Chapter Eleven: Lost At Sea
"Of course I'm excited to be sailing to the South of France!" After a hectic morning of train travel, Catherine still felt slightly breathless as she followed Lady Cleveland into the small but comfortable stateroom that would be her home at sea for the next several days. "I'm just feeling rather mixed up about Mr. Culpepper, that's all. One moment he's all business, and then . . ."
"It's obvious that the two of you have feelings for each other. That's why you need some time apart." Lady Cleveland murmured something in French to the fat little ship's purser, dropping a few coins into his hands before closing the door gently behind him.
"So what do we do now?" Catherine sat down on the bed and crossed her legs, already feeling right at home. It was very warm in the little cabin. Tossing aside her gloves and her fur-lined cloak, the girl bounced gently on the bed, testing the thick, firm mattress.
"We'll use this time to rest, and get accustomed to being at sea. There's a fancy dinner dance this evening." Lady Cleveland was adjusting her cloak to go out again while carefully examining her appearance in the mirror by the stateroom door. "The captain has invited us to sit at his table. All the ship's officers will be there. You'll charm everyone, I'm sure!"
"But where are you going?" Catherine had already gotten comfortable, lying on the bed in her little cabin with her hands folded behind her head. But now she frowned. Was something happening? Should she follow her companion back on deck?
"It's nothing, darling. I promised to meet a man in the ship's main lounge. Get some sleep and I'll see you at dinner. Sweet dreams!" Lady Cleveland blew the girl a kiss, softly closing the door behind her. When she was gone the little cabin felt hushed and very still, except for the faint throb of the ship's powerful engines.
Catherine didn't like being left behind. Lying on the bed, she pictured Lady Cleveland having an intimate conversation with some fascinating older man. Maybe they were talking about the missing jewels from the church. Or maybe they were having a very different sort of conversation. Catherine closed her eyes, imagining that she was Lady Cleveland and that the man gazing at her hungrily over tea cakes was none other than Mr. Culpepper. Catherine, darling! I need you . . . must have you . . .
It was quite dark when she awoke. Catherine sat up shivering, wondering how the cabin had become so cold. What time was it? Where was Lady Cleveland? Catherine felt as though she had been abandoned by her friend, lost or just forgotten. Lost at sea! Lady Cleveland had blown her a kiss, she remembered that, and told her to get some rest. How long ago had that been?
She must have slept for hours!
The ship's main lounge was full of noise and activity. A crowd of well-dressed gentlemen were busy with the usual gentlemen's talk, most of them downing drinks and a few puffing on big cigars. Heads turned as Catherine entered the room, and their interest was mixed with curiosity. Catherine had not had time to arrange her sleep-tousled hair, and she knew she was looking a bit pale.
"I'm looking for my companion," she said, putting on her coldest and most grown-up look. "I am looking for Lady Anne Cleveland." The younger men were eyeing her hungrily, and she needed to make them understand she was not to be had for the price of a drink. Catherine had rarely been left on her own. But she had good common sense and good instincts. Lady Cleveland always said so, even though Mr. Culpepper often said otherwise.
"Anne's father and I were best friends!" The oldest gentleman present was smiling warmly at her. "Does Lady Cleveland still have that old portrait of her father hanging over the fireplace?"
"Yes! He always seems to be frowning at me when I come downstairs late and have toast and honey by the fire!" Catherine's silly habit of saying the first thing that popped into her head when she was nervous was frequently very embarrassing. And her silly laugh made things much worse. But the big, white-haired gentleman with the kind blue eyes and the warm smile didn't seem to mind. When Catherine started to laugh he joined in at once as though it was quite natural to share a joke now and then.
In a moment the two of them were laughing their heads off.