Christine Johnson - Would-Be Mistletoe Wife

“True,” she admitted, “but not on as frequent a basis. Moreover, if what I heard was correct, Mr. Blackthorn advised against attempting the rescue of passengers on a stranded ship last spring.”

Judging from his look of distaste, he didn’t think much of that decision. “Saving lives is our purpose.”

Louise’s anger abated. Jesse wasn’t as arrogant and uncaring as he’d seemed. He simply followed the dictates of society and consequently rubbed on her nerves. Society insisted women had lesser intellects. It was only natural that Jesse would believe what he’d been taught since birth. She must show him otherwise.

She strode across the room to the bookshelves. Classroom texts and leisure reading filled the lower shelves, but on top were a few precious volumes.

She dragged a step stool in front of the bookcase. “Captain Elder donated a few of his volumes to the school, including one on the climate.”

She climbed one step but still could not reach the shelf.

“Allow me.” Jesse Hammond crossed the room. “I can easily fetch the volume for you.”

She could feel him uncomfortably close. “I can get it.” She climbed another step and reached.

She must have set the stool on one of the uneven floor planks, for it tilted beneath her. She cried out as the whole thing gave way. Then, before even one foot touched the ground, strong arms caught her and held her close.

Oh, my!

She could feel his heart beating. His breath tickled her cheek. Every nerve ending inside her came to life.

Oh, my!

If she was the fainting sort, she’d have swooned at once. Instead, an incredible warmth rushed through her, as if she had spent too much time in the summer sun. She had never once felt that way with Warren. What was happening to her?

He set her on the ground but did not release her. She looked up at him. A strange expression was on his face, and she caught her breath. He felt it too! She looked away, her heart racing. This was wrong, terribly wrong. Then why did she feel like a schoolgirl hoping he would continue to hold her close and even kiss her?

She could not breathe, could not speak, could barely think.

“You should be more careful.” His voice was rough.

She recognized all too well the signs of attraction. For all his faults, Warren had once been smitten with her. She hesitantly looked up. He looked down at her, his sky-blue eyes darkening as his pupils dilated. His expression softened.

Her pulse raced. Her limbs shook.

He leaned close, lips brushing past her forehead.

“Mrs. Smythe?” The girl’s voice pierced through the cloud of emotion.

Priscilla! Louise shot out of Jesse’s embrace and smoothed her skirts.

The girl stood in the doorway, smirking and apparently free of the headache she’d claimed all morning.

Louise hurried to control the damage. “Thank you, Mr. Hammond, for saving me from a terrible spill.” She picked up the stool. “How careless of me to place it on a wobbly board.”

She hoped that would spare her from Priscilla’s manipulations.

“You are excused, Miss Bennington.”

“Of course, Mrs. Smythe.” But that smirk didn’t leave her lips as she flounced off toward the dining room.

“I hope I didn’t get you into trouble,” Jesse said.

Louise closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Too late. If only he’d risen to Louise’s defense, Priscilla might have believed her story. Instead, this little episode could prove costly, if not for her personally then for the school.

Chapter Three

What had he been thinking? That was the trouble. Jesse wasn’t thinking. If he had been, he would never have remained so close to Louise Smythe.

It had begun innocently enough, saving her from a fall, but he’d held on too long. Then, overwhelmed by the feel of her in his arms, he’d considered kissing her. Louise’s long eyelashes swept to her eyebrows, and her gray eyes, which could be severe, had softened to the color of a gentle rain. She’d drawn in her breath, and her cheeks turned the most delightful shade of pink.

Her reaction was so unexpected that it had caught him off guard. She’d been the one woman who didn’t sigh and stare at him. She’d seemed completely unaffected until that moment. Maybe that was what had tempted him. The immoveable had become irresistible.

Why had he succumbed to temptation?

That prissy girl with the blond curls had noted the near-embrace with a smug grin of triumph.

Jesse had stepped back the moment Louise leapt from his arms. Her explanation might have succeeded if she wasn’t blushing the entire time. Then she demanded the girl leave them.

This would not end well.

“Perhaps I should go,” he offered. “We could discuss the lecture another day. Or not at all.”

“Are you suggesting I don’t know enough about the subject to even assist you? I’ll have you know that I could give that lecture.”

Jesse put up his hands in surrender. “I’m sure you could. I’m just offering to step away if it’ll make matters better for you.”

“Things will go just fine, no thanks to you.”

Jesse wasn’t used to receiving reprimands from a feminine quarter. His sister, Beatrice, had been more interested in her own trials than in disciplining her little brother. His father...well, he’d never quite been himself after Ma’s death. “Forgive me. Next time I’ll let you fall.”

Louise flushed even more furiously. “That’s not what I meant. I was referring to...to...well, you know.” She brushed at her hair, though it was in perfect order. “Priscilla probably got the wrong impression.”

No doubt she had. Jesse’s lips had brushed against Louise’s forehead. Preventing her fall could be explained away, but not holding her in such an intimate way. “I will talk to Mrs. Evans.”

For a brief second, she looked hopeful, and then a shadow clouded her eyes. “That won’t be necessary.” Yet she stepped a little farther away. Her gaze drifted downward and then she exclaimed, “The book!”

She bent to pick up the fallen volume.

Jesse hurried to lift the heavy tome first. His hand collided with hers.

“Oh!” She jumped back and rubbed her hand as if it had been stung.

“I’m sorry.” He seemed to be saying that a lot. “Maybe I’d better leave.”

“Yes, perhaps you should.” Yet that admission came with surprising wistfulness.

“I can cancel the lecture.” Had those words really come from his mouth? Yet it was the perfect solution. “Since you are very knowledgeable about the weather, I’ll leave the lecture to you.”

Something like a smile flashed across her lips, only to vanish the next instant. “Thank you for your confidence, but Mrs. Evans asked you to give the lecture. I am only here to answer your questions and offer support.”

Jesse ignored the irony. Moments before they’d argued bitterly over just that.

“I might like to hear what your Captain Elder told you,” he suggested.

The smile returned, this time to stay.

“He was well-read and experienced, a dear man, and highly acquainted with the sea.”

“I have no doubt,” he murmured.

She gave him a sharp look.

“As you said,” he added, “ship masters need to understand the weather.”

Again she beamed, and he had to admit it felt good. He would much rather be on Louise Smythe’s good side than endure her scathing tongue. Not that he was interested in courting her. Not at all.

* * *

“It was completely innocent.” Louise reported to Fiona Evans just after the midday meal. “I slipped, and he—Mr. Hammond—caught me. I tried to explain that to Priscilla, but I don’t think she believed me. I’m afraid that this time she will make trouble.”