Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley Read Free Book Online Page B

ready
to sail. And then, off to find Manda and his legacy.
    As he circled the ballroom, Christopher
noticed himself being watched. Not in a sinister way--the gentlemen
studied him in curiosity and the ladies sent him promising smiles.
By the time Christopher reached the other end of the ballroom, he'd
had more unspoken propositions than a gigolo in a ladies' bathing
house.
    "They are hoping you will take your clothes
off," Diana Ardmore said, stopping beside him.
    Christopher nearly spilled his whiskey. "What
the devil for?"
    "It is why Alexandra's parties are so
popular," Mrs. Ardmore said calmly. "The chance of glimpsing a
naked pirate."
    Christopher had heard the tale of Alexandra's
famous pirate-infested soiree. It had been, and still was, Finley
said, the talk of the Town. He shook his head. "The people of
London need more to do."
    "Can you blame them? You are a handsome
specimen, Mr. Raine."
    Mrs. Ardmore was being matter-of-fact, not
flirtatious. Still, the other ladies in the room watched enviously
as Diana stood tete-a-tete with him. The only lady who seemed
oblivious to it all was Honoria.
    Honoria danced with Henderson now in a
stately dance called the cotillion. They were well matched, the
aristocratic-looking gentleman and the Southern lady.
    "Give her time," Diana said, following his
gaze. "You startled her. She's confused."
    "And angry," Christopher said, unable to take
his eyes off her. Honoria held her head proudly, her cheeks
flushed, her every movement a symphony of grace. "No one can be
angry like Honoria."
    "I cannot blame her. You men simply sweep in
and decide we should be yours. You barely give us time to grow used
to you before you carry us off. James was the same."
    Christopher understood why Ardmore had swept
this woman away. It wasn't simply her beauty, he saw, but her core
of steel and good common sense. She'd have to have both, to
withstand Ardmore.
    Honoria possessed that same steel, as well as
the Ardmore trait of stubbornness.
    Christopher watched his wife parade through
the steps of the cotillion. "It might have been abrupt for her," he
said. "But not for me."
    In the last four years, there had been many
nights he thought he'd not live to see the dawn, let alone find
this side of the world again. Thoughts of Honoria had kept him from
despair.
    Even in the direst of nights, Christopher had
warmed himself thinking of her green eyes that could darken with
passion, her lips parting so readily beneath his. He'd worked and
fought and lived with one thought in his mind--holding Honoria in
his arms again.
    "I have no doubt you care for her," Diana was
saying. "You don't bother to hide it. But you must give her
time."
    "Time is what I have in short supply, Mrs.
Ardmore. I have things to do and no time to wait for Honoria to
sort out her feelings."
    "Perhaps you should run your errands,
whatever they are, and return for her later."
    Christopher studied Diana's guileless eyes
and chose his words with care. She might be Honoria's friend, but
she was married to James Ardmore, and Christopher couldn't trust
her not to repeat every word to her husband. "And give her a chance
to marry Temple-toes? Not bloody likely. I need her to choose, and
choose soon."
    "You say choose , Mr. Raine, but there
is only one choice you want her to make."
    Christopher let himself smile. "Of course.
She's a beautiful woman, and I want her."
    Diana rested her tapered-fingered hand on his
arm. "I believe I understand. But if you merely seek a companion,
I'm sure there are plenty of women who would be happy to oblige
you. You could leave Honoria alone."
    "Not the point. I'll tell you bluntly that
I've never in my life needed to work hard for female companionship.
I'll also tell you that I've never known a woman like Honoria. She
was worth coming back from the dead for."
    "She won't tamely run to you when you call,"
Diana said. "But I believe you are liking the challenge."
    "It adds flavor." Christopher watched Honoria
again, her