Praise for

BRENDA JOYCE’S

bestselling de Warenne dynasty

An Impossible Attraction

“Best-selling Joyce matches up a strong-willed, proud…heroine and a testosterone-rich, arrogant…hero…[A] long, lushly sensual historical.”

—Booklist

A Dangerous Love

“The latest de Warenne novel is pure Joyce with its trademark blend of searing sensuality, wild escapades and unforgettable characters. You’ll find warmth and romance alongside intense emotions and powerful relationships. It’s a story you won’t easily forget.”

—RT Book Reviews

The Perfect Bride

“Another first-rate Regency, featuring multidimensional protagonists and sweeping drama… Entirely fluff-free, Joyce’s tight plot and vivid cast combine for a romance that’s just about perfect.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Truly a stirring story with wonderfully etched characters, Joyce’s latest is Regency romance at its best.”

—Booklist

“Joyce’s latest is a piece of perfection as she meticulously crafts a tender and emotionally powerful love story. Passion and pain erupt from the pages and flow straight into your heart. You won’t forget this beautifully rendered love story of lost souls and redemption.”

—RT Book Reviews

A Lady at Last

“Romance veteran Joyce brings her keen sense of humor and storytelling prowess to bear on her witty, fully formed characters.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A classic Pygmalion tale with an extra soupçon of eroticism.”

—Booklist

“A warm, wonderfully sensual feast about the joys and pains of falling in love. Joyce breathes life into extraordinary characters—from her sprightly Cinderella heroine and roguish hero to everyone in between—then sets them in the glittering Regency, where anything can happen.”

—RT Book Reviews

The Stolen Bride

“Joyce’s characters carry considerable emotional weight, which keeps this hefty entry absorbing, and her fast-paced story keeps the pages turning.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A powerfully executed romance overflowing with the strength of prose, high degree of sensuality and emotional intensity we expect from Joyce. A ‘keeper’ for sure.”

—RT Book Reviews

The Masquerade

“Jane Austen aficionados will delve happily into heroine Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Fitzgerald’s family…Joyce’s tale of the dangers and delights of passion fulfilled will enchant those who like their reads long and rich.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A passionate tale of two lovers caught up in a web of secrets, deceptions and lies. Readers who love the bold historicals by Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss will find much to savor here.”

—Booklist

“An intensely emotional and engrossing romance where love overcomes deceit, scandal and pride…an intelligent love story with smart, appealing and strong characters. Readers will savor this latest from a grand mistress of the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews

The Prize

“A powerhouse of emotion and sensuality, The Prize weaves a tapestry vibrantly colored with detail and balanced with strands of consuming passion.”

—RT Book Reviews

BRENDA JOYCE
The Promise

For Kathy Pichnarcik

The Promise

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

PART TWO

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

PART THREE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PROLOGUE

Adare, Ireland

Summer 1824

THE ANIMATED SOUND OF adult conversation drifted from the mansion’s formal dining room, where the Earl of Adare was having a supper party in celebration of his wife’s birthday. The children had gathered in an intimate salon across the great, vaulted entry hall from the dining room, and Elysse O’Neill, who was eleven years old, sat on the gold brocade sofa in her most formal supper dress, wishing she had been allowed to join the adults. Her best friend, Ariella de Warenne, also dressed up for the party, was beside her, engrossed in a book. Elysse could not understand her friend—she hated reading. She would have been bored, if not for the boys.

They stood in a huddle on the other side of the salon, excitedly whispering to one another. Elysse stared at them, trying to eavesdrop, knowing they meant to cause trouble. Her eyes were riveted on Alexi de Warenne, Ariella’s brother, as he was always the leader of the pack.

She had met him four years ago, when he had first arrived in London with his father and Ariella, from Jamaica Island where he had been raised. Upon being introduced, she had snubbed him instantly, although his dark, bronzed looks and swaggering air of confidence had instantly fascinated her. After all, he was a bastard, even if his mother was a Russian noblewoman, and she was a lady, so she meant to put him down. But he hadn’t been affected by the rejection; instead, he had proceeded to regale her with his stories of his life. Elysse had expected him to be backward and gauche, but he was neither of those things. She quickly realized that she had never met any boy before who had lived through as much as he had. He had sailed across the world with his father, weathering hurricanes and monsoons, avoiding naval blockades and pirates, while carrying the world’s most precious cargoes! He had swum with dolphins, climbed the Himalayan Mountains, trekked jungles in Brazil. He had even sailed a raft up a river in China without his father! In fact, he had bragged that he could sail anything, anywhere—and she had believed him. Within an hour, she had decided that he was the most interesting boy she had ever met—not that she would ever let him know!

She knew him well now. Alexi was an adventurer, like his seafaring father, and he could not stay on land for very long, or sit still, either. What were the boys up to? They hurried across the salon, and she realized that they were about to leave, their goal the terrace doors.

Pushing her golden hair behind her ears and smoothing down her blue satin dress, Elysse slid to her feet. “Wait,” she cried. She rushed over to them. “Where are you going?”

Alexi grinned at her. “Errol Castle.”

Her heart lurched. Everyone knew the castle ruins were haunted! “Are you mad?”

His blue eyes danced. “Don’t you want to come, Elysse? Don’t you want to see the old ghost who wanders the north tower in the light of the full moon?” Alexi leaned close. “They say he pines for his lady love. I know how you adore romance! She left him, you know, on a full moon—for another man. And so he killed himself, forever to walk the tower when the moon is full.”

“Of course I know the story.” Her heart beat with alarm and fear. She wasn’t brave like Alexi or her younger brother, Jack, or Ned, the earl’s heir, who stood with them. She had no desire to rush off into the night and meet the ghost.

“Coward,” Alexi said softly. He touched her chin. “I’ll protect you, you know.”

She jerked away. “And how will you do that? You are only a boy—and a mad boy, at that!”

His smile faded. “If I say I will protect you, I will.”

She believed he would do just that—even from a ghost. She hesitated, not wanting to go with them. “Ladies don’t have to be brave, Alexi. They must only be graceful, politic, polite and beautiful.”

“Of course they do! My stepmother has sailed the world with my father and even fought pirates at his side. She is brave and beautiful.” His eyes gleamed.

Ned stepped forward. “Leave her be, Alexi. She doesn’t want to come with us.”

Her younger brother, Jack, snickered at her.

Ariella walked up to them, having actually put down her history book. “I’ll go.” Her blue eyes were wide and bright. “I would love to see the ghost!”

Alexi gave Elysse a daring look.

“Fine!” she cried, furious that he had taunted her into agreeing. “But how will we get there?”

“It won’t take more than twenty minutes if we ride,” Ned said. “The girls can ride double, behind us. Jack can ride by himself.”

This was a horrible idea—Elysse simply knew it—but everyone else was wide-eyed with excitement. Within moments, she was following the boys and Ariella across the terrace to a paddock where they would steal their mounts. The boys often rode bareback, with just a bridle or even a halter. Now, she wished they were horrid horsemen—but they were not. The night was so dark and so quiet! As she followed them across Adare’s great gardens, she glanced up at the gleaming moon. It was full and bright. She prayed they would not encounter any ghost that night.

A few minutes later everyone was astride, and they were trotting away from the house. Elysse held on hard to Alexi, angrier with him by the minute. He was an excellent horseman, but she was a terrible rider, and she was afraid she would fall off.

“You are breaking my ribs,” he said, with laughter in his tone.

“I hate you,” she exclaimed.

“No, you don’t.”

They rode in silence the rest of the way. Ahead, in the moon’s odd yellow light, she saw the dark shadows of Errol Castle. It was huge.

It was so quiet now. All she could hear was the rhythmic clip-clop of their horses’ hooves and her own thundering heartbeat. Beneath her hands, she could feel Alexi’s breath come more rapidly and thought she could feel his heart, racing more swiftly than it should. They passed through the piles of eerily white stones that had once been the outer walls of the barbican. She wanted to turn around and go home! Suddenly a wolf howled.

Alexi’s slim body stiffened. Elysse whispered nervously, “There are never wolves this close to Adare.”

“It isn’t close.” They halted their horses by the gaping entrance in the stone walls of the castle, which had once been the front door. Through the shadows of the maze of stone walls inside, she could see the lone standing tower at the other end of the ruins. She swallowed dryly. Her heart thundered.

Alexi whispered, “They say he carries a torch—the same torch he carried for his lost love.” He gave her his hand, twisting a bit to do so. “Slide down.”

Elysse did so, keeping her balance by holding his hand. Everyone dismounted. Ariella whispered, “We didn’t bring candles.”

“Yes, we did,” Alexi said proudly. He produced a candle from a breeches pocket, and lit it with flint. “C’mon.” He swiftly started inside, clearly intent on leading the way.

Everyone followed. Her stomach churning with dread, Elysse balked. She did not want to go inside.

The group of children vanished into the darkness inside the ruined castle. Elysse bit her lip, breathing hard. She became aware of being absolutely alone in the dark night, outside of the ruins. And perhaps that was even worse.

Something moved behind her. She cried out, leaping in fright, only to realize that one of the grazing horses had bumped into her. An owl hooted, the sound ominous. She hated adventure! She liked parties and pretty things! But being outside alone was worse than going inside with everyone else. Elysse rushed after the other children.

It was almost pitch-black inside and she could not see. She could hear their whispers, somewhere ahead, and she ran, trying to follow them. But the interior of the ruins was a stone maze. She hit a wall, panicked and turned, found a corner, and turned that, too. Her foot caught, and she tripped and fell.

She started to call out to Alexi, to tell him to wait, when she saw a flash of bright light in the darkness on the other side of the castle where the tower was. She froze, crouching by the wall, afraid to cry out. Had she just seen the light of the ghost’s torch?

Afraid to move or make a sound, afraid the ghost would find her, she became utterly still. She realized she couldn’t hear her friends anymore. Where were they?

Panic overcame her. She saw the light again! Elysse rushed from the corner where she had been crouching, intent on fleeing the castle and the ghost. Instead, she found herself turning corner after corner, tripping and falling as she ran. She bumped her knees, skinned her hands. Why hadn’t she left the ruins already? Where was the entrance? She realized she had reached a dead end. What might have been the huge wall of a fireplace blocked her. She fell against the rough stone, panting harshly, and that was when she heard the galloping horses.

