by Kresley Cole
Lassiter burst out laughing. Nicole couldn't believe the man cackling was related to her.
Maria spoke over his laughter. "How can we be of service to you?"
"I need help with Nicole." At that, Lassiter fell silent. Until he bellowed, "What have you done?" He must have lunged for Derek, because she heard scuffling and glass breaking. Nicole was up and not quite at the door when Maria said, "Jason!" Then the room quieted. Nicole eased back.
"I procured an annulment and married her." Again, the sound of another enraged attack. This time she heard a punch and was flying out the door. Chancey, standing in the corridor, eyebrows raised, intercepted her. Nicole whispered crossly, "Yes, I married him."
He gave her a grave, satisfied nod, then placed his finger over his lips and leaned forward to listen at the door. Nicole looked in both directions, then threw up her hands in exasperation and tiptoed closer.
"I married her last week," Derek said in an unmistakably skewed voice. Chancey gave a small punch in the air, then pointed to his nose with a questioning look. Nicole shook her head--she recognized that tone from experience, and answered by tapping her jaw.
"Perhaps you should explain what has occurred since we've been away," Maria said in a tone that brooked no denial. She somehow kept Lassiter in check the entire time Derek recounted what had happened--well, most of what had happened--in the last couple of weeks.
"And that brings me to my visit here, to ask for your help," he finished, sounding irritated that he'd had to go through the long explanation.
"Why should we help you?" her father said in a churlish tone. But did he sound less riled than before?
"Because I want to give her anything she needs to be content with me. Because I want to make it up to her for being--"
"An ass?" This actually from Maria.
"Yes, an ass." His words sounded pulled from him.
"Well, what can we do? I'm not coming up with anything as a favor to you," her father unnecessarily assured Derek.
"Nicole's dreaded telling you about the marriage, and she's worried about your company. I've told you about the marriage; you can't be angry with her about it, because I never would have given up. I would have pursued her until she said yes. And your company..." He paused. She could picture him running his hand through his hair as he did when frustrated. "I can think of nothing to save it unless I loan you money."
"Loan me money?"
"I know the loss of the Bella Nicola brought the creditors down on you. If you let me assist your company, you can stave them off until you can get it back on its feet."
"Let me get this straight--you want to give me money so my daughter will be happy?"
"She worries about you. Unless you have a better idea, that's exactly what I'm proposing." Again, he was met by laughter.
Maria's voice sounded closer to Derek. "Captain Sutherland," she began in a sympathetic tone, "Lassiter Shipping has had a new infusion of capital. We arranged for it in Cape Town. I've helped Jason with his accounting and a refinancing. I believe he's on much stronger footing than before."
"That's right, Captain. Don't want your money and don't need it."
Father!
"Jason, be understanding," Maria said. "Have you forgotten that this man saved Nicole's life?"
"He also compromised her. When he was married."
Derek spoke up, "That was wrong and I admit it--"
"But you were in love and couldn't help yourself?" Maria finished softly.
The room grew painfully silent. Nicole believed even her heart had stopped beating as she held her breath. What would he say? Did he really love her?
Then the answer, the rumble of a word exhaled on a breath: "Yes."
And she was running past Chancey into the room, straight to her surprised husband, whose arms flew open to her. "I love you so much," she sighed against his neck.
With his face in her hair, he murmured, "I love you, Nicole. More than I can say."
When Maria coughed discreetly, Nicole turned in Derek's arms until they were both facing her father. "Father. You are bad," she said, and he looked somewhat chagrined. "I love you both, so you'll simply have to bury the past."
"But what about that time outside Hong Kong when he ran me into the jetty?" Lassiter complained like a scolded schoolboy.
Derek scowled at him and added, "Or that time in Melbourne when you told the port officials my crew was suffering from smallpox? My crew and cargo were quarantined for three weeks."
"Enough!" Nicole commanded, looking from one man to the other. "Right now--you two, shake hands." Neither moved. Until Maria pushed Lassiter forward just as Nicole dragged at Derek. With great effort on their part, and great reluctance from Derek and her father, the men shook hands.
"I'll kill you if you don't make her happy."
"If I can't keep her happy, I might let you try."
A wedding reception two weeks hence, to be held at Atworth House.
The marchioness had decreed it so, and everyone was happy to oblige.
The evening of the celebration had been wonderful for Derek, next to perfect except for the few sarcastic comments Lassiter made. But Derek was beginning to see the humor behind some of the man's words...if he was very, very generous. With time, there might exist a grudging goodwill between them.
Although the festivities were still in full swing, he made his way to the door. Nicole had retired early, and he was anxious to join her.
"Derek," Grant called from the terrace. He was standing outside alone, smoking a cigar.
He'd wanted to talk to Grant ever since he'd brought Nicole home from the Griffin. He smiled as he remembered her that night. She was like a little general insisting they lay out guidelines and goals for their lives before they fell into bed. That part of their lives, she'd told him, needed no adjustment. The rest, however...
It had been unsettling to stretch himself and his beliefs to make her happy. Ultimately, however, he'd comprehended that with her fulfilled, he was fulfilled. He knew he'd been given a second chance with Nicole and with his family, and he didn't want his brother ever to worry again that Derek wouldn't meet his responsibilities.
