Part 4 (1/2)

It was a pity Chase had not found such a bride. Of course, since Brandon had tricked Chase into accepting the infamous St. John talisman ring, chances were high that Chase might find his own true love. Or he would if he didnat leave Harry Annesley kicking his heels all over town, hinting to whoever would listen that Chase St. John had not honored a debt.

Such a thing had been known to ruin a man. To his surprise, Devon won yet another hand. He tossed his cards onto the table and called for his coat and horse.

d.a.m.n it all, where the h.e.l.l is Chase? And why did he leave town after signing a note to Annesley?

Chapter 9.

Starch makes the man.

The rather decrepit Lord Kilturn to his valet, Hobart, while standing before the mirror adjusting his cravat the evening of the Brookstone soiree Harriet could only stare at Mr. Gower. Surely the man didnat mean to suggest thata”he couldnat possibly mean to say that he and she coulda”that they would one daya”aYou must be jesting!a Mr. Goweras smile never wavered, but his eyes narrowed unpleasantly. aI meant every word. I have carefully considered all the available choices, and I have decided that you would be the most beneficial bride for a man in my position. Your connections could be just the thing to help my career.a Harriet couldnat believe what she was hearing. aI donat wish toa”a aPlease. Donat answer yet. I can see that I have startled you. But once you think about it, I believe youall agree that a marriage between us would be beneficial.a aMr. Gower, I do not wish to marry!a Mr. Gower raised his brows. aNo? What about the supposed Captain Frakenham?a Oh piffle! Harrietad let her astonishment freeze her brain into a block of useless ice. aI meant to say that I donat wish to marry you,a she qualified. aCaptain Frakenham is another matter altogether. Of course I wish to marry him; Iam engaged to him.a aIndeed.a It was one word, but the disbelief Gower managed to impart with that one word made Harriet pause. Oh dear no. If Mr. Gower suspected that there was no Captain Frakenham, everything was lost. For all that Harriet deplored Motheras invention of a suitor, the thought of losing Garrett Park just before the last payment was too galling for words.

Harriet smoothed her skirts nervously. aSpeaking of Captain Frakenham, did I mention that he sent some silk to Mother?a Mr. Gower lifted his brows. aDid he? How nice for your mother.a aA very nice length of it. He sent me some pearls and two strands of sh.e.l.ls for Sophia and Ophelia, as well.a aHmmm. I would love to see these items. Could you fetch them?a Blast it, what was she to do now? She hadnat expected him to be so rude, but something seemed to have come over Mr. Gower.

Harriet managed a shaky laugh. aOf course you may see them! Iam not sure where Mother put the silk, and the pearls are safely locked away. Perhaps when you come to visit another time, I will have them all out for your perusal anda”a The banker shook his head, smiling. aHarriet, you should know that I have wondered about this Captain Frakenham from the beginning.a She tried to swallow but could not. aOh? Wondered what?a aI do not believe that you are indeed engaged to a Captain Frakenham or that he will arrive with a hold full of gold and save your family from further embarra.s.sment.a Mr. Goweras smile bordered on the insulting. aThe other officials at the bank may believe what they will, but I am not so gullible.a aMr. Gower, I a.s.sure you that I am indeed engaged to Captain Frakenham. How dare you insinuate thata”a aNonsense. Harrieta”Miss Warda”let us be plain. There is no Captain Frakenham. As far as I can ascertain, there never was.a aAre you calling me a liar?a aI believe the falsehood began with your mother. I was curious from the first, so I wrote to London and made inquiries. There is no record of Captain Frakenham or his s.h.i.+p.a aYour research is incorrect, for I can a.s.sure you thata”a aYou can a.s.sure me nothing.a Mr. Gower captured her hand in his, his grip more than firm. aHarriet, I have been very patient with you and your family. You may rest a.s.sured that I have encouraged my superiors to accept your preposterous story about the good captain, and I will continue to do so.a His thumb stroked a path over her knuckles. aFor now.a Harriet barely contained a shudder. aI donat know what you are talking about.a She tugged on her hand, but he held it firmly. She wondered what he would do if she were to scream, jump out of the window, and make a mad dash for freedom through the garden below.

aHarriet, listen to me.a He stepped closer. aI may not have been born a gentleman, but I will be one before I die, as will my sons. I am asking you to marry me. You have everything to gain in this bargain.a aWhat? After next month, Garrett Park will be ours.a aYes, but what will you do then? How will you provide for your family?a She tried again to loosen his grip, tugging futilely. aPlease, Mr. Gowera”a aYou have the birth and connections I need to truly establish my name. I am willing to overlook the fact that your family is not financially responsible and that your brothers behave deplorably.a She stopped tugging on her hand, her irritation fanned into pure anger. aWhat about my sisters? Do you have anything ill to say of them?a Mr. Gower regarded her gravely. aIam certain that with a little guidance, they will learn some proper decorum. In time.a Harriet thought she would explode. How dare this man come to her home and insult her and her family in such a way? Especially after head spent the last year demanding payments and being such a nuisance that the sight of his carriage rolling down the drive made poor Mother ill with apprehension.

