A Treasured Lily (A Marsden Romance Book 2) Page 6

  “Touché my dear,” he said. “I’ll give you that much. Let’s agree to disagree at this point. I need to eat, I’m famished.”

  “So am I, but not for food,” she replied.

  He groaned as he turned around and started to walk out of the cabin. After he crossed the threshold, he turned back around and looked at her. Her words had the desired outcome; Rand appeared to be struggling to get his emotions under control.

  “If you decide you’re hungry for real food, come up to the galley. I’m heading there now. Perhaps I’ll see you later.”

  “Only if you choose to visit me in my cabin again.” She threw the words at him to see what kind of reaction she could continue to garner from him. Battling with words was something she did rather well.

  “I bid you goodnight,” he said and walked away.

  That little encounter had definitely gone in her favor, although he left a bit quicker than she would have liked. He called their battle of wills a war. When she told him she didn’t intend to lose she meant it. If he wanted a war then he had one and he better be prepared for anything. In her limited experience she knew that everything happened to be fair involving desire and war. This confrontation of his included both and she planned on using everything in her arsenal to triumph. Lilliana liked nothing better than winning; after all she happened to be good at it.

  Chapter Eight

  Rand walked along the deck and took a deep breath. The more time he spent in the lovely imp’s company the more power he lost over the situation. Stopping by to invite her to dinner a week ago had been a strain on his control. He needed to rein things in a bit. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine a woman like her existed. Lilliana Marsden’s reckless behavior stirred his own. The trip back home would be his undoing. He didn’t believe he could resist the entire three weeks it would take to reach port. In order to keep his hands off of her he had done everything to avoid her. Retreat did not look good on him. Taking a step back made it possible for him to look at things with more clarity. He now had a plan of action and he intended to implement it soon.

  “Have you been avoiding me?”

  Rand could almost feel Lilliana standing behind him. He leaned on the ship railing to look out at the turquoise waves as they rolled across the ocean. He figured out she didn’t really like being ignored and deliberately pretended he hadn’t heard her. Keeping his gaze forward, he waited for her to explode.

  “Damn you, answer me.” The palm of her hand met his back with a resounding thud, leaving a trail of sharp tingles in its place.

  He turned his head and looked over his shoulder. His gaze traveled over her from top to bottom. He noticed that she had not donned a gown, but had instead put on breeches and a tunic draped in a cuffed red jacket. He had to stop himself from growling in approval. In the sunlight, he could see the outline of her breasts beneath the white blouse. The breeches fit her perfectly, and he got a good view of her legs and hips. He ached to ask her to spin for him so he could also see how they fit her derriere. Instead he kept to his plan of indifference and acted like her presence didn’t matter to him.

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Yes, you can give me your attention.”

  “I didn’t realize that attending to you had been made a requirement of allowing you to travel aboard my ship. I apologize if I am slacking in my duties,” he said with a droll smile.

  “Don’t be absurd. I never demanded that you give me all of your attention. But I’m bored and I hoped you might want to spend some time with me.” Her bottom lip lifted into a pout as she folder her arms across her pert breasts.

  “I’m kind of busy right now. I doubt I’ll be able to spend any time with you.”

  “Doing what? Ascertaining if the ocean might dry up this century?” Sarcasm dripped from every word.

  “No need to get testy with me, dear,” he said absentmindedly. “I am just taking a small break to enjoy the view. I love how the sun looks as it rises on the horizon.”

  “So what do you have to do that is taking all of your time?” she demanded.

  “Oh little things, you know like sailing this ship. I’m to take over from the first mate in a few minutes,” he explained. “Unless you’d rather I leave it to fate and let the ship roam wherever it wants to.”

  He couldn’t help needling her. Her face flushed, and her eyes became a stormy blue; she was lovelier when anger overtook her features. He liked it almost as much as when her face glowed with passion. If he couldn’t see his favorite expression on her face, he’d take the look of rage instead. At least it mirrored desire a little bit.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” she retorted. “I understand the necessity of steering the ship. I just didn’t realize that you actually had a part in it.”

  Rand shrugged his shoulders at her response. “Well, I am the captain of the ship. It stands to reason I’d have something to do with how it is run.”

  “Oh, I thought you just owned the ship. You actually captain it as well?”

  “I do on this one. The other ships in my line have captains I’ve hired to work with my company.”

  She walked past him to lean on the railing, stopping to look out at the wide expanse of the ocean. Rand got a chance to look at her from behind. He knew that he’d enjoy that particular view while she wore trousers, and the vision before Rand did not disappoint him. His hands itched to touch her, so he took a step back before he gave in to temptation. She turned around and looked up at him.

  “So you leave often to sail your own ship?” she asked.

  “I don’t stay home that often. I haven’t had a reason to,” he replied.

  “Do you even have a home of your own?”

  “No, not really. I stay at a boarding house when I find myself in South Carolina. I didn’t see the point of building a home when I’m rarely there. I make my living by sailing. I usually stick around long enough to do some accounting and once it’s completed I order the ship ready to go out again.”