Derek joined him at the rail overlooking the lantern-lit garden and took an offered cigar. "When will we be throwing one of these for you?"
Grant laughed. "Don't hold your breath."
"No? What about Bainbridge's chit?"
"Despite all her family's zealous efforts, I remain a bachelor."
Derek lit his cigar. "I always thought you would suit. She's nice and staid. Hard to believe you've resisted her scandal-free nature."
"She is a nice girl. She even swore she'd wait for me to return."
Derek raised his eyebrows. "Return?"
"You know Belmont's fool's errand?" Grant asked with a grin. "I signed on as the fool."
"You're serious?"
He nodded. "I went back to him and counteroffered. He's to give me all of Belmont Court at his passing."
Derek let out a surprised breath. "He must be convinced his son's family is out there to give away all he has left."
"That's because Belmont is desperate. Very emotional man, that Belmont," Grant explained in a censorious tone. "He fears his health is failing, and the thought of them out there stranded makes giving away his home a small concession to find them."
Derek frowned. "But if he gives away the estate and you do find the family, what will become of them?"
"It didn't take you long to find the rub. If I were an intuitive man, I'd swear he dreams that I'll marry the granddaughter when I find her, and we'll all live at the court happily ever after, or some such nonsense."
Derek paused, then pointed out, "You said 'when.' "
With a sheepish grin, Grant said, "Yes, well, that damn man actually has me believing it." From his coat pocket, he pulled a fading daguerreotype of a towheaded young girl with a shy smile. "Look at her. She looks so delicate. If she did survive...Thinking of her, out there alone--"
&
nbsp; Derek must have looked at Grant with surprise, because he hastily slid the likeness into his pocket, then said in a gruff voice, "Probably a waste of time. She most likely didn't survive."
"I don't know if I like this," Derek said with a wave of his cigar. "You're settling in at Peregrine. And I feel like I just got you back as my brother," he added in a mutter. His wife had asked him not to hold back his feelings with his family, but he was new to it.
"You'll just have to miss me until we come back, because it's settled," Grant advised good-naturedly. "And I figure, between you and Nicole, managing Whitestone and Peregrine for a year or so will be child's play."
Derek tamped his cigar and gave Grant an expression of absolute agreement. "I expect Nicole would like to help Peregrine, now that her father won't be a head-to-head competitor."
"Exactly so," Grant agreed. "Who knows?" he began as the corner of his lips quirked up. "Maybe I'll find some hidden treasure." He slapped Derek on the back and, with more excitement than Derek had heard from his brother in years, said, "I sail in a fortnight."
Chapter 31
N icole and Derek had seen a marked excitement in Grant about the upcoming expedition, though all knew it was far-fetched at best to think the lost family had survived. The islands targeted in Oceania were isolated and riddled with pirate activity, but if a voyage was what it took to make Grant happy, then they would be supportive.
On the day before Grant's departure, she and Derek went to the docks to wish him a safe journey. He was sailing the Keveral on the high tide, early the next morning. Embarking was a lively time, but thinking about how long Grant would be gone, and how much Derek would miss him, made Nicole's eyes tear. Lately, it seemed as though she choked up at the tiniest things.
Grant saw her dab at her eyes and said, "Don't cry, Nic." Then, in a pained voice, he urged, "No, really, don't cry."
Nicole had forgotten how uneasy Grant got around emotional females and smiled to reassure him. Her smile grew when Derek moved his hand to rest at her waist. One night soon when she lay in his arms, she would tell him what she'd suspected for days.
Grant was needed to supervise the last-minute arrival of provisions, so Derek said, "Get back to work, Grant." A hearty handshake and slap on the back followed.
"Fair winds, Grant," Nicole said as she hugged her brother-in-law, nearly tearing up again. "I hope you find them."
Grant looked so very confident and strong when he said, "If they're out there, I'll find them."
As Derek escorted her off the ship, they called out a last round of good-byes and wishes for smooth sailing. Grant in turn ordered them, "Be good to each other!"
Derek put her arm through his as they made their way to the carriage. "I suppose we'll be doing this again soon," he said, sounding aggrieved.
Nicole elbowed him, and he chuckled. In another week, they would be saying good-bye to Lassiter, Maria, Chancey, and the Bella Nicola's old crew as well. They were all sailing for South America to develop their newly planned routes. Nicole would miss them dearly. Even her grandmother, who'd truly become fond of her father and Chancey, and certainly of Maria, the "governess," would miss them. However, the marchioness was excited that Nicole and "dozens of great-grandbabies" would be staying in England.
Nicole was no longer worried about Maria and Father. She was confident that together they would turn Lassiter Shipping around, and she'd begun to believe that her father would finally...see Maria. The lovely, intelligent woman looked at him with such tenderness that Nicole was convinced she would win him over in the end. A love that shone so brightly would overwhelm any obstacles.
She knew. Because hers had.
As they watched Grant give a last wave before their carriage rolled away, Derek said, "I hope he finds as much happiness in his journey as we found."
"Still find." Nicole smiled and snuggled closer to his side. "And I hope we can fulfill Grant's wish by the time he returns."
"What wish?" he asked against her hair.
"To become an uncle."
