not to hear her tell it. But I do think I’m making progress, little by little.” Looking out at the horizon, he was pleased to see that it looked like the weather was holding, at least for the time being.

“You have your father’s optimism,” Ulf said with a chuckle. “He married your mother sight unseen, you know, and they were one of the happiest couples I ever met.”

The mention of his father gave his heart a pang.

How he wished his father had lived long enough to meet Isabella!

He would have charmed her immediately, just as he did everyone he met.

That would have been something to see. No one could withstand Papa’s buoyant cheer, gentle kindness, and penchant for mischief for long.

Everyone fell under his spell eventually.

Many had commented on how alike Martin and his father were, at least in personality. His brother had gotten their father’s looks.

Unfortunately, Martin had gotten his looks from his maternal grandfather, a man of middling looks and middling height who made up for those deficiencies with a superb intellect.

Martin was grateful he’d inherited that in some measure as well.

He needed some advantages to make up for his uninspiring outward appearance.

But Papa’s unquenchable spirit lived on in him, and he planned to make the most of it as he wooed his reluctant bride.

“I’ve heard my parents’ story many times—how he married the notoriously headstrong daughter of an earl to save his fiefdom from ruin after several years of poor harvests.

How he brought her favorite flowers every morning and plied her with almond cakes until she succumbed to his charm. Mama always did have a sweet tooth.”

“And your father took full advantage. Have you tried wooing Isabella with food?”

Martin smiled ruefully. “She’s demanding pheasant.”

“At sea?” Clearly, Ulf agreed that the request was unreasonable.

“I know.” Martin sighed. “It’s a ploy to try to get us to stop in Norfolk.”

“Why does she want to stop in Norfolk?”

Martin debated how much to reveal to his first mate. He trusted Ulf with his life, but this was a sensitive topic. The last thing he wanted was to sow doubt about his marriage to Isabella in the minds of his men. “She has a friend there who she wants to see, but I told her it was too dangerous.”

The truth, if a bit hazy on the details. He didn’t want the crew to know he had a potential rival for her hand. They were fiercely loyal, and he didn’t want to sway them against Isabella any more than they already were.

“Agreed. The earl’s allegiances are unclear.

It’s best not to risk it.” Ulf clapped him on the shoulder.

“You’ll find a way to win her heart one way or another.

There’s too much of your father’s spirit in you.

Sooner or later, she’s bound to fall. Besides, you’re married.

It’s not as if she can go find someone else. ”

Ah. That was the crux of it. Time was short, and she had designs on that loathsome earl.

He prayed he could win her before it was too late.

Perhaps it had been foolhardy to make such a wager with her.

She was far more effective at defending herself than he could ever have believed.

Still, he was making progress, however slowly.

“She’ll come around.” Martin pretended more confidence than he felt. “She can’t hold out forever.” If only he had forever. He was certain he was cracking her shell, but their voyage seemed far too short to achieve his end.

He glanced back at where Isabella stood with Adelaide, still deep in discussion. Perhaps his friend’s advice earlier about ignoring her might work. It was a risky gambit, but he had to try something new and keep her off balance. She was adapting to his tactics far too quickly.

“Bring me the charts. I want to check our progress,” he said to Ulf. There was plenty of work to be done, and the common wisdom was that absence made the heart grow fonder. Perhaps he could make this work.