Part 25 (1/2)

”Dallas, what is it?”

”Nothing,” he said, but Smokey was not convinced ”Have I done something?”

”No, no,” Dallas tried to rea.s.sure her and reached for her hand He worked at controlling his expression, realizing he could not let his feelings show until they had time alone to talk.

Seeing Smokey with the baby had put Dallas' thoughts in a whirl. His mind had suddenly pictured Smokey as his wife, his wife to love and hold. He saw her swollen with child as Jenny now was, but the baby was his--theirs--and he was there for the birth. He saw her on a blanket in Maine with their own dark-haired child grinning at her. He saw himself playing with his own baby, not Brandon with Sterling.

”tonight, he told himself. Tonight I'll ask her. I'llaskherto be my own for as long as we both live. We've been apart so much that I'll ask her to marry me right now so we can begin our life together immediately.

Dallas' resolve gave him such a feeling of peace that it showed on his face. Smokey found herself staring at him again. She was still coming to know this man, so she wasn't certain, but he suddenly looked very satisfied to her. She told herself that one of these days they would be close enough so 209.

she could ask him. One of these days, she found herself hoping, she might even be his wife.

The coach and driver delivering Da.r.s.ey to London were not due back at Bracken until the following day. Just before dinner, however, there was a sudden commotion when the driver arrived back early.

Parks was there to meet him, and after hearing his story, turned to seek out the family. Within minutes Brandon, Sunny, and Dallas were gathered to hear his account. Smokey, coming quietly downstairs to the entryway, heard also.

”They arrested him almost immediately, sir, as if they'd been waiting.” Brandon's coachman was breathless with excitement.

”And you think Haamich Wynn is behind it?”

”I don't know about that, sir, but the talk all over London is that he's been released and the Aramis has been confiscated and her crew arrested for piracy.”

Something cold ran down Smokey's spine, but she knew what must be done. She turned from where she had been standing on the bottom step to move backup the stairs. Dallas spotted her and caught her wrist just in time.

”Let go of me, Dallas. I've got to go to my s.h.i.+p.”

”Smokey, listen to me--” Dallas began, but the young captain cut him off.

”No. You listen to me, Dallas.” Her voice was calm, but no one within earshot could have missed the underlying note of steel. ”I would love the luxury of sitting back and letting you take care of me, but I'm the captain of that s.h.i.+p and responsible to my men. I will go to London, and you'll not talk me out of it.”

”I'm not trying to,” Dallas began again, tightening his hold on her wrist. ”I'm just asking you to wait until morning. We can do nothing tonight.”

212.

Smokey hesitated, and Brandon cut in.

”He's right, Smokey. It would be after midnight by the time we arrived. I doubt if even /could see anyone of importance at that time of the night.”

Smokey stood in indecision, her heart so broken over Da.r.s.ey's arrest that she thought she might be sick.

”I need to be away before dawn,” she told them.

'You realize,” Brandon began, ”there's a good chance you will be arrested as well.”

Smokey had not thought of that, but it changed nothing.

”I still need to leave for London before dawn.”

”The carriage will be ready,” Brandon promised her.

Smokey nodded When she would have thanked them and continued up the stairs, Dallas tugged on her arm.

”Come to dinner and try to eat something.”

”I have to pack.”

”I imagine you'll be up most of the night. You can pack then. You need to eat.”

Standing on the first step made Smokey almost level with Dallas, and for a moment she could only look into his eyes.

'Tell me you understand, Dallas.”

”I understand completely,” he said to her utter relief. ”I just didn't want you riding to London tonight with no food or sleep.”

Smokey nodded, and Dallas realized they were alone. He stepped near, his arms going around her. Smokey needed his closeness right now in a way she'd never needed it before.

When he would have stepped away, she wrapped her arms around his neck, Dallas was more than happy to comply and hugged her again, holding her firmly for some time.

”Come into the dining room, darling,” he said when he could speak. ”You won't want much, but you need to eat.”

Smokey agreed and startled herself by eating a fairly decent meal. She surprised herself again after going to bed.

After praying with her whole being, she actually gained a few hours of sleep. She woke to find Brandon good at his word 211.

His largest carriage, pulled by four horses, left Bracken more than an hour before daybreak, after a tearful farewell with Sunny. Smokey was inside, hair braided and dressed for work Seated beside her was Dallas. Across from them was Brandon.

The duke's face was calm, but he was a man who clearly needed answers. Looking at his stern visage, Smokey could almost find it in her heart to pity Haamich Wynn.

213.

smokey's view of the akamis from the carriage window was one to make her heart pound. She had halfway hoped to find that this was all a frightful mistake, but not seeing a single familiar face, as well as the heavy guard apparent at the foot of the gangplank, made her heart plummet.

The magnificent carriage stopped, drawing attention from nearly everyone. Dallas alighted to give Smokey a hand Brandon was directly behind her, but not even he could stop the happenings of the next few minutes.

”Miss Simmons?” a voice spoke, and the three of them turned to see a young officer approach, ”Yes, I'm Miss Simmons. Where is my crew?”

”If you'll come with me, please,” the constable said, ignoring her question.

”Where are you taking her?” Brandon spoke calmly, and the officer looked surprised ”I'm sorry, your lords.h.i.+p, but Miss Simmons is under arrest.”

”And what are the charges?”

”Piracy,” another, older constable came on the scene and answered. His demeanor was that of one in control, but his voice was respectful. ”I'm afraid Miss Simmons will have to come with us, my lord.”

Dallas was ready to jump in at Smokey's defense, but Brandon, wearing his position and power like a cape, spoke up.

”I will be handling Miss Simmons' case myself, constable.”

”Yes, sir,” the other man answered, his face serious.