Desire In His Eyes (4 page)

Slowly she smiled up at him.

“Eat your lunch,” he ordered her, his voice hoarse, his expression unreadable.

The smile vanished from her face. “Excuse me?”

“Your lunch is on the table. Make sure you eat before you get back to work.” With that, he abruptly left the cabin.

Speechless, Juliette stood still, battling bewildering senses of humiliation and exhilaration. What had just happened between them? He had kissed her quite intimately, quite passionately. And then he left her alone. Without saying a single word about it.

What was she to make of
that?

After men had kissed Juliette in the past, they immediately declared their love and devotion to her and she could make them do whatever she wanted or needed them to do. And she had never kissed anyone the way she had just kissed Harrison Fleming. She certainly hadn’t expected a declaration of love from him, but she
had
expected—well, she wasn’t quite sure what.

But definitely something more than “Eat your lunch” and a curt dismissal.

For the first time she had thoroughly enjoyed kissing a man and being kissed in return. Running her tongue across her lips, they seemed fuller, softer. They felt different.
She
felt different.

Apparently Captain Harrison Fleming felt nothing after kissing her.

Oddly put out, somewhat embarrassed by her own behavior, and more hurt than she cared to admit, she turned and glanced impatiently around the cabin. The captain’s cabin.
His cabin.
Yes, a midday meal of bread and cheese had been set for her on the table. She had been starving earlier, but now she had no appetite at all.

What was she to do with herself? Go back out on deck? To continue scrubbing? Not bloody likely! Not after kissing him, she wouldn’t. She’d stay in here all day and do absolutely nothing to help on his ship.

How dare he treat her like that? Thinking he could take liberties with her person and then…and then…leave! As if she were of no consequence.

For the first time in her life Juliette felt a little frightened and truly at a loss as what to do about it. She had left the security and love of her family to sail on this ship across the ocean to an unknown city with a man she did not understand and, to a certain extent, now feared. What had she been thinking? What had possessed her? Stinging tears sprung to her eyes, but she blinked them back in a valiant effort to not crumble to pieces.

She would not cry. She dared not cry. She had gotten herself into this mess and she would get herself out of it.

Just how she was going to do that, she wasn’t entirely sure.

If only she could talk to Colette.

Colette was her best friend and would know what to do, and together they would figure everything out. In fact, Juliette would be happy to talk to any of her sisters. Of course, Lisette would be kind and consoling, as was her way. She would understand why Juliette had left London, even though Lisette could not even contemplate such an action herself. She would commiserate with her over her unusual situation. Oh, but how Paulette would tease and mock her! She would call her a fool for leaving in the first place and tell her that she had gotten exactly what she had deserved. And Yvette would be full of awe and admiration at her dramatic escapade. Lucien would be disapproving, no doubt, and would scold her for her recklessness, while Jeffrey would smile and congratulate her for finally doing what she had always wanted to do. At this point Juliette would even settle for talking to her mother, Genevieve, even though their relationship had always been a turbulent one.

But she could not talk to any of them. And probably would not be able to for a long time to come.

The enormity of what she had done suddenly dawned upon her. The unexpected and intense longing for home and her sisters overwhelmed her. Hot tears threatened once more.

Juliette looked up at the small rectangular windows. Staring out at the blue sky, knowing there was not a speck of land in sight, she felt small and insignificant. The endless expanse of sea made her wonder just how many more days she had to survive on this ship with Captain Fleming before they reached America.

What had she gotten herself into? And more importantly, just how would she get herself out of it?

Standing on the forecastle of the
Sea Minx
, Harrison stared out at the horizon, that elusive thin line where the sky met the ocean. One never actually arrived at the horizon, for it was always just out of reach until land took its place. Yet one always looked toward it. The fresh sea air washed over his skin, bracing him. He felt more at home at sea than he did on land. He knew it from the first time he set foot aboard a ship in New York harbor when he was thirteen. The freedom, the constant challenge, the danger, and the mystery of the sea, as well as its ever-changing beauty, invigorated him like nothing else in his life ever had.