  “It sounds like a lonely existence,” she said.

  “I didn’t notice it. I kept busy and I made money. It’s all that mattered to me.”

  “You don’t want a family of your own?”

  “No. I didn’t think I’d make a good husband. So I believed I made the right choice in devoting my life to building my shipping company,” he responded.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “What is there to doubt?” he asked. “My inability to make some woman happy or that I enjoyed my so called lonely existence?”

  She stared at him as if trying to dissect his meaning. How could he explain to her that until he met her nothing else mattered? He found purpose in building his business. He had no family and no one that depended on him. That only left one thing for him to do with his life. He had plenty of ambition to spare, and he focused all of his energy creating something for him to believe in.

  “I doubt both. I know you are capable of making a woman happy if you set your mind to it. No one enjoys a lonely existence. Why have you punished yourself with the belief you are better off alone?”

  “I have no family. I don’t know what it’s like to be surrounded by people that love you. I’m not punishing myself. I’m living the only way I know how,” Rand explained.

  “How long have you been alone, Rand?”

  “All my life. I never knew my parents. I grew up in an orphanage. I ran away when I turned ten and got a job on the first sailing vessel that would hire me. They told me my mother died giving birth to me and no one knew who my father could be. My mother named me before she took her last breath. No one could afford to keep me so they dropped me off at the nearest church. That is how I ended up in a home for boys.”

  “Have you ever considered finding your father?” she asked.

  “No. I don’t even know where to look. The only thing I have to go on is my mother’s name. That doesn’t exactly tell me who my father might have been.”

  “If you don’t mind me askin
g, what is her name?”

  “Emily Collins,” he told her. “But as I said it doesn’t help trace down my wayward father.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lilliana replied. “I didn’t mean to bring up something so sad. I’m glad you told me though. It explains why you are so comfortable being alone.”

  “You have no reason to be sorry, Lily. It is what it is. I don’t have a problem talking about it. You are incredibly lucky to have parents who love you. Remember that when they come after you because you know they will.”

  “I do know it. No matter how much I don’t want them to, they will. I know they worry about me. I only hope that once they see me they will let me stay,” she said with resignation in her voice.

  “Good. It will be easier if you realize that,” he muttered. “I will leave you with that to think about. I need to relieve the first mate now.”

  “Can I come with you?” she asked. “I promise I won’t bother you. Well at least too much. I’m just tired of my own company and you are the only person I know on this ship.”

  He thought about what her company would be like as he stood at the helm of his ship. Once the picture formed in his mind he couldn’t let it go. He couldn’t avoid her forever if he hoped to get her to want to stay with him. He figured he could fight his desire for her if he had something to keep his hands busy. There would be no harm in allowing her to keep him company as he kept the ship on course. His hands would remain damn near tied to the helm allowing him to refrain from giving into his baser instincts.

  “Yeah,” he murmured. “I don’t mind if you keep me company. Follow me.”

  He turned away from her and began to stroll toward the wheel that steered the ship. As he approached, he saw the first mate keeping it steady and on course. He didn’t know for sure if Lilliana followed him, but he figured she must have considering she asked to keep him company.

  “I’m here to relieve you. Go get some sleep so you can take over later on this evening,” he told his first mate.

  “Aye, Aye Captain. I’m mighty tired. I’ll see you later. Good day miss.”

  Rand turned and watched as the first mate bowed his head to Lilliana. She returned the gesture before joining him at the helm. She sat down on the deck, crossed the legs, and rested her back on the mast near the helm. Her hands rested on the deck as she leaned back to look at the sky.

  “What is running through your mind?” he asked her.

  “Have you ever looked at clouds and thought they reminded you of something?”

  “No, I can’t say I have.”

  “My brother and I used to play this game as children. We would lie down on the ground and watch as the big fluffy clouds floated by us. Sometimes they reminded of us of things in our lives: a bunny, a flower, or even a horse drawn carriage. It became one of our favorite games. When I looked up at the sky I remembered what a great childhood I had.”

  “Are you feeling a little homesick?”

  “No not at all. I just wished you had even an ounce of what I had growing up. I had two adoring parents and you didn’t even have one.”

  “I told you not to feel sorry for me, Lily. I’m content with how my life turned out.”

  “That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive for more from life, Rand. You deserve everything, happiness included. You’re a good man and you should have a little joy,” she told him.

  “I promise you I will,” he said with a cocky smile. “It’s just a work in progress.”

  “Good,” she said with an impish smile. “In the meantime, I’ll do my part in ensuring you continue to work on it.”

  He laughed and turned his attention back to keeping the ship on course. They sat in silence for an hour before she got up and stretched her legs. She walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his back. Rand enjoyed the feel of her arms wound around him. He could almost hear his heart drumming in his ears as it began to beat faster. He closed his eyes and absorbed the feeling. If he could he would turn around and hug her close to him, but he had to keep his attention on the helm of the ship.