Harriet gave her hand one last yank, freeing it from his damp grasp. aMr. Gower, I didnat wish to say this, but you have forced me. Sir, you are a pain in the aa”a The door opened and Mother bustled in, a rustling of silks and lace, her cap plopped unceremoniously on her head. The second her gaze fell on Harriet, she said in a breathless voice, aThere you are, dear! Iave been looking all over for you!a Harriet frowned. aYou knew where Ia”a aYes, yes, of course!a Mother paused just inside the door. aAnd there is that sweet Mr. Gower with you.a Sweet? How about rude and overbearing? aMr. Gower was just telling me that he had to leave.a aBefore meeting Captain Frakenham?a Mother said, all smiles. aSurely not.a Harriet opened her mouth. Then closed it. Captain Frakenham? Goodness, had Mother gone stark, raving mad?

Harriet stole a peek at Mr. Gower and noted with some satisfaction that he looked as thunderstruck as she felt.

aCaptain Frakenham,a the banker said slowly. aMrs. Ward, there is no Captain Frakenham.a aNo?a Mother asked, blinking in apparent astonishment.

hi that instant, Harriet knew where Sophia had gotten her pa.s.sion for acting.

aMr. Gower,a Mother said with some asperity, ayou are sadly mistaken! There is indeed a Captain Frakenham. In fact, here he is now.a With that, Mother stepped aside.

A broad-shouldered figure filled the doorway to the sitting room. Harrietas heart pounded an extra beat. There stood their patient. He appeared pale, the bandage still wrapped about his head. Harrietas gaze moved slowly over him, noting the way his coat hugged his wide shoulders then tapered to a narrow waist. His waistcoat was an understatement of elegant simplicity, his snowy white cravat tied in a fascinating array of twists and knots. She had to admire his taste; it was impeccable.

Harriet tried not to look directly at him as he walked forward, every step holding a liquid grace that was somehow salaciously delicious.

If head been dangerously attractive lying p.r.o.ne in bed, he was lethal striding across the room, moving with all the grace of a very large, very masculine cat. Harriet found that she could not look away. Could not help but notice the way his powerful thighs moved beneath the material of his breeches. Could not help but feel a little breathless when his deep blue eyes rested on her, and her alone.

aMy dear,a he murmured, on reaching her side. He took her unresisting hands in his and brought them, one at a time, to his warm lips. aHow is my lovely fiance this morning? I trust you slept well?a Heat s.h.i.+vered up her fingers, through her arms, and directly into the pit of her stomach. Her whole body tightened in response.

She blinked up at him. aCaptain Frakenham? Buta”a aHarriet!a her mother said firmly. aPray ring the bell for some tea. Iam certain Captain Frakenham is in need of nourishment.a aSo I am,a the captain easily agreed, smiling down at Harriet. Though his expression was schooled into a mild greeting, Harriet was all too aware of a devilish gleam in his eyes. He was laughing at her. He knew she had to respond to his overture in front of Mr. Gower. And the wretch was enjoying every minute.

Harriet pulled her hands free, then, for good measure, tucked them behind her back. For a mad moment, she wondered what would be worsea”having to pretend to be on an intimate footing with the peac.o.c.k who stood before her, grinning as if delighted to have the opportunity to torment her, or listening to more of Mr. Goweras asinine declarations.

aOh dear!a Mother said. aI am so horrid at making introductions. Captain Frakenham, this is Mr. Gower, an officer from our bank. Mr. Gower, this is Captain Frakenham, Harrietas betrothed.a As Mr. Gower reluctantly took the captainas hand and the two exchanged greetings, Mother gripped Harrietas arm and whispered in her ear, aIt was the only thing I could think of.a aHow did you convince him to help?a aI didnat. I justa told him he was Captain Frakenham.a At Harrietas astonished look, Mother blushed. aHe doesnat remember who he is, so what difference will it make?a Harriet blinked. aButa what if he remembers his real name?a If he doesnat already know it. Blast it, what is Mother thinking?

Mr. Gower looked as if he wasnat sure if he was upside right or upside down. He kept shaking the acaptainasa hand, over and over as if unable to stop.

