The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)(48)

“Eh, no . . .” The shocking suggestion seemed to give even him pause. “But can you climb in a dress?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” I said, thinking of childhood days when I used to get scolded for climbing trees on our country estate. “I could take it off, but then you’d have to deal with the shock of seeing me half-naked again.”

“I’m still recovering from the first time,” he said wryly. He stood by the shelves. “Okay, let’s go. No risk, no gain.”

He put his hands around my waist and helped hoist me high until I could place my feet on one shelf and grip a higher one with my hands. I was pretty sure he got a face full of skirts and petticoats in the maneuver, but in a few moments, he was able to let go as I maintained my hold and slowly scaled upward.

“I’ll catch you if you fall,” he said helpfully.

“I won’t fall. You’ve got me confused with some helpless girl who balks at dishonest behavior.”

“My mistake.”

Despite my bold words, I nearly lost my grip when the ship rocked sharply again. We’d had relatively calm waters so far, and today’s troubled conditions had already made normal movement around the ship difficult—let alone when attempting to climb shelving in a dress.

I reached the upper cupboard and opened it, marveling at what I saw. Food. But not the dried, flavorless kind we consumed daily. A variety of jarred delicacies were displayed before me: dried currants, nuts, caramel brittle, lemon cookies . . . Along with them, mysterious boxes and bags contained other hidden delights.

“Do you see a small green tin?” Cedric asked. “That’s what we want.”

After several moments of searching, I found it. I tossed the tin down to him and began my descent. It was a little easier this time, both because I was surer of my footholds and less scared of injury the nearer I got to the floor. When I was almost there, Cedric took hold of my waist again and swung me down the rest of the way.

“Easy,” I declared.

He started to let go, but another wave threw us both off. He held me tighter, shifting his weight so that we stayed upright. Some of the items in the room slid around with the sudden movement, but most were bolted down. Only when things calmed did he release me.

“Well?” I asked. “Was it worth it?”

He opened the tin. “You tell me.”

“Honey cakes! How?”

“The captain has a sweet tooth, and after you said you’d kill for some, I figured I’d better take action for everyone’s safety. Want one?”

“No, I want them all,” I said. “But let’s go back to the cargo room before we’re caught here.”

We checked the hall before making a break for it, but again, most crew barely noticed us. They moved swiftly and deftly over the rolling floor while Cedric and I had to occasionally stop and hold the walls. When we finally completed the journey to our room, we hurried back to my art corner to divvy up our spoils.

“You said you wanted them all,” Cedric teased when I held the tin out to him.

“You can have some as a commission of sorts. Even though I really did all the work.”

I plucked one out and popped it into my mouth, closing my eyes as that sweetness flooded me. “I ate these all the time back home,” I said after I’d swallowed it. “Never thought much of it. But after all that hardtack . . . I swear, this is now pretty much the best thing I’ve eaten in my entire life.”

We quickly went through the tin, and Cedric urged me to take the last one. “I should give this one to Mira,” I demurred. “She’s the only friend I’ve got left.”

Cedric looked up. “Oh?”

“Well, I’m sure that’s what Tamsin would say.”

“And the rest of us are just partners in crime.”

“The rest are just—oh.” I felt foolish. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I mean, yes. Of course you’re my friend. I think.”

His smile was hard to read as he stretched his limbs before leaning against the wall beside me. “I don’t think that makes me feel any better.”

“No, you are. I’ve just never thought of men as friends before. In my life they’ve always been . . . a means to an end.”

“Still not making me feel any better.”

“Conquests?”

“A slight improvement. Maybe being your conquest wouldn’t be so bad.”

“After I got you to help me that first day? I figured you already were.” I looked over at him and saw a bit of honey near his lips. Without thinking, I leaned over and gently dabbed at it with my fingers.

As soon as I brushed his lips with my fingertips I felt my pulse quicken and a flush of heat sweep over me. Unable to resist, I traced the edges of his lips, suddenly wondering if they would taste just as sweet as the honey.

Cedric took hold of my hand and laced his fingers with mine. The heat in his gaze made me heady, its intensity burning right through me. He didn’t let go, and I felt as though the world around us was slowing down. I finally managed to ask, “What about me? Am I your friend?”

He closed his eyes briefly, wrestling with some great dilemma, and then exhaled. “You are—”

Before he could finish answering, the door to the cargo hold suddenly opened. Both of us jumped. A sailor appeared in the doorway, an older man with a shaved head and a slanted scar across his cheek. I was also pretty sure he was missing two fingers on his left hand. He seemed equally astonished to see us, and Cedric immediately straightened up, angling himself between me and the door. He put one arm protectively around me and rested his other hand on the pocket of his coat. The painting at least wasn’t in view of the door.