Page 19 of Go, Rogue

And, she has to admit, her cousin was correct. Violet is a staunch advocate for the new, more liberal dress for women, and although Catherine had always been a fan of a little frippery, the ease in which she can move her body in this new attire cannot be overstated.

A rush of guilt washes over her again at the way she treated Violet.

Drat.

She’ll apologize just as soon as she can. She hadn’t meant to hurt her cousin, she just hadn’t been thinking. From now on, she’ll think more. Before she acts, not after.

She picks up her slippers just in case they might have miraculously returned to their previous incarnation as wearable shoes since this morning. They have not. They’re as bad or even worse than she remembers. The silk is torn, and the combination of mud and salt water has shrunken and distorted their shape.

Still unfixable. Still like my reputation.

She half-sighs, half-laughs and stuffs them back under the bed next to the jewels she stored there. The diamond and pearl parure she’d worn on her wedding day is the only money she has, and she wants to keep it safe and out of sight.

She’ll need it when she gets to Boston. She’ll need footwear, too, but that can wait. For the time being, she quickly stitches up her jewels in the hem of her destroyed wedding gown and sets it aside in the corner of the room.

No one will go ruffling through that mess of a dress, at least not until she can find a better hiding place. And now it’s time to explore the ship. She makes her way to the door but pulls up short when a resounding knock booms against it.

“Are you decent?” McGann calls.

“Of course,” she answers as he comes striding through, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. The cabin boy follows with a food-laden tray. Catherine glances out the window. The midday sun is still shining brightly. It’s too early for dinner and too late for luncheon, but she’s hungry, so she isn’t about to object.

“It’s supper, Menace,” McGann says as if reading her thoughts. “Sailors only eat twice a day. If we’re lucky.”

“So early? I’m not complaining, mind you. Just curious.”

“Aye, so early. But you won’t think so when you’re awake before the sun. Now sit before it grows cold.”