They were leaving her?

She choked on a sob of fearful disbelief. She turned her back to the wall, and saw the ghost with his torch coming toward her. Fear paralyzed her.

“Elysse!” Alexi cried, hurrying forward.

She felt her knees buckle in absolute relief. It was Alexi, carrying the candle, not the ghost with his torch. She cried out, weeping. “Alexi! I thought you left me. I thought I’d be lost forever!”

He put the candle down and swept her into his arms. “It’s all right. You’re not lost. I’d never leave you. Didn’t I say I would always protect you?”

She held on to him, hard. “I didn’t think you’d find me—I heard the horses leaving!”

“Don’t cry. I’m here now. You heard my father, the earl and your father pursuing us. They are outside—and they are furious.” His gaze was searching. “How could you think that I wouldn’t find you?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, trembling, her face wet with tears. But she had stopped crying.

“If you are lost, I will find you. If you are in danger, I will protect you,” he said seriously. “It’s what a gentleman does, Elysse.”

She inhaled. “Promise?”

He slowly smiled and brushed a tear from her face. “I promise.”

She finally smiled back at him. “I’m sorry I am not brave.”

“You are very brave, Elysse. You just don’t know it.” Clearly, he believed his every word.

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Askeaton, Ireland

March 23, 1833

ALEXI HADN’T BEEN HOME in more than two years, but it felt like an eternity. Elysse O’Neill smiled at herself in the gilded mirror hanging over the handsome rosewood bureau in her pink, mauve and white bedroom. She had just finished dressing for the occasion. She knew that her excitement was obvious—she was flushed, her eyes bright. She was thrilled that Alexi de Warenne had come home, at last. She couldn’t wait to hear all about his adventures!

She couldn’t help wondering if he would notice that she was a grown woman now; she’d had a dozen suitors in the past two years, not to mention five offers of marriage.

She smiled again, deciding that her pastel-green gown made her nearly violet eyes even more intriguing. She was accustomed to male admiration; boys had begun to look at her when she was barely more than a child. Alexi had, too. She wondered what he would think of her now. She wasn’t certain why she wanted him to notice her this evening—they were only friends, after all. Impulsively, she tugged her neckline down, adjusting it to show off just a bit more of her cleavage.

He had never been gone for so long before. She wondered if he had changed. When he’d left on a run to Canada for fur, she hadn’t known that it would be years before he would return, but she recalled their parting as if it had been yesterday.

He looked at her with that cocky grin he had. “And will you be wearing a ring when I get back?”

She’d known immediately what he meant. Startled, she had quickly recovered and her answer had been coy. “I always wear rings.” But she had wondered if some dashing Englishman would sweep her off her feet before he returned. She certainly hoped so!

“Not diamonds.” His thick black lashes lowered, shielding his brilliant blue eyes from her.

She shrugged. “I can’t help it if I have so many suitors, Alexi. There will probably be many suits. Father will surely know which one to accept for me.”

He shrugged in return. “Yes, I imagine Devlin will make certain you are properly married off.”

Their eyes met and held. One day, her father would find her a great match. She had overheard her parents speaking about it and knew they wanted it to be a love match, as well. How perfect would that be?

“If I am not offered for, I will be vastly insulted,” she said, meaning it.

“Isn’t it enough that you are always surrounded by admirers?”

“I hope to be wed by the time I am eighteen!” she exclaimed. Her eighteenth birthday would be in the fall—only six months away—while Alexi was still in Canada. Hear heart lurched oddly. With confusion, she shook off the strange feeling of dread, smiling brightly at him. She took his hands. “What will you bring me this time?” He always brought her a gift when he returned from the sea.

After a pause, he spoke softly. “I will bring you back a Russian sable, Elysse.”

She was surprised. “You are sailing for Lower Canada.”

“I know where I am going,” he replied, his gaze direct. “And I will bring you back a Russian sable.”

She scoffed at him, certain he was teasing her. He had simply grinned. Then he had said goodbye to the rest of her family and swaggered out of the salon, while she rushed off to a tea, where her most recent suitors were eagerly awaiting her….

He had remained in Canada for several months, apparently having some problems acquiring a cargo for the run home. When he had finally raced back to Liverpool, he hadn’t stayed. Instead, he had turned around directly for the islands for sugarcane. She had been surprised, even disappointed.

Of course, she had never doubted that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. Cliff de Warenne had one of the world’s most successful maritime transport companies, and Alexi had been at sea with his father for most of his life. It was a foregone conclusion that, when he came of age, Alexi would take on the most lucrative trade routes, carrying the most profitable cargoes, as his father had once done. At the age of seventeen he’d commanded his first ship. Elysse was the daughter of a retired naval captain, and she truly understood how much Alexi loved the sea—it was in his blood. Men like Cliff de Warenne and her father, Devlin O’Neill—men like Alexi—could never remain on land for very long.

Still, she had expected him to come home after his run to the West Indies. He always came home, sooner or later. But instead he had refitted his ship in Liverpool and set a course to China!

When Elysse had learned that he had leased his ship, the Ariel, to the East India Company, which had a monopoly on the China trade, she had grown worried. Although retired, Devlin O’Neill frequently advised both the Admiralty and the Foreign Offices on matters of imperial and maritime policy, and Elysse was well versed in the subjects of trade, economics and foreign policy. She had heard all kinds of talk about the China trade in past few years. The China Sea was perilous—it remained mostly uncharted territory, with hidden reefs, submerged rocks and unknown shoals, not to mention monsoons and, far worse, typhoons. Beating up the China Sea was easy enough, if one didn’t encounter one of those half-hidden rocks or reefs, with the south-westerly monsoons to aid you. But beating through the sea when homeward bound was difficult and dangerous. However, Alexi would think the danger the very best part of his voyage! Alexi de Warenne was fearless and loved a challenge—Elysse knew that very well.

But apparently Elysse had worried about him in vain. Last night, Ariella had sent her a note, telling her that Alexi had just arrived at Windhaven. It had been midnight when she’d gotten the hand-delivered message. She had been stunned to learn he had safely put into Liverpool a few days ago, with five hundred and five tons of silks and tea, having made the homeward run from Canton in one hundred and twelve days—a feat everyone was talking about. For a captain new to the route to make that kind of speed was terribly impressive, and Elysse knew it. He’d be able to command top dollar for his freight the next time he ran home from China. Knowing Alexi as well as she did, he would surely brag about that.

Elysse gave herself a final glance in the mirror and tugged at her bodice one last time, well aware that her mother would take her aside for being so daring. She was an acclaimed beauty—every suitor she’d ever had had raved about her striking blond looks. She had been told many times that she took after both of her parents—she was petite, with amethyst eyes, like her mother, and golden like her father. There had been many suits and five marriage proposals in the past two years. She’d turned every suitor and each proposal down, although she was now twenty, and her father had not minded. She hoped that Alexi wouldn’t taunt her for still being single. Hopefully, he wouldn’t recall her plan to be happily married by the age of eighteen.

“Elysse! We’re here—Alexi is home and he is downstairs!” Ariella cried, knocking on her door from the corridor outside.

Elysse inhaled, suddenly so excited that she felt a bit faint. She ran for the door, opening it. Her best friend’s eyes widened at Elysse’s evening dress just before they embraced. “Are you going out tonight? Have I been excluded from an invitation to a dinner party?”

Elysse smiled. “Of course I’m not going out. I want to hear all about China and Alexi’s adventures! How do I look?” She swiftly pirouetted.

Ariella was a year younger than Elysse, with exotic looks—light eyes, olive skin and dark golden hair. Unfashionably educated, she had a preference for libraries and museums, and an aversion to shopping and balls. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were hoping to impress someone.”

“Why would I bother to try to impress your brother?” She laughed. “But he had better notice that I am grown-up now—and the most desirable debutante in all of Ireland.”

Ariella was wry. “Alexi has shortcomings, but a failure to notice attractive women isn’t one of them.”

Elysse closed the door. Alexi was a notorious ladies’ man, but that was hardly a surprise—the de Warenne men were infamous for their rakish ways, which ended on their wedding day. It was an old family adage that when a de Warenne fell in love, it was once and forever, although it might take some time for that climactic event to happen. Elysse squeezed Ariella’s hand as they started down the long corridor, lined with family portraits. “Did he say why he’s been gone so long?”

“My brother is a seaman and an adventurer,” Ariella said. “He is smitten with China—or the China trade, anyway. It was all he could talk about last night—he wants to build a clipper just for the trade!”

Elysse looked at her as they went downstairs. “Then he will continue to lease out to the East India Company? I was surprised when I had heard he’d leased the Ariel out. I can’t imagine Alexi in someone else’s employ.” Alexi had never leased out his ship before.

“He was determined to get into the trade,” Ariella said. “I do believe everyone within a league of Askeaton has called, to hear firsthand about China and his run!”

Elysse could hear the murmurs of conversation downstairs. Clearly, they had many callers. But of course, the neighbors would be interested in Alexi’s return from China. News of his travels would have spread like wildfire. It was surely the most exciting event of the Season.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see across the great entry hall, where her neighbors and family had gathered. Askeaton was the ancestral home of the O’Neill family and the great hall was vast, with stone floors and walls, its ceilings timbered. Great, old tapestries were hanging on two of its walls. From one set of oversize windows, one could see out across the rolling green Irish countryside, and past the ruined tower behind the manor house. But Elysse did not look outside, or even at the crowd.

Alexi stood in front of the huge stone fireplace, his posture assured but indolent, clad in a riding coat, breeches and boots. The eighteen-year-old boy was gone. A grown man had taken his place. He was surrounded by their callers. Yet his gaze lifted immediately, moved across the crowd, and their eyes met.

For one moment, she simply stared. He had changed so much. He was a man of experience now. A man of confidence. She saw it in the way he stood, the way he shifted ever so slightly to face her directly. Then, finally, he smiled at her.

Her heart lurched oddly and the happiness was instantaneous. Alexi was home.

Her brother, Jack, slapped his shoulder. “Damn it, you can’t leave it there, tell me about the Sundra Strait.”

