Beautiful Tempest Chapter One

IN THE LARGE TOWN house on Berkeley Square, Georgina Malory entered the dining room to join her husband for lunch. The twins, Gilbert and Adam, had just left the room, their empty plates still on the table, and raced past her on the stairs. At fourteen, the boys still hadn't outgrown running to wherever they were going. She'd given up scolding them for it.

But now her mind was on her husband and his impending voyage, which she hoped wouldn't commence before the end of the Season. So with one brown brow raised, a habit she'd picked up from him, and in a tone nearly as dry as his usually was, she said, Another ship? Really, James, wasn't one extra ship enough?

James Malory looked abashed for the briefest moment when he asked, How the deuce did you find out about that?

Your newest captain came by this morning with the message that he would be away for a few days to visit his family. He needs to inform them he has one more voyage to captain before retiring as they had been expecting him to do.

James crossed his arms over his wide chest, but he was grinning now. I can be persuasive as you well know. He was selling his ship. I wanted him and his crew with it.

But you already bought a second ship.

Contingencies, m'dear. In case I need to leave without your brothers.

Georgina tsked at her husband as she sat down next to him. You mean you hope for any excuse to do just that.

Nonsense. As long as I don't have to endure their company for the voyage, I'm quite willing to accept their aid in this endeavor, even if they're offering it only because their darling niece was used as bait and they want revenge for that.

Now you do them a disservice. With the Kidnapping foiled and the culprit's demanding you in particular as the ransom, d'you really think they would just shrug this off as being over and done with and not give it another thought? When it could happen again? When I would be devastated if it happens again? Yes, yes, I was listening when you insisted we can't just let this go. I even understand why you won't let me accompany you this time. But then she laughed. But seven ships, James?

It might be eight. Nathan Tremayne has also volunteered his.

She gasped. Don't you dare drag him away from his honeymoon. Well, that's putting the cart before the horse, so don't you dare depart England before we see Nathan and Judy married.

Bite your tongue, George. Watch Tony give away the bride when he doesn't want to? I bloody well wouldn't miss that.

Your brother agreed-

Under duress, James cut in. But you know how Ros can be, not to mention Judy when she puts her foot down. He was quite outnumbered in the matter of his daughter marrying Tremayne.

You don't object to a smuggler in the family?

James chuckled. Ex-smuggler, but I confess it was lonely being the only black sheep.

She grinned. I think I can safely say you still reign supreme in that regard-and you loved every minute of your notoriety, don't deny it.

He didn't. The ten years he'd spent as Captain Hawke, gentleman pirate, had been among the best times of his life. In either case, Nathan's offer was appreciated, but I already intended to decline and my third ship is a ready excuse to do so. Don't want to ruffle Nathan's feathers when he can be so touchy about his welcome to our family.

I suppose your three ships are already crewed and ready to sail at a moment's notice? Well, after this third captain returns.

Of course. As are Warren and Boyd's ships, and yours.