I hate depending on anyone. I have been self-sufficient since my parents died. After all, the 1980’s is the age of the independent woman, but here, in this century, I have nothing. None of my studies in archeology prepared me to live in 1856, even if I have studied the culture and have a little knowledge of the artifacts of the time. That’s a hell of a lot different from actually having to use a chamber pot.
Jake Worth is another story. He’s very handsome, but he’s also the epitome of a selfish, self-centered, extremely egotistical, chauvinistic male. I don’t care if it is 1856, you would think he could have a little more consideration than to drag me across the lower deck…
“You gotta come quick, Mister.” The voice wafted through Jake’s subconscious, but the banging on his door brought him out of his dream.
He stumbled over to the door, unlocking it and looking back and forth before a tug on his trousers had him looking down. The young boy who had helped him with Brianna’s clothes bounced from foot to foot, his hands nervously wringing a cap.
“What is it, boy? I gave you a penny for your help the other day.”
“This ain’t got nothing to do with helping. Well, ‘cept you gotta help her. She’s in trouble. Don’t know the aft from the stern and she’s trying to get the steward to bring supper down to me maw on the deck. And she’s telling men they gotta give up their seats for the ladies.” He said the word like he wasn’t sure what it even meant, only that it was bad.
Jake grabbed his coat from the back of a chair and stomped into his boots. He didn’t bother to ask who the boy was talking about. Somehow he knew. Who did she think she was? She dressed inappropriately, used unlady like language, and in the extremely short time he had known her, she tempted him to strangle her. Now she was threatening a mutiny among men on the Arabia who were as rough and tumble as they came. He tucked his pistol into a pocket as a precaution.
He found her on the main deck, holding a wailing baby of all things and in the other hand she held a basket heaped with food. The obvious mother of a brood of children was trying to corral the youngsters. Jake narrowed his eyes as Brianna caught his gaze. He knew the basket of food wasn’t the kind the woman would have brought on board, so that only left one place to get it. Even as he absently wondered how large a bill he would have with the steamer’s dining establishment, Brianna cooed to the baby, who miraculously quieted.
“You’re an angel, Miss Brianna,” the mother said as her children finally sat around her and she handed each a chunk of bread. “I wasn’t able to get off at the last stop for fresh food.” She gave a helpless look at her brood.
Brianna continued to bounce the baby. “Don’t you worry, Mrs. Miller. Just send Mathew up to the cabin if you need anything.”
Jake harrumphed loudly. “Excuse me?”
Brianna gave him a disbelieving look. “Well, you can’t have these children going hungry, now can you?” Her voice clearly held a challenge.
He answered in kind. “Then perhaps, Miss Brianna, you should look for employment hence with.” It was not his duty to provide sustenance to anyone but himself. He had long ago given up responsibility for others. Couldn’t she understand that?
“Come with me.” He waited, hands on hips, until she started toward him. “For the love of God, not with the child.” His patience, little that he possessed, ran out. As soon as she handed over the baby, he grabbed her arm to propel her toward the stairs. Male cheers wafted behind them.
“Let me go.” She wiggled and pulled, but he refused to release her until they were inside the cabin and the door was locked behind them.
“What is it you do not understand? You can’t go around feeding strangers or telling men to move from their seats.”
“Why not? The women traveling to meet their husbands have no one to look after them. At the moment they’re homeless, so I was just—”
“Homeless? What kind of word is that?”
Brianna’s eyes widened and she looked everywhere but at him. He had forced himself into a solitary existence when Jenny and their baby died, wanting nothing to do with civilization. But he didn’t think he had been so isolated that he couldn’t understand simple English. Yet this woman said things he didn’t comprehend, and did things no woman of the nineteenth century would do.
“Stay in this cabin. Do not venture forth to feed the multitudes. A woman traveling alone invites trouble.” He adjusted his tie and coat, determined to get away. She opened her mouth to speak, most probably to refute his orders. He held up a hand.
“As long as you reside in this cabin, you are…to listen to me.” He refrained from saying my responsibility. “If you would prefer to sit on a crate and have men ogle you below stairs, be my guest. But don’t expect me to have the steward bring you supper.”
He slammed out the door, but turned and, sliding his key in the lock, made sure she would stay put. Storming down the promenade, he went to the salon where there was male companionship. He understood their language, their behavior, and understood the game of poker. That was all he needed. As he dug in his pockets for his money, he revised that thought to include needing additional funds to pay off the debts that woman was accumulating. The woman for which he wanted no responsibility.
* * *
Jake stayed out until dawn, cleaning out the pockets of numerous affluent men who stayed on the hurricane deck. He seldom gambled on the State room deck. Although those passengers could afford a room, it was beyond their means to offer him much of a challenge in a poker game. And regardless of what he thought about the way he lived his life, he did find the game of poker somewhat challenging.
He tiredly rubbed his eyes as he made his way to his room, ever vigilant of those around him who might want to relieve him of his funds. He longed for a bath and his bed, but the minute he opened the door, he found the copper tub occupied.
She shrieked. He grimaced, then shook his head and shrugged.
“This is my cabin, and regardless of your discomfort, I have nowhere else to go at the moment and thought to rest.” He proceeded to recline in the only available armchair, which sat dangerously close to the copper tub in which the lady tried to hide her nakedness.
“Of all the arrogant…” She scoured him with a look, which he ignored. What was it about her that made his heart beat faster and his insides ache? It threw him off balance, something he hated above all else. Nothing had done that to him in two years, and it took all his control to act as though her nakedness didn’t bother him.
He stretched his long legs towards her bath, trying to get comfortable in the chair. The soapy bathwater couldn’t wash away the memory of her long legs as he had examined her that first day.
That was purely to ascertain her injuries, he reminded himself, but he wasn’t a doctor anymore.
She gave a sigh and tried to inconspicuously wash. He closed his eyes and tried to appear he was napping. She tipped her head back to wet her hair.
Jake sucked in a silent breath as Brianna ducked her head beneath the water, which thrust her breasts up into the cooler air of the cabin, making her nipples pucker. If she knew he was spying on her, she would unleash that caustic tongue and flay him to pieces. But in his role as gambler, he had gotten quite adapt at concealing his emotions and his face never gave anything away. So he sat, still as a church mouse with his eyes mere slits, and observed her in her bath.
She really was exquisite. Her mane of blonde hair hung down around her shoulders, which were creamy and smooth. She lifted one long leg to wash, then the other. He watched the lithe movement of her arms, which were muscular yet feminine. She shot a quick glance his way before sitting up straighter to wash her breasts, which were full and heavy, more than a handful. This time he groaned out loud and the next instant a wet rag smacked him in the chest, the water instantly soaking his shirt front. He peeled it off with thumb and forefinger, dropping it back into the tub where she sat, knees tucked against her chest, trying to hide her charms. He leaned close and her eyes widened.
“You have exactly ten minutes to get out of that tub and get some clothes on.” His body ached and he knew he had to get out of the cabin. “Or else.”
He turned to leave, thankful that she hadn’t asked, “Or else what?”