For one more moment, they stared at one another, that odd half smile on his face, while Elysse beamed. She couldn’t help noticing that he was even more handsome than when he had left her. Then she saw that three of her girlfriends stood beside him, more closely than the rest of the crowd, their expressions rapt.

“It took us three full days to beat through, Jack.” Alexi turned to her tall, golden brother. “I’ll even admit I had a moment or two when I wondered if we’d be cast up on the shoals there—spending the next fortnight in Anjers making repairs.”

Alexi turned and gestured, and a tall tawny-haired man in a frock coat, a stock and waistcoat, and pale trousers came over. Alexi seized his shoulder. “I don’t think we’d have made our run in a hundred and twelve days without Montgomery. Best ship’s pilot I ever had. Best thing I ever did was take him on board in Lower Canada.”

Elysse finally looked at Alexi’s pilot, who was probably a few years older than them both, and found him regarding her. Montgomery smiled at her as one of their neighbors, a gentleman squire, said eagerly, “Tell us about the China Sea! Did you weather a typhoon?”

“No, tell us about the tea,” Father MacKenzie cried, smiling.

“Will China really stay closed to all foreigners?” Jack asked.

Alexi grinned at them all. “I got the first pick, black tea, the best you’ve ever had—I vow it. It’s Pekoe. You won’t find any other ship’s captain bringing it home. Not this Season.” Although he spoke to the crowded room, his gaze never wavered from her.

“How did you manage that feat?” Cliff asked, smiling proudly at his son.

Alexi turned to his father. “That is a long story, one that involves a few pretty pennies and a very astute and greedy comprador.”

Elysse realized she had remained upon the last few steps like a statue. What on earth was wrong with her? She quickly started down them, still watching Alexi as he turned to one of her girlfriends, who asked him what Pekoe tea was like. Before he could answer, Elysse felt herself miss a step and stumble.

She seized the railing, mortified. She was usually very graceful. As she grasped the railing, someone caught her arm, preventing her from crashing to her knees and utterly humiliating herself.

Alexi slid his arm securely around her.

As he helped her straighten, Elysse looked up into his dazzling blue eyes.

For one moment, she was in his embrace. He began to smile, as if amused. “Hello, Elysse.”

Her cheeks felt terribly hot, but that was from the embarrassment of being so foolishly clumsy, not from being in his arms—she was certain. Still, she was terribly confused and almost disoriented. She had never felt so small, so petite and feminine, and Alexi had never seemed so strong, so tall or so male. His body was hard and warm against hers. Her heart was thundering now.

What on earth was wrong with her?

Somehow, she stepped away, putting a proper distance between them. His smile seemed to widen. Her flush felt as if it had expanded—even her chest was hot. “Hello, Alexi. I have never heard of Pekoe tea.” She lifted her chin.

“I am not surprised. No one gets first pickings—except, of course, for me,” he boasted. His gaze seemed to be on her décolletage, then her eyes. She wasn’t certain what had just happened. She wondered suddenly if he found her beautiful, as her many suitors did.

It took her a moment to recover. “Of course you got the best tea.” Strangely unnerved, she said lightly, “I didn’t know you were back. When did you get home?”

“I thought Ariella sent you a note last night,” he drawled, and she realized that he had instantly seen through her deception. “I docked in Liverpool three days ago. I got home last night.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his riding coat, making no move to walk back into the salon.

“I’m surprised you even bothered to come home,” she said, deciding to pout.

He gave her an odd look she could not decipher, and suddenly lifted her hand. “So you’re not wearing a ring.”

She pulled her hand free. His touch had made her heart slam. “I have had five offers, Alexi. And they were very good offers. But I turned each gentleman down.”

His gaze narrowed. “If the offers were such good ones, why would you do that? I seem to recall that your intent was to be wed by the time you were eighteen.”

He was laughing at her! Or was he? He was smiling, but he had glanced aside. “Perhaps I changed my mind.”

His gaze flickered. “Hmm, why wouldn’t that surprise me? Have you become a romantic, Elysse?” He laughed. “Are you waiting for true love?”

“Oh, I had forgotten how annoying you can be! Of course I am romantic—unlike you!” His teasing was familiar and it felt safe.

“I’ve known you since we were children. You are less a romantic than an insatiable flirt!”

Now she was truly annoyed. “All women flirt, Alexi—unless, of course, they are old, fat or ugly!”

“Ah, you remain rather uncharitable. I am thinking that your suitors must not have had the necessary qualifications to become your husband.” His eyes danced now. “Have you set your sights on a duke, maybe? Or an Austrian prince? How suitable that would be! Can I play matchmaker? I know a duke or two!”

Surely he wasn’t serious? “Clearly, you do not know me at all. I am very romantic. And no, you may not play matchmaker!”

“Really?” He was chuckling openly at her now. “We know each other very well, Elysse. So don’t pretend we do not.” He tilted up her chin. “Have I annoyed you, somehow? I am only teasing you, sweetheart.”

She slapped his hand away. “You know you have! Nothing has changed! I had forgotten how you love to infuriate me. And who are you to talk? I have heard you have a woman in every port.”

“Ah, a gentleman does not kiss and tell, Elysse.”

“Your reputation is well-known.” She scowled. Secretly, she wondered if he really had a mistress in every port. She wasn’t certain why she should care, but she did.

He touched her chin again. “Why are you scowling? Aren’t you pleased to see me?” His tone softened. “Ariella said you were worried about me—that you expected me to vanish into the China Sea.”

She inhaled, furious with her friend and uncertain what his murmur signified. “Ariella was wrong. Why would I worry about you? I am too occupied. I just got back from London and Paris, Alexi. In those salons, we are not talking about tea or typhoons!”

“Or me?” he asked, straight-faced but clearly trying not to laugh. “Everyone is talking about the China trade, Elysse. It’s a new world. The East India Company can’t possibly keep its grip on China, and China has to open up its ports to the world.”

“I don’t care about China, free trade or you,” she huffed, aware of how completely she was lying. After all, he had been her friend since they were children—he would always be her friend.

“God, my heart is forever broken.” He smiled slightly. “And we both know you do care about my travels—you’re your father’s daughter.”

She folded her arms and his gaze slammed to her bosom. Taken aback, despite her earlier desire for him to notice how womanly she had become, she managed to speak. “Will you lease out to the East India Company again?”

“Oh, I am going back to China—I will get well over five pounds per ton, Elysse, after this last run. But there is gossip the Company will lose its charter soon.”

So he would go make the run again. “And when will you leave this time?”

He grinned. “So you do care, after all! You will miss me!”

“I won’t miss you—I will be too busy, fending off my suitors!”

“Now my heart truly is broken.”

She trembled, dismayed. She would miss him this time, perhaps because he had been gone so long. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed his company—even his horrid teasing. And he had guessed.

“When will you go to sea again?” she heard herself ask. The best time to run to China was the summer. It was now the end of March. She couldn’t imagine Alexi staying in the country, doing nothing, for another two months.

“So you did miss me,” he said swiftly, his gaze piercing.

She wet her lips, refusing to answer. He leaned close and whispered, “I brought you a Russian sable, Elysse.”

He had remembered his promise to her. Before she could answer, one of her neighbors approached. “I hope I am not interrupting,” Louisa Cochrane murmured. “I should love an introduction to a China trader. I do love my Souchong tea.”

For one more moment, Elysse stared at Alexi in disbelief that he would bring her such a luxurious and precious gift. He stared back, then finally turned to Louisa.

Gallantly, he bowed over her hand. “Alexi de Warenne at your service, madam,” he said. He straightened. “And if you like Souchong, you will love Pekoe.”

“I cannot wait to try it.” Louisa smiled brightly at him.

Elysse had always liked Louisa. Now, hearing the sultry note in her voice, she couldn’t abide her. Was Louisa intent on pursuing Alexi? She turned to stare at him.

“May I bring a sample to your door, say tomorrow? It would be my pleasure.” Alexi grinned, his intentions suddenly clear.

“I hardly wish to put you out, Captain,” Louisa murmured coyly.

“You can’t put me out, Mrs. Cochrane, you are far too beautiful to ever do so. I should enjoy delivering the tea, myself.”

Louisa blushed, assuring him that he need not go to the trouble. Elysse’s mind raced and she felt incoherent and confused. She had never really cared about his flirtations and seductions before. Why should she care about his next affair?

“You have so many admirers, Captain,” Louisa said, ignoring Elysse. “Won’t you escort me back into the salon so we can all hear your wonderful stories together?”

Alexi hesitated, glancing at Elysse. “Aren’t you joining us?”

Elysse smiled. “Of course I am. I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures.”

For one more moment, their eyes held, until Louisa tugged on his arm. Elysse followed them into the salon, noting every detail of Louisa Cochrane’s dress and figure. Hadn’t she heard that she was desperate to catch a wealthy husband? But Alexi was a determined bachelor. And she wasn’t jealous, was she? Still, oddly, she wanted Alexi’s attention. She had so many questions—she wanted to know what he’d been doing for the past two and a half years. And she wanted her Russian fur.

Inside, Alexi and Louisa were instantly surrounded, and Alexi was bombarded with more questions about his voyage. Elysse began to relax. Alexi was home, and she was fairly certain that he had noticed her charm, beauty and sophistication. She smiled as he responded to a question from Father MacKenzie.

Ariella came over. “I am so happy that my brother is back! Isn’t it wonderful?”

“It is truly wonderful, but I hope Louisa won’t take up all of his time. We both know he will not linger in the country for long.”

Ariella raised her brows. “Hmm, he does seem very interested in Louisa. “

“You know, Louisa is a bit long in the tooth, don’t you think?” Elysse heard herself say.

“She is a very nice lady!” Ariella exclaimed. “You aren’t…jealous of her, are you?”

Elysse looked at her friend. “Of course not,” she scoffed.

Ariella leaned close and lowered her voice. “Why don’t you go speak with poor James Ogilvy? He is standing over there by himself, gawking at you with a moonstruck smile.”

Oglivy had been courting her for about a month now, but Elysse realized she had lost all interest. Still, she smiled at him. He instantly came forward. As he bowed gallantly over her hand, she saw Alexi turn to glance at them. Pleased, Elysse turned her entire attention on James. “You promised me a picnic at Swan Lake.”

