Part 21 (2/2)

smokey's face was still swollen when the London authorities came to take Haamich Wynn away. She watched as they cut him loose before putting him in the huge, black coach. Something didn't seem right to Smokey. His look was almost smug as he spoke to one of the constables. Smokey knew there was little she could do about it, so she tried not to dwell on the possibilities.

Dallas and Da.r.s.ey handled everything in the next two days, giving Smokey plenty of time to think. It occurred to her that the pirate might have friends in high places who would overlook his acts, or even listen when he claimed that it was her word against his own. She hadn't had a chance to ask Dallas about the pirate's s.h.i.+p, but Smokey knew that a holdful of stolen goods would add weight to her story.

For the moment, she had an important decision to make-- did she head home, as she longed to do, or out to sea, as she had originally planned? If she went home now, she could be there when Jenny and Tate's baby was born, Smokey had nearly convinced herself to return to Maine when Dallas arrived and ruined all her plans.

”They'll need you to testify.”

Smokey hadn't even thought of that. She glanced at Da.r.s.ey, who had been with Dallas during this time, and then back at the man himself.

177.

”When do they need me?” she wanted to know.

”In about two weeks. Without you they don't have a case.”

Smokey hid her disappointment and spoke carefully. ”We could do some trading down the southern coast in the next week and be back here in two weeks.”

Da.r.s.ey's mind was already obeying orders, but Dallas stepped in again.

”No.”

”What do you mean, no?” Smokey asked him with raised brows. They'd had no time alone since their confrontation in Willa's living room, and even though the apology had been spoken, their relations.h.i.+p was not yet on solid footing.

”I mean that you need a rest, and I know just the place. I've contacted a friend. He and his wife would be glad to have us.”

Smokey glared at Da.r.s.ey when he covered a laugh with a cough. The older man was thinking that Dallas was digging himself in deep.

'You took it upon yourself to arrange leave for me?”

Smokey's tone told Dallas he was in trouble, but his determination to get this girl to himself for a few days never wavered ”Yes, I did,” he told her calmly. ”You look exhausted, your eye is still black and swollen, and you are going with me to Bracken. If I can't convince you, I'm sure Da.r.s.ey can.”

”Did you know about this, Da.r.s.ey Brennan?” Smokey nailed him with a glance.

”Not a bit, la.s.s, but if you ask me--”

”No one's asking you, Da.r.s.ey,” Smokey cut him off, and it was Dallas' turn to m.u.f.fle his laughter.

He was truly desperate to get Smokey someplace safe and restful, but Dallas knew from the thundercloud on her face that he was going to have to change tactics. He stepped close and spoke low.

”You asked me not to let him get you again. I can't do that if we're not together.”

178.

In the light of his tender gaze and caring voice, the indignation drained out of Smokey. Running her tongue over her suddenly dry lips, a s.h.i.+ver of fear resurfaced ”So you think they might not hold him?”

”I don't know. Something didn't feel right to me, but I can't put my finger on it.”

Smokey nodded, knowing just what he meant. She glanced out over the Thames in indecision and then at Dallas' s.h.i.+rtront.

Dallas reached out two long fingers and placed them under Smokey's chin. With a gentle move, he tilted her face until her eyes met his.

”Please come with me to Bracken so I can take care of you.

Da.r.s.ey will be there as well, and I know you'll love Brandon and Sunny.”

Smokey thougjit she could agree to anything when he spoke low and touched her so tenderly.

”All right,” Smokey said and felt suddenly cold when Dallas immediately removed his hand and stepped away. He turned to leave then, calling absentmindedly over his shoulder to say that they would be leaving for the country in an hour.

Dallas completely missed the vulnerable look on Smokey's face. Da.r.s.ey, on the other hand, saw it all. He walked down the gangplank with Dallas and stopped him with a few words when he would have walked away.

”Don't play games with her.” The older man's voice was a growl.

”What are you talking about?”

”I'm talking about touching her and saying sweet things just to manipulate her.”

Dallas stared at him in true surprise. ”Does she feel that way?”

”You saw the look on her face. You know she does.”

Dallas looked back to the deck, but Smokey was gone. He honestly hadn't noticed any distress on Smokey's part. In truth, he thought Da.r.s.ey was being overly protective.

179.

When Dallas looked at Smokey's first mate again, he was given one final, serious warning before Da.r.s.ey boarded the Aramis.

”Don't play with my girl, Mr. Knight, because I won't stand for it.”

Dallas stood for just a moment and recounted his scene with Smokey. She wasn't some child to be easily fooled, and Da.r.s.ey knew that. Dallas was not a man who believed that the end justified the means. He didn't feel he'd been out of line.

He hoped to have a chance very soon to tell Da.r.s.ey that he was overreacting.

It took Dallas just ten minutes into the carriage ride to Bracken, Lord and Lady Hawkesbury's home, to see that Da.r.s.ey had read the signs correctly. He had hurt Smokey. Her set face and the way she held herself spoke volumes.

Dallas had complimented Smokey on her dress, a lovely rose-colored day dress, as soon as he had seen her, but he realized now that her thanks had been rather stiff.

His desire to ask Da.r.s.ey to ride with the driver so he could be alone with Smokey was nearly overwhelming. But he knew that both Smokey and Da.r.s.ey would take that request as an insult. It would only make things worse.

If only they weren't so tired right now. Da.r.s.ey looked ten years older, and Smokey's good eye sported a dusky circle, a sure sign of fatigue. DaHas' own eyes had a gritty feel when he blinked He was glad that evening was approaching, knowing they could all get some rest soon after they arrived at Bracken.

He told himself he would make things right with Smokey in the morning. All that mattered right now was her rest and safety. Dallas found himself wis.h.i.+ng he didn't have to sail to Denmark, but the s.h.i.+pment could not wait. At least he didn't have to leave until tomorrow afternoon and would only need to be gone three days.

180.

He watched the small brunette nod off from his seat in the carriage across from Da.r.s.ey and Smokey. Da.r.s.ey himself looked like he would surrender to sleep at any moment, so Dallas let his own head fall back against the squabs where he dozed off and on for the next hour.

<script>