Now that he owned the
Sea Minx
, he did not wish to be anywhere else.

This beautiful, elegant clipper was the ship of his heart. One of the fastest ships in the world, with her sleek, jet black hull, elegant lines, billowing snow-white canvas sails, and superior craftsmanship, she sliced through the water like a razor and could reach speeds of up to 18 knots. The bowsprit extended regally and held an intricately carved figurehead of a buxom woman wearing flowing robes, his Sea Minx. The red, white, and blue vertical striped burgee house flag of his company, H.G. Fleming & Company, waved on the masthead. Harrison had the
Sea Minx
custom built to his exact specifications. All the talk was of the new
Cutty Sark
, but Harrison knew his
Sea Minx
could outrun her if given the chance.

His other ships were cargo steamers. It was the logical choice for sea trade and the wave of the future, and Harrison had built H.G. Fleming & Company to be the best fleet in the world. Soon he would sell it for an incredible profit, which would add to his ever-increasing fortune.

But the
Sea Minx
was his personal pride. The first trip he ever made to China was on a clipper ship, and he had fallen in love with the speed and beauty of the craft.

Now if the winds held and they made good time, Harrison knew they could dock in New York in less than two weeks.

He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead.

Almost two weeks with Juliette Hamilton on his ship. Staying in his cabin. Tempting him. Sleeping in his bed, for God’s sake! She hadn’t been aboard even twenty-four hours and he had already kissed her! He had thought to teach the impudent woman a lesson, but he felt the tables had somehow been turned on him. Her response to his kiss shocked him. She had been incredibly sensual and passionate, arousing him so thoroughly that he had to force himself to leave her before the situation got out of hand.

He shouldn’t have kissed her and he knew it. Lucien Sinclair was a trusted friend and business associate. He would expect Harrison to keep his wayward and dangerously beautiful sister-in-law safe, even if she did sneak aboard the
Sea Minx
. Lucien would not expect his friend to take advantage of her. If the situation were reversed, Harrison would demand nothing less than the same of his friend.

Yet Harrison did not have a sister-in-law to worry about. No, he had other issues on his mind.

As usual, his thoughts turned to Melissa.

She would be overly anxious to see him at this point and worried over his late return. He hoped Annie would be able to calm her. A pang of guilt ran through him. Harrison always avoided situations which might cause Melissa strain or grief and he regretted that he was surely causing her heartache now. But there was no help for it this time.

If not for Melissa, he would have turned the ship around directly to return Juliette Hamilton to her family to deal with, but he could not in good conscience delay his trip home any longer than he already had.

Melissa had been more distraught than usual at his departure and he promised her that he would return as quickly as possible. He had curtailed most of his frequent business trips as it was. And he had already decided that this was his last trip to London for a while. He even said as much to Lucien Sinclair and Jeffrey Eddington.

As much as he tried to help her, her emotional state seemed more fragile than ever. She was more tearful, more petulant, more demanding of him and, God help him, he could not deny her. Melissa was the only person in his life who could bring him to his knees with a mere look. For all he had accomplished in his life: his business, his ships, his houses, none of it meant anything without Melissa.

If only she weren’t so fragile and unstable. If only she were stronger, healthier. How different would their lives be if Melissa had even a fraction of the spirit that Juliette Hamilton possessed?

Surprised by that thought, Harrison shook himself back to reality. Yes, he had to admit that Juliette had an unusual amount of spirit and as hard as he tried, he could not imagine Melissa ever doing any of the things that Juliette had done.

Juliette was too much of a temptation.

Why the hell had he kissed her earlier? He should never have even touched her.
What in blazes was he thinking?

That was just it.

He had not been thinking at all. He had simply wanted her to stop talking. She had stood there with her beautiful mouth and pouty lips beckoning him and he could not help himself. He had to taste her. Which was a mistake, because now having kissed her once, he only wanted to kiss her again. And again.

