How to Be a Proper Lady

“The prettiest little sailor on the Atlantic, it’s true. But… a noblewoman?” He shook his head. Then the spark of jealousy flared again. “How did you come to learn this? Did she tell you?”

“I became acquainted with her family before leaving England. I have come here, in fact, to convey her home. To Lord Carlyle,” he added. But he needn’t. Castle’s eyes had brightened, their bewilderment no less apparent, but relief and excitement there as well. He assessed Jin with less intensity now, as though he understood.

He understood nothing. Nothing of what Jin began to fear he was at this moment giving up in order to give her what she should have.

“Am I interrupting?” She appeared beside them, a thick package under her arm.

He stood, Castle following to his feet. She glanced curiously at Jin, then her gaze went to Castle and softened.

“Are you well, Aidan? And your cousin, and the Hats? How do you all get along today? I heard at the shop that the fire was contained before dawn.”

With a quick glance at Jin first, Castle grasped her hand.

“We are all well, myself, Seamus, and Mr. and Mrs. Hat and their daughter, who have moved here to the inn to lodge. And you, Vi-” He cleared his throat. “Violet?”

“Fine. I am sorry we did not manage to catch the arsonists, Aidan. The damage to your farm must be tremendous.”

“We have lost a quarter of this crop and the house is uninhabitable.” He chuckled uncomfortably. “Now of course I have no place in which to offer you my hospitality.”

“That seems inconsequential given all,” she mumbled.

Jin withdrew a coin from his pocket and set it on the table.

“I have work to accomplish. I must take my leave of you, Castle.” He picked up his hat. “Miss Daly, I will send the boat back for you.” He bowed.

“My thanks for the drink, Seton. And conversation.”

Jin departed. Viola stared after him. She did not wish him to leave. But he had been contrary today, confusing in his speech and actions, and yet simply looking at him made her ache in all the places he had touched her. Sweet, agitated aching that made her wretchedly peevish.

She turned reluctantly to the other confusing man in her life-or perhaps not so much in her life any longer. He stared at her intently.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“Like what?”

“Like you’re seeing me for the first time, when we spent the entire evening together yesterday.” Before she saw him embrace Miss Hat.

“I don’t know what you mean, Violet. You are being absurd.” He chucked her under the chin. She drew her face away.

“What will you do now?”

“Do?”

“With your farm, of course.”

He glanced about them, then at her clothing. He seemed to assess, then decide silently. “Will you walk with me? I am so exhausted that I believe if I sit I might drop off to sleep.” He chuckled.

“You weren’t asleep sitting here with Mr. Seton. The two of you looked quite intent in your conversation.” She allowed him to guide her lightly from the taproom, his fingers barely brushing her elbow. “What did you find to converse about?”

“You, of course.”

Her belly twisted. She frowned.

“Is that so difficult to believe?” he said pleasantly. “We have little else in common than that we have both shared time aboard a ship with you.”

They had a great deal more in common than he knew. Viola’s cheeks warmed and she was glad for her concealing hat. They went out onto the street and he led her toward a pathway leading along the docks. She peered beneath her brim toward the wharf, but the place was busy with people and she did not see Jin or the boat.

“Allow me to carry your parcel for you.” Aidan drew the package with her new gown and underclothes from her arms. “What did you purchase?”

“Nothing of interest. Aidan, tell me please about the farm.”

“There is little to tell. It will be some time before the house is in comfortable condition again.” They moved onto a path lined with palms and yucca, and insects buzzed about in the heat. Gulls wheeled overhead, playing in the breeze that tugged at her hat, fresh as a sailor liked to feel it. “You came here anticipating hospitality, so I hope you will allow me to offer you a chamber at the inn tonight.” He smiled down at her.

“I anticipated nothing but your company, which I hope I may have with or without a sojourn at a hotel. And I have my quarters aboard the April to bunk in, of course.”

He drew her to a halt beneath a young palm. “I did not intend to insult your honor, my dear, or to demand any familiarity with you that you are not happy to give.” His voice was somewhat low, with an abrupt intimacy that made Viola’s stomach feel peculiar.

“I did not suggest that you had. And since when have you been concerned with my honor? Since when have you ever thought I even had any?”

His wide lips curved into a smile.

“Please stay at the inn at my expense tonight. I will be at the farm, of course, supervising the laborers until late. But it will relieve me to know you are comfortable here.” He squeezed her hand. “I recognize this packaging.” He gestured with her parcel. “You have shopped at the dressmaker’s.”

She nodded.

“Will you wear it this evening for dinner?”

“Yes, but for dinner with the harbormaster. He has invited Mr. Seton and me to join him and his wife.” Nerves jittered in her belly.

“What a great honor.”

“Well, he says we will have excellent pork pie, at least.” She screwed up her brow. “Aidan-”

“Then tomorrow. Will you wear your new gown for me tomorrow? I will drive you along the coast a bit and buy you lunch at the finest teahouse you could ever imagine. Better than in Boston, even London, I daresay.”

“What do I care about London teahouses? I have work to do tomorrow, of course. But more importantly, you must have a great deal to do as well. And your guests-”

He grasped her hand to him tighter. “None of that matters now that you are with me and we can again begin planning our future together.” His hazel gaze held warm entreaty. Viola’s heart thudded.

“Oh, Aidan, cease this.” She pulled her hand away. “I saw you kiss Miss Hat in the garden last night.”

His face went blank. “You saw that?”

“Yes, I saw that. I was on the veranda.”

“It was nothing, Violet.”

“It looked like something to me.”

His brow lowered and his shoulders seemed to tense.

“Well, if I did kiss her, it was because you had driven me to it.”

“I what? I have only just sailed hundreds of miles to see you!”

“I thought you had a cargo to deliver.”

“April Storm is a privateer, not a pack mule. I took on the cargo to make even on this trip. I must pay my crewmen, or have you forgotten those mundane details of my life?”

“Perhaps I have. But, Violet, have you forgotten mine? I have lived here for months alone. I had hoped when you arrived-” He broke off, ran his hand through his curls, then set a direct look on her. “When I bade you good night last night you were… distant.”

Her eyes widened. But all she could see was herself again standing at the base of a companionway, foundering beneath a man’s crystal gaze filled with heat.

“I did not know you expected that of me last night,” she managed to utter. “I supposed with your guests you would wish to be discreet. We are not wed.”

He shook his head. “I did not expect it of you, precisely, of course. Forgive me, I have misspoken. But