Close to the Wind Page 18

  As if she needed steadying, Harry thought savagely, when she could cross the deck on stilts if she chose.

  As the days passed, Harry’s concern turned to anger and he itched to get Georgiana alone, to give her a good shaking. His tongue blistered with advice he knew she’d never take. He imagined the pleasure of planting a fist into Mellors’ broad, good-humoured face. He was not the man for her, couldn’t she see? Mellors thought he was courting a governess, for God’s sake. What a dance she would lead him – lead any man rash enough to love her.

  The sooner Harry delivered her to her brother, the better. Despite her protestations, Harry felt sure she was still up to mischief, playing a game beyond her league. The girl was a liability – but she was his liability. Not that he could say even that to her. As a man wanted for murder, Harry had no right to make even that claim over her. The thought that Mellors had more to offer, tortured him.

  Before they reached shore, he had to somehow talk some sense into her.

  The opportunity never arose, however, and New Zealand finally appeared as a streak on the horizon. Georgiana leaned on the railings, watching as the dark streak firmed to a black silhouette, then crystallised into the green hills and deep jade waters of Lyttleton, port to Christchurch.

  I’ve made it, she thought with a flaring sense of triumph and jubilation. I’ve really made it! And somewhere, out there, is Charlie. Pray God he’s still alive.

  However, the joy of having finally reached her destination was eclipsed somewhat as the ship drew closer still and she saw that the hills, though beautiful, were dauntingly empty.

  How on earth would she ever find Charlie in this vast, untamed land? She had focused so much of her attention on getting to New Zealand, she’d hadn’t properly considered what she’d do when she actually arrived. Despite her determination, her courage quailed and she was suddenly filled with a despicable sense of desolation and helplessness which dimmed the day’s sunshine and turned the hills from beautiful to forbidding.

  It was with relief, therefore, she heard Tom call out, ‘Miss Trent. Sarah. I’m glad to have found you.’

  She looked over her shoulder to see him crossing the deck and was grateful for his company. ‘Come and join me, I’m just admiring New Zealand.’

  Tom came to stand beside her and leaned his forearms on the railings next to hers. ‘I thought you might be packing.’

  Georgiana forced a smile. ‘I probably should be but was distracted by finally seeing our destination. It’s even more beautiful than Madeira or Cape Town, isn’t it.’

  He half-turned, smiling back down at her. ‘Aye, it’s a bonny enough land.’ Then he paused, clearly choosing his words, his manner serious. ‘Sarah, I’ve been trying to get up my courage all voyage and I have to say it now. It would give me the greatest honour in the world if you would – would consent to be my wife.’

  ‘Oh, Tom,’ she began but, overwhelmed by such an offer, she did not know how to continue.

  ‘If you’re worried about my background,’ he said, filling in the silence, ‘I’ve good blood running through my veins.’

  Georgiana gave a watery laugh as tears brimmed in her eyes. ‘Tom, you know that is not an issue for me at all. You are a wonderful man, but …’

  ‘You won’t accept, then?’ Disappointment was written all over his earnest face.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Tom, but until I find my brother, I cannot think about anything else. He’s my first – my only – concern at present. I do hope you can understand that.’

  ‘Of course I can. But then I must insist you will at least allow me to aid you in your search for him?’ Tom said with an unexpectedly obstinate set to his jaw.

  ‘I couldn’t possibly trespass on your good nature.’

  ‘It isn’t trespassing. It would be my greatest delight to be of service to you.’

  ‘I can’t accept such a handsome offer.’

  He laughed at this but said with finality, ‘Come, you cannot refuse me twice in as many minutes. I will be quite undone if you do.’

  She smiled, but shyly, and he took one of her hands. ‘Sarah, I promise not to mention matrimony again until you are ready to consider the matter. But it’s a new and raw land out there. Accept my help, for I won’t rest easy until I know you are safely with your brother.’

  ‘You are all kindness.’

  ‘Damn my kindness! Just say yes.’

  Was the sun suddenly warmer, the hills less intimidating? With Tom’s strength to protect her, she could surely find Charlie and together they would finally be safe. Georgiana made her decision and laughed with relief. ‘Yes, oh yes. Thank you, Tom.’