Chase didnat know what he was enjoying more, the obvious shock the banker seemed to be experiencing or the look of pure chagrin on Harrietas face. It was amazing, but Chase was beginning to believe he might actually get a little enjoyment out of this charade.

Truly, there was much to be said for a.s.sisting the Wards. For one thing, he was no longer a sanctioned member of society. He was free for once of the onerous St. John name. For this instant, he was a sea captain come to visit his beloved. An earthy, common sea captain, full of tales of excitement and derring-do, as far away from the confining restraints of what Chase St. John really was.

Chaseas heart took flight. He was going to enjoy this very, very much. He grinned at the banker. aMr. Gower, Iave heard quite a bit about you. Iam delighted we finally meet.a Chase looked down at where the banker was still mindlessly shaking his hand. aWould you mind releasing my hand? I may need it sometime in the near future.a Gower reddened and stepped away. aIam sorry. Itas just that youa”Captaina”I cannot believea”that is to say, I didnat think youa”a aDidnat think I what? Would return for my Harriet?a Chase reached over and slid his arm about Harrietas waist, grinning when he heard her sharp intake of breath. She was a tightly made little bundle, he realized with some pleasure as his hand grazed her hip. aHow could I leave such a tasty morsel alone?a Dead silence met his p.r.o.nouncement.

Mrs. Ward laughed a little uncertainly. aCaptain Frakenham, the things you say!a She fanned herself a little. aThe captain has been at sea a very long time.a aIndeed,a Gower said, his jaw set, his brows lowered. His gaze roamed over Chase a moment, then stopped on the bandage. aI see you are injured.a aA mere scratch.a aHow did you get it?a aPirates,a Chase said blandly.

At his side, Harriet stiffened, and he was hard-pressed not to laugh. Instead, he nodded safely. aA battle with pirates off the coast of India. Nothing serious, of course. We routed them in thirty minutes and captured their cargo.a aCargo? Was it a rich prize?a aMainly slave women.a Harriet pinned him with a hard glare. aSlave women?a aHarem girls, actually.a He held Harriet a little tighter, then winked over her head at Gower. aA healthy prize indeed, a hold full of slave women.a A sound suspiciously like a snort came from Harriet, who was still being held prisoner against Chase. He blinked innocently down at her. aDid you say something, dear?a aNo,a Harriet said flatly, her brown eyes sparkling with indignation. aNot yet.a Mother leaned toward the banker. aYouall have to forgive Captain Frakenhamas boisterous spirits. Heas been at sea for months and months anda”a aAlmost a year,a Chase agreed, tugging Harriet a little closer until her hip rested against his. aAnd I thought of nothing but you, my little flower.a That seemed to raise some hackles. Harrietas smile, already patently false, grew more strained and she said through her teeth, aItas a pity youall be returning to your s.h.i.+p so quickly, Captain Frakenham.a aReturn?a Chase said, feigning bewilderment. aOh no, sweetheart. I have no plans for returning to the sea for a while yet. In factaa”he released her and went to the settee, where he lay down, crossed his ankles on a small pillow and tucked his hands beneath his head, and said, aI plan on enjoying your hospitality for weeks and weeks to come.a His gaze found the empty tea tray and he frowned. aSpeaking of which, I am famished. Harriet, my love, bring me something to eat, would you? But no tea. I prefer stronger spirits. Some brandy would not be amiss.a A choked exclamation came from Harriet.

Mrs. Ward quickly intervened. aI will be glad to ring for a nice light luncheon. Meanwhile, I daresay Mr. Gower must be on his way. Heas a very important man and cannot linger for hours on end.a From his position on the couch, Chase gestured magnanimously. aOf course he canat! Anyone can look at him and see that he is not your average banker, by any means. Mr. Gower, I wish you good speed on your tasks today. May you foreclose on at least three separate properties.a Mr. Gower tried to smile, but failed. aI do not think I will be foreclosing on anyone today.a aNo? Perhaps tomorrow then. Good day.a Mrs. Ward opened the door. aMr. Gower, let me walk you out. Harriet can take care of the captain.a Gower did not seem to like that arrangement. He looked meaningfully at Harriet. aI will speak with you again, Miss Ward. Soon.a Chase watched closely. Something pa.s.sed between the twoa irritation on Harrietas part, and something else on Goweras. Had that been a warning? Chase frowned, determined to question Harriet the second he had her to himself.

