Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(37)

Swinging around, she faced Alex’s granite features.

“I was just explaining to Lady Hestia that Mr. Foxhall would be on board should she need help,” Jacob murmured just as David appeared from the hatchway.

Alex cleared his throat before saying, “Send a man ashore with your list, Foxhall, and I’ll ensure we get your supplies.”

David stepped forward. “If you would do me the honor, Lady Hestia, I have set up the chess set in the stateroom. I’m free for a game once I’ve checked my supplies.”

Hestia could see it written quite plainly on Foxhall’s face that he did not mind being left on board—with her.

“Thank you, kind sir, that would be perfect. It is a lovely day and I intend to enjoy it awhile longer, and the view from on deck is amazing.” With that she turned to Alex. “Don’t let me keep you from your important business on shore.”

Alex didn’t even try to hide his relief that she was not making a fuss. “Is there anything I can get for you?”

“Yes.” She’d almost forgotten her need for more shirts. “Some shirt linen if you please.”

He nodded as she watched the two men slip over the side and down into the rowboat. She followed the rowboat with her eyes until they made it to the jetty and disembarked.

The rowboat came back to the ship, the rower tying the boat to the rope ladder. The sailor then clambered on board and disappeared below deck.

She glanced at the men walking down the jetty until she could see them no more, then she made her way below to Mr. Foxhall’s cabin. She knocked before entering.

He was sitting on a chair positioned beside a small desk, writing his list. He looked up at her entrance.

“Sorry if I’m intruding, I just wanted to say that if you wanted to go ashore I’m sure I’ll be safe on the ship for a few hours. I swear I won’t try to go ashore.”

“No need. I’ve finished my list and one of the men will take it when they go ashore.”

She moved to stare out the small porthole. “I thought you might resent being stuck on board; I’m sure it’s for my sake.”

His heated gaze met hers. “I do not resent remaining on board. Quite the opposite.”

Her face warmed. “If I wanted you to go ashore to do something for me, would you?”

His smile faded slightly. “I can add anything you need to my list.”

She sighed. “Not this you can’t.”

His eyebrow rose.

“I should never have asked Alex to help me. It’s too dangerous. I should have simply hired someone to find my father and deliver a message, telling him what Fredrick was up to. Don’t you see, I’ve put all of us in danger, and if you help me I can hire someone in Palma, and then Alex can return to England. I can see what returning to the Mediterranean is doing to him. He’s worried about me, about my father, and it’s not his responsibility.”

“You want me to go behind Alex’s back and help you hire someone else?”

“Alex is far too gallant to consider calling off the search. I have already tried to convince him to return home. But if we both persuade him that my father will be warned by the men we hire, then he might listen.”

He looked away before asking, “How can we trust anyone we hire in Palma?”

“I know Governor Crespo and his wife, Emilia, from my previous visits here with my father. They could help me find a reputable ship and men. They might even know what my father’s plans were.” She pleaded with him. “Won’t you help me try?”

David stood and moved to stand right in front of her, looking down at her for an age. On a sigh he said, “It would not change Alex’s plan. He would still sail to the Mediterranean.”

Something began to build inside. The cold dread of fear wrapped talons around her insides. “There would be no need for him to continue on to Greece.”

“He’s not going to Greece for your father. Or for you. Not entirely.”

Her legs began to buckle under her, and it was only David’s strong arms that stopped her from sliding to the floor. “Oh God, he’s going after Murad.” And she fainted.

—

Hestia sat in the early evening sun, eyes peeled on the town.

She felt such a fool. Alex, her hero…Would he still be helping her if not for his plans to seek vengeance? This had nothing to do with her, or any feelings he had for her. This was a clear sign that she did not really know him. How could he want to go anywhere near the man who’d held him captive for two years? Surely the risk of being caught again, or worse, killed, was not something to even contemplate.

David had left her in her cabin once he had ensured himself she would not faint again. She’d told him she was fine but just the idea of being in the vicinity of Murad made her stomach churn. Her legs were still shaking.

David had told her that as soon as they found her father, Alex was sending her home in David’s custody, and hopefully her father too, on a smaller schooner. His friend, the Marquis of Clevedon, was to be their guard home.

Obviously the fact that Fredrick would still be chasing after her was of no concern to him. Anger sizzled under her skin. Fool. She was such a fool, and Alex had let her believe he was her hero…

With a sigh she admitted he had warned her not to put him on a pedestal. Swatting a fly from her nose she pondered her situation. At least her conscience was now clear. Alex wanted to walk into danger. He thirsted for revenge. That had nothing to do with her. She should be more worried about how to deal with Fredrick once they reached English soil once more. If they reached it.