One-Knight Stand
Page 32
“Shall we dance?”
How Alex lamented the sweet memory. What had followed the simple request had been a full-scale assault on her faculties.
When his arms had closed about her waist, and he held her near, Alex had been giddy with unfamiliar excitement. Imaginary bells had ringed in her ears, delicious fire had burned beneath her skin, and she had trembled with each successive turn about the room. No man had ever affected her thus.
In that moment, Alex set her cap for one Captain Collingwood.
Even now, she believed they would have a wonderful life together--if only he would do his part. Must she do everything to further their relationship? The situation, as it stood, was intolerable. Jason had to understand they were destined for each other.
Moreover, he needed to curb his temper. She would not spend the rest of her life married to a churlish boor. While such a foul disposition might prove useful when commanding his crew, he often gave her a headache. She would speak with him about that, too. Nagging uncertainty settled on her shoulders, as the weight of the world.
“You must be strong, Alex.” That very instant, she gazed at her trembling hands and sighed. “Oh, Jason. I would fight Napoleon, himself, to win your love.”
Determined to stay her course, she gave her attention to the snow-dusted landscape of the bustling seaport. Located in the county of Devon, and facing the western end of the Channel, Plymouth was a prominent naval base from which many expeditions launched against France, which seemed an appropriate place for her to wage a war of hearts.
And it was just around the corner at Devonport, the main dockyard and shipbuilding facility of the British Navy, where Jason’s ship, the Intrepid, was currently being refitted for duty under letters of marque from the Lord High Admiral. The new commission completed the well-played ruse as Jason embarked on his first solo mission for the Brethren of the Coast, a mysterious band of mariners who served the Crown in secret, which entrenched her belief that the hesitant captain was fated to be hers.
As a young girl, Alex had often fantasized she was the wife of a knight from the famed order descended of the Templars, the warriors of the Crusades, because her father, God rest him, had once been counted among their esteemed ranks. But unlike Cara, Alex could never fathom marrying one of the much-fabled nautionniers, because she considered them brothers. As a newcomer initiated into the order, Jason was the answer to her prayers.
If only he shared her view.
The coach came to an abrupt halt, and she realized she had reached her destination. Alex accepted a hand from the footman as she stepped to the unpaved drive. Inhaling deeply, she gazed at the little thatched cottage nestled amid a crescent of formidable oaks. A pebbled walkway led to the front door, which was painted a vivid green and contrasted with the whitewashed walls. At either side of the entranceway loomed the thorny skeletons of rosebushes, which were dormant in winter, and bare flowerbeds.
“Where shall we leave your trunk, my lady?” the footman inquired.
“A moment, please.” Alex navigated the path, marching straight to the main entrance. As she lifted her hand to knock, she paused.
Would Jason be happy to see her? Would he welcome her with his erstwhile enthusiasm, or would he toss her on her ear?
“Alexandra Elizabeth Seymour, get hold of yourself. You are no coward.” She pounded hard on the painted wood.
Painful seconds ticked past.
Biting her lip, she spared a glance at her escort. The latch turned with a mighty creak and caught her attention. The next thing Alex knew, she stood face to face with a very attractive young woman.
Table of Contents
One-Knight Stand
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
EPILOGUE
Excerpt from Captain Of Her Heart