She’d loved George the first time she’d met him at sixteen. She had known then that she would never know happiness without him. And though she knew he loved her too, he refused to acknowledge it.
“Your father would have my head, among other things,” he’d told her. “I’m not a fitting husband for you.” And he had left her island.
Well, it had taken her four years of searching for him to get him to the altar, and neither one of them had regretted it since.
She didn’t want to see Serenity and Morgan go through the terrible nights she and George had known wondering where the other one was…whom they might be with.
And worse, the regret for those lost years that could never be recaptured. Years when they should have been together.
Nay, she wouldn’t see them suffer.
With that thought foremost on her mind, she went to wreak her havoc.
Serenity jumped at the light knock on her door. “Yes?” she called.
Kristen came in with a bright smile. “Is your head any better?”
She blushed at Kristen’s concern, especially since she’d lied about the headache to begin with. “Yes and no.”
“Well, I have some news that might help,” Kristen said, moving to stand between the couch and the windows. “There’s a ship at the docks that’s headed for the Colonies.”
“Oh,” Serenity whispered, her heart heavy. “I suppose I should send for the captain.”
“No need,” Kristen quickly assured her. “Father already told him about you, and the captain said there wouldn’t be any problems returning you home.”
Kristen twirled her hair with one finger and asked innocently, “There aren’t any problems, are there, Serenity?”
Yes, she wanted to say. There was one big problem.
How to leave Morgan behind.
“No problem,” she lied again, her conscience biting her over the deception. “Do you know when they plan to leave?”
“In three days.”
Three days! Her heart sank. Just three more days and then she would never see Morgan again.
Kristen leaned over and whispered softly. “But you know, a lot can happen in just three days.”
“Yes,” Serenity said with a sigh. “The world could come to an end. I could get knocked senseless, or—”
“Or you could make Morgan fall in love with you and propose.”
Serenity burst out laughing. She didn’t mean to, but the very idea was so ludicrous she couldn’t help herself.
Kristen slowly folded her arms over her chest and eyeballed her. “You don’t believe me?”
Sobering, Serenity shook her head. “Morgan has made it clear that marriage is the last thing he wants.”
Kristen cocked her head. “What a man says and what he really wants are seldom the same. Trust me. When it comes to manipulating men, I doubt if Helen of Troy could top me.”
Kristen moved closer. “Think about it, Serenity. If Morgan marries you, then you’ll never have to listen to the gossips in your hometown. Sure, they’ll talk about Serenity James who ran off to sea to marry her true love. But they’ll never say the vicious things about you that they will if you return home alone.”
Kristen bent down so close her lips almost touched Serenity’s ear. “Think about it,” she whispered before crossing the room to stand in front of the open windows to where she could look out on the sea.
Serenity did.
It would definitely be a solution. “But what if all he wants to do is go to sea?”
Turning around, Kristen’s smile grew wider. “Let him. He’ll only go once and it won’t be for long.”
Serenity arched a brow in doubt. “What makes you so sure?”
“Do you see George here?” she asked.
“Your husband?”
“Yes. He loved the sea as much, if not more than Morgan. He swore I’d never keep him dry-docked.” Kristen looked more than pleased with herself. “Well, three months after we married, he headed out. Any idea for how long?”
Serenity shook her head.
“Two days.” Kristen held up two fingers to emphasize her words. “Two days, and he ran back swearing he’d never leave me again.”
“But he’s not here now.”
“True,” Kristen admitted. “But had I so much as poked out my bottom lip, he wouldn’t have left. In fact, I had to beg and threaten him to before he would go.”
All this sounded good to Serenity. Imagine taming a pirate! Wrapping Morgan so tightly about her finger that he would never want to leave her. Oh, she definitely liked the sound of that.
But it just seemed to good to be true.
Did she dare trust Kristen?
On the other hand, Kristen had known Morgan a long time, and in the short time Serenity had known the young woman, Kristen had realized truths about her that stunned her. Kristen was definitely observant. And she knew how to read people.
If anyone could be right about Morgan other than Morgan, it would probably be Kristen.
Lord, what if she failed?
“I don’t know, Kristen.”
Kristen shrugged. “All right. Then, think about it. But do it quickly. Time isn’t on your side.”
Chapter 15
Serenity wondered if listening to Kristen was the wisest thing to do. For nearly an hour Kristen and her maid had pinched, pulled, and plucked until they had finally approved Serenity’s appearance. She felt more like the Christmas goose than a woman.
Still, she was pleased with the results. They had actually managed to give her a becoming hairstyle that curled around her face and shoulders, showing off her hair. The light blue dress was every bit as kind to her eye color as Kristen had predicted.
“Just wait until Morgan gets a look at you,” Kristen had whispered in her ear before they had descended the steps.
Even so, her heart had been in her throat the entire way down the winding staircase.
Pausing in the doorway of the drawing room, she saw Jake first. He was talking to Robert. Morgan had his back to her.
