The Wedding Cake (The Wedding Series) by Christine Dorsey Read Free Book Online

offer?”
    “Aye, that’s about the size of it. And if ye find me capable, a bit of help with learning the ropes would be appreciated.”
    She looked at him, astonished. Perhaps the man didn’t realize how much she disliked him, if indeed she did dislike him. There were moments when she couldn’t decide. Certainly he should never have kissed her. No, never. But then she should have told him who she was. That, however, was neither here nor there now.
    It didn’t matter if he’d kissed her ten times, or twenty, she would do what was best for her father, and her continuing to help him with Murphy’s Import and Export would, of course, be best. But since that wasn’t possible, perhaps Captain McGregger was the next best thing. And she was being given the opportunity to discover the truth for herself objectively, with a completely open mind. The idea of leaving Boston and Papa didn’t seem quite so repugnant.
    “Yes, of course, I shall be glad to help you, Captain McGregger.” She had a sudden flash of how difficult her assignment might be. He did say he lacked schooling. Lifting a paper from the pile on the desk, she handed it to him.
    “A bill of lading,” he said. “From the India Queen , my vessel, by the look of it.”
    “Yes, it is.” Good, then he could read. “I’ve been adding the numbers.”
    “So I see.” He stared at the column a moment. “But if ye will pardon me for saying, I think ye’ve made a mistake. It appears to me it should be eight thousand nine hundred aught seven.”
    “Really?” She rose and circled the desk, looking over his broad shoulder at the figures written in her neat hand.
    “Aye. If ye add four hundred and seventy-two to one thousand two hundred and eighty-five then six hundred and thirty-four and nine hundred and twenty-seven...” He continued down through the numbers almost faster than she could keep up. “The answer is eight thousand nine hundred aught seven.” He turned his head to look up at her and she realized how close they were, and how drawn she was to get closer still. She stepped back abruptly.
    “I thought you said you were unschooled.”
    “ ’Tis formal schooling I lack. Ciphering has always come easy. A way to spend those lonely nights at sea.” He stood, suddenly very tall and powerful before her. “Counting the stars in the heavens.”
    Did he really do that? Stand on the ship’s deck, a freshening breeze ruffling his black hair, singing in the sails, his legs spread against the ship’s sway, his face turned toward the sky? She could see him so clearly in her mind’s eye, could hear the gulls squawking.
    Gulls? She blinked, realizing it was excited voices she heard—Cornelia’s and Lucretia’s. She moved away from Captain McGregger as her sisters burst through the door.
    “There you are, Cinnamon. We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
    “Ohhh, and Captain McGregger. I didn’t know you were here.”
    “Stop flirting with him, Lucretia, and show Cinnamon the post,” Cornelia said. “It’s so exciting. Do tell us again what he looks like.”
    “Who?” Cinnamon grabbed for the letter her sister waved in front of her face.
    “Why, the duke, of course. Your fiancé. That’s who the letter’s from.”
    Cinnamon’s gaze caught the captain’s for a moment before she looked down at the heavy vellum sealed with the duke’s crest.

Six

    S eptember seventh. Cinnamon read the date again and sighed. The duke and his envoy would arrive in Boston for a three-day visit exactly one month before their scheduled nuptials. A month that he planned to spend on a hunting trip in the West. The land of savages, he called it. Alone. Not that she wished to accompany him. She was far too busy.
    She lifted the watch pinned to her bodice and let the duke’s letter flutter to the table. There really was no need even to keep it. She’d memorized its few lines nearly a week ago when it had arrived.
    Her mother acted as if the duke’s missive contained