Andrea Pickens - [Lessons in Love 03] Read Online Free PDF Page B

grin.
    Octavia pushed past him and flung the door open, heedless of who might see her.
    "Conceited rake," she muttered under her breath as she hurried towards her own cabin. "Why, he is nothing but a drunken lout. And a most ill-mannered one at that!" How in heavens had she been gulled into thinking he had any need of her sympathy, she thought angrily, though in truth she was not sure with whom she was more upset—her accoster or herself.
    * * *
    The sun was bright, even though it rose no more than thirty degrees above the horizon at the noon hour. They had tacked into the Gulf of Finland that morning and were in the final leg of their journey. The Baltic waters were as blue as the sky, and just as calm. A brisk wind had the ship running under full sail, its hull leaving a foaming wake as it raced along at eight knots. Octavia watched the gulls circling overhead, feeling just a slight pang of envy at their total freedom. She could help wondering just what it would be like to be able to chart one's course in life, to have choices.... A movement near the galley caught her eye and brought her thoughts back down to earth.
    Well, at least one choice she had was to avoid the odious Mr. Sheffield!
    That was his name, she had learned. But since that initial meeting during the storm, she had taken great pains to stay out of his presence, no easy task given the cramped quarters of the ship. There was no way to get around his company at mealtimes, but she had studiously refrained from any more that the barest conversation that civility allowed. At least he had shown a modicum of tact by not forcing his attentions upon her, or making any sort of reference to the fact that they were acquainted with each other. On being formally introduced, he had kept his expression a mask of bland politeness. But as he bowed over her hand, the rogue had actually winked at her!
    And he kept following her around, popping up at the most inopportune moments, like these, when she was alone and looking forward to some quiet time for reflection. On any number of occasions she had been forced to be rather rude, but he didn't seem to take the hint.
    Drat the man.
    She looked aft, with the thought of slipping up towards the quarterdeck, only to see her retreat cut off by the formidable bulk of Mrs. Phillips. Good Lord, was nothing to go right this afternoon?
    "Ah, Miss Hadley, a lovely afternoon, isn't it?" exclaimed her cabin mate.
    It had been, she thought.
    "Indeed it is." Alex leaned nonchalantly against rail and fixed both ladies with a brilliant smile. He seemed to repress a chuckle at the scowl his approach brought to Octavia's face. "We look to have clear weather for the rest of our journey to St. Petersburg."
    "I'm sure that is a great relief to some," replied Octavia a bit acidly.
    "Yes, I imagine there are those who take great exception to being tossed and tumbled around."
    She looked at him with narrowed eyes, and the man had the nerve to wink again.
    "Oh, I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Sheffield," said Mrs. Phillips. "Storms are most uncomfortable things." She paused to readjust her bonnet. "Sheffield, Sheffield. Tell me, you are not by any chance related to the Marquess of Wright?"
    He raised one dark eyebrow. "Madam, do you imagine I would be on a ship bound for the wilds of Russia if I was?"
    She gave a titter. "How silly of me. Why are you on your way to Russia, if I might be so bold as to inquire?"
    Bold? Ha! Brazen was more like it, thought Octavia to herself. The lady had done nothing but try to pump information out of anyone she could corner. However, for once it might be interesting to hear the results. She, too, had wondered just what brought the man on board.
    That he was no fine gentleman was evident. His clothes were presentable enough, but little things gave away the state of the owner's purse. The cuffs of his jacket were slightly frayed and the elbows showed a bit of shine from long use. His shirt collar had already been turned,