Ever since Evan had discovered Cecelia cheating on him he had struggled to reign in his temper. It was always at its worst when he was faced with a woman, especially if she was exhibiting any sort of behavior ill suited to their sex. This young woman was clearly showing a great deal of qualities that had brought the worst out in Evan. She lied, cheated, and stole. She struggled in his grip but it was futile.
"The left? Truly?" the sarcasm was laced in his tone. "You cheated and we both know it. I have a keen eye and I would not have missed the queen unless you tampered with the cards." He was struggling to keep his wild temper in check and not cause her unnecessary bodily harm. He was sorely tempted to rattle her until her brains fell out. He had bottled up a great deal that it was threatening to burst out of him in a very unpleasant fashion.
She had picked the right combination of words to severe the last bit of rational behavior that had kept him from going out of control. She dared to challenge his honor? The fury that entered his eyes was deadly. His grip tightened until his knuckles had gone white. He pulled her in close ready to let loose every thought and ill feeling he had kept inside that he wished he could've parted to Cecelia. He was frozen in place as a sharp pain was concentrated on his foot. He looked down and found she stomped his foot. It hurt but it wasn't unbearable. He was more in shock than anything else and it dazed him. She slipped from his slack grasp and had darted quickly into the crowd before he had finished processing what had happened.
He blinked for a moment before he took off after her. She was long gone at this point but he would not admit defeat. He weaved through small clusters of people and was moving as quickly as he could. It was a good solid ten minutes of dashing around before he finally stopped. That woman!
He decided that if he caught her again he would make her pay. He would find some way to bring justice to her. At least in that way some of the anguish that riddled his soul would be put to rest, at least he hoped that would be the outcome.
He was seething the rest of the day. He stalked around the great ship the majority of the day in hopes of stumbling across her. He had even gone down into the belly of the ship where the third class passengers were housed. He had no luck as they were packed tightly down there like sardines. Evan could only stand the stifling sensation so long before he retreated back to the upper decks. The cool sea air soothed him a little and he pulled a flask from his pocket. He moved to the rail and leaned against it as he took several swigs of the strong whiskey. It burned down his throat and in his belly. He liked the pain. It helped dull the pain left in his heart.
There were excited cheers and clapping a short distance down the deck. There was a small crowd of children gathered in a tight semi-circle. It was obvious where they belonged. Evan frowned and wondered where their parents were. What was so fascinating?
He took a deep swig of whiskey before popping the cap back on and returning it to his pocket. He walked the short distance to the children and froze.
They were all entranced by a young woman bending over with a deck of cards in her hands. She moved the cards through her hands in an expert fashion showing them several tricks and illusions. She glanced up and Evan felt all the rage and indignant anger from the morning boil back to the surface riding the hot whiskey he had put in his stomach.
"You!" the danger in his tone cause the children to scatter like birds and they darted in every direction. He pointed an accusatory finger at the woman and stalked over to her. He pinned her arms to her sides and drove her backwards until they were in a small alcove out of the way of most prying eyes. Even if she stomped on his foot she would have to force her way past him. She was trapped. He had caught her, though he was a bit surprised to have done so.
"You dare question my honor," his voice was low and threatening. There was a darkness in his eyes and he bore down upon her. He clenched her arms tightly in his hands, likely bruising her. "And yet you know you cheated me." There was very little space between them. She was a small thing and it didn't take much to tower over her. "You are going to pay for your insult and your crimes." His jaw was clenched tightly and he had a death glare trained upon her.