Read Online Elizabeth Meyette - [Love's 01] by Love's Destiny - Free Book Online Page B

feeling a need to explain her presence. “Let me help you.”
    He closed his eyes in compliance. Emily reached beneath his head as she had done many times before and propped him up on her arm. She held the cup to his lips and was pleased when he sipped some broth. The effort drained Jonathon, and he leaned heavily against her arm. His eyes looked into hers in thanks as she gently laid his head back down.
    “You must rest now, Captain Brentwood,” she said softly. He closed his eyes, and soon his even breathing signaled his deepening slumber.
    Again Emily was seized with the desire to kiss him. She fought it this time and was content to study his striking face. After a while the ache in her back and shoulders urged her to bed and, rising, she picked up the cup. Unthinking, she pulled the sheet a little higher over his shoulders and gently stroked his forehead. Then she turned and left, unaware of brown eyes that followed her.
    • • •
    A week brought signs of great improvement in both boy and man. Andrew was sitting up playing cards with Emily and the sailors and chafing at being confined to bed. Jonathon was taking more food and, though exhausted, was in good spirits. His hand was healing well with no sign of putrefying. Emily was free to stroll along the deck more and did so as much as possible. All seemed to be more than ready to sight land, though they knew it would be weeks away.
    Mr. Gates approached Emily as she watched the waves in endless fascination. “Excuse me, Miss Wentworth; Captain Brentwood would like a word with you.”
    Emily headed for Jonathon’s cabin wondering what he wanted. She had not seen him since Mr. Gates requested her help with the broth. Reaching his door, she knocked and was surprised at the strength in his voice when he bade her enter. Jonathon, propped to a half-sitting position in his bed, was making notations in a ledger. Looking up he was greeted with the sight of Emily in a yellow dress that drew out the golden highlights in her hair.
    “Come in and sit down, Emily,” he said.
    The only chair was the one by his bed since the others had been moved to Mr. Gates’s quarters for dining. Emily complied and sat beside him. She avoided his gaze and cast about the room for something interesting to study. None of it registered in her mind, however, since it was occupied with the awareness of Jonathon’s intense scrutiny.
    “Emily, I wanted to apologize for what happened in here the other evening. I am afraid I was quite drunk and …” he began.
    Emily felt the blush creep across her cheeks. “It is all right, Captain Brentwood, I understand,” she murmured looking at her hands resting in her lap.
    “Perhaps you do not Em, I am not sorry that it happened; I am sorry that I was so drunk that I could not appreciate it as I would have liked. I thought we could repeat the performance so at least I would have the memory to carry with me.”
    Emily was furious. She started to rise, but he caught her hand. She was surprised at his strength, but knew she could pull away if she chose to. She did not.
    “You egotistical, insufferable, arrogant fool!”
    “Easy, Em, I am a sick man,” he grinned. “I was teasing. I really did intend to apologize, but you seemed so upset by such a little incident, that I thought levity would help the situation. Obviously I erred. Please sit down.” Emily sank slowly into the chair. “Let us call a truce, Emily. I shall try to be more serious if you will try to find some redeeming qualities in this egotistical, insufferable fool.”
    Emily eyed him. So it was just a little incident to him. Of course, it would be. He had been involved with mature women, probably many experienced lovers, and here she was — young and inexperienced. He probably laughed at the awkwardness of their kiss. And it had set her very soul on fire. A little incident.
    “Do not worry, Captain Brentwood, beneath that jovial, mocking exterior, I am sure there beats a heart of pure