Grant would be floored when he learned of their success. The ship would be loaded in two days, and it looked to be a very promising run back.
But what to do about Nicole? He was running out of time. Sometimes she acted as if she would stay in Australia and wait for Chancey when Derek sailed, but those times were becoming fewer each day. He sensed he was wearing down her defenses.
He would talk to her tonight, he decided. But before he got a chance, they made love again. Then after dinner, she began reading the new book hed bought her in town. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, hed tell her she was coming with him.
And if she refused? He would have to play his final card. It was unseemly, but each day he grew more attached to her. He would tell her that she could be pregnant. He hadnt been careful with her. Hed meant to; he had been careful all his life. But it felt impossible to pull away from her. It felt wrong.
He didnt think it had even crossed her mind. In so many ways, she was inexperienced. Shed never had to count days, never fervently hoped for one outcome or another. He would teach herharshlybut it had to be done. There was no way he could walk away from her.
Dereks musings were broken when he saw her scampering across the bed toward him, book in hand. She looked absorbed in thought, and he tensed while scrambling up against the headboard, certain that her knee would unswervingly connect with his groin.
Prepared for it, eyes closed and teeth gritted he found only her br**sts delicately pillowing across his lap. She lay perpendicular to him, the backs of her elbows touching his hip as she held the book open to read. He kept his eyes closed to better feel the luxury of her body.
Hed had her several times last night, twice this day, and still, at his age, he immediately turned stiff. When he strained against her br**sts, her lips tugged up. Not in exasperation at his continual lust, not even in amusement. He knew because he ran his hand up her leg and under her gown to part her. He felt her breath catch when he touched her silky wetness. She smiled because she was ready.
And she wanted him, too.
Nicole looked down at the man next to her. In sleep, his face had at last begun to mirror the increased relaxation shed sensed in his whole demeanor. She thought hed grown more contented in the last few weeks. As had she. So happy, in fact, that she didnt believe she could deny Derek if he asked her again to be his mistress.
Should she accept, she would break her word to her grandmother, and the news would devastate her father. She understood this. So why did her heart tell her it was right to be with this man for as long as she could?
What would her mother do? She had always told Nicole to follow her dreams and let nothing stand in her way. Hadnt Laurel given up everything to be with the man she loved? Hadnt she lost her own mother over it? Her father would never disown her, but he would wonder why she hadnt demanded marriage. Nicole wondered herself.
She felt trapped in a curious position. She sensed that Derek was growing to love her. But she couldnt decide if he was averse to marriage in general, or just marriage to her. Yet one thought recurred. Was she unthinkable as a bride merely because he was an earl and she apparently lacked a title, fortune, or roots?
And if that was the case, why hadnt she told him who she was?
Chapter 23
The bloody mans grown larger, Chancey thought when he first arrived in Sydney and found Sutherland. Grown larger and lighter, as daft as that might sound. It was as if some burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Sutherland smiled. Often. Chancey pondered what had happened to him. Then Nicole rushed across the deck, laughing, to be swung up in Sutherlands arms.
Nicole had happened to him.
The man was their enemy, but shed obviously forgotten that fact. Surely he couldnt be seeing her look at the man as if he alone existed for her, as if she loved him! Chancey cursed bitterly. They had to wed. From their closeness, he figured theyd have to wed very fast.
He wasnt fool enough to go storming the ship, not with Sutherland holding her, with his body language daring anyone to come near what was his. And besides wanting to kill the captain, Chancey had some bones to pick with a couple of his sailors. So he was glad to see that she had been seeing him off. Chanceys hands clenched when the bastard gave her a long, lingering kiss. But when he pulled her in again to gently kiss the top of her head, Chancey decided with relief that the man wanted her for more than one reason.
He followed behind Sutherland until they were out of earshot of the ship, then strode up to jab at his back. The man turned in a flash, his whole body tensed for a fight. Chancey just made out the slight look of surprise on his face before he concealed it behind a cold mask.
Were gonna be talkin now.
In response, Sutherland gave a quick nod.
The captain following him, Chancey ambled to a nearby pub, deserted at this time of morning. When they sat at a back table, he called for two whiskeys. He figured he needed one, and didnt doubt the man before him did, too.
He asked questions and, after a while, Sutherland loosened up and talked. Chancey learned of Sutherlands belief that Nicole had poisoned his crew. He listened as Sutherland told him about the storm and about Tallywood. When necessary, he prompted the man with questions about Nicole, obviously his favorite subject, to keep him talking.
When Chancey felt confident that she was safe and hadnt been mistreated, he relaxed marginally. It occurred to him that he and the captain agreed on a lot of views. If Sutherland werent a reprobate drunk whod seduced Nicole, they might have been friends.
Suddenly Sutherland got that cold look on his face again, and Chancey realized hed somehow revealed that this conversation was about to change course. The blighter didnt show a hint of surprise when Chancey announced, Yere marryin her tomorrow.
When Sutherland said nothing, he continued, I let ye go once when I should o made ye marry her, but Ill not make the same mistake again.
As much as I would like to marry herI cant. He ran a hand over his grim face.
Cant or wont? Chancey ground out as he leaned forward. Ill kill ye if ye dont make this right for her.
Sutherland didnt back down, just spoke in a toneless voice. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. He paused, a bleak look in his eyes. But there are circumstances at home that make a marriage to her impossible.
Impossible? Nothins impossible, Chancey spat out before he swooped his glass up to his lips. After a deep draw, he added, Yell just have to get around whatever obstacle stands in the way of marryin my lass
Impossible, Sutherland said, more to himself than to Chancey.