Читать книгу The Promise - Бренда Джойс, Brenda Joyce - Страница 10

Askeaton, Ireland

March 23, 1833

ALEXI HADN’T BEEN HOME in more than two years, but it felt like an eternity. Elysse O’Neill smiled at herself in the gilded mirror hanging over the handsome rosewood bureau in her pink, mauve and white bedroom. She had just finished dressing for the occasion. She knew that her excitement was obvious—she was flushed, her eyes bright. She was thrilled that Alexi de Warenne had come home, at last. She couldn’t wait to hear all about his adventures!

She couldn’t help wondering if he would notice that she was a grown woman now; she’d had a dozen suitors in the past two years, not to mention five offers of marriage.

She smiled again, deciding that her pastel-green gown made her nearly violet eyes even more intriguing. She was accustomed to male admiration; boys had begun to look at her when she was barely more than a child. Alexi had, too. She wondered what he would think of her now. She wasn’t certain why she wanted him to notice her this evening—they were only friends, after all. Impulsively, she tugged her neckline down, adjusting it to show off just a bit more of her cleavage.

He had never been gone for so long before. She wondered if he had changed. When he’d left on a run to Canada for fur, she hadn’t known that it would be years before he would return, but she recalled their parting as if it had been yesterday.

He looked at her with that cocky grin he had. “And will you be wearing a ring when I get back?”

She’d known immediately what he meant. Startled, she had quickly recovered and her answer had been coy. “I always wear rings.” But she had wondered if some dashing Englishman would sweep her off her feet before he returned. She certainly hoped so!

“Not diamonds.” His thick black lashes lowered, shielding his brilliant blue eyes from her.

She shrugged. “I can’t help it if I have so many suitors, Alexi. There will probably be many suits. Father will surely know which one to accept for me.”

He shrugged in return. “Yes, I imagine Devlin will make certain you are properly married off.”

Their eyes met and held. One day, her father would find her a great match. She had overheard her parents speaking about it and knew they wanted it to be a love match, as well. How perfect would that be?

“If I am not offered for, I will be vastly insulted,” she said, meaning it.

“Isn’t it enough that you are always surrounded by admirers?”

“I hope to be wed by the time I am eighteen!” she exclaimed. Her eighteenth birthday would be in the fall—only six months away—while Alexi was still in Canada. Hear heart lurched oddly. With confusion, she shook off the strange feeling of dread, smiling brightly at him. She took his hands. “What will you bring me this time?” He always brought her a gift when he returned from the sea.

After a pause, he spoke softly. “I will bring you back a Russian sable, Elysse.”

She was surprised. “You are sailing for Lower Canada.”

“I know where I am going,” he replied, his gaze direct. “And I will bring you back a Russian sable.”

She scoffed at him, certain he was teasing her. He had simply grinned. Then he had said goodbye to the rest of her family and swaggered out of the salon, while she rushed off to a tea, where her most recent suitors were eagerly awaiting her….

He had remained in Canada for several months, apparently having some problems acquiring a cargo for the run home. When he had finally raced back to Liverpool, he hadn’t stayed. Instead, he had turned around directly for the islands for sugarcane. She had been surprised, even disappointed.

Of course, she had never doubted that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. Cliff de Warenne had one of the world’s most successful maritime transport companies, and Alexi had been at sea with his father for most of his life. It was a foregone conclusion that, when he came of age, Alexi would take on the most lucrative trade routes, carrying the most profitable cargoes, as his father had once done. At the age of seventeen he’d commanded his first ship. Elysse was the daughter of a retired naval captain, and she truly understood how much Alexi loved the sea—it was in his blood. Men like Cliff de Warenne and her father, Devlin O’Neill—men like Alexi—could never remain on land for very long.

Still, she had expected him to come home after his run to the West Indies. He always came home, sooner or later. But instead he had refitted his ship in Liverpool and set a course to China!

When Elysse had learned that he had leased his ship, the Ariel, to the East India Company, which had a monopoly on the China trade, she had grown worried. Although retired, Devlin O’Neill frequently advised both the Admiralty and the Foreign Offices on matters of imperial and maritime policy, and Elysse was well versed in the subjects of trade, economics and foreign policy. She had heard all kinds of talk about the China trade in past few years. The China Sea was perilous—it remained mostly uncharted territory, with hidden reefs, submerged rocks and unknown shoals, not to mention monsoons and, far worse, typhoons. Beating up the China Sea was easy enough, if one didn’t encounter one of those half-hidden rocks or reefs, with the south-westerly monsoons to aid you. But beating through the sea when homeward bound was difficult and dangerous. However, Alexi would think the danger the very best part of his voyage! Alexi de Warenne was fearless and loved a challenge—Elysse knew that very well.

