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talking and sitting on two different beds. They didn’t have five or six as some of the other cabins he passed. “Pardon me, but do ye have room for one more?” Malcolm glanced down at Lauren for emphasis. “She has no luggage an’ the lass shan’t take up too much space.”
    The two women looked at each other and nodded. “Of course.” The redheaded lass stood and gestured to her bed. “Ye can lay her here for now. We only have two beds, but we shall figure somethin’ out.” She narrowed her gaze. “What is wrong with her?”
    “I gave her something to make her sleep an’ to ease her nerves.” He carried Lauren over and bent to his knees so he could ease her onto the bed. “Her name is Lauren Campbell.” Malcolm stood and gave them a brief bow. “I shall come back later to check on her, but right now I need to claim a cabin for myself.”
    “Aye.” The woman nodded. “Ye can try my brother’s cabin. Go down the hall and take a right. His name is Logan Grant. Tell ’im Deidra sent ye.”
    “I am much obliged.” Malcolm gave her a quick bow before glancing one last time at Lauren. She looked so serene and peaceful, beautiful even. Warmth seeped through him at the realization, and he didn’t want to leave her, but then he remembered how angry she would be when she woke. Aye, it was best to make his escape now.

Chapter 3
    3

    F emale voices on the other side of the room floated to Lauren’s consciousness. She lifted her head with a groggy moan. Her eyelids were heavy as she forced them open.
    “She is waking,” a woman said.
    Lauren blinked and tried to focus on the two fuzzy faces looming over her.
    “Where am I?” Lauren pushed up on her elbows. Cheers escalated above, and she had the sensation that the floor moved beneath them.
    “We are finally setting sail.” Another woman clapped her hands. “I canna believe I am goin’ to the Carolinas.”
    “Set . . . setting sail?” Lauren rubbed her eyes and sat up. She glanced around the room, but it was dark with little light and no windows. Two lanterns hung on the opposite walls, revealing only two narrow beds. Tears filled Lauren’s eyes, but she blinked them back and swallowed, summoning her courage. “Where is Malcolm MacGregor?”
    “Oh, ye mean the handsome brawn mon that brought ye hither?”
    Now that Lauren’s vision had cleared, a comely lass with brown hair bent toward her. “He said he would come back an’ check
on ye.”
    “How long ago was that?” Lauren stood and brushed her wayward hair out of her eyes. “Do either of ye know where he went?”
    “ ’Twas about twenty, maybe thirty minutes ago.” Her second roommate stepped forward with wild curly hair falling past her shoulders in a sea of red. Green eyes sparkled as she smiled. “My name is Deidra Grant, an’ I sent ’im to find my brother, Logan.”
    “Please do not think me rude for not introducing myself, but I am Kathleen Anderson.” The other woman gave a brief curtsey.
    “Look at yer formality,” Deidra teased her friend.
    “I am not supposed to be here.” Panic rippled through Lauren’s chest, gripping her with fear. “Please pardon me.”
    Lauren hurried from the cabin on trembling legs. Once she turned the corner, she leaned against the wall to catch her breath. What was she to do? She had no change of clothes, no money, and she was alone. A gentle reproach pressed inside her chest.
    “Forgive me, Lord. I’m not alone. I have Ye,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “Give me the strength to go to the captain. Please give me favor. Make them believe me.”
    “Are ye all right?” Deidra followed her into the hallway. Her long red hair showered her shoulders in tangled curls. She blinked in concern. Her compassionate expression was framed in pale skin layered with freckles.
    “I need to find the captain. Where is he?” Lauren clenched her hands in front of her, determined to seek help. Her first instinct was to find Malcolm and rage at him, but