He needed to stay away from her.

“It looks like we’ll have clear weather tomorrow.”

Harrison turned to his first mate, Charlie Forrester. Charlie was a good-natured man, always quick with a smile. He had been sailing with Harrison for years and was a good friend as well. They had known each other as children, growing up wild in the streets of New York City. Together they worked their way out of the slums and onto the decks of a ship. Charlie had stuck by Harrison through some of the toughest times of his life.

Harrison nodded in agreement. “Yes, it looks fine. Even though we’re against the trade winds, we should make good time. Is Dowling at the wheel?”

“Yes, he just took over for me. How is our pretty stowaway holding up?” Charlie asked with a wide grin. “She’s sure the talk of the ship, that one.”

“What’s sure is that she needs someone to keep her in line. She’s a dangerous creature.”

“She’s a real beauty.”

Harrison’s expression became grim. Beauty didn’t even begin to scratch the surface in describing Juliette Hamilton. Irritated that she seemed to have gotten under his skin so quickly, he kept his mouth shut.

“Did you find out what she’s after in New York?”

Harrison shook his head. “She won’t admit it, but it has to be a man.”

“The crew thinks she’s here because she met you in London and fancies herself in love with you,” Charlie muttered, failing to hold back the awe in his voice.

Harrison scoffed at his first mate’s remark. “No, it’s definitely not me she’s in love with, I promise you that. Besides, I hardly saw her in London.”

Charlie gave him a questioning glance, one bushy eyebrow arched high. “You stayed at her family’s house though, didn’t you? Perhaps more happened than you realized.”

Harrison stared at Charlie. “You really think that’s the truth? That I somehow bewitched this poor girl and led her on and now she’s set on following me across the ocean? Is that what you truly believe?”

“No. No, of course not.” Charlie had the good grace to look chagrined. “They were all saying it, but to hear you tell it, it doesn’t sound very feasible after all.”

“Well, believe me, I had absolutely nothing to do with Juliette Hamilton’s decision to leave London, except for the fact that I unwittingly provided her with an opportunity to escape. Which it seems I now must pay for,” he grumbled.

“Are you going to keep her in your cabin?”

“Where else would you suggest I put her, Charlie? In with the rest of the crew?”

Charlie laughed, a big booming laugh. “The fellas wouldn’t mind that at all, I’ll tell you.”

“No, I imagine they wouldn’t at that. If she weren’t Lucien Sinclair’s sister-in-law, I’d do it. Or I swear I would have tossed her shapely bottom overboard by now.”

“If I know nothing else about you, Harrison, I know you would never do something like that to a lady!” Charlie challenged him.

“You’re right,” Harrison admitted without hesitation. “But I’ve thought about it enough.” He’d recently thought about doing other things to her as well, but those were better left unmentioned in front of his first mate.

“Why isn’t she cleaning the deck?”

“She’s having her lunch in the privacy of my cabin.” Harrison thought for a moment. “But I’m not sure it was a good idea to have her scrubbing the deck anyway. She was too much of a distraction for the men.”
And for me
, he admitted to himself. The sight of Juliette Hamilton’s pert derriere swaying in those men’s breeches as she was on her hands and knees was a little too much for any man to bear.

“Aww, they need a little fun, Harrison. Let ’em enjoy the view for a while. No one was bothering her.”

Harrison felt oddly put out at the thought of his men enjoying the view of Juliette’s rear end, even though he had quite enjoyed the sight himself. And he did not even want to think about just how much he had enjoyed kissing her.

Juliette was trouble all right.

“No, Charlie.” He shook his head. “I was trying to teach her a lesson, but it was a bad idea to begin with. Though she should have something to occupy her time and to keep her from distracting the men. I need to find something else for her to do to earn her keep.”

“Well, you had better find it quick.” Charlie pointed toward the stern of the ship. “There she is now.”

