And he’d just agreed to turn her into a cabin boy and pretend she was a lad? For how long?

Lord save me.

*  *  *

If Divana had known being caught in the galley would result in earning her a pallet in the captain’s cabin, she might have actually tried to be caught by the quartermaster a few days earlier. Though, if she were caught too soon, Kennan would have taken her home for certain.

She swirled the bar of pine-scented soap on a wet cloth while she looked over her shoulder. The braw captain sat at his writing table with his back to her, his quill making loops and flickering like a warbler’s tail. The light from the lamp danced, making him appear larger and his hair more golden, more surreal. Yet he was asleep when Lachie Mor had knocked.

“I apologize for waking ye. I’ll wager ye’re awfully tired.”

“Not to worry,” he said, slightly raising his head. “I’m awakened often when at sea. A captain’s work is never done.”

She scrubbed her face and hair—it seemed so short now that he’d cut it to her shoulders. Every time she ran her fingers through it, her tresses dropped while her hand kept going. ’Twas as if she’d lost a limb. “I’ll be finished directly.”

His quill stilled for a moment. “Take your time.”

“What are ye writing?”

“I’m recording the day’s events in the ship’s journal.”

“Do ye not do that afore ye retire?”

“I do, but since rousing I’ve recalled another entry which needed to be made.”

Was he writing about her? If only Divana could read, she’d know. “I wish I kent my letters.”

This time his chin turned in line with his shoulder—not quite looking, curse it all. “Would you like to learn?”

“Och, I’d give all me pay from Achnacarry to be able to read and write.”

“Very well. I’ll teach you.”

As soon as her fingers touched the bar, the slippery soap shot beneath her knees. “Ye will? Truly?”

“We’ll be on this ship a long time. I’d guess you’ll be able to read anything of your choosing by the time we return.”

“And ye’re nay too busy for the likes of me?” she asked, finally gripping the soap.

“Do not misunderstand, daily routines aboard ship are taxing. However, I’d think a lesson before you turn in each night will suffice—neither of us will be too occupied for that. Most days, anyway.”

Could things grow better? Not only would she be alone with Kennan every night, he’d be teaching her letters! Divana stretched out a leg and pushed bubbles between her toes.

Kennan rose and stretched, keeping his back turned. Clearly, he was bent on keeping his promise. “I’ll set to making up a pallet.”

She rinsed her feet. “I can do that.”