Gallant Rogue (Reluctant Heroes Book 3) by Lily Silver Read Free Book Online

stories about you from several sources.”
    “I deny half of it, strictly on principle. The rest, I expect I cannot deny, no matter how much I might wish to.” Jack was ill at ease with Lord Greystowe’s sharp gaze upon him. He'd witnessed some bizarre things in Kieran O’Flaherty, Lord Greystowe’s presence. The man had the reputation of being an accomplished sorcerer, like Merlin of old. Jack didn’t doubt for a moment that if he weren’t careful regarding Mrs. O’Flaherty , the man might turn him into a lizard and squash him under his boot.
    Lady Greystowe laughed at Jack’s quip, as did the rest of the gathering. Even the red- headed sorcerer seemed amused by Jack’s protests.
    “I assure you, what I have heard is only complimentary,” Lady Greystowe demurred. “I am curious about you, sir. I’ve heard whispers about The Raven and Black Jack, rumors whispered in the shadows. How did the pair of you meet up in the Far East? You were both from America. What peculiar circumstances brought you together?”
    She knew about them being pirates years ago ? Jack shot Donovan a warning glare.
    Donovan frowned, seeming irritated by her curiosity. Jack was simply worried.
    Piracy was not something one spoke of openly. It was a serious crime.
    “I was born and raised in Boston,” Jack explained, “I went to sea as a lad of twelve. I worked my way up through the ranks and eventually became a first mate and then a captain of my own ship . . .” 
    He hoped that by focusing on his seafaring history he’d bore the woman and she’d forget her question about his pirating days. As soon as he quit speaking about topsails collapsing in a hurricane, the wily woman returned the conversation to how he met Donovan Beaumont.
    “And how did you come to meet my lord the count in the East Indies?”
    “That’s my own affair.” Jack gave an exasperated sigh as he looked down the table to his host. Donovan could answer the woman’s cheeky questions. She was his damned houseguest.
    Donovan was not amused. Jack could tell he was greatly perturbed by the conversation.
    “My dear Rose,” Donovan began in a crisp tone, tracing a line across the tablecloth with the pointed edge of his knife. “Our past history is not something Jack and I wish to divulge. That subject is a closed one. Jack and I met in the east. We served together as merchant sailors . We became the best of friends during desperate times. We met in a time of war. Men never wish to speak of war or the horrors of battle, my lady. I’m certain you will understand.”
    Lady Greystowe blinked and glanced about the table, as if suddenly aware that she may have crossed an invisible line. “Oh, forgive me, Donovan, Captain Rawlings  . . . it’s just that . . . well . . . you do have a certain reputation . My nephew was given some noble and romantic ideas about your exploits some years ago by your servant so I’ve always wondered what circumstances brought the two of you to embrace such an adventurous life.”
    “Rose,” Kieran, Lord Greystowe, said in a quiet undertone. “There are tragic circumstances. This isn’t a story to entertain the children, or a plot for one of your books.”
    Jack cleared his throat and looked down at his half-empty plate. He felt as if he’d just inadvertently slapped the woman. He didn’t mean to be rude. She was curious, naturally so, as she’d heard more than most about their past. It was Donovan’s balmy manservant, Pearl, who had filled her nephew’s head with that bilge water and raised her curiosity.
    “My wife is an authoress,” Lord Greystowe informed Jack and the remaining company. His pleased grin betrayed his pride. “A talented writer. Her first book was a stunning success, The Mysteries of Ireland . It is a collection of short stories about Ireland and accounts of mystical events in the land of our birth. She’s working on her second book ‘Enchanted Tales from The East’, and thus, she’s presently fascinated