But apparently Elysse had worried about him in vain. Last night, Ariella had sent her a note, telling her that Alexi had just arrived at Windhaven. It had been midnight when she’d gotten the hand-delivered message. She had been stunned to learn he had safely put into Liverpool a few days ago, with five hundred and five tons of silks and tea, having made the homeward run from Canton in one hundred and twelve days—a feat everyone was talking about. For a captain new to the route to make that kind of speed was terribly impressive, and Elysse knew it. He’d be able to command top dollar for his freight the next time he ran home from China. Knowing Alexi as well as she did, he would surely brag about that.

Elysse gave herself a final glance in the mirror and tugged at her bodice one last time, well aware that her mother would take her aside for being so daring. She was an acclaimed beauty—every suitor she’d ever had had raved about her striking blond looks. She had been told many times that she took after both of her parents—she was petite, with amethyst eyes, like her mother, and golden like her father. There had been many suits and five marriage proposals in the past two years. She’d turned every suitor and each proposal down, although she was now twenty, and her father had not minded. She hoped that Alexi wouldn’t taunt her for still being single. Hopefully, he wouldn’t recall her plan to be happily married by the age of eighteen.

“Elysse! We’re here—Alexi is home and he is downstairs!” Ariella cried, knocking on her door from the corridor outside.

Elysse inhaled, suddenly so excited that she felt a bit faint. She ran for the door, opening it. Her best friend’s eyes widened at Elysse’s evening dress just before they embraced. “Are you going out tonight? Have I been excluded from an invitation to a dinner party?”

Elysse smiled. “Of course I’m not going out. I want to hear all about China and Alexi’s adventures! How do I look?” She swiftly pirouetted.

Ariella was a year younger than Elysse, with exotic looks—light eyes, olive skin and dark golden hair. Unfashionably educated, she had a preference for libraries and museums, and an aversion to shopping and balls. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were hoping to impress someone.”

“Why would I bother to try to impress your brother?” She laughed. “But he had better notice that I am grown-up now—and the most desirable debutante in all of Ireland.”

Ariella was wry. “Alexi has shortcomings, but a failure to notice attractive women isn’t one of them.”

Elysse closed the door. Alexi was a notorious ladies’ man, but that was hardly a surprise—the de Warenne men were infamous for their rakish ways, which ended on their wedding day. It was an old family adage that when a de Warenne fell in love, it was once and forever, although it might take some time for that climactic event to happen. Elysse squeezed Ariella’s hand as they started down the long corridor, lined with family portraits. “Did he say why he’s been gone so long?”

“My brother is a seaman and an adventurer,” Ariella said. “He is smitten with China—or the China trade, anyway. It was all he could talk about last night—he wants to build a clipper just for the trade!”

Elysse looked at her as they went downstairs. “Then he will continue to lease out to the East India Company? I was surprised when I had heard he’d leased the Ariel out. I can’t imagine Alexi in someone else’s employ.” Alexi had never leased out his ship before.

“He was determined to get into the trade,” Ariella said. “I do believe everyone within a league of Askeaton has called, to hear firsthand about China and his run!”

Elysse could hear the murmurs of conversation downstairs. Clearly, they had many callers. But of course, the neighbors would be interested in Alexi’s return from China. News of his travels would have spread like wildfire. It was surely the most exciting event of the Season.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see across the great entry hall, where her neighbors and family had gathered. Askeaton was the ancestral home of the O’Neill family and the great hall was vast, with stone floors and walls, its ceilings timbered. Great, old tapestries were hanging on two of its walls. From one set of oversize windows, one could see out across the rolling green Irish countryside, and past the ruined tower behind the manor house. But Elysse did not look outside, or even at the crowd.

Alexi stood in front of the huge stone fireplace, his posture assured but indolent, clad in a riding coat, breeches and boots. The eighteen-year-old boy was gone. A grown man had taken his place. He was surrounded by their callers. Yet his gaze lifted immediately, moved across the crowd, and their eyes met.

For one moment, she simply stared. He had changed so much. He was a man of experience now. A man of confidence. She saw it in the way he stood, the way he shifted ever so slightly to face her directly. Then, finally, he smiled at her.

Her heart lurched oddly and the happiness was instantaneous. Alexi was home.

