Chancey leapt out of his chair and began pacing by the table to try to get control, but his temper won out.
Damn it, Sutherland, he snarled, the only way that marryin Nicole would be impossible would be if He broke off, then sucked in his breath as sudden understanding washed over him. His shoulders sagged. He was stricken as much by his own conclusion as by the utterly dead look in Sutherlands eyes.
With a surge of rage, Chancey heaved him out of his chair and held him by the collar. But Sutherland did nothing. The bastard wouldnt fight him.
Finally Sutherland spoke. I want to take care of her. I can give her a house and wealth and everything else she might ever want.
Chancey hit him so hard his fist vibrated from the force of it. Sutherland didnt defend himself.
Blighter! So yell make her yer mistress, Chancey spat. Spend two nights with the missus and the children, then a few with Nicole and any bastards she might get by ye?
No. It would only be Nicole. Ive never touched my wife.
That surprised Chancey, but it didnt matter. Ye have no idea how much yeve cost her. Seems she hasnt seen fit to tell ye what she is. But Ill tell ye that yere gonna have hurt more than her feelins when all this mess is over.
What do you mean? Sutherland asked slowly as Chancey released him in disgust.
I mean she had prospects, great ones. I know cause I seen em. Better than you can imagine. Suddenly, Chancey felt very old and very sad. He sat heavily with a great exhalation of air, then took another burning drink. Ye need to leave her alone. Just pack up and sail.
Sutherland cautiously sat when Chancey did, but his whole body tensed at the suggestion. Just leave her? With no explanation?
She could forgive herself for lovin ye without marriage, but unlike ye, it would kill her to know shed committed adultery.
Sutherland winced, but asked, What do you think it will do to her when I just disappear?
Itll hurt her to be sure. But shell get over ye. Chancey pinned him with his eyes. Ye have to do this.
I cantnot to her, he said firmly.
Ye mean ye cant do this for her because all ye care about is yerself. What do ye have to offer her? Chancey abruptly stood again. Yere nothin but a shell of a man anywayand a drunk to boot. And thats somethin for an Irisher to accuse. He marched back and forth. If ye break clean with her, in time shell forget about ye. Shes young enough to find another.
Chancey finally made out an unconcealable emotion on Sutherlands face, and wished he hadnt. It was as if raw pain surfaced to smother and kill any hope that had been there. It also signaled to Chancey that Sutherland accepted he was right, so he said nothing more.
His face cold again, Sutherland spoke, I want one more night with her.
Chancey shook his head sharply. Not a chance.
Its the only way Ill agree to this. And you have to take money to settle on her, to make sure she has everything she needs for the rest of her life.
Ferget it. He needed to get this drunken bastard, a married one at that, out of her life as soon as possible.
The captain stood and turned to walk away. Before he got to the door, Chancey grabbed his arm. One night. Ye do anythin to hurt my Nic, and Ill gladly kill ye.
Nicole could easily pass for a princess, Derek thought as he watched her sipping wine across the table from him. In fact, several people around them stared at her as if they thought she was. Their reaction wasnt simply caused by her beauty. Even among those dining in this exclusive establishment, she stood out as a royal would.
Shed dressed to perfection in one of the gowns hed given her. The emerald patterned silk brought out her fiery coloring and made her dark eyes take on a green shade. Her ensemble had an oriental feel to it, and in her shining hair she wore the intricately carved jade combs hed given her to match.
Seeing her at this meal, he concluded she unquestionably would have other prospects. She could make a king fall in love with her.
Hed always been amazed at her perfect manners off the ship. When not shark fishing or kicking villains to their knees, Nicole Lassiter behaved like a spirited member of the nobility. Well, a very spirited member. It was as if the minute she donned a dress, she transformed into a lady. Tonight was no exception. She handled the dinner courses and all their attendant silver better than he did. Where had she learned and perfected those skills?
She was a paradox. In his bed, she was fearlessunhesitant to partake in whatever he suggested to bring them pleasure. And after shed apparently accepted they would be together, hed seen a side of her hed never imagined. When not making loveand sometimes even thenshe became playful. Shed tickle him, dance away from him elusively, laughing with as much abandon as she made love.
Now, as he surveyed her across the table, another person seemed to inhabit her body. He believed she could make even his mother feel a tad inadequate at a social affair. He recognized that Chancey was right.
Unfortunately, Derek recognized this after he sensed she had let down her guard and accepted him. He believed shed stay with him despite the less-than-perfect circumstances surrounding them. The irony of the situation wasnt lost on Derek. Just when he could finally call her his, when he had claimed more than her body, he had to let her go.
He was brooding when they exited the carriage, but as he followed her up the gangway, he couldnt prevent a slight quirk of his lips. One thing about her was completely out of the ordinary, even when she put on her polite facade. He didnt think she even realized it.
Nicole had the purposeful, exacting walk of someone always at sea, as if unconsciously she expected the ground to tilt at any moment. He smiled to see this seasoned sailors trait in a woman. But the smile disappeared when he was reminded that her female body translated that walk into an undulating gait, a hip-swinging sweep that was incredibly erotic.
Later when they fell into bed together, he could feel her damp and ready for him. Instead of sliding into her, he worshipped her body, kissing her closed eyes, the tip of her nose, the small shell curve of her ear. Each part of her had become precious to him.
With the barest flick of his tongue, he kissed her belly and her inner thighs. Soft and lush beneath his lips, her body shook as he savored her, wringing every ounce of pleasure. When he took her, it was with an agonizing slowness, until at last he could no longer resist the feel of her core hotly hugging his flesh in her climax. Never quickening his body over hers, continuing the tormenting pace of pushing and pulling, he allowed himself to pour into her.
As they lay sated, he could feel her tears on his chest. Before she fell asleep in his arms, she sighed, I love you.