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mouthed again, in a silent plea.
    She cleared her throat and smiled prettily. “Mr. Seton, I may not know much about playing cards, but with a hand like yours, I’m sure you can bet a little higher.”
    Grumbles came from the other men, and she tried not to chuckle.
    “Uh…” Mr. Seton looked at the other men. “She’s correct. I’ll raise the bet.”
    Just as she suspected, Mr. Clark and Lord Tippens backed out of the game. Lord Feenly was a stubborn old coot, but his forehead was too moist for the cool breeze coming from off the sea. Not only that, but he swallowed more than normal.
    The older gentleman raised the bet again. Mr. Seton hesitated, and Dorothy feared he’d back out. Just at that precise moment, the ship swayed. Even though the effect didn’t bother her, this was the perfect opportunity.
    “Oh, dear.” She groaned and placed a hand over her head.
    “Are you going to swoon?” Miss Peabody asked, grasping Dorothy’s arm.
    Mr. Seton jumped out of his chair and reached for her, his arm sliding around her protectively. “Are you all right?”
    Playing the seasick woman to the hilt, she leaned against him and placed her head on his shoulder, groaning. She tilted her head and whispered in his ear, “He’s bluffing.”
    He pulled away just enough to look at her. She winked. “Trust me, he’s bluffing,” she said again softly.
    A grin stole across his once worried face, and he winked back.
    “Oh, thank you, Mr. Seton.” Dorothy stepped away from him. “Forgive me for nearly swooning, but I’m better now.”
    “Are you certain?” he asked, trying his best to look concerned, but the gleam of humor in his eyes told a different story.
    “Indeed, I am.” She pushed him back to the card game.
    Now with an air of confidence about him, Mr. Seton finished the game—and won. Just as she knew he would.
    “I must say, Seton,” Lord Feenley said, “your luck has changed since Miss Paxton arrived.”
    “I’ll admit it has. Perhaps I should keep her by my side a little longer.”
    The other men laughed, and Dorothy’s heart skipped a beat. She wished Mr. Seton would quit saying things like that, and especially looking at her as if she were a buffet of sweetmeats. She couldn’t have these feelings for him. Her heartbreak would be just like her mother’s.
    “Forgive me, Mr. Seton, but I must decline your most tempting offer. My companion and I were taking a turn around the deck.” She sank in another curtsey. The men stood and bowed before she and Miss P left the table.
    Dorothy really didn’t want to leave the card game because it reminded her of home, but she couldn’t watch Mr. Seton’s dancing eyes when he looked upon her. She walked directly to the ship’s railing and leaned on it. Taking a deep breath, she breathed in the fresh sea air, hoping to clear her head.
    “Oh, look,” Miss Peabody exclaimed. “There is Lady Blackwood. I haven’t seen her in years.”
    Dorothy glanced at the woman her companion pointed to. “Miss Peabody, if you’d like to go chat with her, feel free to do so. I’ll be fine by myself for a few minutes.”
    “Are you certain? I shan’t be gone long.”
    “Yes, I’ll be fine. Now go.”
    The older woman waddled away, leaving Dorothy to her thoughts. Finally! Miss P was a sweet lady, but Dorothy needed room to breathe without a Mother-hen watching her every move. Being cooped up with the older woman was driving Dorothy insane, and she didn’t know how much more of the lady’s sweetness she could stand.
    Then again, perhaps it was better to be with Miss P than with Calvin Seton. That man made her nervous…in such a way that she’d never experienced before. The way his eyes partook of her not too long ago made her actually feel pretty. Like a lady. In all these years, she always thought it didn’t matter if men treated her like one of them.
    Until now.
    Until Mr. Seton entered her life.
    “May I ask what you are thinking?”
    Mr. Seton’s deep voice