Harrison was stunned to see Juliette Hamilton climbing the rigging of the mizzenmast with Robbie Deane and a few of the other men helping her along. God help him, but she was a sight to behold. With her black hair whipping in the breeze, her elegant arms and long legs in her men’s trousers moved gracefully up the length of rigging. She was incredible, moving quickly and easily, higher and higher. What did she think she was doing? How high up was she planning to go? Had the woman no fear? Or good sense?

And how the hell did she get up there in the first place?

Torn between wanting to haul her back to his cabin and give her the spanking of her life and watching her climb the rigging in mute fascination, Harrison remained rooted to the spot. He could not take his eyes off her. She reached the mizzen topsail and glanced below her with the brightest smile he had ever seen. The force of her smile almost knocked him senseless. The men clapped and cheered her on from below. Juliette waved in response, while clinging to the rope with only one arm. Harrison caught his breath. If she fell he would never forgive himself.

In an instant, he raced to the other end of the ship, his heart pounding. She was so slight; a strong and sudden gust of wind could knock her clean off the rigging and send her plummeting into the ocean. He yelled up to her.

“Juliette, get down from there right now!”

“Hello, Captain Fleming!” She called to him cheerily and gave another little wave with her hand.

“Hold on with both hands!” he cried, his heart filled with a wrenching fear. Good lord! The woman was completely unpredictable and her capricious ways would get her killed.

Her rich laughter floated down around him, infuriating him. Terrifying him. Harrison turned to the group of sailors standing around, looking up at the wild show Juliette was providing for them. These were his sailors. His men. His crew. Some of them had been with him for years. Yet here they stood, not doing their jobs, staring in fascination at their beautiful little stowaway. They were caught in the spell of the minx on his mizzenmast.

He lifted his head up to her. “Come down now, Juliette,” he ordered in an authoritative tone. “You’ve had your fun.”

She had the audacity to stick out her tongue at him. His men roared with laughter and cheered raucously. It was complete insubordination from a woman in front of his own crew. A mixture of anger and fear filled him at the sight of her dangling so dangerously high above him.

He eyed the men carefully and demanded, “Who the hell let her get up there in the first place?”

Robbie hung his head in embarrassment. “I did, Captain.”

“It wasn’t Robbie’s fault though, Captain,” Frank Hastings spoke up. “He warned her not to go up there. We all did. Short of holding her down, there wasn’t anything we could do to stop her.”

Even knowing as little about Juliette Hamilton as he did, Harrison reasoned that they were more than likely right. That willful, headstrong woman did just as she pleased. Aggravated nonetheless, he glanced back up at Juliette, still atop her perch on the mizzenmast. He turned his attention to his men, who knew him well enough not to question the look he gave them now. “Get back to work all of you. I’ll get her down myself.”

They scurried away attempting to look busy, but he knew they kept an eye on the drama that was about to unfold. What would Captain Fleming do with their pretty stowaway after she deliberately defied an order?

Harrison leaned against the wall of the coach house, below which were his quarters, crossed his arms over his chest, and waited. He would not go up after her for fear his presence would prompt her to do something even more reckless and foolish, causing her to lose her balance and fall. Unless she called for his help, he would not go up. She had to come down some time. And he would be waiting for her when she did. Then he would teach her a lesson about obeying orders that she would never forget. First however, he gave a silent prayer that she would not fall.

Finally realizing that her adoring audience had fled and there was no one left below her but him, she flashed a smile. It was not a victorious smile, but one of genuine joy and it occurred to Harrison that she truly was not afraid. She waved again, and brushed the hair from her eyes. She turned her face toward the sea and looked toward the horizon.

She was beautiful.

Obviously she loved being up there, which stunned Harrison. At last, he saw her sigh and slowly make her way down the rigging. With his heart in his mouth as she descended, he felt an odd swell of pride at her fearlessness and her sense of ease aboard the ship. He couldn’t think of one single woman he knew who would have done what Juliette had just done. Lord knew Melissa would not even set foot on his ship, let alone do something as outrageously daring as to climb the rigging lines.