by Marie Hall
“Yes, he is doing quite fine, speaking highly of the mermaid who saved him,” Philip said with an indulgent smile.
“Oh, I like that indeed, a mermaid, far better than what I’ve been called of late,” Mia said and tossed a nasty look towards the Mallorys.
“If it hadn’t been for you,” Alice sniffed.
“Oh bother it, someone would’ve gone in,” Mia said in a vain attempt to play down her actions.
“No one, not even I, saw him fall in. He’s all I have and… and,” again she wrapped her arms around Mia.
“Oh please, you should save your tears for when some horrible woman steals his heart and he weds her. The child is well enough, yes?” The woman nodded and dabbed at her eyes. “I knew he would be. He was quite brave as the waves came in. So clever to hold his breath when I said to. And to make as much noise as he could that we might be discovered,” Mia said, though Devin suspected the child was no help at all in his own rescue. “And do you see here, this is the man who chopped us free. My husband, Captain Devin Winthrop.” Mia pointed and turned the woman to face Devin.
“Oh Captain, I cannot thank you enough,” Lady Alice said, holding her hand out as she regained her composure. Behind her, Philip Lovelace stepped up and placed a kiss in the air next to Mia’s cheek and spoke with her. Mia again tried to shove off the praise and accolades.
“No need. As long as the boy is well, we have our thanks and reward,” Devin said and watched the prince step up to Mia who gracefully dipped into a curtsy as the man took her hand.
“Remarkable bravery,” the prince said.
“Oh no, I was rather scared through it all, Your Highness,” Mia said, causing everyone to chuckle. “Had I an idea the child had such fine blood,” she said and again cast a glare at Mallory, “perhaps I’d have worn better shoes to the rescue.” That remark made everyone burst out laughing.
“It’s a remarkable telling of character,” the Vice Admiral said, now stepping in to greet Mia more personally, “that you risked your life to save a child not knowing his rank.”
“It is more telling anyone should think rank a matter when considering a life, let alone the life of a child, I’d think,” Mia said, managing to turn so she was again close to Devin. If the man took offense to Mia’s admonishment, he didn’t show it.
“You have a remarkable woman, Captain,” Prince William said.
“I’ll not disagree, Your Highness,” Devin said and smiled down at Mia who stayed true to form with her next comment.
“You certainly would, Captain, and have on any number of occasions.” She turned that brilliant smile on the crown who, like most males still breathing, was more than impressed.
Devin again felt heat rising to his face as all eyes came back to him. “I should only disagree when you’re being a brat,” Devin said then wanted to bite his tongue until he saw most of the men double over with laughter.
“The very best wives are usually such, Captain,” the vice admiral told him. “It is the husband’s penance for being given a good woman. Were they the best wives and easy to manage,” he went on shaking his head, “we men would be soft and useless to the world.”
“Here, here,” someone shouted and again laughter rolled through.
The group stayed together, and Devin watched as Mia held conversation with Philip and Alice even as Mallory and his sister continued to try to cut in and steal it away. Not until the band struck up a waltz and his highness claimed Mia for the first dance did Lady Mallory get the chance to speak with her cousin. It hardly went well. If not for the cover of music, the slap Alice placed across the obnoxious woman’s face would have rung out. Before his full satisfaction could set in, Devin found himself dragged to the dance floor by Lady Alice as Lady Mallory made her way towards an exit.
“I fear, my lady, I’m not as good at dance as my wife,” Devin told her then stepped into the music.
“Your wife is an amazing, brave and selfless woman, Captain. You’d do well to do right by her,” Lady Alice said.
“I could do nothing else. I know the fortune I’ve gained in taking her as wife,” Devin said his eyes going to where Mia was being handed off to Philip.
“Ah,” Lady Alice sighed. “You love her?”
“With my entire heart,” Devin answered, not at all ashamed of it.
“Then you must hate me for being so careless a mother and putting her at risk.”
