Irish Linen Read Free Page B

“I’ll knock three times when I return.”
    Meghan followed him to the door.
    He paused at the threshold and faced her. “Don’t worry, Meghan McBride.” His deep voice was soft and filled with caring. “We’ll work it out … together.” And he left.
    She swallowed hard as she bolted the closed door. It had been a rough day … a rough voyage. But oddly enough she found Lucas Ridgely’s parting words comforting. Exhausted, Meghan moved to the bunk and lay down. She sighed and closed her eyes and was immediately aware of a pleasant, woodsy scent on the pillow. Lucas’s scent.
    Her eyes flashed open and she stared at the beamed ceiling. Her heart beat faster as she recalled how gladshe’d been when Lucas had rescued her, the warmth and haven of his strong arms.
    Who was this man who had saved her? And why did she feel as if she could trust him?
    She exhaled and closed her eyes. The noises on the ship faded as she fell asleep.

    Lucas stood at the ship’s rail and stared out over the darkened sea. It had been hours since he’d left Meghan in his cabin, and still he struggled with what to do with her.
    We need to talk. But the poor woman had been through a lot and talking would come better after she’d slept.
    He rubbed his temple, trying to ease the headache that had been steadily building since his meeting with the captain.
    Dear Lord, what had possessed him to claim the girl as his future bride? Not just once, but twice!
    After long and careful thought, he could understand why he’d done so to Fellows. It’d been an impulsive action to save Meghan from the mate and protect her from future attacks from the man.
    But what had made him embellish the tale to Richard Nichols, the captain of the ship?
    He scowled as he recalled the conversation. When he’d entered the captain’s cabin, Nichols had eyed him with surprise from across his chart table.
    “Ridgely,” the officer had said. “My steward said you needed to speak with me.”
    Lucas had met Richard Nichols on numerous occasions in Philadelphia and Wilmington, where his family ties to the shipping industry had thrust them together at dinner parties and other social affairs.
    He nodded, noting the tension in the man and wonderingat its cause. ‘I’d like a word with you about Ned Fellows.” He saw something flicker across Nichols’s expression.
    “Fellows can be trouble, I admit, but he knows his job.”
    Lucas stared at the man hard. “This afternoon Ned Fellows attacked a passenger. An innocent female passenger.”
    The captain averted his gaze.
    “He’s done this before?” Lucas was shocked. He felt his stomach tighten with anger. Why hadn’t Fellows been relieved of his duties?
    “It was never proven,” the man mumbled.
    “Dear God!”
    Nichols met his gaze with a defensive look. “The Mary Freedom has been a cargo ship for most of her days and Ned Fellows has been with her for all of them. The last time the accusation was made, the woman was a person of questionable character.”
    “So you dismissed the matter.” Tension filled the ensuing silence.
    The captain cleared his throat. “Fellows wasn’t the first to have her.”
    “This time the woman’s character isn’t in question, captain.” Lucas paused. “She’s my fiancée.”
    The man looked astonished, and Lucas was pleased.
    “I don’t believe the owners of this vessel would look favorably on a captain who can’t control his men.”
    “Are you threatening me?” Nichols looked furious.
    “Does it sound like a threat?” Lucas’s smile was grim. “I’m merely making a perceptive observation.”
    Lucas saw the captain relax. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not threatening you, Richard. You know me too well for that. But I need to be assured that a woman—any woman on board yourship—is safe from the unwanted attentions of your men.”
    Richard Nichols rubbed a hand over his face wearily. “I’ll speak with him,” he said. His gaze sharpened.