Gower turned from Harriet to bow in Chaseas direction. aIt has been a pleasure meeting you, Frakenham. I hope I get to see more of you before you leave again. When is your s.h.i.+p due to sail?a aNot anytime soon. It is in port with repairs.a aIs it? Do you mind my asking which port?a Chase didnat even pause. aWhitby.a aAh yes. Iave been there. And the name of your s.h.i.+p?a aReally, Mr. Gower,a Harriet said, an air of tension clinging to her. aThereas no need to question our guest as if hea”a aNonsense,a Chase said easily. aMy s.h.i.+pas name is The Tempest. Sheas a three-masted rig, just returned from India.a Gower managed a more genuine smile, his eyes narrowed. aThank you. Good day, Captain.a aGood day, Mr. Gower.a Gower bowed once to Harriet, then followed Mrs. Ward out the door. And for the first time since head a.s.sumed the role of Captain Frakenham, Chase found himself alone with his fiance.

Chapter 10.

His lords.h.i.+p tells me the other day that starch makes the man. But let me tell you, atis silver that provides the starch. And thatas where my heart lies.

Lord Kilturnas valet, Hobart, to Ledbetter, the Earl of Greyleyas valet after a chance meeting at the tailoras Harriet eyed the man lying on the settee. He hung over both ends, his arms behind his head, his ankles crossed on one of the good cus.h.i.+ons. Not that he seemed to care. He was too busy watching her through narrowed eyes, tension evident in his biting blue gaze.

Harriet sniffed. aYou, sir, were impolite.a aI wouldnat say that.a aI would. There you were, acting as if I was youra”a aFiance,a he said smoothly. aWhich you are, according to your mother.a He lifted his brows. aIsnat that what you are? Or did I miss something?a She choked. aThat isnat what I was speaking of. You donat remember who you are, and yet you came in here anda anda took liberties!a Yes, that described what head done. Head stepped far over the bounds of propriety. Even now she could feel where his hand had rested on her hip, his fingers warm through the thin material of her dress.

That touch, so simple and yet so possessive, had caused a reaction that lingered still. She smoothed her hands over her skirts, wondering if head felt that same flare of heat. If his body had also s.h.i.+vered with suddena”

She caught his gaze and colored, certain he could tell her thoughts. aYour actions were totally unnecessary.a aYou may not have needed a visible reminder of the fact that you are supposedly betrothed to me, but it seemed that Mr. Gower did.a aHe didnat believe there was a Captain Frakenham.a A faint smile touched the strangeras lips. aYet here I am.a Harriet eyed him a moment. Oh yes, there he was. Six-foot-plus of whipcord muscle and solid sinew, of hard blue eyes and breathtaking handsomeness, all wrapped into one unknown, yet very dangerous, man. Even lying on the couch seemingly at his ease, he emitted a sharp-edged, almost lethal quality. aTell me, sir, do you still not remember who you are?a aNot clearly, no.a He touched the bandage that wrapped about his head. aBut your mother says I am Captain Frakenham, soaa His eyes met hers. aWho am I to question such a thing?a Harriet opened her mouth, then closed it again. As mad of an idea as it had been to convince the stranger that he was Captain Frakenham, they were stuck with it for the moment. Especially since Gower had met the man and would be looking to prove him false.

Harriet clamped her teeth closed over a rather unladylike expression. What a horrid tangle.

The stranger raised his brows. aNow that I think about it, the fact that you and I are engaged to be wed puts our relations.h.i.+p in a whole new perspective.a aA whole new perspective?a she said pleasantly enough, though it was difficult to keep her teeth from clenching. She didnat care for the way he was regarding her, as if he thought her a specially baked pastry.

He pushed himself upright on the settee, his coat stretching briefly over his muscled arms. aAnd since we are to be married, then we are free to act as couples who are to be married do.a aOh piffle! What nonsense is that? Before you knew we were engaged, you hauled me into your lap and kissed me. What would you ask for now?a She held out a hand when he opened his mouth as if to answer. aNo. Donat say a word. Just know this; I will not tolerate such inappropriate behavior.a His lips quirked. aYouall have to excuse my earlier behavior. I didnat have my memory, nor did you attempt to enlighten me of my true ident.i.ty.a A frown rested on his brow. aAs a matter of fact, why didnat you tell me who I was and what we were to one another?a Mainly because she didnat have one-tenth of her motheras imagination. aI didnat tell you who you were because I thought it would be nice if you remembered it yourself. Not that it matters. Whether we are engaged or not, you do not have the right to be overly familiar.a aOverly, no. But as your fianc, I would a.s.sume Iam allowed certain liberties.a aLiberties?a The braggart waved a hand. aTouches, kisses, and such.a She didnat like the sound of that aand such.a But the other twoa the touches and the kisses, those caused definite reactions in her traitorous body. aI want no touches, no kisses, nor any aand suchesa from you, thank you.a His brows rose thoughtfully. aYou know, I wouldnat think a sea captain would be a timid lover. Yet somehow, you have the air of an untouched maiden.a Harriet stiffened. She took exception to his tone, to his expression, to everything about him. But she could hardly protest his calling her aan untouched maiden.a Piffle! This entire situation was untenable and it was all Motheras fault. First shead dreamed up the too-handsome Captain John Frakenham, then shead given him life and made him into a walking, talking nightmare. But her worst act had been to leave the lout stretched out on the sitting room settee for Harriet to deal with.

