Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page A

in
    her eyes. "That means so much to me. I don't make friends
    easily, and I know there's a lot about me that I haven't shared,
    but--"
    "None of that matters," Jenny cut in. "We'll be here, and
    you'll be welcome at any time."
    The women hugged for a long moment before Smokey
    boarded the stage. Tate had offered to take her home that
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    evening, but Smokey had wanted to leave that afternoon.
    They all parted on the best of terms, but Smokey felt something
    like an ache around her heart as the stage pulled away.
    She didn't say much once she was back at Wiila's, and
    neither Willa nor Darsey pressed her. In fact, she was quiet for
    the next two days. Not until she was aboard her ship and out to
    sea did she face all the hurts she was experiencing. Her men
    left her alone while she had a long, hard cry in her cabin, and
    when she finally emerged she felt a little more like herself, the
    captain of the Aramis.
    seven weeks later
    the london port was abuzz with activity, but Dallas took
    little notice from his place on theZeja&yr. He had an appointment
    with a friend, and for the moment all he cared about was
    getting his ship unloaded so he could be on his way.
    Dallas stood on the deck as his men, all stripped to the
    waist, carried crates to the docks. For the most part the
    operation was going smoothly, but a sudden crowd of sailors
    sauntering their way through his men and toward another
    ship suddenly made Dallas feel as if he should be on the dock
    himself; fights could break out so swiftly.
    He'd no more gained his footing on the quay than a small
    sailor walking past him with the others and wearing a knit hat
    caught his eye. The sailor didn't look at him, but Dallas studied
    the smaller man's profile as he passed and pondered as to
    where he might know him.
    He did a double take when he realized how closely the
    sailor resembled his sister's friend Dallas figured she must
    have a brother. A huge fellow was with the small man, and just
    steps down the quay he had stepped between them so that the
    smaller man was lost to view. Dallas shrugged at his own
    imagination. He saw so many people in his work that after a
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    while they all looked the same. He put the entire incident
    from his mind in order to finish the task at hand
    Two hours later, clean and pressed, a carriage was dropping
    him at the door of White's Club. He was resplendent in all
    black, save for a snow-white shirt and cravat, for his luncheon
    engagement with Brandon Hawkesbury, Duke of Briscoe.
    "Well, Hawk, I understand that congratulations are in
    order."
    "Indeed," Brandon inclined his dark, handsome head, his
    eyes sparkling with pleasure. "My son, Sterling, is three weeks
    old today, and Sunny is doing fine."
    "Please give her my best and this," Dallas paused and
    brought a small box from his pocket. "It's for your son."
    Brandon opened the box and laughed. A small gold loop,
    much like the one Dallas usually wore in his ear, winked at
    him from a bed of satin.
    "I'm not sure his mother will appreciate the gesture, but I
    thank you."
    Dallas grinned in reply, but Brandon's next words to him
    brought the conversation to a serious note.
    "How is business?"
    Dallas grimaced. "It could be better."
    "You haven't been hit by Haamich Wynn, have you?"
    "The pirate? No. In fact, I'm not sure I believe he exists."
    "I felt the same way," Brandon admitted, "until a month
    ago when he hit one of my own ships. No one was killed, but I
    lost valuable cargo. Rumor has it that he's a peer of the realm."
    Dallas whistled low. "I'll keep my eyes open in the future."
    "I'd appreciate that for your sake, as well as my own. Now,
    you haven't really answered my question."
    Dallas sighed and sat quietly before admitting, "In truth,
    ga bit discouraged My long-range plan should have had me
    "^in Maine right now, building my first ship."
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    Brandon took in his friend's grief and then spoke softly,
    "Dallas, if you'd only let me help you, I'd--"
    Dallas forestalled him