His eyes widened. “I thought you were not interested, as you did not bring it up again.”

She smiled and touched his arm. “I am very interested. In fact, I can’t wait!”

“Then perhaps we can have our outing tomorrow afternoon?” he asked eagerly.

She glanced at Alexi, who was speaking to the squire now. She did not know how long Alexi would remain in the Irish countryside, and she wanted to be available until he left for London. She beamed at James. “Would next week do? I have an engagement tomorrow.” That wasn’t quite true, but it was only a tiny white lie.

They spoke for a few more moments. It was terribly hard to carry on a conversation with James while trying to hear every word Alexi uttered and keeping him in the corner of her eye. As she made her plans with Ogilvy, she became aware that she had another admirer. Montgomery, who was chatting with Ariella, kept glancing her way. Elysse hadn’t paid much attention to him earlier. She did so now, deciding that he was very good-looking. Although he was a pilot, he comported himself like a gentleman. He glanced at her again and she knew he wished for an introduction. It crossed her mind that he had spent the past two years with Alexi. She excused herself from James.

He smiled at her as she approached. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced, Miss O’Neill. Of course, I have heard all about you from Captain de Warenne, but that is not why I am so eager to meet you.”

Elysse comprehended the innuendo and was flattered. “Cliff has spoken about me?”

Montgomery smiled. “No, I meant my captain, Alexi.” He shifted and stepped closer to her. “I am William Montgomery. It is a pleasure, ma’am.”

He wasn’t a gentleman, obviously—no well-bred man would ever pilot a ship, but Elysse was impressed by his charm. He had an unmistakable Southern accent, and she recalled that most American men from the Southern states were terribly gallant. “And it is my pleasure to receive you, sir.” She laughed. “It isn’t every day that I meet a fearless pilot who has sailed the high seas of China!”

He smiled warmly now, his glance quickly drifting down the bodice of her dress. “Our voyages are long, Miss O’Neill, and beautiful ladies are rare. I wasn’t sure you would speak with me.”

“You are our guest!” she exclaimed. She touched his arm lightly—flirtatiously. “Where are you from, Mr. Montgomery? My family has a tobacco plantation in Virginia.”

“Baltimore, Miss O’Neill. Like the captain, I come from a long line of seafaring men. My father was a ship’s master, and my grandfather was a pilot, as was my great-grandfather before him here in Britain. In fact, I grew up listening to my grandfather’s sailing stories, mostly about the Ivory Coast and the African trade—in the last century, of course.”

“My father was a naval captain, Mr. Montgomery, so I am fascinated.” Elysse meant it. But more importantly, Alexi had just noticed their conversation. “Of course, we no longer trade in slaves here in the Empire, but in your grandfather’s time, that was a very busy occupation, was it not?”

“It most certainly was,” he agreed. “In America, we outlawed the slave trade in ’08, well before I was born. In my grandfather’s time it was a dangerous trade—I believe the African continent remains perilous, for those who dare to attempt to make their profits there still.”

“I am against the slave trade,” Elysse said firmly. The trade had been abolished in the British Empire in ’07. “Even though my family has a tobacco plantation in Virginia, and we have slaves there, I also favor emancipation in the Empire and throughout the world.”

“That is a bold position, Miss O’Neill. In my country, abolition is an issue that divides us. If I may be bold, I would love to visit Sweet Briar, if I was ever in Virginia again.” He smiled, revealing strong white teeth. “I should especially enjoy such a visit if you were there to show me the plantation.”

Elysse smiled archly at him. “I would love to give you a tour of Sweet Briar! But how could we possibly arrange that? The next time I am there, you will undoubtedly be running for China!”

“Yes, I could be crossing the Cape of Good Hope.”

“Or beating up the China Sea.” She laughed. “By the time you received my letter, I would have probably returned home.”

“Probably—and it will be my loss.”

They smiled at one another. “I heard Alexi say that you met in Lower Canada,” Elysse said.

“We certainly did—in the midst of a blizzard. In fact, poachers were trying to steal the furs Alexi had just bought for his cargo home. I saved his life and we have been friends ever since.”

Elysse was fascinated. “How did you save his life?”

From behind her, Alexi said softly, “The French had a few natives in their employ and I was seriously outnumbered.”

She had been so engrossed that it took her a moment to realize that Alexi had come up to them. She turned, her heart exploding. He stood beside them, his arms folded across his chest, smiling. But she knew him well, and his smile did not reach his eyes.

She was taken aback. “What’s wrong?” Could he be jealous?

“What letter will you send William?”

“An invitation to Sweet Briar,” she said lightly, then turned her back on him and faced Montgomery.

“I so want to hear more about Lower Canada, the poachers and the natives,” she said eagerly.

“That is a long story,” the American began, glancing at Alexi.

“One unsuitable for a lady’s ears,” Alexi said flatly. “Would you excuse us, William?”

Montgomery hesitated. Then he bowed. “It has been my pleasure, Miss O’Neill. I hope we can continue this conversation another time.”

“Of course we can,” Elysse said, smiling at him. What was Alexi hiding? Did he really think her too frail to hear the truth about his travels? Had something terrible happened, which he didn’t wish for her to know about?

William Montgomery walked off to join Devlin and Cliff. Elysse realized she was alone with Alexi. He was scowling at her. “What is wrong?” she asked. Surely he wasn’t angry with her for speaking to Montgomery? “Your pilot is a very interesting man. And a handsome one, at that.”

He took her arm, moving her into a corner by the drapery-clad windows. “Don’t flirt with Montgomery, Elysse.” His tone was filled with warning.

“Why not?” she cried, pulling free of his grasp.

“He is a pilot, Elysse, and a rogue.”

She started. “You are a rogue, and I am allowed to speak with you!”

He glared. “He is not for you. I suggest you direct your flirtations at Ogilvy and his ilk.”

She searched his eyes. He had never been jealous of her suitors before—and William Montgomery wasn’t even a suitor. Alexi was right—as interesting as he was, he was a pilot, not a gentleman.

She began to smile. She touched his hand, which was large and hard, the knuckles cracked, the skin there suntanned. “You needn’t be jealous, Alexi,” she murmured.

“Don’t even try to flirt with me! I am not jealous.” He shrugged. “I am merely trying to protect you from a dangerous ladies’ man, Elysse. Montgomery has a way with women, and I don’t want you to fall under his spell.”

“I am hardly under his spell.” She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, aware that she was flirting. “I’m glad you’re not jealous, Alexi. Mr. Montgomery is very interesting—fascinating, actually—and very handsome. And he is a guest in this house.”

For one moment he stared. Elysse knew him well, but she couldn’t decide what he was truly thinking. Then he leaned closer, crowding her against the draperies. “Are you trying to play me?” he asked, very softly.

A little thrill swept her. She could barely breathe now. “I have no idea what you mean. But you can’t object to my having a pleasant conversation with your pilot—or seeing him again.” She batted her lashes at him while her heart raced frantically.

“Montgomery piloted the Ariel to Lower Canada and Jamaica and then to Canton and back. I trust him with my ship and the lives of my men, but I do not trust him with you.” His stare darkened. He added, “You are impossible, Elysse. I am asking you to avoid him—for your sake, not mine.”

His shoulder still pressed hers. It was becoming hard to think clearly. She whispered, “I will think about it.”

Suddenly his gaze dropped from her eyes to her mouth. Elysse tensed. In that one moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he straightened and slowly shook his head, appearing disgusted. “Fine. Think about it. But don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”

CHAPTER TWO

HE WAS RESTLESS and he did not know why. After so much time away from his family, his mood should have been entirely different. Usually the time he spent in his family home in Ireland was somewhat aimless, his pursuits casual—long rides across the countryside, visits to his neighbors, tea with his sisters and raucous family suppers. He didn’t feel casual now. Instead, he felt like rushing back to his ship and hoisting sail.

Last night, sleep had eluded him. All evening, he had thought about his run home from China, the price his tea had commanded from the London agents, and how fast his next run could be. He drew, in his mind’s eye, the plans for the ship he intended to have built, just for the China trade. But in the night-darkened bedroom, his thoughts kept straying back to Elysse O’Neill. Even now, as he sat at breakfast with his family, his thoughts were on her.

She had always been beautiful. He’d thought so even as a small boy, when they’d first met. In fact, he would never forget walking into the drawing room at Harmon House for the very first time, having just arrived in London with his father after a long voyage from Jamaica, where he had been raised. He had read about London, of course, but he had never imagined such a large, bustling city, with so many palaces and mansions. As excited as he had been to finally visit his father’s homeland, he had been taken aback—and very, very careful to hide it. On their way to Harmon House, Cliff had pointed out many of London’s sights to him and Ariella. Harmon House had seemed as majestic and imposing as Buckingham Palace.

To hide his nervous anxiety, he had increased the swagger in his stride and the set of his small shoulders. His father had been warmly greeted by his brothers, one of whom was the Earl of Adare. A number of other adults and children were present. He’d only seen the lovely golden girl dressed in pink silk and satin seated on the gold damask sofa.

He had mistakenly assumed her to be a real princess. He had never seen anyone as pretty, and when she had looked at him, he’d felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. But she turned her nose up at him like a true snob. He’d instantly wanted to impress her. He had strutted over to her. Without even an introduction, he had boasted about his exploits on the high seas. Her purple eyes had become as huge as saucers….

The memory almost made Alexi smile. Within days, they had become friends. However, his smile failed him now. Last night, Elysse had been even more stunning than he recalled. Was it possible that he’d forgotten just how beautiful she was? He’d certainly forgotten how petite she was. When he’d rushed to her side as she’d tripped on the stairs, taking a firm hold of her, he’d been stunned at how tiny and feminine she had felt in his arms.

Of course, he wasn’t the only man to have noticed her striking looks. Ogilvy was smitten—and if he didn’t miss his guess, she had ensnared his pilot, too.

His heart turned over hard. She was damned beautiful—and she knew it. She’d known it since she was a little girl. She’d been a reckless flirt then and she was a reckless flirt now. He’d watched her casual flirtations for years. They’d always amused him. He hadn’t ever really understood how her suitors allowed themselves to be so easily played, as if led around by her on a very short leash.