  In that moment he knew he loved her, because with her arms enveloping he let himself feel for the first time in his life. Rand had been alone his whole life. He didn’t depend on anyone and didn’t look to anyone else to fulfill any of his needs. Lilliana made him want things he never knew he wanted. With her he could feel himself lighten inside. He thought he didn’t want anyone in his life until her. That need had been buried deep inside of him a long time ago.

  “As fun as this has been I’m kind of tired. I’m going to go lay down in my cabin. If you want me you know where to find me,” she told him.

  Rand nodded in agreement. “That I do.”

  He watched for a moment as she traipsed across the deck. Enjoying the view of her derriere in breeches one last time, he hoped she continued to dress in a similar fashion the rest of the voyage. He let out a small breath of relief once he could no longer see her. He had managed to keep his hands to himself and have a pleasant conversation with her. He only had to make it another two weeks and get her safely tucked away at her family plantation.

  Chapter Nine

  Lily walked out of her cabin and up to the deck. Rand hadn’t openly admitted to it but she knew that he had been avoiding her. Once she tracked him down he at least allowed her to keep him company. She hoped to further her agenda and get him to see how an affair would benefit them both. To be honest, she wanted more than an affair—she wanted him to be her lover for life. Marriage still seemed too risky of an endeavor for her, but the more time she spent with Rand the more she knew she needed him in her life. Her plans now included him at her side. She just had to find a way to make that happen.

  She roamed aimlessly along the deck and stared out into the ocean pondering what the next step in her plan should be. Seduction could hold the key to achieving her goal. Perhaps it was time to discover where the captain slept. She could ambush him in his cabin and let things take their natural course. Rand had said if he wanted her he would do it at a time of his choosing, but so far that time had not taken place. Lilliana was beginning to get restless waiting for him to make a move. She did not do well sitting idly by waiting for something to happen. Her nature leaned more towards taking action and seeing what happened afterward.

  Not watching where her feet took her she ran into a deck hand and fell back on her derriere. She braced herself with her hands and looked up into a pair of brown eyes and a concerned frown.

  “I’m sorry miss. I didn’t mean to knock you down,” he apologized.

  “No it’s not your fault...” She realized she didn’t know his name. She stared at him a bit bewildered; Lilliana hadn’t bothered to get to know anyone on board the ship. It gave her an idea on what to do to not only gain Rand’s attention, but also help to alleviate some of her boredom.

  “Sal,” the deck hand told her.

  “What?” Did he just say something about sailing?

  “My name is Sal, miss.”

  “Oh. I feel silly now. I thought you were talking about the sails.”

  “I never thought about that actually. Sal is just a nickname.”

  “Really? What’s your actual name?”

  “Salvatorio,” he said with a grimace. “It’s a bit long, but it’s a family name.”

  “I kind of like it.” She smiled. “Sal perhaps you can help me with something.”

  “I will if I can, but first let me help you up.”

  He held out his hand and Lilliana gave him hers. Sal helped pull her up so she stood beside him.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. What can I help you with?” he asked.

  “I’m going a bit stir crazy. Do you happen to play any card games?”

  “I’m fairly good at whist. I could get a couple of other men to play a game with you. A few of us have some free time right now,” Sal replied.

  “Oh splendid. I just need to retrieve my cards from my trunk. Where
would you like to meet?”

  “We can meet in the galley. We have a couple hours before the next meal. After that we are back on duty.”

  “Good. I shall see you soon then.” Lilliana nodded and walked off.

  When she reached her cabin she dug through the trunk for her cards. She didn’t think Rand would like the idea of her playing cards and entertaining some of the crew. The only thing she had uncertainty about was how to get him to realize she was embroiled in a game of whist with some of his deck hands. She hoped that he would just stumble upon them, and she could get both of her agendas accomplished. Locating the cards, she put them in the pocket of her trousers and skipped up toward meet them in the galley. She sashayed as she made her way to the galley with a huge smile on her face. When she entered the room she saw three men sitting at the table. Sal she knew from her little accident on the deck.

  “Good you are all here. Introduce me to your friends, Sal,” she demanded.

  “This guy here with the hook nose is Jimmy and the scary looking one is Georgie.” Sal introduced her to his two shipmates.

  She raised her eyebrows at him. “Scary?”

  “I’m harmless, I can’t help how big I am,” Georgie explained.

  “All right then. Let’s get started. I’ll cut the cards first to see who we partner up with.” Lilliana began to shuffle the cards as she spoke. She cut the cars and drew a seven. The men followed suit and cut the deck to reveal a card. Sal drew an eight, Georgie a jack, and Jimmy a king.

  “It looks like I’m partners with Sal. Do you mind if I deal first?” Lilliana asked.

  “No, I don’t see any reason why not.” Georgie replied. The other two murmured their consent as well.

  Lilliana sat down and began to shuffle the cards with dexterous hands. She placed them to her left to let Georgie cut them. She picked them back up and started to deal thirteen cards face down to each of them. After dealing all the cards, she flipped the top one over to reveal the trump.

  “Hearts are trump gentlemen. Let’s begin.” She told them.