Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) (14 page)

After a fierce glare at Mic, Scully went to work, grumbling

the entire time. After just ten minutes, he set a fresh plate on

the table and turned to Robby.

"Take that to her, Rob."

"No way, Scully; you made her mad, you take it down."

Scully tried Mic, pushing the plate in his direction. "Take

this down."

Mic didn't even acknowledge him, so Scully looked to

Darsey.

"Don't look at me. I won't go near her when she's been

kept from her dinner."

Dallas suddenly found the entire table staring at him.

"Now wait a minute," he protested but was cut off.

"Go on, lad," Darsey said with a huge grin. "You're low

man this voyage, so get moving."

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Dallas rolled his eyes, scooped up the plate, and walked

low. He thought the lot of them were overreacting./MS? like

\bunchofoldwomen.Sbe'sprobablyforgottenallaboutitby

v. Nevertheless, he knocked very softly on her door.

"Come in." Smokey's curt reply brought Dallas through

ithe door.

He set the food down, and she examined the contents as

though looking for clues to a crime. When she stayed silent,

Dallas took that to mean she was satisfied; he couldn't have

been more wrong. As soon as he started toward the door, he

found himself getting the sharp side of her tongue.

"Dallas, this cabin may be your idea of clean, but it's not mine. See to it first thing in the morning."

Dallas turned back and stared at her for the space of

several heartbeats. Her eyes were still flashing with fire,

turning them from gray to black. The top of her head didn't

even reach his shoulder, and yet she rose to give him orders

like a giant. He wanted to laugh so badly that it hurt to hold it

in.

"Yes, Captain," he finally said "Will there be anything

else?"

"No." Her reply was short, and her eyes narrowed, daring

him to make one move out of line. "You're dismissed"

Dallas obeyed, letting himself slowly out of the room.

After shutting the door softly, he paused in the passageway

and grinned, his mind's eye still seeing the darkness in her

eyes and the flush on her face. Dallas slowly shook his head,

his grin still in place. He could honestly say he'd never met

another woman quite like her.

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"On the island. Along with Mic and Pete."

"I think I'll swim over."

"All right," Robby agreed easily enough, figuring that the

id was large enough to guarantee the captain's privacy.

Since Dallas was dressed only in pants, there was no need

go below for anything. He stepped to the railing, and

>bby's brows rose with appreciation when a perfect dive was

ited, one that caused little more than a ripple on the

" urface of the water. Impressed, Robby watched as Dallas

Surfaced and struck out with long, clean stokes. In no time at

all, he was walking ashore. Robby only hoped that Smokey was

in a secluded place.

abouta week after the spinach incident, Dallas woke one

morning and realized something was amiss. It was early, and

without taking time to pull on anything more than his pants,

he went topside.

He found the Aramis docked near a small island. This

voyage had been something of a pleasure trip for Dallas, and

he'd had no need to keep track of their location. Now he

wished he had paid a little more attention.

Robby was the only one about, and he was standing calmly

on the deck watching Dallas approach. The ship felt so deserted

it was eerie

"Where are we?"

"China bland," Robby answered

"I've never heard of it."

"Not many have. Smokey's pa used to bring her here; it's

where she learned to swim."

"Is she over there now?"

"Um hmm. Along with most of the crew."

Dallas' gaze turned to the small island and lingered on the

rowboats that were pulled up on the beach. He knew the ship

boasted several rowboats, but it was an easy swim and the

thought of walking on terra firma strongly appealed to him at

the moment.

"Is Darsey about?"

"What does it say next?" Smokey wanted to know as she

watched her first mate from across the table.

Darsey turned another page. "A lady must keep her knees

pressed together at all times; her legs should be gracefully

crossed at the ankles. Ah, lass, do we have to go on with this?"

Darsey put the book down and frowned at her.

"Yes. Now keep reading."

"Why didn't you do this at home with Willa?" Darsey

asked, ignoring her order.

Seeing that she was going to have to explain, Smokey

sighed "She would have asked what kind of people my new

friends were, that they expected me to put on airs in their

company. She just wouldn't have understood."

"I'm not sure I do," Darsey admitted There was no censure

in his tone, only tenderness, and Smokey tried to make

herself understood

"I'm not ashamed of who I am or where I've been, Dars, but

I don't fit into the world outside of a ship. I don't know how to

hold my fork or cup, and I'm so nervous and uncomfortable

that I end up dropping things and spilling water in my lap."

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'You're exaggerating, Smokey; those things aren't going

to happen."