Her brother, Jack, slapped his shoulder. “Damn it, you can’t leave it there, tell me about the Sundra Strait.”

For one more moment, they stared at one another, that odd half smile on his face, while Elysse beamed. She couldn’t help noticing that he was even more handsome than when he had left her. Then she saw that three of her girlfriends stood beside him, more closely than the rest of the crowd, their expressions rapt.

“It took us three full days to beat through, Jack.” Alexi turned to her tall, golden brother. “I’ll even admit I had a moment or two when I wondered if we’d be cast up on the shoals there—spending the next fortnight in Anjers making repairs.”

Alexi turned and gestured, and a tall tawny-haired man in a frock coat, a stock and waistcoat, and pale trousers came over. Alexi seized his shoulder. “I don’t think we’d have made our run in a hundred and twelve days without Montgomery. Best ship’s pilot I ever had. Best thing I ever did was take him on board in Lower Canada.”

Elysse finally looked at Alexi’s pilot, who was probably a few years older than them both, and found him regarding her. Montgomery smiled at her as one of their neighbors, a gentleman squire, said eagerly, “Tell us about the China Sea! Did you weather a typhoon?”

“No, tell us about the tea,” Father MacKenzie cried, smiling.

“Will China really stay closed to all foreigners?” Jack asked.

Alexi grinned at them all. “I got the first pick, black tea, the best you’ve ever had—I vow it. It’s Pekoe. You won’t find any other ship’s captain bringing it home. Not this Season.” Although he spoke to the crowded room, his gaze never wavered from her.

“How did you manage that feat?” Cliff asked, smiling proudly at his son.

Alexi turned to his father. “That is a long story, one that involves a few pretty pennies and a very astute and greedy comprador.”

Elysse realized she had remained upon the last few steps like a statue. What on earth was wrong with her? She quickly started down them, still watching Alexi as he turned to one of her girlfriends, who asked him what Pekoe tea was like. Before he could answer, Elysse felt herself miss a step and stumble.

She seized the railing, mortified. She was usually very graceful. As she grasped the railing, someone caught her arm, preventing her from crashing to her knees and utterly humiliating herself.

Alexi slid his arm securely around her.

As he helped her straighten, Elysse looked up into his dazzling blue eyes.

For one moment, she was in his embrace. He began to smile, as if amused. “Hello, Elysse.”

Her cheeks felt terribly hot, but that was from the embarrassment of being so foolishly clumsy, not from being in his arms—she was certain. Still, she was terribly confused and almost disoriented. She had never felt so small, so petite and feminine, and Alexi had never seemed so strong, so tall or so male. His body was hard and warm against hers. Her heart was thundering now.

What on earth was wrong with her?

Somehow, she stepped away, putting a proper distance between them. His smile seemed to widen. Her flush felt as if it had expanded—even her chest was hot. “Hello, Alexi. I have never heard of Pekoe tea.” She lifted her chin.

“I am not surprised. No one gets first pickings—except, of course, for me,” he boasted. His gaze seemed to be on her décolletage, then her eyes. She wasn’t certain what had just happened. She wondered suddenly if he found her beautiful, as her many suitors did.

It took her a moment to recover. “Of course you got the best tea.” Strangely unnerved, she said lightly, “I didn’t know you were back. When did you get home?”

“I thought Ariella sent you a note last night,” he drawled, and she realized that he had instantly seen through her deception. “I docked in Liverpool three days ago. I got home last night.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his riding coat, making no move to walk back into the salon.

“I’m surprised you even bothered to come home,” she said, deciding to pout.

He gave her an odd look she could not decipher, and suddenly lifted her hand. “So you’re not wearing a ring.”

She pulled her hand free. His touch had made her heart slam. “I have had five offers, Alexi. And they were very good offers. But I turned each gentleman down.”

His gaze narrowed. “If the offers were such good ones, why would you do that? I seem to recall that your intent was to be wed by the time you were eighteen.”

He was laughing at her! Or was he? He was smiling, but he had glanced aside. “Perhaps I changed my mind.”

His gaze flickered. “Hmm, why wouldn’t that surprise me? Have you become a romantic, Elysse?” He laughed. “Are you waiting for true love?”

“Oh, I had forgotten how annoying you can be! Of course I am romantic—unlike you!” His teasing was familiar and it felt safe.

“I’ve known you since we were children. You are less a romantic than an insatiable flirt!”

Now she was truly annoyed. “All women flirt, Alexi—unless, of course, they are old, fat or ugly!”

