“And you do not miss it?”
Julianna pressed her lips together. Yes, she missed her warm, soft bed, and she missed the variety of food and someone to cook it for her. But she’d had few friends at home—her father made certain of that—and her life had been restrictive. There was something freeing about her current existence, and she already had a friend in Louisa and the serving girls.
“I am happy to be here, with you,” she told her brother.
He gave a long sigh and pushed a hand through his hair. “If you need any aid...”
She nodded. “I know I can come to you.”
“Just avoid that bloody man Drake.”
Julianna opened her mouth, closed it, then nodded. If there was one thing she remembered from growing up with him it was that he was almost as stubborn as her.
“I had better get back to work, Louisa will be wondering where I am.”
Something in her brother’s eyes flickered at the mention of the innkeeper. Clearly there was something going on there, but what? She would have to try to find out. On impulse, she wrapped her arms around his wide chest. He made a sound of surprise and stiffened before cautiously easing his arms about her.
When she had fled to Cornwall, she had not known what to expect, whether she would even find Knight or if he would help her. Now she did not need or want his help but knowing he was here, alive and well, was enough for her.
“Get to work,” he said gruffly. “I frequent this inn regularly, so I shall check on you soon.”
She nodded and hastened downstairs before Louisa could really miss her. She found the innkeeper in the kitchen, beating pastry against the table. The fair-haired woman glanced up when she entered the room and jerked her head toward a pile of potatoes waiting to be peeled.
“Can you start on those?”
“Of course.” Julianna unhooked an apron from the wall and tied it around her waist.
The rhythmic thud of Louisa rotating and pressing down the pastry combined with the slicing noise of the knife almost had her forgetting her argument with Drake. Both he and his brother had warned her away from the docks, but why? And how did the men know each other?
“Louisa, are Drake and my brother friends?”
Louisa stilled. “In a fashion. Though I am not sure Knight has friends.”
“Then why did he tell me to stay away from Drake?”
Louisa shrugged. “Drake is a rogue. Everyone thinks that. I am sure no brother wants his sister near such a man, and who can blame them?”
“Do you think Drake is a rogue?”
She gave a slow smile. “It does not matter what I think. It does not even matter what Knight thinks, Julianna. It only matters what you think.”
Julianna sighed. “That is no answer at all.”
“Well, that is all the answer you are getting from me.” Louisa picked up the canister of flour and sprinkled extra over the tabletop before turning the dough and starting at it once more. “I learned long ago not to interfere in my customers’ lives.”
“I’m not your customer,” Julianna pointed out.
“No, but you are my friend, and we women have enough people trying to make decisions in our lives for us. Far be it for me to tell you what to think.”
Despite Julianna’s frustration at the lack of an answer, she could not help but smile. Louisa considered her a friend too, and she could have little idea just how much that meant.
Chapter Nine
Red lowered himself into the chair next to Drake. Wind rattled the windowpane behind Drake and beat at the flames in the fireplace beside him. He loathed this time of year. Yet another miserable evening that would have him tossing and turning in bed. He’d have to take up lodgings here again tonight rather than sleep on the ship.
“You’ve made quick work of that bottle.” Red nodded toward the half-empty whiskey bottle on the table.
Drake gave him a sour look. “Do you not have a wife to nag?”
“I do indeed, and I shall return to her forthwith, but first we must discuss future plans. It would be good if you had a clear head.”
“I could sail a ship on a belly full of whiskey,” Drake protested.
“I am not asking you to sail a ship, I’m asking you to aid me with plans.”
The front door opened, and Nate and Knight entered the inn together. Knight paused to speak with his sister who was carrying a tray of drinks. Drake could not help but watch her. There was something ridiculously addicting about studying the gentle sway of her hips or observing how she would tuck a strand of hair behind her ear only for it to fall over her face again.