  ‘Really?’ His face brightened and he patted her hand. ‘That’s wonderful! Tomorrow I’ve business to settle in Christchurch and then we’ll set off to Dunedin immediately after. Will that suit you?’

  ‘Yes indeed!’ She felt lightheaded as the terror of only moments earlier receded.

  ‘Now, look at the time,’ Tom exclaimed as he looked at the watch he’d pulled from his waistcoat pocket. ‘Dinner is not too far away.’

  ‘Then I must run. I’ve been loitering far too long. The children need to be dressed in their best.’

  The final evening was to be a celebratory affair before all the passengers went their separate ways. As Georgiana hurried to her cabin, she tried hard not to dwell on the fact that this would also be the last time she’d ever see Harry.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Georgiana had just finished getting the children ready when there was a knock on the door. It was Mrs Roper with a silk dress in her arms. ‘Miss Trent, I had my maid and a seamstress from steerage make this for you as thanks for all your help on this voyage.’

  ‘But I’ve done nothing,’ stammered Georgiana, though she couldn’t take her eyes off the exquisite fabric she recognised as the silk Mrs Roper had bought in Cape Town.

  ‘Nothing? Why you nursed me like an angel, read to me when I had my headaches and enlivened my days with your high spirits. You can’t deny me my chance to say thank you. I had this made especially for you so if you won’t have it, I’ll have to throw it overboard for it’ll never fit me, you know. Take it, please.’

  She thrust the dress upon Georgiana who was both laughing and in tears. ‘But how can I ever thank you?’

  ‘By wearing it for me, my dear.’

  Georgiana dressed with special care that night. Her eyes took their colour from the wild-sea-green of the silk and their sparkle reflected its sheen. It was cut lower than any dress she’d ever worn and she felt naked about her shoulders. Could she carry off a dress so feminine? Her answer came when Julia begged readmittance to the cabin.

  ‘Oh, Miss Trent,’ she breathed. ‘You look beautiful.’

  Georgiana blushed. ‘It’s just the dress—’

  ‘No, it’s not. It’s you. Your eyes are so very green and your shoulders are as white as Mama’s used to be. Please, please say I can help you dress your hair.’

  Georgiana was not used to compliments and smiled to cover her embarrassment. ‘I’d be glad of your help. Could you hold the mirror? I can’t see into it properly.’

  She had only Julia’s small mirror but between them they contrived to catch up her curls in a semblance of a bun, though tendrils escaped the hairpins.

  ‘How good it is your hair is growing back. You are lucky to have curls. My hair is so straight!’

  ‘But such a lovely colour – a mixture of corn, sunflowers and gold.’

  Julia laughed and put her head to one side. ‘And yours is a mixture of shiny brown acorns, red autumn leaves and orange flames.’

  ‘Why thank you, Miss Taylor,’ said Georgiana, sweeping her a magnificent curtsey.

  ‘Why it’s my pleasure,’ said Julia, following suit. ‘Do you have any diamonds or pearls?’

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nbsp; ‘No, why?’

  ‘You should have something pretty around your neck. Where’s your griffin?’

  ‘I took it off. I thought it too unusual for a party.’

  ‘But you are unusual, Miss Trent, and I don’t think you should try to be like everyone else. There are plenty of ordinary people in the world.’

  ‘How right you are, Julia,’ said Georgiana, struck by these words. ‘I shouldn’t. Why did I never think of that before? I could have saved myself some terrible years trying to be like everyone else and failing miserably. The griffin, it is.’

  As she clasped the griffin around her neck, she felt complete. She’d worn it throughout the voyage but only under her clothes. Though a trifle too large for most women, it sat well against the strong, graceful line of her shoulders and Georgiana drew herself up.

  ‘Miss Trent, you look, look like’—Julia struggled for words—‘like a queen. Like Boadicea.’ This made Georgiana laugh and she dropped a kiss on Julia’s head.

  ‘You are a darling. Now we must hurry for we’re late.’

  Everyone was seated as they arrived, a little breathlessly, at the salon and the men rose.