“My lady,” Devin stopped them on the floor. “I think you too harsh on yourself. Many things gave way to your son falling in, small children are notoriously quick. It’s not worth damning yourself over. And as for Mia and her wont to take risks,” Devin said starting them dancing again, “if I was going to hate anyone for giving her the will to do so, it would be whoever it was that convinced her jumping from a cliff more than a hundred feet in the air was fun.”
“She didn’t,” the woman gasped and looked around the room until she spied Mia dancing with Coventon.
“She has on many occasions, but only once in my presence.”
“And once was enough, Captain.”
“Quite enough, my lady. Quite enough,” Devin said, and the woman laughed a bit. Perhaps the first happy sound she’d made all night.
“May we cut in, Captain?” Coventon asked, clearly on Mia’s behalf.
“Lady Alice, Lieutenant Jonah Coventon,” Devin made the introductions.
“Charm her, Lieutenant,” Mia said, stepping into Devin’s arms. “She should smile more. And Lady Alice, be kind, I’m fond of this officer. It’s why I only let the shark nibble him and not eat him completely.”
“Mia,” Devin warned as he turned her away, but he didn’t miss the woman’s startled gasp or when she said, “A shark nibbled you?”
The rest of the night went well. Alice requested to sit next to Mia at the meal and Mia requested Coventon sit close as well, though her purpose was perhaps to matchmake, it worked well when Mia was again asked about spotting not only the pirate ship but the slave ship as well. Both times it was Lieutenant Coventon who was on deck with her first. Though Mr. Asher added a good deal to the slave ship story. Talk shifted to sailing and for a while Mia partook, but then she joined the whispered conversation of the ladies. Devin was relieved to see Mia making friends with so many of her own sex. She was comfortable with sailors, but she should have female companionship. Especially if she was going to so easily make enemies like the Mallorys.
That nasty woman actually sat across from him at the table, the mark on her cheek hidden poorly under some face powder. And beside her, Captain Mallory, whose hungry looks cast in Mia’s direction made Devin want to throw a knife at him. He didn’t trust them and he’d tell Mia so when they were alone, but as he watched Lady Mallory cross the room to the group Mia and her cousin sat with and lean over Mia to say something, he knew he didn’t need the warning. Whatever Mallory said to Mia might have made the other ladies smile, but he knew the look on his wife’s face. She not only didn’t trust the woman, she didn’t like her.
Chapter 6
Mia looked up and smiled when Devin entered the room carrying a teapot then went back to sorting through the stacks of invitations on the small table. Since the party two nights ago they’d been flooding in. She’d only begun to look at them, having spent most of her time trying to locate a house for herself and Devin while they were stationed here.
He’d agreed to give teaching a try for a year, but Mia doubted he’d take to it. He already missed the sea, perhaps as much as she. How they might remain together if he was again given command of his ship she wasn’t sure. She smiled up at him again when he set the tea service down on the table and poured her a cup.
“What plans have you today?” he asked pouring his own cup, and taking the chair next to her, turned it so he faced her then took a seat.
“Well, should I ever finish sorting these invitations, I want to ride out to Spice Island and see if our offices there have heard anything about my ships.” She saw his brow rise at that.
; “Not going to sail off and leave me now, are you?” he asked then winked.
“Sail without you? No, but perhaps arrange for you to be shanghaied and—”
“Shang what?”
“Shanghaied. Have you not yet done a tour of China, captain?” Mia asked and giggled at his expression as he shook his head no. “Ah. Well there’s a little port there named Shanghai and it is notorious for how many people coming in and going out are kidnapped and forced to work the ships that sail those routes. When one is taken and forced to sail. we say they’ve been Shanghaied,” she explained then took a sip and watched that sink in.
“So they are being pressed into service?” Devin countered with his military term for the act of putting unwilling people on ships to fill crews.
