The Earl's Engagement by Alice N. Palmer

Author:Alice N. Palmer [Palmer, Alice N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-11T23:00:00+00:00

An Aching Heart

In his first-class stateroom, Michael threw himself on his bed and stared at the oak-paneled ceiling.

From the reading chair near the fireplace, Stephen chuckled. “So, you’re having that much fun, are you now?”

Michael propped himself up on his elbows and sighed. “She’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. She has depths the girls at home can’t match -”

“Depth, is it? She’s playing this game to catch herself an Earl, and ignores your feelings. How much ‘depth’ is that?”

“I’ve heard that her family is bankrupt. Perhaps she hasn’t a choice.”

“Sure, and she could marry you, if you asked her. I’m sure you could support her well enough.”

“Well, yes, I suppose I could. But what if money is all she cares about? I’m no one’s meal ticket.”

Stephen closed his book and placed it carefully on the mahogany table next to him. “Michael, my boy, does she care for you at all?”

“I thought she did. We’ve had such wonderful conversations -”

“And I’ve had ‘wonderful conversations’ with my great-aunt Mary, but that’s not romance, boyo.”

“I know, and I’m questioning everything now.”

“Because…?”

Michael sat up, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and looked at Stephen. “Because I think I’ve been an idiot.”

“So now you’re down with a bad case of heartache?”

“I played my part at the captain’s table and, after that, it seemed like we were growing closer.”

“How much closer?”

“A short while ago, I saw her on the deck. We had a long chat about personal things -”

“How personal? Deeply personal?” Stephen wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.

Michael glared at him. “Not like that. We talked about things we both enjoy… the outdoors, the ocean, horses, and so on. But then, just as I was about to tell her the truth -”

Stephen’s eyes grew wide as he slapped his hand to his chest. “No, tell me you didn’t.”

“I didn’t, but only because her aunt interrupted us, and she looked peaky. So Anne sent me to get the old girl a glass of water.”

“And…?”

“And nothing. When I returned with the water, they were gone. So I went looking for her. And then I ran almost straight into that gal-sneaker Earl she was trying to win back.”

“You had words?”

“He told me she’d agreed to be his mistress, so I should bugger off.”

“And you believed him.”

Michael thrust out his chin. “Of course. He’s a gentleman.”

“Michael, my lad, you’re right. If you took that tosser at his word, you are an eejit.”

“Should I go find her, anyway?”

Stephen glanced at the clock. “Sorry, lad, but we’re due for rehearsal in five minutes. By the way, you may have to stand in for Romeo. I heard he ate some bad clams. The ship’s doctor says he’ll be out of commission for at least two days.”

“Just my luck. I’m in no mood for a love scene.”

Stephen stood up and shoved him towards the door. “Right now, it’s just a rehearsal. Besides, I think a good love scene is just what the doctor ordered. Especially if Miss High-and-Mighty will be in the audience to see it.

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