  ‘By Jove,’ said Captain Dunn. ‘You look stunning tonight, Miss Trent.’

  ‘An absolute picture,’ agreed Mrs Roper. ‘You carry that dress off superbly, Sarah dear.’

  Tom and Harry both began to move forward, but Harry was the quicker. He stepped up to her and offered his arm. He was only funning, of course, for it was just a few steps to her seat, but she laughed and accepted. There was a curious smile in his eyes and her stomach fluttered as he leaned down to whisper, ‘Gorgeous, Georges.’

  His voice was deep and soft. Though she smiled at the silly rhyme, something caught at her heart, but he was already leading her to her place where Tom was waiting to kiss her hand and seat her.

  ‘Bees to a honeypot,’ she heard Mrs Roper murmur to the captain and saw the very slight wink he gave in reply. Georgiana’s heart swelled.

  Wine was plied generously, conversation flowed. Halfway through the voyage, some passengers had already had their fill of the others. Now all past differences were buried, and a few people even became maudlin.

  ‘How I will miss the dear little children,’ said Miss Trollope, dabbing her eyes. She appeared to have forgotten telling Georgiana the day she’d arrived that she was going to be governess to the most ill-mannered, forward children imaginable.

  ‘Mr Mellors, you must come and visit our farm and give us some advice, eh,’ said Colonel Briggs, all class differences set aside in the evening’s bonhomie.

  Tom’s eyes declared his adoration of Georgiana and he was quick to meet her every need, filling her glass, passing her salt. It was all very gratifying and Georgiana, heady with the attention, became animated. Having seen the initial skirmish over her, she desired more. This was the last chance for Harry to – oh, she didn’t know what. While not exactly flirting, she certainly demonstrated how close her connection with Tom was, and Tom was more than happy to respond in kind. The different courses came and went but apart from developing a dangerous edge to his smile, Harry seemed neither to notice nor care.

  As second host to the captain, he played his part superbly and Georgiana was reminded that he was a man educated in all the social graces. He was gallant, but no more so towards her than to Mrs Roper or any of the other ladies present. In fact, his charm was so impenetrable that Georgiana began to wonder whether she’d imagined that whisper, that flaring heat in his first glance.

  Tom pulled her thoughts back. ‘Such sights we have all seen. I’ll never forget the flying fish that only you and I, Miss Trent, were lucky enough to witness. Do you remember?’

  ‘Of course! The memory of that night is imprinted into my mind forever.’ Georgiana reached for her wine and threw Harry a swift, sideways glance. A muscle twitched in his jaw. A small, unworthy sense of triumph flared. Not quite so indifferent then, Mr Miller.

  As the dessert plates were being cleared away, Julia exclaimed, ‘Look! Sebastian’s asleep!’

  Everyone laughed to see the boy lying with his cheek pillowed on his bread plate.

  ‘Oh, poor Sebastian, I must get him to bed.’ Georgiana was overcome with remorse. ‘The excitement has been too much for him.’

  ‘I’ll carry him for you,’ Harry was already rising.

  ‘No, I can,’ said Tom, pushing his chair back.

  ‘Don’t worry, I have to check on a few things anyway.’

  ‘Miller, relax, you—,’ Captain Dunn began, but as his eyes went from Harry’s face to Tom’s, he coughed and added, ‘Just so, indeed, just so.’

  ‘Thank you, Mr Miller,’ said Georgiana, and she smiled at Tom to reassure him as she also rose. He sank back into his chair, but didn’t seem happy as he watched Harry scoop up the sleeping child. Georgiana turned to Julia. ‘What about you, Julia? Are you ready for bed?’

  ‘Oh please may I stay up for just one more half-hour,’ she pleaded, and Georgiana looked to Mr Taylor. He crumbled under his daughter’s beseeching eyes.

  ‘Oh, just this once.’

