Lady Pirate(14)
Author: Lynsay Sands

"Whister, " shemuttered disgustedly. "If he is notcareful, he willfindhimselfwithout histongue."

Daniel bithis lip in amusement atherdisgruntled words, then nodded, indicating thatshe should peerdown."Watch my feet; you are going tofollow me."

"Follow youwhere? " Valoree asked suspiciously.

"In thedance. Youwill followmy steps. It is easy. The same steps are repeated over and over. Watch." He stepped back, waiting patiently for herto follow, thenstepped to the side. She followed and he stepped tothesideagain. "Youshould not be too upset with Whister, " he said afterhe had led her slowlythrough the routine twice. "He onlytold me becauseI am in muchthe same situation."

Her eyes met his."What situation? "

"Imustmarry togain my inheritance as well, " he admittedwith distaste. Valoreeshook herheadinpatent disbelief.

"You already possess your title and estate. You inherited Thurborne estateand a dukedom from your father some years ago, " she announced. Hiseyebrows rose, and Valoreecouldhave kicked herself.It was Megwhohad passed onthat littletidbit of news, and Valoree should never have let on that sheknew it.

"Aye, "he admitted now."Howbeit, I have not yetinheritedthe wealth necessary to keep it running."

Valoree blinked. "You inherited the land and title, but no wealth? How is that possible? " Howsimilar wasthis man’splight toher own, shefound herself thinking.

Daniel hesitated, then sighed."Ah, well, it isnot something any one of those women or their mamas who have been hanging about all night could not tellyou. My father inherited land and title onhis father’s death, but hadto marryfor wealth."

"Your mother? "

"Aye. Her familyhadagreat deal of wealthbutno estate or title. It was a perfect match. Mother had avery generous dowry when they married thathelpedtokeep things afloat, but bythe timemy father died, it had been exhausted.WhatI wasleftwith was a nice title, a lot ofland, and a mountain of debt."

"Hmmm. Andthiswealth that you have notyetinherited? "

"My grandmother, my mother’s mother, died this lastspring."

"Iam sorry, " shemurmured, hergaze sliding to the dancers movingaround them.

"So am I, " Daniel murmured. "She was a grand lady. A wonderful sense of humor." He grimaced slightlyashe said that last bit, then smiled wrylyand said, "She helped outwith some of the worst of thedebts while she wasalive."

Something in histone madeher glance back, andshe could see hisirritation at making thatadmission.Valoree knew instinctively that he had never asked for the old woman’s help, and that accepting it hadprobablybeen the hardest thing in the world for him. She couldunderstand that. She hated to ask forhelp, too, andwould nearly kill herself tryingto do things onher own rather than give in, speakup, and admit she could useassistance.

"She sounds … nice, " Valoree finishedlamely, wishing wistfully thatshe’dhad someonesimilarin her own life after Jeremy had died.

"Nice? " Daniel gave a short laugh. "She was an oldharridan.

Foreverlecturing me that Iwasnot getting anyyounger, and that Ishouldreallymarry andstartthenextline. I tried toexplain that, what withtrying to repair thedamage done at Thurborne, I really didnot have timeto look for awife. She always said, ‘You will not havetime until you make time.’" He grimaced."I found out that day inWhister’soffice thatShe had arranged itso that I wouldmake time."

"Marry and produce an heir, or noinheritance, "Valoreesaid with a smile.She doubted he had taken sucha stipulation any better than she herself had. No wonder hehad been shouting and stompingaboutintheoffice.

"Aye."He smiled wryly. "And whenI asked Whister where she hadgotsuch a ridiculousidea, he saidthatshe may haveheard it from him. That he had another client, a female, whose father had left a similar codicil in his will. And, in fact, that this female client was no doubt, at that very moment, waitingto see him.

That she had an appointment with him, whereas I had just stormed to hisdoorstep the moment I arrived in town."

Valoree grimaced at the reminderof her own objective: tofind a husband. Not to inheritwealth, asDaniel hadto do – she had a greatdeal ofthat. Nay, she hadto find a husbandso that she mightbe able to claim land – land that was rightfully hers by birth.They weretwo opposites of thesame coin."So you are here in search of a wife."

"Much to myeverlasting horror, itappears Ishallhave to take one, aye, "he agreed. "And mymother, of course, Godbless her soul, hasput out the news thatI am seeking one."

