The Other Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys #3)(34)

Dear God, he’d wanted to impress her.

He jolted to his feet. “I have to get back.”

“Yes, fine,” she said distractedly, far more interested in the puzzle than anything he had to say. “I’ll be here, as you know.”

He watched her as he walked to the door. She didn’t glance at him even once. He should be glad that she had not noticed his abrupt change in disposition. “Billy will bring you something to eat this afternoon,” he said.

“That will be nice.” She picked up another piece and examined it, taking a sip of tea before setting it down to study another.

He tapped the handle of the door. “Do you have any preferences?”

“Hmmm?”

“For food. Do you have any preferences? Other than the strawberries, of course.”

She looked up and blinked, as if she was surprised he was still there. “I’m not terribly fond of asparagus, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You’re unlikely to encounter that on board,” he said. “We do try to keep fruits and vegetables, but never anything that expensive.”

She shrugged and turned back to the puzzle. “I’m sure anything will be fine.”

“Good.” He cleared his throat. “I’m pleased you’re getting on so well. I realize it is not an ideal situation.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He cocked his head to the side, watching her as she started flipping pieces over so the map side faced her. “It’s really too bad I don’t have another one of those puzzles,” he said.

“Hmmm.”

“I’ll be going, then.”

“Hmm-mmm.” This one came out with an up-and-down lilt, as if she were saying good-bye.

“Well,” he said gruffly. “Good-bye.”

She lifted a hand in farewell, even as her attention remained fixed on the wooden pieces. “Bye!”

Andrew stepped out of the cabin and into the corridor, making sure the door closed and locked behind him. She could get out, of course. It would have been irresponsible of him to have left her there without a means to evacuate. The Infinity had never had a problem, but one had to be careful at sea.

He unlocked the door and barged back in. “You do know you have a key?”

This got her attention. “I beg your pardon?”

“A key. Right over there in the top drawer. It’s highly unlikely, but if there were an emergency, you would be able to leave the cabin.”

“You wouldn’t come get me?”

“Well, I would try . . .” He suddenly felt most awkward. It was not a pleasant—or a familiar—sensation. “Or I could send someone. But it’s important that you have the ability to evacuate if necessary.”

“So what you’re saying,” she said, “is that you are trusting me not to leave the cabin.”

He had not quite thought of it that way, but— “Yes,” he replied. “I suppose I am.”

“That is good to know.”

He stared at her. What the devil did that mean?

“Thank you for the puzzle,” she said, changing the topic with unsettling speed. “I’m not sure if I actually said as much. It really was most thoughtful of you.”

“It was nothing,” he said, and his head and shoulder did a little twitch. His cheeks felt warm too.

She smiled—a lovely, warm thing that thoroughly reached her eyes, and he started to think that their color was more moss than leaf, although it might just be the light coming through the windows . . .

“Didn’t you say you were needed?” she reminded him.

He blinked. “Yes, of course.” He gave his head a little shake. “I was just thinking for a moment.”

She smiled again, this time with a vague air of amusement. Or maybe impatience. She clearly wished to be rid of him.

“I’ll take my leave, then.” He made a quick bow with his head and moved toward the door.

“Oh, wait!” she called.

He turned around. But not eagerly. Not eagerly at all. “Yes?”

She motioned with her hands toward her breakfast. “Would you mind removing the tray? I’ll need more room for the puzzle, wouldn’t you think?”

“The tray,” he echoed dully. She wanted him to carry her tray. He was the captain of his own bloody ship.

“I would very much appreciate it.”

He took the tray. “Until this evening, Miss Bridgerton.”

Until this evening. Absolutely. He would not be going back to check on her before then. Certainly not.



Poppy was just about a quarter of the way through the puzzle when she heard a single sharp rap on the door, followed by the sound of the key turning in the lock.

“Captain James!” she said with some surprise. As usual, he looked ridiculously handsome. What was it with men and windblown hair? And unlike this morning, his shirt was open at the neck. She didn’t mind, really, but out of politeness, she averted her eyes and turned her attention back to the puzzle piece in her hand. She thought it might belong in Canada. Or maybe Japan.

“Did you think I was Billy?” he asked.

“No, he would never knock with such authority. But you said you’d not be back until evening.”