“Ah, you remain rather uncharitable. I am thinking that your suitors must not have had the necessary qualifications to become your husband.” His eyes danced now. “Have you set your sights on a duke, maybe? Or an Austrian prince? How suitable that would be! Can I play matchmaker? I know a duke or two!”

Surely he wasn’t serious? “Clearly, you do not know me at all. I am very romantic. And no, you may not play matchmaker!”

“Really?” He was chuckling openly at her now. “We know each other very well, Elysse. So don’t pretend we do not.” He tilted up her chin. “Have I annoyed you, somehow? I am only teasing you, sweetheart.”

She slapped his hand away. “You know you have! Nothing has changed! I had forgotten how you love to infuriate me. And who are you to talk? I have heard you have a woman in every port.”

“Ah, a gentleman does not kiss and tell, Elysse.”

“Your reputation is well-known.” She scowled. Secretly, she wondered if he really had a mistress in every port. She wasn’t certain why she should care, but she did.

He touched her chin again. “Why are you scowling? Aren’t you pleased to see me?” His tone softened. “Ariella said you were worried about me—that you expected me to vanish into the China Sea.”

She inhaled, furious with her friend and uncertain what his murmur signified. “Ariella was wrong. Why would I worry about you? I am too occupied. I just got back from London and Paris, Alexi. In those salons, we are not talking about tea or typhoons!”

“Or me?” he asked, straight-faced but clearly trying not to laugh. “Everyone is talking about the China trade, Elysse. It’s a new world. The East India Company can’t possibly keep its grip on China, and China has to open up its ports to the world.”

“I don’t care about China, free trade or you,” she huffed, aware of how completely she was lying. After all, he had been her friend since they were children—he would always be her friend.

“God, my heart is forever broken.” He smiled slightly. “And we both know you do care about my travels—you’re your father’s daughter.”

She folded her arms and his gaze slammed to her bosom. Taken aback, despite her earlier desire for him to notice how womanly she had become, she managed to speak. “Will you lease out to the East India Company again?”

“Oh, I am going back to China—I will get well over five pounds per ton, Elysse, after this last run. But there is gossip the Company will lose its charter soon.”

So he would go make the run again. “And when will you leave this time?”

He grinned. “So you do care, after all! You will miss me!”

“I won’t miss you—I will be too busy, fending off my suitors!”

“Now my heart truly is broken.”

She trembled, dismayed. She would miss him this time, perhaps because he had been gone so long. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed his company—even his horrid teasing. And he had guessed.

“When will you go to sea again?” she heard herself ask. The best time to run to China was the summer. It was now the end of March. She couldn’t imagine Alexi staying in the country, doing nothing, for another two months.

“So you did miss me,” he said swiftly, his gaze piercing.

She wet her lips, refusing to answer. He leaned close and whispered, “I brought you a Russian sable, Elysse.”

He had remembered his promise to her. Before she could answer, one of her neighbors approached. “I hope I am not interrupting,” Louisa Cochrane murmured. “I should love an introduction to a China trader. I do love my Souchong tea.”

For one more moment, Elysse stared at Alexi in disbelief that he would bring her such a luxurious and precious gift. He stared back, then finally turned to Louisa.

Gallantly, he bowed over her hand. “Alexi de Warenne at your service, madam,” he said. He straightened. “And if you like Souchong, you will love Pekoe.”

“I cannot wait to try it.” Louisa smiled brightly at him.

Elysse had always liked Louisa. Now, hearing the sultry note in her voice, she couldn’t abide her. Was Louisa intent on pursuing Alexi? She turned to stare at him.

“May I bring a sample to your door, say tomorrow? It would be my pleasure.” Alexi grinned, his intentions suddenly clear.

“I hardly wish to put you out, Captain,” Louisa murmured coyly.

“You can’t put me out, Mrs. Cochrane, you are far too beautiful to ever do so. I should enjoy delivering the tea, myself.”

Louisa blushed, assuring him that he need not go to the trouble. Elysse’s mind raced and she felt incoherent and confused. She had never really cared about his flirtations and seductions before. Why should she care about his next affair?

“You have so many admirers, Captain,” Louisa said, ignoring Elysse. “Won’t you escort me back into the salon so we can all hear your wonderful stories together?”

Alexi hesitated, glancing at Elysse. “Aren’t you joining us?”

Elysse smiled. “Of course I am. I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.”