Knight headed in their direction and locked gazes with him. Drake held his stare. The behemoth might be used to terrifying just about every man on Earth, but he did not scare him. Beneath that hulk of a body beat the heart of a tender man, Drake just knew it. In some respects, they were the same. Knight kept life events close to his chest and there was talk of him being on the run from the law, but whatever had happened to him, life had handed him a rough deal, leaving him battered and bruised. Smuggling was their salvation—their chance to do something productive, not to mention financially profitable.
“You never did say you had a sister, Knight,” Drake mused as Knight sat opposite.
“Knight never says anything,” Nate put in, lifting his hands when Knight glared at him. “It’s true, though.”
“She is elegant and refined. From money. I suspect. Which” —he pointed a finger at Knight— “means you are from money.”
Knight simply glowered at him.
Red pushed Drake’s finger to the table. “We are not here to discuss Knight and that whiskey is making your tongue bold.”
Nate shrugged. “Can we get on with it? I have a wife to return to.”
Drake chuckled. “You and Red at the beck and call of your wives.” He shook his head. “Who would have thought it?”
Nate made a dismissive noise. “When you have a beautiful wife to go home to...or to your ship to or whatever...you shall be the same.”
Red nodded. “I’d far rather be spending time with Hannah than you whiskey-soaked bastards.”
“That’s the thanks we get for our loyalty, is it? Insults.” Drake affected an offended look. “You should be careful, or you’ll be looking for a new captain.”
Red lifted a brow. “I highly doubt that. You like the money too much.”
With a shrug, Drake conceded. “Very well. Insult me as much as you wish. Just make sure my next pay day is excellent.”
“It will be,” Red assured. “It looks as though we shall have a message to carry before long. We’ll take on a new shipment of wine while we’re at it. I am awaiting instructions at present.”
“So we are to wait then?” Drake asked.
“Yes, a little while longer.” Red motioned to Louisa to bring Nate and Knight an ale.
Drake sighed and poured himself another couple of fingers of whiskey. Nate slid the bottle away from him once he’d finished pouring. Drake scowled. “What the devil are you doing?”
Nate looked to Red. “Cutting him off?”
Red nodded. “You drink too much.”
“You’re wrong,” He grinned. “I drink just enough. Besides, you are hardly sober, Red. I have seen you nursing a bottle many a night.”
“Have you?” Red eyed him. “Because I have not nursed a bottle for a long time now.”
“Not since you married Hannah,” Nate put in.
Red glared at his younger brother, who shrugged. “It’s true.”
“You’re getting reckless.” Red leaned in. “And definitely drinking too much.”
Drake straightened. “If you are questioning my ability to captain a ship, you can—”
Red held up hand. “I am not. I’m merely speaking as a friend.”
Drake looked around the table. Knight had not said a word, which was entirely normal for the man, but he’d expected at least something. The man eyed his ale, his mind clearly somewhere else.
“What about you, Knight? Think I drink too much?”
Knight lifted his gaze from the ale. “Yes.”
Drake huffed out a breath. “I am drinking a normal amount. It’s only on certain nights...”
Red and Nate shared a look.
Drake slammed a hand on the table. “Dammit, it is, I swear. It’s only occasionally.” And it bloody well was. It was only when the wind howled, and the rain beat that he needed to drink himself into oblivion. Other days, he could happily go without drink. But, of course, he could not explain it to them. How could he? He sounded ready for the lunatic asylum when he tried to express what he was feeling.
“Your drinks, gentlemen.”
Drake swiveled to look at the intruder. He could not help flicking his gaze over Julianna’s body. She smiled for Red and Nate but ignored him as she leaned over to serve them their ales.
“Thank you, Julianna. How are you settling in at the inn?” Nate asked, taking a drink of his ale.
“Well enough.” She smiled, and Drake tensed. Damn it, he should be on the receiving end of that smile, not Nate. What had Nate ever done for her? Nothing. He was the one who had rescued her and helped her get this job?
“My feet have never been so sore.” She laughed, the sound reaching all the way down to Drake’s groin.
