High Seas Desire

HIGH SEAS DESIRE An Ellora’s Cave Publication, July 2004 Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc. PO Box 787 Hudson, OH 44236-0787 ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-84360-975-4 Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned): Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML HIGH SEAS DESIRE © 2004 MLYN HURN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Edited by Kari Berton and Linda Carroll-Bradd. Cover art by Syneca.

HIGH SEAS DESIRE

Mlyn Hurn

Chapter One “Pirates! Off the starboard bow, Captain!” “Prepare the cannons, sir?” “We can’t outrun them, Captain. Our cargo is weighing us down.” “Saints above preserve us… it’s Black Jack!” His hands were making her body come alive for the first time in her life. She could feel the strangest sensations zinging through her nerves, her skin. Her lower abdomen felt full, heavy, and she moved restlessly as she felt moisture forming between her upper thighs. She knew that he felt her movement and swept her off her feet into his arms. Somehow she knew that he was about to take her into Heaven— Lissa awoke very slowly from her dream world. She didn’t want to awaken because she truly was having a very nice dream indeed. She had been waltzing with the handsome man she had met shortly before leaving London several weeks ago. He was tall, dark, very dashing, very elegant, and very, very aloof. He courted her at first, just like a gentleman should. She began falling in love with the very wealthy, extremely marriageable son of the Duke of Carlton, Lord John Fitzpatrick. Her breathing quickened and her pulse raced. Being near him was a heady and confusing experience. Quite suddenly, he disappeared without a word to anyone. Lissa asked discreetly, but no one seemed to know where he had gone. Of course, there were countless rumors, including one about an affair with a married lady whose husband suddenly decided to object. And Lissa also heard the story about Lord Fitzpatrick’s mistress deciding she would take a lover. In a rage of jealousy, there was a sunrise duel and Lord John Fitzpatrick was supposedly forced to leave town to avoid a terrible scandal. The worst of all was that he had grown bored with town life and the lovelies he found there, and deserted London for some hunting in Scotland. That one had hurt her because she thought they were becoming friends, maybe even more than friends. And to hear he left town out of “boredom”, possibly with her, was what cut the deepest. This had been her first season in London, and she was older than the rest of the girls debuting to the ton, the elite of London society whose annual season was often considered the only place worth being, to anyone who was anyone. Lissa and her mother had come home from the Caribbean because her mother had been ailing. Lissa had spent the last seven years caring for her mother, who had passed away last year. Her father, though, had remained behind. His duties as Governor had precluded his returning for any prolonged period. In the beginning, they had all hoped that her mother would improve, and then they could both return to be with her father. But time had passed on, and her mother had slowly worsened. They had lived with her mother’s brother, Uncle Rodney. Lissa had had her cousins to keep her company. When her Aunt Celia had presented her own daughter, Louise, two years earlier, it was strongly suggested Lissa make her debut as well. But Lissa did not feel right about being presented without either of her parents present. Her mother

was too ill at the time, and then the time passed. Her father visited several times, but his duties were time-consuming and his free time spent with her mother. Lissa refused to debut under her aunt’s patronage, her reason was to stay with her mother. She didn’t want to be away for five or six months, and most importantly, in her opinion, she wasn’t in the market for a husband. So why go? Then her mother had passed away, and her aunt and uncle had brought her to London for a few months’ stay, before she was to leave and join her father once again. Her aunt revealed that they had both hoped she would meet and marry a young man and stay in England, having grown very fond of their niece over the years. Her aunt had been on tenterhooks when Lord Fitzpatrick had begun paying Lissa such marked attention. The excitement in the house had been palpable with his attentions and gifts. Suddenly and without any indication, he had disappeared, and her Aunt Celia had seen the intense disappointment and hurt on her niece’s face, no matter how hard she had tried to hide it. Finally the time had come for Lissa to set sail, and as originally planned, her cousin Albert was to accompany her on her travels. He would stay for a while, and then return. His parents did not really want him to go, but they felt that Lissa really needed a male escort. Albert had done little if anything to hide his growing feelings for his cousin, even though they could never be allowed to come to fruition. Thus with a heavy heart and Hannah, her mother’s lady’s maid, Lissa and Albert had set sail three weeks ago. The sea journey had been very peaceful, totally uneventful, which was fine with Albert. He had never been much good in a rowboat, let alone a seagoing vessel such as this. A peaceful sea was all he could cope with. Lissa, though, was a sailor by nature. Her father and she had spent hours on the sea, from her earliest memories. He had taught her to sail small dinghies in the beginning, and finally she had worked her way up to sailing his private yacht, which he used for sailing around the islands whenever he had free time. The pirates always left his boat alone, probably because they knew his retribution would be swift and sure. And they had all learned to steer clear of the new governor when he had first come to the Caribbean over twenty-six years earlier. Lord Peter Stilton had become as formidable as the pirates who raided the many islands in the Caribbean had. The noises coming from the deck of the ship grew louder, seeming to come nearer to her room each second. Lissa threw off her bedclothes and started to grab her robe. Suddenly her door was thrown open by her maid, Hannah. Hannah had served her mother, and then Lissa since she had been a young girl. Now in her forties, she was thin, her brown hair had grayed and she was subject to panic fits. Usually the episodes were because Lissa’s chosen gown was wrinkled, or she’d torn some lace or other silly thing. Therefore Lissa guessed that having to face a pirate could cause her to apoplexy. “Pirates! Pirates, my lady! They are everywhere… hundreds of them!” Lissa nodded her head, still not sure what exactly was going on. Only a foolhardy pirate would attack one of her father’s ships. She pushed Hannah down onto her bed. “Take a deep breath, Hannah. You need to calm yourself.” Hannah gulped a few breaths and then started again, her voice even more high-pitched. “Pirates, milady! They are going to kill us all… or worse—”

Lissa shrugged aside the “or worse” for now. “Hannah, please, calm down!!” She had no time to settle her maid before her door opened again to admit Albert. Glancing around the room, he looked from his beautiful cousin to the maid. He spoke tersely, “Hannah! Be silent, woman! We must stay calm. You change clothes with Lady Lissa.” Lissa shook her head doubtfully. “Albert, I’m not so sure this is such a good idea.” “I’ve heard how these pirates can be. If they know you are the governor’s daughter, they will take you immediately for ransom. It is the only way, Lissa. If you are the maid, then you will be safe.” Lissa shook her head again. “Albert, I think I know more about this—” “Lissa, please! I am a man, and I know about such things! Now just do as I say.” Hannah was crying about “fates worse than death” and “she would be the one taken prisoner”. Lissa patted her hand. “I’ll do everything I can to protect you, Hannah. Now Albert, I’ve lived here for quite a few years, and I firmly believe I am better equipped to deal with these men.” “Damn it all, Lissa! These are not men! They are bloody, rotten pirates! They would rape a woman as soon as… ” He stopped as Hannah started to wail loudly. “Hush, Hannah.” Lissa paused to pat her maid’s back. “I promise I will do everything I can to keep you safe. Let’s change clothes. Albert, face the other way. Yes, put on the blue dress with the silk and lace. That should impress them. I will stand near you to prompt you with what to say.” “Pirates won’t talk to a woman, Lissa!” Albert pointed out. The growing sound of guns, shouts and cries of pain convinced her. “Albert, go topside to delay them.” Lissa quickly dressed in the plain blue gown of Hannah’s, and she was just fastening Hannah into the silk gown when the door was shoved open. Two very large, mean and scruffy-looking men burst through the doorway. For a moment, silence filled the room. And then the two pirates elbowed each other and laughed. Lissa noticed they were both wearing kerchiefs tied to conceal the upper parts of their faces, with holes cut for their eyes. She wondered why they wanted to conceal their faces, but quickly dropped that thought as one of them grabbed her arm. Laughing, the pirate pulled Lissa from the stateroom, shouting behind him to the other pirate. “Henry, bring the old woman with you. The captain will want to see everyone aboard the ship.” Lissa struggled against the pirate taking her from her stateroom. She fell down twice when she tried to kick him and he moved too fast and avoided her foot. She didn’t give up, though, and grabbed hold of doorjamb to resist what was rapidly becoming inevitable. Upon reaching the deck, Lissa saw the sun had barely crested above the water’s edge. The officers and men of the ship had been gathered off to one side and were being held in check by several large, rough-looking men equipped more than efficiently with guns, knives and swords. Lissa was thrown forward and fell to her knees. Falling, she heard ripping sounds.

The pirate’s grip on her dress had ripped the bindings and now it was draping low over her breasts. As she shoved her hair back out of her face, she saw a pair of very shiny black boots directly in front of her. A bold masculine laugh sounded directly above her. At this point, she wasn’t sure if screaming would do any good. The need to fight and yell was growing inside of her, like a bubble of air rising through the water, and soon it might burst forth. She had to remind herself that she was the servant, not the lady. “And just what did you find below, Gorney?” A deep masculine voice asked seconds later. Gorney, the pirate that had found and dragged her topside, laughed heartily and replied, “I found me a sweet little serving wench by the look of her, Cap’n. Her ‘ ladyship’ was just getting out of bed.” All the pirates and the captain laughed at that. Lissa heard Albert’s protests and Hannah’s scared shrieks directly behind her now. She knew she had to be careful not to betray any of them to the pirates. She started to get to her feet when suddenly her upper arms were grabbed, and she was jerked up and forward. Lissa couldn’t stop the scream that escaped her lips as she was crushed against the broad-chested pirate in front of her. With each breath she took, she could feel the material of his shirt brushing against the tops of her breasts. She looked up into a masked face and saw two very deep blue eyes staring back. She thought the pirate was startled and she felt his muscles tense in his arms, his chest. Maybe she should state who she was, maybe that would be the only way to save all of them, including the crew. But then she heard Gorney behind her. “Do I get to keep her, Black Jack? See’n as how I found her.” Henry protested swiftly. “I seen her too, Cap’n. I should get half the serving wench. That ritzy one ain’t worth it.” After the initial contact, Black Jack turned from Lissa’s gaze. She watched as he glanced at the old woman who was dressed befitting a governor’s daughter but not the right age. Jack smiled. “The older lady is closer to your age and stamina, Henry.” Lissa bristled angrily at the high-handed way the pirate was treating her. She opened her mouth to protest, when she heard the older and much shorter pirate protesting. “No way, Cap’n Jack. She ain’t once shut her mouth. Who wants a shrew like that warming his bed when he could have a sweet tart like the maid?” “Yes, well I do see your dilemma, Henry.” Lissa was distinctly aware of the way the pirate paused and looked back down at Lissa. “She is mine,” he declared loudly. “Whatever monies and jewels you find you can split between you, but this wench is mine!” Lissa couldn’t shake the idea that something wasn’t quite right. It had been in his eyes and on his face when he looked at her. Hearing him claim her as his bounty, she was scared, and that angered her. She felt her breath catch in her chest as she realized that Albert’s plan had horribly backfired. They would probably still ransom Hannah, but that wasn’t going to help her situation in the least little bit! Damn! After the captain’s declaration, he told Gorney to take the prisoners over to their

ship, and for the rest of them to gather what they wanted and they would be under way. Gorney grabbed her and prepared to lift her to his shoulder to carry her across to the other ship. Lissa cried out to the other man, “I beg of you, sir! Captain, please! Don’t kill these men… they have done you no harm.” When the pirate turned back, she tried pleading with her eyes, as well as her words. As she watched his face, what wasn’t covered, and his vivid blue eyes, she tried to guess what he was thinking. If he were one of those cutthroat kinds of pirates, he’d probably slit all of the crews’ throats and toss them in the sea. His voice was deep when he replied a few seconds later. “Don’t fret, wench. The men will be released in a boat with plenty of food and water to get them to the nearest island, which is less than a day’s row away. It’s not my practice to kill men for the sport of it, madam.” “Thank you, Captain,” Lissa whispered back. Perhaps things wouldn’t turn out quite as badly as she’d first thought. Once she had him alone… The captain shouted, “Gorney! Put the wench in my cabin.” A few seconds later, she was repositioned over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The scruffy pirate proceeded to grab a rope and swing with her back to their ship. When she saw how high they were over the water, she screamed like a banshee. Over her yell of terror, she heard Black Jack laughing from where he still stood on the deck of her father’s vessel. A few minutes later, she was set down inside the captain’s cabin, and then the door was slammed shut and she heard the key turn in the lock. No amount of jiggling on the handle of the door would open it.

***** Several hours later, the door opened for a few minutes to admit Henry. She was on her feet and racing toward the door immediately. Abruptly she stopped when she saw that the short, slightly bent old pirate was not alone. There was a very impressive, mean-looking man guarding the hallway. With his wild black hair, scar on his cheek and burly muscles, Lissa knew that while she might be able to handle the little guy, this big one was beyond her scope. “Back up, wench,” Henry rasped, “so I can set this tray on the table. I don’t want to have to hurt you.” He glared through narrowed eyelids. She wanted to protest, to demand that Albert and Hannah were fed also, but she didn’t dare give orders. No serving wench or maidservant would speak like that. Henry quickly backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. Lissa heard the sound of the key turning once again in the lock. Soon the sounds indicating the usual commotion of a ship setting sail filled the cabin. As they pulled away, Lissa ran to the window and thrust it open. In the distance, she saw two rowboats with the sailors from the other ship onboard, and then the burning of her father’s ship. She watched as the sailors from her father’s ship began rowing in the direction of the nearest land. The officers of the other ship had known who she was, and she wondered if they had said anything before being set adrift on the small boats. Finally Lissa turned

away, despondent, not sure what was going to happen to them. How she wished she could have seen her father once more. But perhaps that was not to be, she thought, feeling depressed. Eventually, trying to convince herself that it couldn’t possibly get any worse, she went over and lay down on the large bed. She curled up in a ball and gave in to the urge to cry. She had no idea at what point she drifted to sleep.

***** It was dark out when the door opened again. Lissa slowly blinked her eyes at the light now filling the room. A few moments passed before she saw the pirate standing near the table where the dinner had been set. Her movement alerted him, and he turned to face her. She saw he was still wearing the kerchief to conceal his face. Gesturing boldly with one hand, he bowed and pointed to one of the two chairs. “Please join me, madam, for dinner.” She felt him watching her in silence as she argued with herself about eating with the enemy. Finally, Lissa struggled from the depths of the comfortable bed and walked barefoot to the table. She noticed the pirate was staring at her bare feet. Scuffing the top of one foot over the other, she accepted the chair he gestured towards for her to sit in. “Please, there is no need for a maidservant to stand on such tight societal constrictions when her lady is not present, is there?” Lissa was very surprised when he held her chair. She waited and he sat opposite her. He stared in silence for a very long time. When he finally spoke, Lissa was very startled by the sound. His voice was much smoother than it had been earlier, she noted immediately, very cultured and articulate. “I’m afraid we have an unforeseen problem, Lissa.” She gasped when he said her name. “How do you—” she started to ask, but he raised his hand to stop her. Lissa stared in disbelief as he slowly raised his hands and removed the mask he had worn since she had first seen him. “Oh, God, no!” she finally gasped out when she saw it was none other than Lord John Fitzpatrick, alias Black Jack, seated opposite her. “You’re a pirate!” Jack poured her some wine and held the glass out for her to take. “Drink some, my dear, it will help.” “Help! Help what, may I ask? You are a pirate, and you have kidnapped me and my cousin!” Jack leaned back in his chair. He slowly sipped the delicious and very expensive French wine. “That, my dear Lady Stilton, is the problem. I have not kidnapped you; instead you have allowed me to capture a maidservant… a very beautiful and comely maidservant,” he added, nodding his head toward her. “And I have supposedly also captured a so-called Lady Tusselbaum and her so-called nephew, Albert.” He stopped when Lissa bit off a laugh at the name Tusselbaum. That had been the name of one of her uncle’s very “dotty” old aunts who never could remember much of anything. It was also the name of a hunting dog, which her father had had years earlier. “So are you going to hold me for ransom? Get my father to pay you a vast fortune for my return?” Lissa hissed angrily. She could not believe that the wonderfully gentle,

suave, romantic man from London was also a pirate called Black Jack. He was sitting at the table so calmly, serving her first and then himself, from the different platters of what smelled like very delicious food. “Lissa, if you had just admitted who you really were the minute you came on deck, then things would be so much simpler,” Jack pointed out. “I don’t understand… what do you mean? You would have told your men what you were going to do, and they would have obeyed.” She pointed the chicken leg she’d just decided to bite into at him. “That’s what captains do—or good captains anyway.” Jack shook his head. “I could have claimed that I ransom Lady Stilton, whose father, the governor, would most graciously pay any sum for her safe return. That would have been the simple way to go. But to have you say now who you are, none of the men would believe you.” Lissa stared at his mouth as Jack slowly took a bite of a very tenderly and deliciously cooked chicken. She was so hungry. Taking a deep breath, she offered a possible solution. “So, just put us down somewhere and leave us. I’ll never tell anyone who you are.” Jack smiled slowly, but shook his head. “No, Lissa. Having left me no one to ransom… who ever heard of a Lady Tusselbaum? Anyway, you are a maidservant to my men, and if I don’t claim you for my own then, my dear, they will demand that I allow them to do so. Not to mention that you have cost me my share of the take from your father’s ship.” Lissa appeared stunned, if the bemused expression on her face were the correct indicator of her emotions. The importance of his words slowly sank into her brain. Jack could see her thoughts chasing one another across her face. She was a beautiful woman. It was her beauty, and the confused feelings that had been growing so quickly for her that had forced his decision to leave London, and quickly. He had lived the life of a buccaneer for a number of years since that duel forced him to leave the first time, and he was quite happy to continue doing so, or at least until he was forced to return to live in England. And he knew that would only be when he had to assume his duties as the Duke of Carlton, or if he married. Meeting Lissa Stilton had gotten him all balled up inside. His attraction to her was disturbingly strong, but he could not have a quick affair, as he would have done in the past. She was a lady, of good family that had equally substantial ties to the crown itself, as his father’s did. Lissa Stilton was unfortunately not a woman he could spend the kind of time needed to get her out of his system. Neither could he enjoy a romp between the sheets, as his father tended to put it. Lissa was the kind of woman a man married… and no way in hell was he ready to settle down and get married. Yet now, his mind was racing with the possibilities. Lissa finally looked up. “So, now what, my lord… I mean… Captain… good Lord! I don’t even know what to call you!” Jack laughed softly. “Call me Jack, or Black Jack. That is what the men will expect. As far as what next… well, Lissa, I have ordered my men to set sail to a very remote island. It is scarcely populated and is visited every six months or so by the governor’s stewards. I will set Albert and the ‘Lady Tusselbaum’ down there. They will be rescued before too terribly long.” Lissa swallowed hard. “And what about me, my lord… I mean, Jack?”

Jack leaned back in his chair. “Well, that again is the problem. My men are going to expect certain ‘things’ to occur… and if they don’t, well, again, that could lead to problems.” Lissa frowned, which caused him to tilt his chair back on two legs, stretching casually. “What ‘things’ are you talking about?” Lissa shifted uneasily. The strain in her voice was obvious, and Jack smiled. “As Lady Stilton and Lord Fitzpatrick, I could, of course, not speak of such things. But as the pirate, Black Jack, and the serving wench he has captured on the high seas, I can tell you that I mean to ‘have my way with you,’ so to speak.” He paused when he saw her pupils dilate as his meaning sank in. Jack leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, holding Lissa’s blue gaze with his dark one. “You see, my dear, out here on the high seas we are different people. We are a world away from the rarified air of London society, and there are none of the usual constraints to protect you. Unfortunately, you made it so when you assumed the identity of your maid. I’m sure you had very good reasons for doing so, but things are now… most definitely a mess.” “But-but Lord Fitzpatrick, you are a gentleman. I’m sure you could just pretend… I mean no one has to know—” Jack surprised Lissa by reaching over and grasping her slender white hand with his own. “But you see, Lissa, out here I am not a gentleman. I am a pirate, and as such I have a reputation that my men expect to be continued.” He paused, lightly caressing her hand with his fingertips. “I admit I began this life as a lark when the King needed privateers to bolster his forces. Then I found that I enjoyed this life and the escape it provided me from the stifling atmosphere of London society.” He resisted Lissa’s attempt to free her hand, smiling slightly. “Now I come out here once a year for a few months, usually just long enough to get enough booty for my men to sell for the remainder of the year. A loyal crew is important in this line of business, fair lady. And a pirate can get loyalty through fear, which I don’t find acceptable personally, or effective. Or a man can get loyalty by treating his crew fairly and providing for them handsomely. I choose the latter, and so far it has worked quite well.” Lissa interrupted him abruptly, “But we don’t have to tell anyone. Like I said, we can pretend. No one has to know but us. You could set me ashore with my cousin Albert. He won’t tell, either.” Jack stood and pulled Lissa up with him. He stepped close, and she could feel the heat from his body seeping into her own. Just like before, on deck earlier and when they had been dancing in London, his nearness could melt her bones. He put his hands on her upper arms, caressing her lightly. “Lissa, listen to me. I am not a gentleman, and I want you.” He stopped talking then and pulled her into his arms. He lowered his mouth to hers and captured her parted lips with his own. Deeply he drank of her breath, her sweetness. When she gasped in surprise, his tongue took quick advantage to venture inside. He plundered the soft sweetness of her mouth, and when she moaned as her desire began to rise and meet his own, his large hand moved upward from her waist. Lissa sank in his arms and her knees gave way when he cupped her breast. His hand molded immediately to her womanly shape, caressing her, squeezing her. When her

nipple budded in responsive, taut desire, Jack began rolling the eager, tender flesh with his fingertips. She shivered as she felt Jack working his fingers down the fastenings of her dress. Lissa emitted a soft cry of surprise at the abruptly cooler air against her skin. He had undone all of the fastenings in the back. She moved her lips, starting to form the word “no” when he rubbed his slightly rough hands over both of her naked breasts. This time she couldn’t stop the cries that escaped her lips. “Oh-oh my God!”

***** It took but three strides for him to cross to the tousled bed and lower her into the soft depths. He followed her quickly, kissing her deeply as he moved his hands to pull her skirts higher and higher. Her cry of surprise signaled his success when his hand moved to spread her upper thighs and then touch the sweet, wet womanly flesh between. The warmth, combined with her womanly scent, quickly had his manhood harder than a rock. He settled between her widespread thighs. He touched her gently, teasingly, finding that special spot… her clit was stroked and gently teased with soft pushes and rubs by his fingertip. She screamed out in surprised reaction. Jack felt the soft jerks of her hips and the wetness flooding his fingers. He smiled and kissed her mouth lightly. “Patience, my sweet. We have only just begun. Before long, you will be screaming loud enough for everyone on this ship to know… ” Jack stopped, letting his gaze travel over her beautiful body. He added a few seconds later, “There is so much more to teach you, my wild beauty. Out here, away from the constraints of society, the high seas will be our home. I’ll show you that your passion need not have any boundaries. Before long you will be spreading these sweet white thighs eagerly for my cock. You’ll be begging me to bury my rod deep in your hot cunt once more before the sun rises over the horizon!” Jack ignored her surprised cry and quickly shifted his own clothes, baring his hard, hot cock, eager to get inside her womanly body and thrust. He kissed her again, over and over, while the fingers of one hand teased her nipple, and the other found her sweet clit and again brought her to the brink of climax. Then, he thrust inside her in one motion. He felt it, just as her gasp of pain rent the air. She had been a virgin! Damn! He hadn’t considered… stumbling over his thoughts since most of attention was further south. He knew she was twenty-five, and of course there were always rumors in London regarding a lady’s reputation. Rarely did a lady in the fashionable society achieve such an advanced age and not be wed. Gossip was rife with supposition as to the state of their purity, and unfortunately, Lissa had not been immune to the mud slinging. Well, they had all been wrong! He had just felt, and then torn through the proof of her purity. Jack looked down into her tear-filled eyes. He kissed her softly, and moved slowly and gently. He waited, and soon her body adjusted itself to him.

“It will be easier next time, my sweet, I promise. Now, relax and let me take you back to the edge… it’s much better if you come—” Jack broke off his reassurances as he realized that Lissa probably had no idea what he was talking about. Shaking his head, he focused on her pleasure. Gently, he touched her clit again with light teasing flicks of his finger until her hips were jerking, and she was bucking like a wild mare beneath him. He kissed her hard, and when he felt her body begin climaxing, tightening and spasming around his hard cock, he quickly followed, thrusting to his own joyous climax. Over and over, he pushed his body deeper into hers. With each climactic thrust, he shot his cum deeper into her sweet cunt. The spasms from her cunt kept on milking his cock, which only seemed to keep him coming and coming. God! It was unbelievable! Later—he had no idea how long he stayed inside her—he lowered his sweat-covered body next to hers on the bed. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her half-closed lids. Whispering softly for her to go to sleep, Jack held her as she drifted away. Cuddling her spoon-fashion, he had his cock nicely cushioned between her ass cheeks and his hand cupping her uppermost breast. The weight of the tit in his hand was nice and heavy. Lady Lissa Stilton was a lovely woman, but she’d also have made a delightfully lusty barmaid, not to mention a sexy, irresistible shipmate! He had no idea how good this was going to be, and it had far excelled his expectations and wishful thinking. Idly, he lightly bounced her breast in his cupped hand. Her nipple was soft, until he began worrying and nudging it persistently with his fingertip. He tugged and pulled on it, squeezing it now and then. When it felt impossibly long, he rolled Lissa onto her back. It was easy to slide down and take his prize into his mouth. He groaned as he realized that it was longer than he’d thought and it felt great as he sucked her deeply inside. Using his hand, he gently pushed and molded her breast to allow him different angles to enjoy the meaty tit-flesh he’d captured. Lifting his head after several long minutes of suckling, Jack stared down at Lissa’s large, round bosom. He could easily imagine himself becoming enamored with this pretty lush bosom. In fact, he began planning specific times in his day to come back to his cabin. There were lots of interesting activities he could imagine doing with Lissa, and not all would be in bed. There was the table, and bending her over the… he grinned as the possibilities filled his mind.

Chapter Two As she slowly awoke, Lissa thought she was home once again. The bed was so comfortable, and she felt warm, in spite of being naked. She shifted on the bed, and then she became aware that she wasn’t home but rather on a ship somewhere in the Caribbean, judging by the warm breeze blowing in through the windows of the captain’s impressive quarters. She opened her eyes slowly and felt a tugging on her left nipple. Her right breast was being cupped and squeezed, slowly, rhythmically, as her left nipple was then encircled by wet heat. She looked down and saw Jack’s dark head bent over her breast, kissing, suckling her nipple. She moaned, squirming on the bed, when his hand moved down over her body to move over her mound, lightly stroking the pussy fur he found there. His fingers caught in the curls, combing through them slowly. Jack lifted his head briefly to whisper, “I’ll take care of this pussy fur later.” Lissa thought she was mistaken, because that made no sense whatsoever to her right then. Lissa rationalized that she should be resisting his touch… after all, isn’t that what a lady would do? And then his eager, questing fingers slid between her hot, wet lips to the treasure inside. He played with her until she spread her thighs of her own accord, shifting on the bed, lifting her hips… seeking— He moved his mouth up to hers and covered her mouth just as he started to flick her clit. He caught her soft cries with his mouth. He didn’t think she needed to be making any more noise tonight. At night, on the sea, it was usually very quiet onboard the ship, other than the occasional creak of shifting boards in the hull or the soft billowing sounds of sails overhead. He had heard the men say that sometimes, in between the slap, slap of the water against the sides of the ship, you could hear the scratching of mice as they went about their thieving and merry way. He had little doubt that probably all of his men, and quite likely even Albert, had heard her cries of passionate desire and subsequent release earlier in the night. Yes, there would be no doubt as to what had gone on in the captain’s cabin last night. He knew that as long as he claimed her for his own, he would have no trouble with his men. He shifted back down her body as she settled a bit, his teasing slowing a little. He kissed and licked and played with her taut pink nipples. When he blew gently on them, they got even more distended. As he suckled her left nipple, his hand again began teasing her body. Only this time she surprised him. Her body jerked in response to his clever touch, and his fingers were flooded with her wetness. She cried out loudly in the night, “Oh… yes! Yes!” He hadn’t moved fast enough that time. He smiled to himself. Or maybe he’d never intended to cover up her cries and shouts of desire. In fact, Jack was a little surprised to realize how proud he felt at having given Lissa such undeniably passionate experiences. He kissed her lightly as he rose up over her soft, sweet body. He shifted her thighs, and

her legs eagerly encircled his hips without any directions this time, pulling him to her body. He thrust into her wet, inner beauty. Lissa cried out his name. “Jack! Oh, God! Yes!” As he continued to thrust, building faster to his own shattering climax, he heard Lissa chanting his name, each time a bit louder. He smiled to himself at how lost in her passion she was. He had suspected this depth of sensuality in her in London, but he was more than pleasantly surprised at how truly deeply passionate, and equally seductive, her responses were. He lowered his mouth to suckle her nipples again, and he felt her hands move to cup his head and cradle him closer to her body. Her gentle fingers lightly combed through his hair one minute and then gripped it tightly as her body climaxed again. God, this was so much sweeter than he could have imagined! He thought for a moment about covering her mouth with his own as he could feel her again climbing with him to yet another climax, when he decided to hell with it. Who cared if anyone heard! Hell! He felt like crowing about his mastery of her sensual responses. He moved one hand between their sweaty bodies and lightly began teasing her clit as he eased them both closer and closer. Just as Lissa climaxed around his hard shaft, he heard her crying out a joyous “Yessss!” into the dark night. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “Ask me to fuck you, Lissa, or I’ll stop right now!” Jack knew stopping was impossible, but he had suddenly wanted to make sure that Albert had no doubt whatsoever as to just what had occurred between his sexy cousin and the pirate tonight. He knew it was shallow, but he felt like beating his chest and declaring that this woman—Lissa—was his, damn it all! There was also the need to have Lissa express her choice, in no uncertain terms. Having her ask him, and in such a blatant manner, would make it clear. “Say it, Lissa! Ask me to fuck you! Come on, sweet wench… do it!” Lissa shook her head for a few seconds each time he asked her. Jack was pretty sure that she knew the words from growing up around ships and docks. A few seconds later, he saw her lips part a moment. Then she spoke, “Fuck me!” “Say ‘fuck me, Jack!’” “Fuck me, Jack! Oh dear God! Fuck me, Jack! Now!” she cried it out, loudly. He thrust to his own climax seconds later, pumping stream after hot stream of seed into her contracting flesh. Flexing his hips, he drove his cock as deeply as possible into her body. Her muscles drew him further into the dark heat. Over and over, her cunt milked every drop from his balls. A few moments later, as he rested quietly next to her sleeping body, he couldn’t help but smile. He knew that if they were in London, all of the servants certainly would have quite a bit to chatter about the next morning. For a split second, he paused as he realized that he was imagining her in his bed back in his “other life” in London. That was something he had never done before. In all of his previous dealings with women, whether it be a barmaid, serving girl or the hoity-toity ladies of society, Jack never let a woman stray into his normal, daily life. This way he had successfully maintained his pristine bachelor status, in spite of all the matchmaking mamas in London. And whenever things had gotten a little too involved,

he would escape to the sea for several months. When he returned, things were always much calmer, and he had resumed his previous life with fervor. Thinking about how well Lissa felt in his arms, and how easy it was to imagine her in his bed at his London townhouse was dangerous, and he pushed it to the back of mind. That would never happen, he told himself. And now, after this escapade, it could never be allowed to happen. The little pang he’d felt in his chest as he told himself that a life with Lissa could never happen faded slowly. He soon fell asleep listening to her soft breathing in the darkness of the night.

***** Lissa awoke when the sun was high in the sky. She was unsure of where she was for a split second, and then it all came rushing back. She moved on the mussed bed and felt the ache between her thighs. She blushed bright pink as she remembered how easily she had succumbed to his touch, his kiss, or rather his multitude of caresses and innumerable kisses. She had put up no resistance at all, she recalled. Not once had she said “no”. Then she recalled that there had been quite a few “yeses” she had spoken—no, shouted. God, she thought, pushing her long blonde hair back out of her face, he must think I’m a trollop, or a... Inside, she was splintered. How could a lady feel these things? Yes… that was how she felt when Jack touched her. She felt different, freer. Maybe this was wrong and she would pay for it later. But lying in his arms was exactly how she’d thought it might be during those times she let herself imagine her future, with the dashing Lord Fitzpatrick back in London. She had felt like she was lying deep within the soft clouds of Heaven, feeling warm, protected and yet more alive than humanly possible! None of this made sense, of course. Right now, she was a captive in this pirate’s bed. Jack was a lord of the king’s realm. How could this even be happening? Was she still sleeping and all of this a nightmare? Or perhaps it was just the sweetest and most erotic dream she’d ever had in her life. Maybe she was still asleep in her bed in London. Her inherently logical mind told her that there was no need to worry about the future, for now she would just enjoy the way he made her feel, in this dream from Heaven. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. She pulled the covers up to her nose and glanced over. She saw that Jack was dressed in his trousers only and was opening the door. She saw him take a tray from Henry, who kept trying to see around his captain’s body, which quite sufficiently blocked most of Henry’s view. She did hear a giggle as the door closed. It was impossible to stop the flush moving up her neck as she guessed that Henry had most likely seen enough to make for some tasty gossip both above and below deck. As Jack turned from the door, he saw Lissa was awake and sitting up in bed. Barely restraining the smile that had been turning his mouth upwards ever since he’d awakened, he invited her to join him. “Come over and eat breakfast before it cools.”

“I have nothing to wear. My dress was torn when you—” Lissa protested, but stopped when Jack laughed. “It’s warm enough today to join me in your birthday clothes, if you choose.” He laughed louder when she blushed an even brighter pink. But he wasn’t surprised when she pulled the sheet free of the bed and wrapped it toga-style around her naked body. Of course, he hadn’t really thought she would come to his table naked, but the thought, and the subsequent images that followed that thought, did indeed make him grin even more. By the way she made the “hmmpff”ing noise and glared, he imagined his smug feeling was quite apparent this morning. He watched as Lissa deliberated between her pride and hunger for about five seconds. Then she dove into the food ravenously. Jack leaned back and watched her in silence as she proceeded to devour all the food on her plate and then go looking for more. “With an appetite like that, milady, we’ll have to find some exercise or other way to work it off!” “What a rude and ungentlemanly thing to say! How dare you even suggest that I am eating too much?” Lissa glared, even as she took another bite of food. Jack grinned, liking the affronted stiffness in her back, especially since she had forgotten the precariousness of her garment. The sheet was slipping, and he had a lovely view of the tops of her breasts. “I don’t believe that is what I said, milady. I merely feel that you will need more activities, such as we did last night, to prevent your belly and hips from swelling while on board.” “Oh!” Her surprised gasp told him she finally understood his meaning. She tilted her nose autocratically in the air, though, and continued eating. If she hadn’t been so hungry, he had little doubt that she would be throwing her food at him. When her gaze strayed and then lingered on the food on his plate, he pushed it toward her. Jack watched as the very lady-like Lissa Stilton reached across the table and grabbed up his remaining ham and the last piece of bread. Quickly he took a sip of the hot coffee, hiding his smile, which he was damned sure would only serve to irritate her. Pausing, he looked at the delicate china that was used for his table. Lissa was rather like the fragile, expensive porcelain. Both had been made for a life far from what he led aboard this ship. He knew she would never have behaved in such a fashion in London. There was no doubt in his mind that Lady Lissa Stilton was a perfectly bred lady, fit to mingle in the finest and most noble of England’s households. After all, that was precisely where he had first met her—some high-fallutin’ ball for another debutante. But aboard his ship, she would find there was no place for such a delicate piece of porcelain, except on his table. Lissa had barely finished eating when there was another knock on the door. She watched in surprise as Henry entered the suite, directing two other sailors to begin hauling in the hot water for the “cap’n’s tub”. In amazement, she saw them pull a white porcelain tub from behind a screen and begin filling it with steaming hot water. As soon as the men were finished and the door closed behind them, Jack suggested rather loudly, “Let’s go ahead and take our bath.”

Immediately the men who had just left could be heard laughing and cackling together as the door finished closing. Lissa felt her face grow hot hearing the pirates laugh. No doubt they had overheard their captain’s suggestion and would be telling the whole crew. She was still feeling disgraced over her behavior last night. “I shall do so, sir, as soon as you have left the room.” In her chilliest tone, tilting her chin imperiously as she did. Perhaps if she acted the lady he would treat her as one. His laughter caused her flush to go from pink to red. Then he added softly, raising just his left eyebrow, “I’ll have none of that nonsense. From now on we will bathe together, unless I decide that you should bathe me.” And with that, he pulled the sheet from her naked body. Lissa tried in vain to conceal herself, but finally dropped her hands. Jack let his eyes travel over her nude body. Her long hair was flipped back behind her shoulders, which were a beautiful pale white from lack of exposure to the sun, unlike his own sun-bronzed body. His gaze drifted down to linger on her very full, impressive bosom. Her breasts were more magnificent than he had imagined, and he certainly had given them a great deal of thought while he was back in London. Several times, as he had held her close during a waltz, his eyes had savored the impressive display her gowns often gave of her tempting bosom. Looking at her now, he remembered how they felt, cupped in his hands last night. Slowly, he let his eyes move down over her softly rounded belly to her womanhood below. He smiled as he looked at her pussy fur. He would indeed deal with that after their bath. He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her over to the bath. Without further argument, he simply picked her up and set her down in the tub. She slid quickly below the water line, so that just her head was above the water and stared. He handed her the soap and then proceeded to unbutton his trousers and drop them. Lissa’s face flushed hotly, both from embarrassment and from the heated water. She had not seen him naked last night, and he was quite magnificently built. She and Albert’ s younger sister had found a book hidden in Uncle Rodney’s library a long time ago, and they had looked their fill at the naked bodies of the man and woman shown in his anatomy book. Yes, indeed, Jack was a good deal more endowed than the drawing in the book. Nervously she blew a puff of air upward to cool her face and knock the errant curls on her forehead out of the way. She scooted forward in the tub as Jack moved to sit at the rear of the tub. The water sloshed back and forth as he settled behind her. She didn’t know what to expect, but was very surprised when his hands lightly touched her shoulders and eased her backward to rest between his spread thighs and against his broad chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her quietly in the tub. Slowly, listening to his heartbeat behind her, feeling his skin against her own in the hot water, something happened to her. She changed. Or maybe it had happened last night, or maybe it had been yesterday on deck, or perhaps it had really started back in London. But she had fallen in love with this man. His gentle touch, his passionate embraces and his soul-searching kisses were more than she could handle. She knew she could call herself all kinds of names for falling into his arms so easily, but she also knew

she couldn’t deny that she was now in love with a pirate. She had no idea how long they sat like that, so quiet, so peaceful. She wished that time might stop, and the rest of the world disappear and leave just the two of them. And then she heard Jack speaking to her quietly, “Scoot forward a little, Lissa, and then lean your head back. I’ll wash your hair for you.” Lissa did as he suggested, or commanded. She leaned down and half-dunked her head into the water. Rising back up, the hair was slicked back from her face. As she waited nervously, she became aware that a sweet scent was filling the air. That was when she realized that he had scented soap. A few seconds later, she felt his strong fingers massaging her scalp, working up lather in the long soft hair. When his hands were completely covered in lather, he lowered them and cupped her full breasts. “It smells nice, doesn’t it?” he asked casually, completely at odds with the current situation. Lissa moaned and leaned backward, thrusting her sensitive breasts more fully into his hands. He responded by squeezing her flesh and caressing her softly. Pressing back against Jack, she gasped when one of his hands slid down over her belly and began touching her pussy. She squirmed at his touch and started to rub back and forth against his chest, when abruptly his hands went to her shoulders and ducked her head below the water. Lissa came up gasping, her hair streaming water everywhere, and actually managed to spin around in the tub to face a grinning and laughing Jack. She sputtered, wiping the water from her eyes. Jack handed her a small towel, which she accepted with a glare. But all he did was duck his own head quickly, scrape the wet hair off his face and then pull her forward in the bath, wrapping her legs over his and around his waist. “Now, you may wash my hair, maidservant!” Silence followed his words. She was still shocked and recovering from her dunking. Washing his hair had been the last thing he wanted to do, when he first considered this little adventure in the tub. But suddenly he had been feeling more than just lust and arousal. Other emotions like warmth and tenderness had begun to well up inside him. Never before had he felt so relaxed and at ease with any woman, save as a young child with his mother. And he was no fool. Such emotions led to commitment and marriage and that was not what he wanted! Hell no! Then he had dunked her to show her he was not in the least bit tender. Now he waited, watching her glaring face, wondering what she would do. He wasn’t altogether surprised when she raised her hands, took the soap from him and proceeded to wash his hair. He couldn’t resist the bouncing breasts in front of him, and went out of his way to make her task even more difficult and time-consuming by playing with her taut nipples. Before she could seek retribution, though, he ducked his own head beneath the water. When he rose back up, he reminded her that she wasn’t finished. It was her turn to wash him, just as he had done for her. He watched the stunned look on her face. He knew he was pushing her, but he also wanted her to realize that here she was not a “lady” nor was he a “lord”. She belonged to him now, and he wanted her to learn what that would mean. And he wanted to feel her hands upon his body. After a few minutes of silence, her inner struggle with her upbringing and independent nature apparent on her face, Lissa picked up the soap and

rubbed it in her hands to work up some lather. He sighed, to his own surprise, when her small, soft hands began washing his hard, muscular chest. When she came to his nipples, which had beaded up in desire the instant she had touched him, she played with them, just as he had done with hers. Good God, Jack thought to himself, the minx was a siren in disguise. When he lifted one arm after a few moments, she washed him there and then on the other side as well. She reached for the soap and moving her hands down into the water, she continued to wash him. There was a pause in her touch as she neared his lower abdomen, and then her own passion seemed to take over. Her hands eagerly explored him. When she cupped his hot, heavy manhood in her small hands, it was his turn to gasp. She quickly learned that he was just as susceptible to her touch as she was to his. When she cupped his sac and massaged it gently, then more firmly, it was his turn to groan out loud in the quiet of the room. Finally, when he thought he could stand it no longer, he pushed her hands away from his body. He reached over and grabbed a bucket of water then stood quickly and doused himself with the cooler water. When he motioned for her to stand, Lissa did so, but she gasped as the water washed down over her head and body. Jack lifted her from the tub after wrapping a towel at his waist. He lightly toweled her long hair, and then rubbed the towel over her arms and legs. “Go lie down on the bed, on your back.” His words sent shivers up and down her spine. She was both nervous and thrilled. She frowned, but still did as he asked, with her hair wrapped in the towel to protect the bed. As she waited, she argued silently that she could have objected. She didn’t have to obey all his orders, or suggestions. There was no reason she couldn’t stand up for herself. Still, just what she’d be refusing might not be unpleasant. In fact, most of the things had been pretty darned pleasant since her capture. Quickly she bit her lower lip to keep from smiling. Some of the activities had been downright delicious! A few minutes later, Jack put a few things on the table he pulled next to the bed, and then told her to spread her thighs. Lissa stared for several long moments, but finally did so. To her total amazement, Jack picked up a small pair of scissors, and proceeded to start snipping away little tufts of her pubic hair. She lifted up on her elbows to see what he was doing and then look at him. “Wait! What are you doing? You can’t be cutting my-my… uhm private hair!” Jack laughed. “Call it your pussy fur, my sweet, or pubic hair.” He paused and curved his hand boldly over her mound. Lissa felt her heart stop for a moment. The heat of his hand, the way it curved so perfectly to fit her body was a heady experience. She gasped at the passionate response that rose up inside and knew she should voice a protest. Jack continued speaking, “This belongs to me, just like you do. This is your pretty little pussy, which belongs to me. I choose when and where to use it, how to style its hair and how to dress it! Now, lay back down!” She did so with a good deal of trepidation and embarrassment. His unexpected dunking in the bath followed by his orders then and now, was making her question whether she had been feeling love. On top of that, she kept echoing his words in her

mind as she heard the repetitive snick snick of the scissors. This belongs to me, he had told her. Lissa told herself that she should be objecting to being talked to in such a manner, let alone being treated like a slave. She was a free Englishwoman, and as such had rights. Still she couldn’t deny the sexy warm feelings curling around inside her belly, making her feel all weak. With his hand curved to her body, so blatantly bold and demanding, she had felt like a kitten, all soft and gooey, wanting to purr and curl into his petting touch. The continued snipping caught her attention. After a few more snips, she felt him rub his fingers over her shorn pussy fur. As she squirmed and shivered, she was reminded of the times she’d pet one of the dogs in the opposite direction to which its fur grew. That’s what it reminded of, except that she felt a deep emptiness inside of her. No longer could she deny what that was—she wanted—no, she needed his cock buried inside her body once more. God! When would she have enough of this? Jack laughed softly when she squirmed at the sensation that evoked. “Before long, my sweet, you will be doing this for me.” He laughed when she looked at him. She wondered if he could see how affected she was by his touch. Did he know what she was feeling or wanting? Did he feel like this at all? Or was this all commonplace to him? Had living as a pirate led him to lead a completely dissolute life out here at sea? Was she just one in a long line of women that have slept in his bed and shared that bathtub? The sound of porcelain against porcelain caught her attention. And then he surprised her even more by beginning to make lather in a small cup. He told her to lie back again, but she just had to watch. She gasped when he smeared some of the lather over her lower abdomen and mound, and finally her pouting outer lips. When he picked up the straight-edged razor, he whispered to her softly, “Lie back and relax.” The first scrape of that razor over her virgin skin made a very loud, rasping sound in the silent room. He wiped away the lather from the sharp blade and made another swipe. He continued on, working slowly, diligently, giving her his full attention. When he was finally done, he used his fingers, dipping them in water, to remove any remaining lather. Lissa couldn’t help but shiver at his touch as his fingers explored her newly shaven skin, finding nerve endings she had never known existed before. She moaned softly as he continued to investigate every inch of skin for any strays he might have missed. For a moment she considered telling him that it was okay, she was sure he had not missed a single hair. She didn’t though. No. She lay back on the bed and savored the touch of his fantastic fingers roving all over her pussy. Biting her lip, she wondered fleetingly if Jack had ever played the piano. Lissa felt the mattress shift as Jack moved his shaving items off the bed. She fought the desire to open her eyes, even when he sat close enough for her to feel his body heat seeping into hers. But when his fingers once again began touching her soft, hairless lips, she gasped and her eyelids flew open. He had found her wetness by dipping a finger inside. Her lips parted to say something… to refuse him, or deny— The look on Jack’s face spoke volumes. He looked immensely pleased with himself,

and all the while his fingers continued to tease across her pussy lips. When his fingers slipped inside her fleshy hood, Lissa lifted her hips to open herself to him more fully. Jack wiggled his extra slippery index finger around and over her clit. He spoke to her softly, his voice low and a little hoarse. “Get ready, my sweet. This is just the beginning.” Jack started sliding down her body, moving between her still widespread thighs. He kissed her lower abdomen and then moved lower. And when he tenderly kissed her outer pussy lips, and then began insinuating his tongue even deeper— Well, there was no way that Lissa could stop the cries of delight that escaped her lips. “Oh my God! Yes-yes! Jack, please take me now!”