For one more moment, their eyes held, until Louisa tugged on his arm. Elysse followed them into the salon, noting every detail of Louisa Cochrane’s dress and figure. Hadn’t she heard that she was desperate to catch a wealthy husband? But Alexi was a determined bachelor. And she wasn’t jealous, was she? Still, oddly, she wanted Alexi’s attention. She had so many questions—she wanted to know what he’d been doing for the past two and a half years. And she wanted her Russian fur.

Inside, Alexi and Louisa were instantly surrounded, and Alexi was bombarded with more questions about his voyage. Elysse began to relax. Alexi was home, and she was fairly certain that he had noticed her charm, beauty and sophistication. She smiled as he responded to a question from Father MacKenzie.

Ariella came over. “I am so happy that my brother is back! Isn’t it wonderful?”

“It is truly wonderful, but I hope Louisa won’t take up all of his time. We both know he will not linger in the country for long.”

Ariella raised her brows. “Hmm, he does seem very interested in Louisa. “

“You know, Louisa is a bit long in the tooth, don’t you think?” Elysse heard herself say.

“She is a very nice lady!” Ariella exclaimed. “You aren’t…jealous of her, are you?”

Elysse looked at her friend. “Of course not,” she scoffed.

Ariella leaned close and lowered her voice. “Why don’t you go speak with poor James Ogilvy? He is standing over there by himself, gawking at you with a moonstruck smile.”

Oglivy had been courting her for about a month now, but Elysse realized she had lost all interest. Still, she smiled at him. He instantly came forward. As he bowed gallantly over her hand, she saw Alexi turn to glance at them. Pleased, Elysse turned her entire attention on James. “You promised me a picnic at Swan Lake.”

His eyes widened. “I thought you were not interested, as you did not bring it up again.”

She smiled and touched his arm. “I am very interested. In fact, I can’t wait!”

“Then perhaps we can have our outing tomorrow afternoon?” he asked eagerly.

She glanced at Alexi, who was speaking to the squire now. She did not know how long Alexi would remain in the Irish countryside, and she wanted to be available until he left for London. She beamed at James. “Would next week do? I have an engagement tomorrow.” That wasn’t quite true, but it was only a tiny white lie.

They spoke for a few more moments. It was terribly hard to carry on a conversation with James while trying to hear every word Alexi uttered and keeping him in the corner of her eye. As she made her plans with Ogilvy, she became aware that she had another admirer. Montgomery, who was chatting with Ariella, kept glancing her way. Elysse hadn’t paid much attention to him earlier. She did so now, deciding that he was very good-looking. Although he was a pilot, he comported himself like a gentleman. He glanced at her again and she knew he wished for an introduction. It crossed her mind that he had spent the past two years with Alexi. She excused herself from James.

He smiled at her as she approached. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced, Miss O’Neill. Of course, I have heard all about you from Captain de Warenne, but that is not why I am so eager to meet you.”

Elysse comprehended the innuendo and was flattered. “Cliff has spoken about me?”

Montgomery smiled. “No, I meant my captain, Alexi.” He shifted and stepped closer to her. “I am William Montgomery. It is a pleasure, ma’am.”

He wasn’t a gentleman, obviously—no well-bred man would ever pilot a ship, but Elysse was impressed by his charm. He had an unmistakable Southern accent, and she recalled that most American men from the Southern states were terribly gallant. “And it is my pleasure to receive you, sir.” She laughed. “It isn’t every day that I meet a fearless pilot who has sailed the high seas of China!”

He smiled warmly now, his glance quickly drifting down the bodice of her dress. “Our voyages are long, Miss O’Neill, and beautiful ladies are rare. I wasn’t sure you would speak with me.”

“You are our guest!” she exclaimed. She touched his arm lightly—flirtatiously. “Where are you from, Mr. Montgomery? My family has a tobacco plantation in Virginia.”

“Baltimore, Miss O’Neill. Like the captain, I come from a long line of seafaring men. My father was a ship’s master, and my grandfather was a pilot, as was my great-grandfather before him here in Britain. In fact, I grew up listening to my grandfather’s sailing stories, mostly about the Ivory Coast and the African trade—in the last century, of course.”

“My father was a naval captain, Mr. Montgomery, so I am fascinated.” Elysse meant it. But more importantly, Alexi had just noticed their conversation. “Of course, we no longer trade in slaves here in the Empire, but in your grandfather’s time, that was a very busy occupation, was it not?”

“It most certainly was,” he agreed. “In America, we outlawed the slave trade in ’08, well before I was born. In my grandfather’s time it was a dangerous trade—I believe the African continent remains perilous, for those who dare to attempt to make their profits there still.”