“Quite,” Mia nodded, setting her cup aside and leaning over to set her hands on his thighs. “I’m sure I could come up with a good many ways to make you work for me on my ship, Captain.” Her hands slipped up further and a quick look down told of her effect on him.
“Would they be torturous, laborious ordeals, pirate?” He set his tea aside and leaned forward to cup her face.
“Awful,” she breathed as he closed the distance and covered her lips with his. The kiss was brief but warm and meaningful.
“I could enjoy that,” he said against her lips. “But if I was on ship with you and you were spending so much time in my torture, wouldn’t we sail off course?” Mia pulled back and then glared when he chuckled.
“Sometimes, Captain, it’s a bother to be wed to a practical man.” His robust laughter filled the room as he sat back and lifted his cup.
“What else might you see to?”
“I’ve some messages about housing,” she told him, lifting another invitation and opening it. “I hope they produce something. I don’t care to stay here much longer.”
Devin frowned and shook his head. “Neither do I. I was given some hard looks from the man across the hall. I can only guess you kept him awake all night with your mewling.”
“I kept him awake?” Mia said with a gasp. “And mewling? Captain I don’t mewl.”
“No? Well perhaps tonight I’ll try and make you.”
This time she raised her brow at him. Certainly they had a vigorous sex life, and since they’d been on shore with few duties they’d more time to explore other things. But perhaps they would be advised to be more below boards with the looks and whispers that followed them. She didn’t mind anything Devin did to her in the bed, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted the world to know he’d tied her to the posts last night and… “Oh yes,” she said sitting back. “I must find a shop to purchase more stockings, seeing as you’ve ruined all but two pair.”
He laughed, “I ruined them? I think it was you.”
“No, it was you. Stretched them quite to the limit with your wickedness.”
“They wouldn’t stretch if you wouldn’t wiggle and squirm once I’ve tied you up.”
“Captain?” she said shifting to the edge of her seat so their knees touched.
“Aye?”
“You like it when I wiggle and squirm,” she teased and opened her knees so his could slip between as she moved from her chair to his lap and his hands grabbed her ass to pull her closer.
“So I do. Best you buy a good number of extra stockings then, pirate,” he said, putting his face between her breasts.
“I hope you don’t intend to bankrupt me with having to replace all my clothing,” Mia laughed then arched back so Devin’s tongue could have more access.
“Use my accounts, Mia. Don’t spend your money on such things. I’m capable of affording your dress,” he said, his voice tight. She’d already learned he wouldn’t budge on the matter of finances. They’d be supported by his finances. Her money, he said with no room for argument, was to run her shipping enterprise and to buy things which were for her pleasure. Baubles and the like. Though she knew he meant ships: pleasure crafts like her sloop.
“Well of course, but you said use my money for… pleasurable things and well…” She wound her fingers through his hair.
“Naughty little pirate,” he whispered then nipped her breast where it swelled from her neckline. He followed the bite with a kiss then sat back and urged her to lean forward and rest against his shoulder. “You’ll take Mr. Hong and Grim with you while you’re about.”
“Devin, I hardly need a bodyguard,” she said then yelped when his hand smacked her ass. “Aye,” she conceded, “I’ll take them though Grim can’t stand to be smashed into those little carriages.”
Devin laughed, lifted his cup, took a sip then pushed her off his lap back into her chair. “I can’t even think that he fits or that the poor animal pulling doesn’t struggle.” Standing, he bent over her and kissed her head. “Should I call one for you when I go?”
“No, I’m not sure how long it will be before I figure out these invitations. Had I known you were such a popular man, I might have insisted on staying aboard ship.”
“Had I known I was so popular,” he said lifting one. “Sort them out by rank first, Mia. Anyone who outranks me accept those, unless they conflict, then take the highest one. Those who are of the same rank, set aside. I’ll look through and if they are lower in rank, then you can decline or accept at your will.” He lifted an envelope and scanned it then dropped it down. “I have a feeling it is not me they wish to get to know.”
