Lucas unlatched the door, pulled the drape back, and then turned to her.
'Your grandmother insisted the log show we shared the same quarters, Taylor. She wanted only one reservation written down. Feel like walking the rest of the way?'
She felt like running. She nodded instead. He got out of the vehicle, then turned to assist her. She left her cloak behind. He reached behind her to get the garment, saw her gloves were on the floor, and collected those as well, then turned to help her put her cloak on. Taylor seemed surprised she wasn't wearing her gloves and hastily put them in her pocket. She knew he was being extremely considerate with her, and that fact made her feel better. Perhaps he wasn't such a barbarian after all.
'Why didn't I notice how tall you were?'
She hadn't realized she'd asked the question until the words were out of her mouth and she couldn't take them back.
'You were standing on the step next to your grandmother's bed. I wasn't.'
She barely heard his explanation. She was thoroughly occupied staring at him. He had a wonderful smile. And beautiful white teeth, she couldn't help but notice. Heavens, he even had a dimple in the side of his cheek. If that wasn't appealing, she didn't know what was. She let out a little sigh over her errant thoughts.
He glanced down, caught her staring up at him, and wondered what had come over her. She was blushing. She was such an innocent, he thought. Taylor looked mesmerized, almost dazed. What in thunder was the matter with her?
'What are you thinking about?' he asked
'You're very handsome,' she blurted out. She immediately regretted telling him the truth. He looked exasperated with her. Her face felt as though it were burning. God, she wished she were more worldly, more sophisticated. 'Of course, I'm a horrible judge of men,' she hastily added. 'You've probably figured that out by now.'
'Why's that?''
Now she was exasperated. 'I was going to marry William,' she reminded him.
He shrugged. She didn't know what that was supposed to mean. 'I should hate all men, I suppose.'
He laughed. 'You're too young to hate anyone.'
'How old are you?' she asked.
'Old enough to hate the world.'
He was through discussing the matter. Lucas grabbed hold of her hand and started walking. She had to run to keep pace. Fortunately, the crowd swelled near the corner, and he was forced to slow down.
He had a firm grip on her hand. Taylor felt safe. It was an interesting feeling, overwhelmingly pleasant, actually, for she hadn't felt safe in such a long time. Things were looking much, much brighter.
They threaded their way through the chaos. The wharf was ablaze with light and activity. Carts piled high with trunks and suitcases stood unattended in the center of the street. Vendors shouted their prices and waved their wares as they pushed their way around the obstacles, while couples huddled together in a waiting line outside the ticketing office. Pickpockets darted in and out of the crowd, some as young as eight, others as old as eighty, but no one got within spitting distance of Taylor. Lucas wouldn't allow that. Men did gawk. They didn't touch. She noticed several gentlemen staring at her and believed her formal attire was drawing all the attention. With her free hand, she pulled the dark cape close and held the edges together against her chest.
Lucas noticed the action. 'Are you getting cold?'
She shook her head. 'I'm trying not to draw attention,' she explained. 'I'm not dressed appropriately for travel,' she added when he continued to look down at her.
It wouldn't have mattered what she wore, Lucas decided. She couldn't change what she looked like. Her curly hair cascaded down her back. The color, as pure a gold as a stalk of prairie wheat, was like a beacon to anyone who happened to glance their way. Taylor was of medium height, yet she held herself like a tall, regal princess. There was a definite sensuality in her walk, too, Lucas had noticed that right away, and those were just a few of the hundred or so reasons why he didn't believe it was possible for her not to draw attention to herself. She was damned beautiful, and when she looked directly at a man with those big blue eyes, he might as well give up trying to do anything but stare back. Even if Taylor were dressed in beggar's britches and an oversized man's shirt, she would still attract notice and lustful stares.
He didn't like the attention she was getting any more than she did. He felt possessive and couldn't understand why. His reaction to her didn't make any sense, yet the need to protect her fairly overwhelmed him. Hell, he barely knew her. Yet she belonged to him. She was his wife now. And what in God's name was he going to do about that?
He was glaring down at her. His moods, she decided, were as contrary and unpredictable as the weather.
'I should have changed my gown after the ball,' she announced for lack of anything better to say.
'It wouldn't have helped.'
He sounded surly. He was still frowning something fierce, though Taylor was happy to notice the focus of his displeasure now seemed to be centered on a group of young men lounging against the metal hitching posts.
She didn't waste time speculating about his sudden change in mood, however, because they turned the corner then and she spotted the Emerald in the distance. Her breath caught in the back of her throat. The ship was a magnificent sight. The moon cast a golden glow upon the mighty vessel, making it appear mystical in size. White frothing caps from the churning waves of the Mersey slapped against the sides but the ship didn't appear to move at all. Why, the Emerald looked as sturdy as a mountain and as welcoming as a preacher on Sunday morning.
Taylor was awed by the sight. She came to a dead stop and stared in fascination. 'Isn't it beautiful, Mr. Ross?'
The wonder in her voice made him feel like smiling. He looked at the ship, then turned back to her. 'Yes, she is beautiful,' he agreed.
'She must weigh at least five thousand tons.'
'Not quite two,' he corrected. 'We aren't in church, Taylor. You don't have to whisper.'
She hadn't realized she'd been whispering; she laughed over her own behavior. 'She's very majestic looking, isn't she?' she remarked in a louder tone of voice.
Lucas didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm. He had sailed on larger, more impressive ships, but the look of pleasure he saw on her face made him keep that bit of information to himself.
Taylor was turning out to be a bit of a puzzle. He knew she came from an extremely wealthy family and, therefore, he assumed she'd had every advantage. Yet now she acted as though this were her first journey into the big city. She wasn't a country farm girl, but damned if she weren't acting like one.
She caught him staring down at her. 'Am I gawking, Mr. Ross?'
'Just a little.'
She smiled. 'I fear I'm not very sophisticated,' she admitted.
'Have you never left England before?'
'I've gone to Scotland many, many times,' she replied. 'But I've never gone on the ocean. I'm looking forward to the experience.'
'Let's hope you don't get seasick.'
'Oh, I won't. I'm a very strong woman,' Taylor boasted. 'I never get sick.'
He gave her a look that suggested he didn't believe her. She decided to turn the topic. 'My grandfather Taylor and his brother-in-law, Andrew, sailed on the original Emerald. Andrew was too young to remember the adventure, but Grandfather was full of stories about life aboard ship and his friendship with the notorious nearsighted pirate named Black Harry. Have you ever heard of him, Mr. Ross?'
Lucas shook his head. 'Do your grandfather and your uncle know you're sailing on yet another Emerald?'
'I told Uncle Andrew, and he gave his blessing. Grandfather Taylor died over ten years ago, but in my heart I'm certain he knows. I believe he watches out for me. You may laugh, if you're inclined, but I think of him as my protector. He won't let anything happen to me.'
He was married to a crazy woman. Lucas didn't know what to say in response to such foolish beliefs. He was a realist. She obviously wasn't. Such naivete would get her killed in the wilderness. But she wasn't going to Montana Territory, he reminded himself. She was going to Boston. It was civilized there and somewhat safe.
