Deception and Desire

Chapter 4

Chapter 4After a day aboard the airship, Nyles wished he’d indulged in such luxurious travel before, but the instinct to be careful in regard to spending was a trait instilled in him by his grandmother. She was also his inspiration for the letters he penned to Jewel. Much of her own courtship had been through letters, and Nyles still treasured them.

She’d married at twenty and had her first child, his father, at twenty-one. Nyles hadn’t been her first grandchild as his father married late in life, but he had become her favourite. He smiled, remembering discussing her with Kasim. The king had been very impressed by the close kinship he had shared with his paternal grandmother.

Nyles sighed. His family treated him as if he’d had everything given to him on a silver salver. That was far from the truth. His grandmother had made him work, and work hard, in her own way, for the inheritance to which he’d been entrusted.

Thinly veiled requests for financial assistance had been common growing up, as his siblings seemed to prefer frittering to saving and consolidating. Each and every one had been scrutinised by his grandmother while she was alive, and now, he did exactly the same.

Needless to say, it made him unpopular. Nyles gave a mental shrug. That was their choice. Nyles cared little as to whether the family approved of him or not. When all’s said and done, I do occasionally help out, because they are still my family, but more for the sake of my grandmother’s memory.

Standing, Nyles stretched, then went to change into his dinner attire. Having spent a couple of hours working in his suite, he decided to clear his head by taking a stroll around the promenade deck before settling to enjoy one of the bartender’s excellent dry martinis as a pre-dinner aperitif.

As he rounded a bend, a woman almost collided with him.

“Sorry!” The woman spoke at exactly the same time as Nyles, then smiled at him. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“And I was in far too much of a rush. I’m terribly sorry, madam.” Nyles bowed.

“I’m afraid I’ve lost my bearings. I’m due to be having dinner at the captain’s table tonight and I thought to have a drink to calm my nerves. I’ve never done such a thing before.”

“I can direct you to the bar, if you’d like?”

The woman leaned a little closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Would you mind awfully actually showing me? I’m very bad with directions.”

Although it wasn’t what Nyles wanted to do, good manners dictated it was the correct thing to do. Offering his arm, he nodded. “Not at all, madam.” She was attractive enough, if one liked that kind of thing.

With his knowledge gleaned from supplying his empire of stores, Nyles knew the best French silk, genuine diamonds, and real pearls when he saw them. Whatever else she might be, the lady wasn’t dressed to appear wealthy, she was truly rich.

“Oh, please, my name is Miss Ariadne Spelt.”

“Weatherall. Nyles Weatherall. A pleasure to meet you.”

Ariadne offered him a slow nod. “The pleasure is all mine, sir.”

Despite his misgivings, Ariadne was a good companion, with a wealth of anecdotes and information. Although he enjoyed his pre-dinner drink with her, Nyles was secretly pleased to find they wouldn’t be seated together at the captain’s table.

Ariadne pouted as she surveyed the table. “I doubt the seating can be changed.”

“I’ve monopolised enough of your time, Miss Spelt.” Nyles bowed. “While it was most enjoyable, I should allow others the pleasure of your company. Do enjoy the rest of your trip.”

Before Ariadne could reply, one of the waiters indicated Nyles’s seat and he took the opportunity to move away. Ariadne’s scowl surprised him, but he focused his attention on his new neighbours as others took their seats.

The dinner was excellent and there were several raconteurs who kept the discussions lively and entertaining. Nyles was impressed by the captain’s foresight and organisation. Although Nyles was certain the captain would have a team of people to help him, his choice of dining companions made for a good evening’s entertainment.

An offer of adjourning for port and cigars was made by the captain and Nyles stood, ready to excuse himself from the ladies at the table.

Ariadne wove her way quickly up the table to stand beside him. “Do you think we might meet tomorrow, Mr. Weatherall?”

“I haven’t finalised my plans for tomorrow.” Nyles wondered how to let the woman down gently. It wasn’t in his nature to simply refuse. “But I do have some work to attend to that will keep me occupied most of the day. I’m sure we’ll meet again. If you’ll excuse me?” Nyles bowed, but not quickly enough for him to miss the flash of anger in her eyes.

“I see. Well, yes indeed.” Turning on her heel, she stomped away, not even joining the other ladies as they drifted off to have their coffee and liqueurs.

The curt reaction left Nyles slightly shocked. But a touch to his forearm from the captain drew his attention from Ariadne’s ill-mannered behaviour as the men retired into the designated salon.

Settled in a deep, red leather chair, Nyles sipped his brandy, exchanging conversation with several of the men.

When one of the older gentlemen stood to leave, he hesitated at Nyles’s shoulder, then leaned down, whispering into Nyles’s ear. “Your lady friend certainly didn’t expect you to choose coming here over going with her. If you’ll take the advice of an old married man, I suggest you buy her a gift, or you’ll be in the doghouse, my boy.” Giving Nyles’s shoulder a pat, he waved to the rest of the group and shuffled away.

Too stunned to reply, Nyles stared after the man as he left the room. It was too late to let the man know Ariadne was merely an acquaintance, and he had no intention of apologising for his actions. But if that’s what people are thinking, I need to quell any such notion. If I spot her tomorrow, I’ll make sure to go the other way.