If he had her in bed, he’d make her laugh. And scream. And shudder beneath him. He’d have her forgetting her own damned name and definitely Nate’s.
“Louisa working you too hard?” Nate asked.
“Hardly,” said Louisa as she breezed by. “Julianna has taken it upon herself to work every hour God sends. She only has herself to blame for her sore feet. She has nothing to prove to me.” She hastened off as a shout for more ale rang out from one corner of the pub.
Julianna shook her head and smiled. “I had better get back to it. I’ve never seen it so busy!”
Drake watched her go, too aware she had ignored his presence the entire time. Knight had probably told her to stay away from him, but since when did Julianna listen to anything anyone had said? Blast, he needed to get her alone and watch her eyes grow warm and smoky again. He’d be piquing her curiosity again before long, just so long as it didn’t involve her poking around his personal affairs. Well, not those sorts of personal affairs at least.
“Hard to believe she’s your sister,” Nate muttered.
“How is it?” grunted Knight.
“Well, she’s so...” Nate trailed off at Knight’s glare.
“Beautiful,” put in Drake. “Stunning. Ravishing.”
“Drake.” Red coughed a warning.
“Enchanting,” Drake continued, peering at her out of the side of his eye. “Striking.”
A thud rattled the table when Knight slammed a fist down on it. “I’ll strike you if you do not shut up in a second.”
Drake eyed the fist and grinned. “I’m only being truthful.”
“You want the truth?” Knight thrust a meaty finger at him. “The truth is, if you go near my sister, I shall break every bone in your body.”
“And here I thought we were friends. Your profit margin will shrink exponentially if you kill the captain of the ship.” Drake looked to Red for support, but the man merely shook his head. Nate lifted his shoulders and gave Drake a ‘you’re on your own’ look.
“Sailors are easy enough to come by.” Knight’s glower deepened.
“I am no sailor, though. I’m a captain, Knight. Or did you forget.”
“Stay away from Julianna or I shall hurt you, I mean it. You’re not good enough for her, and she’s been through enough,” Knight warned.
Though the words were meant to warn him away, he could not help but ponder them. He still had little idea why she had come all this way or what had happened to her before reaching Cornwall. He wanted to know.
And he was betting he could get her to spill all her secrets to him before long, no matter how much she protested otherwise.
“Stay away,” Knight repeated.
Huffing, Drake lifted a hand and pressed it to this chest. “I swear on this miserable life of mine that I shall not do anything Julianna does not want me to do.”
Knight’s eyes narrowed to slits. “That means nothing. But Julianna will not go near you. She has more sense than that.”
“Then you need not worry,” Drake replied smugly.
“Can we get back to enjoying our drinks and planning our next trip?” asked Nate. “I still have that wife to get home to if you recall?”
“You are not the only person in the world with a wife, Brother,” Red pointed out. “Anyone would think you were the first man on earth to be married.”
Drake chuckled. “The novelty will wear off soon.”
“Oh yes,” Nate said, his tone dry. “I’m certain I shall get sick of returning home to my beautiful, funny, loving wife any moment now. How I wish I was like you, Drake, with only a bottle of whiskey for company.”
Drake laughed again. “I can find company where I need it.”
“I heard one of those men who’d been causing Louisa trouble was asking for passage to France,” Red cut in.
Frowning, Drake took a sip of whiskey before answering. “How did you find out about that?”
“I know everything that goes on around here.” Red shrugged. “And certain people have been asking around about the man.” Red swung a glance Julianna’s way before Knight could figure out who they were talking about.
If anyone reminded Knight that Julianna had been spending time with him, Drake was certain the man would throw a punch or two his way. Still, he wished the damned inquisitive woman would keep her nose out of things. He might like her company, but she did not need to be involved in their world of secrets and danger.