Somewhat disappointed, she followed Kristen to where her mother waited for them on the stuffed sofa. “My, Miss James, aren’t you the fetching one,” said Martha. “Why, Robert,” she called to her husband. “I do believe we’ll have to keep Miss James as far away from the townsmen as possible.”
Serenity blushed at her kind words.
Morgan turned in her direction with his usual composure. But once his eyes focused on her, they grew larger, then seductive as a slow, appreciative smile curved his lips. Chills shot through her. Never in her life had she received such a wonderful compliment.
“Well then,” Martha declared. “I believe we are all ready to sup.”
And by the look in his eyes, Serenity already knew what Morgan wanted to feast on. A thought that thrilled her even more.
Maybe Kristen was right.
Maybe, just maybe, she would listen to her new-found friend. Because if Kristen knew anything at all about men, then she knew one hundred times what Serenity knew.
Dinner was lovely. The dining room was as grand as the rest of the house. Two crystal and gold chandeliers hung over the long mahogany table on each side of an enormous fan that was set in motion by a chain pulled by a crisply dressed servant.
Martha had broken out her best china, silver, and crystal goblets. Never in her life had Serenity beheld such splendor. And the meal—gracious, not even the Christmas bounty could compare with the meal before her.
Stuffed goose, roasted pork, candied fruits, and meat pastries were served with great flair.
She listened quietly as the men told their sea stories. Morgan sat at the opposite end of the table from her, to Robert’s right, while Jake sat to his left with Barney by his side. Two seats were vacant, and then she, Martha, and Kristen sat at the opposite end.
“I know the seating is a little unorthodox,” Martha said as she placed a serving spoon full of gravy on her plate. “But I thought the men might enjoy more ti
me together to reminisce.”
Embarrassed that her thoughts were so plain, Serenity fiddled with the napkin in her lap. “You needn’t explain to me.”
“Try the goose, Serenity,” Kristen offered as the servant brought the platter to her side. “It’s Carmen’s best dish. You’ve never tasted goose until you’ve had hers.”
“Thank you,” she said with a smile, taking a few slices. “I’m sure it’s wonderful.”
There were several seconds of silence before Martha spoke again. “Morgan tells me you’re a writer?”
Serenity lifted her head with pride. “Yes, ma’am.”
“What a noble profession. I’ve never met a writer before. It must be difficult for you though, being a woman.”
“It’s certainly not easy.” She cast a glance down to where Morgan sat and noted that he was staring at her. Swallowing, she quickly looked back at Kristen, who gave her a knowing smile.
“I always wanted the courage it would take to make the world stand on its ear,” Martha continued. “To make men appreciate me for something more than my looks.”
“Oh, Mama, Papa loves you for more than your looks.”
“Now he does, but it took thirty years of marriage and an aging body before he saw me as something more.”
“Oh, Mama.”
“So tell me, Serenity, have you ever read Mary Wollstonecraft?”
“Avidly.”
“Scandalous!” Martha cried. “She writes the most scandalous things I’ve ever seen. But between us, I admire her views, especially on the education of women. Why, I only learned to read by raw detemination. I remember my father tanning my backside when I was thirteen because he caught me reading. Like many men, he thought book learning would fill my head with the devil’s notions.”
And so the dinner passed with Martha’s enthusiasm and Kristen’s humorous cries of alarm, and Morgan passing looks to her.
When they had finally finished dessert, the men headed back toward Robert’s study, and Martha started leading the women toward the drawing room.
“Serenity?”
Serenity paused at the sound of Morgan’s voice. “Yes, Captain?”
He walked toward her with a masculine swagger that made her breathless. The candlelight played in his eyes, making them dark and shiny. There was an amused tint to them as well, one that was beguiling and warm. “I was wondering if we might have a walk outside in the garden. It’s a pleasant night.”
She lowered her voice to keep Martha or Kristen from overhearing her. “I remember what happened the last time it was a pleasant night, and I allowed myself to be alone with you.”
He gave her a devilish grin. “I promise it won’t happen again. I shall be on my best behavior.”
Then he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Unless you wish for it to happen again. In that case, far be it from me to disappoint a lady.”
Her heart pounded. Part of her was delighted by his words and the knowledge that he did in fact want her.
Still, it was improper for her to encourage him. “You’re a sly one, Captain Drake. And you’re certainly mistaken if you think you can get me where you want me. I dance to no man’s tune. Most especially not yours.”
He covered his chest with his hand and feigned a wound. “I’ve been cut down, my lady. Now and in the prime of my life. You have fatally wounded me with your words.” His grin returned, just as wicked as before. “But tell me, what would it take for you to join me in the garden?”
He looked past her to where Kristen and Martha waited. “Tell her, Kristen,” he said, raising his voice to where they could hear. “She’ll be safe with me for a few minutes. You know yourself what an honorable man I am.”
Kristen laughed. “You mean a cad. Aye, I know all too well what a cad you are, Morgan Drake.” She approached them. “Go ahead, Serenity. Mama and I will leave the doors open. If he so much as kisses your cheek, just gasp and we’ll come running.”