"Well, that explains the women." Valoree chuckled. His expression changed to slight confusion.

"What women? "

"What women? " Valoree rolled her eyes. "The women all fawning upon me with pretended interest inbeingmy friend. No doubt it is just camouflage. Since you’vebeennearme, soare they. It’s anexcusefor themto flock around you in hopes of being the ‘chosen one.’ "

Daniel gaveher a strange look, and suddenlyValoreebecame very self-conscious. "So why areyouwasting your time dancing with me? "

Daniel’s expression changedto a smile."Soyou have noticed? "

"Noticedwhat? "

"Thatwe are dancing. Youare dancing. And quitewell, Imight add."

His words madeher realizethatshe was indeed doing just that, and had been for the length of theirdiscussion. He’ddistracted her with talk. She immediately stumbled, her feet suddenly forgetting where they weresupposed tobe going. Daniel drew her nearer to counterbalance her sudden awkwardness. "How is my dancingwithyou a wasteof time? "

"Well, should you not be threshing out the chaff from the wheat among the eligible young women who are interested in marrying you? " she asked, forgetting her feet to glance up at him again.

"Ah."He nodded inunderstanding. "I supposeI should. And which are you? Chaffor wheat? "

"Me? "She was surprised by the question, but not so much that she couldnot answer. "I amsugarcane, hard to cut."

"But sweet, "he teased. Herexpressionturnedgrim.

"Nay. Notsweet. Nevermake the mistake ofthinking that, "

she said solemnly. Then, while he was pondering that, sheadded thoughtfully, "So all your motherhadto do was announce that you were looking for abride, and theeligible women flocked to you like piratesto a keg ofrum? "

Daniel gave heranotherodd look, then nodded. "Pretty much, aye."

"How interesting, " she murmured, then glanced up at him sharply. "Butyou stillhaven’tanswered my question. Why waste time with me, when youshould be sorting the offerings? "

Daniel was silent for a moment, forin reality he had no idea whyhe wasdoing what he was doing withher. He didn’t know why he had told his mother he wouldnot attend her ball, or any other function for that matter, unless Valoreeand heruncle were invited, or why he had asked her to dance. Oh, certainly, he was curiousas to whathad happenedto Jeremyonthe king’sbehalf, and to get to the bottom of the rumors about Back-from-the-DeadRed, but as curious as he was, he had not even touched these topics tonight. He had been too intent on makingher comfortable, teaching her todance, seeing her smile.

He liked it when she smiled. He liked holding herinhis arms.

She suddenly stopped dancing and staredat himsuspiciously, forcing him out of his thoughts. He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"You werenot thinking thatyouand I should – that we would …" Pausing, she shook her headand gavea halflaugh. "Nay, of coursenot. You would hardly be so silly."

Insulted, Daniel frownedat her asshe turnedtowalk offthe dance floor, dabbing at her cheek with her sleeve as she did.

Catching her other hand, he pulled her irritably back into his arms. "I was not thinking what? That we should marry? " He moved her into the dance again.

"Forget Ievensaidthat." Shelaughed with a shake of her head, as if the idea were quite ridiculous, he noted with mounting annoyance."I am a touchsuspicious onoccasion. Of course you werenot thinking thatwe could marry."

"And – just to satisfy my curiosity, mind you – why is it that we couldnot marry? "

Lady Ainsley’seyebrowsroseslightly, as ifshe was surprised that he needeven ask. "Why … because …Well…" And then she burst out laughing.

Daniel felt his indignation grow. Not that he had beenthinking that theymight marry – hadhe?  – but, well, now that he thought about it, it was not abad idea. Hehad to marry to gain the wealth his grandmother had left behind. She hadto marryto gain her landand title. They were both in thesame boat, so to speak. It could be abusiness arrangement. People did that all the time.

She, however, didn’t seem to see thesense init. Shewho needed a husband or, as far as he knew, would be left with nothing, laughed at the idea of marrying him – even though most of the ton were throwing their daughtersandgranddaughtersat himin hopes of just such a match. "Because what? "

Valoree’s laughterdied slowly away as she realized hehadn’t joined her in it.In fact, helooked quite put out. "Because we wouldnot suit, " she said seriously."You are far too …" He raised an eyebrow at her hesitation, and she sighed. "You are serious, aren’t you? "

His silence was her only answer.