***** Albert was being allowed to walk the deck to stretch his legs twice a day. He had not yet seen the captain of this pirate ship since their capture, but he planned on demanding that he see him today. He was on deck when a woman’s obvious cries of delight were coming through the open windows of the captain’s cabin, which was directly below the area Albert had been designated to walk in. It wasn’t the first time that he had heard such noise since entering the ship, but each time he grew angrier and angrier. He didn’t fault Lissa. He had feared the worst for her when the captain had staked so obvious a claim yesterday. He had wondered many times during the long night whether it wouldn’t have been better to take their chances. Perhaps then she would have been accorded the dignity that was her right, while they waited for her father to pay whatever ransom the pirates would demand. He had already decided that no matter what happened, once they reached her home, he would propose marriage to her, no matter what his father might say. He would protect her honor, and no one need ever know what had transpired aboard this dastardly ship in the middle of the high seas. Time passed as one of pirate’s men prodded him to keep walking. That’s what he was up here for, exercise, and they were making sure that he kept moving. He had just taken another angry turn about the deck when he saw the back of a dark-haired man. He recognized him instantly, even though he had not seen the man’s face yesterday. Without thinking about the consequences, or of himself, he shouted across the open deck and charged the other men, fists raised. “You bloody bastard!” Jack turned just a few seconds before Albert reached him. But his loyal men had already stopped the other man in his tracks. Jack saw the color drain from Albert’s already pale-skinned face, and then the younger man flushed brightly with anger. Before Albert could rant anymore at him, he shouted an order to his men, “Gag the prisoner before his foul cries disturb my lady! Take him back to his cabin and leave him tied up this time.” As Albert was held with a kerchief stuffed in his mouth, Jack added another command. “Check on the old woman and make sure that she has everything she needs. Tell Henry to take care of the Lady Tusselbaum.” He watched in silence as the other man was taken below deck, now bound, both

hands and mouth. He must go and speak to Albert quickly. The last thing anyone needed at this point was for the young man to reveal the truth. He also knew that he would need to concoct a story to explain the other man’s anger. He knew his men wouldn’t swallow such anger at just being kidnapped. No, the other man’s attack had obvious overtones of jealousy. And that was what he must nip in the bud, and quickly. Jack could hear nothing as he stood outside Albert’s cabin door. He had dismissed the pirate who had been standing guard, telling him to take a break. The other man did so, happy to get away from the ranting little bandy rooster, as they had deemed him below decks. Jack turned the key and entered the room quietly. He locked the door from the inside, putting the key in his pocket. He saw that Albert was glaring at him from behind his gag, seated and tied to a chair at the table. Slowly Jack slid from its sheath a very large, quite deadly looking dagger. He walked over and sat across from Albert. He lowered the dagger to the table between them. “Before I cut you free, Albert, I need your promise, as the gentleman that I know you to be, that you will not raise your voice. I don’t want anyone to hear our conversation. And I warn you, I won’t hesitate to knock you out should you change your mind.” Albert glared at Lord John Fitzpatrick angrily for over a minute, and then he finally nodded. Knowing the identity of the pirate who had so obviously claimed Lissa had only made him more enraged. And not just because the pirate was really a nobleman, let alone someone who had known who they were before he had captured them, and subsequently had claimed Lissa. No, indeed. His anger and fear were because if her father learned of who her captor really was, he would demand that Lord Fitzpatrick, future Duke of Carlton, marry his daughter. He watched as the other man moved over toward him and released the gag in his mouth. When Lord Fitzpatrick went to sit back down, Albert said angrily, “What about my hands?” Jack seated himself again. “In a minute, Albert. I want to make sure that you keep your word first.” Albert scoffed at the older man. “Look who is talking about keeping their word? You, a lord of the realm, are really a bloody damned pirate.” Seeing how the older man smiled instead of being insulted, as he had intended with his words, Albert grew angrier. Damn! The man was obviously not a gentleman. When Lord Fitzpatrick nodded quite calmly, he became more irritated and irate. Jack shrugged, sitting easily on the other chair. “Out here I am a pirate first. I have the complete loyalty of my men, and I want it to stay that way. Now, keep your voice down!” Albert nodded. Jack continued, “I am sure you will not agree with me, but there is very little I could do, seeing as how Lissa decided to pose as the maid.” “What the devil do you mean? I thought that would be the safest thing to do. I figured the pirates would release the maidservant.” “Ah, so that explains it. I didn’t think that stupid idea was hers.” Albert struggled against the ropes that held his wrists bound to his chair. “Hey! It wasn’t a bad idea. Any real pirate would have fallen for it!”

Jack shook his head, and Albert felt his anger grow. The pirate spoke to him quietly. “Now, be quiet and listen to me. Since Lissa did pose as the servant, I had little option other than to expose her for her true self, which would have raised numerous questions among my men. And it would have made ransoming her much more a reality and a difficulty. And as you saw for yourself, if I had not claimed her for myself, my men would have been quite delighted to do so.” Albert said nothing as Jack paused. He wanted to deny the truth of what the other man was saying. But he felt that even though the pirates might have learned Lissa’s true identity, it might not have automatically led her to a “fate worse than death” at their hands, instead of their captain’s. Jack watched the obvious emotions chasing one another across the younger man’s expressive face. “All right, we now have another problem to deal with, thanks to your ridiculous fit of temper. I have to explain your quite obviously jealous outburst on deck just now. It may not make much sense to my men why you reacted so angrily over your dear aunt’s servant.” Albert continued to sit in silence, appearing stumped over that one. Jack rose and moved around and cut the ropes that were binding the other man’s hands. As he sat back down, Albert rubbed his wrists. The red marks were quite bright against his paler skin. “I think the best way to handle this, Albert, is that I shall let it drop to Henry, who serves me in my cabin, that you had had your eye on the wench yourself. And therefore you were quite angry at having been ‘done out of your prize’ by a damned pirate. I think that should satisfy the curiosity that might arise.” Jack stood and turned to leave. “But what are you going to do with us?” Albert asked hurriedly. “We will reach the outer islands some time tomorrow. If things look quiet around Mustique, we will put you and the ‘Lady Tusselbaum’ down there. Usually one of the governor’s stewards visits the island every couple of months.” Albert grabbed his arm. “But what about Lissa? Aren’t you going to let her off with us as well? That is the gentlemanly thing to do.” Jack looked into the other man’s eyes. Something inside him bristled at having this jackanapes lecture him on being a gentleman! He knew he could lie to him and then at the last minute just have the boat leave for shore with only the two of them on it. But he was still a gentleman, in spite of his current garb. “No. Lissa will be staying on board for awhile longer.” Jack had reached the door when Albert again stopped him. “How much longer, Fitzpatrick?” “On board this ship, you will refer to me as Captain, or Black Jack, or even ‘damn you.’ And as to how much longer—” he paused, looking back into the room at the man who obviously had more than cousinly feelings for his cousin. “She will stay until I am bored with her, which is what my men will expect.” Jack shut and locked the door behind him.

Chapter Three Lissa turned expectantly as she heard the door unlock. She was surprised when Henry and another man entered carrying her trunk. She didn’t say anything, but as soon as the door had closed behind them she hurried over to open the chest, looking for something to change into. She had just slipped on a very fine white lawn chemise, when the door opened again. She gasped, grabbing several gowns to hold in front of her thinly veiled body, and then she saw that it was Jack who was coming into the room. He smiled when he saw her. “I told my men that I was appropriating the old lady’s belongings for you. We will just explain the excellent fit by saying that you worked as a seamstress before you had joined Lady Tusselbaum.” He moved over to his desk and seated himself in the very comfortable chair there. He watched as Lissa finally dropped the gowns. Slowly, she was becoming more used to him. He was glad to see that. He also couldn’t help but notice the way the fine, soft material molded itself to her firm breasts, jutting out in front, and her nipples taut from the air of the room. Evening was approaching, and it was a bit cooler tonight. He noticed that Lissa liked keeping the windows open as much as possible, which was something he enjoyed as well. He liked to smell the ocean air and feel the air circulate through his cabin. After a short time, he became aware that Lissa went back to fidgeting with the gowns before finally dropping them all and turning to look at Jack. She put her hands on her hips. From the look on her face, she had decided something while he was gone and was prepared to make a stand. “I insist on being allowed to see my cousin Albert and Hannah as soon as possible.” Jack enjoyed the way her breasts pushed even farther out in front as she then crossed her arms in front of herself when he didn’t reply right away. He smiled at the way it mounded up her breasts and had them nearly spilling out over the top of the chemise. “Come over here, Lissa,” he finally said. When she just glared at him, he added, “Now!” Lissa walked over slowly. From her defiant look and the tilt of her chin, Jack guessed that she was taking her time so it wouldn’t appear as if she was obeying him. He hid a grin as she sauntered towards him. When she got close enough, he tugged at her hand and pulled her down into his lap. She struggled to get up, but he held her firmly in place, half-lying across his hard thighs. She finally stopped. It was apparent she had realized the futility of her efforts. She crossed her arms, though, and tried to pull back from his chest. But with her arms crossed, she just slid right back against him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her frown, but she soon realized that he wasn’t looking at her. Or rather, he wasn’t looking at her face. Instead his gaze was glued to her breasts, which were nearly popping out of her chemise. Lissa gasped in embarrassment and lowered her arms. But when she tried to raise her hands to cover herself, he held them down, just shaking his head.

Finally, she relaxed completely, and with a little prodding from Jack she leaned her head down on his shoulder. His hand soon came up and was busy undoing the buttons down the front of the chemise. As soon as the top three were undone, he slid his hand inside to cup and massage her firm breast in his hand. Lissa’s sigh was loud in the quiet room. From the look on her face and the restless movement of her body, it was easy to gauge her level of arousal. She moved to push her breast more fully into his hand. He toyed with her nipple, teasing her, tugging gently on the taut nubbin, and then rubbing it softly. Each touch appeared to only arouse her more. Jack watched the emotions play across her face while he molded and caressed her super-sensitive breasts. He guessed that she was most likely battling societal constraints in her head, telling her what a lady would or would not be doing in a situation like this. He did wonder if this was part of his attraction to her. But out here, she didn’t act like the prim and proper English lady he was used to meeting in London. Nor did she resemble the rougher women who frequented wharf-side taverns and bars. Jack slid his hand down her stomach and pulled the soft material up and out of his way. He smiled when he saw that she wasn’t wearing any kind of undergarments beneath the chemise. She eagerly parted her thighs for him at his first touch. He caressed her shaven mound, then slid deeper to stroke her lips, and finally he found her very sensitive clit. He flicked it lightly, delighting in her quick, uncontrolled responsiveness to his touch. When she cried out this time, he made no effort to quiet her cries with his mouth. He didn’t care who heard them. He eased one finger inside her pussy as her wetness soaked over his fingers. He soon began to stretch her, and then began a stroking motion, while he also continued to touch and drive her crazy with teasing flicks to her clit. She moaned softly into the silent room as she exploded passionately around his fingers. She lay exhausted in his arms, breathing heavily and erratically. He kissed her forehead lightly, and finally withdrew his fingers from within her womanly flesh. He carried her over to his bed, settled her into its softness and pulled up the covers. He was hard as a rock from listening to her arousal and then her climax, but he wanted to awaken her to her passionate nature first. Once she stopped resisting him and eagerly sought pleasure, then there would be more sharing of their pleasures in the near future. He left her alone in his stateroom.

***** Lissa was finally on deck, for the first time in three days. She strolled along the deck directly above Jack’s quarters. She had just spent about thirty minutes talking with Albert and Hannah, which had been a rather unpleasant experience altogether. Practically the very first thing Albert had said was that she must become secretly engaged to him before he and Hannah were put ashore. That way he could more easily protect her name. He insisted that they tell Jack, also. He thought that would help protect her. Perhaps then, he had said, the man would remember he was a gentleman of the king’s realm and begin to act like one. Meanwhile, all Hannah did was cry and talk about how terrible this whole episode

was, and how horrible it would have been for her mother. “It’s just awful, milady! Such terrible men… and the language they use. Thank the Lord your mother has not been forced to endure this with us… I mean you, milady.” Lissa did not waste her time explaining that her mother was far beyond such earthly worries. She just patted the older woman’s hand. “I understand that this is a taxing ordeal for us all, dear Hannah. Please just be strong for a little while longer, and I’m sure things will work out.” “Perhaps, milady, but there is this disgusting pirate who keeps coming to my cabin on ridiculous excuses. He says terrible and wretched things… perhaps he doesn’t believe that I am truly Lady Tusselbaum?” Lissa shook her head. No doubt Henry was the sailor bedeviling her maid. Somehow she didn’t think Hannah would appreciate his attention as a compliment, so she chose to just nod and listen to Albert rant and rave about Jack’s ungentlemanly behavior. He never said what behavior he was so upset about, but Lissa was sure that she knew to what he was referring. A short time later, Henry told her it was time for her to go on deck. He said he needed to do some cleaning of the captain’s quarters, and she would be better off above topside. So Lissa had been escorted to the deck. She walked for a bit, until Jack joined her. Jack knew all of his men had one eye on their job, and the other on the captain and his fair captive. They didn’t talk much, just enjoyed the fresh air, the sea spray every now and then in their faces, and the warmth of the sun. They could hear Henry singing from below deck. A rather salty ditty, but it was a fact that he wasn’t singing all that loud, and he could still be heard clearly. The realization hit Lissa in that same moment. If Henry could be heard so easily, then she must have also been easily heard when she… She blushed brightly and Jack pulled her into his arms, laughing softly. “Don’t worry, my sweet. You have no need to be embarrassed. My men expected to hear such noises coming from my quarters. They would have suspected something if they had not heard anything.” She stayed silent, but eventually a pang of jealousy shot through her. The only way his men would expect to hear a woman’s cries in their captain’s cabin was if this was not the first time. It is ridiculous, she argued silently, but the feeling still unnerved her. Standing beside Jack on the deck of his ship—or even below in his cabin making love—she felt wild, passionate and free. She felt like she had as a child when she would go sailing with her father and the wind would whip the sails of the boat wildly, and her hair would get all tangled from the wind and the sea water. Yes… that was how she felt when Jack touched her. She felt different, freer. Maybe this was wrong and she would pay for it later. Being in his arms was like Heaven! She would worry about the future later; for now, she would just enjoy the way he made her feel. Still she was embarrassed in spite of the warm feelings. She didn’t feel comfortable knowing Jack’s men had easily heard her cries of ecstasy each time that Jack made love to her. As she stood beside him on the deck, the wind and ocean spray in their faces, Lissa questioned whether she truly was mortified. In the quiet moments, she was beginning to admit that she’d never been happier since she was a child, with her mother and father back on her island home.

Now she was a woman, and certainly older than any of the other young women who ’d been making their debut into London society. It had not taken her long to realize she had little in common with most of the simpering misses. Lissa longed to be busy once again, filling her days with useful activities and falling into her bed at night, exhausted and sleeping deeply. To a lady in London, hard work was unheard of, except for their servants. Jack’s kiss against her forehead drew her attention back to him. He was smiling down at her. “If it will make you feel better, my sweet, we can close the windows the next time we decide to get naughty during the afternoon.”

***** Lissa watched from the deck as the smaller boat was rowed to the shore of the island of Mustique. She had visited the island a few times with her father when she was a young child, but she didn’t really remember all that much about it. Even at the last minute, Albert had insisted on her taking his signet ring as a sign of their secret betrothal. He had even gone so far as to tell Jack that he was betrothed to Lissa now, and that he expected the other man to behave as a gentleman toward her. At least, Jack had not laughed in his face. Jack expressed his doubts to her, though, that Lissa could possibly have agreed to such a foolhardy plan, and then he had gone on to ask her if she knew about Albert’s announcement. She had shaken her head, and told him that Albert seemed set on the idea, and nothing she had said would dissuade him, so she had finally stopped discussing it. Lissa turned as Jack came to stand next to her. Hannah was still waving from the small boat. Albert was just staring morosely back at Lissa from the ever-widening distance. When Jack put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, Lissa curled into his embrace. It felt right and natural. “Don’t worry, my love,” she heard him whisper, for her ears alone. “They will be fine. They have money, I made sure of that. They’ll be left with plenty of food and provisions. It won’t be long before a ship comes to shore and will take them to your father.” Lissa nodded silently. She wasn’t really worried about herself any longer. She knew that Jack would protect her with his life. In spite of his pirate bravado, she could feel it in his touches, hear it in his words and just sense it. And she knew that Albert and Hannah would be safe on Mustique, and then with her father. She did worry about the muddle Albert could make, though, if he didn’t keep his mouth shut. She remembered the trouble he had caused when they were growing up. Jack finally turned her and told his men they would be below deck, in his cabin, until the boat returned. Upon entering the cabin, he pulled Lissa into his arms. He kissed her passionately, deeply. His tongue teased and caressed hers. Without pause, his hands came up and he eagerly squeezed and caressed her firm, full breasts. He made quick work of the fastenings and soon had the gown pulled to her waist. Eagerly his head lowered to suckle one breast while he played with the taut nipple of the other. When he had suckled the one nipple to hard, pointed perfection, he began to suck the other. He

praised her breasts, her nipples. He told her how beautiful she was. When he told her that he wanted her so much, and he had never had as much pleasure in his life, Lissa caught her breath painfully. Jack lowered her to the bed, lifting her skirts. His hand wasted no time moving between her thighs and found her wetness already forming on her freshly shaven pussy lips. He had shaved her bright and early this morning. He remembered how she had giggled during this shave, beginning to relax during these intimate activities. He had disclosed his future plans of having her learn how to shave him soon, so they could enjoy the mutual pleasure and passion. He fingered her clit lightly. “God! Lissa! I need you, my love,” he told her roughly, his voice breaking up slightly. “I need to be inside you, now!” She lifted her hips to match his erotic rhythm, and her hands caressed his hard chest, pressing his shirt farther open. She moved her head to lick and nip at one of his nipples, and then she started fingering and pulling at them when he shivered in response. He continued thrusting to meet her hips, rising from the bed. He changed his touch upon her clit, causing her to spasm around him in climax. He followed her shortly after that, settling down to fall asleep with his head pillowed on her breasts.

***** Hearing a noise, Jack awoke a short time later, thinking his men were returning to the ship. He moved slightly, and became aware very quickly that Lissa was no longer sleeping next to him. Instead she had pushed the covers off and was lying down by his naked hips. She had removed her own clothes and managed to remove his also. Now she was tenderly, and very curiously, moving her soft hand over his lower abdomen, and then down to touch his rapidly hardening shaft. His breath caught in his chest as her hand continued to explore his body, touching lightly, stroking. When she cupped his sac and lightly squeezed his balls, Jack groaned loudly as he reached down and pulled her back up. If he didn’t stop her soon, he was afraid he might embarrass himself. Her touch had been incredibly arousing and erotic, much more so than he would have thought possible. He pulled her atop his chest and kissed her eagerly. She smiled and kissed him back, her eagerness blatantly apparent. But when she started to ease back down his body, he grabbed her arms and flipped her onto her back. He moved easily between her thighs, and soon had them both climaxing out of control.

***** The days drifted by, one after another. Lissa would walk on deck almost every morning and evening with Jack. In the afternoons, if the heat got to be too much, Jack would find a deserted beach and row them to shore. He and Lissa had picnics on the white sand, and more often than not, they would strip off their clothes and enjoy a frolic in the ocean. That “more often than not” would lead to other interesting activities back on the blanket. Lissa blotted out all thoughts of the future. She was very comfortable

living this “free” lifestyle with Jack. She hoped her family now knew she was okay and unharmed. She had to trust that her cousin would not betray the confidence of who her captor really was. Still, sometimes when she was all alone, she couldn’t help but wonder what might have happened if they could have courted, and perhaps had a chance for a real future together. Maybe they would have gotten engaged, and gone to parties together. She knew there would be no chance of that now. Somehow, she knew Jack would get her back home safely, and yet her life would never be the same again. How could it be? She had fallen hopelessly in love with her sea captain. Some moments, when the ship was quiet and still late at night or at the crack of dawn, she’d awaken and know that she needed to ask Jack what would have happened. Would he have courted her? Had he felt the same things she had during the short times they had spent together in London? It seemed like another lifetime now… almost as if it had happened to a different girl. That was the difference. Now she was a woman, with a woman’s wants and needs. She needed Jack, desperately at times. She feared that he didn’t need her though. He wanted and lusted after her body… but wouldn’t another woman do just as well? One morning, several months into their idyllic journey, she suddenly awoke so sick to her stomach she barely made it to the chamber pot. Jack must have heard her, because he moved over to where she had hurriedly crouched to retch violently. He held her hair back out of the way for her, wrapping his arm around her to steady her. Finally, several long moments later, she stopped. Jack lifted her limp body and carried her back to the bed, pulling the covers over her. He smoothed her hair off her damp forehead. Telling her not to move, he left to have some hot tea and dry biscuits brought for her. Lissa moaned that was the last thing she wanted, but he insisted she at least try. It continued like that for the next several days, and Jack listened as Lissa kept blaming it on bad food. Jack just held her, and smoothed her hair back while she vomited. Then he would help her back to bed, encouraging her to continue eating. Once she was settled in bed and drifting back to sleep, he would post someone outside the door to come and get him if she made any noise. He then went on deck and spent at least an hour just walking back and forth, mulling over his thoughts, and wondering how the hell he was going to get out of this “misadventure”. What had started as one thing was rapidly turning into a threat to his freedom, and a bigger threat to Lissa’s future in the ton.

***** Jack had known many women who were not pure as the driven snow when they arrived at the marriage bed, so he had not let that weigh on his mind after taking Lissa to his own bed. He acknowledged that with her beauty and her father’s vast fortune, she would very easily find a husband more than willing to overlook a little premarital adventure. But now he was sure she was pregnant with a child. His child. He had seen several of his sisters react this same way when they became pregnant, and he had listened to the stories their husbands had shared over port sometimes. He had not corrected Lissa when she kept talking about seasickness. He was sure that she

was unaware of her condition, for she wasn’t the type to lie to hide something. But he was at a loss at this point to know how to solve their “growing” dilemma. It was after one of these disquieting self-reflective walks while Lissa slept that Jack finally went back down to the cabin. He entered the cabin, looking over at the bed, expecting to see Lissa still asleep. He was surprised to see an empty bed. No sooner had he closed the door than two small hands covered his eyes from behind. He could feel Lissa’s full, round breasts pressing firmly against his back. She leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his neck. He started to laugh, which died in his throat as he felt Lissa’s tongue come out and lick his neck and then nip it lightly with her teeth. Instantly, he was rock-hard. He tried to turn around, but she told him no. Lissa whispered to him softly, “Close your eyes.” Jack did as she requested and then let her slip a blindfold of some kind over his eyes. She then told him that she was going to lead him where he needed to go. Jack laughed softly, becoming almost impossibly aroused, wondering just what his little sea witch had in mind for him. Lissa led him over to the edge of the bed and pushed his chest until he sat down. She then unbuttoned and removed his shirt. Next, she kneeled at his feet and removed his boots and socks. She told him to stand for a moment, and then he felt her soft, light touch unfastening his pants. He hoped he didn’t embarrass himself from her erotic touch. How manly would it look for him to spurt after her barest of touches? Lissa pulled his pants down, easing it past his hard cock, which instantly sprang up for more attention. He stepped out of the pants as she urged him with her soft, whispered words. Blinded, he felt as she took his hand and told him to walk forward and follow her. Lissa told him, almost whispering to him, “Lift your foot,” and he felt her hand as she guided it over the edge of what he quickly realized was the tub’s rim. He felt the hot water’s steam and realized what she was doing. Once again, he laughed silently, this woman was surprising him. At her directions, he eased down to sit in the tub. He sensed her and raised one hand. He found her breast, concealed by the light cotton of her chemise. He squeezed the full, round globe eagerly, but she lightly slapped his hand. “No touching, yet,” was all Lissa said. Lissa slipped off her chemise, deciding it was only going to get soaked. Kneeling next to the tub, she took the soap in her hands. As she wet the soap and worked up a mound of lather, Lissa became aware that she was becoming aroused. Even though Jack had not touched her other than the brief feel he’d snuck in, her pussy felt full, sensitive and wet. Her hips hunched forward, seeking… to distract herself she leaned over and lightly licked Jack’s closest nipple. He jerked in the tub, causing some water to splash onto the floor. Lissa laughed and then began soaping up his broad chest. Over and over, her hand moved across his skin. She lifted each arm and washed his armpit, pausing to lightly tug his hair under one arm, and tickled him under the other. His hand came up and cupped her breast again. “Ah-ha! Bare bosom, hard nipple...” It became obvious that Jack noted she had removed her chemise because he pointed it out with a big grin on his face. “I think the lady would rather be in the tub!” Lissa let his hand stay for several moments. His wet hand on her dry breast was a nice sensation. Her nipple was already hard and it rubbed and rolled under his palm

with the slightest movement. Finally she moved back and lightly slapped his hand. “No touching the servant girl, sir.” “I thought it was whatever the Master wants, the Master gets.” “Master? Are you my Master? What does that make me, your slave girl?” She began caressing his nipples, flicking them with her fingers, pausing and pinching the farthest nipple. A groan broke from Jack’s throat as she continued to bathe and torment him. “We could have a lot of fun playing the Arabian sheik and harem girl.” Lissa watched Jack’s lower his face, his eyes still concealed beneath the cloth. He was smiling and she knew more than ever she was in love with him. She would be happy to stay here every day the rest of her life, so long as she could let her father know she was safe and happy. “How would we play that game, Master?” she asked him softly. “Ahh, I’m glad you asked,” Jack started to answer. Lissa finally moved her hand down, this time holding the soap, to his lower abdomen. She moved the soap over his skin for a few seconds, and then she dropped it and began lightly moving her fingertips over his cock. She surrounded his hardness with her hand, stroking, caressing, back and forth. His moans were like sweet music to her ears. Jack eased back, sliding down a bit in the tub. Lissa moved her hand backward and cupped his sac. Carefully, she held him, and then lightly squeezed. She pressed her fingers to that very sensitive place just behind his balls. Jack squirmed in the water, his hips jerking forward in response to her touch. Lissa leaned forward and lightly kissed his mouth. “You like that one, don’t you, darling?” She didn’t wait for him to answer, though, and returned to stroking and pulling his hard cock, pausing to lightly dance her fingertips over the head, and then circle around and around. Jack moved one hand out and touched Lissa’s long hair. “You are driving me crazy, sweet temptress. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be in here with me?” Lissa laughed softly and leaned forward to kiss his mouth, her tongue darting inside to stroke and play with his. Eagerly her tongue explored his mouth, finally licking his lips and nipping lightly at his lower lip with her teeth. She moved her open mouth along his cheek, kissing him lightly. She reached his ear and caught his earlobe with her mouth, giving him playful, soft bites with just her lips. All the while, her hand was busy teasing his hard cock into sexual madness. She loved the feel of his maleness in her hands. “You feel so hard in my hand, Master.” Lissa felt bold telling him her thoughts. Instantly she felt the reaction to her words. She paused to again sneak her fingers back to that secret spot and press firmly, then lightly moved her nails over the skin. Each touch just seemed to get him hotter and hotter. “Why don’t you get in here with me, sweetheart?” Jack spoke, his voice breaking. She could hear him breathing harshly. Lissa paused and then said, “No. I am not done with you yet. Now, let me wash your hair.”

She proceeded to wet his dark hair, soaping it up, and then rinsing. She had to stop once because Jack had managed to nuzzle her breasts, catching one nipple in his mouth, sucking her eagerly. Finally, she pronounced they were done. She helped him step out and then proceeded to dry him off. She almost continued too long drying his hard rod, lost in her appreciation. Jack removed her hand and the towel, which barely prevented him from coming in the cloth. She then led him back over to the bed and told him to lie down on his back. She positioned him with his legs widespread. Reaching for one of his hands, she secured it to the bedpost. Quickly she secured both feet and lastly his other hand. His tense body told of his reaction to her actions. He was still hard, but she knew that he was now wary, waiting to see what she did next. God! He thought to himself. He was so hot and hard now he was ready to spurt at the slightest touch. A woman had never tied him up, though he had played at it once or twice himself. The feeling that she could do anything she wanted was mentally arousing, as well as physically arousing. Lissa left him alone for a few minutes and he felt his senses heighten and his emotions intensify with each passing second. Finally, he felt the mattress move as she sat on the bed, this time between his widespread legs. The next thing he felt was coolness. He realized that she was spreading his shaving foam over his lower abdomen, his cock and balls. Her soft hands stroked lovingly, tenderly over his skin. Holy hell! He remembered his straight razor— “Lissa… are you sure about this?” He tried to keep his voice steady and not reveal the depth of his concern. His captive now held him captive, with a very effective one-to-one weapon in her hands. Lissa wiped off her hands and picked up Jack’s straight edge razor. Hearing the concern in his voice, she leaned over and kissed his right thigh. He jerked in surprise. “Don’t move, Master.” She then lowered the razor and lightly scraped it across his lower abdomen, her stroke was sure, short and determined. Jack groaned when she moved to hold his cock while she continued to shave off all his pubic hair. It was only a few days’ growth, so it didn’t take her long to remove it all again until he was quite smooth. Lissa used a damp cloth to remove any lingering traces of lather. She then wet her fingers, and proceeded to move her fingertips very slowly all over his lower abdomen, his sac, and finally his rock-hard cock, checking for any strays she might have missed. Her touch brought some pre-cum to the tip, and she lowered her head to lick it away with her tongue. Jack’s hips jerked upward at her touch. Lissa stopped for a moment to set the water out of the way and then moved to lie between his thighs. She paused, letting Jack adjust to her change in position. Her long hair drifted across his naked thighs as her head lowered again. This time she held his cock, stroking him up and down while she took the head into her mouth. She sucked him slowly, letting her tongue explore his sensitive skin. Over and over, Lissa sucked him and stroked him, driving him higher and higher. Finally, Jack groaned that he couldn’t stand it any longer. He shot his load into Lissa ’s mouth as she sucked him, one hand on his cock, the other cupping and caressing his balls. Lissa gasped in surprise, raising her head. More cum hit her cheek. She squealed a

bit and moved one hand up to wipe that little bit away. Jack lay gasping, amazed at what this sea siren was able to do. Whoever would have thought the prim miss he had met in London could suck cock like a pro? He felt the bed shift and then his ankles were released. The mattress moved again and he knew she moving upwards, untying his hands. Jack lifted the blindfold off himself. He looked down and saw Lissa curled against his side. She smiled up at him, looking rather pleased with herself, and something told him that Lissa was in love with her sea captain. Holding her close, Jack knew that he would have to make a decision soon. He had not really considered having her love him as he enjoyed these idyllic days at sea. Sex was one thing and he had known that she would be all right. No one need ever know the truth— None of that had taken into consideration her feelings for him, or his feelings for her. The thought of her being hurt was disturbing more than he wanted to admit. He was happy alone, sailing the seas. Still, feeling the warm weight of Lissa’s body pressed against his, he knew that he’d never been this happy before. Sure he’d enjoyed a barmaid now and then, but sharing this life that he loved with Lissa, was proving to be addictive. Of course there was the sex… but it was more than that now. Over meals they talked about sailing, shipbuilding and the shipping business. He’d been surprised by her depth of knowledge. The years she’d spent in London, with her mother, had not been completely idle. Each month, detailed reports arrived about her father’s business. And the sex… God! Jack couldn’t deny that never before had he enjoyed such a rich, exciting and enjoyable sex with a woman. Sex with Lissa should have been getting boring, but it wasn’t. Instead it kept growing better. He was still enamored of her voluptuous body and he enjoyed more than just fucking her. Sometimes she would prance around the cabin in just one of his shirts. He knew that she would deliberately drop things, just so she could bend over, facing away from him, and pick it up. Grinning, he remembered the last she’d done that. He’d tossed his logbook aside and strode across the room. Lissa had been in a very teasing mood. During lunch, she’d frequently rubbed her bare foot up his leg, even going so far as to push her foot into his crotch while Henry removed the dishes. Surprised, he had bumped against the table. “Are you all right, cap’n?” the older man had asked quickly. Shaking his head, Jack replied, “I’m fine. You can leave now Henry. Aww!” He’d quickly coughed to cover his shock as Lissa rubbed her foot against his hardening manhood. Now as soon as the door closed, Lissa stood from the table. He noted that the shirt was now unlaced, and as she stood he was given a glimpse of her breast. Remembering that he had been lax on his captain’s log, he opened it quickly. Bending to his task, he was dimly aware of Lissa moving here and there around the room. Once he looked up and saw her reaching for something and caught a glimpse of her freshly shaven pussy. He looked away, moving his pen across the page, writing. When he glanced up at the new noise, Lissa was standing by a window, boldly caressing her nipple. Groaning, he forced his attention back to the log. Several minutes later, a book dropped. Looking up he was treated to sight of Lissa’s long bare legs, her rounded ass and lastly, once she

moved her feet apart, her glistening wet pussy. That did it. Slamming the logbook onto the table, he shot out of his chair. Grabbing Lissa as she started up, he stopped her. Within a few seconds, he’d freed his rock-hard cock. “Enough temptation, woman! You are driving me crazy!” Jack held her hips and thrust inside her pussy. In one deep push, he was buried in her hot sweet cunt. He groaned loudly. “Uunngghhh!” Lissa grunted in response to his invasion. A few moments later, he half-lifted and walked her to the bed. With his direction, she kneeled. Jack jammed his hard cock back into her cunt. Leaning over her, he slipped one hand to her clit. He wasn’t satisfied with just one orgasm. Without pause, he worked her clit, moving just enough to keep her hot, to keep her spasms coming like wildfire. Finally he moved his fingers away from her pussy, and began sliding in and out. Holding her hips firmly, he pounded against her ass. God! The slap sound his balls made as they bounced off her pussy was wild. He could feel his cum boiling and churning in his sac. Any minute now— “God!” Jack cried in surprise when he felt Lissa’s soft fingers catching and massaging his scrotum. After only three squeezes, he jerked forward. Over and over, his cock shot his seed into her cunt. As he relaxed his grip on Lissa, she slid forward onto the bed, rolling over to lie on her back. Jack looked down at her, his legs shaking a little in the aftermath. Her hair was spread in a halo behind her head. Her face was so beautiful, she could have been an innocent postulant. There were times when she looked quite the bar slut after a night of lust. His eyes moved down and he lingered over her lush bosom. No doubt about it… they were bigger. And he also thought he’d noticed an increased sensitivity, especially her nipples. Her waist had thickened a little, but since she was rarely dressed, she had not noticed. Soon he would have to point out her condition, or she’d only be more shocked and taken unawares. It still surprised him to think that his child was nestled deep inside Lissa’s body, protected and kept safe. He couldn’t deny that he felt a growing need to look after and care for her with each passing day. Each time he thought about letting her go, he pushed it away to deal with later. Her thighs were still parted and looking down, Jack could see that his seed was leaking out already. Lying down beside her on his side, he reached out and covered her mound with his hand. He felt Lissa’s little jump of surprise. Smiling, he delved his fingers down a little further. He could feel that her cunt was still slightly opened and their combined juices covered his fingers. Looking up, he met her gaze. “I think you are full, sweetheart.” Something about her innocent expression, knowing that she was pregnant and his own denial of commitment caused him to lash out. “It feels as if this pretty hole is getting stretched out.” It was a rude thing to say, and he immediately felt the tension in her body. Instead of changing the subject, he went on, “I’ve also noticed that you’ve gotten fat.” “What?” Lissa said angrily, moving to sit up. Jack was too fast. His hand came up and grabbed her farthest tit, pushing her back to the bed. “Hey! I didn’t say I was complaining. I’m just pointing out the truth. Even your

pretty bubbies are fatter. See, I can barely contain your boob in my hand. I also noticed your nipples are always hard.” Jack paused and lightly massaged Lissa’s breast, catching the hard center with his fingers, worrying it to a long, tender point. Next he lowered his hand to her waist. “Surely you noticed how tight your dresses have all gotten. I’ve watched you change from one to another, trying to find one that will close all the way. This last week you’ve been wearing the dress and not fastening it. Instead you wear a shawl or a light jacket. And your jackets won’t button across your boobies anymore. The one yesterday barely covered your tits.” Lissa tried to get up. Jack was quicker, throwing one leg across hers. Suddenly he drew back his verbal sword. “I’m sorry, Lissa. That was thoughtless of me, and none of it is true.” Jack kissed the side of her face, trying to ignore the hurt look in her eyes. “Forget I said anything, darling. You are perfect, and I wouldn’t want you any different than the way you are each moment we’re together.” Hating himself, he got up off the bed. He should stay and tell her that he was sure she was pregnant. Yeah, that is what he needed to do, but he didn’t. He didn’t know how to deal with the situation, nor was he sure that he was ready to. He spoke quickly as left the room, “I need to check on some things on deck. I’ll see you later.” Lissa watched Jack restore his clothes, run a hand through his hair and then he was gone. She crawled across the bed and got under the covers. She had been feeling so incredibly wonderful only to be thrown onto the rocks by Jack’s hurtful words. She had not realized that she’d been eating that much. Also, there wasn’t the opportunity for long walks to keep her body in shape. She’d been aware of some changes, but having it pointed out by the very person she wanted to be attractive for still hurt. Finally, ignoring the niggling voice asking her why she just accepted what he said without protest, she pulled up the covers over her head and cried herself to sleep.

Chapter Four As time passed, the days ran together for Lissa. With such idyllic days, time didn’t seem to matter anymore. She had never been so happy. She pushed thoughts of that one afternoon, as well as the future, out of her mind. Whenever Jack tried to discuss the future, she would distract him. And she was getting very good at her distracting techniques, Jack had conceded to her one night. Lissa had taken to spending as much time as possible above deck. She made herself a swimming costume and swam every day. She didn’t care that her skin was tanning, and freckles popped out here and there. Once, on a deserted beach, Jack had spent over an hour counting and kissing each and every freckle that had appeared. When he started kissing her pert nipples, she had told him those weren’t freckles. But all he said was that perhaps he needed spectacles, and then he had sucked her turgid nipple deeply into his hot mouth. His hand had trailed down her tanned body, lightly caressing her slightly rounded belly. When she had complained about putting on some weight lately, he had only said it was lack of activity. He had pushed her back onto the bed of blankets on the sand and proceeded to show her a new activity. Lissa had made many friends among Jack’s men also, learning all of their names and many of their personal histories. Sometimes when she said something about one of the men, she realized that Jack was watching her in amazement. She was no stranger to sailors since her father owned several ships of his own. As a young girl, she’d gone with her father to check all sailing vessels. Daily trips had not been at all unusual. In her mind, it had been a short leap from her father’s top-notch seamen to the rough and tumble pirates here. No doubt he couldn’t believe that his wild and woolly men had softened and opened up to her. At times, he called her his sea siren. Lissa remembered one night he had rowed them to a quiet, sandy beach. The moon had hung low in the sky when they first arrived. They drank some sweet wine, had fruit, bread and cheese. Lissa laughed as Jack broke off small pieces to feed her. He licked the wine drop that clung to her lower lip. As the moon rose in the night sky, Jack had smiled at her, winking. “What do you say to a quick swim?” “I have nothing to swim in, Jack,” Lissa protested weakly. “You didn’t the other times, either, my sweet,” Jack reminded her with a sly grin. “Where is your sense of adventure?” He prodded her. Without any warning, he was stripping off his shirt, boots, and pants. Standing in front of her completely naked, he said calmly, “And I don’t have anything else to wear, sweetheart.” Then with amazing adeptness, he proceeded to undress her quite swiftly. He pulled her laughingly into the gentle surf. Like children, they frolicked for some time. Laughing, splashing each other. He dunked her several times, causing her to rise from the water, her hair dripping, hanging in wet ropes over her full, round breasts. Water streamed off her skin in the moonlight. Jack moved close to Lissa, pulling her into his arms to kiss her.

His hands caressed her hair, her shoulders, down to cup her full, firm breasts. As he focused on her nipples, she felt them tighten with desire. He rolled them, pinching them lightly, teasingly. One time he had brought her to orgasm just by playing and teasing her breasts. As she came, writhing in delight, he had watched her. Bathed in the moonlight, Jack caressed her rounded belly and her smooth, hairless crotch. Just that morning they’d had a rousing shaving session, and now they both were completely smooth. His fingers slipped into her hairless cleft, touching her soft, shaven pussy lips. Lissa eagerly spread her thighs for him. His mouth caught her soft moans of desire as the warm waves danced around their hips and thighs. Jack groaned as Lissa moved her eager hands all over his body. She had recently discovered the sweet joy to be found in caressing Jack’s body. Still it took her some time before she felt bold enough to tell him. “When I touch you,” she paused and demonstrated with a stroking movement using her palm. “I can almost feel you caressing me. Is that crazy?” Jack groaned loudly as she toyed with his nipples, and then moved down his stomach to where his rod was insistently prodding her soft belly. He jerked in surprise as she took his cock into her eager hands. Many times, when he was so dedicated to her pleasure, Lissa had not been able to return the favor. But she caressed him eagerly now, the water allowing her hands to slide over his skin. And when one hand slipped down farther and cupped his smooth sac, caressing and pulling lightly, it was Jack’s turn to moan loudly into the night air surrounding them. One hand pulled and tugged on his hard, hot cock, and the other rolled his balls in their smooth covering. Often she seemed unsure about just how to touch, caress and squeeze his manly flesh. Sometimes she appeared as adept as the most skilled courtesan, going by his responses anyway. Lissa could drive him almost mad with desire for satiation. Jack found her clit and touched her with determination and skill, wanting to bring her to readiness before she had him losing it in the ocean. Jack’s fingers, slightly rough and work-worn, worked her body to climax. He concentrated on his task as her hips moved to and fro. Lissa’s hands fell away from his body, her head dropping to his chest. Her body jerked spasmodically, her hips thrashing in the water, churning it into small waves. Lissa was limp as Jack’s tender hands supported her, and yet her inner flesh continued to flex and jerk in orgasmic release. His hands moved to her waist. In one move, Jack lifted Lissa, telling her to wrap her legs around his hips. Even before she could do so, Lissa felt Jack’s hard shaft sliding into her flesh, which closed around him eagerly, graspingly around him. As he started to thrust into her body, Lissa felt another orgasm crashing over her, her flesh reacting even more strongly than before. Her body had a mind of its own, pulling him deeply into her eager pussy as she felt him beginning to orgasm within her, coming deep inside her hot flesh. Jack had wanted to make it last longer, but feeling her muscles squeezing him, pulling on his cock, almost sucking him inside her cunt, had done him in. He had shot his load so fast, like an untried schoolboy. Exhausted, they clung to each other as the

waves of passion quietly subsided. Jack carried Lissa to the beach. He spread out their clothes and then they lay down, beneath the moon now at its highest point in the sky. The night was warm, balmy. The breeze was gentle and it soon dried their flesh. Neither was in any hurry to return to the ship that night.