Had she really thought to flirt with him? Had she thought to put him on her leash? If she batted those lashes at him another time he might call her bluff and kiss her senselessly. She’d be shocked, wouldn’t she?

Except he knew he was deluding himself. He would never treat her that way. He had been acutely aware of her from the moment they had met as children, and that had never changed. There had always been that special bond between them. Others might think her filled with airs, but he knew the truth—that a heart of gold beat within her chest. He also knew how kind she was—no one was as loyal—and she was exceptionally loyal to him. She couldn’t help the fact that her parents spoiled her terribly, or that she had been blessed with so much privilege and such exceptional looks. None of that really mattered. What mattered was how well she understood him; sometimes, he felt that she knew his thoughts, when he wasn’t even speaking. And how often had he known her thoughts—and secrets—without her having to verbalize them?

But that strong bond had been complicated for him from the start. There had always been a vague stirring of attraction for him, from that first moment when they had met as children. As a boy, he’d always assumed that one day, far in the future, when he was a grown man, she was the woman he would take as his wife. There had never been any ifs, ands or buts about it.

But at fifteen, he’d discovered women. Actually, he’d discovered sex. And any such beliefs or assumptions about Elysse had been buried deep.

Well, he had returned home now. He wasn’t a naive eight-year-old boy or a randy sixteen-year-old. He was twenty-one and a very successful merchant sea captain. He was also a bachelor—and he liked it that way. He was not interested in marriage, not any time soon. But that vague stirring of attraction wasn’t vague any longer. It was a heated pounding in his loins. The desire was unmistakable, and no longer easy to ignore. It was powerful and disturbing.

The sooner he left Ireland, the better, he thought firmly. Then he could decide how to manage his feelings for her by the next time he came home.

“Your countryside is beautiful, Mrs. de Warenne.”

Alexi came out of his brooding instantly.

“I am so glad you think so,” Amanda, his stepmother, replied, smiling at William Montgomery from across the dining-room table.

“I thought I would only want to spend a day or two here in the countryside, but I was wrong,” Montgomery said with his thick Southern accent, sipping from a cup of China tea. “I should enjoy riding across the Irish moors many times.”

They were seated at the table with Amanda and Cliff. His sisters remained upstairs. His father was engrossed in the London Times and Alexi had been trying to read the Dublin newspapers, which were a treat, as they were impossible to come by outside of Britain. He especially liked the social columns—he missed the gossip about what everyone was up to—but this morning, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on a single word. Now, he stared at his pilot. Montgomery had saved his life in Lower Canada. He’d risked his own life to do so. They were friends, but he happened to know that the pilot was ruthless when it came to his pursuit of beautiful women.

Montgomery would never try to seduce Elysse, surely. He was, after all, Alexi’s pilot and a guest in his home. Their flirtation last night had been a casual, insignificant one. Yet why would he wish to linger in the countryside? “You’ll be bored by this evening,” Alexi said flatly, suddenly hoping he was right. “I am actually thinking of cutting my stay short.”

Cliff laid down his newspaper, his blue gaze searching. “Why would you do that?”

“I want to get to London and start working on the plans for my new ship,” he said. In London, he and Montgomery could carouse to their heart’s desire.

Amanda smiled at the pilot. “I am so glad you are enjoying Ireland. I remember the first time I came here. I was so swept away by every single thing—the old homes, the green hills, the mist, the people! This is your first time here, is it not?”

“Yes, it is, and I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality. Your home is so lovely, Mrs. de Warenne.” Now, he looked at Alexi, smiling ever so slightly. “I enjoyed meeting the O’Neill family very much last night.”

Alexi tossed the Dublin Times aside, sitting up straighter. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Elysse that the American was a terrible ladies’ man. They had spent ten days in Batavia, drinking, gaming and whoring, while waiting for a shift in the winds before running up the China Sea to Canton. Montgomery was a good-looking man with too much Southern charm and women flocked to him like ducks to water. His gallantry got him into the finer homes in the ports they put into, and he had seduced his share of married women—but he hadn’t ever ruined an innocent daughter, not that Alexi knew of. Up until then, Alexi had considered him a true kindred spirit. Surely he did not wish to linger in Ireland in order to pursue Elysse. Or had she so thoroughly worked her wiles on him, already? When a man wanted a woman, it was often so hard to think clearly!

Cliff surprised them all by saying, “Elysse O’Neill is a very lovely woman.”

“I don’t believe I have ever met a woman as beautiful,” Montgomery said shortly. “Or as charming.”

He was stunned. Was Montgomery being polite—or was he smitten? He sounded very intense. “Be careful, my friend, or she will soon lead you about on her little leash as she does all of her proper suitors.”

“Alexi!” Amanda gasped in disapproval. “That was terribly rude!”

Alexi fingered the saucer of his teacup. “Well, I am just worried about my friend. He hardly needs to have his heart broken. Elysse doesn’t mean to hurt anyone,” he added, knowing that was the truth. “But she is a skilled coquette. I have seen her gather admirers ever since she was twelve or thirteen. She is adept at it. And frankly, she is even more of an impossible flirt today than she was when I left.”

Cliff shook his head. “This conversation is highly impolitic, Alexi.”

“There is no harm in flirting,” Amanda said to him, as reproof.

Montgomery added, “At home, a lady who doesn’t flirt would be considered odd. Flirting is rather an art in Maryland.”

Alexi folded his arms across his chest and refrained from scowling. He wasn’t sure what had possessed him to speak so disparagingly of Elysse, whom he cared for, in front of his friend, who was still an outsider to the family. “I just think you should keep your distance, William. Her charms can be fatal.”

Montgomery smiled slowly. “Are you speaking from experience?”

He tensed. “I have never had a broken heart—nor do I intend to ever have one.”

“You know that ladies are few and far between on our runs. Last night was very enjoyable—I look forward to the company of all the ladies here again.” The pilot picked up his cup and sipped.

But his intentions were clear. He meant to see Elysse again. Alexi stared thoughtfully at him. He truly didn’t care if Montgomery and Elysse flirted once or twice, as long as Montgomery remained respectful. There was really no reason for him to believe that he would ever behave in any other manner—they weren’t in Lisbon, Malta or Singapore now—but he continued to feel disturbed. He was sensing that Montgomery was simply too interested in Elysse for his own good—or her own good. When it came to Elysse, he simply didn’t trust his pilot, as he had told her last night. “You know, Dublin is a very entertaining city. We should spend a few days there before we return to London.”

Montgomery didn’t respond.

“Please don’t rush off so soon,” Amanda said, rising from her chair. She came to stand beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “We have all missed you so.”

Alexi knew he could not disappoint his family. He smiled at his stepmother. “I promise not to leave in any haste.”

“Good.” She kissed his cheek and excused herself.

“May I ask a question?” Montgomery said.

Alexi looked at him as his father returned to the London Times.

“Why isn’t Elysse married?”

He almost choked. Before he could answer, Cliff rattled his paper and said, “Her father means to find her a love match. Devlin has said so often enough.”

Montgomery sat up straighter. “Surely he means to find her a titled gentleman with deep pockets.”

“I’m sure he wishes for Elysse to have every privilege, but most importantly, he wishes for her to have genuine affection in her marriage,” Cliff said. He laid his paper down. “I’m afraid I have some tenants to see today. Alexi, do you wish to join me?”

Montgomery was obviously surprised by Cliff’s answer, and his mind was clearly racing. Alexi was disbelieving. Surely his pilot did not think to marry up? He couldn’t help thinking about the boy he’d once been—the boy who had secretly assumed that one day he’d grow up and marry Elysse O’Neill. “I have other plans, Father.”

Marriage was the last thing on his mind just then. All he wanted to do was escape his confusion and desire. He couldn’t wait to run back to China, pick up another Pekoe cargo, and then race the clock—and his rivals—for Great Britain.

But he couldn’t let this go.

Cliff left the dining room. Montgomery said soberly, “A great lady like Elysse O’Neill deserves all that life has to offer.” He took up his teacup abruptly.

Alexi stared. Was the American suddenly considering the possibility that Elysse might truly like him? That he might seduce her into falling in love? Elysse admired Montgomery. He was masculine and attractive; all women liked him. Men like Montgomery married up all the time. And Montgomery was an opportunist. Devlin might even embrace the American as a fellow seafarer and set him up in his own shipping line. He was suddenly certain that, while Montgomery was intrigued with Elysse, he was now just as intrigued with the idea of marrying into the great O’Neill fortune.

The stakes had entirely changed.

He pushed his plate away. Elysse couldn’t go to a dinner party, a dance or a ball without drawing every male in the room to her side and ensnaring them with her laughter, her looks and her charm. She had a way of hanging on to a man’s every word, making him feel ten feet tall and impossibly masculine, impossibly virile. He’d seen her do it a hundred times—no, even more. She’d been mesmerizing the male gender since she was a child of seven! But attracting Montgomery was a terrible idea—he had said so to her. Now, it had even worse ramifications.

Alexi crossed his arms. “You seem deep in thought, William.”

Montgomery glanced up. “I was trying to decide how to spend the morning.”

“Let’s ride.”

“That’s fine, as long as I am back by one.”

Alexi sent him a questioning look. “And what happens at that bewitching hour?”

“I am driving in the countryside today with the loveliest lady I have ever met.”

So they had made plans to meet again last night? Of course they had, because Elysse had ignored his warnings.

“Are you bothered with that?” Montgomery asked, his gaze riveted on Alexi.

“It’s going to rain today.” As a seaman, he could smell the impending rain. He damn well knew Montgomery could, too.

The American leaned across the table. “A bit of drizzle won’t stop me from enjoying Miss O’Neill’s company. Only a fool would postpone our afternoon. I asked you if you are bothered, Alexi.”

Our afternoon. “Actually, I am.”

Montgomery’s eyes gleamed. “I thought so. So, you are interested in Miss O’Neill?”

He didn’t move a muscle. “No. But I am very close to her and her family, Montgomery. We are friends, so I will be direct. She is a lady. One I will always protect.”

Montgomery wet his lips. “You don’t have to protect her from me.”

