She curtsied. “Pardon me, I was searching for the . . . convenience room, and I appear to have lost my way.” “Indeed.” Quincy Stanton sauntered toward her, removing a round silver snuffbox, unlike the one he had used on The North Star. “Are you here alone?” “I . . . my aunt is downstairs. She’ll be expecting me.” Virginia watched curiously as he held the open snuffbox at eye level and moved it from side to side, peering at it. He shut the box without removing a pinch and pocketed it. His brow furrowed as he studied her from head to foot. “I know why you lurk about these halls. You plan to meet your young captain up here.” “Of course not. What impertinence.” She moved to go around him. He blocked her path. “My deepest apologies if I offend.” “If you weren’t so offensive, you wouldn’t spend so much of your time apologizing.”
