The Stranger She Married

by Donna Hatch

  Cole snorted. “Could've done better than a stupid name like Black Jack."

  "It was all I could come up with in a pinch,” Jared said easily with a shrug.

  "So no more donning a Nicholas disguise when you come on land?” she teased with a smile.

  A glint that exceeded Cole's in wickedness glimmered in his eye. “Too bad we couldn't play the part beyond a brotherly embrace."

  Alicia put her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh at his brazen suggestion.

  Cole punched him in the arm. “Watch it, little brother, I can still thrash you,” he growled, but an affectionate light shone in his face.

  Jared grinned in reply. “To answer your question, Sister-in-law, I will wear the disguise whenever I go into London, at least for a while, but in the small town where I've let the house for the summer, no one should know my face. Besides, I've cut my hair, shaved my beard, and with these ridiculously uncomfortable clothes—” he gestured to his finely tailored suit “—I doubt any former foes, or victims, would recognize me as Black Jack. My first mate hardly knows me now.” He pulled again at his cravat until it became quite rumpled.

  The first flowers of spring dotted the lawn by the lake. After Cole had sufficiently healed, they had settled a whole and well Hannah in a reputable school for girls where she blissfully made new friends. After seeing to it that repairs on Robert's manor house were underway, they returned home and enjoyed a magical Christmas together. Then she and Cole had spent the rest of the winter and spring in the happiest months of Alicia's life.

  This morning, Jared had come for a visit on his way to a country house he would use for the summer. Alicia drew a deep breath, perfectly happy, perfectly at peace. She looked up at her husband, gratified to see him fully recovered. Every time she thought of how close she had come to losing him, she could barely hold back the tears. She squeezed his hand. He released her hand so he could put an arm around her.

  Jared shot them a look of reproach. “Perhaps I should leave you two alone?"

  "Would you mind?” Cole grinned wolfishly and Alicia blushed.

  "When the staff gets the house prepared, I'd love to have you both visit,” Jared said. “That is, if you can refrain from indulging in these sickening displays of affection."

  Alicia smiled. How easily she smiled these days! A light heart did that to a person. “We would be happy to visit. That is, if the doctor approves."

  She touched her stomach and felt the hint of roundness that had recently begun to develop there. Cole placed his hand on her abdomen, infusing her with warmth, and looked at her with such tenderness that tears pricked her eyes.

  Self-consciously, she glanced at Jared and then blinked at the unexpected wistfulness in his expression as he watched them share such an intimate moment.

  Jared looked away and cleared his throat, tugging at his poor, abused cravat again. Then he brought a careless tone to his voice. “I can't picture you as a father, Cole. That seems to defy reason."

  Cole chuckled. “I agree. Alicia deserves your pity for her having me as the father of her children."

  "You deserve my pity just for being stuck with this lout,” he whispered to Alicia. “Do you wish to escape? With me? The house I've let is quite fine. You even have the correct name, so no one will ever be the wiser."

  "It might be hard for her to ignore the knife sticking out of your heart, you blackguard,” Cole warned.

  Alicia glanced at her husband. She sighed blissfully. Her husband. Cole. “I can see your atrocious manners must be a family failing, Husband. He's as incorrigible as you were."

  "I, at least, was trying to steal my own wife, not my brother's."

  "But you led me to believe that you were trying to steal your cousin's wife,” she reminded him.

  "See? He's a cad,” Jared interjected. “You deserve someone better. Someone honest."

  Alicia raised her brows. “A pirate is more honest?"

  He puffed out his chest. “I'm an honest pirate."

  Cole choked and Alicia patted him in consolation. “Poor dear. With this family, it's a wonder you've turned out as well as you have."

  Cole and Jared exchanged a look. “She hasn't met Christian, yet,” they said simultaneously, then burst out into laughter.

  Cole shook his head. “Not until she's firmly in love with me. It will be several more years before I risk that encounter."

  "Why?” Alicia wanted to know. “From everything you've told me about him, he's perfectly respectable."

  "Not merely perfectly respectable. Perfect,” Cole replied mournfully.

  "The perfectly perfect Christian,” Jared added in a sing-song voice as if they'd said that phrase repeatedly, and probably at poor Christian's expense.

  "The youngest. Mother's favorite,” Cole explained. “He always does and says everything exactly as he ought. If he wasn't so humble and likeable, I'd hate him."

  "I plotted to kill him once,” Jared offered cheerfully.

  Alicia gasped. “You didn't!"

  Jared blinked as if surprised she'd oppose such a thing. “I didn't carry out my plan. Mother found out.” He let out a slow breath as if he'd been the one who nearly lost his life.

  "Oh, dear, what have I gotten myself into?” Alicia fanned herself dramatically.

  Cole swept her into his arms and kissed her soundly. “A lifetime of happiness, my dear."

  "It certainly won't be dull,” she agreed.

  Rudely ignoring Jared, Cole kissed Alicia again. This time his lips lingered. She sighed and leaned against him, counting herself fortunate indeed, and vowed again to love him for all eternity. Then, immersed in his scent, his warmth, his kiss, she thought of nothing at all.

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  A word about the author...

  Donna has had a passion for writing since the age of 8 when she wrote her first short story. During her sophomore year in high school, she wrote her first full-length novel, a science fiction romance. She wrote her second novel during her senior year, a fantasy romance. Needless to say, English and Creative Writing were always her favorite subjects. In between caring for six children, (7 counting her husband) she manages to carve out time to indulge in her writing obsession, with varying degrees of success, although she writes most often late at night instead of sleeping. A native of Arizona, she is currently a member of Desert Rose RWA where she serves as the chapter secretary, and is a member of Beau Monde, a Regency Chapter of RWA. She is the winner of two RWA Chapter contests and has finaled in several others. And yes, all of her heroes are patterned after her husband of 20 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

  Visit Donna at www.donnahatch.net

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