He laughed harshly. “What are you after, Montgomery? Since when do you play the gentleman and escort ladies about? I know what you want from a woman—we’ve ca-roused together far too many times. Elysse O’Neill is a lady—an innocent. She is not for you.”

“I know very well that she is not some dockside whore. I enjoy her company. I mean no disrespect.” His stare hardened. “And she enjoys my company.”

He sat up straighter, certain Montgomery was calculating his chances of far more than seduction. What would he do if Elysse decided that she wished to marry the pilot? Could she be so foolish as to fall for him? “She flirts with everyone. You are taking her too seriously.”

“I think you are jealous.”

He was startled. “I have known her since we were children, Montgomery. I know her as well as I know my own sisters. Why would I be jealous of her shallow flirtations? I have watched her suitors come and go for years. I am merely concerned, as her friend and her protector.”

“You would be jealous because she is too beautiful for words,” he said, standing abruptly. “Any man with a drop of red blood in his veins would dream of receiving her smile and being allowed into her arms. I know you, too. You have dreamed of her just like all the rest of us.”

Alexi stood, as well, his heart slamming. “I am trying to warn you that she is toying with your affections. I have seen her toy with men for most of my life.”

“And I am trying to tell you that I don’t mind. But if you must know, I believe she has a genuine interest in me.” He added, “She likes me, Alexi. She is attracted to me. I have been around enough women to know when a woman is truly interested. Perhaps you will have to simply accept that.”

He said harshly, “You are being played. And if you think she will consider a suit from you, you are wrong.”

Montgomery smiled at him. “We are going for a carriage ride, Alexi. It is an afternoon’s outing. I don’t recall suggesting I might get down on bended knee.”

Was he reading too much into what was merely an innocent flirtation? “Fine. Then enjoy your carriage ride.” He added, perhaps unnecessarily, “But remember, she is a lady and my friend.”

“How could I ever forget?”

“When she smiles at you as if you are the only man in the world, and you are alone, you might very well forget everything except what is pounding beneath your belt.”

Their gazes remained locked. “I would never seduce her,” he finally said. Alexi stared closely, but his expression was bland. “Do you realize that we are fighting?”

“We aren’t fighting—we are friends,” Alexi said tersely. But his words felt hollow and false. Montgomery felt like a dangerous adversary. The bottom line remained that he didn’t trust the American with Elysse. And he was angry with her for ever flirting with his pilot in the first place. “In fact, we are more than friends—I owe you my life. If not for you, my scalp would be hanging outside some Huron’s hut right now, in the Canadian territory.” He tried to focus on that fact. It was impossible. He pictured Elysse in Montgomery’s arms, their embrace passionate. God, he didn’t even know if she had ever been kissed!

“And you saved my life in Jamaica, during the revolts,” Montgomery returned.

“We might not have gotten up the China Sea in one piece without your mastery,” Alexi said.

“So why are we arguing? Let’s swear that we will not fight over a woman, even one as beautiful as Miss O’Neill.” Montgomery held out his hand.

Alexi hesitated, his mind racing. An image of Elysse, impossibly beautiful in pale green, was engraved on his mind. He saw her laughing with the pilot—he saw her gazing deeply into his own eyes. He shook himself free of her spell and accepted Montgomery’s handshake. “I wouldn’t think of fighting with you.”

“Good.” Montgomery grinned. Alexi smiled back, but it was an effort to curl his mouth upward.

Montgomery left the breakfast room. They were at odds for the first time in two years. But worse, he no longer trusted the man who had saved his life. And it was entirely Elysse O’Neill’s fault.

ELYSSE KNEW THAT STANDING by the window in the front hall, so she could have a view of the drive and who was coming up it, was childish. And she wasn’t standing there because William Montgomery was calling on her this afternoon. Last night, she had overheard Alexi asking her father if they could have a private moment so he could ask him for advice. Devlin had suggested he come by at any time after lunch.

They hadn’t spoken again last night after he had warned her to stay away from his pilot. There hadn’t really been a chance, not with the house so filled with callers. Elysse had almost refused Montgomery when he had asked her if she’d drive with him the next day, but then, impulsively, she had decided that she was a grown woman. It hardly hurt to have another admirer on her arm, especially when that admirer seemed to annoy Alexi. While she trusted Alexi, he had no right to tell her who she could see. And a drive in the country was harmless, anyway.

Still, she was looking forward to having a moment or two with him now. She still had a hundred questions about his voyage, and she wished to know what had happened in Lower Canada. The more she thought about it, the more she was grateful that Montgomery had been there to save his life. If the adventure wasn’t fit for a lady’s ears, it must be ghastly, indeed. She couldn’t imagine what she would do if anything had happened to him!

A movement behind her startled her. Elysse turned to find her tiny, dark-haired mother entering the hall. Virginia smiled at her. “Why don’t you wait for him in the library? Those new shoes look terribly uncomfortable.”

Elysse glanced down at her new, cream-colored patent-leather booties. The heel was fashionably high and her toes already hurt. But the shoes matched her ensemble perfectly. “It’s really too early for Mr. Montgomery to arrive. Maybe I will wait for him in the library.” As she spoke, she felt herself flush.

Virginia touched her arm, her purple gaze searching. “Elysse, I am your mother. We both know that the pilot is a nice enough man and that you couldn’t care less about him.”

“I hardly know him, Mother, but I am looking forward to getting to know him better. He has so many stories to tell!”

“Really? I noticed that Alexi has a great many tales of his adventures at sea, and that he has grown into a fine, capable man. Not only does he remind me of Cliff, he reminds me of your own father,” Virginia said. “He is responsible and intelligent and industrious. I’ve been hoping that the two of you will have a chance to genuinely renew your friendship.”

Elysse felt her heart race. “Only you, Mother, would speak openly about how hard he labors, even if at sea.” Most of the ladies and gentlemen she knew disdained any kind of labor for profit, never mind that they needed vast incomes to live well. But her mother was an American and she was very fond of pursuing profit. Elysse didn’t mind. She just knew they should not speak openly of it. She smiled. “He has certainly had a successful voyage, hasn’t he?”

“He is a very fine young man! And I know you think so, too. Has it ever occurred to you to tell him that you have missed him? I am sure he would be pleased to hear it.”

She was aghast. What was her mother thinking? She would never tell Alexi such a thing! “He would think me one of his love-struck hussies—exactly like that Louisa Cochrane. Worse, he would laugh at me!”

“Why not ask him if he wishes to drive in the country?” she said, smiling. “No one would ever think you a hussy, dear.”

“I would never do such a thing! Mother! A lady does not throw herself at a gentleman!”

“Louisa Cochrane doesn’t seem to mind making her interest known, dear, and she is not a hussy—she is our neighbor and a lady.”

Elysse’s eyes widened as her mother walked away, a smug look on her pretty face. She didn’t know why she had ever liked Louisa. Last night, Jack had gone on and on about how attractive she was, and that if he was a marrying man—which he was not—he might take her on, himself.

Virginia had noticed that Louisa was pursuing Alexi and had thought enough of it to mention it to Elysse. What did she expect her to do about it? Alexi’s sordid affairs were not her concern. Alexi was a dyed-in-the-wool bachelor who tired of his affairs very, very quickly. Their affair should hardly cause her stomach to hurt.

Her heart thudded, far too hard for comfort. When had her relationship with Alexi become so complicated and confusing? He was an old and dear friend, that was all. But last night it had taken her hours to fall asleep. She’d kept thinking about Alexi and his tea, Alexi and Louisa, and the way he had looked at her, as if he meant to kiss her.

She had probably imagined that.

She heard the hacks outside before she saw them, their hoofbeats distinct upon the graveled drive. Elysse ran to the window and saw Alexi and his pilot astride two of his father’s magnificent Thoroughbreds. Montgomery was early—and she was a bit disappointed.

The men were dismounting. Alexi carried a large parcel, wrapped in brown paper. Almost certain it was her gift, Elysse turned and hurried into the library, seating herself on the sofa and carefully arranging her skirts. Her color felt high. She touched her hair, which was curled and coiffed. Every strand felt as if it was in place.

Alexi sauntered into the library alone, clearly at home and not needing a servant to usher him in. He set the parcel on a chair. “Hello, Elysse,” he said softly. “What’s wrong? Couldn’t you sleep last night?”

She stood, flushing. He couldn’t know what thoughts had kept her up last night. She eyed the parcel but restrained herself. “Hello, Alexi. Did you sleep well?” she asked sweetly.

“I slept very well,” he drawled, as if amused.

She tore her gaze from the package. “Where is Mr. Montgomery?”

“He is chatting with your father, Elysse.” He came closer. “Let me guess.” His tone was a murmur now. “You were up all night, dreaming about your outing with Montgomery.”

She trembled. Why was he using that seductive tone on her? “And if I was?” she challenged, wetting her lips. “It is hardly your concern. Besides, you look ragged today, too. You did not sleep well, either.”

“Oh, I didn’t say you looked ragged. You are lovely as always, and you know it. So let me guess again. You couldn’t sleep because you were thinking…of me?” He laughed out loud.

If she’d held a purse, she would have thrown it at his broad chest. “My mother thinks you have turned into a fine, upstanding man of character. I beg to differ. You are rude and unbearable, more so than ever.”

If anything, his expression grew more pleased. “You are so easy to bait, sweetheart,” he said. Then he turned and picked up the parcel, very casually. “Don’t you want to know what’s inside, Elysse?”

She tried to keep her eagerness from her face. “Is it for me?”

He smiled slowly at her. “Yes, it is.” He handed her the paper-wrapped gift.

Her heart leaped and she felt like a child, wanting to tear the wrapper apart. Somehow, she restrained herself, slowly untying the ribbon. Her fingers suddenly felt clumsy as she tried to open it.

He came up from behind her, reaching past her, enveloping her with his body’s heat. “Here.” His breath feathered her nape and she went still. “Let me help you.”

She didn’t move—she couldn’t. Didn’t he know that he was crowding her? That she was practically in his arms? Then he stepped past her, filling her with relief and disappointment. He began to slowly unwrap the paper. He glanced up at her, sidelong, and smiled.

“You are being a tease.”

“Yes, I am.”

He finally tore open the paper, and Elysse glimpsed the gleaming dark brown fur. She gasped as a sable coat fell into his hands.

