She couldn’t help but wonder what Simeon would have done if Juliet had been kidnapped. He was far less physically intimidating than Benedict, but he clearly held strong feelings for her sister and love made people do extraordinary things. Perhaps he would have surprised them all.

She stifled a little pang of jealousy at the adoring looks Simeon sent Juliet across the carriage, as if she were the air he breathed and the gravity that kept him anchored to the earth. She could imagine them as an old married couple, still exchanging such glances, even when their hands were gnarled and their eyes rheumy with age. If only Benedict looked at her with the same adoration.

She glanced at him again, admiring his large hands guiding the horse and the strength of his muscled thighs, and a sudden intense recollection of what they’d done in the night came to her, of his body pressed over her, his mouth at her neck, her breasts. Heat scalded her cheek at her inappropriate thoughts.

Benedict caught her eye with a knowing look, and she just knew he knew what she was thinking. His wicked glance promised a repeat of such pleasures the next time they were alone. Would there be a next time? She fervently hoped so.

When they reached Hyde Park, Benedict’s companions bade their farewells. Georgie told a grumbling Simeon to get out and walk home, amid assurances to Juliet that she would put their case before Mother and lend her support to a proper, non-clandestine marriage. Instead of returning directly to Grosvenor Square, however, Georgie told the driver to convey them to Blackwall.

The Lady Alice was still anchored by the quay—all three hundred majestic tons of her—and Georgie smiled as she stepped down onto the wharf, tottered up the gangplank, and hailed the captain. He snapped to attention and greeted her with polite surprise.

“Miss Caversteed! We are honored. Is anything amiss?”

“Afternoon, Captain Moore, and no, no, nothing is wrong. Are you still off to Boston at high tide, as scheduled?”

“Aye. Everything’s stowed and ready.”

“Excellent. In that case, I was wondering if you have room for one extra passenger?” She indicated Josiah, who had been unloaded from the carriage and stood on the dockside, wriggling furiously in Benedict’s grip. “You see there my cousin Josiah, who has found himself in somewhat, shall we say, uncomfortable circumstances here in London.”

The captain noted Josiah’s gag, black eye, and bound hands, and shot her an amused, knowing look from under his bushy brows. “As you say, ma’am.”

Georgie smiled. “Confronted with rather dismal prospects on this side of the Atlantic, I’m pleased to say that he’s taking my advice to start over in America.”

“Righto,” the captain said. “I’m sure we can find room for one more. He won’t cause me no trouble, will he?”