An Unsinkable Love(21)
Send him off to the other room so she had some peace and quiet. But she didn't like the idea of him thinking her a child, so she answered, "I'm nearly nineteen. Plenty old enough, thank you very much."
"Really?"
She heard genuine shock in his voice and looked up with a frown.
He must have realized how he sounded and gave her an apologetic shrug. "Well, be that as it may, being on your own in America is a tough proposition. Or do you intend to stay with White Star and travel the world?"
Bree tipped her head back and stared at the figured tin ceiling. She hadn't expected to be hired by the cruise line when she left home; she'd just wanted to get as far away from her family and the Rothberrys as possible. It had never occurred to her she could live on the seas and see exotic ports of call. She looked at Malcolm with a smile, "Now there's an idea. Maybe I will."
"With a boy in every port?" A devilish grin lit his eyes and deepened the dimples.
Bree couldn't help but laugh. "You never know."
As Malcolm opened his mouth to respond, a knock sounded at the door. Bree tensed, glad Malcolm was near. He stood 73
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
and called, "Come in." Mr. Cave entered with a wheeled trolley. Bree sagged back into her seat.
"Here you are, sir. You didn't mention how many were dining or any particular preferences, so I took the liberty of making a selection for a light repast, along with coffee and tea."
Malcolm stepped to the cart and lifted silver domes off several plates to reveal fruit, cheeses, fancy iced petit fours and fat golden biscuits with jam and honey. "Thank you, Cave. This is more than adequate."
The steward gave a brief bow. "At your service, sir." He made a crisp turn and let himself out.
"I figured you might be hungry, Miss Barry. Mother and I had dinner, but you were left on your own."
Bree stared at him in surprise. "This is for me? Why, I couldn't eat all that."
"He was quite zealous in his selection." He smiled down at her. "Come now, take a break from your labor and have a bite. Mother would never forgive me if she thought you were being mistreated." He picked up a small frosted cake and bit into it. A fleck of icing at the corner of his expressive mouth captured her attention and she had to stop herself from licking her lips.
Bree's stomach rumbled loudly and she blushed. "Well, as you put it that way, I suppose I could eat something." She reached for a biscuit. From beneath lowered eyelids she hazarded a glance at Malcolm. His heavy-lidded eyes were half-closed, but the sparkle of blue revealed he observed her 74
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
closely. She blushed deeper and looked away, silently cursing her fair skin.
He laughed softly and plopped back down on the sofa. She felt him watching as she made additional selections and poured herself a cup of tea. She used the china plate to nudge the sewing kit over and set her cup and saucer on the small side table. His intent scrutiny ruined her appetite.
As if he read her mind, he leaned back, tipped his head to the ceiling and perused the intricate patterns just as she had.
Bree's gaze focused on the tanned cords that ran up the sides of his neck. She noticed a sable curl wrapped around his right earlobe, cradling it. She yearned to reach out and touch it but picked up the cup of tea and saucer instead, taking a sip to wet her suddenly dry mouth.
"The steward will return shortly with linens to make up the sofa. If you prefer, I'll take the sofa and you may use the other bedroom."
Her cup rattled against the saucer and sloshed tea over the side. "I'd prefer the sofa, thank you, Mr. DuMont." She set the drink down as she tried to exorcize thoughts of occupying the big bed with Malcolm from her mind before she made a complete fool of herself.
"Enough of the 'Mr. DuMont,' please. My name is Malcolm, or Mal if you prefer. Mr. DuMont is far too formal for our circumstances. Besides, it makes me think of Eldon and I really don't care to think about him right now."
Bree nodded. "As you wish, Malcolm. You may call me Bridget."
"I thought I heard Mother call you Bree?"
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An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
"Well, yes. That's what my friends and family call me," she replied.
He laughed. "And I am not to call you Bree, I take it?"
She couldn't help the impish smile that turned up the corners of her mouth. "Not at this time."