of you being hurt.”
Poppy had to swallow several times before she could speak. “I did not think you would—”
“Care?” His mouth tilted in that half-smile that could at once annoy and drive her to distraction. “Regardless of the disappointments that have arisen between us, sweeting, you should understand that I will always care.”
His lids lowered a fraction, and he was retreating behind his usual mask of civility. It made her want to hit something. Her hands were clumsy as she moved to unpin the rest of her hair. It fell down in a curtain of deep red, cutting Win off from her view. A blessed relief.
“I care too, Win.” And even if he no longer wanted her, she could not live in a world where Win did not exist. “If I do not fight, then who will?”
A second later, Win’s bowler flew across the room, bouncing off the wall from the force of his throw. “Damn it! You are hunting a demon that you admit cannot be destroyed on this ship. Have you gone completely insane?”
She laughed, though she felt no joy. “I told you I have fought him many times before. This is my life. Did you not believe that as well?”
His nostrils flared on a sharply drawn breath, and he gripped the back of his neck with both hands, sending the muscles along his chest and arms bulging beneath his coat. His struggle to regain control played out over his features, and Poppy watched with fascination. Win never shouted at her when they argued. They simply did not engage in rousing fights of passion. However, Poppy was inclined to prefer this new method of discussion, for his anger did something to her insides and made her want to stir him up some more.
When he spoke, it was through clenched teeth. “Is it worth your health, your life?”
She winced then, for she knew more than he the fragile state of her health. But it could not be helped. “Yes.”
He deflated at that. With a muttered curse, he paced the room as Poppy undid the buttons of her bodice and slid it off.
“At least promise me that you will not go chasing after him alone,” Win said finally.
She did not look up but moved on to the hooks of her skirts. “I promise.” It was an easy vow to make. But she could not help adding, “So long as he does not attack me.”
Win gave a short nod. But she knew he would never truly give up on something once he was on the case. “Fine then… What are you doing?”
“Undressing.” She let her skirts fall.
“Now?” His glare was back, a warning this time as she pulled at the ties of her drawers.
Poppy made a noise of annoyance. “It isn’t as though you haven’t seen me undress. Many times.”
“That was before.” He thrust his hands deep within his pockets as he retreated back to the doorway.
“Yes, well, I’m undressing now, and I don’t see you attempting to leave.” Her drawers landed in a heap of white around her ankles, leaving just the chemise hovering around mid-thigh and her corset.
After a visible swallow, Win’s shoulders tensed. “I need to shave.”
At home, they had shared a bath. Win would lean over the sink and shave as Poppy let down her hair. Hurt swelled within her breast. Whether he did not want to give in to that intimacy or didn’t want her seeing him maneuver around his damaged face, she couldn’t tell, nor did it matter. He did not trust her regardless.
“Then you’ll have to wait.” Holding his gaze, she reached to unravel the ties of her corset. It fell to the floor. He swallowed again, and a look of hot need filled his eyes before he dampened it. Despite her bravado, an answering lick of heat flickered between her thighs. Make him remember. Dear God, but she was going to take the advice of Mary Chase, an unmarried girl. Unmarried woman who was the protégée of Lucien Stone, notorious sinner and seducer. Poppy moved to the dressing table, aware of the sway of her breasts beneath her thin chemise. The silence was too thick, enough to hear the sound of the clock in the outer room ticking and Win’s breath working a sharp, unsteady pace.
Her limbs did not quite work normally. She was too aware for that. Fingers cold, she took hold of her hairbrush. His eyes followed, and her body reacted, pulling tight, shivering, not from cold now but with heat.