***** The shout and call to arms when it finally came, startled everyone on the pirate’s ship. For weeks, Jack had purposely steered clear of all common shipping routes. He didn’t want to encounter any ships and risk Lissa’s life. But now there was no mistaking the ship bearing down on them across the turquoise seas. He had seen the ships of the Stilton shipping line many times before. They were always heavily laden with goods, but this time he could have cared less about what cargo the large ship might have in her hold. He recognized Stilton’s premier ship, the LillyAnn. He now knew the ship was named after Lissa’s mother, and that it was her father’s pride and joy. Jack turned back to his men as the cry was sounded. They all began scurrying about madly, grabbing knives, swords, and whatever weapons they could find immediately on hand. Jack had a feeling this would not end well, but his goal was to have Lissa and her father unharmed, and his men remain free. Now, all he had to figure out in the midst of the mad confusion ensuing just below him was how to accomplish such lofty goals. He was sure the LillyAnn wouldn’t fire at the ship, other than warning shots. Her father, Lord Peter Stilton, would not want to risk any chance of his daughter being harmed. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as the expected warning shot flew across their bow. The deck and his men were quickly bathed in the seawater that splashed up when the cannonball landed just beyond his ship. He knew he could order his men to set sail. His vessel was a lighter weight, much sleeker than the other ship. He was sure they could probably outrun the other vessel, but somehow he knew the time had come to stop the charade he had been living with Lissa. He ordered one of his rowboats to be put over the side. He was going to take Lissa to the other ship, which would allow his men time to get away. He knew Lord Stilton’s men would see Lissa in the small boat, and not risk firing over her head to reach the pirate ship. Before he could order one of his men to fetch Lissa from his cabin, the main hatch door flew open and out she came in a flurry of skirts. Her hair was raining down her back. He had only left her sleeping in the bed just a scant hour ago. He knew she had pulled on her clothes hurriedly, awakened by all the noise that had followed the cannon shot. Lissa ran to Jack’s side. He heard her softly whispered, agonized cry. “No! Not now… Please, Lord… ” Jack wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders, pulling her close to his side. He lowered his head and lightly kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, my sweet. I’ve ordered a boat put over, and we will go and meet your father. That will give my men time to escape.” Lissa jerked out of his tender embrace. She turned hot, angry eyes toward him. “No! Damn it, Jack. I am not going back. I am staying here with you.” Jack laughed softly, shaking his head. “Lissa, you and I are going together to meet

your father.” But his words only alarmed Lissa more. “No, Jack, you can’t. They will kill you. My father won’t know who you really are. He may not give us time to explain… ” Jack glanced over and saw the other ship was gaining on them rapidly. He took Lissa’s arm and began pulling her over to where the small boat was suspended, ready to be lowered once he and Lissa had gotten in. She fought him the whole way. She screamed, yelled, tried to grab hold of things to stop his progress, but Jack was just too strong for her. He picked her up and put her into the rowboat. She tried to jump back out. He barely caught her as he was climbing in himself. Holding her firmly in his arms, he gave the order to lower the boat. Lissa’s screams echoed over the water. The pirates were torn in obeying the captain or in caring about the “lady” who had stolen many of their hearts. Over the last months she had been with them, their loyalty was torn. Lissa’s small kindnesses that she had shown to them all, along with her interest in each and every one of them, was making it difficult to follow the captain’s orders. The boat landed with a splash, and Jack ordered them to set sail immediately. He could see their indecision, but they turned reluctantly to obey their captain’s last command. Jack released Lissa and took the oars, beginning to row toward her father’s ship. He ignored Lissa’s curses, watching as his men began to sail away. That part of his life was over. If he lived much longer at all, it would not be as Black Jack, the infamous pirate. “Jack, please… ” Lissa’s voice cried out. She pleaded, begged for him to turn around. She threatened to jump over and swim back to the pirate ship herself. For a minute, Jack stopped rowing and tied her up quicker than she could curse him again. “Jack! You jump out and swim back to your ship. I’ll stay here and delay my father until you have time to get away.” Jack just shook his head. “No, my sweet. Our time has ended.” His sadness was evident in his tone. Lissa started crying as she spoke, “No, Jack. I love you! I won’t lose you.” Jack saw the tears spilling down her cheeks. What a hell of a time for her to finally confess her true feelings. He had long suspected what she felt. He had been falling in love with her for a very long time himself. But being a gentleman, even though he had not acted like one for some time, he had known that it would not be right to declare his love. Not until their circumstances were once again on even ground, if ever.

***** In no time at all, or so it seemed to Lissa, the huge ship was near them. She saw her father standing at the railing, looking so happy to see her. Despite the distance, she saw that tears were streaming down his cheeks. She knew then that Albert had not revealed Jack’s identity to her father. She then saw that Albert was standing just behind her father. He looked relieved to see her, she thought, but she also thought he was looking too damned smug for her peace of mind. As ropes were lowered to them, Jack untied Lissa.

He secured the ropes to the rowboat and it was quickly pulled up to the ship. As they became level with the deck, nearly fifty guns were aimed toward Jack. He was hauled from the small boat and his arms restrained by two of her father’s very large, strong seamen. Peter Stilton pulled Lissa into his arms, hugging her tightly. He shouted the order to take the pirate below and put him in chains. Lissa screamed at her father to stop, but he didn’t listen. He told Albert to take Lissa to his cabin, and he would see to “this scoundrel”. Albert, unable to pull Lissa by himself, enlisted the help of another seaman to help him drag her below deck. Once he reached her father’s cabin, before she could do anything, he slammed the door shut on her and locked it. With a disgustingly smug look on his face, he turned and went to join Stilton, who had gone to confront his prisoner. Lissa screamed and shouted and pounded on the door. She picked up a chair and slammed it against the heavy wood, but the door remained steadfastly in place and locked. Dear God, she thought, she had to get to her father and stop him. She had to explain. She turned and sat down wearily. But what to explain, she wondered. How to inform him she was no longer a virgin? How to tell her father she was in love with her pirate captor? How to tell her father…

***** The key in the lock turned. Lissa looked up and saw her father standing in the doorway. “Hello, my dear,” her father greeted her with a smile, walking into the cabin. She noticed for the first time that he was not alone. Albert, once again, was just behind him. “I met Albert on my way down to visit our prisoner. It appears Black Jack still needs some time to cool off before I speak with him.” Lissa wondered just what Albert had been doing down there. He did not look pleased at the moment. Her father’s voice distracted her. “It will be so nice to have you back home once again. I thought you might enjoy a party, once you get settled in. We could invite all of our friends.” Lissa listened half-heartedly to her father. This was not what she wanted to be focused on at the moment. She needed to talk to her father… explain to him the true situation. Lissa stood and ran over to hug her father. She pulled away after a moment. “Father, you have to listen to me. I need to tell you—” Albert rushed forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her into his embrace. “Oh, my dearest Lissa! I am so relieved to have you home finally. I’ve told your father that I don’t care what has happened to you. I am going to marry you!” Lissa shoved herself free of Albert’s arms. “Marry you? Are you crazy, Albert?” Albert shook his head, turning to pat Lord Stilton on the shoulder. “As you can see, my lord, she is terribly rattled by this horrible experience. She is thinking that she is not worthy of me anymore.”

Lissa saw red. Her blood boiled, she was so angry at what Albert was implying that she was ready to scream, stomp on something and perhaps even spit. “Not worthy of you?” Albert tried to hold her hand, but she jerked it away from him again. “I know you feel unclean right now, my dearest. But those feelings will go away. Once we are married, the scandal and rumors will pass as well. We will travel for a bit. Your father has offered us one of his ships.” Lissa took her father’s hands in her own. “Father, please, you must listen to me. I am not going to marry Albert. I can’t marry Albert.” Lord Stilton patted his daughter’s hands. “My dearest, don’t fret. Don’t get upset. Everything will be fine. We just need to take a little time away from England and the parties, and everyone will forget all that has happened. If you want to, you can return to London in a year or so, and all will be as before. I would go with you and lend my support. With a husband and your father at your side, not even the Patronesses of Almack’s would dare to snub you.” “Father, please, just stop and listen to me. You must promise that you will not harm Jack. Please! Promise me.” Her father put his arm around Lissa’s shaking shoulders. “Lissa, dearest, I will take no action against this pirate, for now. But he must pay for his crime.” “Father, he committed no crime,” Lissa pleaded with her father. “Can you tell me he never touched you, my child? Can you tell me that he didn’t steal you from my ship and hold you captive for four months?” Lissa bowed her head. “No, Papa. I can’t tell you those things.” She felt embarrassed at telling her father that. “Papa, please, have Jack brought here. I will tell you how it really was, and then you will see he has committed no crimes. Please, Papa. Give me this chance to explain myself.” “Very well, my child. But why do you want the pirate here? Isn’t it better that you never see him again?” Lissa shook her head, looking pleadingly into her father’s sad eyes. “I beg of you, Papa, grant me this request. Please allow me a chance to explain.” Lord Stilton, a very proud man, used to almost always getting his way, paused for several moments. The only two people who ever had any sway with him had been his wife and his daughter. He was so glad to have Lissa back, safe and sound, that he was tempted to grant her anything. He would even release her pirate, he realized, if Lissa asked it of him. Finally, he nodded his head. “Albert, tell the guards to have him brought up here.” Albert wanted to argue, but he knew it would do no good at this point. He left, but was tempted to find a way to say Black Jack had tried to break free and had been killed in his attempt to escape. He was a gentleman, and he knew none of the seamen would argue with him. He rationalized that it would not be so very difficult. After he shot him, he could say one of the men did it as he ran to escape over the railing. He could dump the body overboard, and there would no evidence left. Yes, he pondered, as he made his way down to the deepest bowels of the ship, he could get away with it.

Quite deliberately, he had not told Lord Stilton the pirate’s true identity. He had hoped the pirate would be strung up quickly, or shot, before any explanations could be given. He had spent the last few months telling Lissa’s very wealthy, and influential father that he loved Lissa. And God willing, when she returned, he would marry her. He didn’t care what anyone might say. He had worked very hard at ingratiating himself with the older man. He knew his prospects in London were limited. But out here, with her father’s fortune behind him, nothing could stop him. He did care for Lissa, even though he considered her used goods now. She would be a wealthy heiress once her father was gone, and he had decided for that much wealth, he could put up with just about anything. All he had to do now was make sure he got the opportunity. Albert entered the small cell-like room where Jack was being held. He told the two guards to leave them for a few moments. The guards looked doubtful, but they obeyed Albert. Jack had been tied hand and foot and was sitting on the floor, leaning back against a post. Jack turned to look at him, and he grinned. Albert took out his pistol. “What the hell do you think you are doing, Albert? Put your gun away.” Jack chuckled at the other man. Albert’s anger grew as the other man mocked him. “It would be so easy for me, your lordship, to shoot you,” Albert said snidely. “I could say you attacked me, and I shot you in self-defense. No one would be the wiser.” “Lissa would never believe you.” Albert paused. “Lissa won’t matter once you are gone. I am going to marry her, you see. Of course, she is ‘used goods’ now that you have had her, but she is wealthy and beautiful. She will make a good hostess, and once the babies start coming along, she won’t give me any trouble at all.” Albert smiled. “If she gives me any trouble, Lissa just might find that I am every bit as determined as she. I don’t think she will be so headstrong with several children to worry over. I've heard that nothing calms a woman like a baby on her knee and another in her belly.” Albert strolled around the room, waving the gun back and forth as he continued, “I have convinced her father it is the only way to save her reputation. When we return to London I will be so wealthy, I’ll have everyone fawning at my feet. Just like they did for you… the great duke’s son and heir.” Jack thought before he replied. The man was sounding rather crazed. He might be capable of acting foolishly in this state. He knew he needed to stall until the guards returned. “Don’t you think you should untie me first, if I am supposed to have attacked you? That would be impossible tied up like this. No one would believe you.” Albert paused. Jack knew that he was considering his words. As he watched Albert’s face, he could guess what the younger man was thinking. Albert would have to know that he couldn’t give the pirate the chance to overpower him. But he also would have to consider that if he shot Jack, Albert probably wouldn’t have time to get him untied and “set the scene”

before people started arriving to see what had happened. “I guess I could untie your feet. That would only leave your hands to release once I’ ve shot you. I imagine I could get that done before anyone else would get here—” Jack started to get worried. Albert was sounding too calm. Jack tensed his muscles, focusing all his concentration to wait for the slightest opening. He would be prepared to kick out at the younger man as he came closer. Both men froze suddenly as they heard the cocking of a pistol from the open doorway. Albert spun, moving to the side a little, which allowed Jack to see who was standing at the entrance to the small room. “Don’t move, Albert. I will shoot you.” Lissa held the pistol very steadily while she kept it trained on the middle of Albert’s chest. She moved farther into the room. “Father went to order us some tea. So English and refined of him, even after all these years out here.” Lissa skirted widely around Albert, never taking her eyes from him. “I was right not to trust you, Albert. You have changed over the last few months. Somehow you have wheedled your way into my father’s favor. I think you’ve also got him doubting me and that he can’t trust what I tell him, even to his face.” She moved over to stand where Jack was tied up. She shifted the gun from one hand to the other. Both men gasped as she pulled the biggest, wickedest knife imaginable from her skirt pocket. The two men spoke at once, nearly drowning out each other. “Lissa, darling, you are making a mistake. I can tell you aren’t thinking right. You must marry me or face complete ruin,” Albert pleaded with the woman, who still had her pistol pointed straight at him. “Where the hell did you get that damned knife, Lissa?” Jack shouted as he shook his head in disbelief. Lissa slowly squatted by Jack, her eyes never leaving Albert. She slid the knife between the ropes binding Jack’s ankles. She smiled at Jack and quickly sliced through the thick ropes as if they were sewing thread, not half-inch thick heavy bindings. Lissa stood, slipping the knife back into her pocket. She moved a few feet away from Jack so she could more easily keep Albert in her sight. Albert lowered his own gun, finally dropping it when he started pleading with her. “Lissa, please don’t be taken in by this smooth-talking pirate. I can protect your good name. Think of your father!” Jack rubbed his wrists as Albert pleaded. He stood slowly, limping a bit, as the circulation surged back into his legs and feet. Jack held his hand out to take her gun, but Lissa shook her head. “No, I should keep the gun in case the guards come back, that would not look reassuring, at first glance. And Henry gave it to me, Jack. He thought I might need some protection one day. I think he had you in mind, or maybe he thought I might have to fight another wench for your attentions in the future.” Jack shrugged, “I hope to God he showed you how to use it.” Lissa saw that the skin of his wrists had been rubbed raw by the ropes. “Indeed yes, he did. I can split an apple at thirty paces,” Lissa told him with pride. “Now, let’s go

back to my father’s cabin. Jack, you go first, then Albert. I will follow.” She motioned Albert farther away and then slowly bent and picked up his gun as well. “I think my father will be waiting for us. And he does hate to drink cold tea.”

***** Lord Stilton was surprised when he reentered his cabin and found it deserted. But he only had a few moments to wait before the door opened once more. He turned, expecting to see Lissa. Instead he saw Black Jack enter the room first, followed by Albert, and then he saw his daughter. He started to ask where she had gone, when he saw the pistol in her hand. “What the devil is going on here?” Lord Stilton walked over to Lissa. She smiled. “I just thought I would help Albert bring Jack here.” Lord Stilton wasn’t sure he believed her, but he was concerned about what she had to say about the pirate. “All right, Lissa, tell me what you needed to tell me. Now that we have your ‘pirate’ here.” Lissa smiled at her father. Before she could say anything, though, his cabin boy knocked to enter with a teacart. “Excellent,” Lissa said. “Let’s all sit and I’ll explain as we drink our tea.” Silence reigned for several minutes as they all seated themselves. Lissa tried to keep from going to Jack and pressing a cool cloth to the bruise forming on his cheek. Looking as he did, roughed up by her father’s men and having been tossed into the unclean room where she had found him, few would recognize him for the “lord of the realm” that he truly was. Lord Stilton took one sip of his tea and then carefully set down the cup. He folded his arms across his rounded belly and gave Lissa his sternest one of those “I’m waiting, and it had better be good” looks. Lissa coughed a bit, and then decided there was no way to sugarcoat the story. “Papa, dearest… there has been a horrible misunderstanding.” She ignored her father’s disbelieving snort. “Really, I don’t think Albert told you everything.” Lissa paused to glare at her cousin, whom she was seeing in an all-new, and not terribly flattering, light. “There has been a terrible misunderstanding, you see—” “Uncle,” Albert interrupted Lissa. “I beg of you to listen to me. This knave has misled Lissa. He has obviously turned her against her own family. Who knows what horrors he has visited upon her?” Albert stopped. Lissa turned in time to see the look of horror that chased itself across her father’s face as he obviously did consider the possible mistreatment his only child must have suffered. Before she had time to reassure her father, she heard Albert speaking again. “I suggest we make for the nearest port, where I will marry Lissa, and perhaps we can prevent any scandal occurring from this tragedy. Perhaps we should even hang this pirate and leave his body to the sharks. You’d be justified.” Lissa looked at Jack, but what she saw appeared to be a look of revulsion on his face. She had been going to insist that she and Jack could be wed, and everything would

be fine. Was she wrong in what had happened aboard his ship? She had told him that she loved him, but he had not reciprocated with any emotion, other than lust, which had required no words. She wondered if perhaps he was ready to get rid of her. And even though it made her sick to her stomach, maybe Jack had no problem at the thought of this other man being with her, touching her, caressing her, loving her in the darkness of the long night. She stared at him, hoping to God that he would stand up and declare that she was his, damn it! The suspicion that he was seeing this as the easy way out of a bad situation stiffened her resolve and her spine. Quickly she decided to speak first and protest her independence. Her father had always supported her in the past… so why not this time? “Never! I will never marry Albert, or any man.” Lissa jumped to her feet. “Lissa, darling, you must marry someone.” Her father shook his head, as he pointed this out to her. “Albert is being quite gracious I believe in offering to protect your reputation.” Lissa knew that her father wasn’t seeing this from her point of view, and she needed to convince him, somehow. “I don’t think there is a problem here, Father. No one needs to know what happened.” She paused. Perhaps she could force her father to accept her true wishes. “I am in love with Jack, and he is the only man I will ever marry.” “There is no way I will allow my daughter to marry a pirate!” He spat out the last word. Lissa wanted to scream at her father and slap the smug look right off Albert’s face. She did understand that her father could see this as a problem—the fact of Jack being a pirate, but then he only needed to know the truth. Jack’s forceful voice interrupted, “Excuse me, Lord Stilton. But I believe my own father would protest your daughter marrying anyone else while she is carrying the future heir to the Duchy of Carlton.”

Chapter Five No one moved in the stateroom. Lissa slowly lowered the gun she held to turn and stare at Jack. Was he crazy? What the devil was he talking about? She took a step toward him, but her father’s words stopped her. “The Duke of Carlton? What the devil does he have to do with this? How dare you bring such an honorable man’s name into this discussion, you knave! I have met His Grace, and I’ve always had the greatest of respect for him. I will not allow this bloodthirsty pirate to besmirch His Grace’s family name.” Albert stepped forward. “He lies, Uncle. Lissa must marry me as quickly as possible to protect her reputation and your family name.” Lissa turned on her cousin, anger heating her cheeks. “Damn you, Albert! Shut up!” All the men in the room stared at her in surprise. Jack was the least surprised, but she had still startled him with her ferocity. Obviously this little kitten he had been bedding had claws he had yet to discover. Marriage to her should suit him just fine, he had decided. He straightened slowly from the relaxed position of leaning against the wall just inside the door. He dropped into the soft chair slightly away from the arguing family, planning how he could get Lord Stilton’s attention. Lissa shouted again, “If you don’t all shut up, I will shoot you all!” Albert was the only one who backed away from the angry woman. Jack came to his feet and moved a little closer, while her father just stared at her as if he didn’t know his own daughter anymore. Jack put his hand over hers and took the gun. “You can’t shoot us all, my sweet. You only have one bullet.” He smiled down at her patiently. Lissa stamped her foot angrily. “I don’t care, damn it! I would reload it!” “Yes, darling, I’m quite sure you would.” Jack decided not to argue and merely nodded his head. He slipped the gun into his belt and turned to look at her father. “I hope you will forgive me, Lord Stilton. I can understand why Albert didn’t tell you at first, but now there is no reason for you not to know the truth.” “Truth? What truth? What the devil is going on here? Is my daughter with child or not?” Her poor father sputtered in anger, then slumped down into a chair at the table where tea had been placed. Instead of tea, though, he pulled a silver flask from one pocket and poured some brandy into a teacup and drank it straight down. Jack lowered himself to sit opposite the older man. “The Duke of Carlton is my father. I am Lord John Fitzpatrick, his son and future heir, as long as your daughter doesn’t blow my head off, that is.” Jack glanced over at Lissa, who was glaring right back at him. “But you are a pirate!” Lord Stilton pointed out. “It all started as a joke, I am afraid. Once started, though, it is hard to lose the reputation of being a ‘ruthless black-hearted pirate’. I have never killed anyone, and

neither have any of my men while under my command. At times, we did, however, relieve a number of people of their excess wealth.” Peter Stilton, having poured himself another cup of brandy, looked at the other man over the rim. “But why did you have to take my daughter?” Jack sighed deeply. “Things got out of hand, I’m sorry to say. And I felt it was wiser not to reveal your daughter’s true identity to my men. She had disguised herself as her own maid.” Lord Stilton coughed and sputtered a bit. “Well, that was a foolhardy thing to do.” Lissa’s relaxed posture stiffened and her fisted hands rose to her hips. “Very well, but did you have to… ” Lissa’s father stumbled over the words. Jack nodded, knowing there was no need to excuse his behavior. “If I had not, my men would have insisted they have her. I believe I chose the ‘lesser of two evils’ so to speak.” Lord Stilton nodded his head slowly; it appeared that he was silently agreeing with him. Lissa saw her father nodding and feared he was agreeing. The “lesser of two evils” he had said! Sleeping with her, making love to her… had been a choice of one evil over another! How dare he! “Damn you, Jack!” Lissa surprised them both by shouting. “How dare you? I thought you… ” Her voice broke off under the weight of her emotions. She refused to cry in front of him. An evil choice, was she? She turned to look at her father. “Take me home, Father. I am not marrying anyone!” Lissa picked up her skirts and flounced out of the stateroom, slamming the door behind her. She ran to her usual cabin on the ship and turned the lock. She paced about for a moment or two, and then went over and sat on the bed. She couldn’t stem the flow of tears that crept forth slowly and flowed down her cheeks. She had fallen head over heels in love Jack. But it appeared that he had not felt anything at all. His words kept repeating in her head. He had considered sleeping with her the lesser of two evils. Two evils! God! How dare he insult her like that? Pirate or not, he didn’t have to say it like that. If he cared for her… but that was the problem. Jack obviously felt no more for her now than he had before they’d left London. The real problem, besides her broken heart, was her pride. She didn’t think she could survive being married off to a man who didn’t love her.

***** Jack stood from the table to follow Lissa. “I would just let her calm down for now, Lord Fitzpatrick. When she gets like this, it is best to leave her alone for a while to cool down.” Jack considered arguing with her father, but decided not to. He slowly sat at the table. He reached out and poured himself some brandy this time. He drank it in one gulp, as her father had.

Lord Stilton stood slowly. “Please, sir, make yourself at home in my cabin. I will go up and speak to the captain, and we will make haste for my home. Once there, we can settle everything.” He turned and started to walk out of the cabin. He paused at the doorway and looked back at his nephew. “Come along, Albert. I don’t want you boys killing each other before we get this all sorted out.” Albert glared at Jack. For a few seconds, Jack thought the younger man would object. With a sulky glower on his face, Albert followed his uncle out of the stateroom.

***** Jack knew the instant the ship docked. He awoke from a light sleep he had allowed himself to drift into on top of the bed covers. He arose quickly and walked to the door of the stateroom. He twisted it, not completely sure it would be unlocked. But it was, and he made his way quickly to the upper deck. He saw Lord Stilton and Albert standing with the man he assumed to be the sailing vessel’s captain. He walked over to them. Before he could ask where Lissa was, Lord Stilton introduced him to the captain. The captain eyed him warily, still seeing him as a pirate, not a lord of the king’s realm. Lord Stilton went on. “I was just getting ready to come down and fetch you, Lord Fitzpatrick. The ship should be safely stowed away here soon, and I have already sent for my carriage.” “That is fine, Lord Stilton, but where is Lissa? I want to talk with her… ” Jack stopped as he saw that her father was flushing brightly in the dimming light of the glowing sunset. Before her father could reply, though, Albert did. “Damn fool chit! She snuck off the boat the very second we docked!” Jack glared at the other man, blaming him. “How the devil did she manage that?” Thinking of his own tightly run ship, there was no way a woman could have accomplished such a thing without the alarm being sounded, and her being stopped long before she’d ever reached topside, let alone managing to reach the dock. He could see her father was flushing an even brighter shade of red. Albert answered, “She tricked one of the men into giving her his pants, and she disguised herself with a cap on her head. She passed as one of the men.” Jack was sorely tempted to punch someone, and it was starting to look like it was going to be Albert. He asked abruptly, “How would she get to the house, though?” Peter Stilton shifted uneasily. His daughter had run wild for so long on the island that he had not thought that much of her behaviors. But seeing her actions through the eyes of another lord made him think twice. “She is so well-known on the island that she would have no trouble getting a ride with someone, or even talking someone into loaning her a horse.” Peter cleared his throat nervously. “Oh, good! Here is my carriage now. We can be on our way soon.”

***** When she reached the house, Lissa had a good hour’s lead. She greeted their housekeeper hurriedly, remembering to ask after Hannah, since she’d forgotten to question her father or Albert about the maid. Upon rescue, she learned, Hannah had been quite nervous and overwrought. So much so that her father had put her on a ship returning to London to work in Lissa uncle’s household. She quickly acknowledged that was probably best, and then ran past her up to her room. Once there, she hurriedly threw some clothes into a small bag. Moving as quickly as she could, she made her way to the kitchen. There she packed up some bread, fruit and a bottle of wine. She ignored Maria’s wringing hands and questions, telling her that her father would be along soon with a very important guest and that she should probably get everyone busy preparing a room and some dinner. That did the trick, and allowed Lissa to slip out the back of the house. She paused, considering taking her horse, but instead she opted to travel along the beach where the ocean would quickly cover up her tracks.

***** Jack was so angry when they discovered that Lissa had been at the mansion but had seemingly disappeared again, that he was ready to hit someone, anyone. As her father questioned first the housekeeper and then others of his staff, if they had seen her, it became obvious that many had seen her and no one was sure where she’d gone. Now that it was quite dark out, with the moon only starting to rise, he was worried thinking about her outside alone somewhere. How could her father not know where the hell she had gone?! “Damn it, Stilton! This is an island. Now think, man! Where might she have gone? Does she have a friend she could be staying with?” Jack paced back and forth across Lord Stilton’s plush parlor. This day was going from bad to worse. He knew damn well Lissa was pregnant, and he hated the thought of her running around in the dark where she might get injured, or worse. Lord Stilton shifted in his chair uneasily. He had no idea where his daughter might have run off. She was not acting much like a sophisticated lady, he decided sadly, as he sipped his fourth or fifth glass of bourbon since they had returned to the house. And now that he had time to really look at the young Lord Fitzpatrick, he had been able to see the resemblance to his father, the duke. He was starting to consider the thought of having him as a son-in-law. While Albert would be manageable, there was something to be said for having a future duke for a son-in-law. Jack set his glass down forcefully on the mantelpiece over the fireplace. “I will borrow one of your horses and go out and look for her myself.” Jack started for the door. Stilton grabbed Jack’s arm. “It is too dark out, and you don’t know your way around, Lord Fitzpatrick. I think you should wait until morning.” Albert objected from a spot way over on the far side of the room. “Waiting is a good

idea. Can’t see in the darkness,” he continued, hiccupping partway through. Jack glared at Albert, who was sprawled on the sofa in a near drunken stupor. “We can all go out then,” Lord Stilton suggested, smiling a little. “Lissa knows this island like the back of her hand. She will come to no harm.” He didn’t like the fierce and angry look on his future son-in-law’s face. Jack looked down at the older man. He had no intention of waiting. But he nodded his head just to appease him. “Very well. I’ll go up to my room then.” He turned, closing the door behind him. He was at the foot of the broad staircase, when he heard a soft voice. “Sir?” Jack stopped and saw a young dark-skinned girl peering from behind the door at the back of the stairs. He moved to where she was trying to conceal herself. She looked about twelve years or so, he thought. He smiled gently. “What is it?” “I know where Miss Lissa is.” Jack felt his heart catch. He wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, but this was the only positive bit of information he had heard. “Will you take me to where she is?” The young girl glanced nervously around and then nodded her head. “Come now, though.” Jack paused for just a moment, and then nodded his head in agreement. The young girl grabbed his hand and pulled him behind her. Not many minutes passed before they were out the back of the house and following a path that led down to the beach. He followed her in silence for perhaps half a mile, the moon lighting the way easily. Suddenly the girl stopped and pointed to a spot a short distance away. Jack followed her direction and saw a small house sitting about one hundred feet from the edge of the ocean. They had come into a small, protected cove where the waves gently washed over the sand. “How do you know she is here?” Jack questioned the young girl. He couldn’t see any light coming from the house. But it didn’t look like it had fallen into disrepair. The little girl smiled up at him. “Because this is her special place. I probably shouldn’t be telling you… ” Jack watched the girl nervously shift her feet. “Go on.” “It is just that she looked so unhappy when I saw her earlier.” Jack nodded. “Why didn’t you tell her father? Or Albert, for that matter?” “I don’t like Mister Albert. I saw him chasing some of the older girls around upstairs.” Jack choked a laugh at the girl’s innocent words. “But what about Lord Stilton?” “I would have told him in the morning. My mama said the way he was drinking tonight, the last thing he needed to do was get up on a horse and break his fool neck.” Again Jack struggled not to laugh. “Why me, though?” The little girl blushed. She looked down at her feet, which she shuffled about. “Well, sir, because you look like the prince in one of the stories Miss Lissa used to read to me. And I thought she probably needs rescuing by a prince.”

Jack shook his head and ran his hand over the girl’s black braids. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bright shiny gold coin. He held it out for the child to take. But she shook her head. “No, sir. I shouldn’t take it.” Jack reached out and took her hand, pressing the coin into it. “I insist. And I know Miss Lissa would want you to take it.” Those words obviously made the difference. Suddenly the girl smiled at him brightly, and then turned and ran back down the beach the way they had just come. Jack stood for a few moments, considering his options and then started to walk toward the house. He paused outside the door for a moment, hoping Lissa didn’t have a gun pointed at it. He took a deep breath and opened the door. He need not have worried, he quickly saw, for Lissa was sound asleep, wrapped in several blankets on the hearthrug in front of the banked fire. He moved across the room silently to stand over her and saw that her shoulders were naked above the bundled blankets. He lowered himself to the rug next to her and began slowly unwinding the blankets. Lissa shifted a bit, but remained asleep. He imagined she was probably dead tired. She had been through a lot in one short day. He quickly shrugged off his own clothes and eased down next to her, wrapping the blankets around them both. He wasn’t surprised when Lissa turned into the warmth of his body. It seemed completely natural, since they had been sleeping together the last few months. He had had no intention of doing anything other than sleep when he first lay down. But soon the heat of her body, the feel of her soft breasts pressing against him and the faint sweet odor that was so uniquely her overwhelmed him. At first, Jack moved his hands caressingly up and down her back, then one hand strayed down farther to her buttocks, caressing the soft, rounded flesh he found there. He continued touching her lightly, seductively, until Lissa groaned in her sleep. One hand slid around her hip and over her slightly rounded stomach. He stroked her soft belly lightly before trailing his fingers down to her mound and beyond. His fingers slid between her soft, shaven lips and he caressed the sweet petals lightly but steadily. Lissa moved in her sleep, rolling onto her back to accommodate him, parting her thighs. The covers fell away then, revealing her full, firm breasts lit by the dim firelight. Her nipples were budding up without any encouragement from him. He looked down her body to where his fingers were dancing over her womanly flesh. He slid his fingers between her soft pussy lips, seeking her pleasure point. His body was urging him to make short work of this loving, but he wanted her body ready for him. He found her clit with his index finger and began a light, teasing dance. He stroked it lightly, circling it, and then running his finger gently over it. Watching her body closely for its reaction to each touch, he searched to find the touch that undid her every time. Jack watched closely as her breasts jiggled, as her breathing quickened with his erotic touches. He kept up his teasing flicks until her hips jerked once, then twice, in response. He smiled as he felt her dampness covering his fingers. He kissed her lips lightly and then moved down her body, giving his full attention to her round, delicious breasts. He licked the nipple closest to him, running his tongue in circles around it, enticing it to even harder and tighter distention. As her hips started moving in rhythm to his finger, he matched it with his tongue flicking her nipple and the movement of his finger teasing her clit.

Suddenly, Lissa’s eyes opened, and she saw Jack. She cried out softly, but instead of pushing him in anger, which she had felt earlier, her body demanded that she pull him closer. “Oh, Jack,” she whispered in the dimly lit room. “How… ” Jack kissed her lips. “It doesn’t matter right now, my sweet.” His voice sounded so comforting, and she had missed him… she’d cried herself to sleep. When he moved above her, she was intently aware of him shifting her legs apart and settling his hips between them. She didn’t have to wait for him to instruct her. Lissa moved her thighs upward eagerly to encircle his hips. She wanted him just as much as he seemed to want her. She could feel his hot shaft poised at her wet lips. She tightened her thighs, trying to pull him into her body, but he resisted. He spoke softly, “Look at me, Lissa. Look into my eyes.” Lissa lifted her languid lids and met his hot, intense gaze. And as she saw the fire, the burning desire in his eyes that she knew matched her own, he thrust into her eager body. She cried out, not from pain, but from the need to be joined. She whispered softly “yes” as he started the perfect rhythm that always brought her straight to fruition. Lissa tried to slow him, but he wouldn’t allow it. Moments later she crashed into her own climax, screaming loudly. She felt her body quickening around his cock, squeezing him, spasming and sucking his rod more deeply into her body with each movement. Over and over, it seemed, her body kept coming and coming until her breath rasped harshly in her body. Jack finally gave over to his needs and shot his cum deep into her sweet, hot cunt. Long moments later, Jack went to move away. Lissa kept her thighs locked around him. “Not yet,” she whispered to him quietly. “I’m crushing you, Lissa,” Jack told her softly. But she still shook her head no. “Don’t leave me, stay!” She saw as Jack smiled and then he turned them quickly so that Lissa was now lying atop him. Her thighs spread, and she lay in a helpless heap atop him. Her hair draped across his chest as she lay sprawled and limply on his chest. “We need to talk, Lissa,” Jack said. Lissa nodded, but she just wanted to stay here for a little bit longer. It felt so good, joined to him still and their baby nestled between them. Inside her something started to bloom, but the exhaustion of the day caught up with her. She let her eyes close… for just a second or two. Jack soon heard her softly snoring and chuckled quietly. He was tired himself, so he pulled the blankets tightly around their naked bodies, deciding morning would be soon enough to settle this. Slowly he let himself relax and let the heat of the fire warm him. Lissa’s slow breathing was rhythmic and hypnotic. The last thing he was aware of was the sense of loss as his cock slipped from its warm cocoon. Jack pushed away the feeling and fell completely asleep.

Chapter Six Jack awoke slowly, stretching. He groaned from sore muscles caused by sleeping on a hard floor before he reached for Lissa. When his hands moved in search of nice, soft, warm flesh, his eyes shot open. He was alone on the nest of blankets. He sat up quickly, glancing around the small cabin. He was completely alone, all right. “God damn it all, Lissa!” he shouted in the silence of the room. He was getting tired of chasing after her. He pulled on his pants and boots, and with his shirt trailing in his hand he took off at a run, back along the beach toward Lord Stilton’s home. She was acting childishly, he decided as he raced along the rocky shore, finally cutting back through the path he had taken the night before. His return trip to the island mansion took much less time than the one last night. He didn’t bother knocking but angrily shoved open the front door. It banged loudly, bouncing off the wall behind it. He stormed in and shouted at the poor maid who rushed forth at the noise. “Where is she?” The little maid started to cry immediately. Jack stopped and deliberately calmed himself by taking several deep breaths. “Where is Miss Lissa’s room?” “A-at the end of the hall, sir, on the right.” Jack nodded and ran up the wide staircase. He passed the stunned, open-mouthed and partially dressed Lord Stilton, but didn’t stop. He came to Lissa’s door and flung it open, just as he had the front door a few moments earlier. He came to an abrupt halt upon seeing Lissa seated quite leisurely in a huge tub full of bubbles in her room. Her hair was piled on top of her head, and she was humming and singing softly to herself. “What the hell do you think you are doing, Lissa? I am getting damned tired of chasing you all over this God-forsaken island!” Lissa looked at him, seeing his open shirt hanging outside his pants. He was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling quite rapidly with each breath he took. He looked a tad wild-eyed, she decided, and then saw her father was standing just behind Jack in the open doorway, and a few feet beyond him she could see that Albert was straining to look past both men into her room. “Shut the door, please. I am not on display for everyone to come and stare at this morning,” Lissa spoke in a commanding tone, looking directly at Jack. He had crossed his arms across his broad chest as he stared at her. “I am not your maidservant, Lissa, to boss about as you see fit.” He turned, though, and saw her father and Albert, and several servants behind the younger man, all staring at the scene unfolding like a drama. He nodded to Lord Stilton

and then shut the door on them all. As he turned back, he caught the little smile that Lissa hurriedly removed from her sensual red lips. She picked up her sponge and began idly rubbing it over her arms. Jack moved across the room, grabbing a straight-back chair from her dressing table. He pulled it up close to her bath, turned it around and straddled it backward, facing her. “Enough running away, missy. It is time to pay the piper.” Lissa didn’t look at him, but continued smoothing the sponge over her arms and upper chest. He watched her in silence for a long moment. “I should paddle your little butt for all the trouble and misery you have put everyone through the last twenty-four hours.” Lissa threw her sponge down into the water, splashing Jack and herself. “Me?” She shouted back, “I am the victim here. First by Albert, who talks me into pretending to be my own servant, which was an absolutely asinine idea!” Jack nodded. “Yes, it was.” Water dripped down off her hair as she glared at Jack. He easily saw that his affability was having the opposite effect he’d expected. As she lashed back, he realized Lissa was not to be mollified. “And secondly by you! I am raped and kidnapped and held a helpless captive by a bloodthirsty pirate! And now, my father storms up to supposedly rescue the day, and actually ruins everything. Is it any wonder I did what I did?” Jack sat patiently until she finished her tirade, ignoring the water dripping from his hair and face. He finally just looked into her eyes. “Do you really believe any of that dribble?” Lissa looked at his face, which had become so well known over the last months. She felt her heart move in her chest and had to sniff back her tears. When Jack pulled a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and passed it to her calmly, she took it in her soapy hands and blew her nose, quite unladylike, and then handed it back to him. He had surprised her by his words and his tone. Obviously he wasn’t going to put up with any tantrums or histrionics she might drum up. Frustrated, she watched as Jack took the handkerchief without a word, aware he was still waiting for her answer. She finally nodded, but stopped as he raised one eyebrow, giving her a very doubting look. She sniffed once more before she finally spoke, “I’m not really pregnant, am I, Jack?” Surely he was wrong? She wished she could ask her mother, or even her aunt, instead of Jack. She felt foolish for being so dense that she had not considered the possibility, but she had not. In all their time together, a baby had been something that never materialized in her thoughts, or imaginings. Perhaps in some murky future, she might have wondered about children, but certainly nothing in stone… or actual flesh either. Of all the things he had expected her to say, that was not one of them. He realized that she truly had been without a clue as to what was going on with her body recently. She obviously had missed the unmistakable—in his opinion anyway—signs. Jack reached out and lightly cupped the side of her face in his hand. His fingers caressed her skin gently, slowly. “Yes, Lissa, I believe you are. We should probably have you see a doctor soon to

confirm it and to, of course, say that you are doing fine.” He leaned back. “Then I think we should get married here and sail back to England with your father. We can work on a plausible story on the way.” He paused, watching her face, waiting for her reply. To be honest, he had no doubt that she would agree to this plan. She was compromised and marriage to him would save her reputation, as well as her father’s, and preserve her position in the London social circles her family, and his, moved in. So, at this point, the only things left would be the minor details. He had no doubt that those could be dealt with the minimal of fuss and effort. Lissa silently listened to him, knowing that she really didn’t have much choice in the matter. She didn’t like being out of control of her life. And to be honest, she wasn’t ready to deal with it all. She finally looked back up at him. “Make love to me, Jack. I need you.” Jack pushed his chair back, stripping his clothes off as he moved. Lissa screeched. She hadn’t expected him to do that, or to be stepping in the tub with her. She giggled as he faced her, lifting her legs over his thighs, pulling her close to his body. He rubbed his chest against her wet breasts. Lissa groaned as she felt the sweet, wet friction as her nipples beaded up tightly. As his hands stroked up and down her back before moving down to cup her bottom, she wrapped her arms around his neck. When he pulled her up and forward on his lap, Lissa groaned as she felt his hard manhood pressing against her smooth pussy. She couldn’t resist wiggling and pushing against him. Jack moaned and lowered his head to kiss the side of her neck. “Keep that up, sweetheart, and this won’t last long.” Lissa smiled and pressed her hands on his shoulders, raising up her body just enough to feel his cock at her entrance. Her body was already wet and eager for him, so as she released her grip; her body accepted him fervently into her softness. Lissa expelled her breath slowly as she felt him inside her. “Hmmm,” she whispered in his ear. “Well, if this one is quick, I guess we’ll just have to keep doing it until you get it right.” Jack laughed. She felt his hips match the rhythm her body was so eagerly establishing. Combined with the feel of her full breasts brushing against Jack’s chest and the fullness of having him so deeply embedded inside her, she didn’t think she was going to be able to hold back at all. Any plans to stave off her climax ended when he slid one hand between their bodies and found her clit. He stroked it lightly, then more insistently. Lissa groaned and tried to stop her body’s reaction to his touch, but it was impossible. “Jack!” she cried out as she felt her body begin squeezing his cock, over and over, out of her control, and she climaxed. Her hips flexed and hunched forward and back while her cunt muscles sucked and dragged on his hard cock. “Yes, Jack, come with me, please!” “Yes, darling!” She felt Jack stop resisting the pull of her muscles and let her body milk him dry.

Over and over, he emptied himself into her softness and heat. His arms held her securely as their bodies slowly quieted, and their breathing calmed. Jack lifted one hand, wet and dripping, to push her disheveled hair back off her face. He kissed her lips softly. “Lissa?” Lissa slowly, reluctantly opened her eyes, still feeling him inside her and not wanting to let him go just yet. She squeezed him and Jack moaned. “Yes?” she answered. “Will you marry me and return to London with me? I know we can be happy together. We seemed to be happy on the ship.” He paused for her answer. “You mean the three of us?” She felt compelled to ask him. Their eyes met and she felt his hand sliding down the side of her neck, pausing over her heart, and then moving down to rest over her belly. Almost as if he felt the baby inside of her, he caressed her soft, only slightly rounded, tummy. “I think the ‘three of us’ will do very well together. And if we are lucky enough to become a ‘four of us’, I’m sure we will be even happier.” Lissa smiled slowly. “I love you, Jack. I should have told you that a long time ago.” Jack groaned, hugging her tightly. “I know, my sweet, I know.” Lissa smiled, kissing him deeply. “Hold me close, my pirate captain. Never let me go!”

