afterward he intended to sail the remainder of the way up the Thames to London. As much as a part of him dreaded returning to his real life and telling Micheline the truth, he was eager to end his charade.
After supper they cast off under a bright full moon and charted a northeasterly course along the coastline toward the North Foreland, at which point they could turn west and sail directly for London. Micheline remained on deck for a time, wrapped in a heavy woolen cloak that she'd found in the cabin. It smelled tantalizingly of Andrew, and she wondered, not for the first time, how he had come by this yacht.
"You must be awfully cold," he remarked, glancing up from his charts.
"Only a bit." In truth, she felt better than she had since they'd left Paris. Andrew seemed more relaxed, and though everything that lay ahead was unknown, Micheline felt as if she were being borne into the future on the hands of fate. It seemed that whatever happened would be for the best.
He had crossed the deck and extended a masculine hand which traced the line of her cheek. "We won't be in London until daybreak, fondling. The bunk in the main cabin is quite comfortable. Why don't you get some sleep?"
The sight of his handsome, moon-silvered face squeezed her heart with emotion. "I'll go on one condition."
"Name it." Sandhurst's smile flashed in the dark.
"Will you come with me and kiss me good night? I've been so lonely at bedtime...."
"All right, if you'll promise not to test my powers of endurance."
"I promise!"
Happily she led the way below. In the cabin Andrew leaned against the bulkhead and tried not to look as Micheline stripped off her clothing swiftly, then climbed into the snug bunk, still wearing her chemise.
"What a good girl you are!" he chuckled.
"Tuck me in." She smiled.
"It's time you learned the way we say things in England, my darling."
"Pray instruct me." Micheline was fairly beaming.
He bent over her, his eyes mesmerizingly warm as he tightened the covers around her slim body. "You see, I'm tucking you up."
"I shall try to remember."
Sandhurst smiled in a way that melted her heart. He stroked her hair, which resembled dark cognac spilled over the pillow. "It won't matter what you say, Michelle. Everyone will love you... just as I do."
"Don't forget my good-night kiss."
He cupped her face in his golden-brown hands and bent toward her. She felt pleasantly dizzy when his parted lips gently touched her own, slowly savoring each taste and sensation for a long minute. She wanted to twine her arms about his neck and longed to feel the length of his body against hers, but remembered her promise.
Finally Sandhurst lifted his head and sighed. "I'd better go above before Jeremy crashes the Stargazer into Ramsgate."
He rose and walked away, but paused near the bulkhead to look back at her. "Good night, Michelle. Tomorrow will be an eventful day. Sleep well and remember... I love you."
* * *
The sky had barely begun to lighten when Micheline awoke, filled with excitement. Having found a stoppered jug of fresh water, a basin, and a cube of castile soap, she washed and then donned clean undergarments and a gown of azure figured velvet, its low square bodice trimmed with pearls and gold lace. A simple pearl necklace and pearl earrings were added, plus a delicate gold chain with a sapphire that rested near her breasts. After she combed her long curls and tucked them into a golden crispinette, Micheline ventured from her cabin.
It was so quiet except for the sound of the river, and she had no idea where Andrew was, or where and whether he had slept during the night.
She found him on deck, looking rested and fresh. He wore a handsome doublet of tawny camlet that she had not seen before, and his hair was tousled in the breeze.
"Michelle! You're up early." Sandhurst's eyes were warm with delighted surprise as he adjusted a line, then crossed the deck to take her in his arms. "How beautiful you are."
Her only response was an incandescent smile. Sandhurst stared down at her, amazed by the magical glow that spread from her body to his, before bending to kiss her, wonderingly at first, and then more passionately, until Micheline's slim arms rounded his shoulders and her fingers tangled in his hair, pressing him closer still.
"Ah-hem!" Jeremy had to clear his throat repeatedly, in various noisy ways, before