A Different Sort of Perfect by Vivian Roycroft Page B

changed targets, and picked up the creampot
instead. A few drops trickled from it into his almost-empty coffee
cup, and he stirred it in to give himself time.
    Lady Clara had him off-balance; that had to be it.
And it wasn't her, not exactly, but her presence here, aboard his
ship and sitting at his breakfast table, that had him acting
without thinking. Surely he was gentleman enough— man enough,
to conquer his baser impulses even when off-balance?
    He had to admit, now she wasn't trying to rip his
head off, she was a lovely young woman: face, figure, charm,
manners, she had all the usual attractions, perhaps in greater
quantities than one normally saw. In particular, she held herself
well, with a healthy grace that was an elegance in itself. Now that
he considered it, he'd never seen her grab for support, no matter
how Topaze behaved, making her a natural sailor despite her
sex. And something about her behavior, that high-minded seriousness
she sometimes displayed, brought out the worst in his sense of
humor. Glib little teasing comments weren't the most amiable of
conversational gambits, but they'd do when he couldn't think of
anything better.
    Oh, my eye and Betty Martin, too. Who was he
trying to fool? This was the very reason captains and crews did not
like having women aboard. She'd turned his head and—
    "Is there nothing you can do for me?"
    Her chin drooped further, hiding her face. Was she
laughing at him? deliberately manipulating him? Look up, he
wanted to say. But in his head the words sounded so boorish, he
couldn't force his mouth to form them. He tried willing her chin
up, thinking strong thoughts, even urging her with his tightened
stomach muscles. But when she did, finally, raise her head, those
dark eyes had dulled to despair.
    Desperately, she'd said last night. She
desperately needed his help.
    In his foolish heart, he believed her.
    No matter what his wiser head might think.
    "Perhaps we can work something out."
    He didn't say that. He did not say that. But she
stiffened, jerked erect, leaned forward, and there was that
ferocious intensity again, staring back at him like a hungry tiger
scenting human flesh. Not the best image, perhaps. But horribly
apt.
    "You mean it? Honest?"
    Before he could be trapped further, Fleming raised a
hand and held it out, palm forward. "I said perhaps. After we've
found our marauding frigate, it wouldn't hurt to cast around a bit.
I presume you've some way of finding your captain?" He didn't want
to use the word French in relation to her quarry, not while
any of the crew were present. Some things it was better they simply
didn't know. Had Hennessy overheard that little detail the previous
night? Impossible to recall.
    She nodded, two jerks of her head. All her grace had
vanished with the thought of her lover, leaving her brittle and
breakable, and so that arousal of sudden tension meant her thoughts
were centered on him. When he'd earlier mentioned discussing
business, she'd assumed he meant her business, not his . It figured.
    Two different people resided within the same smooth,
ivory skin — the pleasant, pleasing gentlewoman and the starveling
tiger hunting for her mate.
    The thought disturbed him. So did the eagerness
brightening her eyes and face. He'd offered the tigress a chunk of
meat; she'd willingly snapped it up. Even if it contained his arm.
Or poison.
    But now he was being silly. Fleming shook himself
mentally and found a smile. "Then we have a deal? You'll join my
crew for the duration of the voyage as captain's clerk, and
afterward we'll do what we can to find your captain?"
    Lady Clara paused, then nodded again. A hint of grace
seeped back into her motions. "Thank you, Captain, yes. We have a
deal."
    All right, it was silliness at best to think of
taking the king's ship on a wild goose chase after a French captain
who might or might not wish to be found. Fleming would get the
necessary details later. For now, he had what he needed, a
captain's clerk and a