"They already have," Smokey told him with tears in her

eyes. Darsey's heart melted. She didn't cry easily, and those

tears made him see how much she hurt over this.

When she had explained why she wanted to stop at China

Island, Darsey had looked at her as though she'd taken leave of

her senses. Even that morning as he had loaded a small table,

two chairs, and a china tea set aboard the rowboat, he'd

thought it was too fantastic to be real.

Then they had gone ashore and found a secluded area, set

things up according to Smokey's wishes, and she'd handed

him a book on etiquette. That was two hours ago, and until he

saw those tears pooling in her eyes, Darsey had begun to think

it was all rather silly.

Without so much as a sigh of resignation, Darsey opened

the book and began to read again. He would have loved to

hand this job over to someone who was better qualified, but

he was all Smokey had If they had to sit there for a week, he

would see her through this.

Once on the island, Dallas found a shallow pool and took a

quick dip to wash the salt from his pants and hair. The water

was cool and refreshing, and he started on a tour of the island

after he'd bathed.

There appeared to be more birds than other wildlife, but

he did spot a few snakes and lizards amid the fronds and

leaves of bushes and trees. He was making his way through a

rather dense section of bushes when he came across Darsey

and Smokey.

Thinking he was imagining the sight of his captain and her

first mate having tea on the island, Dallas inspected them for

the space of several heartbeats. They were all too real. He

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watched as Darsey read, lowered the book, and then read

some more. He continued to watch as Smokey picked up a

teacup, working to balance it carefully with just two fingers.

Realization of what she was doing dawned just before he was

spotted.

Smokey knew the moment she saw Dallas that he had

been watching for some time. Her face flamed in humiliation,

but her embarrassment did nothing to temper the sternness

of her tone.

"Get back to the ship, Dallas." Smokey's voice was like a

lash, and Dallas immediately moved to do as he was bid.

He'd only taken two steps, however, when an overwhelming

feeling of tenderness for his captain overrode his good

sense. He stopped and turned back.

"I gave you an order, sailor." Smokey was livid, and her

voice told Dallas as much. Still he did not obey.

"I know you did, Captain." Dallas' voice was quiet and

respectful as he took careful steps toward the table. "However,

I'd like to show my appreciation for your helping me by

returning the favor. With no offense intended, I think I can be

of more assistance than Darsey."

Darsey came out of his chair so fast that he tipped it over

backward. He righted it quickly, and even though Smokey was

glaring at him with fire in her eyes, he turned to Dallas.

"Take my seat, Dallas." The older man's voice was filled

with relief. In truth, insult was the farthest thing from his

mind "I'm ready for a break, so go ahead and sit here and read

for Smokey."

As Dallas collapsed his tall frame into the chair Darsey

had vacated, shame washed over Smokey so quickly that she

had trouble breathing. Never had she been so mortified. She

turned frantic eyes to Darsey, but he was headed through the

trees without a backward glance.

"Now," Dallas' voice was as calm and collected as if this

were an everyday occurrence for him. "I believe you were

working on tea service."

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Dallas began to read. Smokey kept her eyes on the table,

her face still aflame. She would have given anything at that moment to be able to walk away, but something detained her.

For some moments she only half-listened to the book. Then

Dallas spoke her name, his voice tender and compassionate.

"Okay, Smokey, pick up the teapot with your right hand."

Smokey moved to obey him without ever looking in his direction.

"Put the fingers of your left hand over the lid and pour us

some tea. Oh, now, that won't do at all!" Dallas suddenly said,

and Smokey looked up in surprise, wondering what she'd

done wrong.

"Darsey didn't even take time to put water in this. Here,"

he handed her the book, "you read that first page yourself

while I fill this."

Smokey watched him walk away and then glanced at the

trees overhead The sun was headed high into the sky, and the

day was growing warm. Smokey looked at the book in her

hand and for a moment forgot about the heat. On the opposite

page was a lovely ink sketch. The picture showed a beautiful

parlor where three ladies were seated, one of whom was

pouring tea. Smokey scrutinized the picture, studying it with

intense longing.

So consumed by the picture and the words of the chapter,

Smokey reached without thought to remove her knit cap.

Dallas came through the trees from the pond and stopped

dead at the sight of Smokey with her hair down her back.

It fell to her waist in black waves, and he continued to

gawk as she unconsciously ran her fingers through the mass

and gently rubbed her head. Dallas got ahold of himself just

before she glanced up to see him.

"All right," Dallas said as he worked at not staring at

Smokey He placed the teapot back on the table and resumed

his seat. "Now, try it again."