***** Lissa cursed the sea, her father, the ship and even Jack as she heaved her guts once again into the chamber pot. She had been sick almost every single day since they had set sail for England two weeks earlier. Her father had refused to let them be married before they left the island, insisting that they should be married in England. Even if the wedding wasn’t big, he still wanted it to be with all of his family and the duke present. He wanted to make sure his daughter was accepted by the duke, and with that, full acknowledgement that her unborn child, should it be a son, would be the future heir. Her father could be quite a stickler for propriety at the worst times, Lissa had decided one morning with her head bent over the chamber pot once again. Along with being seasick, or morning sick, her father had insisted on sailing two ships to England. He and his future son-in-law sailed on the larger ship, and Lissa, the servants and Albert on the smaller ship. Lissa cursed her father, sure that he had put her on the smaller ship because he knew it would be tossed about more by the rough seas, and thus punish her for getting pregnant. Of course, that had not been the reason, but Lissa, stressed by feeling sick most of the time, and lonely with raging hormones, couldn’t care less about logic. She rarely saw Albert, but since she was feeling so lousy, she began to take joy in seeking him out. It made sense to her that since she was having such a wretched trip, the cause of her problems, in her mind anyway, should suffer as well. Kicking him became one of her more favorite pastimes. She knew her actions were small-minded and mean-spirited. Still when she felt like dying would be a better answer, she did derive some small pleasure from seeing him hobble his way into dinner. The one good benefit

from their traveling together was Albert no longer seemed to be interested in marrying her. Lissa was standing on the deck when the ship finally docked in London. She had been aware that her father’s ship had docked at least a day or two earlier than her own. This, of course, did not sweeten her temper the least little bit. Nor did it help to find an empty carriage awaiting her and Albert, with no father and no fiancé. Albert offered to ride up top, or even stay and make sure their belongings were unloaded from the ship correctly. But Lissa would not ride alone to her uncle’s house. She grabbed hold of her luckless cousin and literally dragged him into the carriage. He sat opposite her first, but then realized the folly of his ways and moved to sit at the far end of the carriage seat, next to her. Only just this morning he had proudly noted that he was “bruise-free” for the first time in weeks. Albert had taken to staying in his cabin, just to avoid her tirades whenever Lissa managed to make it topside. He sometimes even wiped his brow in gratitude that his uncle had not seen fit to wed him to Lissa. He was coming to realize that the lovely, sweet-mannered girl in London had somehow been replaced by a foul-mouthed vixen who seemed to enjoy kicking whoever was nearest when she wasn’t feeling well. He had gotten tired of hobbling about with bruised shins, and decided he could do without the sunshine and fresh air in favor of healed shinbones. Lissa talked the whole trip into the city. Albert had no idea what she was going on about, but he knew that her father and her fiancé, the poor fool as he referred to Jack, would soon find themselves on the receiving end of what he had suffered through the last six weeks. As soon as the carriage halted at his father’s house, Lissa had thrown the door open and hopped down. She didn’t wait for Albert, but flew up the steps like a ship in full sail. Albert stood outside for a moment and considered escaping to his club. He didn’t really care what the devil he looked like at that moment, which was quite something for the dandy he had been. In fact, he was turning to hail a hansom cab when he heard his father’s voice calling from the doorway. His stomach sank to his toes as he realized that his escape from his cousin had been fouled up before he could even dream of the freedom. Inside, Albert watched as his mother and sisters made a colossal fuss over Lissa. They bemoaned about how terrible her trip had turned out, how completely dreadful the sea was, and finally, how totally unhelpful he had been. Albert just shrugged his shoulders as Lissa told of her hardships. He was immensely grateful when he overheard that his father was just leaving for his club, to meet Lissa’s father. He turned eagerly to join him, but felt his mother’s hand grabbing the sleeve of his coat. He saw the regretful look his father gave him (a shrewd man, his father was) and realized he was stuck but good, for a little while anyway.

*****

Several hours later and feeling pampered by her Aunt Celia, Lissa made her way downstairs. For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t feeling nauseated and wanted something to eat. She found her way to the kitchen and her aunt’s cook quite happily served her a full meal, right there at the huge wood table. Celia had told her that they had had an invitation that evening to cards, but she was canceling since Lissa had just arrived. She would need time to settle, and things would need to be decided. Lissa slowly ate her food, pausing to sip the milk the cook had insisted she have instead of tea. She hadn’t asked what her aunt had meant by “things to be decided”. Still, as she chewed, she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened between her father and Jack on the long trip to London. In the back of her mind, there had been the frisson of fear that perhaps he had decided that a life on the run would be better than marriage. After all, she had not been his choice. She was sure his father, the duke, most likely had some pretty little virgin all picked out for his son—someone with lots of breeding and a lineage a mile long. After eating, Lissa wandered out into her uncle’s garden. Finding her way along the path to the very back, she knew a secluded bench was hidden from prying eyes by lots of vines and climbing flowers. She sat and leaned back, wondering if perhaps she had been deserted at the altar. Well, not quite at the altar, but near enough. She rubbed her hand over her slightly rounded stomach. No one would guess she was pregnant. All that vomiting had taken its toll. Even though she was almost four months along, only the most astute of eyes might discern her condition. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to remember her last time alone with Jack, the night before they had sailed. Her father had worked diligently at keeping them apart, but Lissa had waited until all was silent and then had snuck out of the house. She had gone to where a trellis led up to the balcony just outside Jack’s room, at the rear of the house and farthest from her own. Hiking up her gown, she had climbed the wood trellis like a young child rather than a genteel woman. “Bugger!” she’d whispered, caught once more on a thorny vine. “Why don’t they trim this blamed stuff?!” Finally hauling herself over the balustrade, Lissa ran her fingers through her hair, trying to restore it to some semblance of order. She shook out her white gown, causing a little shower of twigs and leaves on the balcony. She wiggled her head from side to side and then pulled her nightgown off her shoulders, making sure her full breasts were slightly revealed. Smiling, she walked into his darkened room. With the light behind her, she glanced around, sighting the bed. Lissa stumbled as she saw the bed was empty. This was something she had not considered in her plans. For a moment, she wondered if he was off bedding one of the chambermaids, but then she knew that was ridiculous. More likely he was trying to sneak over to her room. “Damn!” she muttered to herself. “And double damn!” she added for good measure. She knew she couldn’t walk back through the house, and she didn’t relish the idea of climbing back down that trellis. She turned and started for the open balcony doors, though, her shoulders slumped in frustration. She had only gone a step when her arm was caught and she was whirled around. Lissa saw Jack’s naked body a moment before he claimed her mouth with his own. Lissa eagerly met his mouth and kissed him back hungrily. She had missed his

strong arms holding her close. Remembering how his hot mouth felt pressing kisses to her lips, her neck and her breasts had made her restless and sleepless night after night during the lonely hours. She had missed the feel of his hardness sliding into her wet heat, thrusting over and over to a crashing climax. Jack didn’t waste any time on words. He lifted her into his arms and tossed her into the center of the bed. As he came down beside her, covering one leg with his own, his mouth lowered to claim her breast, sucking her nipple into the hot, wet, consuming passion. Lissa tangled her hands in his hair, holding him close as he teased her nipple into peaked, taut awareness. And when his hand moved over her belly and found its way between her widespread thighs, her soft cry filled the night. She could never deny how he made her feel. She wanted to be with him all ways, and always. Within seconds, Jack’s hand found her wet lips and spread them eagerly. He slipped a finger inside and began toying with her clit. Her cries echoed in breathless moans and gasps in the darkness. “Come for me, little pet. It’s going to be a long time until we can love like this again.” Jack spoke to her urgently. But Lissa had come to him. She had her own plans and refused to be distracted, even by his most clever fingers. Her hands moved down and found his hard cock. She took him into her tender grasp and began stroking his hardness, sliding the skin up and over the head, over and over. When Jack groaned, Lissa made her move and pushed him until he was lying on his back. She eased about in the bed, pausing for a moment to lightly kiss his lips. Slowly she eased down a bit and kissed each of his hard masculine nipples, licking each, nibbling, and finally giving him a light nip of her teeth. Without pause, she moved down until she was beside his thigh. Jack groaned as she caressed his hard flesh with her soft hands. When she cupped his sac and fondled his balls, the jerk of response that shot through his body was obvious. Lissa’s passion, her wildness, was thrilling. Her passion almost matched the sound of the ocean waves, pounding the rocky shore not far beyond his window. When she moved farther down and finally lowered her mouth to his cock, his fingers clutched fiercely in her long hair. Her hot, wet mouth kept licking him, sucking him, and bobbing up and down. She put all of her love, desire and hope into her caresses. To both their surprise, he came in a sudden spurt of passion, shooting his cream into her mouth. Lissa swallowed part, but lost most of it, since she had been equally surprised. She looked up at Jack and could see the flush on his cheeks. His chest was heaving from his passionate response. He took hold of her arms and dragged her upward, over his body. He held her close, caressing her soft hair. “God, honey… I didn’t plan… ” Lissa smiled. “I didn’t think you did, my love. I did plan it, though. I wanted to pleasure you on our last night here on the island.” Jack laughed softly. “Well, there can be no doubt about that, my sweet.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back. He caught her gown in his hands and began pulling it up over her hips. Cupping her rounded buttocks, he began massaging the fleshy globes. He smiled as Lissa squirmed under his arousing touch. “I have missed you these last two weeks, my sweet little pirate.” Lissa grinned up at him. “I’ve missed you too, Jack. I wish we could stay on the island and live in the cabin by the sea. We could fish for our food, maybe put in a small

garden, and make love the rest of the time.” Jack smiled at her simplistic answer to their problem. “I’d enjoy that, my sweet, but you wouldn’t miss the dancing, the parties and the soirees of London?” Lissa stopped smiling and looked into Jack’s dark eyes. “The truth?” When Jack nodded, she went on, “No, I wouldn’t miss it. I was raised here, where things are much slower, and quieter. The parties were fun, but it never seemed completely real. This is real, here. I like getting up with the sun and working during the day and going to bed at sunset. I would really like it if I had you to go to bed with and to wake up with the next day.” She stared at Jack, feeling so wonderful and wondered if he felt the same things as she right then. Suddenly he turned, rolling Lissa to her back and leaning over her. He pushed her gown up to expose her full breasts. He cupped one breast in his hand, holding her gaze with his eyes. “Sleeping in your arms would be the wine in my life, but waking up with you each day, Lissa, would be the champagne.” He lowered his head and kissed her mouth hotly and completely.

***** “Lissa?” “Lissa!” Hearing her name being called so insistently, she knew her solitude in the garden was over. Lifting her eyelids unwillingly, she discovered her cousin Louise standing just a few feet away. She ran her hands through her disheveled hair, which was trailing down her back. She would have a hard time getting used to confining it once again. “I’m sorry, Louise. I must have dozed off out here. I didn’t hear you calling me.” Lissa smiled at her beautiful cousin. Louise was quite pretty herself, with blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin. Wherever they had gone together, they had never lacked for beaus anxious to dance or chat with them, and often had flowers delivered at Louise’ s father’s front door the next morning. Louise came over and sat down on the seat next to Lissa. “I’m going to a card party at Susan Rothermere’s tonight,” Louise explained. “Mother says you will be too tired to come along, but I thought I would ask you anyway. Susan’s mother is having music too, so if you don’t feel up to cards, you could just find a comfortable spot and listen to the music.” Lissa met her cousin’s clear and innocent eyes. She was tired, but she suddenly decided that she wasn’t going to be hidden away until her father, or Jack, decided to acknowledge her presence. “You know, Louise, I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.” She jumped up and grabbed the younger woman’s hand. “Let’s go decide what to wear.”

Chapter Seven Louise and Lissa went to the small soiree accompanied by Albert, who had to be blackmailed into being their escort for the evening. He knew his choice would anger his Uncle Peter and his father if they found out, but he was most worried about Jack’s reaction. Upon arrival at the exclusive party, Albert positioned himself against the wall with a clear view of the doorway, just in case he needed a quick escape route. He bolstered his ego when he told himself it was so he could keep a better eye on the girls. He began to worry about an hour after their arrival at the party when he could no longer see his sister’s pretty pale pink dress or the white one that Lissa had been wearing. He had just taken a sip of the champagne being served when he heard the commotion on the opposite side of the room. He was straining to see over the cluster of young men when the crowd parted and he saw the Marquis of Broughton come walking out of the center of the group. Albert choked on his champagne when he saw the woman who was following the risqué marquis was none other than his cousin, Lissa. The Marquis of Broughton, Marcus Wilton-Smyth, was a few years older than he and ran in a much more elite group. The other man’s attractive blond looks and manly shape was “aped” by all the young man of town. Their tailors all worked hard to pad their jackets to simulate the Marquis’ broad chest and shoulders. He also had quite a reputation with the ladies, usually married or widowed ones. Just when Albert was thinking his life couldn’t possibly be any more wretched, he saw the Marquis turn and take his cousin into his arms for a dance. As Marcus turned Lissa in an intricate dance step, Albert dropped his glass of champagne, forever earning him the disapproval of his hostess. As Lissa spun and executed the dance step flawlessly, Albert and anyone else who chose to look could see that after her arrival at the party she had followed the latest trend in fashion. She had dampened her muslin dress and it clung quite shamelessly to her womanly curves. Of course, Albert couldn’t help but notice that her curves were indeed quite womanly. He moved away from the wall abruptly, knowing the time had come to drag his companions home for the night. He reached the edge of the dance floor and tapped his foot nervously while contemplating how he could get Lissa away from the much bigger, and stronger, older man. He then saw Louise being spun around by a young man. He wasn’t concerned about her until he saw that she also had dampened her dress. And while his sister was slender, there was no denying that her curves were alluring. Albert then got really upset with himself for even noticing his sister’s curves. He turned to locate Lissa in the crowd again and discovered that she and the Marquis were no long on the dance floor. Albert realized that he had all the makings for a damned fainting spell, or a conniption fit, right then and there. But he didn’t have time for that, not if he didn’t want to find himself murdered by his father, his uncle and Jack. Marcus led Lissa outside onto the terrace. It was quite dark, in spite of the torches that had been lit. Lissa fanned herself, feeling a

bit faint. She had accepted the Marquis’ request to dance as a sign of rebellion against Jack for deserting her. But when she danced with him, she couldn’t help but be aware of his masculine strength. His arms had felt quite strong and secure wrapped around her, leading her so surely through the intricate dance steps. “Would you like to sit down, Miss Stilton?” Marcus asked her politely. Lissa turned in surprise, her thoughts elsewhere. “Yes, that would be nice, I think.” She was further surprised when Marcus took her arm and led her down the steps into the darker garden area. Her breath quickened, as she felt a bit alarmed at being led further away from the party. But Marcus led her straight to a stone bench hidden away in a leafy arbor. She sat with a sigh of relief, which faded as Marcus sat next to her. For a moment, neither spoke. Marcus turned. “I enjoyed meeting your father last evening, Miss Stilton.” Lissa fanned herself, blowing a puff of air up into the curls on her forehead. “Yes. I believe you said it was at your club?” “Yes, he was there with your uncle, I believe. My father had been a friend of Lord Stilton’s when they were at Eton, so I was glad to introduce myself to him.” Lissa nodded, half-wishing she hadn’t come outside at all. “I see. Your father is in London?” Marcus shook his head, trying to casually extend his arm along the back of the bench. “No, he rarely comes to town anymore. He spends most of his time at our country estate in Northumberland. He was quite fascinated with Darwin’s works and fancies himself writing a book on the native ants, or some such thing. I’m afraid I’ve taken to tuning him out when he brings up the subject.” Lissa chuckled softly. “I tend to do the same whenever Father starts discussing sugar cane and the sort. Uhm, what club is this, milord?” “White’s, actually. One can always find someone one knows there to enjoy a game of cards or share a glass of port.” “Ahh,” Lissa spoke softly. “And did you?” “Did I what, Miss Stilton?” “Why, find someone to play cards with.” Marcus laughed softly. “Oh, yes, of course, Miss Stilton. I enjoyed several hands of whist with your father, actually.” “Just the two of you?” Lissa asked. “It is funny you should ask. The strangest thing happened as we were playing. Lord Fitzpatrick interrupted us. I hadn’t realized he was in town.” Lissa tensed at hearing that Jack had been out partying while she was left alone. Her voice was a bit strained as she asked, “Oh? Where had he been?” “His father was telling everyone he was off in Scotland, seeing to some business for him. But Jack looked too tanned to have been in the wilds of Scotland. I believe that it is still too chilly up there for much sunshine.” Lissa closed her fan with a snap and turned toward her handsome companion. Before she could say anything else, though, Marcus moved his arm to encircle her shoulders. In an impressively smooth move, he pulled her close to his chest and before she could utter a protest, he covered her soft mouth with his own. The kiss was hot, devouring and

claiming her mouth eagerly. Lissa pushed at his shoulders for a moment, and then she relaxed. Having been without Jack’s attention for the last six weeks had made her lonely. The touch of his lips, his tongue, wasn’t disgusting, as she had thought it would be. To be honest, she had thought about being touched and kissed when he had held her in his arms a short time ago dancing. But it had been Jack’s lips she wanted, and his caresses that she desired. Marcus’ hands caressed her back while his lips and tongue claimed her own. She shivered at his touch, feeling something, and her mind telling her she shouldn’t. When one hand slid around her body and cupped her breast, a soft cry broke from her lips. She knew she should stop him, push him away, but her body was needy for warmth and gentle caresses. She was lonely. Was her body betraying her? Dear God! Her mind shouted at her. Have you gone crazy? Is this how you show your love for the father of your baby? Followed on that came the unsettling knowledge that perhaps Jack didn’t love her after all, and his return to London would only reinforce any doubts he’d been having. Push him away! NOW! Marcus cupped the full, round breast gently at first. He moved slowly, tentatively, to gauge his way. Then he began moving his fingers over the soft material, back and forth over the tightly beaded nipple. Slowly, he began closing his hand over her breast, squeezing it gently at first, and then more firmly, rhythmically, as he felt the sweet, full weight in his palm. He had had a hard time keeping his eyes from staring at her lovely bosom earlier. Her nipples had been nearly visible beneath the almost see-through muslin of her dress. Over and over, his hand caressed and molded the rounded globe. He knew then that he had to see her bountiful breasts. His fingers clenched in the fabric and began tugging it downward. Lissa’s hands pushed against his shoulders, and Marcus released her abruptly. They both heard a voice calling out her name. Lissa recognized the voice as Albert’s. She wasn ’t sure if she was relieved, or not, that he had interrupted the passionate embrace. She stood immediately, turning to go back to the terrace. Marcus stopped her, though, by grabbing her upper arm lightly. Lissa stopped and looked back at him. She was surprised by the naked look of longing on his face. She had thought that perhaps he had only kissed her because she hadn’t resisted coming outside with him. Seeing his desire and need so blatantly made her feel a bit easier, though not less guilty. “My mother is having a ball tomorrow night. I will have an invitation sent to you in the morning. Promise you will be there, my lovely night angel,” he whispered to her softly. Lissa felt her heart jump. He sounded so sincere, and she couldn’t believe that he was only doing this because she was available. “I’ll try.” Marcus nodded, releasing her arm. “I’ll let you go back by yourself. It wouldn’t look good for us to walk out of the garden together. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night, then.” Lissa nodded and then turned and walked back to the terrace quickly.

Albert was standing on the stone steps, glaring out over the dark grounds. Her white dress made her visible to him a short time before she reached the raised stone. “Damn it! Lissa, what the devil are you doing out here? What crazy stunt will you pull next?” Albert didn’t wait for her to answer. “Come along. We are going home now!” He didn’t wait for her agreement, but reached for her arm and tugged her along behind him.

***** Lissa awoke the next morning feeling absolutely rotten. The first thing she did was sneeze. Damn! She had caught a cold. She had thought that dampening the dresses was a stupid idea, but Louise had told her it was all the rage and everyone was doing it. Well, fine, Lissa told herself that morning, maybe it was a rage, but all she had now was a raging head cold. She sneezed again. She took a few sips of the tepid tea that had been brought to her an hour ago when she had been awakened. The maid had informed her that Lord Fitzpatrick was waiting for her in the drawing room. Well, that piece of knowledge had not helped her humor too terribly well. She had turned back over in the bed and pulled the covers up over her head. She had lain there for at least another thirty minutes in an angry snit at the way Jack was ordering her about. He had left her high and dry since her arrival, and now he was downstairs commanding her to come down and dance attendance on him. Glancing in her mirror as she tied her hair back with a ribbon, she couldn’t stop the rush of guilt. She had betrayed Jack last evening with another man! It shocked her that she had let things progress so far. Was she now a fallen woman, beyond any hope of redemption? Did this mean that she might have succumbed to any man and not just because it had been Jack? What if it had been a different pirate ship that had come upon them? Suddenly nothing seemed quite the same. Who was she anyway? It had all seemed quite simple. What was she doing? Disgusted with her inner doubts and fears, she pulled the ribbon from her hair. When Hannah took the brush from her hands, she let the maid dress her hair more formally. She finally left her room, almost ninety minutes since the tea and summons had arrived. Her hair was rolled to perfection at the nape of her neck. She wore a lovely morning dress in soft peach. Other than flushed cheeks and a pink nose, no one would gather she hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. She walked quite casually down the stairs, only to find Albert just leaving the breakfast room. He looked as if he had had a full night’s sleep and wasn’t suffering any aftereffects whatsoever. Lissa felt beholden to glare at his cheerful face. Albert’s bright smile quickly turned to a frown when he saw his cousin. The change had nothing to do with her looks, though. He had accidentally wandered into the drawing room about thirty minutes earlier and discovered a very irate former pirate waiting for Lissa. Wishing he were anywhere else but there, he wondered for a moment whether he should forewarn Lissa of Jack’s mood. But then he remembered all the trouble she had given him since they had left for

London a few months earlier, and he closed his mouth. Perhaps it was time for his haughty, headstrong cousin to get a set-down. And he could think of no one stronger or more determined than Black Jack to give it to her. “Good morning, Albert. What the devil are you looking so chipper about this morning? Isn’t there a law against being so happy?” Albert’s smile grew even larger when he saw the mood his cousin was in. He decided to hurry around the house and position himself just outside the large French doors of the drawing room that opened onto the garden. He was sure that he would be able to hear just about every single word from that strategic position. Now all he had to do was get away from Lissa. “Nothing, my dear cousin. In fact, everyone is in such a good mood today that I can’t help but pick up their good spirits.” He grinned at Lissa as she walked innocently toward the drawing room. As she turned her back on Albert, he took off running toward the front door and loped around the house at a truly indecent speed. Or so the little old ladies who were strolling by with their tiny dogs thought. Lissa entered the quiet room, closing the door behind her. How dare he, she told herself silently, to command her to see him and then leave! She took another step into the room and then she saw them, a huge basket of white roses. In fact, the bouquet held so many white roses that they nearly overflowed the basket. And in the center of the basket, were two pink rosebuds, their sweet buds not opened yet. Lissa gasped and rushed over to the basket. She buried her nose in the whisper soft petals for a moment, inhaling deeply. Sighing deeply, she thought that Jack truly was the most wonderful man in the entire world to have brought her such a lovely present. “There is a card that came with them, my dear.” Lissa turned with a little cry, startled to see Jack step forward. He had been in the darker corner of the room where the light never quite reached. Obviously, a good place hide. She didn’t take full note of the cold, angry tone in his voice, though. “Oh, Jack! They are so beautiful! How sweet of you to bring them! And you wrote me a card? May I read it please?” Jack took a few steps nearer, but still kept his distance. He held the tiny white card between his fingers. Just then, Lissa sneezed. “Oh, dear. I am sorry, Jack. It appears I have caught a cold. But I shall be very careful and not give it to you, I promise.” She rubbed her nose with her small handkerchief. “Would you rather read me what you wrote?” Jack indicated for Lissa to take a seat on the sofa. “I believe I shall read you what the note says, Lissa.” He opened the small slip of paper. His fingers held it so tightly the paper almost crumpled before he relaxed his grip abruptly. “My dearest Lissa, I send you these flowers because their beauty reminded me of you last night.” He paused for a moment and looked up to catch the flare of surprise on her face. “The whiteness of your dress accented your face that is so like I imagine an angel’s to be. And the two pink roses,” Jack paused, his teeth clenching. “And the pink roses are for your lovely nipples showing through the wet material of your dress.” He didn’t stop

when he heard Lissa’s gasp of recognition. “You have the body of a temptress, my sweet garden angel. Last night in the garden, when I held you so close and kissed you, I felt your hot nipples pressing against me. I reveled in the fact that I was a man, and you a woman. When you cried out my name as I caressed your lovely breasts, I nearly was undone right then and there on the stone bench we sat upon.” Lissa’s soft cry stopped him for but a moment. “How I wish we had not been interrupted! I long to see you before this evening, but alas my mother has many demands upon my time today before the ball. I must wait until tonight before my eyes can once again gaze upon your most perfect womanly body. And so until then, my sweet angel, I bid you adieu. Your servant, ma’am, Marcus, Marquis of Broughton.” Silence filled the room as Jack finished reading the small card. And then came the sound of paper crumpling as Jack crushed the card in his fist. Lissa jumped slightly in surprise, but then she stood and took a step toward Jack. His hand, held palm front, stopped her, though. “Don’t come near me right now, madam. I am too near the edge of my control.” Jack turned away and walked over to the door of the drawing room. Lissa screamed inside her head to move, to stop him and explain. But her feet seemed to be stuck to the carpet. She watched, feeling powerless as Jack paused before opening the door. “At this point, I think it would be best if we don’t see one another for a few days. I will talk to your father. We might have to remove you to the country, change our plans after all. Your father will let you know my decision.” The door closed behind him with a deadly calm. Lissa stared in disbelief. She knew she had been wrong to go to the party last night, but she hadn’t really acknowledged her error until afterward. She ached at the look in Jack’s eyes, but she was also angry at his actions. Calling herself stupid and a few nasty names wouldn’t help. Using a few of them for someone else might— No. She had been wrong, and if she had been caught in a compromising position with the Marquis, nothing would have saved her reputation, not even the marriage to a future prominent duke. No, she had known that she had made a mistake. But, up until a few minutes ago, she had had hopes of getting away without being discovered. Obviously, Jack had been led to the flowers somehow, or he probably would never have looked at the card. “Albert!” Lissa cried out in anger. No wonder he had had such a Cheshire cat grin on his face. She knew he had been angry about getting dragged to the party last night, but she hadn’t thought he could go this far. Now she was angry as she jumped up and walked out into the hallway. She stood there and yelled, “Albert! Albert! Where are you, spineless worm?” Several servants appeared, along with her aunt and uncle and two of her younger cousins. But, no Albert. Lissa finally lifted her skirts and took off at a run up the stairs. She was damned if she was going to let Jack run her life. And if he thought he could dictate to her, well he could just think again. Once upstairs, she rang for the maid. She

had written a note and had it dispatched to the Marquis’ mother, accepting the invitation. She then wrote another note, a little longer, and had it sent off. Next she needed a dress! She went looking for her cousin Louise.

***** Meanwhile, Albert was already scampering down the road as if the hounds of hell were at his heels, and not just his cousin.

***** She found her cousin Louise daydreaming in the garden. She had met some young military officer last evening, and that had been all she could talk about since. She finally turned to Lissa only after she had clapped in Louise’s face. “Hello, Lissa. I was just remembering something Jeremy told me last night—” “Yes, yes, Louise, you can tell me later. I’ve decided I’m going to that ball tonight, and I am going to need a dress.” Lissa grabbed her cousin’s hand and began pulling her across the small lawn, which was between the house and the garden. “But what about an escort? You know Mama will never go with us. And I’m afraid Albert will be doing his best to hide from us after last night.” “Not to worry, Lou. I’ve thought of everything. Now we just go shopping for some scandalous dresses!”

***** Several hours later, Lissa and Louise made a rather stunning entrance. Whether it was due to the fact that they were two beautiful young women, elegantly gowned or that between them was their great-aunt Lysastrada, whom Lissa had been named for, was anyone’s guess. And her aunt was a noblewoman, who held herself proudly for her seventy-odd years. Her aunt also happened to be dressed in a gold and purple Indian-style sari and turban. She was a truly unique character in the upper class of the London set. And she had plenty of money so that no one dared comment on her eccentric appearance, or her even more eccentric activities. In less than two minutes, both young women had been asked to dance, and from that moment on they rarely stopped dancing. More than an hour passed before Lissa was finally able to make it into the small room set aside for al fresco dining. It opened up onto the terrace with lots of chairs and tables scattered about. She filled a plate for herself and accepted a glass of champagne. As she turned, she saw the Marquis was standing just behind her. “Oh! I didn’t see you there.” Lissa smiled up at him, aware of him looking quite dashing in his dark blue jacket, which served to highlight his blond hair and blue eyes. Marcus smiled. “May I join you?”

Lissa nodded and a few minutes later they were seated in one of the darker corners of the terrace. She sipped her champagne, which was quickly refilled by one of the waiters circulating the area. Lissa laughed at something Marcus said, taking more of her champagne. “It is probably impolite of me to ask, Miss Stilton, but did you receive the flowers I sent?” Lissa blushed brightly, remembering the terrible set-down she had received from Jack over the flowers. She didn’t like recalling the episode. Each time she did, her recollections were a bit brighter and she didn’t come off as well. Lissa didn’t like feeling guilty, and it was becoming harder and harder to escape the fact that her behavior was unacceptable—in her eyes. Marcus interpreted the blush as the response to his bold note. He knew it had been a risky thing to do, but he had not wanted to waste time. He had gotten some distinctly possessive impressions from Jack Fitzpatrick the other day at the club, when her father had been speaking about her. And once he had seen her, he understood why. There was something about Lissa Stilton that was sensual and ladylike, the perfect combination, in his opinion, for his future marchioness. And even though the two men had been together, no mention of a possible connection between the families had been made. “Yes, thank you. I’m sorry I failed to mention them myself. They were quite lovely, and most unexpected.” Lissa’s voice trailed away. Marcus smiled, signaling the waiter to refill their glasses. He continued to keep Lissa talking, even though she was a bit distracted. He suggested once she had finished her fourth glass of champagne that they return downstairs for more dancing. Lissa smiled and nodded her head. She walked beside Marcus, not really listening to what he was saying. Her head was swimming, or was that humming. Her limbs felt funny, she noted, but it was all a little strange. At the top of the long staircase that led back to the main ballroom, Lissa stopped abruptly. Looking down, she saw standing near the foot of the stairs, talking with several men, was Jack. She had one coherent thought, and that was to wonder what the hell he was doing there.

***** Attending a stuffy ball tonight was not how he had planned on spending the second evening since being reunited with Lissa. The separation at sea had worn upon him, and in more ways than just physical. Of course, he missed being with her. But he stayed quite busy, working along with the crew many days to fill his hours. His evening hours were spent with his future father-in-law, learning about the man’s business affairs most of the time. Still, if they stayed up quite late, and shared some of the governor’s expensive brandy, he was regaled with stories about Lord Stilton’s early life—with his wife, and then his daughter. Those had been the times that had made the trip worthwhile. It had surprised him at first, learning that he enjoyed finding out about Lissa’s childhood. His future wife was a prankster, at times. She was always in one scrape or another at the

small school her mother had conducted on their plantation, educating not only her daughter, but also many of the children of both white and black workers. He discovered that his bride-to-be was not timid, faint of heart or unwilling to take a chance. She often engaged in breakneck horse races, climbing trees and rescuing abused animals. Many times, Lord Stilton told him, he would come home to find the household in disarray because his daughter had rescued a dog, cat or other sundry beasts. Upon his arrival, it was not at all unusual to discover the rescuer held at bay by the rescued. Over the long voyage, Jack found himself falling in love with Lissa in ways he had not thought possible. He was coming to see her as a person and not just a beautiful woman he wanted. She had become more than the future mother of his child. Lissa was a thinking, caring and sometimes reckless woman. He had no doubt as to her intelligence, but her past unfortunate escapades resulted from her caring heart mixed with her headstrong spirit. Jack had resolved to be a good husband once they reached England. His days of wanderlust were behind him. He was determined to toe the line. He planned to set up a tidy household, as was the norm for a man of his stature, and await the arrival of his firstborn. Of course, if the baby was not a boy, he and Lissa would need to get busy on number two so that he had a future heir to inherit his noble title. Not that this chore would be a hardship. He’d been looking forward to having Lissa in his bed once again… just as soon as they could get the bloody wedding over! This morning, arriving at the home of her uncle, he had been in exceptionally good mood. He was anxious to see Lissa. What he’d found instead was Albert, who had almost eagerly disclosed the events of the previous evening. The note with the flowers had told enough of the damning story, without Albert’s embellishments, which had spilled out with a minimal of encouragement. But reading about another man rhapsodizing over his pregnant fiancée’s voluptuous form had been more than his frayed nerves could handle. He had been so close to shouting at her this morning that he had been forced to leave abruptly. Tonight he had come just to prove to himself that Lissa would do the right thing— Jack happened to turn his head and out of the corner of his eye saw blonde hair. He focused and saw that his fiancée was not home at her uncle’s house safe in bed, as expected. But rather she was standing much too close to the Marquis. He moved away from the small group to put one foot on the bottom stair, his eyes meeting Lissa’s. His furious eyes met hers, each glaring at the other. He couldn’t read her thoughts, but to be honest, he was too damned angry to care. Lissa saw Jack’s foot on the first stair, assumed he was coming toward her, and decided a hasty retreat in another direction would be her wisest course of action. The champagne hampered her coordination. Unfortunately her new dress, having been hemmed too quickly, had torn a bit and caught on the heel of her shoe. As she spun around to retreat, she lost her balance. And like a bad dream, her arms flailed about as she started to fall backward. Marcus reached toward her, but he was too late. In a split second, she was falling down the long staircase. Jack felt like he was frozen, along with everyone else, as they watched in horror

while Lissa plummeted down the stairs. He was able to stop her fall a few feet from the bottom, and within a few seconds, people surrounded them. Jack lifted her head slightly and could feel a good-sized bump at the back of it. He heard someone calling out for the doctor. Her eyes didn’t open as he moved her. Through the loud roaring in his ears, he heard someone say to bring her to a room off to the side, so Jack picked her up and went in that direction. He had just placed her on the sofa in the room when he was gently moved aside by a man he recognized as none other than the Queen’s physician. He stepped back, relieved that a doctor was now present. He turned as Louise and another woman came into the room. Silence reigned as the doctor slowly began examining her. Lissa moaned once as they moved her so the doctor could check her back. Marcus’ mother had entered the room and was ushering everyone out who was not needed. She was the first to notice the stain on Lissa’s dress. It was bright red, and it was spreading. Jack felt like a fist had slammed into his gut. Louise gasped. “Oh dear Lord, no! She’s losing the baby!”

Chapter Eight Lissa awoke slowly, aware of a dull, throbbing headache. She couldn’t seem to remember anything, though. She tried to move and became aware of a pain, down low in her belly. Her hand moved immediately to cover her baby. And yet, in the very same instant, she knew it was too late. She felt the soreness and wetness between her thighs and knew she had lost her baby. Her hand fell away from her body as tears began sliding down her cheeks silently. She had killed her baby with her reckless foolishness. She had no one to blame but herself. Guilt overwhelmed her as she realized what she’d lost. The baby that had just begun to seem real was now gone. In just a few seconds, she had killed her child. Never again would she be able to rub her tummy, knowing her baby was sleeping so sweetly within her body. It didn’t make sense that it should hurt this bad, she tried to tell herself rationally. After all, the baby wasn’t a person she’d actually known, or talked with. Sure, she’d just begun to talk to the baby, when she was positive that no one else was around. Constantly she’d felt torn between guilt at getting pregnant in the first place, and wanting to bask in the joyous glow that wanted to break through the thin veneer she was putting over her emotions. Jack had never wanted to marry her, that much had been clear from the very beginning. The only reason they had reached this impasse was the fact that she was pregnant. Her freedom-loving pirate was being forced into marriage. For that alone, he should hate her. Then in a fit of rebellious temper, she’d gone out and behaved improperly with another man. Perhaps she really was no better than a dock whore, a slut. Maybe she deserved to lose her baby? What kind of mother would she have been, so careless as to risk her innocent baby’s life? The door to her room opened, and her father came in. He looked so sad and suddenly much older, she realized. She had not thought that her being so foolish would hurt others. She closed her eyes as she remembered her fall down the long staircase at the ball. She knew then that others must have been present when she started to lose the baby, and now she was probably completely ruined and dishonored. She looked over at her father as he stood next to the bed. She lifted her hand to him, which he took immediately. “I am so sorry, Papa,” Lissa told him softly, using her name for him from her very early childhood. “I have shamed and embarrassed you. I will leave with you to go home, as soon as you say.” Her father looked at her with such sad eyes that she started to cry all over again. “My darling Lissa, you have done nothing of the kind. I want you to put it out of your mind right now. We will move on and only think of the future.” He patted her hand gently, if awkwardly, and then lifted his hand to wipe away a tear on her cheek. “Not to worry, my dear. You still look a bit pale, but I feel reassured that you’ve awakened almost precisely when the doctor predicted. The doctor has said you will be well enough to travel in a few days. I’ve made arrangements for you to go with your aunt Lysastrada to her home in Bath. This will give you a chance to recover. Everyone

says taking the waters will do wonders for you.” Lissa looked up at her father and could see the worry for her on his face. She turned her hand over and squeezed his. “Don’t worry, Papa. I’ll be fine. You will see, and before you know it, I will be right as rain. Remember how quickly I healed as a child? Promise me you won’t worry, please?” She held her breath, waiting for her father to mention Jack. Surely as her future husband, he would most likely be here soon to let her know what his plans now were. Would they marry in Bath, as soon as she was feeling stronger? A sinking feeling was growing as she realized that without the baby, maybe Jack would return to his pirating ways. Why would he marry her now, that nasty little voice in her head pointed out? Then the thought came that she had betrayed him, in most people’s eyes. Perhaps that was reason enough for him to be rid of her. Marriage and settling down had not been his plan. Without a baby to worry about, what would stop him? Jack had never really told her that he loved her. Pressing her hand to her belly, she hoped Jack would be here soon, so she could apologize— Peter Stilton looked down at his daughter’s face. Through his tears, her face blurred a bit and she looked so much like her mother. He nodded his head, just as he had often done when his wife had spoken to him thusly. She had always been able to calm him, even when no one else could. He smiled at Lissa. “Well, I should go. The doctor warned me to only stay a few minutes, and not tire you out. Shall I have something to eat sent up, my dear?” Lissa shook her head. “Not yet, Papa. I’m really tired, and I think I will go back to sleep for a bit. Please tell everyone else not to worry. I will be fine. In fact, I’ll be as good as new in no time at all.” She forced a smile to her lips to reassure her father. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and then left her alone with her thoughts, and her tears.

***** Lissa sat in the garden, enjoying the soft breeze wafting in from the ocean just a short distance away. The flowers were beautiful and gave off such a sweet scent as the wind blew them about that afternoon. She lifted her face to the sun, ignoring her aunt’s advice. The sun was warm but wasn’t hot like at home. She missed the heat at times and the way it could sometimes relax your soul. More than three months had passed since she had come to Bath with her aunt. Her aunt went to her card parties in the afternoon, but Lissa enjoyed just being alone. She had read almost every book in her aunt’s library. Lissa stood reluctantly. She could hold out no longer. She was going to have to go to the Bath lending library if she wanted to keep her sanity while she continued her self-imposed solitude. She passed by one of the maids on her way out and told her she would be back shortly.

As the door closed behind the young mistress of the house the maid looked at the footman, who had closed the door. The footman saw the stunned look on the young woman’s face. “Did the young miss say where she was going?” he asked a moment later. “The lending library!” The girl then hurried off to inform the cook and the housekeeper of this sudden change in the sad young miss they had all become so concerned about. Lissa had studied one of the Bath maps she had found in her aunt’s den, so she didn ’t have any difficulty finding her way along the quiet streets. The library seemed quiet, which probably wasn’t all that surprising since most people came to Bath for the waters, or for the sea and the sunshine. She smiled at the elderly librarian and meandered her way through the rows and stacks of books. She finally found what appeared to be a good romance and walked over to one of the chairs scattered about. She settled into the chair and started to read. Lissa lost track of the time as she became immersed in the distraught heroine’s life. It was with some surprise that she heard a muffled sound just behind her, the sound of someone crying. Lissa set down her book and walked around the tall stack of books behind her chair. She stopped abruptly, seeing a young woman sitting on the floor crying her eyes out. She turned to go, part of her not wanting to get involved, but the caring and concerned half of her, the part that was like her mother, made her stop. Walking over to the girl, she squatted down beside her. Lissa must have been quieter than she thought for when she reached out to the woman, she jerked away in surprise. The very young woman looked up at the person who dared to disturb what appeared to be a very good, heartfelt cry. Lissa looked into the younger woman’s face, seeing blue eyes overflowing with tears. Yet the tears didn’t detract from her beauty. Obviously, Lissa thought, she was one of those lucky women who became even more beautiful when they cried. Lissa pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to the other woman. Funny, she thought as she did so, I am fated to be the logical one who always carries a hanky. “Come along now and dry your eyes. Tears never solved anything. I have learned that, if nothing else,” Lissa told the other woman, using her best and most matter of fact voice. Staying calm was often half the battle… not that she followed that advice, she just knew that she’d heard it often enough when she was growing up. The young blonde-haired woman dabbed at her eyes. She accepted Lissa’s hand to help her stand. “Thank you,” she told Lissa. “I am so sorry to have disturbed you. Please forgive me.” Lissa smiled at her. “There is nothing to apologize for. If I had to apologize for every tear I’ve shed of late, I’d never get anything done.” She led the woman around the stack of books and seated her in a chair at one of the small tables scattered around. Lissa took the chair next to hers. “I’m Lissa Stilton.” The younger woman sniffed. “My name is Suzanne Melton. I’ve not seen you around Bath. Have you just arrived?” Lissa shook her head. “No. I just preferred staying away from the parties. Are you

feeling a bit better now?” Suzanne nodded. “My carriage is just outside. Would you please accompany me for some tea?” Lissa paused, considering that perhaps it would be best to return to her book and her solitude. But something, probably her natural curiosity in life finally reasserting itself, made her agree. A short time later, the two women decided upon a small open-air café. They were seated immediately and their order taken. Lissa looked over at Suzanne. Once again the younger woman’s fragile, blonde beauty and big blue eyes took her by surprise. “Do you want to talk about it?” Lissa prodded a few seconds later. Suzanne looked away for a moment, and then once again towards Lissa. “I’m afraid I ’ve made an awful mistake.” She stopped as a waiter served them their tea, along with small biscuits and cakes. Lissa poured their tea, waiting for the younger woman to continue. “I’m afraid I have compromised myself and my family. We shall be horribly ruined. Undoubtedly we’ll be forced to retire forever from polite society.” The tears threatened to flow again. Lissa reached across the table and clasped Suzanne’s hand. “Drink up. I’m sure all is not lost. Not so long ago I felt the same. I’m sure we can figure something out. After all, with two heads, I’m sure we can solve your problem.” Suzanne turned her hand over and held onto Lissa’s. “Oh, Miss Stilton, I do so need a friend right now. You have been so kind to me so far that I hate to impose.” “You are not imposing. Now, have some cake and finish your tea.” Suzanne obeyed Lissa, her newfound friend. She took a deep breath. “I have written some letters—” Lissa paused in sipping her tea. Suzanne’s hushed tone, so full of portent made her wonder if the young woman had committed some kind of dreadful treason against the crown. But then she reminded herself that at this age, there was really only one kind of mail that really mattered. “Letters?” she questioned gently. “Yes. You see, I met someone here, and I wrote him some letters. I am afraid I was carried away by my romantic notions.” Suzanne paused to eat another cake, and finish her cup of tea. Lissa refilled her cup and pushed the platter of sandwiches and cakes towards the obviously hungry young woman. Her clothing, and the fact that she had a carriage waiting, told that the young woman didn’t lack for food due to money. “It is all right. We’ve all gotten carried away at one time or another,” Lissa reassured her gently, thinking her of own impulsive, headlong adventures with a momentary sharp pang to her chest. As she had learned most painfully, some impetuous actions had far-reaching consequences. “But it turns out this man is not a gentleman after all. He is a fortune-hunter!” Suzanne ended on a whisper. “And you have the fortune that he has been hunting?” Lissa asked carefully. Suzanne nodded, pausing to wipe another tear away. “Oh, yes. And now he is blackmailing me into marrying him. He will reveal my letters and ruin my reputation. Then not only will my family be shamed forever, no other man would want me, and I’ll be forced to marry this man anyway!”

