His Californian Countess by Kate Welsh

He’d heard eight bells ring just moments before. Amber.
    The sound of the sails heightened for a moment, then another door shut, dimming the sound. She was on deck now. He’d not seen her face in over a week and waiting till the count of one hundred was agony. But he wanted to make sure she was under the careful eyes of the on-duty crew members. Hopefully her wish to avoid a scene would keep her from fleeing his company.
    Two minutes later, Jamie quietly followed her topside. The brisk wind alleviated the ever-present heat so close to the African continent, where the captain had steered the vessel in the hope of avoiding the currents of the Gulf Stream. Having rested all day in his cabin, Jamie had come to understand what a hardship that was. The cabins were far warmer than he’d realized when the captain told him of Amber’s nighttime activities.
    She stood a bit beyond amidships where the whoosh of the bow cutting through the water was more pronounced. The sail, full of wind, flew above like giant wings, accompanied by the creaks and groans of the lines holding them fast to the masts and braces.
    Jamie moved toward her. She stood, her face raised to meet the wind, her blond tresses flowed over her shoulders like a river of gold, shimmering in the light from the moon and lanterns. Her beautiful sherry-colored eyes were closed. She had a tight grip on the teak gunwale and stood breathing in the blessed coolness of the night.
    “Amber,” he said quietly as he settled a hand at her back, afraid she’d lose her footing if he startled her. But his bride was not faint of heart.
    She turned her head and looked at him steadily for a long, silent moment. “I’m surprised it took so long for gossip about my nightly movements to reach your ears. Whom should I thank for your presence?” she asked, sarcasm rife in her voice.
    “The captain took pity on me as I loitered about this afternoon devastated by your continued absence.”
    Her lips tipped up into a mysterious half-smile. “I’m sure you were no such thing.”
    “You’re wrong, my dear. We agreed we wouldattempt to get to know each other. That cannot happen if you insist upon keeping a door between us. We move closer and closer to the equator each day. It will grow more uncomfortable and unhealthy each day for you to hide in your cabin.”
    “I am not hiding.”
    Jamie smiled at that. “We both know you are. I’m just not sure if it’s me you’re hiding from or the other passengers. I assure you there aren’t that many.”
    “I heard the conversation you had with that couple outside my door. I have no desire to further any gossip.”
    “You’ve greatly misjudged the situation, Pixie.” He was gratified when she didn’t protest the pet name. He still had trouble thinking of her as Amber, especially when she looked so wild and free.
    “How?” she demanded, drawing her straight eyebrows into a near V.
    “The other passengers know I was ill when the voyage began and they know we wed after you cared for me. Baker did not let it out how ill I was or that we are virtual strangers to each other. He thought our nuptials would seem much less remarkable that way and much less likely to be remarked upon later. I agree with him.”
    “Oh. I must appear to be a complete ninny.” She’d said it so quietly he’d had to lean forward to hear her. She put her hand on his chest, but he didn’t know why. His heart began to pound. Did she crave touching him as much as he craved touching her?
    In a blinding flash Jamie understood. She loved him and he’d rejected her before he’d understood the gift she’d given him. A woman like this didn’t give her body without her love. Her honor was too bred in the bone. Her moral code too deeply felt. What was he to do now?
    He was loath to release her from their marriage, knowing that to set her free would be to all but brand her a fallen woman. He might be unable to love her. Love for him meant only pain and loss. But he