Knight was oblivious to the exchange. Drake followed his gaze to find it settled on Louisa. Or more specifically on the drunken fellow she was threatening to throw out. Drake watched as the man shook his head and bellowed that he was going nowhere, then glanced at Knight’s hand as it balled into a fist. Knight rarely fought for no reason, even though he had enough strength to win every fight he encountered, but he had a quick temper.
The man Louisa was arguing with stood, pushing back his chair and wavering unsteadily. He thrust a finger in Louisa’s face. “I ain’t going nowhere. I paid for my drink and I’m going to drink it.”
Louisa appeared undaunted by the man’s ire. “You also grabbed one of my girls. Which means you are leaving.”
Drake was not surprised by Louisa’s courage. She’d been dealing with drunkards and criminal sorts for years and he’d seen her fling many a man out by his ear. Apparently, however, this man had never seen Louisa lose her temper.
He bore over her and wrapped an arm about her waist, pinning her to him. “If you’re feeling left out, sweeting, I can touch you too.”
Before Louisa could react—and Drake had no doubt she would have done—Knight had strode over, wrenched the man’s hand back and had him pinned against the table.
“The lady said you must leave,” Knight said coolly.
While the drunk whimpered and tried to wriggle against the firm hold Knight had on his arm, Knight maneuvered him toward the front door. Someone hastened to open it for him and Knight vanished out the entrance for a moment.
“Now I recall why we put up with him around.” Nate grinned.
“We put up with him because no one would dare cross him,” Red reminded Nate. “And he is a friend. Of a sort.”
“A damned secretive sort,” Drake muttered. “I’ll have to press Julianna to find out more about him, though she claimed she knows little of what happened since he left home.”
“Knight won’t take well to that,” Nate warned.
Drake thrust a finger at him. “You cannot deny you’re not curious about him. We’ve spent how many years working alongside him? And yet none of us really know him.”
Red shook his head and drained his ale. “Leave the man to his secrets.” He stood an
d nodded to Louisa. “All well, Louisa?”
She swiped a hand down her creased dress. “You know it takes more than a drunken fool to scare me, Red. I have work to do...please, um, thank Knight for me.”
Louisa hastened off before their friend returned, his expression as dark as ever. Drake frowned. It had been clear for a while now that Knight was becoming preoccupied with Louisa, but he had seen nothing of any interest in return. And now she was running away from him. What the devil was going on between those two?
Knight sat wordlessly.
“Well, I think that was my signal to return home, gentlemen.” Red shoved his arms into his greatcoat and put some coin on the table. “Have a drink on me but no more fighting for the night.”
Drake held up his hands. “If anyone is likely to fight, it’s Knight. What did you do with the fellow?”
“I made sure he would not return.” Knight folded his arms and stared into his mug of ale.
Nate opened his mouth then closed it, sharing a look with Drake. He doubted Knight had killed the man. Yes, he was certain of it. A silent brute he might be, but he was no killer.
Drake hoped. If he was to spend any more time with Julianna, he certainly did not want to end up six feet under thanks to Knight.
Chapter Ten
Julianna dunked her hands in the bowl of cool water and let them sit there for a moment, allowing the chill to ease away the aches of the day. She brought her hands up to her face and wiped them from her forehead down to her neck before drying her face on a cloth.
Reaching for the pins in her hair, she plucked them out one by one, staring absently out of the window. A full moon greeted her tonight, its ghostly glow shimmering off calm seas. She eased open the window and leaned on the sill to suck in the scent of fresh air and sea salt.
Today had been good. In fact, the past few days had been. Her cooking skills were getting better and Louisa was giving her more responsibilities. The work was neither glamourous nor exciting, but she rather liked the tedium of it for the moment.
It meant she could forget her previous life. She was too busy rushing here and there, serving patrons and cooking and cleaning to worry about whether her fiancé or father would find her. Memories of sitting in her father’s stately home, reading books or embroidering, were fading. It was hard to even compare her two lives. The woman who’d lived under her father’s shadow seemed almost a specter of her current self.
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