Lissa nodded slowly. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, she felt regenerated. She had a purpose. She would help this young lady. The time to end this self-imposed isolation and self-punishment had arrived. Now she had precisely what she’d always enjoyed as a child… she had an enemy—a real-life dragon to be slain. True it wasn’t a creature but a man, but it would require the same skills. For the first time since she’d been on Jack’s pirate ship, she felt excitement. “Is there anything else?” she asked carefully, wanting to know everything before they got started. Suzanne nodded, eating another small cake. Obviously her distress had not hampered her appetite, Lissa noted wryly. “Yes. I have now discovered that my heart truly does belong to someone. And he shall be eternally lost to me unless I can stop this fiend.” Lissa paused, fighting to keep the smile from her face. This young miss belonged on the stage, but she only prompted her to continue. “And who is this wonderful man?” There was no missing the glow that suffused Suzanne’s face. Her beauty became more transcendent than earthly. “He is amazing, Lissa. I’ve known him for most of my life, yet for some silly reason I couldn’t see him, until now. In fact, he is the most wonderful man in all the world.” Lissa nodded. “And this paragon’s name?” Suzanne blushed. “William Beresford. Our families have been close, for as long as I can remember. And when they arrived here a few weeks ago, I guess I saw William in a new light. I’ve fallen in love, and now I shall never be with him because of my foolishness.” Her sniffles started once again. Lissa quickly patted her hand. “Now, now, don’t start crying. All is not lost. We just need to gather all of the facts, look at the problem logically, and then solve it.” Suzanne beamed across the table. “Oh, my dearest friend Lissa! How wonderful you are! I am so lucky to have met you.” Lissa smiled, but shook her head. “I think we should retire to somewhere more private where we can talk openly, and you can tell me everything.” She stood and laid some bills on the table for their tea. She refused Suzanne’s offer to pay for their small meal. Outside, she signaled for the carriage that Suzanne had, and then shepherded Suzanne into the vehicle and directed it to her aunt’s house.

***** Once they arrived at Lissa’s aunt’s home, she dismissed Miss Melton’s carriage, telling the driver that she would arrange the young lady to get home safely. Next she ordered more tea along with some brandy and retired with Suzanne to the library. Sitting at the desk, she took out several pieces of blank paper and dipped her pen in the ink. “Now, we need to start at the beginning. You must be completely honest and tell me everything about your relationship with this man, and I’ll ask questions as I need to.” Quietly, Suzanne began her tale. “We came to Bath a few months ago. My Mama’s health has been waning, and her physician had recommended that she take the water here. We live in the country. My parents would visit London once or twice a year, but I’

ve never been.” Lissa paused and nodded. “So, you have never had a season in London.” “No, it was to be this year, but with my mother’s health… Papa decided we should all come here instead.” “Quite right, indeed.” Lissa nodded, writing a few more words on the paper. “Now, is your dear mother bedridden?” “Oh no, she is actually better. She still has periods some of the time, but we have been able to attend afternoon tea and card parties.” Suzanne drank some tea. “Papa didn’t have any interest in going to these events.” “Well, that is men for you. And it would have been quite natural that her eldest daughter should accompany her, correct?” Suzanne nodded quickly, setting blonde curls in motion. “At one of these quiet little parties, I noticed him at first. He is a very attractive man, Lissa. And,” her voice dropped down to a near whisper, “He is a few years older than I am.” “I see. Uhm, how old are you, Suzanne?” “I am eighteen, and at first I couldn’t believe that he was interested in speaking to me! After all, here he was a distinguished man of ton. And I am naught but a gauche girl. In the beginning he was mysterious, handsome,” Suzanne paused and lowered her voice. “He seemed quite dashing and almost dangerous.” Lissa nodded, writing a few words while she thought over what Suzanne had told her so far. Undoubtedly this so-called gentleman had preyed upon this young woman, most likely after he had scouted out her family situation. She prodded Suzanne to continue, even as she sipped her tea. “Lord Beaverbrooke came over to me that afternoon when I had stepped outside for a breath of fresh air. He was quite charming, in the beginning.” “I am sure he was, my dear. But please continue.” Lissa listened to Suzanne as she revealed the clever seduction at the hands of an older man. She hated the thought that it resembled a little bit how Jack had wooed her with her his clever knowledge of sex. In a way, she had been a victim of Jack, just as Suzanne was falling prey to this fortune hunter. But all of that was about to change. Soon she bid farewell to Suzanne, promising that she would see her tonight at the soiree the girl and her mother would be attending. Lissa had no doubt that her aunt had received an invitation as well. Once she was alone, she pondered the situation. She had no doubt that Lord Beaverbrooke was a scoundrel, of the worst sort. Most likely he had done some investigating of his own and discovered that Miss Melton was the eldest of Lord Wycliffe, as Suzanne had revealed to her. No doubt the impoverished lord believed her true appeal was the fact that she had inherited over one hundred thousand pounds from an uncle recently. Suzanne would gain control of the money either upon turning twenty-five, or her marriage, whichever occurred first. Needless to say, the lovely young woman had become quite attractive to the impoverished lord. Lissa did wonder if he was using the noble reason of wanting funds to return his ancestral estates to their former glory. Perhaps his father had been the wastrel and profligate, and that is how he found himself in these dire straits. She had heard of men who sought out a woman just to get money to pay their town bills and

creditors so they could go on living the wild, reckless, and extremely expensive lifestyle they had accustomed themselves to. During the interview with Suzanne, she had learned how over the next few weeks, Lord Beaverbrooke had appeared at nearly every single function the young woman attended. He gave her his undivided attention, and slowly convinced her of his love. And that is when he wrote her the first letter, which had seemed so romantic in the beginning, she explained to Lissa. And her letter back had been quite unremarkable, just the sweet, tender ramblings of a young woman smitten for the first time. But then he had begun to entice her into revealing more and more in her letters. He encouraged her to pretend they were married and talk about how she wanted to be loved by him, touched by him, but to describe it as if it had occurred the night before or the previous day when they had met at such and such party. And Suzanne, Lissa assumed, being a young miss, with a girl’s tender, romantic notions, had probably enjoyed all this undivided attention. Her letters had probably included just what his lordship had requested. Suzanne confided that she had begun to suspect all was not well when he told her how much he wanted to see her pregnant with his child. She remembered how embarrassed she had been, flushing and feeling quite nervous. He told her to write to him about the night she became pregnant, of her love for him and how she would feel. He told her nothing would make him happier until they could be together for real. At that point, Lissa put the pen down, still listening. Hearing Suzanne talk about being pregnant had hurt. She swallowed hard, to hold back her tears. No matter that she had castigated herself time and again over how she could miss someone she had never known. She truly mourned the loss of her baby and felt as if a part of her was gone, never to be brought back. And knowing it was her fault only made the ache all the more painful and difficult to bear at times. Several times her aunt had told her that her father had written, wondering about her coming home to her uncle’s. Her cousin had wanted to visit her, but Lissa had told her great-aunt that she really didn’t want to see anyone, stressing anyone, for a while yet. She was fine, and they were not to worry. Lissa closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair. Alone in her aunt’s library, she forced away her own emotions and concerns. What she needed was to focus on someone else’s problems, not hers. Taking a deep breath, she recalled the change in Suzanne when she reached the turning point in her tale of woe. In her opinion, this is where Suzanne had reached the interesting part. About three weeks ago their best friends, the Beresfords, had arrived. They had taken a house just across the square from Suzanne’s family, and soon things were almost like normal. The families were doing almost everything together. Almost overnight, the very attractive William appeared much more grown up, now that he had come down from Oxford and had finished a season in London. Soon, Suzanne wasn’t seeing Lord Beaverbrooke anymore. William was taking all of her time and attention. She certainly didn’t seem to mind, she had realized slowly, and then she had come to see that she had truly fallen in love with William, not Lord Beaverbrooke, as she had thought. At first, there did not seem to be any problem. William declared his love for her and she for him. Her father had consented to an engagement, and everyone was truly

ecstatic. Everyone in the two families was thrilled. Lord Beaverbrooke, who had no intention of losing such a young, wealthy and biddable wife, was not in the least bit pleased. His threatening missive to expose the letters had arrived that morning. Suzanne paused, brushing away her tears as she told how she had snuck out of the house to meet him as Beaverbrooke demanded. He had been completely unreasonable, she told Lissa, and not at all the amenable, attractive gentleman she had come to know. Beaverbrooke told her she would break her engagement with Beresford and become his wife, or he would have her letters published in the London Times for the entire world to see what a trollop she was. In spite of frequent tears, sniffles, hiccups and heartfelt sighs, Lissa had continued to sit quietly as the girl finished her tale. Lissa doubted he would follow through on his threat, for gentlemen of the ton did not do such things, no matter how low and desperate for funds they might become. They would be ostracized by the very society they needed money to mingle with. All would be lost then. But she also could see there would be no convincing Suzanne of this. She feared for her family’s reputation, her new, sweet and tender love for William, and what he might think of her should he ever find out. At that point, Lissa took a deep breath and came around the desk to kneel beside Suzanne. She hugged her new friend. “We have two courses of action, Suzanne. Don’t give up hope yet, for all is not lost. I dislike bullies, no matter how noble they may be.” “But what can I do, Lissa?” The young woman gave her a watery smile. Lissa stood. “No, Suzanne, it is what we will do.” She sat at the desk once again.. “We could try and steal back the letters. Or we can give him a more appetizing prize to set his sights upon, and then—” Lissa paused to look back at Suzanne from across the desk again. “Do you still have the letters he wrote to you?” Suzanne nodded eagerly, pulling them from her reticule. “I took them with me hoping he would exchange mine for his, but he wouldn’t.” Lissa took the letters, tapping them against her hand. “Good. Are you up for a little adventure, Suzanne? You will have to be quite brave, you know, when we set up Lord Beaverbrooke.” Suzanne nodded her head vigorously. “Excellent!” Lissa said. “Then we shall begin tonight, I believe. Are you attending Lady Mabry’s party?” Suzanne nodded again. “Lord Beaverbrooke told me I must give him my answer this evening.” Lissa began pacing back and forth across the library. “And so you shall. I think it best if you agree for now, but tell him he must keep quiet because you just learned that your mother has not gotten better, and the doctor fears for her continued well being. You will have to wait just a few days to be sure she is strong enough to hear the news of one broken engagement, and the start of another.” “But what good will any of that do? I don’t want to be engaged to Lord Beaverbrooke!” “And you won’t, Suzanne. After you tell him you accept, you will apologize to him for being so distracted. Your nerves are worn thin, but you must be careful to accept him first. That is the hook, you see.”

Suzanne nodded eagerly. Already she was looking as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. “The hook?” “Yes, and then tell him you have another concern because your family’s good friend, myself, has arrived. You are sure my presence will be a great tonic for your mother, who loves me dearly.” Suzanne nodded, her confusion about exactly where this would lead quite evident on her face. Lissa continued, “I will arrive a little later, dripping in my jewels, and you will find the opportunity to mention to him the sadness of my story.” “Which is?” Suzanne asked softly. Lissa smiled. “You will tell him that I am an heiress. I have over a million pounds, plus lands I will inherit in the Caribbean. The sad thing is that I may not have long to live, due to some tropical illness. You won’t have to name it, for a little mystery will make it more serious. Say it is some long, complicated problem, and then you’ll explain it isn’t catching or anything, it’s just so sad that I may never reach the age of thirty.” Lissa stopped abruptly as Suzanne flung her arms around her hugging her so tightly it was difficult to breathe. “What’s wrong, Suzanne?” “Oh, Lissa, this is just terrible! To lose the dearest friend I’ve ever had just after I’ve been so lucky to find you! This is beyond terrible… it is catastrophic!” Lissa worked hard not to laugh, easily understanding how Lord Beaverbrooke took advantage of the younger woman. “Suzanne, I’m fine. There is nothing wrong with me.” “Truly?” Suzanne asked through tear-filled eyes. “Truly. This is just a story, except the heiress part.” Suzanne sat in the chair. “Oh my goodness! You are much more of an heiress than I am. Plus you are much more beautiful than I am. Lord Beaverbrooke will probably fall in love with you.” Silence followed her prophetic words.

Chapter Nine Lissa arrived at Lady Mabry’s home at least a full hour late. She had wanted to give Suzanne plenty of time to have her talk with Lord Beaverbrooke. Feeling excitement that surprised her at its intensity, Lissa had gotten out her mother’s diamonds and wore them flauntingly around her neck and from her ears. Her hair was done into a simple but elegant chignon at the back of her neck. The low-cut gown displayed both her jewels and her physical attributes to magnificent levels. She had not told her aunt she was going out, deciding to wait until her aunt had left for a quiet dinner and cards at an old friend’s. Her arrival caused quite a stir, due to her jewelry and her appearance. Her hostess, who had met her during a visit to her aunt’s home in the last few months, greeted her quite warmly. Lissa wasn’t surprised when Lady Mabry introduced her to her own son first. Soon she was dancing with the average-looking young man. She tried to focus on young Lord Mabry’s conversation, but her attention was occupied with trying to guess who Lord Beaverbrooke might be. Just as the music ended, she was sure who he was. A dark-haired, dark-eyed, fairly attractive man had been staring at her off and on since she had arrived. She could quite easily see how this handsome bounder had deceived Suzanne. “Introduce us, Mabry,” a deep voice behind her said. Lissa turned and found she was looking at the man she had guessed was Suzanne’s “devil”. Her suspicions were quickly confirmed. He bent low over her hand, kissing it far much longer than was seemly. Young Mabry reluctantly did his duty as host. “Miss Stilton, allow me to present Thomas Easterly, Lord Beaverbrooke.” “May I be so bold as to tell you how lovely you look tonight, Miss Stilton? Have you just arrived in Bath?” Lissa paused, knowing the game was beginning now. “A short time ago. I’ve been resting since my journey. I arrived from my home in the Caribbean a little while back, and then traveled down from London. I found the season to be too much for me and thought the quieter, more sedate life here might suit me better.” Lord Beaverbrooke nodded. Lissa barely suppressed a shudder of disgust as she felt his eyes lingering over the curves of her body. “Would you please honor me with the next dance, Miss Stilton?” Lissa nodded and then found she was being turned into the music of a waltz. Lissa realized he was quite a good dancer as he led her around the crowded floor. From the way she could see his gaze devouring her, Lissa couldn’t help but think this was going to be much easier than she had hoped. For the next hour, she let his lordship occupy as much of her time as he desired, even letting him lead her into the small buffet-style dinner set aside in one room. Finally, she managed to surreptitiously signal Suzanne to meet her in the ladies’ powder room.

Suzanne was already waiting when Lissa finally made it there. Suzanne hugged her friend. “Lissa, I’ve been so nervous ever since I left you. Do you really think this is going to work?” “I’m sure of it. Even more so since I’ve met his lordship. He hasn’t been able to take his eyes off my necklace all evening. We just have to let things proceed naturally. I’ve been thinking, though,” Lissa said, moving over to look at her reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t really spent any time looking at herself of late. For the first time she noticed that she had lost weight since losing the baby, and that made her cheekbones more prominent and her neck more swan-like. “If we can each, separately, confide to his lordship how close our friendship is, and how we so often share our deepest secrets with each other, he just may ask you for his letters back. We could then arrange a trade for them and get yours in return.” Suzanne clapped her hands. “Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful, Lissa? Then all my problems would be solved.” Lissa smiled, enjoying the woman’s youthfulness, naïveté and simple way of looking at life. “We will just have to be careful and not give ourselves away too soon, Suzanne. Now,” Lissa turned and looked at Suzanne. “I think it is time for us to return to the dance. I believe I will let it slip for the first time how I share my secrets with my godmother’s daughter, who is my dearest friend—Miss Suzanne Melton. Then I will point you out to him, so it won’t appear as if I know that he knows you already. All right, you go down first, and I’ll follow in a few minutes.” Suzanne grinned at her before closing the door. Lissa paused to look at herself in the mirror again. She pressed her hand over her slightly concave tummy. There was no roundness anymore, just as there was no longer a baby there. She knew one day she would accept it and move on. Maybe someday she might also stop blaming herself. Of course, the rational part of her brain pointed out that it had indeed been her fault, and hers alone, that she’d lost her baby. She had to blink hurriedly to clear away the tears. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about the past and what she had lost. Just like every night since learning of the miscarriage, she would have the long, dark hours of the night to continue her self-flagellation. Stiffening her spine, she left the ladies’ room. Lissa made her way back down the stairs. She wasn’t surprised to find Lord Beaverbrooke standing nearby waiting. The thought came that he was waiting to pounce upon her to ensure that no other money-hungry wife-hunter had a chance. She let him lead her into the ballroom for another dance. He held her much too close for such a new acquaintance, but Lissa didn’t object, letting him believe that she was finding him attractive also. Sometime later, she agreed to step out onto the wide veranda to escape the overwhelming heat inside. Lissa let his lordship talk for a while, listening desultorily. She waited until it seemed appropriate and then she spoke to him softly, “I have my father and great-aunt. And my papa’s health is not the best, I’m afraid.” She paused to say a silent prayer of forgiveness. “I am lucky though to have my godmother’s family. I am closest to her daughter, Suzanne Melton. They are here in Bath now, which is why I came, actually.” Lissa paused, wanting it sound natural and not forced. Perhaps the plays that she and the other children on the island had put upon regularly could help her now in her

acting ability. “The last letter I received from her mentioned something about a man she had met, but hadn’t told her parents about him. I must admit,” Lissa paused and gave Lord Beaverbrooke a concerned yet confiding look. “I am concerned that he may not be right for her. She is so young and guileless, you know. Quite vulnerable.” She turned away from the view, pretending she didn’t hear his choking sounds. “We should probably go back inside,” she announced a few seconds later. After pausing, she looked over her shoulder to give him a conspiratorial sidelong glance. “We wouldn’t want to give the gossips something to talk about. At least, not yet.” Lissa walked away from his lordship and back into the crowded ballroom. She kept on moving through the crowd, deciding now would be a good time to take her leave. She didn’t want to make any mistakes. If she hurried, she’d have time to dash off a note regarding her progress and send it round to Suzanne for when she returned from the evening’s entertainment.

***** Lissa awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and with a clear sense of purpose for the first time in months. She felt even more enthusiastic when she came downstairs and discovered a huge bouquet of flowers had been delivered to her with a note. She opened the small envelope, reading the words out loud. “My dear Miss Stilton, I hope you will accept the smallest of tokens of my esteem for you, and my grateful thanks for sharing the evening with me. I hope that I may call for you this afternoon at three for a ride in the park? If you don’t have a mount here in town, I will be happy to procure one for you. Please let me know if you deign to allow me to bask in your delightful presence once more. Yours truly, Easterly, Lord Beaverbrooke.” Lissa folded the small slip of paper. This man most assuredly had been blessed with a silver tongue. If she didn’t know what he was doing to Suzanne, she could believe and fall for his sincerity. She sat at the small secretary in the room and quickly wrote back with her acceptance. Then she penned a note explaining the letter and flowers she had received and her plans to Suzanne. She called for a servant to deliver the notes. She made absolutely sure he was completely aware of the names and which note went to which house. She then paused to sniff the fragrant, extravagant bouquet. Shaking her head ruefully, she wandered off in search of her aunt.

***** Lissa was waiting, garbed in a spectacular riding ensemble, when she heard the butler answering the visitor knocking at her aunt’s front door. She stayed in the sitting room, waiting for his lordship to be shown in. He bowed low over her hand. “You are looking most lovely today, Miss Stilton. May I inquire if that is your mount tethered out front?” Lissa stood, nodding her head. Her aunt kept a very good stable both here and in London, even though she hadn’t ridden for years. The mount Lissa had chosen was a

mare, and not at all skittish. She would need her wits about her today and didn’t need to be distracted by a recalcitrant stallion or gelding. She allowed his lordship to help her vault into the sidesaddle. As they cantered toward the park, she thought she saw a carriage stop at her aunt’s house, but was too far away to tell for sure. They rode in silence for a while along the crowded main paths, both aware of the interested looks they were getting. Lissa didn’t object when his lordship suggested they try one of the less busy paths through the park. She slowed her mare to a gentle walk. It wasn’t easy, but she listened to him prattle about himself, his estates, and how much work they needed. He added that he would have an infusion of capital soon, and then he could devote himself to restoring his estates and helping all of the people in the surrounding county. She nodded, pretending to be attentive. “I must admit, Miss Stilton,” Lord Beaverbrooke spoke, gaining her attention. “I am surprised that a woman as beautiful as you is not yet wed. I find it hard to believe that you have not been asked.” Lissa smiled over at him. “Thank you for the compliment, sir. There was someone, once, but like so many romances started in the hot Caribbean sun, it faded in the cooler weather of London.” She didn’t want to acknowledge to herself how true her words were. Even though she had told her father, through her aunt, that she didn’t want any visitors, she was still surprised that Jack had not come to demand her return. Sad proof that her fears of his only marrying because of the baby were also true. “Well, Miss Stilton, if I were the man lucky enough to gain your affections, I would never abuse or take them for granted.” He smiled at her. Lissa realized that Beaverbrooke looked incredibly romantic and attractive and smiled. “You are most kind, milord. I know I am not as polished as most women of the ton are, having lived most of my life in the wilds, so to speak. I believe your words are most generous indeed.” Thomas Easterly pulled up his horse and reached across to stop Lissa’s mount as well. “Please, Miss Stilton. I am not being kind or generous, but only speaking the truth, from my heart.” Lissa looked into his earnest face and eyes. If she didn’t know better, she could so easily believe this clever man. She turned away, pretending shyness and embarrassment at his frankness. “I think we should be getting back, Lord Beaverbrooke. My aunt will be wondering where I am. She does have a tendency to worry about me.” Easterly wanted to argue, but he knew much too well how far to push a young lady upon first meeting her, and early on in the courtship. He had decided this was a gem he was not about to lose. Not with a million pounds and lands to keep the income going. This possibility was almost too good be true, and if he hadn’t met her, and done some checking himself this morning into the young woman and her aunt, he wouldn’t have believed her, or his good luck. He had little doubt that he could easily persuade Lissa Stilton to marry him and quickly. If she really were in ill health, then he could easily park her at his country estate and resume his life in London. With a fortune so great, he would never have another worry in his life about finances. And if he were quite lucky, his new wife would die in childbirth.

As he cantered beside the luscious lady, he acknowledged that bedding this sweet morsel was going to be very sweet. Hell, even if she just lay there, her body was curvaceous enough to arouse his lust. And he was clever with women. He had made a number of meek, chaste virgins into lust-craving sluts by the time he was done with them. His gaze rested on Lissa’s firm, deliciously full bosom as he rode at her side. Thinking about cupping those bouncing boobies in his hands was almost too easy. Yes indeed, he told himself even as he was forced to shift in his saddle. He wondered if the pretty mare might be in the mood for some prenuptial humping. They cantered back along the path, through the park and back to her aunt’s home. Lissa thanked him for his company and allowed him to assist her down from her horse. She didn’t protest when he held her a little too long and too close. She did agree to ride with him the next day, though. Lissa entered the house and took off her leather riding gloves. She was tired and she knew it was because she had not really done much of anything for so long that staying out late last night and now the ride in the park had most definitely worn her out. The butler informed her that more flowers had arrived, and they had been placed in the sitting room also. Lissa frowned, walking into the small room and was nearly overcome by the scent of flowers. There had to be at least six or seven more baskets of flowers. Stunned, she just stared for a moment. “Humph!” Lissa turned and saw her aunt standing in the doorway. “These deliveries have kept poor Jarvis hopping all afternoon. He probably won’t be able to serve dinner tonight because his bunions will be causing him fits.” Lissa laughed and hugged her aunt. “If Jarvis is so incapacitated, then I shall serve your dinner for you, Aunt Lysastrada. I shall even don his uniform if you prefer.” Lysastrada looked at her niece. “Don’t get snippity, Miss Sauce Box. Wear his uniform, indeed!” “You are quite right, Aunt Lysie. I’d probably have to knock him out and strip it off him to get it!” Lysastrada fanned her face with her expensive lace handkerchief. “If he hears you, he’ll have a heart seizure, and that would be the end of Jarvis. I think it might be easier to get a new niece than it would be to get a new butler.” “One that would put up with your cantankerous ways, anyway,” Lissa grinned back at her aunt, enjoying their teasing for the first time in a long while. She could see the relief in her aunt’s face and knew it was due to worry over her. “I do hope that you haven’t been worrying over me. I am sorry to cause you any concern, my dear aunt.” “Fret over your coming and going? I should say not, girl. I was concerned that you might start using my cosmetics if you got any paler.” The speed with which her aunt denied the accusation only proved to Lissa that she’ d been correct. “Your face powder is safe, Aunt Lysie.” “How was your ride, dear?” “Uneventful,” Lissa smiled again, wondering if her aunt was going to ask for more information. On the one hand, she hoped her aunt didn’t pry any further because

explaining what she was up to would be difficult. Also, she doubted her aunt would approve. “I’ll be going to Henderson’s party this evening. Would you like to accompany me?” Lysastrada told her niece a few seconds later. Lissa moved toward the baskets. “Yes, I believe I shall.” She paused as she read over the cards, noting that the first five were from young men she had met last evening. Another basket from Lord Beaverbrooke, and lastly, Lissa opened the card and gasped in surprise. “Goodness, Lissa! Whatever is the matter, child?” her aunt asked. Lissa lifted her eyes to her aunt, seeing her concerned expression. “Oh, nothing is really wrong, Aunt Lysie. It is just that these flowers are from someone I didn’t expect to hear from, ever.” “And just who might that be, niece?” “The Marquis of Broughton,” Lissa spoke his name softly. Lysastrada felt her face flush, knowing full well that the Marquis had been present when Lissa had started losing the baby. He and his mother had both sworn, without even being asked, to never reveal anything, for the young lady’s reputation. She also knew that the Marquis was idly searching for a wife, if not quite actively hunting yet, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he had come to Bath. Could it be that Broughton was interested in Lissa? That certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing since her future duke seemed to have completely disappeared from the horizon. Lysastrada prided herself on her practicality. It would be quite a coup for her niece to capture the Marquis’ heart, or at least his interest. Yes, a connection with the Broughtons could be almost as good as the one with the duke’s family. And considering the unfortunate incident in Lissa’s past, a marriage to a marquis would be a miracle. Watching her niece’s face, Lysastrada also acknowledged that she’d be perfectly happy if Lissa stayed here with her and never married. Of course that would go against what society dictated for a wealthy, beautiful and titled young lady. Nonetheless, she’d been quite happy with the presence of her niece in her household, and any grumbling and grousing on her part, or on the part of the servants, was only good-natured teasing. She’d seen how her cook, maid and butler were falling over one another to make “the young miss” smile. Shaking her head, she spoke to Lissa, “What does he say, child?” Lissa read the card. “My dear Miss Stilton, I hope you are feeling better, and that the waters of Bath have completely revived you. I shall be attending the Hendersons’ party this evening, and I look forward to seeing you there. Yours faithfully, Marcus.” “Oh, my goodness me!” her aunt muttered, sitting in a chair, looking weak. “Jarvis!” She screamed out for the butler in what sounded to be a healthy and hearty voice. “Yes, ma’am, you called?” Jarvis entered the room, looking his usual stuffed-shirt way, his nose in the air. “Tea, at once! Have my maid fetch my vinaigrette. And don’t forget to put the brandy on the tray this time!” Lysastrada fanned herself with her handkerchief. “It sounds as if the Marquis has serious intentions. A gentleman would never write in such

familiar terms—” Lissa stood as her aunt’s voice faded away and tossed the note, along with all the others, into the waste container. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep one of those notes, dear?” Lissa kissed her aunt’s forehead. “No, Aunt Lysie.” How could she explain that the one note she’d wanted to be there above all others was not? It was quite possible that Jack had found someone else to… her mind stumbled over the words. “I’m going up to lie down for a bit, dearest. I’ll just have something light to eat in my room and be ready in time to leave.” As she left the room, though, her aunt could hear Lissa muttering to herself. “Of all the time for a visit! Damned inconvenient. I’ll have to be careful, or he will ruin everything—” Quite sure she’d not heard correctly, Lysastrada hollered out at the top of her lungs once more. “Jarvis!”

***** Lissa and her aunt arrived a few minutes late to the party due to the traffic forming outside by arriving guests. Each carriage took several minutes to discharge its occupants and move on. Alice Henderson, who had long been a friend and card crony of her aunt’s, greeted them quite warmly. Lord Beaverbrooke quickly spotted Lissa and made a beeline for her across the crowded room. She greeted him with a smile and then turned to introduce him to her aunt. It was really a quiet party, in spite of the large number of people invited. Luckily it was a large house, and allowed for the people to spread out and gather in different rooms, depending on their likes and preferences. Lissa and his lordship ended up in the music room. He steered her toward an empty settee, which was usually only used by engaged couples, to sit and enjoy the music from. He talked to her softly from time to time, wanting to demonstrate his extensive knowledge of classical music. Lissa listened mostly to the music, trying to nod her head at appropriate times. Finally the set was finished, and she asked if they could go and find some refreshments. His lordship gratefully escorted her to the dining area, where the food was set up buffet-style. Lissa took a plate and filled it with interesting tidbits. Soon they were seated at a small table in the room. His lordship kept steering the conversation to his lands, how lovely they were and how perfect they were for raising a family. Lissa thought he was a little too obvious, but was glad that he was moving things along so quickly. She wanted to end this farce as soon as possible and hopefully before she ran into the Marquis. He could really muck this whole plan up. “How delightful to see you again, Miss Stilton.” Lissa stiffened, recognizing the voice. She looked up and saw it was none other than the Marquis himself. Lissa sighed and muttered, “damn” to herself. Of all the times for her prayer to go from her lips to God’s ear this one was not good. She held out a hand to

him in greeting. He bowed low, kissing her hand for more than just a quick peck on the wrist. He slowly lifted his head and smiled at her. “What a nice surprise, my lord.” Marcus looked a bit surprised at her words. “Did you not receive the note I sent with the flowers?” Lissa was aware of Easterly stiffening next to her. She really needed to end this, and soon. “Yes, I did. I just wasn’t sure you would really be here. Are you visiting family here in Bath?”

***** Marcus shook his head, frowning at her. Something was quite odd; he just wasn’t sure what it was. He was not at all happy to find her sitting with the most infamous fortune hunter in England. Beaverbrooke’s plight had become quite well known in London, so he had retreated to Bath to escape wagging tongues and the bill collectors. Marcus had no intention of letting the damn bastard find his heiress in Lissa Stilton. “I guess you could say that, Miss Stilton.” He had already noted that she looked thinner and paler than she had in London. The weight loss was understandable, although he thought it was possible that she’d lost more than what might be expected. But her cheeks were now flushed with color, bright pink in fact. She was still just as beautiful of face and figure, as evidenced by the low-cut gown she was wearing. Marcus took a deep breath. He’d almost forgotten how intoxicating being near Lissa was. Her physical beauty excited and aroused every manly fiber of his being. Yet in their short time together, he had sensed there was a great deal more to this woman than what one found in most of today’s London misses. Behind her beautiful eyes and straightforward gaze, he saw intelligence and humor, two vital characteristics in any relationship, and crucial in a wife, in his opinion anyway. Lissa’s mind was racing, desperately seeking a way out! Suddenly, she raised her hand to her chest, sighing heavily. “Oh, my—” she moaned softly. Lord Beaverbrooke turned to her abruptly, ending his glaring contest with Broughton. “Miss Stilton, are you all right?” “I’m so sorry, but I suddenly don’t feel at all well. It must be something I ate,” she paused, deciding that wasn’t a very smart excuse to use. “Or it is just that the ride in the park was too exhausting for me, after being out late last night. I think I should probably go home.” Marcus offered her his arm. “Allow me to escort you, Miss Stilton.” Easterly offered the same a second later. Both men turned to glare at each other again. Lissa decided that would not do at all. “Perhaps if I could just lie down for a bit— ” “Of course, let me find our hostess,” Easterly told her and left to do just that. Lissa reached out and grabbed Marcus’ arm, dragging him down into a chair. “I don’

t have much time until he gets back.” She curled her fingers, pressing into his arm, hoping to impress upon him the importance of her words. “Please don’t interfere; it is very important that Easterly think I have just arrived in Bath. I can’t explain right now. It is a matter of extreme importance, Marcus. I beg of you, trust me.” She watched his intent gaze, sure that he was weighing her words carefully. Undoubtedly, he was wondering what the hell was going on, but hopefully he could see the sincerity and importance in her eyes. When he finally nodded his head in agreement, she sighed deeply. “Very well, but I will call in the morning for an explanation, ten sharp. That man is a fortune hunter—” His tone indicated quite clearly that he would not stand for anything but her agreement, if she wanted his cooperation. Lissa took a deep breath, and nodded her head. “Yes! I know all that. Tomorrow morning will be fine, but no more flowers, all right?” Marcus grinned, shaking his head slightly. “I thought most women loved flowers with notes and candy that showed a gentleman’s interest. I feel that I must inquire as to why not?” Lissa couldn’t contain her frustrated sigh. “My aunt’s butler just isn’t up to answering the door all the time. And I’m afraid we were deluged with flowers today. Poor thing was quite done in. If his bunions don’t improve, I’ll be serving all the meals!” She stopped, seeing that Easterly was returning with Alice Henderson in tow. “Now, shush, please!” “My poor dear!” Alice exclaimed. “You must come with me. I have a room set aside for just this sort of thing. One never knows when one might be overcome from the excitement at these parties.” Lissa fanned her face with her hand and accepted her hostess’ arm to lean on. She gratefully left the room, aware that Easterly followed, but Marcus did not. She breathed a deep sigh of relief. Once in the small anteroom, she told Easterly that she was feeling somewhat better, but perhaps she should send a note to her aunt and then he could see her home, if he would. Easterly jumped at the chance, as she knew he would.

***** A short time later, Lissa was seated on the leather cushion beside Easterly in his lordship’s carriage. She didn’t have to wait long before he made his move. He turned to her, sliding his arm across her shoulders. Lissa gazed at him with a look of surprise, hoping it wasn’t too contrived or artificial. “Lord Beaverbrooke!” “Lissa, I promised myself I would wait, but my feelings for you are raging beyond my control. I’ve never felt like this before. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were the only woman for me. You are the perfect woman to share my name, bear my children, and help me restore my family estates to their full glory.” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her closed mouth vigorously. He worked his tongue into her mouth when Lissa gasped in surprise at his forward behavior. He then moved his lips to the side of her neck, kissing his way down her shoulder, pushing her

cloak out of the way. “Lord Beaverbrooke, I don’t think—” Lissa said quickly, trying to push against him, but was surprised to find out how strong his grip was. “Call me Thomas, my darling.” He moved his lips down to her upper chest, bending her backward over his arm. “Easterly, please… Thomas—” Lissa tried again, but he seemed intent on proving his feelings. But he mistook her words and his hand moved to her breast as his mouth moved lower, sucking on her exposed skin. He squeezed her breast, massaging it through her dress. Neither was aware that the carriage had stopped at her aunt’s house. So both were quite surprised when the door was jerked open just then, and immediately an arm reached in and shoved his lordship off Lissa and out of the carriage. Lissa gasped, jumping out of the carriage to see Jack standing over Easterly, who was sitting in shocked surprise on the ground. Lissa stared in horror at the way her plans were disintegrating in front of her. She had to think fast. She threw herself in front of Jack. “Cousin Jack, please, no! You don’t understand—” Jack froze, looking at Lissa. Why the hell had she just called him her cousin? Three months wasn’t that long, unless that bump on her head had made her lose her wits, but surely someone would have said something to that effect before now. There was no mistaking the look in her eyes a moment later. “Cousin Jack, please go inside and I’ll join you in just a moment.” Lissa dug her fingernails into his arms, staring into his eyes. She softly mouthed the word “please”. Jack nodded slowly. “All right, one minute, and then I’m coming back out.” Lissa nodded, smiling at him. “Of course, Cousin Jack. I’ll be right in.” Anger burning inside him, he turned and walked up the steps to her aunt’s house. Jarvis already had the front door open, as if he’d anticipated the upset lordship’s return within moments of his departure! Lissa turned to find Easterly had regained his feet. She stepped toward him, hoping she could salvage this fiasco and still retrieve Suzanne’s letters. “My lord, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. My cousin is such a hopeless hothead at times; his father truly despairs of his future. I do hope you won’t seek any retribution.” Lissa reached out, resting her palms against his chest, looking up at him with what she hoped were her best limpid and pleading eyes. Silently despising herself, she batted her lashes as well. Easterly must have realized that he could probably turn her embarrassment at her cousin’s behavior to his benefit. “Of course not, my dear. No harm done, just a little misunderstanding. Shall I call for you at three tomorrow for another enjoyable ride together?” Lissa nodded, feeling a sense of relief at having saved the situation yet again. “Good night, my lord. And thank you for your patience and understanding.” Lissa turned and walked up the stairs. She paused to wave and smile at Beaverbrooke before going inside. The door barely closed when she was spun around and pressed flat to the door.

Jack was glaring down at her. “I think I’ve been more patient than any other man would have been in a similar situation, Lissa. I didn’t expect to come to Bath and find you in the arms of another man!” Lissa just stared at him for a long moment. Her gaze traveled over his face, so hungry to see him and so fearful she might never see him again. He was still as handsome as ever. He still made her heart race, and her body yearned for his touch. Nothing had changed for her, she realized sadly. She ached for him and her lips longed for his kiss. It didn’t matter that he might not return the feelings. Her love for him was still as fervent and strong in her heart as ever. When Lissa didn’t answer him, Jack shook her lightly. “Please explain that ridiculous scene outside,” he told her softly. Lissa took a deep breath, sensing Jack’s anger, held in check. “Let’s go into the sitting room for a minute—” She stopped abruptly at the door, causing Jack to bump into her from behind. “What’s wrong, Lissa?” Lissa turned to face him, pressing against his chest. “I really think we should go into the library after all. It will be warmer in there.” “Warmer! Lissa, it is plenty warm,” He pressed past her into the room and stopped when he saw all the flowers. He turned slowly to look at Lissa, one eyebrow rising questioningly. Each could tell the other was remembering the last time Jack found flowers for Lissa. Instead of yelling, though, Jack nodded his head. “Why don’t we go to the library? I think the air in here is a bit stifling.” He took Lissa’s arm in his grasp, and directed her to lead them to the library. Lissa entered the much darker library and took one of the tall-backed chairs. She motioned for Jack to sit also, but he declined, propping his forearm along the fireplace mantel. Lissa fidgeted with her dress for a moment. She looked and found Jack was staring at her, waiting. “It’s a long story—” Jack smiled thinly. “I certainly have the time. After all, I’ve waited three months, what are a few minutes more?” Lissa ignored his words. “I went to the library the other day and met a young woman there. And, it is actually an almost funny story,” she added quickly. As she ran over the words in her brain, she realized that it didn’t sound the same in the retelling. “Uhm, I don’t mean funny ha-ha, you know.” “All right, Lissa. I understand it’s a funny story. Please go on.” “Yes, all right… just remember that it is more funny strange. Well, she, this young woman, has this problem, and I offered to help her solve it. I really think I am close to solving it, which will bring her great relief, by the way. I don’t think you ruined things after all.” She ended with a smile, but Jack didn’t return it. “Even though I know you didn’t mean to ruin things.” “I’m so glad to hear that, my dear. I assume Easterly has something to do with the young lady’s problem,” Jack replied in a quiet tone. Lissa nodded. Things were looking up and she smiled. It appeared that she had worried over nothing at all. Still, she should be cautious, she reminded herself. “I’m not sure if I should reveal anymore of her secret, sir. She would be quite overcome to find

out anyone else knew—” Jack folded his arms across his broad chest and leaned against the mantel. “I won’t betray her confidence in you.” Lissa pursed her lips. That wasn’t the answer she had wanted to hear. Nor did she feel entirely comfortable with the way Jack was standing. “Yes, perhaps, but—” “No more ‘buts’, Lissa. What does Easterly have to do with this? Do you have any idea of his reputation? Have you any idea of the consequences you were in?” Feeling threatened, not physically but emotionally, Lissa jumped up, glaring at Jack. Obviously he thought that he could walk all over her. “His reputation can’t be any worse than my own, sir. After all, I was pregnant and unwed. It is probably all over London that I lost the baby—” Her voice broke and she turned away from Jack. Damn! It still hurt so much just to think about losing her baby, let alone to say the words out loud. Her aunt and the doctor had all told her to just forget and not talk about it anymore. It would be easier, everyone said. And each time she did talk, it was like pulling a scab off a gaping wound. Yet, seeing Jack, knowing that he undoubtedly blamed her as well for the death of the child, only made her feel worse. Jack clenched his fists. He didn’t know what to do. He yearned to take her in his arms and comfort her and talk about the baby. But her father and the doctor had said it was best to pretend it had never happened, to let her completely forget it. In fact, it was because of the doctor and her father that he had stayed away from her for so long. When he had questioned writing to her, even just once, both men had shot him down. Then his own father conceded that leaving her alone for a while was most likely the wisest course of action. He didn’t know about Lissa, but he still felt raw over the loss. Logically he told himself it was crazy. How could he grieve over a person who had technically never breathed, or lived? Was it logical? He took a deep breath, his feelings of hurt and loss threatening to choke his throat. “Lissa, no one outside the family knows about the pregnancy. Your reputation is intact. Your father, uncle and aunt told everyone your great aunt needed to come to Bath, and you offered to accompany her.” Lissa turned, tears in her eyes. It tore at Jack’s heart not to reach for her just then. Lissa spoke, interrupting his thoughts. “What about Broughton and his mother?” “Broughton spoke with your father and promised that neither he nor his mother would ever speak of it again.” Lissa turned from Jack. “Then why has he come to Bath?” Jack strode across the library to spin Lissa around. “What! Broughton is here! How do you know?” Jack was stunned, knowing he had just seen him in London the day before. He certainly didn’t like the idea of Broughton coming to Bath. He had a feeling Broughton had come to court Lissa. Well, it was about time everyone realized that Lissa was not available to be courted. She had promised to marry him, and by God that is exactly what she was going to do!

“I saw him tonight at the Hendersons’ party,” Lissa told him desultorily. She felt overwhelming sadness all of a sudden. Here was Jack, whom she had longed for, to share her grief over the loss of their baby. And he skirted the topic when she brought it up. She moved over to the long sofa in the library, sitting because she felt so tired all of a sudden. She rested her face in her hand, propped on the arm of the sofa. Meeting Jack after her first full day of running about once more, and she was completely done in. Not to mention that this was not at all what she had envisioned would occur when she finally saw him again. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d seen him come through a door and see her standing, or sitting, in the soft sunshine. She would lift her gaze to his, eyes catching and holding, seeing so much more than words could convey. So slowly would his arms open wide, to welcome her into his embrace, his life… his heart. Yes, that is how it should be happening. Jack holding her close, while he whispered that he loved her, and most importantly, he forgave her. Jack took a step towards her, speaking softly, “Lissa, honey… ” Before he could say more, the library door swung open. Lissa’s great aunt stood there, taking in the tense scene, and the obvious exhaustion surrounding Lissa. “Enough talk! I am sending you to bed Lissa, right now! And you, young Lord Fitzpatrick, you can take yourself off. If you wish to call, do so at a decent hour.” The old lady took Lissa’s arm and walked her out of the room. Jack stared after the two women, feeling he had met his match in the pair.

Chapter Ten Lissa was in the garden reading a book when she heard a commotion. She looked up to see Jack and Marcus walking through the arbor leading to the garden at the same time. They glared at each other as broad shoulders knocked, but neither stopped on his way toward Lissa. She closed her book and looked up at the two tall men. They both smiled and spoke at the same time. “I’ve come for my explanation.” They turned to look at each other in surprise. Marcus folded his arms across his chest, looking towards Jack. “I found her last night with that scoundrel Easterly,” he informed the other man. Jack nodded. “Lissa kept me from knocking his teeth out in front of her aunt’s house last night.” Lissa noticed both men then turned to look at her, arms crossed over their broad chests. She took a deep breath. She was feeling better this morning, more able to deal with everything. “Won’t you be seated?” “No.” “No.” Lissa shrugged. She was unnerved to face them like this. “All right. Well, I am helping a friend who is in dire need. I have to get Easterly to propose marriage to me, and then I will close the trap. I really think I am quite close to accomplishing this.” She ended with a pause. Jack looked appalled, like she had lost her wits. Marcus’ face revealed his doubts about her sanity. She was sure that she had not misjudged the looks on their faces. Jack spoke up first. “Lissa, getting Easterly to propose will be the easy part. Getting out of the engagement will be the hard part.” Lissa noted that he had not bothered to point out that she was already engaged to him! Marcus nodded his head. “Precisely. The man is no good. I wouldn’t put it beyond him to try something underhanded, like kidnapping you and eloping to Gretna Green.” Lissa shook her head. “I would never allow that to happen,” she told them quite matter-of-fact. “I am not a simpleton.” Marcus and Jack both laughed. Jack took a chair opposite her. “Lissa, this man is the worst kind of scoundrel. He would compromise a woman to ensure their marriage. He is desperate to marry an heiress.” She spoke quickly, revealing that her emotions were on edge. “I’ve been compromised once before, and I didn’t end up married.” Lissa stopped abruptly, regretting the words the minute they were out of her mouth. No one moved or said a word for a long moment. Lissa stood. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass either of you. That was unconscionably rude of me.” She picked up her book. “I have to go in and get ready. I am serving lunch for my aunt’s bridge group and then I am riding with Easterly this afternoon.” She nearly ran out of the garden, leaving silence behind her.

