sweet smile. The sort that warmed a man from the inside out.
“Pleased to meet ye, Mr. Mayweather.”
He inclined his head. Being Colin’s cousin, this woman was not one to be trifled with. Tom, at nine and twenty, had little interest in marriage or a family. Having spent the last decade building a business, he enjoyed his life immensely. Now was the time to celebrate his accomplishments, not the moment to add more responsibility.
Still, she was beautiful. He scanned her again, drinking in every detail as his body tightened in awareness. Pity she was unavailable for a brief dalliance. “And you as well. Such a perfect day to begin a journey to England.”
Her smile widened. “I agree. It’s all very exciting.”
Colin gave Tom a subtle wink. “It’s Fiona’s first time out of the country.”
“First time…how exciting.” He shifted away from Aunt Edna, sure she could read his thoughts, which were decidedly considering another first for a woman like Fiona. Thankfully, the cane did not smack his shin again.
Fiona nodded, but her smile slipped. “I’m sure England will be wonderful.”
“Fiona is engaged to be married,” Edna added. “We’re going to meet her fiancé.”
Disappointment tightened Tom’s hand into a fist but he forced himself to relax. He didn’t want a woman like Fiona, despite her beauty. It was far better she was a betrothed woman. “Then I must congratulate you.”
Fiona didn’t answer, just gave another jerk of her chin. Edna however, stepped closer. “My niece will be a countess.” The cane gave a tap on the side of his leg. Just enough to keep him wondering what the old woman might do next.
“A countess?” He swallowed a bitter lump in his throat, glad he’d already determined he wasn’t interested in the woman. As a maker of fine fabric, he crossed his fair share of ladies. Many of them had wished to share his bed but afterward… “How fortunate for you.”
Fiona’s eyes cast down. “I’m sure,” she answered quietly.
One of his eyebrows quirked up. Whatever did that mean?
Chapter Two
Fiona tightened her grip on Colin’s arm. This conversation had gotten uncomfortable. She wasn’t about to share with a complete stranger that she would likely end her engagement. She didn’t even want to tell Edna.
Unfortunately, she had no plan beyond breaking the marriage commitment. She’d been engaged since she was sixteen, first to one Earl of Exmouth and then another. For the longest time, she hadn’t even considered a different fate.
Of course, she loved to sew, and she took pride in fashioning much of her own clothing but did she really dare to enter a trade? Perhaps.
Mayhap, she should take Colin up on his offer to live in his cottage. He travelled so much, she could keep the place occupied for him, and this busy town was a much better location for starting a business than the sleepy village her aunt resided in. Then again, who would care for Edna?
The older woman was terribly set in her ways but she was family. And under her rough exterior beat a heart of gold.
Which brought Fiona back full circle. The best thing for Edna was for her to marry the earl and move into the manor house. Edna’s cottage had been a gift from her first fiancé and was located on the Earl of Exmouth’s property.
“I should show all of ye to yer cabins.” Colin finally filled in the awkward silence that had settled over the group.
“That would be lovely,” Fiona answered. It was a beautiful spring day, the sun shining brightly and heating her skin. But between that and the conversation, she suddenly craved her likely dark and quiet room. Her thoughts had returned to her goals for this trip, or rather her lack thereof.
“Ye and Aunt Edna will be staying in my cabin.” Colin cleared his throat. “I didn’t want Auntie to have to travel up and down that shipman’s ladder.”
Edna’s cane swished in the air and Colin just managed to jump back before it hit his shin. “I’m fine to travel anywhere I please.”
Colin didn’t argue with his aging aunt. “Let me show ye the way.” Which was to say they walked ten steps across the deck to where he opened the door. “There’s only a single bed, but I had a hammock fashioned for ye, Fiona. It will take a bit of getting used to but they’re comfortable enough once ye do.
Fiona looked at her cousin, her eyes widening. A hammock? This would be an adventure.
Colin swept his hand toward the room, gesturing for