“I am against the slave trade,” Elysse said firmly. The trade had been abolished in the British Empire in ’07. “Even though my family has a tobacco plantation in Virginia, and we have slaves there, I also favor emancipation in the Empire and throughout the world.”

“That is a bold position, Miss O’Neill. In my country, abolition is an issue that divides us. If I may be bold, I would love to visit Sweet Briar, if I was ever in Virginia again.” He smiled, revealing strong white teeth. “I should especially enjoy such a visit if you were there to show me the plantation.”

Elysse smiled archly at him. “I would love to give you a tour of Sweet Briar! But how could we possibly arrange that? The next time I am there, you will undoubtedly be running for China!”

“Yes, I could be crossing the Cape of Good Hope.”

“Or beating up the China Sea.” She laughed. “By the time you received my letter, I would have probably returned home.”

“Probably—and it will be my loss.”

They smiled at one another. “I heard Alexi say that you met in Lower Canada,” Elysse said.

“We certainly did—in the midst of a blizzard. In fact, poachers were trying to steal the furs Alexi had just bought for his cargo home. I saved his life and we have been friends ever since.”

Elysse was fascinated. “How did you save his life?”

From behind her, Alexi said softly, “The French had a few natives in their employ and I was seriously outnumbered.”

She had been so engrossed that it took her a moment to realize that Alexi had come up to them. She turned, her heart exploding. He stood beside them, his arms folded across his chest, smiling. But she knew him well, and his smile did not reach his eyes.

She was taken aback. “What’s wrong?” Could he be jealous?

“What letter will you send William?”

“An invitation to Sweet Briar,” she said lightly, then turned her back on him and faced Montgomery.

“I so want to hear more about Lower Canada, the poachers and the natives,” she said eagerly.

“That is a long story,” the American began, glancing at Alexi.

“One unsuitable for a lady’s ears,” Alexi said flatly. “Would you excuse us, William?”

Montgomery hesitated. Then he bowed. “It has been my pleasure, Miss O’Neill. I hope we can continue this conversation another time.”

“Of course we can,” Elysse said, smiling at him. What was Alexi hiding? Did he really think her too frail to hear the truth about his travels? Had something terrible happened, which he didn’t wish for her to know about?

William Montgomery walked off to join Devlin and Cliff. Elysse realized she was alone with Alexi. He was scowling at her. “What is wrong?” she asked. Surely he wasn’t angry with her for speaking to Montgomery? “Your pilot is a very interesting man. And a handsome one, at that.”

He took her arm, moving her into a corner by the drapery-clad windows. “Don’t flirt with Montgomery, Elysse.” His tone was filled with warning.

“Why not?” she cried, pulling free of his grasp.

“He is a pilot, Elysse, and a rogue.”

She started. “You are a rogue, and I am allowed to speak with you!”

He glared. “He is not for you. I suggest you direct your flirtations at Ogilvy and his ilk.”

She searched his eyes. He had never been jealous of her suitors before—and William Montgomery wasn’t even a suitor. Alexi was right—as interesting as he was, he was a pilot, not a gentleman.

She began to smile. She touched his hand, which was large and hard, the knuckles cracked, the skin there suntanned. “You needn’t be jealous, Alexi,” she murmured.

“Don’t even try to flirt with me! I am not jealous.” He shrugged. “I am merely trying to protect you from a dangerous ladies’ man, Elysse. Montgomery has a way with women, and I don’t want you to fall under his spell.”

“I am hardly under his spell.” She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, aware that she was flirting. “I’m glad you’re not jealous, Alexi. Mr. Montgomery is very interesting—fascinating, actually—and very handsome. And he is a guest in this house.”

For one moment he stared. Elysse knew him well, but she couldn’t decide what he was truly thinking. Then he leaned closer, crowding her against the draperies. “Are you trying to play me?” he asked, very softly.

A little thrill swept her. She could barely breathe now. “I have no idea what you mean. But you can’t object to my having a pleasant conversation with your pilot—or seeing him again.” She batted her lashes at him while her heart raced frantically.

“Montgomery piloted the Ariel to Lower Canada and Jamaica and then to Canton and back. I trust him with my ship and the lives of my men, but I do not trust him with you.” His stare darkened. He added, “You are impossible, Elysse. I am asking you to avoid him—for your sake, not mine.”

His shoulder still pressed hers. It was becoming hard to think clearly. She whispered, “I will think about it.”

Suddenly his gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. Elysse tensed. In that one moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he straightened and slowly shook his head, appearing disgusted. “Fine. Think about it. But don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”