***** Slowly, both men sat. Finally, Marcus looked over at Jack. He had his answer, but still felt compelled to ask it. “You were the father, weren’t you?” A tormented look appeared for such a brief moment across his face, that Marcus questioned whether he had seen it. But a haunted look in his eyes remained. Jack nodded, and then he turned towards Marcus. “Get this straight right now, Broughton. I am still engaged to that maddening woman, and she is going to marry me!” Marcus smiled slowly. He had sensed the undercurrents between the two. He couldn’t say he was surprised. But he still felt concern for Lissa’s reckless behavior in this matter. “What about Easterly?” “I am going to be here at three and accompany them on their ride.” “I have a suggestion, if you are willing to listen,” Marcus suggested softly, smiling. Jack shrugged. “Go ahead. Wait a minute. Am I going crazy or did Lissa just say she was service staff for her aunt?” Marcus grinned. “Now that, my old friend, is the one, and most probably the only, question I do know the answer to!”

***** Lissa smiled at Easterly as they rode through the park that afternoon. He’d been enjoying the ride with Lissa Stilton, and hopefully repairing whatever damage might have been done to her opinion of him after last evening. “Do you and your aunt plan on attending the dance this evening at Lord and Lady Fallworth’s?” Lissa nodded. “Yes, I am, but my aunt prefers to attend a card party at a friend’s house.” Easterly smiled, thinking he would have ample opportunity tonight to advance his suit. In fact, at the speed things were preceding, they could be engaged within the next two weeks. Once the announcement appeared in the papers, his creditors would desist. Just then he saw two people riding toward them, and the smile faded from his face. Talk about bad timing. Seeing the disgruntled look on Beaverbrooke’s face, she turned to see what he was looking at. Lissa smiled, knowing he had to be perturbed at the possibility that his recent past could be revealed to her. Exactly as planned, Suzanne and her young man were riding toward them. Lissa greeted Suzanne quite warmly, and then she was introduced to William. She noticed that Easterly had grown quite silent, which was just what she wanted. Hoping she wasn’t looking forced or deliberate, she moved her hand to scratch the side of her neck, which was the signal she had written in her note to Suzanne to watch for. She was going to go in for the “kill”. “Dearest Suzanne, I’ve been wanting to come over to your house for that long

awaited chat. I know you have so much to tell me, as you indicated in your note the other day.” She paused to give Suzanne time to catch Easterly’s eye and give him a very telling look. “Perhaps tomorrow morning, I could come over. I remember you said in the note yesterday that you had something of vital importance to show me.” “What a delightful surprise! How are you this afternoon, Cousin Lissa?” Lissa turned her head towards the newcomer’s voice in dread. Her worst fears were confirmed! Riding toward them were Jack and Marcus. She closed her eyes for a moment, wondering why fate kept messing with her well-laid plans. If only they had waited two days… even just one, and she most likely would have had this whole mess wrapped up. She took a deep breath, and called out to her cousin, “How nice to see you again, Cousin Jack! I am quite fine. And I see you have brought your friend, the Marquis with you, again.” Jack grinned at her Instantly Lissa knew this was a set-up, by the two of them. They were here to keep an eye on her! Now they were butting in, and what made it worse… they were enjoying it. A quick glance at Marcus told her she had been right. Obviously they had decided she was incapable of dealing with this situation. Those dirty dogs! “We were just discussing the party tonight at Lord Fallworth’s. We stopped at the house and your aunt said she wouldn’t be attending, but suggested that I come by and escort you.” Jack smiled at Lissa. She saw the gleam in his eyes. He was up to no good, and her mind scrambled for a tactful way to say no. Marcus was seconding the idea. “I think that sounds like a capital good idea, Jack. The three of us could travel together.” Quickly Lord Beaverbrooke cleared his throat to speak. “Miss Stilton has agreed to accompany me to the party this evening.” Lissa looked over at Suzanne, panic filling her. This was not fitting in with her plan! It didn’t help when Suzanne shrugged, looking more confused with each passing second. Lissa looked off into the distance, hoping for some guidance out of this mess. Jack spoke up again. “I have a splendid idea. Why don’t the six of us travel together? Marcus traveled from London in his mother’s barouche, and that will easily hold us all.” Marcus nodded. “Wonderful! Everyone give me their directions, and I’ll let you know the time I’ll be by.” Jack was nodding as he turned to Lissa. “I do need to talk with you in private for a moment, Cousin Lissa. I have something to tell you.” Lissa glared at him, gritting her teeth. Her patience was pretty much gone at this point. With Jack and Marcus’ interference, she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to get Beaverbrooke in line with her plan. “Can’t it wait, cousin?” Jack reached over and took her reins from her. “No, it can’t.” He led her away from the others, behind a thick copse of trees and bushes. Lissa opened her mouth to give Jack a piece of her mind, when abruptly he dismounted, tying both mounts to some sturdy limbs. Before she could say a word, he had grabbed her waist and was yanking her from her saddle. She landed in his arms, falling against his chest. She gasped, feeling the warmth and hardness of his body

pressed to hers. It had seemed like another lifetime since the last time she had been this close to Jack. She looked up into his eyes and found he was staring down at her. “Lissa?” Jack spoke her name softly, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. Everything she had planned on saying faded away. Jack didn’t wait for her answer, but lowered his head and covered her parted lips with his. The kiss was soft, like a first kiss. Lightly his mouth touched Lissa’s, gentle, soft, and slow. One hand moved upward to lightly caress her cheek and down the side of her neck. Lissa moved her body against Jack, trying to get closer, wanting to feel more of his heat. She opened her mouth and touched his lips with her tongue. Dear God, how she wanted him! Even after everything that had happened, she still loved him, and wanted to be with him, more than anything else.

***** Jack had started the kiss to prove to her that she cared for him just as much as she always had. Instead he was the one who was trying to resist her allure, but the feeling of her full, luscious breasts and soft tummy pressing against him was almost too much to handle. The way her voracious tongue was seeking his was definitely too much. He deepened the kiss, his tongue caressing hers, devouring her mouth. He moved his hand to her breast, cupping it, massaging the full globe eagerly. Lissa moaned, when his hand caressed her body again. “Jack—” “I know, darling,” Jack whispered as he kissed the side of her neck. “I want to push you back into these bushes and toss your skirt up over your head and take you right here.” Lissa shivered. “My wild pirate—” Jack moved his hand down over her body, starting to drag her skirt upwards. One of the horses neighed, and he stopped abruptly. “Damn! Lissa—” He stiffened his body, gently pushing Lissa away. He was watching her face and saw the bright flush that suddenly stained her cheeks. Lissa moved several feet away, and her hands moved nervously, smoothing over her skirt and then raising to make sure her hat was still right. Lissa turned toward her horse “Lissa, wait!” Jack spoke urgently. Lissa looked over her shoulder at Jack. She didn’t fully understand why he had pushed her away just then, but she had been reminded abruptly of all that had happened between them. She lifted her skirt and raised her leg to the high stirrup. Before Jack could reach her, she did the nearly impossible task of seating herself alone. She held the reins in her hands, turning her horse. “I know you don’t understand. Just please trust me, and don’t interfere. I will have achieved my goal in another day or two, and then we can discuss what is to be done with our futures.” She cantered away, back toward the others.

Jack watched her go. It took a few seconds before he realized that she had not said “their future” but rather had specified “futures” as if she was planning a future separate from his. Jack turned angrily and vaulted into the saddle. Miss Stilton could just think again if she thought she could leave him behind. Not to mention the fact that she had no business whatsoever kissing a man like that, especially if she was planning on separate futures, damn it all!

***** Lissa received an urgent message from Suzanne a short time before the party. In it she said that Beaverbrooke had contacted her and stated that he needed to speak to her this evening, alone. That it was of vital importance, to them both. Lissa folded the note and put it into her small silk purse. She heard a carriage pull up and knew that soon they would know if a chance existed to get back the letters. The ride to the party was an interesting one to say the least. Jack and Marcus had contrived between them to seat Suzanne between her ever-attentive William and Lord Beaverbrooke. That left the position between them for her. Lissa felt squashed between the two very broad shouldered men, and hoped for this evening to pass quickly. Lissa tried to stay close to Suzanne once they arrived, so they could discuss a plan, but once again, a man thwarted them. Lissa was soon being danced off her feet as she kept moving from Jack, to Marcus and back to Beaverbrooke. She noticed though when Easterly disappeared about an hour into the evening. She hurriedly looked around, trying to locate Suzanne, but there was no sign of her. Lissa thought for a moment, trying to decide just where his lordship might have suggested a meeting, where they would not be observed. He was probably just as aware of Suzanne, and if they were seen together now, it would compromise his future plans sharply. Lissa had just opened the glass door to step out onto the stone veranda, when a strong hand caught and held onto her wrist. She turned angrily and saw that it was Jack who was holding her tightly. She tugged uselessly against his much stronger hand, but he wouldn’t release her. She leaned toward him, whispering frantically, “Let go of me, Jack. I must meet someone—” She turned her body again, assuming he would release her. She was jerked backwards from her own momentum though. “I guessed as much, Lissa, when I saw Beaverbrooke sneak out through this door a few minutes ago. But I’ll be damned before I let you go out there to meet that scoundrel,” Jack growled back at her. Lissa shook her head and patted the hand that held her so tightly, as if this would reassure him. “Really, Jack, all is well. I just need to find—” “Well, you can just forget it, my sweet. In fact, I think it is time that you returned to London.” Jack turned and started leading her toward the dancing. “I will send a letter to your father tomorrow. You can talk with your aunt,” he told her quietly, as they stood at the edge of the dance floor. “I’ll make arrangements for you and a companion to travel back to London in about two or three days. Perhaps one of your aunt’s maids could accompany you.” Jack ignored the glaring look she shot him. “Your father has lands to the north of England, near the border of Scotland. You could go there for awhile, until

things settle down.” Jack turned to her then, as the crowd cleared on the floor, and twirled her into the step of the dance. Neither saw the angry, twisted and scheming look Lord Beaverbrooke shot their way. He had come up behind them in time to hear that his prey was about to be spirited away from him, to London first, and then onward to northern England. He turned away and left the party immediately. He knew that he would have to make his plans quickly, or he might lose this wealthy bride before he could spring the trap.

***** Lissa awoke the next day, still angry with Jack. He would not listen to any of her pleadings when she kept answering that she couldn’t tell him everything just yet. Even pleading that a young woman’s honor was at stake didn’t sway him. She had left him last night with a final parting shot. “I should have known better than to expect you to understand, Lord Fitzpatrick. Honor is beyond the comprehension of a man such as you.” She had ignored the angry glint in his eyes and the straightening of his spine at her words. It was in his eyes that he would have called her out in a duel, had she been a man and insulted him such a way. Instead, Lissa was able to jerk her hand free of his firm grip. She added in a fierce whisper, so no one could hear but his lordship, “After all, you had no difficulty compromising my honor, and then treating me shabbily at every opportunity. In fact,” she went on, deliberately mimicking his earlier words, “I am surprised that you didn’t shake the dust of England from your boots at first chance, and go back to your only true love, pirating. You probably clapped your hands in private once you realized that you were no longer bound by your word to marry. Was it glee you felt when you saw your child dying? Good night, sir.” Lissa turned and ran up the steps without another word. She had gone straight upstairs to her room and cried a good portion of the night away. Even though it was foolish to lash out at him, the need to hurt him just as she had been hurt was overwhelming. Maybe she had finally spoken the truth, and Jack would accept it and leave her be. He had never loved her after all, and therefore, he had probably never felt any strong emotions for the child she carried. Logically, he was most likely glad to escape this fate. With the child gone, there was no real need to conceal anything. Her capture could be kept quiet. Consoling herself by thinking that she’d finally come to her senses helped, and she decided she was much better off seeing this oafish and offensive behavior before she had married him. Yes, indeed! She had had a lucky escape. Obviously, married life with Lord Fitzpatrick would have been intolerable. She decided near four in the morning that he probably would have beaten her quite regularly! And who knows, he might have murdered her just to acquire her property. A hefty headache dulled her senses as she made her way downstairs the next day. Her pain was not improved when she saw that the hour was almost noon, and she had slept so much of the day away. She was a bit relieved to find letters waiting for her from Suzanne and Lord Beaverbrooke. She accepted tea and declined anything other than

toast from the servant remaining in the morning room. The butler updated her as to her aunt’s plans. “Madam is lunching with Countess Lubchen, and then on to a card party at the Wilchesters.” “I thought I was serving her little party thing today?” Jarvis shook his head negatively. “No, Miss. Madam decided to postpone her party.” Nodding, Lissa turned her attention to the mail. She read Suzanne’s letter first. The young woman was effusive in her gratitude to Lissa. His lordship had brought the letters with him and returned them last evening. So she, being the lady she was, returned his by special messenger this morning. Lissa smiled, in spite of her headache. It appeared that all just might end well, after all. She set the younger woman’s letter aside, planning to send her a short reply after she finished eating. She then opened the letter from Beaverbrooke. She frowned as she read that he would be by at one for their scheduled riding date. She remembered him saying something about riding, but she didn’t remember that they had made it definite. Finally, she shrugged and decided she would have to write to Suzanne when she returned. To be ready in time, she would have to hurry. She left both letters on the table as she hurried up to her room to dress.

***** At one precisely, his lordship appeared at her front door. She was surprised when she came out and saw that her horse was not the one awaiting her though. “This isn’t my mare,” she stated, feeling a little foolish at speaking the obvious. Thomas Easterly nodded. “I am looking to add to my stables, and I thought you might enjoy riding her to see what good a lady’s mount she is.” He smiled ingratiatingly as he took her arm, leading her down the steps. “I believe that you are undoubtedly the most skilled horsewoman I know, and I would value your opinion.” He went on to explain, as they cantered toward the park, that he was purchasing the mount possibly for a young niece of his. After about thirty minutes of riding, his lordship suggested they take a different path. Lissa agreed, but soon realized that they were not heading back toward the entrance of the park. Instead, they were going into the deeper part of the wooded area. Soon, they were quite alone, and Lissa could see no other riders. She pulled her horse up shortly as she saw a traveling carriage stopped in the middle of the road, just a short distance from the riding path. She turned to speak to Beaverbrooke and gasped. He aimed a pistol in her direction. “Dismount, please, Lissa.” In surprise, she watched as he dismounted, moving around toward her. When she didn’t react immediately, he ordered her, “Get down, off the horse, now!” Lissa hesitated her dismount, as she considered her options of galloping away and wondered if his lordship was a good shot? Sighing heavily in frustration, she hopped down and faced him angrily. “Exactly why are you pointing that pistol at me, sir? Have you lost all reason?”

Beaverbrooke shook his head, motioning with the gun for her to go to the carriage. Lissa begin to feel true fear, deep down in her gut, just then. He wasn’t kidding, or playing any kind of game, or joke. “Just get in the carriage, Miss Stilton, and no harm will come to you.” He slapped both horses on their rumps, sending them running off, deeper into the woods. She realized that no one would recognize the horse she had been riding, and therefore nothing would be suspected for some time. She tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach just then. Lissa moved over to the carriage, where the door stood open. She stepped up into the carriage and seated herself so she faced forward. A moment later, she heard Beaverbrooke speaking to the coachman, and then he joined her in the carriage. He took the seat opposite and pocketed the gun, revealing his confidence that she would offer no further resistance. He folded his arms across his chest, leaning back into the corner of the seat. Stretching out his legs, he watched her silently for a moment. “I must tell you how pleased I am at your composure, Miss Stilton. Not a single tear, scream or hysterical scene from you. I would have hated to have to gag you and tie you up. This will be much more pleasant this way, you see.” Lissa straightened her back. She worked hard at concealing her fear and anger. She knew that she needed to keep her head and be rational and clear thinking when the time came. And hopefully, an opportune time would come and soon. “I don’t see what you think to gain by kidnapping me, sir. Is it a ransom you seek?” Beaverbrooke smiled slowly, shaking his head. “No, my dear, Miss Stilton. It is marriage I seek. We are heading post haste to Gretna Green where we shall be married. And then I shall have all the money I need.” In spite of her obvious attempt to conceal her emotions, she couldn’t keep a look of fear from chasing across her features. His smile widened. “You have no need to fear anything, my dear. I shall make you a creditable husband, I assure you. We will lead an active social life in London, and once you have done your wifely duty and produced a suitable heir for me, then you will retire from London to my country estate. It is rather rustic, but I’m sure you will be fine there. It might even seem lavish compared to the island you grew up on.” Beaverbrooke stopped abruptly as the coachman tapped against the roof. He moved to lean his head out the window. Lissa tried to hear what the coachman was saying, but his words were blown away by the wind or muffled by the thunder of the horses’ hooves and the rumbling wheels. She considered whether she could wrestle the gun away from him, but decided that she should bide her time. Her cause wouldn’t be served if she got shot. And she didn’t want to go to prison for murdering a lord of the realm, even if he was a scoundrel. Logically she figured, if she appeared placid and didn’t struggle or argue, he would relax his guard. She would have to be on her toes and watch closely, because she knew she might only get one chance to escape. “Where will we be stopping for dinner?” she asked once Beaverbrooke had reseated himself.

Beaverbrooke opened his mouth, as if to answer her simple question. Then abruptly his jaw tightened and his mouth clamped shut. He smiled a bit. “Don’t worry, my dear. I ’ve made adequate arrangements for our journey. Now, why don’t you just lean back and try and sleep.” He tilted his hat a bit and lowered his own eyes. Lissa watched for a few moments, not in the least bit convinced he would go to sleep until he was sure she had done so. She closed her eyes, deciding that rest would be a good idea. She might need her strength and her wits about her. She consciously controlled her breathing to be steady and even. Slowly, her body relaxed, and her lack of sleep from the previous night caught up with her.

Chapter Eleven The hour was a little past two when Jack arrived at Lysastrada’s home. He was admitted and when he asked for Miss Stilton, he was surprised to learn she had gone riding. His anger quickly surpassed any amazement he previously had when he discovered that she had gone with Beaverbrooke. When he asked if she had received any notes that day, the butler informed him that she had two. A few minutes later, he was handed both letters, which Lissa had forgotten on the breakfast table. Jack read the first from her young friend. It didn’t reveal a lot, but it did explain that Lord B had returned the objects in question. He frowned, wondering what the two women had managed to come up with between them. Opening the next, his frown deepened. Cursing loudly, Jack crushed the paper. “The silly chit has gone riding with Beaverbrooke!” Jack stood slowly, not liking the feeling he was getting deep down in his gut. He had thought it odd that Lord Beaverbrooke had left early last evening and not ridden back with them as planned. Walking back out to the foyer, he inquired about when Miss Stilton was expected back home. Jarvis shifted his feet, and wrung his hands together, catching Jack’s attention. When Jack nodded at him, Jarvis stepped forward, clearing his throat. “I am concerned sir for Madam’s niece.” Jack looked at the elderly butler. “Why are you worried?” “Miss usually goes for an hour.” Jarvis cleared his throat. “Just an hour?” Jack repeated, the sinking feeling in his stomach going even lower. “Yes, sir. She likes to be home in time to share Madam’s tea. But I believe that something is amiss, sir.” “Why is that, Jarvis?” “Lord Beaverbrooke brought a mount for Miss Stilton.” “What is unusual about that?” “The madam has a very adequate stable, sir. The young miss has been using our horses until today. Her groom waited for Miss Stilton until he was ordered by Lord Beaverbrooke that he would not be needed today, nor would the mare.” Jack nodded and turned to leave. He paused though, and instructed that Miss Stilton notify him when she returned. Running down the front steps, he had just vaulted into the saddle when a voice calling out to him made him pause. He turned and saw Marcus riding up. Marcus was smiling, looking his usual impeccable self. “Hello, Jack. I have an appointment to go riding with Miss Stilton this afternoon. Don’t tell me you will be joining us! I am quite crushed to think she didn’t want to spend time alone with me.” He grinned at the other man, as if he knew that his words would nettle Jack, but still unable to resist. Jack paused in turning his horse. “You have been stood up. Miss Stilton is not at home. She has gone riding with Lord Beaverbrooke.”

Marcus’ frown matched Jack’s now. “Damn! I can’t imagine she forgot. She wanted to ask me a question, she said, about her horse, which is part of her aunt’s stables. I had been telling her about my breeding farm, and she was most interested in learning more. I told her we would see how her mount performed, and then I could give her a better opinion on it.” He paused for a moment, and then added, “Let’s go to the park and find her. I can comment on the horse there. And I don’t mind telling you, Jack, I don’t trust that Beaverbrooke at all.” Jack looked at the marquis and nodded. “I don’t trust him either. But Lissa didn’t ride her horse, according to the groom. Supposedly, Beaverbrooke brought a mount for her.” Marcus shook his head vehemently. “Nonsense! I doubt Miss Stilton would have ridden any but her own horse. She was telling me she wanted to ride her every day as she wanted to get her used to town riding and the park.” Marcus stopped abruptly as Jack had ridden away in the direction of the park. He spurred his mount to action and followed his lordship. He pulled up next to his lordship a moment after they entered the park. “Lord Fitzpatrick!” Both men turned and saw Lissa’s young friend Suzanne was waving to attract their attention. But before they could turn in her direction, she was spurring her own horse and riding at an unladylike pace toward them. Suzanne ignored the amazed stares cast her way as she nearly galloped toward the two gentlemen. William came chasing after her a second later. The two young people pulled up in front of the two older gentlemen a few moments later. Suzanne didn’t wait for the usual polite greetings. “I am most worried, sir!” She looked directly at Jack, her concern evident in her pretty face and her tense voice. Jack smiled at her absently, his eyes scouring the park for any sign of Lissa. “I saw Lissa, I mean Miss Stilton, riding toward the back of the park. No one ever goes riding back there for it is quite overgrown on the paths and dark.” She paused to catch her breath. “I called out to her, but she didn’t answer. So I said to William, ‘ perhaps we should go after her’. And we started toward that end of the park also. And we had barely entered the wooded section, when we saw a horse coming toward us.” Jack opened his mouth to ask a question. Miss Melton barely took a breath before she was hurrying on again. “You see, sir, I thought it looked like the bay mare Lissa had been on just a few minutes earlier. But William pointed out that that was most unlikely.” William spoke finally. Jack was sure they were the first words that he’d heard the young man utter since they’d been introduced the previous day. “Yes, your lordship,” the young man said. “I knew immediately that it was unlikely to be Miss Stilton’s horse, because I had remarked on how well Miss Stilton sat her horse just a few minutes earlier to Suz… I mean, Miss Melton.” Suzanne beamed at the younger man. “Of course, he was surprised that she was not riding her own mare. We are both aware of how fond Lissa is of the beast. And I must point out that I am not the least bit jealous that William has admired this characteristic of

Miss Stilton’s.” Suzanne paused to smile at William, who beamed under her warm and revealing smile. Jack interrupted the young lovers’ shared moment. “Please continue.” Suzanne looked back at his lordship, startled for a moment. “Oh, dear! I am most sorry, your lordship. Well, we rode a bit farther and came across another horse.” “And while I hate to interrupt Miss Melton, I knew that this second horse was the one that Lord Beaverbrooke had been riding.” William paused for a moment. “A man tends to notice things like that, details on a horse.” Marcus nodded his head. “And may I inquire as to just why you were so sure that this horse was Lord Beaverbrooke’s? Especially since they were hired?” William nodded. “Yes, sir. I am certain. My family breeds horses, so I tend to notice certain kinds of differences between horses, even when I just see them for a few seconds. The horse Lord Beaverbrooke was riding had a mark on his right flank, from the whip. I saw it again on the horse without a rider, which of course drew my attention.” Marcus shrugged and looked from William to Jack. “I must say that it appears the young lad is correct, Jack.” “Please, your lordships! Stop all this chattering!” Jack and Marcus both turned to look at the petite Miss Melton. The tone and tenor of her voice had been quite unexpected coming from such a young lady. She hurried on when she saw their attention was now completely focused on her. “At this point, I can tell you I was becoming more and more worried. You see your lordship, that Lord Beaverbrooke is not to be trusted!” Marcus smiled at the young woman. “We are quite aware of Beaverbrooke’s shortcomings. He is well known in London for being a cad and a bit of a scoundrel where the ladies are concerned.” William cut in then. “Anyway, I spurred my horse on, ahead of Miss Melton’s, and entered a small clearing a few seconds later. I saw the rear of a carriage just pulling away, and going toward the deeper wooded area, which of course, leads to the back road and out of the city. I rode straight back to Suzanne, Miss Melton, and was just telling her that we needed to go to her aunt’s. And that is when she saw you, your lordship.” Jack nodded, hating the sinking feeling he was having in his stomach. He wanted to rush forward and find Lissa, anything else be damned! “You know, Jack,” Marcus said, “Beaverbrooke had a bit of a reputation a while back. Well, you might not know, seeing as how you are out of the country so much.” Jack took a deep breath. “Damn it, Marcus! Just say it!” Marcus stopped and took a deep breath. “Well, you see… several years ago, he was quite short of funds. And he had been stringing after a young lady, whose pockets were rather well-lined, when her guardian up and announces that he is engaged to her himself. Of course, the two had been crazy about each other, and the young miss had only encouraged Beaverbrooke’s attentions to spur on her guardian, who thought he was too old for her.” Suzanne interrupted, “Oh, yes. I heard this story as well. It was most daring and romantic of her, you know.”

Jack shook his head negatively and then looked back at Marcus. “Go on.” “Well, you can imagine Beaverbrooke’s consternation. The creditors’ now know his promises will come to naught, and are banging on his doors.” Marcus leaned forward slightly. “So, he nabs the girl from her very own engagement party and heads for Gretna Green. Luckily, the carriage broke a wheel—” Marcus stopped abruptly because Jack had started off at a full gallop through the park. Marcus could see he was riding into the darkest part, where Lissa had gone a short time earlier. Marcus excused himself to the younger couple, and darted off after Lord Fitzpatrick. William turned to remark to Suzanne that perhaps they should go on to Miss Stilton’ s aunt, when Suzanne turned her mount and started galloping after the two lords. William stared open-mouthed for a moment before he regained his own senses. He was racing behind the other three a moment later. A short time later, all four were galloping down the highway north, separated by small gaps. It didn’t take long though for Suzanne to pass the marquis, due to her lighter weight. She reached his lordship a few minutes later, riding neck and neck. Jack turned in surprise to find someone riding next to him. He had more than half-expected that Marcus would follow, but was quite stunned to see Miss Melton galloping beside him. He didn’t want to, but felt it was necessary, so he stopped his mount abruptly. Suzanne pulled to a stop also, but had to walk her horse back to where Jack sat, glaring at her. “Why are you stopping, sir? We must not delay in our rescue of Lissa. Beaverbrooke is a true cad and he may do her,” Suzanne’s voice dropped a moment, “unspeakable harm if we do not hurry. And—” her voice broke in a sob as the other two men reached them. “Lissa would not be in this awful predicament if she had not tried to help me.” Jack frowned. “Miss Melton, you must go back! I will proceed and have no fear that Lissa will suffer at Beaverbrooke’s hands. If she does, I will take care of the scoundrel personally. But I will tell you that I have found Miss Stilton to be quite resourceful when the need comes. Now, you must turn around and go back to your parents. Perhaps it would be best if you go to Lissa’s aunt and concoct some sort of story, to cover her being gone, just in case.” William nodded and reached over to take Suzanne’s hand. “He is quite right, my dearest. Let us turn back. I feel we can help Miss Stilton best by helping to cover her disappearance. A good alibi will only aid in her defense should any gossips get wind of this fiasco.” Marcus agreed. “Indeed. Both of you go immediately, and Jack and I will continue. We will have Lissa.” He saw the dark glare he received from Jack at his use of her first name. “We will have her back home before you can finish your tale. Now you two get going, and so shall we.” Suzanne paused and finally nodded her head. William began turning her horse, and she turned back to the two older men. “Tell Lissa that I—” Jack shook his head, stopping her. “You will tell her yourself before you know it. And now, we are off!” He spurred his horse back into a gallop and continued down the road. Marcus grinned and shrugged. “Well, I guess we are off! We will see you soon!” He

galloped off a moment later after his friend.

***** Beaverbrooke shook Lissa’s shoulder to awaken her. “We are here, Lissa. Let’s go inside and get warm. And I’ve ordered us some dinner.” Lissa stepped down from the coach and looked around, trying to take in as much as her befuddled senses would allow. Beaverbrooke took her arm though and escorted her on into the small hostel. There was a large common room off to one side, and the innkeeper, smiling widely, was offering them the use of a small private room. Beaverbrooke agreed and they followed the portly innkeeper. Inside the small room was a table with two benches and a blazing fire. Lissa removed her gloves, and reached up to unpin the stylish hat that went with this riding outfit. She felt quite grubby and wished she could wash up. She turned as the door opened again. A pretty young girl brought in wine, glasses, and some bread and cheese. She told Lord Beaverbrooke that their dinner should be ready soon, and then she hurried back out. Lissa watched as Beaverbrooke poured the wine into the two glasses. She took a sip, her mind racing. “I need to use the facilities, sir,” she announced after a moment. Beaverbrooke nodded and told her that he had rented her a room for the night, actually. So if she wished to take the bread and cheese and her wine, she could go on and retire. Lissa decided that would be best, and when the girl returned a few minutes later, Lissa told her she would like to be shown the room. A few minutes later, she was alone in a fairly decent bedchamber. She had asked for some hot water to be brought up and began removing her clothes. She sipped the wine and nibbled at the bread and cheese. She washed up using the water and some soap she found. In about thirty minutes, she could barely keep her eyes open and, clad only in her loose-fitting chemise that reached mid-thigh, she climbed into the bed. She was asleep about ten seconds after her head touched the soft pillow. Lissa awoke to her name being called, and a light hand tapping her cheek. “Come along now, Lissa, wake up. There’s a good girl, open your eyes. Aah, there you are, my sweet.” Lissa focused her eyes and saw Lord Beaverbrooke standing over her. She went to move her head, and she could only lift it an inch or two off the pillow. Struggling to move her hands, she found they were tied to the bed, above her head. She tried to move her legs, and discovered that they too had been tied. She was neatly bound to the bed. Glancing down, she saw that she still had on her chemise, but that was all. She tried to remember what had happened, but her brain felt all foggy and dim at the moment. She went to cry out and realized she was gagged. There was no way to keep the fear she felt all of a sudden from filling her eyes with tears. Beaverbrooke smiled evilly as he sat on the bed next to her. He lightly stroked his fingers down the side of her face and down her chin and lower down her neck. He traced the full mounds of breasts where they heaved with her every breath above the thin cloth

of her chemise. She hated the look in his eyes as he stared down at her bosom. She cringed as she felt his hand move and cup her farthest breast. He squeezed her firmly and then plucked at her taut nipple. “You do have a lovely body, my dear. Bedding you will be a treat, until you are pregnant of course. Once that occurs, I shall probably leave you alone. If you promise not to scream, I will remove your gag. I do so hate the way it distorts your pretty mouth.” He paused and began unbuttoning the tiny buttons of the chemise. “I considered waiting until the ‘anvil priest’ had us plight our troth to each other, but I decided that once this deed was done, you wouldn’t have any fight left in you. After all, you will have been compromised beyond redemption, and then marriage to me will be your only salvation.” He stopped to spread wide the edges of her chemise, exposing her full, firm breasts to his gaze. His hands moved over her breasts then, squeezing and stroking them. One hand slid down her stomach, pausing just before he reached her mound. He smiled slowly, slipping his hand between her widespread thighs. He caressed her openly, familiarly. Lissa struggled to pull free, but he had tied her too tight indeed. God! She wanted to vomit as he touched her body. Suddenly, Beaverbrooke stood and moved away from the bed. He walked over to where he had set the bottle of wine. He poured himself another glass and sipped it leisurely. “Indeed, once I have taken your maidenhead and planted my seed in your body, you will see that to struggle anymore is truly futile.” He sipped the wine, his gaze moving over the delectable display of her half-clad body. The sight of her naked breasts and thighs almost naked to the apex was arousing. He moved a few steps closer. He’d had quite a bit to drink downstairs before he finally decided the drug he had slipped into her wine had surely taken effect. Now, he staggered a bit as he walked back toward the bed. “So, will you promise not to scream? You can just nod your head.” He began struggling with the knot on the gag. Lissa nodded her head. “We are only about three hours from the border now,” Beaverbrooke continued. “We should be married by noon tomorrow. I think we will stay one more night up here and then return to London. The season is still on, and there will be lots of parties to attend. Soon the races will be starting and the hunting season.” He pulled away the gag, tossing it to the floor. Lissa turned her face away as he began pulling his own clothes off, tossing them onto the floor. Easterly scoffed at her. “You won’t be able to play the coy virgin for much longer.” Wearing his breeches only, he walked back over and filled his glass again. Tossing the whole drink down in one gulp, he muttered under his breath, “I’ll teach you all sorts of fun things that chaste girls don’t know.” As he walked back, his gait was very unsteady, almost tripping once. Lissa was glad he was taking so long for her head was clearing rapidly, and she was wiggling her hands, working the knots looser. She was disgusted that she hadn’t thought that he would put a drug in her wine. That explained why she had been so sleepy. She was hoping to get even just one hand free so she could hit him or grab something to hit him. Then she would untie herself and tie him up. She nearly finished

wiggling one hand free. Beaverbrooke was back on the bed. He moved to lie down beside her, and began to lightly stroke her skin. Lissa felt sick to her stomach when he touched her and she cursed herself for going to ride with him in the first place. As he pressed closer to her, she could feel his hard manhood against her hip. Lissa closed her eyes, wishing to God she could free herself—

Chapter Twelve This was the third hostel they had stopped at since dark. Jack was getting frustrated and short-tempered. Marcus told him to let him do the talking this time, or they would have another angry couple yelling at them for bursting into their room. The last one had grabbed a gun, and they had barely made it out of the hostel as a shot whistled over their heads. Jack had glared at Marcus, who grinned and told him once again that he had told him so. Marcus had been sure that Beaverbrooke would go as far as possible and leave it so he only had a few hours left before the border. But Jack had insisted on trying the other two hostels. Marcus greeted the innkeeper with a smile and several coins. He inquired regarding a couple traveling north in a carriage that would have stopped for fresh horses. He described the couple, but the innkeeper seemed unwilling to talk. Luckily, a young dark-haired girl was listening. She piped up when her father stopped denying there was anyone like that. “I didn’t think she was married to him. He seemed too… slimy for such a nice lady.” Marcus smiled gratefully to the young woman. “Would you show us the room please?” When the young girl nodded, he stopped her with a touch to her arm. “Also, do you have a passkey?” He turned to glare at Jack. Already he’d had to pay for two broken doors and he didn’t want to have to pay for a third. The girl grinned up at him and pulled a key from her pocket. The two men followed her up the stairs. Marcus took the key from her, and passed her several coins, winking at her. He then quietly slipped the key into the lock, turning it silently. He opened the door an inch or two, planning on peeking in to see if he could tell— A scream echoed forth from inside the room. Jack shoved past him and burst into the room. He saw Lissa’s blonde hair spread out over the pillow, and Beaverbrooke’s body over her. He rushed across the room and pulled the man away from Lissa. He literally tossed him aside, his hands reaching to untie Lissa as quickly as he could. He paused to pull her chemise closed and looked into her eyes, reading the gratitude he saw there. He pulled a sheet up over her, before he moved to her feet, loosening the ties on her ankles. Lissa sat up, holding the sheet in front of her. Beaverbrooke was stumbling to his feet just in time for Jack to swing around and hit him hard on his jaw. He dropped to the floor again, stunned. Marcus strolled into the room, smiling at the fallen man. He moved over to the bed. “Evening, Miss Stilton. Pleasure seeing you again. Rather inclement weather for traveling though.” Lissa laughed and shook her head. “Only you could act like we were meeting in the park, or at a soiree.” Marcus grinned and then turned to motion the young girl into the room. “We will

escort his lordship downstairs, and this lovely young lady will help you get cleaned up and dressed.” He turned and grabbed Jack’s arm. “Come along, my friend. We have saved the day so to speak, and now let us take out the trash.”

***** Lissa came down the stairs a short time later, her hair combed and knotted at the back of her head. Her perky little hat was perched again on her head at a jaunty angle. She didn’t see Beaverbrooke at all, but instead both Jack and Marcus were seated at a table, eating and drinking as if they had all the time in the world. She frowned at them as she neared the table. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful, sirs, but you weren’t planning on spending the night here, were you?” Jack looked up at her. He was still suffering from the adrenaline rush he’d experienced at finding her. His voice was gruff as he answered her, “At the moment, I am trying to decide whether to continue on to Gretna Green with you myself, or take you back to your aunt’s.” Lissa put her hands on her hips, ignoring Marcus’ grin. “I would not go to Gretna Green with you, Jack.” Jack slowly set down his glass. “Miss Stilton, you may not have a choice in the matter. At this point, I think it is safe to say that your reputation is on very shaky ground indeed. We sent Miss Melton to your aunt’s to try and devise a plausible explanation for your absence. I can’t believe you were so foolhardy as to go with Beaverbrooke in the first place.” Lissa walked around the table and deliberately sat down next to Marcus. She reached over and took Marcus’ glass of wine and drank it down in one long swallow. She glared at Jack and slowly she turned to Marcus. “Will you take me back to my aunt’s house, please?” Marcus looked from Jack to Lissa. The grimace on his face indicated that he was reluctant to come between what was a much deeper relationship than it appeared on the surface. “Actually, Miss Stilton, we have already arranged the coach with fresh horses. We can leave in just a bit.” Lissa stood and stepped away from the table. “Very well. I shall await you outside.” She turned haughtily and walked out of the hostel’s front door. Jack went to stand, muttering angrily under his breath. Marcus stopped him with a firm hand on his arm. “I think you should ride outside with the horses for a while, Jack. I’ll sit inside with Lissa. I’ll get the sandwiches we ordered and then be out.” He paused. “I promise you that I will be a perfect gentleman with the lady, or at least until you and she have settled whatever it is you have between you, I won’t interfere.” He walked back to the kitchen of the small hostel. Jack drank the rest of his wine and then stalked back outside. It would be slow going back because Marcus’ and his horses were tired and would need frequent rest stops. He stopped abruptly, seeing one of the road signs marking the diverging roads. Recognizing the one name, Jack remembered that his father’s sister lived about two

hours from there. They could stay there without fear of any gossips. He went to the coachman and told him of the change in plans. He handed the man several large bills, which helped to ease any discomfort the man might be feeling. He decided to wait until they were there, before telling either of the coach’s passengers of his change in plans.

***** Lissa sat in the coach, ignoring most of what Marcus was saying. She was in no mood for pleasant conversation. And she knew she was in for a hell of a lecture from Jack when they finally got back to Bath. Of course, she knew now that she never should have gone riding with Beaverbrooke, especially after learning that he had already returned Suzanne’s letters. She didn’t want to admit that she did it just to defy Jack and show him that he didn’t control her. And look where it had gotten her! Almost raped, and nearly married to a total scoundrel. But she most assuredly would prefer to skip hearing about her foolish behavior. Perhaps she should have suspected something when he rode into the heaviest part of the woods. It was blatantly clear now she should have known better. But she hadn’t. And she had truly been part of her own troubles, in not being more careful, and yes, even circumspect. So when Marcus finally pulled a flask from his pocket and offered her some brandy, she took it eagerly. She was chilled, and most importantly, she wanted to forget the entire evening. Before Marcus could grab it from her hands, she lifted it and downed half the flask. She handed it back, politely dabbing at her lips. And when the coach finally came to a stop, she was quite grateful. She didn’t wait for Marcus to get out first and help her down. She flung open the door and, holding her skirt up way too high, hopped down. Her head spun a bit, and luckily Jack reached out and grabbed her before she pitched forward onto her face. Lissa saw they were not at an inn along the road, but instead were in the front drive to a very large and impressive house. The door was open, and a terribly dour and forbidding-looking butler was guarding the door. At Jack’s bidding though, he did step back to let them enter. “Phillips, we will need three bedrooms for the night. I am sorry to inconvenience you like this, but we are in dire need of a safe haven.” Jack kept one arm around Lissa’s waist as she swayed. Lissa smiled at the butler. She reached out and patted his arm, consolingly. “Thank you ever so much. My pirate and I would like to rent a room.” Turning her head towards Jack, she realized that he must have caught a whiff of brandy from the look on his face. She giggled as she saw the stern look he gave the other man. But Marcus showed that he was beyond getting between these two hotheads, and merely shrugged his shoulders. Leaning forward, she wiggled her finger towards Phillips. When he leaned politely forward, she told him quite loudly, “He thinks I’ve had too much brandy, but I haven’t. Please have the maid bring a fresh bottle to my room.” “The lady will not be needing any more brandy, Phillips.”

Marcus lifted his hand. “I could use some.” Lissa winked at Phillips. “I’ll just share his, like before.” She twisted around slightly to look at Marcus. “We could be drinking b-b-buddies.” “What is the meaning of this invasion of my home in the middle of the night?” A voice at the top of the grand, wide staircase demanded. Lissa turned when Jack did, her head spinning. She heard Jack’s voice rumble in his chest when he answered, “Hello, Aunt Wilhelmina. I hope you will forgive our late arrival, but we are in need of a place to stay for the night. I am sorry for not letting you know in advance, but the trip was… quite unexpected.” Marcus coughed to cover his laugh at Jack’s explanation. He was still surprised they hadn’t continued back on the same road to London. But he also knew that here they would have pest-free beds, warm linens and hot baths. By far, this was the wiser course of action. He was quite satisfied with the arrangement, not to mention that he had little doubt that he was about to be tremendously amused. Wilhelmina Barrington came down a few more steps. She “harrumphed” when she saw her nephew. “You young scallywag, Jack. I should have guessed it would be you. Very well then, Phillips awaken the house staff. Have the maids make up the bedrooms for our young visitors, and set Cook to preparing a late supper for them to have on trays in their rooms.” Pausing to let her gaze move over his companions, she stared at each of them for several moments. She turned quite haughtily on the stairs, lifting her skirts, dismissing them all. “I will see you in the morning, Jack, and I shall expect a full accounting of your activities.” Phillips cleared his voice and directed the young guests to follow him. He stopped to direct someone to awaken several of the maids and footmen also. Jack was shown a room first, and it looked incredibly large and elegant from the doorway. Marcus was given the room opposite, and Lissa was escorted down a bit and given a smaller room. A few minutes later, a young maid knocked on her door and stated she was there to help her prepare for bed. When asked if she wanted a hot bath, Lissa couldn’t resist. Soon a tub was being filled with hot water while Lissa ate the sandwich and tea brought up from the kitchen. There was also some brandy to add to the tea, and Lissa added it liberally. She only sipped the tea and finally the water was ready. She dismissed the maid and told her she could manage just fine from here. She moved the towels over next to the tub and found the scented soap. Feeling grimy from travel, and even more she needed to wash the smell of Beaverbrooke’s obnoxious cologne from her skin. She stripped off her clothes and lowered herself into the water. She left her hair down and it floated on the water around her, which covered her to just above her nipples. Shifting in the water carefully, she rested her head back against the rounded edge of the tub. She could feel the tension slowly begin to seep from her bones and muscles, and her body and mind finally began to relax. Closing her eyes, she drifted into a half-sleep. The click was just enough to get Lissa’s attention. She opened her eyes, and then

gasped in surprise, seeing Jack standing quite nonchalantly a short distance away. He was wearing only his black breeches. Her eyes moved across his muscular chest, unable to prevent the memories flooding her senses. She remembered how wonderful it had felt to be held in Jack’s arms, running her fingers through the soft furry hair of his chest. Forcing her eyes away from temptation, she saw that he was idly swinging a key from his finger. Even before she looked, she knew he was grinning. Jack carefully opened the door, making sure he made not a single sound to give away his presence. He closed the door, turning the key in the lock. Smiling, he finally stopped swinging the key and tossed it onto the stand by the door. Seeing the dreamy look on her face, Jack moved across the room, dropping to his knees next to the tub. Many reasons had brought him to her room tonight. But right now, the only one that mattered was his desire for her. His eyes moved over her face caressingly, before sliding down to linger on the full curves of her breasts, rising like proud peaks above the water. He lowered his face to her, kissing her lips. His mouth captured her soft cry of desire as his hand moved into the water and cupped her large breast. As he massaged the firm mound, her body pressed it more deeply towards him. Moving to the other breast, he began a rhythmic movement back and forth between them. Every so often, he’d pause and rub just his palm all over her nipples. The long, hard tips told their own story of how aroused Lissa was by his touch. A few seconds later, he felt Lissa’s hands move upwards and curl around his head, holding him close while she kissed him back eagerly. Lissa freed her mouth from his. “It’s been an eternity since you touched me, Jack. I’ ve missed you… your intoxicating caresses make me crazy.” “Damn, woman! You do know how to make a man—” His words stopped as he fumbled for the right words. His concentration wasn’t on speaking at the moment. Lissa spoke softly, “Do I make you into a pirate once more? Have you come to capture and ravish me once again?” Jack growled low in his throat. Her words reminded him of their erotic times aboard his ship. Standing, he moved his hand back to his pants’ fastening and quickly removed them. He slid into the hot water facing her. Lissa sighed as Jack pulled her forward, moving her legs to surround his hips. “I don’t want to rush you.” “You aren’t, Jack, I want you to make love to me. Please.” With his hard manhood between them, Jack’s hands lifted her and he began slowly entering her body. He lowered her with care, easing his hardness into her. He watched the look upon her face as he once again joined with her. Lissa’s eyes closed. Her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders, mimicking her legs’ position around his hips. Jack felt as if she were enveloping him completely, absorbing him into herself. Damn, he thought, it was so good! For a long time, neither moved, scarcely breathing, as their bodies readjusted to one another once again. Lissa moved first, releasing her stranglehold around his neck and relaxing her body to slowly fall backwards in the water. Jack’s hands supported her,

until she floated on the water, her hair spread out around her. She lowered her head even further into the water for a moment, and then rose back up, her hair wet and slicked back from her face. Jack’s hands held her steady until she started to sit back up, and then he assisted her in moving close to his body once again. This time, he groaned, as her flesh seemed to pull him even more deeply within her heat. “God, Lissa! It’s been so damned long—” Lissa pressed one finger over his lips, silencing him. She replaced her fingers with her lips. Her tongue slid lightly, delicately across his lips, tracing the line where his two lips met. He opened his mouth eagerly, needing no further enticement, but Lissa couldn ’t be hurried. She seemed to want to savor the taste of his lower lip, and then his upper lip. She caught his lower lip with her teeth, tugging his mouth open further, and then her tongue moved in and began a delicate, erotic duel with his. Jack’s hands stroked over her wet hair and down her back. One hand moved between their bodies, cupping and caressing her right breast. Her nipple was hard and sensitive as his fingers began plucking at it eagerly. He soon deserted her breast to slide down over her supple tummy. One finger slid inside her soft wet lips and sought her pleasure point. He broke away from her mouth as he began working the supersensitive flesh. Her sibilant, whispering cries sounded loud in the quiet room. Jack whispered to her tenderly next to her ear, “Just let go, my sweet captive. Come apart in my arms, just like you did on board the ship.” He lowered his mouth and bit into the tender flesh of her neck, sucking on the tender flesh. It might have been his words, his deep voice, or his cleverly placed touches, but she exploded the next moment. Her flesh squeezed down hard on his manhood, and she climaxed wildly in his arms. Jack barely managed to cover her mouth with his hand, catching the scream that leapt from her throat. He wanted to hold off, and bring her again to fruition, but his body had been denied for much too long also. The feel of her hot, wet flesh squeezing and spasming around his cock was too much. He groaned fiercely and pulled her close. Her full breasts were mashed tight to his chest as he thrust up into her eager body, over and over, shooting his seed deep into her body. Jack felt like each time he was trying to get as deeply inside Lissa as possible. Only then would he be able to understand this fire inside of him. Being with Lissa was pure Nirvana, Heaven. And even as he ended his orgasmic release, deep within him began the desire to start once again. It was just a niggling, and he was so satiated that he questioned how it was possible. Yet he knew that the renewal of his desire was like a life-giving force. Neither gave a thought to consequences at that moment. They had been denied the other’s touch for too long to be circumspect.