“Alexi! You remembered—and you even made it into a coat!”

“Let’s see if it fits.” He settled it on her shoulders, and she slid her arms into the sleeves.

Elysse wrapped herself in it. “It fits perfectly.” She met his gaze. “You didn’t forget.”

“I said I’d bring you a Russian sable,” he said roughly. “I never say what I don’t mean. I never forget a promise when I make one.”

Tears came to her eyes as she was cocooned in the fur coat and she became aware of his hands on her shoulders. “How can I accept this?” she asked unsteadily, her eyes searching his. She didn’t know why the coat meant so much to her. It was the most precious gift she had ever received.

“How can you refuse?” he returned. “I won’t take it back.”

He finally dropped his gaze and paced away from her. She watched him, still stunned, feeling mesmerized. She was so happy he was home, she thought nervously. Why did he have to ever leave?

Alexi faced her. “I don’t like you toying with my pilot, Elysse.”

She stiffened. His eyes were serious. She didn’t want to argue. “I am not toying with him. I enjoy his company.” She was aware that she dissembled, that the pilot meant nothing to her.

“You flirted shamelessly with him and you know it.”

She inhaled, hurt by his words. “That is unfair. Every woman flirts. Why are you doing this now?”

“I am protecting you. Flirt as you will—and I know you will flirt insatiably—but just not with my pilot.”

“You were flirting even more shamelessly with Louisa.”

He smiled slowly, without mirth. “I’m a man and a de Warenne at that. She is a woman—and a widow.”

He had just made his intentions clear. He would pursue Louisa, but not for marriage, oh, no. Why did his affair hurt her even more than his criticism? She took off the coat, breathing hard. “I hope you enjoy yourself.”

“You sound peeved. No, you sound jealous. Are you jealous, Elysse?”

Was moisture gathering in her eyes? “I’m a lady. I would hardly be jealous of one of your paramours.” But in that moment, she did not understand her own feelings.

His gaze changed and became searching. “William is my friend. I owe him my life. I am asking you to cease your flirtation and leave him alone. I see no good coming of a relationship between you both.”

Because she trusted him, she was almost ready to agree. But would he leave Louisa alone if she asked? She knew the answer to that question. “We are going for a carriage drive, Alexi. He is hardly a suitor! Who is jealous now?”

He flushed. “Playing with his affections is a mistake, Elysse. Trust me. I know.”

“I’m just being friendly. He’s your guest—last night he was our guest. I don’t understand why you are being so difficult.”

Alexi approached her. His face was set with determination but his long strides were unhurried. She tensed impossibly. He paused before her, and she started when his fingertips grazed her cheek. “And what will you do if he courts you seriously?”

It was almost impossible to think. “If he wants to court me?” He was tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear. Elysse felt her pulse explode. “I don’t know… It is my choice to make!”

He dropped his hand to his side and said flatly, “I don’t trust him.”

She wanted him to lay his hand on her face again—or her shoulder—or her arm or anywhere else that he chose. Her entire body felt inflamed. Confused, she backed away. She had known Alexi forever—no matter how dashing and handsome he was, he was her friend! “That is absurd. What could he possibly do? He may be a pilot but he is a gentleman—at heart, anyway.”

“He isn’t a gentleman, Elysse. I know firsthand. I am warning you that his pursuit of a woman can be ruthless.”

“Why are you doing this?” she cried, frustrated but uncertain why.

“I am trying to protect you,” he said.

She started. For the first time in years, she recalled the promise he had made to her so long ago in Ireland, when they were children. “I am flattered and grateful, but I don’t need your protection, Alexi.”

They stared at one another and the moment felt interminable. He finally said, “He has been blinded by your beauty and lost all common sense.”

“Nonsense,” she managed.

“Don’t you expect all men to lose their judgment when confronted with the possibility of being with you, even if only for a moment?” he asked, very softly.

“No,” she somehow whispered, “I don’t.”

“Liar,” he returned, their gazes locked.

She trembled and reached for his arms. His eyes widened as she clasped his powerful biceps. Elysse felt as if her skin was on fire. It was hard to think. She didn’t really know what she was doing, but holding on to Alexi now felt so terribly right, even if her heart seemed to be trying to pound its way out of her chest.

To her disappointment, he pulled away from her. His own cheeks were flushed and his blue eyes glittered. For one moment, he looked at her, his stare shockingly bold.

Elysse backed up as he turned away from her. She hugged herself. Her body was screaming at her. There was no more doubt as to what was happening to her. She desired Alexi, and it was a desire she’d never felt before.

He said roughly, “Could you fall in love with him? A man without a title, a master of the seas? A simple, courageous seaman who is brave and determined?” He cleared his throat, slowly facing her. “We both know Devlin will do anything you want him to do. If you wanted to marry the pilot, he would approve—if it was for love.”

What was Alexi talking about? “Are you talking about Mr. Montgomery?”

He nodded. “Who else would I be speaking of? Who else has come here to see you today?”

The room seemed to spin. She had never felt more off balance. “I like him, but I am not in love with him. I doubt I will ever fall in love with him.” Why were they discussing the pilot? Why didn’t Alexi take her in his arms? Didn’t he feel the blinding need, too?

His stare was hard and intense, unwavering. It was a long time before he spoke. “Then maybe you should tell him, very frankly, what you have just told me.” He turned to leave, adding, “Instead of leading him on so merrily.”

She hurried after him. “We are going for a carriage ride! I am not leading anyone on!”

“I think he is smitten, and you know it! He may even be calculating his chances of a legitimate courtship, Elysse. You are deliberately leading him on.”

“I am doing no such thing. Since you have come home, it is as if you think the worst of me!”

“You are always the lady in the room with a dozen admirers.”

“I am twenty years old and unwed! Should I turn away from possible suitors?”

“Have you ever turned anyone away?” he demanded.

She shrank. “You make me sound like a harlot!”

“You flirt like one.”

She was stricken. “That isn’t true.”

“Do what you want, Elysse,” he finally said grimly. “You always do.”

“And you do not?” she demanded furiously.

He strode through the library. She ran after him, then paused on the threshold. What was she doing? She had been watching well-bred ladies chasing him for years. She could hardly behave like that! She clung to the library door, aghast and bewildered.

He glanced back at her. “I’m glad you like the coat,” he said. “William is waiting in the other room.”

Elysse didn’t answer; she couldn’t.

CHAPTER THREE

ELYSSE CLUNG TO THE SAFETY STRAP of the black lacquer carriage she shared with her parents and brother as it passed through the heavy wrought-iron gates that guarded the de Warenne property. Those gates were open now, flanked by stone curtain walls that stretched away into the distance. As their coach entered the long shell drive, she could see the house, pale and gray, in the distance. Windhaven was silhouetted against the twilight skies and lights blazed from the windows.

Impossibly dashing in his tuxedo, Jack dug his elbow into her ribs and jeered.

She frowned at him.

“Someone has to bring you down,” he said, grinning.

She decided to ignore him. Their mother reproved Jack, murmuring for him to stop teasing his sister.

Elysse stared out of her carriage window, clinging to the strap. Several days had passed since that stunning encounter with Alexi in her father’s library. The fact that he had remembered his promise to bring her a Russian fur gave her so much pleasure, yet she hadn’t forgotten her disbelief and hurt that he had practically called her a harlot. She was certain he hadn’t meant it—he couldn’t have meant it. Mostly, though, she couldn’t stop recalling the explosion of desire she had experienced when he had so casually touched her. And she kept remembering the smoldering look in his eyes, before he’d turned away from her. But maybe she had imagined her desire and his response to it. She wasn’t sure what to expect when they came face-to-face again that night.

He hadn’t been back to Askeaton since he’d brought her the fur, and she knew why he hadn’t called. She’d heard plenty of gossip about his comings and goings. Apparently he was squiring Louisa Cochrane about the countryside on a nearly constant basis.

She shouldn’t care who he was carrying on with, but every time she thought of him with the other woman, pain knifed through her heart.

She had tried to remind herself that their dalliance was nothing unusual, not really, for Alexi was always having an affair. He remained her steadfast friend. But for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel reassured. Confusion and doubt reigned. She had even debated going to Windhaven on the pretext of calling on Ariella. Somehow she had restrained herself. He would see through such a sham instantly, and mock her desire to see him.

It almost felt as if he were deliberately avoiding her. But why would he do that?

The carriage had slowed, entering the end of the queue of coaches and carriages in front of the house. Cliff had built Windhaven the same year he had brought his son home from Jamaica, in honor of his bride, Amanda. The three-story house was Georgian in design, with four corner towers and a high, sloping slate roof. The gardens surrounding it were magnificent, filled mostly with roses—everyone in the county knew how fond Amanda was of English roses. His stables were of pale beige stone, as were the servants’ living quarters. It was a palatial home, and testimony to the success of his worldwide shipping empire.

Two dozen conveyances were lined up ahead of them, Elysse saw. She recognized the gilded coach belonging to the Earl of Adare. Tyrell de Warenne was Cliff’s oldest brother and Alexi’s uncle. He could have gone to the head of the queue, of course, but he had chosen to await his turn, like anyone else. Clearly, no one had declined Amanda’s invitation, but then, there was nothing like an Irish country ball, and these days, with corn so dear, the workhouses full and the National Debt a dinnertime topic of conversation, they were few and far between.

Jack patted her knee. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Montgomery will ask you for a waltz or two.”

She glared at him. Montgomery was not the man keeping her wide awake at nights, although he had turned out to be a very gallant suitor. Elysse had enjoyed his stories of the sea. By now, she knew almost every detail of what had transpired from the moment Alexi had first met the pilot on the St. Lawrence in Lower Canada. Of course, Montgomery had not told her about the day he had saved Alexi’s life. She knew that Montgomery agreed that she was too delicate to withstand those details, just as she also knew he thought her enthralled with his stories. She was enthralled, but not for the reason he believed. Through Montgomery’s tales, she had pieced together so many details of the past two years of Alexi’s life.

Their drive in the country had been a very pleasant one. He was handsome, charming and intelligent, and he often made her laugh. He was very attentive, and she wondered if Alexi was right in insisting that Montgomery was thoroughly taken with her. She did feel a bit guilty that she did not return those feelings.