Valoree actually consideredthe matter, hergazetakingin his deep brown eyes and handsome features; hehad astrong nose, a square, stubbornjaw, a sensual lower and narrower upper lip.

Fitted together it all was an attractive package. Very attractive.

Her fingers slid from his shoulder to his upper arm and she measuredandsqueezed, testingthemuscle therebeforesliding quickly across his chest, poking to make sure that that magnificent expansewas allhis and not padding. Nay, it was all his. She pulled away, and her gazedropped downover his flat stomachtothe fine tight breeches he wore, without those silly frillyribbons, she notedwith relief, and she peeredat his strong, well-shapedthighs with interest.

Daniel was as stiff as a marblestatue underher inspection, his feet moving automatically in the dance as the rest ofhim awaited herpronouncement. When shefinally turnedher gazeback to his face, he eyed her warilyand waited.

"My lord, you are a fine specimen of a man. Well built, obviously strong, and nodoubt you could supply thebabe Ineed to inherit my family estate. However" – Valoree ignored his grimace – "ourcharacters are simply too similar tomake such an option a success."

"What? " He stared at her withamazement, and she rolled her eyes.

"I am far more independent, strong-minded, and strong-willed than the average lady.I am not in the leastbit interested in a husband. I wouldnot even ever marrycould I getawaywith it.

But I havebeen forcedto do so by my father’swill. Theman I choose to husband me will notrule me.Infact, Ishall probably rule him. You would not likesuch a thing."

"You are damn right, Iwould not like it, " he snapped. "What on earthmakes you think that any man is going to allow you to rule thehousehold? It simply isnot done.No man worth his salt  – "

"Ido not wishto marry amanworth his salt. I wish to marry a man who will allowme tolead my life asI havedone since I was nineteen."

"You would never respect amanlike that, " Danielarguedwith afrown.

"Ido not need torespect him, just tomarry him."

"And have a babe withhim, " Daniel pointedout.She grimaced this time.

"Aye, well, that is a part of the bargain I could do without thinkingabout fora bit, if youdonot mind, " she said unhappily, then glanced around. "Oh, look. Megand Henry have managed to escape yourwould-bebrides. Takeme back tothem, please."

It cameout as more an order than arequest, and shecouldtell Danielwas about to balk at it when he noticed the trickle of sweatslidingdown herface. That tookhim aback."Aye. Mayhap we should stop. You appearto be overwarm."

His words made her dab at the sweat selfconsciously. He releasedher hand and tookher armto lead her to where Meg and Henry were conversing.

"You did pretty well out there, Ca – girl, " Henry corrected himself, casting a quick glance in Daniel’sdirection.

"Aye.But you should havestoppedsooner, " Meg saidwith a frown."You are overwarm and…" She paused midsentence as she reachedout with her hanky to dab atValoree’s cheek, just as Valoreeturnedto give ameaningful glance to Daniel.

"Idid try to stop. Several times, " she announced peevishly.

"But Lord Thurbornewas notwilling to let me."She waited a moment then, for some comment orapology fromthe man, but he remained silent, hisgaze locked on her face. Frowning, she glanced backtowardMegandHenry questioningly, only to see them both just as frozen and fixated on her. Shifting uncomfortably under theircombined stares and mountinghorror, Valoreeglancedfromone person totheother. "What isit? "

"Your face, "Henry said in dismay.

Frowning, she reached up to feelher cheekwhere Meg had meantto daband felt that her movement had turned the dab into abrush that had removed aportionof her makeup. The bare skin underneath felt oddly lumpy.

"Do not touch it, " Meg said quickly, pulling her hand away and peeringatthespot."Is your face itchy? "

"Itchy? " Valoree muttered with disgust."It has been burning anditching allnight.It has been nearly driving me mad."

"What? " Megpeeredat herwith concern. "Well, whydid you not saysomething? " the woman asked in exasperation. Valoree glanced toward Henry, whose expression showed complete understanding mingled with regret. She hadn’t said anything because a captain should notcomplain ofminor discomfort. A captainshould bearit as long as necessary, thentend to it when the opportunity arose.

"Never mind why she said naught about it, " Henry said resignedly. "What dowe doaboutit? "

"Do? " Meg peered at him blankly, then shook herhead. "She is obviouslyreacting tothe makeup.We must leave and getit off heras quickly as possible."

Henry’sshoulders slumped atthat, and Valoree could readthe disappointment inhim. They had goneto all thistrouble. Again.