***** Lissa lay limply in Jack’s arms, feeling his manhood give its last twitch within her still softly quivering flesh. She was exhausted, and her head nestled against his hard chest. She yawned deeply and slid her arms around his waist, holding him close. In the next moment, she was sound asleep and snored softly.

Jack just stayed in the water, which was still warm, for a few minutes longer, his flesh still eagerly encased within her body. Inevitably they would have to discuss and figure things out for their future. But for right now, he was impossibly hungry for Lissa!

***** Lissa was awakened by the sound of the curtains in the room being opened. She turned and saw a young maid was fastening the curtains back with ties. She moved to sit up, gasping when she realized she was naked beneath the sheets. Quickly, she pulled the sheets to her chin and struggled to move the pillows so she could sit up. The young maid brought over a silver tray, set with tea, and croissants and fresh jam. Lissa wasn’t surprised when her stomach growled loudly. The young maid excused herself, saying she would be back soon, as she was working on cleaning the young miss’ riding habit. Lissa sipped the tea, remembering how Jack had come into the room, joining her in the tub. She blushed brightly, as she recalled how eagerly she had accepted his touch. Perhaps she should have resisted, but she had not put up the slightest bit of opposition. Now she realized that Jack must have put her to bed after they had made love, and she was glad that he had at least returned to his own room. It would have been very embarrassing to hear the maid giggling at finding the two of them in bed. Of course, there would have been the knowing grin on Jack’s face. She took a bite of the warm, flaky croissant. She didn’t understand Jack. She had thought he was angry with her, or even that he wanted to end their engagement. He had ignored her for so long after she had lost the baby that she had assumed that he wanted nothing more to do with her. “You are up! Good!” Lissa looked up in surprise to see that Jack’s aunt was standing at the foot of the bed, staring at her. She blushed brightly as she saw that the elderly woman’s eyes traveled knowingly over her naked shoulders. Before Lissa could answer, the woman moved to the side of the bed nearest to where she was. She felt the woman’s eagle eyes move over her face, her hair. She saw that the woman’s gaze lingered at her neck and then she moved away to pull a small chair to within a few feet of the bed. She seated herself, still staring at Lissa. “I assume you are the chit who lost my nephew’s baby!” She coughed, sputtering in surprise. She couldn’t hide the pain that shot through her at the other woman’s accusing words. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. Several months had passed, but the loss still hurt like a newly opened wound. Sometimes she thought the pain would never go away; it just always seemed to be there, just under the surface.

***** Wilhelmina Barrington saw the flood of emotion that was so obvious on the younger woman’s face. She had her answer. She had been afraid the young woman had perhaps lost the baby on purpose. It would be likely to assume Jack would still do the noble thing and marry her. There was no way this young woman could fake the emotion she was revealing. She had obviously suppressed her pain for too long. Never had she been allowed to grieve for the loss of life she had carried. Wilhelmina stood and took the tray from Lissa’s lap. She then sat down on the side of the bed. She lightly touched the young woman’s hands, which were knotted in the sheets. Wilhelmina carefully put a finger out and lifted Lissa’s chin so she could look into her eyes. “My dear, I didn’t mean to hurt you. But I did want to know if you were Jack’s fiancée. My brother was quite devastated when he learned from Jack that you had lost the baby. He was so looking forward to a grandchild. And I admit that I too was looking forward to having a grandniece, or nephew, to spoil.” She paused and handed her lace handkerchief to Lissa. “I have not yet spoken to Jack this morning, but somehow I have the feeling there is quite a story behind your arrival last night.” Lissa nodded, wiping the tears from her cheeks, sniffing quite unladylike. Wilhelmina patted her hand, and moved off the bed. “I will have one of my dressing gowns brought in for you to wear, and I hope you will join me downstairs for some tea. Now, I need to go and speak to Jack. He has quite a bit of explaining to do—” She turned haughtily, and sailed from the room. Lissa felt sorry for Jack at that moment. All right, she acknowledged, just a little bit sorry.

***** Jack was enjoying a hearty breakfast in the morning room when his aunt entered. He stood hastily, wiping his mouth and moving to hold out her chair. She nodded at him, indicating she would take the chair next to his. Jack could tell from the look on his aunt’s face that he was going to be asked a barrage of difficult and embarrassing questions. He cleared his throat, in the hope of heading her off. Wilhelmina spoke first. “Jack, you should be ashamed of yourself!” She held up her hand quickly when he opened his mouth to defend himself, against what precisely he wasn’t completely sure yet. “I won’t listen to any of your excuses. You may be able to fool your father, but you can’t pull the wool over my eyes. Now, I don’t know the circumstances behind you coming here in the middle of the night, with no luggage and no companion for the young lady. But, I do think that I can salvage the situation from disaster.” “Aunt Wilhelmina, you don’t understand. I rescued Lissa, well, I mean Marcus and I rescued her. She was being kidnapped by a complete cad and taken to Gretna Green. It was so late that I thought here would be the best place to come.” Jack explained, feeling

like a small boy once again, trying to explain to his aunt why he had broken her favorite vase while sliding down the banister. Wilhelmina stared at him. “Hmmm, well, what got you here is no longer important. What we must do is minimize the damage. I think the best thing is for you and your friend, the Marquis… I swear he is as no-account as his father used to be! Anyway, the two of you must leave for London this morning. Miss Stilton will remain here with me. I shall leave it to you to cover your tracks regarding her disappearance. You might just state that she wanted to spend some time here, where it is cooler and away from the crowds. You drove her north, with a companion, whom I shall provide.” Jack frowned at his aunt. “I really think it would be best if Lissa came back with us. We can return her to her aunt’s home there.” Wilhelmina frowned back at her nephew. “And then what, nephew? More running about and getting into ridiculous scrapes for the two of you?” She paused and sipped the tea she had been given by one of her liveried footmen. “Unless you tell me that there are wedding plans in the works, and it is to be within a fortnight or a month at most, then I feel I must keep the girl here with me. I think she needs some time to recover.” Jack flushed angrily. “Look, Aunt Wilhelmina, she has had several months to recover, as you put it. She is obviously fine, gauging by the nonsense she has managed to get herself into. As far as a wedding, well, once she returns to London, we will get on with it.” Wilhelmina choked on a sputtered cough. “You will not win any girl’s heart by just ‘ getting on with it’ my boy. I am afraid that you may have hopelessly muddled things up. I shall endeavor my best to rescue the situation for you.” She paused again, before going on. “I also think, Jack, that you need to take some time yourself.” “What for, Aunt? I am perfectly fine. In fact, I am quite ready to wed Lissa and get on with our lives. I think that would be the best case scenario for us both.” Wilhelmina reached over and covered Jack’s clenched fist with her wrinkled one. She met his eyes. “Jack, you can probably lie to your father, and perhaps everyone else around you, but you can’t fool me. You need to grieve, dear boy.” Jack moved to pull away. Wilhelmina refused to release his hand. Jack spoke quickly. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Aunt Wilhelmina. I am fine—” Wilhelmina shook her head. “Jack, I can see the pain in your eyes. I may be an old woman, but I remember how it was when my Richard and I lost our baby. He tried so hard to be strong and silent, and pretend it didn’t bother him. Jack, you lost a child, no matter how old it was. And I don’t think you have given yourself time to accept it.” “Damn it! Of course, I accepted it! I was there when it happened; watching Lissa fall was like a horror story. And it just keeps repeating in my head, over and over. But nothing I say or do can bring the baby back.” Wilhelmina nodded her head, continuing to pat her nephew’s hand. “Of course you can’t change the past, Jack. But I can tell that Lissa needs time to grieve. Just now, she started crying at just the mention of losing the baby. When she is ready, we will come to London.” Jack stood and walked over to stare out onto the beautiful gardens. “I don’t agree

with you, but if Lissa wants to stay, then I will accede to her wishes.” “And what about you, dear boy?” Wilhelmina prompted him once more. Jack stiffened his back. He didn’t want to acknowledge that there was anything of consequence to his aunt’s words, but he also knew that she was like a dog with a bone at times. “I understand what you’re saying, aunt, and I will try.” Wilhelmina nodded slowly. “Very well.” Lissa stood at the threshold to the room. Her eyes were glued to Jack’s broad back, turned toward her. She didn’t want to, she told herself, but she still loved him. Being with him last evening had merely reinforced her true feelings, and if anything, proved that she was even more enamored of him than before. Holding him so close and feeling him inside of her, only made her feel emptier now. Reluctantly she stepped into the room. Jack turned at the rustling of the silken dressing gown she wore. “Good morning, Lissa. I trust you slept well.” Jack moved over to pull out a chair on the other side of his place. He noticed the bright flush that moved up over her face and the unmistakable love bruise on her neck. As he turned away, he saw that his aunt was staring from the mark on Lissa’s neck and then at himself. He flushed under her intense scrutiny. He knew that he had dishonored his aunt by making love to Lissa in her home, but he had been unable to stay away from her last night. Seeing Beaverbrooke with his hands all over her body had sickened him. He had needed to touch her and replace those visions with fresh memories of his own, with Lissa. Lissa nodded, a blush quickly stained her cheeks. Jack reseated himself, deciding to take the bull by the horns, and not let his aunt influence Lissa’s answer. “Lissa, dear, I wanted to leave for London this morning, if you feel up to it.” Lissa looked from Jack to his aunt. Marcus strolled into the room. “What’s this about Lissa staying here? I understand the coachman has already been sent on his way—” His voiced trailed away as he realized he was the cynosure of all three people in the room. “Oops! Am I de trop here and just don’t know it yet?” Wilhelmina shook her head, gesturing to one of the empty chairs. “Of course not, Lord Broughton. Please join us. I want Lissa to remain here for a while so we can become better acquainted. I also feel that it will add more weight to whatever excuse you devise, if Lissa’s return to London is with me rather than you two gentlemen.” She paused and turned to smile at Lissa. “I truly think it would be best for you to remain here for a bit, my dear child. I hope you will agree.” Lissa looked from Jack’s aunt, to Marcus and finally, at Jack. She almost wished Jack would pull her from the chair and demand that she leave with him and he’d declare he couldn’t live for another day without her as his wife. She paled as he didn’t say, or do, anything. She couldn’t help but wonder if last night had just been a “quick roll in the hay” for old time’s sake. It had not been a declaration of his love and intent for her, as she had hoped. Perhaps he wanted to get rid of her, and he had suggested this to his

aunt, but was making a brief protest, just for show. Lissa felt her heart sink, as Jack didn’t demand she go with him, or at least express his opinion that she leave, or go. Finally, she turned and nodded her head to Wilhelmina. “I’ll stay, ma’am, for as long as you will have me here.” Wilhelmina smiled and stood from the table. “Wonderful, my dear. I will send for my seamstress, and we will get started on making you some clothes to wear here. You boys finish breakfast, and I will have Cook pack you something for the road. That way you can be on your way in the next hour. The sooner you make your appearances in Bath, and then London, the better off things will be. Good day and have a safe journey. Jack, you may kiss my cheek before you go. And you, Lord Broughton, may kiss my hand.” She allowed both men to do her bidding before she turned and left the room. Silence followed the older woman’s departure. Marcus finally cleared his throat. “Well, don’t I feel like a naughty six year old who has been discovered and dismissed to my room?” Lissa smiled and nodded her head in agreement. She stood though and moved toward the door. “I think I will return to my room for a while.” She didn’t meet either mans’ eyes as she wished them a safe journey home. She turned back though a moment later. “I do hope you both know that I didn’t go with Beaverbrooke willingly.” Marcus shook his head. Jack answered quickly, “Of course, we never considered such a thing, Lissa.” Before he could continue though, Lissa thanked them both once again and quickly left the room. Marcus looked at Jack as he dropped back down into his chair. “My dear fellow, you will never advance if you keep letting her stay so far away from you. I mean, first Bath, and now here… that is no way to build a relationship with the girl!” Marcus stood and walked over to the heavily laden sideboard. He began filling his plate. Jack growled under his breath. “I told my aunt I wouldn’t interfere if Lissa truly wanted to stay here.” Marcus shook his head and reseated himself at the table. “Well, Jack old boy, I am beginning to think you need instructions on how to woo the lady of your choice. Lucky for you that you’ll be traveling with the expert.” A moment later, a well-aimed spoon met the back of Marcus’ head.

Chapter Thirteen Lissa and Wilhelmina saw the gentlemen off the next morning. Their hostess had been persuaded to allow them one more day to recover. Wilhelmina had finally agreed, but she added with a straight face, “I imagine I should show more sympathy. Two such finely bred animals deserve the rest.” A second later she deflated the men’s egos by directing Phillips to speak to the stable hands. “Make sure my nephew’s and his lordship’s horses receive our best attention and finest feed.” She ignored their open-mouthed stares and regally walked out of the room. That morning was quite chilly as Lissa stood on the wide stone steps. She only half listened as Jack received his aunt’s instructions and messages for him to pass on to various people. Finally, he turned to her. He lifted her hand most sedately, kissing it lightly, almost as a first-time acquaintance might do. But the heat in his eyes as they burned into hers reminded her that Jack’s feelings had been far from platonic when he had snuck into her room quite late last night. A bright flush stained her neck and face as she recalled how he had awakened her. And his voice held more import than just a future planned meeting as he spoke to her one last time. “London, four weeks.” Jack paused until Lissa nodded her agreement once more, and then turned and vaulted into the saddle. With a wave of his hand, he and Marcus were soon just dots on the horizon, galloping out of her life. Lissa stood there long after they had disappeared and Aunt Wilhelmina had gone indoors again. Finally, reluctantly, she turned and went inside. Even as the large double doors were closed behind her, she was met with lots of tasks and things that must be done. She smiled and decided that to be busy would be best. From that moment on, her waking hours were filled with fittings for new dresses, meeting neighbors for tea and even several small dances in the area. Obviously, life did go on outside the skirts of London and Bath, where you were led to believe that civilization ended at their borders. Lissa happily wore the new dresses, gowns, shoes and other sundry items Wilhelmina acquired for her. Lissa was coddled and spoiled the like of which she hadn’t seen since before her mother had first become ill. It did seem such a long time ago, now. When all was quiet, she realized how much she had actually lived through since losing her mother. All these things she had experienced were precisely what she would have discussed with her mother. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that she’d reacted as foolishly as she had at times.

***** She was introduced quite early on in her stay with Wilhelmina to the local gentry, in particular a Sir Reginald Bray’s family. He had several children, but only two were old enough to be with their elders and attend adult gatherings. His eldest daughter was Mary, and she was quite sweet, and gentle, and totally smitten with her neighbor’s oldest son, Lord Mawbry’s heir, Thomas. The two were quite close in age, Lissa soon

learned from Mary. They had all grown up together, Thomas, herself and her brother Peter. Peter Bray was just a year younger than Lissa, and immediately seemed to have fallen in love with her. Or at least that is what he proclaimed in his notes and handpicked bouquets delivered to the house. As the next weeks passed, Lissa became used to being greeted at gatherings by one of Peter’s original poems of worship. She tried methods to dissuade him, but he was a determined young man. Once he learned that Lissa would be leaving for London soon, he began persuading his parents to take them to London as well. Lady Phyllis Bray was quite easily convinced, and soon it was she and Peter, working to convince Sir Reginald. Mary wasn’t at all keen on the idea until Lord Mawbry agreed to let Thomas travel with them, and then she joined her mother and brother in the persuasions. It was impossible for poor Reginald to resist nearly everyone in his household, although he did do his best to hold out for as long as possible. He finally conceded, to the delight of everyone in his family. Lissa later discovered that Wilhelmina had also come down in favor of the entire family making the journey. It was obvious how much the squire doted on the old woman, so Lissa wasn’t all that surprised when both households were turned upside down in the rush to prepare for the gargantuan trip south to London. Through out the entire hubbub, Lissa knew the time was drawing near where she would have to face Jack. There was so much to say, and do when they finally met once more. She owed him her gratitude for rescuing her after her foolhardy scheme had gone awry. And there was Marcus to thank as well. Did Jack even want to have any kind of a relationship with her anymore? It was quite possible that he was sick and tired of shenanigans. Soon she would see him and be forced to have it all out… in the open. In the end, the question foremost in her mind was not whether she wanted to see Jack and be with him. Did he care anymore about her? He might never have loved her, but she did know that at one time he cared for her. Were those feelings still there? The drive to London seemed impossibly long. If nothing else, Lissa knew she’d have plenty of time to convince young Peter that London would be full of young ladies anxious to meet his acquaintance.

***** Lissa did realize that the dam of tears that had been held in check for so long were finally free to fall. The first two weeks she was surprised at how easily she would start to cry. Wilhelmina had taken to carrying extra handkerchiefs, and would just pass her one without a word, just a gentle smile. The older woman’s acceptance allowed her to feel free enough to grieve, to accept her loss and know that she would always have the feeling of sadness at the loss of her baby. Soon she realized that she needed to look forward and go on with her life. She did acknowledge that while she most definitely lusted after Jack, and she was pretty sure she still loved him, perhaps they weren’t meant to truly have a life together. The sadness of this was most intense, and while she was accepting the truth of it, she was slowly

beginning to make plans for her future, even if it didn’t include Jack, or England. She owed her insights to Wilhelmina. They had been sitting in the solarium one afternoon, when out of nowhere, the staid, upright and no-nonsense lady had made a startling announcement. “You know, my dear, a woman doesn’t necessarily love only one man in her lifetime.” It was rather embarrassing to be talking about this with Jack’s aunt, she’d thought at first. But the more time the two of them spent together, she came to realize how much alike they were in spite of their disparate upbringings. “Well, I understand that if a lady should lose her husband, such as in death, or war —” Wilhelmina chuckled out loud. “That’s not what I meant, but an equally valid point. No, what I mean is that sometimes, especially when we are young, but not restricted to youth, the human body will react quite strongly to another human body of the opposite sex.” “Like a gentleman who takes a mistress?” Lissa offered, feeling like she was drowning and not a helping hand in sight. “My dear girl, when a lord of the realm takes a mistress, it always has to do with lust, and very rarely with love. And when the gentleman is questioned, he would always declare that he loved his wife and family, and the two had nothing to do with one another.” “But how can that be, Aunt Wilhelmina?” Lissa twisted in her wicker chair, trying to see the older woman’s face better. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have said anything, my dear. I just want you to understand that in this modern world, men are not always the fastidious beasts we might like them to be. A man seems to quite easily fall in and out of lust many times in his life, but he will call it love until he weds. There is no rule that says a woman is not the same. And sometimes, a woman can find herself attracted to two men, especially during a stressful situation.” Lissa picked up her teacup and sipped quickly to wet her parched throat. Obviously Jack’s aunt was questioning her relationship not only with her nephew, but also with the Marquis of Broughton. In her opinion, there was not anything with Marcus. He had overstepped a few social boundaries, and she had foolishly not stopped him. “Nothing really happened between the Marquis and myself, ma’am. He was perhaps a trifle too forward, and I too lax in not halting the advances.” “Good God, Lissa! I’m not looking to point fingers or lay blame, and neither should you. Forget the past, my dear. What I am saying is that when the time comes, look deep into your heart before you take any action. If you know it is true love—the kind where you laugh, cry, get a little angry at times and then make up—that is what you grab hold of, regardless of who they are, or his station in life. Life is too short to spend it wondering what might have been. What is important is that you don’t hurt others if you possibly can avoid it, and you have someone to love and share your life with along the way.” Wilhelmina looked so sad as her eyes focused on some time and place in the past. Lissa couldn’t resist the urge to comfort her and moved out of her chair. Sitting next to the older woman, she leaned her head against Wilhelmina’s leg. A few seconds later, Lissa felt gentle fingers lightly stroking and petting her head. Neither woman spoke, but it didn’t seem necessary.

***** When the time arrived, a very large and fun-filled party traveled south to London. They combined into one group and would move back and forth between the carriages. Of course, the four youngest members of the party could be heard to be laughing, singing and sometimes shrieking in surprise. They made two stops on the way, to allow Wilhelmina to rest and recover. The final morning, Lissa requested to borrow Thomas’ horse for the ride into town. Both he and Peter had brought along mounts, to help ease their boredom. Of course, they had not been in the least bored, so the horses had gone riderless for most of the journey, with the young men joining the young women in card, board and word games. Wearing her new stylish habit and daring hat, Lissa rode into London proud and haughty on the skittish horse. They drove to the Bray’s house first, and then Wilhelmina and Lissa left for the duke ’s home in London. Lissa dismounted with the groom’s help, and then assisted Wilhelmina up the long stone staircase that led into the Duke’s very grand and quite regally impressive house. She nervously glanced around, half expecting Jack to come out of one the rooms to greet them. But other than the duke’s servants, no one else greeted them. Lissa saw that Wilhelmina was well settled and then told her she’d decided to go on to her uncle’s house, where her father would be. She would arrange to have Thomas’ mount returned to him at the Bray’s home. Wilhelmina protested that she wanted Lissa to stay there, with her. But Lissa stood firm, and stated she really had to return and face her father. They had not received word from Jack concerning the story he’d concocted, and she owed her father an apology. She arrived back at her uncle’s a short time later. She had barely dismounted when the front door was flung wide and her cousins came running down the short steps to greet her. The first ones out the door were her two youngest cousins, Clarissa, twelve and Patricia, thirteen. Both were pretty girls, and would probably break a few hearts in just a few years, Lissa realized with a pang of surprise. She had never really found herself looking ahead like that, wondering about several years in advance. She hugged both girls and turned to find Louisa waiting to hug her close also. Louisa started talking a mile a minute, telling her absolutely every single thing that had been going in town on lately, and who had worn what, and to where. Luckily, her aunt Celia arrived just then, and told the girls to let Lissa at least come inside before they mobbed her. Once they were all inside, and tea had been served, Lissa relaxed on the small sofa and learned that her father and uncle were at their club that afternoon. But both were expected home for dinner. Lissa quite happily went upstairs finally to bathe, and then dress for dinner. She was waiting in the small library reading, when the door swung open. She turned and was surprised to see her father standing in the doorway. She hadn’ t thought they’d have time together this soon. Lissa was afraid that he would be angry with her, because all she seemed to do was cause him trouble of late. But her father held his arms out to her, and without hesitation, Lissa ran to be enveloped in his loving

strength and protection. “Papa, I’m so sorry. If I’ve caused you untold pain and shame, feel free to cast me aside like an old shoe,” Lissa blurted out in her rush to make things normal between them once again. She felt her father’s hand patting her lightly on her back. “Stop all that blubbering this instant!” He commanded, but the tone in his voice belied the stern words. “I’d clap you in irons and ship you back to the islands if I thought it would do any good.” Lissa accepted his handkerchief as she sniffled. “And that wouldn’t do any good?” “I’m coming to believe that you would turn my sailors against me, and take my ship for your own pirate vessel.” Laughing, she shook her head. “No more pirates, Papa. But what happened in Bath?” “Don’t fret, daughter. I know it wasn’t your fault, and it will be a damned long time before Beaverbrooke dares to show his face in London.” He gestured for her to be seated on the sofa. “By the way, I met your young friend—a bit flighty and I noticed that Jack looks more than his usual irritated self when she starts talking about you, but otherwise, I believe all is well.” Lissa wasn’t at all sure what her father meant, but she would have to wait to discover more until later.

***** Meanwhile, a few blocks away, things were not progressing quite as smoothly. Jack arrived at his father’s, following a summons delivered to him at Manton’s shooting club, demanding his presence for dinner. Rather irritably, he left his newfound best friend, Marcus, and made his way to the ducal residence. He barely made it through the front door, when he realized that something was sadly amiss in the usually placid household. He wanted to shake the frisson of alarm he felt up his spine, reminding himself he was no longer at sea, and there was no imminent threat to his men’s lives, or to his own. But the feeling was the same he had felt just before— “Finally! Where the devil have you been?” Jack turned and saw his father walking toward him, an angry scowl on his handsome face. Jack held his hand out in greeting to his father, but it was ignored. “I sent for you nearly four hours ago!” John Fitzpatrick, Sr. nearly shouted at his son. Jack flushed slightly as his father glared at him angrily. Just why his father was so upset was the puzzle. Everything had seemed fine that morning when he had departed. In fact, since his return, his relationship with his father had never been better, which had surprised the hell out of him so far. Wondering what the problem might be, Jack crossed his arms across his chest. “I am sorry, Father, but I was in the middle of something. And I had scheduled to ride in the park—” John cut across his son’s excuses. “That is all very fine and well, but all hell has broken loose.” “It’s about time you got here, you young devil, you!”

Jack turned, grimacing as his Aunt Wilhelmina interrupted his father’s words without the slightest by your leave or explanation. Now he understood his father’s anger and frustration. Wilhelmina could do that to a person, and usually in less than five minutes. Jack pasted a smile on his face and stepped forward to greet his aunt. “Dear Aunt Wilhelmina, how are you? I hope you had a pleasant journey.” He accepted his aunt’s kiss upon his cheek. “It was damn long, and dusty, and tiring. I should have taken a nap, once I arrived— ” Jack nodded. “Why didn’t you, Aunt? We would have gladly held dinner for you, I’ m sure.” His aunt slapped her closed fan against his chest. “Because I have been waiting for you, you impertinent boy! How dare you keep your father waiting for four hours?” Jack knew this wasn’t going to end pleasantly for him. First of all, knowing that his father had been stewing here, alone with Wilhelmina and for four hours, would be enough to drive most men to drink. Still, he knew that the only way to deal with this was to just cut to the chase. “Where is Lissa?” Wilhelmina glared at him. “About time you ask about her, young man! For all you seemed to care, I could have married her off up north!” Jack felt a stab directly to his heart at his aunt’s words. He cared about Lissa, too damned much, in his opinion. In modern marriages these days, husbands and wives weren’t supposed to love each other, nor live in one another’s pockets. Separate lives were the norm, once the required heir had been produced. He paused, feeling a hard knock to his equilibrium. His heir had been lost, and the thought still hurt. Sometimes he wondered how long it would take to get over this pain. He often wondered if Lissa had been able to get over the loss of the child more easily than he appeared to be doing. “Why don’t we all go in to the salon for some sherry and discuss this in there?” Jack suggested softly, taking his aunt’s elbow in his hand. A few minutes later, with his father and aunt settled with some of the duke’s finest aged sherry, Jack sat next to his aunt. “I am assuming Lissa did return to the city with you, as planned, Aunt Wilhelmina?” Wilhelmina nodded, but glared at her handsome young nephew. He was a good boy, true, but sometimes she felt like just slapping him upside his head! “She is at her uncle’s, even though I wanted her to stay here.” Jack sipped his sherry. “It probably is best for her to stay there, until things are settled.” Before his aunt could open her mouth, his father was questioning him. “What do you mean by that? Talk about foolhardy and addle-twitted things to say! What is there to settle? You are engaged to be married, and I think we had damned better get the show under way!” Jack looked into the deep red of his drink. He would never forget the stain of red that had darkened Lissa’s dress just a few minutes after she had fallen. He had felt his heart stop, and not start beating again until he was sure she was breathing, and the

doctor pronounced that she would be all right, given time and rest. He looked up at his father. “I’m not so sure the lady still wishes to be married to me, father. She may have had a change of heart, since our—” Jack paused, almost stumbling over the choice of words. “Circumstances have changed. Perhaps she has decided to look elsewhere for a husband?” His father scoffed at him. “Nonsense, boy! After all, we all know that she—” It was the duke’s turn to stumble and falter over the right phrase. Jack stiffened at his father’s words. He had seen the look on his father’s face before. He regarded the girl as a trollop, for giving in to him before they were wed anyway. His father wouldn’t accept that Jack had as much to do with the situation as Lissa had. Jack swallowed his anger though. “Father, I have no doubt that Lissa would be able to find a husband, and that the man in question would not care about her state of virginal readiness .” Jack had seen the way that Marcus, and then Beaverbrooke had looked at her. Lissa was a desirable woman, for sure. He certainly had no trouble becoming aroused around her. Next to him, he heard as his aunt agreed. “Quite, Jack. The girl is extraordinarily wealthy, from what her mother left her. And the inheritance from her father will be staggering. I wouldn’t be surprised if her father couldn’t nab a prince for her, if he set his mind to it. One from the smaller European principalities of course, but still a prince.” Jack bristled at his aunt’s words. He didn’t like the way the conversation was going. Lissa wasn’t going to marry anyone, but him! She may not know it yet, but he did!

***** Lissa sat nervously on the small settee in her uncle’s front parlor. She had received a huge bouquet of roses last evening, along with a note from Jack. It had wished her welcome to London, and that he would enjoy calling upon her the following morning. Of course the bouquet had been delivered during dinner, so the entire family had been witness to her reading the note. At her father’s urging, she had read the note out loud. Louisa had giggled and whispered about how romantic it all was. And so, Lissa had been through a sleepless night, worrying about what Jack wanted to see her about. He had sounded so staid and serious in the note that she couldn’t help but be concerned over what he might want to discuss. She chided herself for what had to be the tenth time as she jumped nervously at a sound outside the door to the room. She heard the hall clock chiming and knew that it was now fifteen minutes past the time that Jack had said he would be there. She didn’t want to lose her patience, but she knew hers was wearing thinner with each passing minute. Lissa stood up and walked over to the French doors that led out into her aunt’s small rose garden. Her aunt worked the garden herself, whenever they were in town. She turned the latch on the door, swinging one of the glass doors open. The late morning air was just a bit cool, and she shivered as it caused goose pimples on her forearms. If it would do any good, she thought to herself, she would leave and let Jack wait on her for a change. And then, she heard the door to the room opening behind her. She resisted the

strong impulse to turn and face the room’s newest occupant. She heard the door close, and soft footfalls coming across the room. As usual, Jack surprised her. “You’ve led me a merry chase across England, my sweet. I’m too old for it, and I’m tired of it. I will have your father post the banns, and we can be wed in four weeks and be done with all this nonsense.” Jack waited for her to erupt at his high-handed attitude. He had thought long and hard over how to handle things between them. Coming to her, with his hat in his hand, so to speak, had galled him. He had not been the one to go playing with fire and get kidnapped. He would not go down on bended knee and beg her to marry him either. So, he had stated the obvious, logical facts and expected Lissa’s reason to win out. Lissa nodded her head. “Very well, your lordship. Just let me know what I need to do.” She took a step through the still open door, stopping only when Jack’s hand grabbed her forearm. She refused to look back at him though. “If there is nothing else, sir, I am going into the garden for a while.” Jack’s hand tightened to bruising her arm for a moment, and then he released her. “Fine, Lissa. I will be in contact with you to sort out which invitations we will attend as an engaged couple.” Jack paused, realizing he would have preferred her railing at him, than this tepid, emotionless acceptance. He started to say something else, but Lissa had already stepped outside and down the few steps into the garden. He half expected her to glance back him, but she didn’t, and continued on walking further from the house. Lissa kept on walking until she reached the very farthest corner of the garden from the house. She stopped there, coming up to the tall fence and dense bushes. She slowly sat, resting between the bushes, her back against the fence. She couldn’t have cared less about her expensive pale pink dress. All of the sweet dreams and gentle hopes had been wrung out of her heart. Jack still lusted after her, or at least he had up until four weeks ago at his aunt’s. She rubbed her fingers across her cheeks, surprised at the wetness on her soft skin. She hated women who cried over a man, but that was exactly what she was doing, she realized with an unpleasant start. Lissa didn’t want to admit her heart was breaking from Jack’s cool way of handling their relationship. But she couldn’t think of any other reason that she should feel so miserable, after being so filled with promise just a short time ago. More than an hour later, Lissa finally went back inside the house. She refused lunch, went upstairs and, taking off her clothes, climbed back into bed and took a nap. Once she woke she insisted on having her dinner upstairs. She pretended she was getting a cold when her aunt came up to her room to see what was bothering her. The next morning, she still refused to come down to eat and it was after lunch that her father came knocking on her door. Lissa pleaded a headache to avoid facing him and discussing anything. Obviously, she felt that since her opinion had not been sought in setting the engagement, why would anyone ask her input at this date? It was teatime when her door was opened without being knocked upon first. Lissa looked up in surprise from where she was reclining on the low chaise lounge. She probably should have expected it, but she was stunned to see Wilhelmina standing just inside her room. The older woman looked resplendent in purple silk and satin. Lissa

stood, curtseying without thinking. Wilhelmina nodded and seated herself at the small table in Lissa’s bedroom. “Lissa, where the devil have you been, gel? Enough of this moping about! It is time to get you out and about London and society once again. We have a lot of ground to cover, you know. And not much time to do it in.” Lissa slid from her chair and sat down on the floor, near Wilhelmina’s knees. The older woman reached out and lightly touched the much younger woman’s cheek. “The time has come, my dear, to bring Jack to heel. We will have to make our plans carefully, or he will slip the knot, as surely as a wild stallion does the bit.” “He has already proposed, in a way I guess, and said we will be married in four weeks.” “Just because a man weds, it doesn’t mean that he is yours. No, my dear, I believe that it is time to show my nephew he still has a few things to learn about women. Now,” Wilhelmina pulled a lacy, lavender scented handkerchief and handed it to Lissa. “Wipe those tears and order some fresh tea. We will need some sustenance to make our plans, dear girl. I’m determined to see that rapscallion nephew of mine happily wed before I pass one more birthday!”

Chapter Fourteen Jack and Marcus were riding the next afternoon down the main path in the city park. They had been stopped numerous times and greeted by many lovely young ladies and their matchmaking mamas, all on the lookout for husbands. Jack had pressed Marcus forward each time, considering himself to be an engaged man and therefore out of the running. “If you push me towards one more simpering twit or her gushing mother, Jack, you won’t need to worry about planning your wedding trip. You’ll be in the hospital for a year!” “Temper, temper, Marcus. If I am to be married, then I think you should also. That way we could leave our wives together whenever we decide to go to our clubs or even racing in the park as weather permits.” They saw an open curricle pulled up a short distance away, and several young men admiring the vehicle and the perfectly matched grays. Marcus pointed to the driver of the racing curricle and drew Jack’s attention towards it. “Unless I am mistaken, Jack, I see a curricle design that could be the fastest I’ve ever seen. Although I am sure it will take strong hands and a foolhardy spirit to drive the damned thing.” Jack turned his head, not really caring since he was the established champion of the races for the last few years. He pulled his mount up sharply though as he saw the brilliant, shining yellow vehicle. It was impossibly high set, the wheels large and made for speed, not safety. Unless he was mistaken, he had seen this vehicle before! He had designed such a curricle himself over a year ago, but had put the design on hold and gone back to the sea instead. He had left the plans at his aunt’s he recalled. And then, he saw the driver! Anger roiled up inside him as he realized his design had been stolen, and by whom. “God damn it!” “I do believe there is a new driver entering the curricle park races, Jack.” Marcus negligently gestured the short distance to where Lissa was laughingly accepting the young men’s compliments. He spurred his horse to follow Jack’s dashing mount across the remainder of the distance. Lissa was enjoying all the attention she was receiving. Wilhelmina had obtained the curricle for her, and arranged for her to receive expert lessons on driving over the last few days. She had raced before, back home on the island, and in more dangerous vehicles than this one. But she was a bit overwhelmed by all the attention she had gotten when she drove into the park this afternoon. Seven, or was it eight, young gentlemen, all of whom were spending more time gazing lustfully at her vehicle than at her, surrounded her. Her groom, dressed to match her own daring habit, was standing at the horses’ heads, keeping them calm. At the sound of approaching horses, she turned just as Jack

pulled his mount to a crashing halt next to the clustered group. His horse reared up, and Lissa watched as he expertly, and almost easily, controlled the animal. She saw immediately the look of displeasure on his face. Perhaps it was conscious, but she couldn’t resist tilting her chin slightly in his direction. She knew she looked good. Her habit was slimly designed, to allow for freedom to drive rather just look attractive while atop a demure mare in the park. The black material was broken only by the flash of brilliant silk at the lapel, disappeared and didn’t appear again until her knees and swept out once more to show the beautiful blend of color from bright red-orange to sunshine yellow. What topped the outfit was the matching curling feather in her jaunty hat. Against the grays, blacks, browns and beiges that most of the men wore, she was the splendid bird of paradise. Wilhelmina’s taste was impeccable, as always. Before she could greet him, one of the young men spoke first, “I say Lord Fitzpatrick it appears the lady will be giving you a run for your money in the race tomorrow!” Lissa saw the younger man, Farley Greenleaf, swallow hard as Jack turned his thunderous glare from Lissa to him. She quickly laughed to deflect Jack’s anger back toward herself. “I think we shall have to wait and see, Mr. Greenleaf. After all, his lordship has skill and experience on his side. Whereas I have may have a splendid vehicle and a pair of the best horses ever, my skill may not be a match for him.” Jack glared at Lissa. Marcus had joined them. “You may be right, Miss Stilton. But then again, you won’t have the weight disadvantage of his lordship, and you are younger.” Marcus grinned devilishly as Jack’s furious glare finally landed on him. “You know, Miss Stilton, I used to drive quite a bit myself, and raced. I’d be happy to give you some pointers, if you wish.” Lissa struggled to keep a grin from her lips. “How kind of you to offer, Lord Broughton. But I wouldn’t want to come between your friendship with Lord Fitzpatrick.” Her words, so simple on the surface, held a wealth of hidden meaning for the three of them. “We didn’t know you had an interest in racing, let alone driving, Miss Stilton.” Lissa focused on Marcus, not letting Jack’s glaring face enter her field of vision. She nodded, the lovely yellow plume atop her saucy little hat, bobbing merrily. She couldn’t read his thoughts, even though she wished that she could just then. On the one hand, she wanted to apologize for her behavior when they had first met in London. But she would also like to know if he still felt an attraction to her. It would only be fair to let him know where he stood with her, which was as a friend only. “Oh, yes, very much so, when I was younger and growing up.” Lissa smiled. “And Aunt Wilhelmina thought it would be a good activity for me. I must admit, I don’t know where she ever found such a lovely curricle either.” Young Nicholas Hardwick nodded. “Yes, indeed, Miss Stilton. It appears to be quite a flyer. The design is also quite unique.” Jack growled at the younger man’s words. Joseph Hardwick, his father, had been quite a racer in his earlier years. He was quite sure the young man shared his father’s interest, and therefore, the older man’s knowledge. Before he could add anything, Lissa was nodding her head, setting that damned plume on her ridiculous hat dancing once

again. Jack noticed that several of the young men were now paying as much interest to her as they were to her vehicle. It was obvious, to him anyway, that what had started as a curiosity to these young racing enthusiasts, was rapidly changing to admiration for the driver instead. He was miffed to find her out like this, racing in the park, when she should have been at her uncle’s home, planning a wedding. Isn’t that what she wanted, he asked angrily in his head. What more could she want? Jack cleared his throat quite loudly. “Miss Stilton, I had thought we were to have tea together yesterday. When I called at your uncle’s, you had already gone out.” Marcus started in surprise at the obvious and totally impolite accusation Jack had just announced to the world, so to speak. He knew the banns were supposed to have been read and posted the previous week, but for some unknown reason, had not appeared. He also knew that Jack had been over to discuss that fact with her father, and had been somewhat mollified when told there had been some kind of clerical error. He turned and saw the flush staining Lissa’s face. He was surprised when she recovered her composure so quickly though. “Yes, your lordship. I had to leave most unexpectedly to visit a friend who has been ill. I had hoped to return in time, but was unfortunately detained. I understand you stayed for tea with my family though instead,” Lissa added with a smile. Marcus grinned. Jack had shared with him exactly how that tea with Lissa had turned into “family tea”. Upon his arrival, Jack discovered the sitting room was literally teeming with females. The problem was, there he was standing in the open doorway, staring at them all, and before he could step out again, he had been discovered. He conceded to Marcus that he might have escaped Lissa’s Aunt Celia but if it weren’t for his aunt, who unfortunately walked in behind him. “Move along, Jack! Find me a chair and be quick about it. Can’t leave an old lady my age standing about!” Wilhelmina directed him stridently. Jack obeyed his aunt, and then found himself seated on a small sofa between Aunt Celia and Aunt Lysastrada. While he tried to sort out which woman was talking to him, he was given a delicate porcelain teacup and saucer to balance on one knee and offered an assortment of sandwiches and sweets to pile onto another plate. Jack was a strong man, who prided himself on his patience, and determined to stick this out. How much worse could it get, after all? During the retelling, Marcus had found it impossible not to laugh out loud at the thought of Jack, truly the manliest of men, enjoying tea with a room full of women. Ignoring Marcus, Jack had continued. Between his aunt, Lissa’s two aunts and three female cousins, Jack had just begun to feel like he was drowning in females. Each time he tried to sip his tea, to fortify himself, the other plate wobbled and he had to grab that plate. Soon he realized he had been wrong, it did get worse.