  As Georgiana led the way to the cabin she felt breathless. Her stays were obviously far too tight. They did not talk. As she stepped aside at the cabin door to let Harry past with Sebastian, she stole a glance at him. The clean lines of his profile were unreadable. The cabin felt very small as Harry lay Sebastian down, and Georgiana’s arm brushed against his as she came forward to cover the boy with a blanket. She straightened to find Harry right beside her, his eyes very dark. But instead of speaking in that soft whisper he’d used earlier that had turned her innards to liquid, he said abruptly, ‘About bloody time. Finally, George, I’ve got you alone. We have to talk.’

  She instantly resented his tone. Here she was, dressed in her finery and still he talked to her as though she were a cabin boy. She realised suddenly, horribly, that all her efforts had been for him alone and still he couldn’t see. What had she thought? That he’d kiss her? Absurd, and naturally she would have slapped him, had he tried. All the same, this was the last time they were ever going to see each other. Didn’t he care? Frustration and mortification combusted as she drew herself up tall. ‘We have absolutely nothing to talk about.’

  ‘I want to know why the hell you’ve been so damned frosty towards me over these past weeks.’

  ‘I have not been frosty!’ She bit the words out like icicles.

  ‘The devil you haven’t! George—’

  ‘Don’t call me that!’

  ‘What would you prefer? Miss Trent?’

  She hated his sarcasm. ‘I’d prefer you to leave!’

  She’d have been furious if he had. He stepped closer still, his eyes burning dark blue. Her heart began to thud.

  ‘You will hear what I have to say whether you like it or not,’ he said. She hadn’t seen him lose his temper before, but instead of being frightened, she was appalled at herself for finding it rather thrilling. Her aunt had been quite right. She had no sensibility at all. ‘Firstly, I will of course take you to your brother.’

  Georgiana tossed her head in grand style. ‘Thank you, but I don’t need your help.’

  ‘Oh come off from you high horse, Georgie. Mr Taylor remains in Lyttleton and Mrs Roper’s brother lives up north. You can’t travel alone, you absurd girl.’

  ‘I won’t be alone.’

  His brows snapped together. ‘Mellors?’ He took another step closer, his legs pressing her crinoline back. She felt heat radiate from his body. His voice dropped. ‘Look George, there’s something about that man I don’t like.’

  ‘Possibly the fact that he likes me.’

  His lips tightened and the muscle in his jaw jumped. ‘Just listen, will you. He’s up to no good. I’m sure I saw him in Cape Town coming from a meeting with your cousin.’
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  ‘What, did you see them actually talking?’

  He hesitated. ‘No, I arrived too late but I swear they were walking in different directions from the same meeting point.’

  ‘Nice try, Harry, but he tumbled to your game a while back and warned you might try blackening his name.’

  Harry grabbed her by one arm and shook it. ‘Can’t you see he’s up to something?’

  His words stung. He obviously couldn’t believe any man could be interested in her. The memories of many, many nights of failure suddenly came to the fore. She saw again Jasper’s handsome, deceitful face. Her free hand came up and pinched Harry’s restraining fingers cruelly. He swore and dropped his hold to flick his hand. Now it was Georgiana’s turn to narrow the last remaining inch between them. She stepped so close that the bodice of her dress brushed his uniformed chest. She heard his sudden intake of breath but didn’t care as she hissed, ‘Why should he be up to something? You’ve no grounds whatsoever to make such a claim. Is it so hard to believe a man might find me attractive? Might like me just for being me?’

  Harry began to speak but she was not in the mood for hollow protestations. She continued in a voice shaking with rage and hurt pride. ‘I know your game, you don’t fool me. I know exactly who you are and what you are, Harry Trent, and there is nothing that would make me travel a mile in your company. I despise everything you stand for. Let me assure you’—and here she prodded him in the chest with one furious finger—‘I will do everything to ensure you do not succeed in this sordid business you won’t talk about.’

  His eyes blazed as he caught her wrist. ‘That man—’

  ‘—has done me the honour of asking me to be his wife.’

  Harry dropped her hand and fell back a pace. For a second they glared at one another. The muscle in his jaw was ticking steadily now. His black hair fell across his forehead. Every plane and angle in his face was sharply defined. Even at the height of her fury and misery, she couldn’t help noticing how splendid he was. Then, with a visible effort, he drew himself up and bowed.

  ‘My felicitations, Miss Trent.’