Her mind raced frantically for a solution. She had been stupid for coming here with Bones and Jolly. She should have refused to accompany them. Then Lucian would have had no choice but to seek her out. At least then she would have had the safety of her house and the servants around her. Lord, had she been foolish.
The boat rocked and dipped as it headed away from the shore.
Catherine huddled in her cape, her hand on her stomach. Truth be told, she wanted to see Lucian. She missed him. Seeing him in London had only made her realize just how much she missed him.
Lucian settled himself next to her on the seat. "Cold?" he asked.
"No," she said, and kept her head turned from him. The longboat rose and fell against the rough sea as the men struggled to row it out to the ship.
She wondered how her father would react when he learned of her abduction. Would he demand her return? Would he attempt to follow her?
A light rain began to fall and the boat continued its struggle. Catherine's stomach began to protest the uneasy motion. She rubbed her belly, hoping to ease her queasiness. It did little good. Her condition worsened. She felt horrible, as if at any moment she would be violently ill.
A soft moan ran from her lips.
"Catherine?" Lucian questioned, looking down at her.
Catherine kept her face averted from him, fearful of showing her distress.
"Catherine, look at me," he ordered sternly.
She couldn't turn her head if she wanted to. She had no doubt that within seconds she would retch terribly.
"Catherine." His hand to her chin forced her to turn her head.
"I'm going to be ill," she said softly, and rushed to drop her head over the side of the boat.
Lucian moved closer beside her, slipping one hand inside her cape to wrap around her stomach for support. His hand stilled as his fingers splayed over her rounded belly. "Good God, Catherine, when didn't you tell me?"
She lifted her head up, throwing it back against his chest. Before she could answer another wave of nausea attacked her and she once again dropped her head over the side of the boat.
Lucian held her firmly but carefully around her protruding waist. When she finished, he dipped the end of his sash in the sea, rinsed it, and gently wiped her face.
"Easy, angel," he cajoled. "We'll be at the ship soon and you can rest."
She was sick twice more and by the time her stomach finished protesting she lay exhausted against Lucian's chest.
The boat pulled up alongside the ship and Catherine ran her glance slowly up the rope ladder, past the balustrade to the tall masts. She moaned.
Lucian pressed his hand to her stomach. "Feeling ill again?""
"No," she sighed, "But much too tired to climb that rope ladder."
He kissed her temple and caressed her round belly. "I'll get you up the ladder and to the cabin. Where you'll rest. Then, Catherine," he warned sternly, "we will talk."
She remained silent, being in no condition to argue. When she regained her strength, then she would have her say.
"Bones, bring the boat about as easy as you can," he ordered," and hold her steady so I can get Catherine up the ladder. She's in no condition to climb on her own."
"Aye, Captain," Bones said, and added with a shake of his head, "Jolly and I tried to warn you of her delicate condition back at the beach."
"You knew?" he shouted, turning an angry glare on them both.
Bones and Jolly shivered in their boots.
Catherine placed her hand over his hand that rested protectively on her stomach. "Lucian, please, they tried so hard to help me. Don't be angry."
He heard the weariness in her voice, felt how she lay limply against him, felt the dampness of her chilled hand through his silk shirt and he worried that in his haste and anger he had caused her and his unborn child harm.
He commanded when he spoke but not with irritation. "Secure the ladder as steady as possible while I carry Catherine up it."
"You can't," she said as he helped her to stand.
He laughed with a shake of his head. "Angel, you constantly underestimate me."
A rough dip of the boat caused her to sway, moan, and fall against his chest. "Lucian, I feel horrible."
"The baby?" he asked anxiously, wrapping his arm around her.
"Does not take kindly to the sea," she said. "Please get me to the cabin and your bed."
"What I longed to hear," he teased. "You begging me to take you to my bed."
She smiled, rubbing her face against his chest, inhaling his familiar scent of sea, fresh air and male, feeling as if she had come home and was once again safe.
With a firm arm around her waist, he lifted her against him. "Put your arms around my neck and hold on tightly."