Morgan directed a warning glare Kristen’s way. “Shall we?”
He held his arm out to Serenity, and before she could stop herself, she tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and allowed him to lead her outside.
It really was a beautiful night, she thought as she looked around the carefully manicured garden. Roses and ivy were entwined around trellises set off by tall hedges and carved marble benches. Kristen had told her earlier that this garden was Martha’s pride and joy, and it showed in every aspect of the carefully planned and tended area.
A soft breeze caressed her cheeks as she turned to face Morgan. “So what is it you wished to talk to me about?” she asked.
He looked away for a second, as if collecting his thoughts. When he spoke, his voice was deep, thick. “I was thinking that maybe you shouldn’t buy passage on that colonial ship. You have no idea what kind of captain is in charge.”
Her heart soared at his words.
Could he possibly be saying what she wanted him to say?
Dare she even hope it?
“Are you asking me to stay with you?”
“No,” he said so fast that it brought an ache to her chest. So much for her wants.
At the moment, she wanted to strangle Kristen for encouraging her!
“I wasn’t saying that at all,” Morgan continued, dashing all her hopes with each word. “I just think that you should think twice—”
“Think twice before what?” she asked, her voice sharp and edged.
Who was he to dictate to her? He didn’t even want her around!
“Think twice,” she continued, “before I head off in the middle of a night on a ship full of men who can’t be trusted? Hmm, where have I seen this scenario before? At least I know the captain of the new ship isn’t a pirate, wanted by—how many governments?”
“Just two, but that’s not the point.”
“Then what is the point?”
Morgan bristled at her tone and the way she kept twisting his words around. Making him say things he wanted to say, but didn’t want her to hear. “Where did you get the money to buy passage anyway?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“Everything about you is my business.”
Her mouth dropped and she looked at him incredulously. “How do you figure that?”
“I got you into this and—”
“I believe I am the one who got me into this, and therefore I should be the one to get myself out.”
“Yes, but as a man it is my duty—”
“Oh, please,” she said, throwing her hands up, “must we have this tiff again?”
Torn between the desire on one hand to kiss her, and on the other to strangle her, Morgan chuckled. She was a challenge, most definitely.
But that was one of the things he liked most about her. With a woman like her, a man would never be bored. “Can we ever have a moment when we’re not arguing?”
Serenity smiled and reached out to carefully pluck a yellow rose from a nearby bush. He watched as she gently stroked the delicate petals between her fingers and the moonlight played against her profile. “We do seem to do that a lot, don’t we?” she said.
“Yes, yes we do.” Morgan became quiet while he tried to think of some way to keep her on board his ship. Some way she wouldn’t find arguable.
Then it occurred to him. “You know, if you let me take you home, I’ll teach you how to be a sailor.”
She sighed and sat down on one of the marbled benches. “I no longer wish to be sailor, and I promised you I wouldn’t write any stories about you, Jake, or your crew. All I want is to go home.”
He walked over to where she sat, her arms braced on each side of her.
“But why?” he asked, looking down at her as she dipped her head to study her feet. “Surely you know what waits for you back there. The gossips, the—”
“I know,” she interrupted, her voice filled with pain. “I know firsthand how vicious people can be.” She looked up at him with the moonlight sparkling in he
r eyes. He saw her soul there. A soul of need, of longing.
And he wondered what he could do to ease the pain that flickered in the center of her cobalt eyes.
“I have to go home sometime,” she whispered. “The longer I’m gone, the harder it will be for me to return.”
He wanted to argue with her, wanted to know what words would make her stay with him, but for his life he couldn’t think of a single one.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure why he did want her to stay. Only that if she left, he knew it would give him more agony than he wanted to experience.
Sitting down next to her, Morgan gently cupped her face in his hands. She was so beautiful in the moonlight with the shadows and light playing across her face. Her light eyes were shining, and he would give anything to stay like this with her.
“Are you going to kiss me, Captain Drake?” she asked in the same forthright manner he’d come to expect from her.
“And if I said yes?”
“I would remind you of your promise.”
“Is that what you want me to do? To walk away?”
Serenity swallowed at his tone, at the longing she saw reflected in his eyes.
Was it there, or was it just her desire for him to want her that she saw?
“No,” she answered honestly. “I don’t want you to walk away.”
She held her breath, half-afraid he would indeed release her. Instead he leaned forward.
She parted her lips.
“Captain Drake!”
She felt his hands tense a moment before he pulled back and glared at Kristen, who approached them. He lowered his hands from her face.
“What?” he snarled.
Kristen blinked her widened eyes and lifted her brows. “Don’t yell at me, Mister Drake. You’re the one who wanted to know as soon as the carpenter came. I’m merely following your orders.”
“What the devil is the man doing here at this hour?” Calming, Morgan sighed before looking back at her. “Another time, Serenity?”
She barely nodded before he walked away.
Kristen approached her like a cat stalking a mouse. “Rule number three, always leave him wanting more.”
A Pirate of her Own Page 19