“You should tell them all I’m a terrible pirate. They should distance themselves well enough then.”
“Somehow, Mia mine, I don’t think they would. Not when it’s you who are the perfect pirate.” He kissed her head again then headed for the door. “Please be back before dark, Mia.”
“Bother,” she sighed and waved him out. She finished sorting the notes as he suggested then sent Hong to fetch a cab. She changed her plan to visit the shipping offices first when the feeling of being watched crept over her while she waited for the carriage. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt as if someone was watching her and the reason she’d go seek out housing first. The Dolphin Inn was a fine and well-mannered establishment, but even on the ship she didn’t feel so uncomfortable as she did in this public house.
She directed the driver to take her and her two unhappy companions north, passing the point, or Spice Island, and heading to see a home she’d heard was available closer to the academy—a distance about halfway between the two. Devin would need to go one way each day and should she wish to be at the offices or the docks would need to go the other.
The man she met with, at first reluctant to show her the houses, was more than willing to boast on the accommodations once she told him that she was part owner of the Wind and Pearl shipping company and they wouldn’t need to rely on her husband who was a new instructor at the academy. She thought it odd the man would hesitate to rent or sell to navy men but in his rousing compliments he let it slip that more than one sailor had purchased from him only to vanish and never return, leaving it to him to evict the man’s family, a prospect he detested. Or at least claimed to.
The first two houses—one a lovely cottage, the other a more sprawling estate with fourteen rooms—didn’t suit any better than the terrace homes she’d already seen. First too small, then too big and both too far from the waters. Mia was starting to think their best option would be to dock one of her frigates and live on board, then he showed her the next house.
The man boasted it was one of the few homes in the area already upgraded to have not only water pipes but gas pipes. To Mia it was perfect. But when the man hesitated to tell her the rent, she knew it wouldn’t be Devin’s favorite. At one-hundred-twenty pounds a year it was nearly twice what Devin said he was willing to pay. Mia had told the agent she could perhaps squeeze more from her husband, but twice the amount, she doubted Devin would give in. Still, Mia left the man with a deposit and asked him to have someone come in to clean the home. Perhaps she could talk Devin into it, reach an accord with her husband to let her pay half or to buy the home
through the company. If she was going to live on land this was where she wanted to live
Taking the coach back was a trial. Mr. Hong berated her the entire time about the cost of the house and even Grim was scowling. It crossed her mind more than once to perhaps not tell Devin the full rent and to simply pay it herself. Only the dreadful feeling of what he’d do to her when he found out kept her from committing to the idea, despite the reality she may have to start the search all over again.
The coach pulled up and Mia stepped out before a corner shop front with large glass windows on two sides. The signage declared it to be The Wind and Pearl Shipping and Freight Company. Established 1795. The name of the proprietor was almost scratched away though and Mia frowned as she entered the shop and the little bell rang out.
“I’ll be right with you,” a man called from behind a curtain.
Mia smiled and pulled her gloves from her hands. Setting them on the beautiful counter, a large piece of wood with the name and a picture of every ship in papa’s fleet carved in, she looked around the shop. It was neatly kept and warmly decorated with maps and glass jars and more model ships. Two small seating areas each with a table only large enough for the shipping bills and a tea service sat one under each window which limited the need for extra lighting with either lamp or candles. The shop also sat at the end of the street allowing a good view of the docks and water beyond. Papa hadn’t been able to buy this building straight off, but he’d made it one of the first such offices he did buy when he was better established. Most business was conducted aboard ship between the captains but the several buildings at the various major ports allowed those who bought the goods to place special requests or to bid on what arrived.
“As I live and breathe, look what the tide washed in.”
Mia turned to see the man who’d worked with her papa from the very start. Adam Finker was Papa’s boyhood friend and Mia’s godfather. And as he stepped to her and opened his arms Mia laughed and rushed to him. “Oh, it’s so very good to see you,” Mia said, returning the hug as fiercely as it was given.