Aunt Celia dragged a huge pattern book onto her lap, but it spilled over onto Jack’s. Then one of the cousins, God alone knew which one, placed the fabric samples book on Lysastrada’s lap. Jack now had a robustly built woman on each side, a balancing act on each knee and pretty fabrics on the right side of his lap and drawings of women in dresses on the left. Louisa, the eldest cousin, popped up at one point. “Let me refill your tea for you, Lord Fitzpatrick.” Before he could refuse, more hot liquid was balanced on his knee, requiring quite a bit of focus and concentration. The youngest cousin came over and pushed four different kinds of flowers under his nose. “Which do you like the best, your lordship? I prefer the pink, and I am pretty sure Lissa agrees with me.” Louisa snapped back quickly. “Don’t be silly! She wants the white.” One of the women mentioned lace, and that was too much. “I think lace, lace everywhere is appropriate for a wedding. Women love lace and when else can they where as they want?” Wilhelmina shook her head. “I disagree. Too much lace looks cheap. Jack will agree with me on this—a clean, spare line is needed for a wedding dress.” The middle girl eagerly reached for the purple flowers out of her sister’s hand. “You ’re wrong. I know Lissa prefers the purple one.” Aunt Celia smiled at Jack. “It is lucky you came by today. This way you can get involved with all these important decisions. Now, do you have a preference as to hair?” “And the bridesmaids? How do you feel about pale shades of puce?” Jack’s aunt spoke quite loudly to announce her opinion and questions. “I think we should discuss waists first. Jack? How do you feel about a natural one as versus a built foundation and the gown constructed as part of it?” Lysastrada spoke quickly, “You are quite right, Wilhelmina. It is truly fortuitous to have you here, your lordship.” Jack disagreed, but he was stuck. Or at least he was until poor Albert stumbled into the room. The fact that he was there by accident was apparent by the look of absolute fear and horror on his face when all the women turned to look at him. Jack acted quickly. “Albert! It’s about time you got here.” Jack set a saucer on each aunt’s lap. As they steadied them, he rose and practically ran across the room. He patted the younger man’s shoulder. As he closed the door, shutting Albert inside the room, he did wink and add, “Thank you”. Marcus interrupted Jack’s retelling the tea incident. “My sides hurt too bad from laughing that I had to stop him once he reached discussing dress foundations. But I’ll know where to come next time I have question regarding pantaloons or lace.” Jack grimaced as he finished the story. Both of Lissa’s two youngest cousins had made a fuss over him to an embarrassing degree. He did feel a little guilty about stranding Albert when he finally made his escape. Quickly deciding no good could come from further comment, he opened his mouth to remark upon the vehicle.

Lissa’s man, the groom at the horses’ heads, interrupted and told her the beasts were getting restless, and they should best be moving along. Lissa nodded and as soon as the young man was restored to his position atop the curricle, she let the beautiful horses have their heads. Jack started to follow her, when one of the young men spoke up. “I say, Hardwick, Miss Stilton is quite a girl!” Nicholas nodded and the look on his face revealed that she’d impressed him. Jack though was surprised when the young man continued. “I am going to introduce her to my father. I wouldn’t mind having her for a stepmother. And I’m sure father would like her.” Jack choked back his anger, and without a word to Marcus, spun his horse around and rode off into the opposite direction that Lissa had driven moments earlier. If he caught up with Lissa too soon, he was concerned that his anger might flare up. He wasn’ t completely sure whether he was upset that she was driving a dangerous curricle or that he’d been stuck with a gaggle of women! What he was sure of was that he didn’t like the idea of Nicholas’ father meeting Lissa. Marcus paused, not following Jack. “I didn’t realize your father had come to London this year, Hardwick.” Nicholas’ surprise, at being addressed directly by someone as well known and respected in both the gaming and fighting circles as the marquis, was quite evident. Marcus knew that he was admired by the younger set in London, but since he tended to ignore this set, he was unused to such personal adulation. Nicholas nodded. “He has come down with my sister for her first season, sir. It has been five years since my mother’s death, and my Aunt Hettie is presenting Sally.” Marcus, as well as Jack, had been well acquainted with Joseph Hardwick many years ago. The younger man would have no knowledge of the time before his birth, so he decided to drop the subject. He made his goodbyes and turned his mount and hurried after Jack. He caught up with him as Jack was riding out of the park. It wasn’t too difficult to convince the other man to join him at their club, and they turned and rode there instead. Marcus waited until they were seated alone, at a corner table before confiding what he had just learned. He watched the startled look on his friend’s face when he mentioned what young Hardwick had told him. Jack frowned, sipping his cognac before answering Marcus. “You think he has gone through Lillian’s fortune and has come to seek another?” Marcus shrugged but nodded his head. “He had to marry money to keep his estates when he was only twenty, remember. His own father had gambled away their fortunes; and then literally the moneylenders came yapping at his heels for his lands. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find Hardwick in need of a second wealthy wife.” He broke off as he realized that according to rumors, Lissa would certainly fit his needs, having possession of what was reputed to be a sizable fortune. He imagined even Hardwick wouldn’t make it through Lissa’s money before his own death!

***** Jack was at Manton’s the next morning when he saw Albert come through the door. Marcus and he had come to brush up on their shooting skills. He signaled the younger man to join them at their table where they were enjoying a fine cognac and conversation. Albert barely reached the table when Jack noticed how flustered the young man looked. Granted he and Albert had gotten off on the wrong foot, and Albert had tried to kill him. But they were of a common purpose now—to get Lissa safely wedded and out of trouble. And out of England, or London at least, in Albert’s opinion. Marcus greeted the young man, pouring him a glass. “Good morning, Albert! What brings you out this early in the day?” But Albert had serious information to impart, and gulped the expensive drink as if it were water. He had to cough and clear his throat before he could go on. “Lissa has taken it into her head to race that damned curricle on the south road this morning!” Jack’s expletive was lost beneath Marcus’ shout of laughter. The race on the south road was well known for its wildest racers and breakneck speeds. Many accidents occurred frequently, and while one or two ladies had raced in the past, none had done so for quite a few years. Jack was already reaching for his possessions as Marcus chuckled softly. He glared at his friend. “I fail to see any humor in Lissa breaking her neck!” Marcus stood, shrugging. He didn’t think that Jack would see the humor in the situation, even if he were to point it out to him. He followed Jack and Albert, and soon the three of them were riding toward the south road leading out of London. It took them close to thirty minutes or so to reach the gathering of curricles, horses, onlookers and racers. Jack spotted Lissa’s bright curricle right away and spurred his horse forward. He pulled up sharply though when he saw that she was not seated atop the vehicle, but was standing a short distance away next to a very dashing black and gold racing phaeton. A number of years had passed since he had last seen the vehicle, but he recognized it immediately. He also recognized the man standing next to the infamous phaeton. Sir Joseph Hardwick was smiling down at Lissa, and obviously enjoying talking with her. The bright plume on her tricorn hat bobbed actively as she spoke and gesticulated with her hands. Jack bristled as he watched the older man doting on Lissa. He knew that Hardwick was at least fifteen years older than she was, although the man didn’t look more than thirty-five or so. He was fit, tanned and only had a sprinkling of distinguished gray at his temples. There were quite a few young men surrounding the two racers, listening, and absorbing whatever tips Hardwick might give away, on purpose or accident. As Jack watched, Hardwick reached out and pulled his son close, clapping him on the back and laughing. The younger Hardwick flushed, but smiled when Lissa nodded and smiled up at him. He dismounted and started forward, reaching the small group in time to see Hardwick reach out and use his fingers to remove a smudge of dirt on Lissa’s cheek. “Miss Stilton!”

Lissa turned, startled to hear Jack’s voice so nearby. She had not seen him at the start of the race a short time earlier. Jack then saw that Lissa’s plume was not as jaunty as it had been yesterday. The feather was obviously broken, and her fashionable habit was torn in a few spots and decidedly dusty. He took another step closer, needing to assure himself she was in one piece before he tore into her. Sir Joseph interrupted his thoughts. “So nice to see you again, Fitzpatrick. You missed an exciting race. Miss Stilton gave me a run for the money!” Lissa laughed, turning to smile up at Sir Joseph. “You owe me a rematch, Sir Joseph. It was only bad luck that I lost it on the turn back there. Otherwise, that purse would be mine, not yours!” Joseph Hardwick smiled at the beautiful young woman. He was entranced by her beauty, and strongly attracted by her spirit. His son had told him about the lady’s curricle and her desire to race. He had doubted she had the backbone for it truthfully, so few women really did. She would have beaten him if she had not pulled to the side abruptly to miss the sudden appearance of a rabbit in the road. Instead of running over the rabbit, she had pulled up and lost her seat on the tiny bench of the curricle. She had been thrown to the ground, and he had sped ahead and won the race. Jack though was still quite angry. “Your cousin informed me of your race, Miss Stilton. He was quite worried about your safety, as I’m sure your father would be also.” Lissa bristled at his tone. “Well, I am fine, and no harm has been done.” Hardwick reached out and touched the broken plume on her hat. “I’m afraid there is one casualty.” He plucked the plume free, presenting it to Lissa. She took it from his outstretched hand, looking at its sad state. She frowned as she pondered it. Nicholas piped up in the brief pause. “I would be happy to try and find you another plume, Miss Stilton. I would consider it an honor if you would set me to this task.” Jack glared at the young man. His father shook his head slightly. Marcus interceded. “Might I assume that you are quite uninjured then, Miss Stilton?” Lissa turned to look at Marcus, and quickly decided he was the only voice of sanity among them. “I’m quite fine, sir. In fact, I was just getting ready to drive back to town.” She walked toward her curricle, lifting her skirts to find the foothold. Before she could pull herself up, she felt a hand on her forearm, staying her movement. She turned and saw that Sir Joseph was at her side. “May I be hopeful that I will see you at the Staunton masquerade tonight?” Lissa looked into his soulful, deep blue eyes. He was an attractive man, she realized with a start of surprise. But she was in love with Jack. Therefore she was quite surprised and unnerved to feel a shiver of something chase through her body just then. She nodded her head abruptly, not understanding her reaction, and vaulted herself up to the curricle’s seat. She took hold of the reins and signaled for her groom to release the horses. The young teen ran and climbed on the back of the curricle just as she flicked the

reins, spurring the matched grays forward. She drove back to town quickly, her thoughts making her drive more rapidly than normal. She didn’t want to acknowledge that she might not be as sure of her feelings as she had thought she was. Her thoughts in turmoil, she drove the horses around to the back of her uncle’s house, instead of stopping out front like she usually did. She helped to release the harness on the beautiful horses and dismissed the groom, wanting the physical exercise of grooming and feeding the horses alone. She removed her jacket after a few minutes, tossing her hat aside as well. The horses whinnied under her loving touch. Lissa finally forked in fresh hay for them, closing the stalls behind them. Lissa walked out of the small barn, her jacket and hat dangling from one hand. She unbuttoned several buttons of her blouse as she walked toward the house. She stopped abruptly when she saw that Jack was sitting outside the back entrance of the house. As she neared, he stood from the stone steps. He strode toward her, catching her arm in his hand and turned her toward the enclosed garden. He closed the gate behind them, walking toward one of the stone benches. Upon reaching the bench, he none too gently pushed Lissa onto the seat. “We need to talk, Lissa.” Jack paced back and forth in front of her for a few moments. Lissa sat quietly, wondering if it were humanly possible for him to have read her earlier thoughts. Jack stopped directly in front of her. “I am taking that curricle away from you, Lissa. It is too dangerous for you to drive.” Lissa looked up at him. “You can’t take anything away from me, Jack. The curricle is mine, a gift from your aunt. You presume too much, sir!” She stood angrily, her hands knotted into fists at her sides. Jack glared back at her. “I am your fiancé, damn it, and you will do whatever I tell you to do! And that is final!” He folded his arms across his chest and nodded his head, as if that was all the explanation she should need. “And another thing, Miss Stilton. You will not be going to any masquerade balls tonight, or any other night. You may instead attend the opera with my aunt. I’ll arrange for our carriage to come by here for you.” He turned on his heel, walking away from her. Lissa stared after his departing back in amazement and anger. How dare he tell her what she could and couldn’t do? She picked up her jacket from where it had fallen to the grass. She might let her father suggest to her what she needed to do, but he had never dared to tell her she couldn’t do something, for no good reason anyway. Lissa walked into the house, lost in thought.

***** Lissa was dressed in an enveloping cloak and quietly entered the duke’s carriage when it arrived for her later that evening. She was joined in short order by Wilhelmina, who nodded upon seeing her, but wisely made no comments about her sudden decision to join the outing to the opera that evening. The carriage stopped and picked up two more elderly women, and soon they were on their way. Lissa joined the other women in the duke’s exclusive box seated at the rear of the small room, and stayed out of the flow

of the conversation. She sat quietly until the opera began, and then she moved forward and whispered to one of her aunt’s friends that she was not feeling well all of a sudden and was going out to the lobby. Once there, she pulled a small sealed envelope from her reticule and paid one of the attendants to deliver the message to the duke’s box just before the intermission. She then hurried out of the opera house and was able to easily hail a hansom cab. She directed it to drive her to the Staunton’s mansion, near the park. She had her mask in place by the time she paid for the cab and joined the other guests who were entering the house. She checked her cloak and quickly joined the guests who were milling about the downstairs ballroom. She knew that her costume most effectively disguised her identity, for the long veils that she had attached to the mask covered her hair. They also could easily conceal her costume, or be pushed behind her shoulders to reveal the daring, dancing harem girl, in sheer pants gathered at her ankles. In the ladies’ cloakroom, she had paused to apply the kohl to line her eyes, which looked quite mysterious, peering from above the silky veil that concealed the lower half of her face. As she moved through the milling crowd, the golden coins that encircled her head, and those that formed the low waistband jingled softly, making a soft music. She got herself some champagne and sipped it quietly, discreetly lifting her veil. Lissa had scanned the other guests, hoping she could recognize someone, but so far, everyone’s costume was too effective in screening their true identities. She wandered through the smaller rooms, entering one where the gentlemen were smoking and playing cards. She stopped abruptly when she saw two tall, muscular men standing together. They were smoking cheroots and drinking their host’s expensive brandy. While thin strips of cloth covered their upper faces, with holes cut for the eyes, Lissa felt sure she recognized the black-haired pirate, whose friend was blond and dressed in th

black like one of the infamous 17 century coach road thieves. When the taller, blond man laughed, Lissa was sure it was Marcus. She would have recognized Jack anywhere by the strong angle to his jaw. She turned abruptly to leave but bumped into a man entering the room. His hands came to her upper arms to steady her. Lissa recognized him instantly for he had foresworn the mask to his costume. He was dressed as one of the grooms that rode behind the racing vehicles. Lissa flushed as she realized that he was dressed in livery that matched the black velvet of her own groom, complete with the bright yellow accents. Sir Joseph stared at the beautiful woman in his arms for a long moment, trying to peer beyond the kohl liner, and the veils that concealed her face and hair. Lissa lowered her lids, to conceal her eyes from him, but it was a moment too late. Hardwick smiled slowly. “Miss Stilton, I believe.” Lissa considered denying his pronouncement, but decided it would be best to acknowledge it, and then retreat. She nodded once. “You are much too easy to recognize, Sir Joseph.” He released his hold on her arms, shrugging. “I don’t like wearing masks, but I like your clever disguise. It makes your eyes most mysterious. Will you accompany me back to the ballroom?” Lissa nodded and accepted his arm.

Marcus and Jack had seen Sir Joseph, and it was obvious to both men whose groom he was impersonating in wearing the black and yellow livery. Jack ignored him, turning back to Marcus. But Marcus continued to stare after the departing couple. “What’s wrong, Marcus?” Marcus set down his glass before he answered. “Nothing is wrong, Jack. But I think that dancing girl looked most enticing, and I’m damned if I will let the most interesting woman I’ve seen tonight go off with Hardwick.” And without waiting for Jack to reply, Marcus turned and quickly followed Hardwick to the ballroom. He made his way to the edge of the dancing, looking around for a glimpse of the woman in the turquoise-colored veils. It was only a minute or two when he saw Hardwick dance by with the veiled woman in his arms. Marcus heard the tingle of her coins as they moved past, but it was her laugh that really caught his attention. He grimaced as he watched them move back into the dancers. He should have guessed that Lissa would ignore Jack’s pronouncement. He had almost argued with Jack when he had told him that Lissa would be attending the opera instead this evening. Obviously, Lissa had had other plans also. Marcus decided he had best go and find Jack and warn him. He turned but stopped when he saw that none other than the infamous Lady Hughes was leading Jack onto the dance floor. She had been one of Jack’s paramours a few years earlier, and from the way she was watching him now, she had every intention of resuming their affair. Marcus groaned and considered leaving and letting them sort it out alone. But his better judgment, which he did possess in spite of what his mother might say, told him to stay and prevent a scene from occurring. Lissa was laughing at something Sir Joseph was telling her about a race he had been in recently, when she caught sight of Jack out of the corner of her eye. She looked and saw that an almost indecently clad woman was plastered to his body. She had obviously dampened her gown, and it was also equally obvious that she and Jack were more than just friends. She stumbled, losing her concentration. She agreed to sit out the rest of the dance, and sat down while Hardwick went to get her something to drink. She couldn’t catch sight of Jack while she was seated, but before she could rise, a tall, muscular body prevented her. She looked up and instantly recognized Marcus. “Are you stupid, Lissa, or just stubborn?” Lissa bristled at his harsh words. They stung because they were partly true. Set in her ways was something she and her mother had often discussed, for days on end sometimes. Lissa almost rubbed her bottom in remembrance of one time involving peas for dinner. Instead, she stiffened her back and frowned, not willing to concede anything though. “What a surprise, Lord Broughton, isn’t it? I didn’t know you were coming to the masquerade tonight?” Marcus glared down at her, crossing his arms across his broad chest. “Go get your wrap, Lissa, I’m taking you home!” Lissa stood, her hands curling into fists as she propped them on her hips, and opened her mouth. Marcus interrupted her. “Look, Lissa, Jack is pretty close to snapping in his patience

with you. If you don’t want to find yourself tied up and dragged back to Gretna, then I suggest you do as I say.” Lissa relaxed slowly. Something in Marcus’s tone convinced her that perhaps retreat at this point would be the wisest course of action, especially for a smart woman. She nodded, but added, “Let Sir Joseph know I am leaving, and I’ll meet you at the door.” She turned and quickly made her way out of the room. In the ladies cloakroom, she removed her face veil and the veils that concealed her hair. Before she could put on her velvet cloak though, a woman spoke from just behind her. “How utterly fascinating! I see the harem girl is none other than Miss Stilton.” Lissa turned and found herself face to face with Lady Miranda Hughes. She drew a sharp breath as she felt a stab of jealousy shoot through her. She had not liked the way this other woman had been looking at Jack, or the way she had pressed her body against his in what Lissa considered to be both blatant and flauntingly intimate “Good evening, Lady Hughes, isn’t it?” Lissa managed to reply after she steeled herself to at least greet the woman, before she hit her. Miranda didn’t like the supercilious tone in the younger woman’s voice. She had heard the rumors concerning the girl and Jack, but then she had gone off to Bath, and she had assumed they were false. She wanted Jack back. He had been the most skilled of her lovers, and by far the most generous. She nodded slowly in response to Lissa’s question. “That is quite some costume, Miss Stilton, especially for a young woman who isn’t married, or even engaged. If you are not careful, people may start to talk… ” She let her words trail away, the threat of scandal remaining unspoken, but implied. “I have heard how rumors of indiscreet behavior can ruin a woman’s reputation.” Miranda took a step closer, her fingers curling into bent claws. She could barely contain her anger at the impertinence of the younger woman’s reply. She refused to let the chit get the upper hand. “I am not the one who needs to be worried, Miss Stilton. I have the protection of my husband’s name, whereas you… well, it would be so easy for your name to be sullied. And once that happens, any chance of a good marriage would be lost.” Lissa shivered at the hateful look the older woman gave her. She slipped her cape over her revealing costume. She would be damned if she would let this woman best her at anything, even just words. “I assure you, Lady Hughes, I would do nothing to sully my family’s name, nor that of my husband’s.” She walked away quickly, hearing Miranda gasp at her insult. She hurried down the steps, very grateful to see Marcus was waiting for her. He hustled her out when he saw she had removed her mask, nearly shoving her into the cab he had hailed. Marcus glared at her from the opposite seat as the cab rattled over the cobbled streets. “I hope no one saw you without your mask. Why the devil did you have to take it off so soon?” Lissa shrugged, deciding not to tell him about her encounter with Lady Hughes. She kept silent and let Marcus harangue her about her reckless behavior all the way back to her uncle’s house. As the cab came to a halt, she shifted towards the door.

“I owe you and apology, Lord Broughton.” Marcus smiled. “I believe we know one another well enough for you to call me Marcus.” “I still owe you an apology for my behavior, from the moment we met. I behaved reprehensibly and you’ve still befriended me. I led you on in the beginning, and I had no right to do so. I was confused and perhaps I still am. Please know that I am sorry for causing you any distress. Goodbye, Marcus.” She left him in the cab, and ran into the house. Marcus directed the cab back to the masquerade. There was no reason, he decided, that he couldn’t go back and try to salvage the evening.

***** Miranda had made her way back down to the ballroom, and immediately gone looking for Jack. She found him outside the card room, and insisted he accompany her for a light dinner. While he filled plates for them, she found a quiet and secluded table. She laughed and chattered while taking the tiniest bites of food, all the while managing to smile at him and reach out to caress his hand whenever possible. She finally could wait no longer. “Jack, seeing you again has made me realize how much I missed you and our wonderfully passionate hours together.” Jack flushed in embarrassment. He had been half afraid that this was what Miranda had in mind from the moment she saw him tonight. He didn’t want to hurt her though. “Yes, those were good times, weren’t they? But you told me that you ended it because I was beginning to bore you.” Miranda laughed, shaking her head. “No, darling, you never bored me. You were the most passionate man I’ve ever known. Many times I have longed to go back—” Beneath the table, her hand caressed his thigh. Jack choked on his champagne in surprise. Maybe he had been too subtle, he thought to himself. “Well, Miranda, it isn’t common knowledge yet, but I am getting married.” He instantly felt the curl of her nails into his thigh at his pronouncement. “The banns are being announced soon, and we are going to have a quiet ceremony instead of a big, splashy London wedding.” A few moments passed, and Miranda removed her hand slowly before lifting her glass to sip the champagne. “I see. And who is the lucky bride-to-be?” Jack relaxed at her acceptance. “Lissa Stilton. Her father owns lands in the Bahamas, so she is just newly arrived here.” Miranda had to consciously relax her fingers around the stem of the fragile glass before she snapped it in two. She set down the glass slowly. “Aah, the young lady didn’t mention anything of an engagement when I saw her earlier.” She hid her smile quickly behind her napkin at Jack’s quick frown.

“Where did you see Miss Stilton, Miranda?” Miranda schooled her face before answering. “Why, Jack darling, upstairs, a few minutes ago! She was dressed in the most risqué harem outfit. In fact, it was more daring than what I would have worn.” She stopped abruptly as the extra chair at their table was pulled out. She frowned as she saw the Marquis of Broughton seat himself. “What a surprise, your lordship!” Miranda greeted Marcus without any warmth or welcome. Marcus was focused on the growing scowl on Jack’s face. Before he could say anything, Jack had tossed his napkin to the table. “Lissa was here?” Miranda nodded, carefully keeping the smile from her lips. Obviously the little chit had ventured out without the future duke’s approval. “It is just that your announcement surprised me, Jack, considering that I had seen Miss Stilton on the balcony with Hardwick just a short time ago. I’m afraid it was quite obvious that she had come to the cloakroom to repair the damage to her costume.” Jack stood abruptly, his back ramrod straight and stiff. “Excuse me, Miranda, but I must leave. It has been nice seeing you after all this time.” He turned on his heel. Miranda could keep the smile from her lips no longer. She turned to Marcus as his chair scraped the floor in his haste to stand. “Damn you, Miranda!” Marcus hastened to catch up to his friend.

Chapter Fifteen Jack was fuming as he stood waiting for his coach to arrive. He was barely aware that Marcus had come to stand next to him. The coach had just stopped when Jack wrenched open the door and flung himself onto the seat. Marcus followed him quickly and the coach headed off into the dark night. Marcus looked at Jack, who was frowning fiercely with his arms crossed and his body held stiff and tensed. Marcus cleared his throat, guessing that it might be best to let his friend calm down some. “Perhaps, Jack, we should go to the club for a while. I know! I just heard of a new gaming hell we might try out.” Marcus shifted to lift the trap and tell the driver. Jack pushed him back into his seat. “No! I am going to see Lissa now, and have this out with her tonight!” Marcus subsided on the seat, frowning himself. He had a feeling that he needed to do something to offset Jack’s anger, or Lissa would react like a firecracker. “Perhaps waiting until morning would be the wisest course of action, Jack.” The coach pulled to a stop outside her uncle’s home. Jack moved quickly, hopped from the coach, and slammed the door shut on Marcus. “Go home, Marcus. I promise I won’t strangle her tonight.” He turned on his heel and strode up the front steps. He knocked on the door loudly, which was opened a few moments later by a sleepy-looking footman. Marcus watched as Jack moved past him into the house, and heard as he told the servant to have Miss Stilton brought downstairs immediately. Before the door shut, Marcus could see that the scared footman rushing to do his bidding. Lissa had not yet undressed, but was seated at her dressing table, looking at her face in the mirror. It was funny, she told herself, when she thought back on just how much her life had changed. How she longed to go back in time, to when things were simpler, easier. Her heart didn’t feel such pain— “Miss Stilton?” Lissa turned to see the young maid standing in her doorway. “What is it, Clara?” The young maid curtsied. “Lord Fitzpatrick is downstairs and said for you to come down there right now.” Lissa stood slowly. How dare he come here and demand she acquiesce to his wishes! She threw down her hairbrush and brushed past the young girl. She nearly ran down the hall, and on down the main staircase. She stopped on the first step, seeing Jack standing in the hall. He looked so pompous, with his hands clasped behind his back. “Damn you, Jack! What right do you have to barge into my uncle’s house at this hour and demand anything?” Lissa shouted at him across the entryway. Jack turned and looked at her. She looked beautiful, in that scanty costume, her hair

streaming over her shoulders. It was easy to see why first Albert, and then he also had fallen under her spell. Then there had been Marcus, followed by that damned Beaverbrooke, and now, Sir Joseph. It was more than a man could bear. Hell, it was more than a fiancé should have to bear, he told himself. How long ago it seemed since their days aboard his ship! Their days were filled with laughter and love. No complications, no outside world to interfere. He could almost close his eyes and remember how sweet it had been making love to her, the ship moving to and fro with the motion of the deep blue ocean around them. “I am sick and tired of your foolish behaviors, Lissa. In the morning, I am talking to your father and having you go back north with my aunt. We can be married from the estate there. Damn! I think you are trying to drive me insane, woman! I am tempted to just put you on the ship of your father’s that is sailing tomorrow for the island. I doubt you could get into much trouble back there!” Lissa froze at his harsh words. She knew her life had been rather frantic of late. She hadn’t planned on things getting out of hand with Beaverbrooke, they just had. Perhaps he was right. She was just a nuisance to him here. Feeling unwanted, unloved and most probably unmarriageable, she nodded her head slowly. “Very well, my lord. I’ll wait to hear from my father what your plans are. Good night, sir.” She turned and walked quietly back up the stairs. Jack stood dumbfounded. He was stunned that she wasn’t standing there yelling at him. That is what he had expected. Hell, he half wanted it, if he was completely honest with himself. He liked her fire, her passion, and her indomitable sense of adventure. He felt like a ship that had lost all the wind in its sails. He turned and walked out the door that the footman had hurriedly opened for him. He walked down the stone stairs and had only gone a few steps when he heard his name called. He turned and saw it was Marcus. He had obviously had the coach circle the park, waiting on him. It was impossible for Marcus not to notice the change in Jack’s demeanor. Yet, he was hesitant to ask what had happened. He only had to wait a minute though to find out. “She didn’t fight at all. She just agreed to go back to the estate with my aunt.” He slumped morosely in the seat, staring out the window. Marcus told the driver to take them to their club. He thought a few drinks might do them both some good. It was nearly dawn before the two men stumbled back to the duke’s palatial London home. Their singing soon roused a good portion of the house. Marcus helped Jack up the stairs to his bedroom, but after dumping Jack on the covers, he considered trudging all the way home. Looking at the big bed, his practical side won out. A few seconds later and he was sprawled on the other side and promptly went to sleep. It was late afternoon before both men started to awaken. Seeing the other in the bed was not what they expected. They laughed, but that made their heads hurt worse. Marcus took some coffee, and managed to stagger back downstairs to a hansom cab. As he got into his own bed, he told himself never again! He was too damned old to stay up all night drinking.

The following morning, Marcus returned to the duke’s residence. He was dapper and looked fully recovered as he was shown into the breakfast room where Jack was still nursing a headache. “Good morning, Jack. I’m glad you look like hell. I was afraid I was the only one who was still suffering.” Jack tried to smile, but it hurt too much. “I’d still be in bed, but I received a note from Lissa’s father. He is coming here shortly. The last thing I need this morning is to listen to Lissa’s latest escapades. I am almost ready to reconsider sending her to the country. Life would be awfully tame around here.” Marcus chuckled. “True, my friend. I for one would miss her. I have heard that marriage can do a lot to calm a woman down, as well.” He stopped as the door opened and Lord Peter Stilton was announced. Jack and Marcus smiled to greet the older man, but their smiles faded as they saw the expression on Lord Peter’s face. Jack spoke first. “Is something wrong, sir?” “Perhaps we should speak alone, Lord Fitzpatrick.” Peter flushed in embarrassment. Muttering under his breath, “We are truly done for now. I am sure there is no way we can survive this scandal.” Jack shook his head. “Marcus is my best friend, please feel free to proceed.” Peter nodded, taking his handkerchief from his pocket. He wiped his brow. “Lord Fitzpatrick, it is with great regret that I must inform you—” His voice broke, and he paused to sip some water. Then he took another sip, followed by several more until he had drained the entire glass. Jack couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that stole over him all of a sudden. “Go on, sir.” Peter cleared his throat. “The engagement between you and my daughter is hereby cancelled. You are under no obligation, neither financial nor moral, to continue it. I can’t tell you how sorry I am—” He stopped. Jack was sure the look on the older man’s face was guilt, which didn’t make a lot of sense, yet. Also, Lord Peter’s words were doing nothing at allaying his uneasy feelings. Before he could reply, Lord Peter was speaking once more. “I truly am sorry. I was actually looking forward to having you as a son-in-law.” He paused when Marcus offered him a glass of brandy, and he drank it straight down. Marcus took the glass back when it was held towards him. “I was beginning to think that a former pirate would be able to corral my Lissa’s wild streak.” Peter reached out when the refilled glass came into his vicinity once more. “Good brandy, sir,” he saluted Marcus before he drank again. “Thank you, but it isn’t—” Once more Lord Peter Stilton began talking, and it was obvious that he didn’t particularly care if anyone was listening. “Moreover, a marriage between Lissa and you would benefit both families and their shipping businesses. Not that that would influence my decision, of course, but I see no reason to ignore or deny the obvious. Well, I’ll have to forget all that now. With my luck, Lissa will undoubtedly decide to run my businesses on her own.” Jack watched as the older man slumped in the chair. In his opinion, his future father-in-law wasn’t making any sense. Jack shook his head, and then hoping to clear the

air, he went on, “I am not ending the engagement, sir. I fully intend to wed Lissa. I was going to come to you to have Lissa return to the country with my aunt, and then we could be wed there.” Peter nodded his head, but the sad look on his face didn’t bode well. “Lissa has ended the engagement, my lord.” Jack smiled, and shook his head. “I won’t let her, sir. That’s all there is to that. Now, perhaps we should discuss the finer points—” Peter raised his hand. “I’m sorry, my lord. But Lissa has left London.” Jack shook his head in disbelief. “That isn’t possible, sir. I had told Lissa I would arrange for her to go north with my aunt.” If possible, Lord Peter looked almost green. “You see, Lord Fitzpatrick, Lissa had been pining for home more and more just recently. So I had decided to keep it from her that one of our ships was leaving for the islands. Well, somehow, she learned there was one departing two days ago. And, well, it appears she has stowed away on the ship.” “Stowed away!” Marcus’ shout of laughter escaped and earned him Jack’s dirtiest of looks. There could be no denying the humor in the situation, at least in his opinion. He had to shrug as Jack turned and glared at him. “Who else but Lissa would stow away on a ship she technically owns?” Marcus pointed out, making no effort at all to hide his grin now. Jack obviously didn’t see the humor in the situation. “Shut up, Marcus! I shall have to go after her.” Lord Peter nervously cleared his throat. “Well, my lord, as to that—” He paused and fished in his pocket for a moment. “Lissa left this note for you, my lord.” Jack took the small white envelope from him and saw his name was written on it. He noted it was still sealed and looked at the man he had come to think of as his future father-in-law. Lord Peter was still frowning. “She told me that she was asking you not to follow her, Jack… uhm, Lord Fitzpatrick. She said that she had caused you nothing but trouble since the two of you first met.” He stepped forward and offered his hand. Jack took it, bemused by the whole situation. He couldn’t believe that it was real. “Please, sir, call me Jack.” “Well, my boy, I shall miss our talks. It was good having someone to share these tribulations with. Good day and good luck, your lordship.” Jack nodded. “Are you leaving London?” Peter shrugged and then bobbed his head up and down. “I am going north to visit my brother’s estates there, and I have some other properties here in England that I have neglected with living in the Caribbean Islands. I’ll be returning home after that, I should imagine, unless Lissa writes and tells me she has something else in mind. I swear, Jack. With that girl, I never know what to expect. I don’t know where she gets it. I wish I knew if she was like this with her mother or if this is all due to her mother’s death and her subsequent grief. Perhaps if I’d been here… well, good day.” He turned to leave, but turned back abruptly. “I nearly forgot. Lissa also left a note for you Lord Broughton. Once again, good day gentlemen.”

As soon as Lord Stilton left, Jack sat at the table and opened the envelope. He spread the sheet of paper and read Lissa’s neat writing. “Jack, I am sorry for ruining your life. You have had nothing but trouble from me since we met. Moreover, I have been a fool. Through my rash behavior and stubbornness, we lost our baby. I doubt you will ever forgive me for that, and perhaps that is what is causing the friction between us. I had hoped we might get beyond that, but I don’t believe we can. We never talked about the baby, but I did want your baby. More than I could have imagined, actually. I think a part of me died when I lost it. Your dearest aunt was the only one who really seemed to understand. Please tell her how sorry I am for leaving without a proper goodbye. “I am writing this note to you so you will understand that there is no need to come after me. You owe me nothing. And I owe you everything, but every time I try to start anew, I manage to muck it all up again. Please, don’t follow me out of some ridiculous sense of honor, or chivalry, or whatever. You didn’t force yourself upon me. I wanted you, from when we first met here in London. Perhaps I could have found a way out of that situation, if I had truly wanted to. I didn’t want to. I was never as happy as I was being your ‘pirate’s wench’. I know I told you, but I fell in love with you on your ship, Jack. I have no regrets, save losing my (a single line was drawn through my and ‘our’ had been added) baby. “Good luck with your life, Jack. I guess I do have one other regret. I would have loved one more night in your arms. Goodbye, Lissa Stilton.” Jack slowly stood and walked away from the table. He stared out the long window, looking at the garden beyond without really seeing it. Behind him, Marcus had shoved the note he’d received, unread, into his jacket pocket. He moved over and read the note she’d written to Jack. Damn! Marcus thought to himself. The chit sure knew how to make a man feel even worse! Nothing like kicking a sick dog— The doors opened again and his father walked in, greeting both men with a smile. “Good morning, Broughton! You certainly look better today than when I saw you stumbling out of here yesterday. Good day, Jack! Unfortunately you still seem to be suffering from your late night.” The duke paused as he was quickly greeted and served by his footman. “Every man reaches an age, son, when he realizes that he realistically can no longer maintain the same profligate ways that he once enjoyed. Trust me, my boy. It happens to all men, even the most staid among us… granted the fewer excesses enjoyed in one’s youth do tend to allow a later calling card—” The duke had just started to sip his coffee when his sister Wilhelmina sailed through the doors. Standing reluctantly, he greeted her as well. Even though they got on one another’s nerves, she was still his sister and a lady. “Good morning, Wilhelmina. It appears to be a lovely day so far. I was just starting my breakfast and perhaps you would care to join me. I imagine you have another full day of wedding planning ahead of you so I’ll be off soon and get out of your way.” Wilhelmina made a disgusted noise as she looked around the room. Something

wasn’t right and she instantly perceived the tension in the room. Ignoring protocol, she wasted no time with pleasantries but walked over and picked up the letter. She read it quickly and uttered a totally unladylike curse word. Jack seemed to be surprised when he turned and saw her. His expression grew ominous as his gaze shifted and he saw that Wilhelmina was holding the letter addressed to him. He walked over to her, stiff-backed and expressionless. “May I have my letter back, Aunt Wilhelmina?” “No, damn it, you may not! I should have known you would muck this up, boy! I should have kept you up north and beaten some sense into your head.” Jack finally heard enough and a second later he turned on his heel to leave. His father’s voice stopped him. “Jack! What is Wilhelmina talking about? What is going on this morning?” Jack turned slowly, looking from his aunt to his father. “It appears, Father, that my bride-to-be has absconded once again.” Thomas Fitzpatrick looked from his son to his sister. “Well, perhaps it is for the best, son. She did seem a little wild for a future Duchess of Carlton.” Wilhelmina turned quickly and hid her smile, pretending to find the serving board and its contents fascinating. Jack bristled at his father’s condemnation of his fiancée. “You are wrong, sir. Lissa has spirit, but she is every inch a lady and would make a splendid duchess.” He folded the letter and slipped it into his pocket. Suddenly he went ramrod straight and tall, and quite proud as he looked at his father. “And now, I must make arrangements to pursue my runaway bride.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the room. Marcus started to follow his friend, when he heard Jack’s aunt chuckle softly. “Well done, Thomas. You always did know the best way to prod someone into action, and usually you appear to be in the dark as to what you’ve done!”

***** Lissa was walking the deck that afternoon, not caring that the sun was going to tan her skin. She wasn’t in London now, and no one at home would care what she looked like. The only thing that would matter was whether she could run things in her father’s absence. Granted he had a manager for the shipping firm, and another for the plantation, but she would make it known that until her father returned, she was now in charge. She leaned against the rail, watching the waves in the distance. They would be home soon, and she would be glad to be off this boat. It wasn’t as comfortable as Jack’s had been. Of course, it wasn’t built for passengers, being one of the main cargo boats in her father’s shipping line. She would just be glad to have something, anything, to fill her time and occupy her thoughts. Everyday, she had awakened dreaming of Jack. Nearly everything on the ship reminded her of her days on his pirate ship. It had been an idyllic time and one she would have loved to go back to, even if only in her dreams. Escape for a little while was the best she could hope for now. “Ahoy! Captain, there’s another vessel coming fast astern.”

Lissa turned at the shout from above. She saw the captain use the looking glass to sight in the distance a tiny speck that appeared to be getting larger by the second. Lissa shook her head. She was being silly. This wasn’t a dream, nor was it a fairy story. Her pirate was far away. Her father’s flag was known everywhere, and no privateer dared to harm one of his ships. Most likely it was just another shipping vessel traveling the well-used shipping lanes. She shook her head again and went down to her cabin. There was no need to worry, and no logical reason to get her hopes up. In her cabin, she undressed to her chemise and lay on the bed. Even though she had told Jack to not follow her, some little part of her had wanted him to. The part of her heart that loved him still, and was foolish enough to want to be with him, all the time, often directed her unconscious thoughts and dreams. She drifted to sleep, and dreamed again of her pirate. This time there was a cannon fired, and some gunshots, and shouting. She dreamed of Jack striding over to her and slinging her over his shoulder. It was more romantic than two of his crew finding her. Then, holding her firmly he walked to the rail of the ship and stepped up onto it. He grabbed a rope, and swung them from one ship to the other, out over the blue ocean. Lissa gasped in shock—

***** The cabin door swung open and Jack stepped over the threshold. He smiled as he saw Lissa was sound asleep and sprawled half-naked on the small bed. Leave it to his savvy pirate wench to ignore all the uproar around her. He reached across and grabbed the ends of the blanket. He pulled them together and then hoisted Lissa up and over his shoulder. The air went out of her as her stomach connected with his shoulder, followed by an ear-piercing scream. The blanket had fallen down over her head and obscured her view. Jack lowered his voice as he smacked her hard across her rump. “Be quiet, lass, or I’ll make your crew pay for your screams.” He growled commands to her, even as he carried her up onto the deck, where his crew was holding her men at bay. He grinned and gave a thumb’s up to the captain, who had been given a small note to read, just before he had gone downstairs. He shouted to his men to make haste. Lissa had just managed to regain some consciousness and shove the blanket back when she felt herself flying through the air. She had to scream as she saw the ocean beneath her for a few seconds before her captor landed onto the deck of his ship. He wasted no time, but signaled to cast off the other ship and make sail for home. He carried her to his cabin and dumped her onto the bed, the blanket once again covering her face. Jack stood silently, waiting for Lissa to push back the blanket and see that it was he. However, she didn’t move for almost a minute. He didn’t know that she was praying, and admonishing God for letting this happen to the same person twice! He cleared his throat and grunted. He lowered his voice finally and spoke, “Well, wench, what have you to say for yourself? Shall I ransom ye, or keep you for my own enjoyment? I like a willing wench to warm my bed.”

Lissa shot off the bed like a cannonball, hitting him in the stomach, only tossing free of the blanket once she was past him. She had reached the door, only to find it locked. She had but a moment’s fear though, and then she heard the laughter behind her. She froze. By God! She knew that laugh… she turned slowly and saw her captor was seated on the bed, holding his side and laughing his head off. Lissa shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. She had to be dreaming. No way could that be Jack, sitting there on the bed. No— Jack held one hand out toward her. “Come here, wench. Your very own pirate needs a hot, comely wench to warm his bed.” Lissa stared. Slowly she took a few steps to cross to the bed. She reached out her hand, as if she needed to touch him to prove his realness. She drew her hand back though, suddenly. Jack was having no more games though. He reached out and grabbed her waist. Tightening his grip, he pulled her to stand between his thighs. He looked at her, smiling gently. His eyes moved down over her chemise, shaking his head. “We must do something about this choice of wardrobe for your kidnappings, my dear. I’m sure my crew won’t complain, but I am not willing to share you.” He threaded his hand through her hair and pulled her closer. He held her eyes intently. “No more games, Lissa. I love you, and I am going to marry you. That is, if you still love me.” Lissa stood unable to move for a moment. This had to be a dream. It was too good to be real. She whispered his name as her hands lightly touched the sides of his face. “Yes, my love, it is really I. I have kidnapped you once again. The difference is that this time, I am never letting you go. There is no ransom in the world that can set you free. So, tell me quick, wench. What is it to be? Shall I make an honest woman of you, or keep you as my pirate’s wench for time immortal?” Lissa laughed and smiled. She kissed Jack hard, on his mouth. Her hands pushed on his shoulders, tumbling them both back onto the bed. “Both, my lord. I want to be both, but only with you.” Jack kissed her deeply, pulling her close. He slowly and gently caressed and kissed her body as he revealed it to himself. Neither noticed the afternoon turning into night. The ship sailed on toward their island paradise, and their wild and unpredictable future, together.

Epilogue Marcus forgot about the note in his pocket until several days after Jack had left. He was seated at his club, wearing the same jacket when the crinkling drew his attention. Curious, he reached in and felt the paper. Immediately he remembered and pulled it out. For nearly a minute he held it and just stared, not sure whether he really wanted to read it or not. He finished his brandy before finally opening the folded paper. “Marcus, I know that I apologized to you, but it still doesn’t seem adequate for all the trouble you’ve suffered because of me. I have no good explanation or excuse for my behavior. I feel like I owe you something, in some form of reparation. “I am hopeful Jack will come after me, and we can find our happiness once again on the high seas. I love him with all my being. Once we are settled and the baby has come, I am going to set myself to the task of finding you a wife suitable to your temperament. “Don’t fret or worry. I’ll do all the work. Au revoir, Marcus, L.” “Good Lord! I am doomed!” was the last coherent sentence anyone got out of the Marquis the remainder of that day.

About the author: Mlyn lives in Indiana, USA. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 23 years in Pediatrics. Reading Barbara Cartland and Harlequin romance novels in high school spurred her to start writing. She did technical writing for her employers until she started writing erotica four years ago. She began her own website for people to view her stories. Mlyn is single and lives with her cranky cat Georgia, whom she named after her favorite artist for inspiration, Georgia O’Keeffe. Mlyn welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.

Also by Mlyn Hurn: Blood Dreams Blood Dreams 2: Hunter’s Legacy Burning Desires Elemental Desires Family and Promises Family Secrets His Dance Lessons Medieval Mischief Rebel Slave Submissive Passion The Cattleman Things That Go Bump In The Night 3

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