She pressed her fingertips to her brow. She had no time for this. There was shearing to worry about, and then packing the wool for market. And then the actual selling. If they didnat get a good price, all would be lost.

All would be lost, too, if aCaptain Frakenhama recovered his memory at an inopportune moment. Harriet had little doubt the man would be furiousa” and who could blame him? If, of course, head really lost his memory to begin with. She eyed him suspiciously but could tell nothing from his guarded expression.

Heavens, it was a complicated coil! And it was probably all for naughta”if Gower hadnat been suspicious before, he was now that head seen Motheras horrible rendition of Captain Frakenham.

For lack of an acceptable target for her frustrations, Harriet rested her gaze on the supposed captain. aIf youare waiting for me to bring you your luncheon, youall starve.a A sudden smile crossed his face as he pushed himself upright, his boots. .h.i.tting the rug with a m.u.f.fled thud. aYou are a p.r.i.c.kly thing, arenat you?a aIam just far too busy to wait on you hand and foot.a He stood, stretching as he did so. aWhat you are, my love, is difficult.a His gaze flashed over her, lingering on her face. aBut tasty, for all that.a Harriet couldnat help but note that he was amazingly trim, power emanating from his every move. With his dark hair falling over his brow in startling contrast to the white bandage, his blue eyes shadowed by long, black lashes, he almost took her breath away.

Almost. She still had enough calm, orderly logic to remember that just because he looked like a prince, he was probably anything but. aIam not trying to make anything difficult. You simply do not understand our position.a aAh, but I do. Your mother explained everything. The bank is breathing down your familyas collective necks for the final payment on Garrett Park, and the only thing that has kept them from being even more demanding is the hope that I, the good captain, will arrive with a cargo of gold coins.a aOne good coin might do us. We donat need that much,a she lied.

aThatas good to hear,a he said dryly, clearly unbelieving. aYour mother told me how important it was that Gower didnat suspect anything was wrong. So I simply pretended that I remembered things. Frankly, I thought I did a d.a.m.n fine job, considering how little I had to work with. Your mother was none too forthcoming with any useful details about, ah, my past.a Harriet sighed. aMother is rather vague about most things.a aSo Iave gathered.a aAnd I supposea I suppose I owe you a word of thanks for your efforts.a He grinned, s.e.xily impish. aNot if itas going to cause you to rupture something.a Oh, piffle. Why did he have to suddenly become so engaging? She preferred it when he was being an asinine jackanapes and her irritation could find an outlet. aThank you for your efforts, but did you have to make up so many details? The name of your s.h.i.+p, the port where sheas berthed?a Chase shrugged. She was a sharp one, Miss Harriet Ward. He hadnat meant to say anything so specific, but Goweras pompous certainty had needled him. aDetails make the lie all the more believable.a aYou seem to know a lot about lying for someone who has no memory to lie about. In fact, you do it so well it seems to be a natural-born talent.a aDonat all sailors tell sea yarns?a Her eyes narrowed. aI wouldnat know about all sailors, just one. And that one is one too many.a That did it. Chase was hungry and his head ached abominably. Worse yet, he was being harangued by a tiny sprout of a woman with a mouth so soft and full that it was all he could do to keep from tasting her then and there. aYou donat seem to hold me in a very loverlike esteem. Did we argue like this before I hit my head?a aI canat think of a time we didnat argue.a aHow depressing.a Her lips quivered, then widened into a grin, a deep chuckle tickling the air between them. It was the most sensuous laughter head ever heard. A heated shudder raced through him and he vowed to hear that chuckle more often.

Her gaze drifted slowly over him. aDid Mother show you all of the clothes we gathered from the forest?a aYes.a aDid you recognize anything?a aRecognize?a aYour belongings.a He opened his mouth to answer when he remembered that he wasnat supposed to remember who he was. aNo. Of course I didnat recognize anything.a Not that there was anything of value left other than my clothing. The thought rankled, and he had a sudden memory of his motheras ring, flas.h.i.+ng in the sun.

His heart sank. How could he tell his brothers that head lost Motheras most prized possession? Perhaps he could return to the spot of the attack and look for it?