In fact, their last outing had been somewhat awkward. They had decided to wait out an intense rain shower in a farmer’s stable, but when he had helped her out of the carriage she had somehow wound up in his arms. She was experienced enough to realize he had maneuvered her into the position. As they waited for the rain to stop, Elysse had caught him looking at her with open male interest, and she’d been certain that Montgomery wanted to kiss her. That had made her anxious and uncomfortable, as she had no wish to be kissed by him or any of her suitors. Kisses were, of course, highly improper and she’d never received more than a peck on the check or a lingering kiss on the hand. She had wondered briefly if she was leading him on, as Alexi had accused her of doing. But every debutante she knew enjoyed the company of numerous suitors, including those they did not take seriously.

She had kept up a stream of lively conversation and he had never made the advance, much to her relief. Instead, the rain had abated and they had returned to Askeaton.

He’d asked if he could call on her again. It had crossed her mind that she should do as Alexi had asked—she should tell Montgomery, very frankly, that he was just a friend. She did not want to lead him on or give him false hope, not really. But then she thought of how Alexi was ignoring her—and how preoccupied he was with Louisa. Surely she was entitled to a casual flirtation, when he was wildly involved with his paramour!

So instead of telling Montgomery the truth, she had invited him to Adare. The earl had not been at home, but she had introduced him to the countess. Lizzie had insisted on giving them refreshments and her daughter Margery had joined them. It had been a very pleasant afternoon. Afterward she had given him a tour of the ancestral mansion, regaling him with the family’s long and convoluted history, which went back to Norman times. Montgomery had seemed at ease with everyone and everything, but when they were driving home he had confessed he had never met a countess before, much less been in a palace like Adare.

“I would have never known.” Elysse had smiled. She decided not to tell him that Adare was hardly a palace.

“I have never met a princess like you, either,” he had said, his gaze searing.

His look was too bold for her comfort now. “I am hardly a princess! You are teasing me, sir.”

“For a man like me, you are a dream come true,” he had said, obviously meaning every word. “When I am with you, sometimes I wonder if I am dreaming and I will wake up to find out that these moments have never happened. You are a princess in every possible way, to me, at least.”

She had been flattered. Where Alexi thought she flirted like a harlot, William Montgomery thought her a princess. When he had smiled warmly at her, she had smiled back, and then they had driven the rest of the way to Askeaton, chatting, their friendship somehow stronger.

She had received her invitation to Amanda’s “celebratory spring ball” a few days ago. A personal note had been enclosed. Amanda had written that the ball was being held in her stepson’s honor, to welcome Alexi home from China properly and to celebrate his stunningly successful run.

Her heart skipped a beat or two. She knew Alexi’s plans—Montgomery had revealed them. He would not run for China till early summer, as the first pick of tea was in July and it took a good month or more to send it down to the Cantonese warehouses from the interior; it could take another month or more to negotiate for the cargo and its price. And that was if he got the first pick again, which the pilot said was by no means a certainty. The trade was so highly competitive! November was the most dangerous month in which to beat down the China Sea—while the monsoon which came from the northeast was a terrific boon, it was accompanied by terrible typhoons, and few captains would disembark that month. Even Alexi preferred to depart in December. Elysse realized that once he left in June, he would not be home until March—a full year from now.

And he had no intention of carousing in Dublin or London until June. Next week he would return to Liverpool to pick up a cargo for a short Mediterranean run. When he returned from Cyprus, Elysse would be certain to be in London to see him. Maybe by then this strange impasse would be forgotten and they would be friends again.

But did she really want to return to their old friendship? She thought about being in his arms and her skin tingled. Except Louisa Cochrane was the woman in his arms. She had, somehow, been completely forgotten.

But tonight she intended to change that.

It was their turn to alight from the coach. She was terribly nervous about seeing Alexi again. Jack dutifully helped her down, her voluminous satin skirts being somewhat treacherous. She was wearing her most stunning dress tonight. The gown was at once sophisticated and daring—even her brother’s eyes had widened when he had first seen her in it. Of lavender silk, the low-cut bodice revealed a great deal of her chest and shoulders. The dress boasted expansive demigigot sleeves while the equally full skirts were intricately beaded and the narrow waistline was banded with darker velvet and a bow. She wore amethyst and diamond jewelry to complete the ensemble. Surely Alexi would notice her now.

As he guided her to the front door, Jack whispered, “I wonder, Elysse, just whom are you wearing that dress for?”

She flushed and glared at him. Elysse kept her voice low. “I have no idea what you mean.”

He grinned at her. “After you, sister.”

Standing at the front door with Cliff and Amanda was the guest of honor.

Alexi looked directly at her. Elysse paused behind her parents, trying not to make a sharp sound. She hadn’t seen Alexi in formal evening wear in years. He was so devastatingly handsome, so impossibly male. Now she knew she hadn’t imagined the desire she had felt earlier in the week. Her heart leaped. If she wasn’t careful, he would guess that she had somehow become terribly attracted to him. Suddenly, when she was usually the queen of every ball and the center of so much attention, she did not know what to do. How on earth could she get him to realize that she was a beautiful woman?

She dared to glance at him again. Although he moved to greet her parents, his gaze was unwavering upon her.

She wondered if he knew about her second outing with Montgomery. It was now her turn to greet their hosts. She kissed Amanda’s cheek, murmuring a greeting, and smiled at Cliff. Even as she gave Cliff her hand, she felt Alexi staring at her. Heat crested in her cheeks. Slowly, she looked up.

“Hello, Elysse.” He spoke softly—intimately—taking her entirely by surprise. “You are stunning tonight. Clearly, you will be the belle of this ball.”

She knew he meant it and she smiled at him, thrilled. “And you are so very handsome in your tuxedo, Alexi. Surely you are the most dashing gentleman here.”

She thought she saw some amusement in his blue eyes, but she couldn’t be certain. His dark brows lifted. “Is Jack your escort?”

She felt her tension escalate and she wet her lips. “I don’t have an escort,” she managed. “So we are no longer arguing?”

His gaze held her own regard. “We are not arguing. I don’t want to fight with you.”

She smiled happily, but she was aware of remaining incredibly nervous. “Do you really like my dress?”

His long, thick, black lashes lowered. It was a moment before she realized that his gaze had moved down her bodice before jerking back up to her face. A slight flush marked his high cheekbones. “Of course I like the dress. Every man here will like the dress. It is indecent on an unwed woman, Elysse.” His tone seemed rough.

Before she could protest that his claim was absurd, he said, “But when you chose it, you knew that you would attract even more attention than you usually do.”

She trembled. She had chosen the dress to attract his attention, but she could hardly admit that. “Every woman dresses up for a ball, especially when there are so few these days.”

He did not respond and she realized they were holding up the line. She lowered her voice and said, “I heard that you are leaving for Cyprus soon.”

His gaze sharpened. Without turning, he said to Cliff, “Excuse us for a moment.”

“What are you doing?” she asked, as he pulled her from the front of the queue. They moved toward the long ebony console set against the pale stone wall. A tall, gilded baroque mirror was above it. In it, she saw their reflections—his serious, hers almost frightened. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Montgomery watching them, but she couldn’t care about that now.

“Yes, I will embark for Cyprus within days. How did you hear that?” he demanded.

She hesitated, not wanting to admit that Montgomery had told her.

He laughed. “As if I don’t know.”

“Are we going to argue again?” she cried, dismayed. “You have been so terribly preoccupied since your return, we have hardly had a word. I was hoping I might even have a dance with you,” she said. She felt her cheeks flame at the idea of having to ask him for a dance—and all because she wanted to be in his arms. She did not want to discuss Montgomery now. “You haven’t called.”

He avoided her eyes. “I have been busy.”

She hated Louisa Cochrane. How had that fat old hen caught his attention? “Were you planning to call and say goodbye, or did you mean to simply sail away for another two years?”

His gaze shot to hers, filled with surprise. “You sound accusing. Did you miss me, Elysse? Surely you were too busy with your five marriage proposals to ever think of me!”

She fumbled with her beaded purse. She had missed him, and she would miss him even more when he left this time. “I never expected you to stay away for so long,” she said, at a loss. His brows rose and she whispered, “Two and a half years is a very long time.”

After a long moment, he said, “Yes, it is.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to forgo the short run to Cyprus and back. “Why didn’t you come home?”

“I meant to do so after I returned from Canada, but I was offered a bonus for a timely run to Jamaica, and I could not refuse the agent.”

It had been business, she thought, but that did not make it any easier. “Are you ever homesick, when you are away?” What she wanted to know was if he had missed her.

His gaze widened. “Of course I am. I am homesick all of the time. It is lonely on the high seas, Elysse, especially on the night watch.”

She imagined him at the helm on his clipper ship in the Indian Ocean, the night black but bright and starry, the ship’s mainsails full, canvas moaning in the breeze. “I know how much you love the sea, how you love adventure.”

“Loneliness is a small price to pay,” he agreed. “The sea will always be my mistress.”

A naval captain’s daughter, she understood. “Don’t stay away again for so long,” she heard herself say. She flushed.

“Why would it matter, when you are so preoccupied with your parties and balls, and with your endless parade of suitors?”

“Of course it matters,” she said, his stare making her uncomfortable. “We are friends.”

“I wonder how many new suits there will be, by the time I next return?”

His tone was mild and she did not know what to say. “I am unwed. Of course there will be new suitors.”

“But every suitor does not rate a tour of Adare and a rest in our neighbor’s stables.”

He knew about her two outings with Montgomery. “It was raining,” she managed. “We had to escape the rain.”

His eyes flickered. “Of course, he behaved properly.”

She almost told him that Montgomery had looked at her as if he wanted to kiss her. “He was a perfect gentleman.”

Alexis glanced away. “Then you are very fortunate.” His gaze lifted to hers. “I asked you not to play him, Elysse.”

She was filled with guilt then. Was she “playing” William? “I do not play gentlemen. I am merely enjoying his suit. We have become friends.”

“Yes, you do play gentlemen, all the time, and you are excellent at it. I have watched you toy with male affections since you were a child.” He ignored her gasp of protest. “Now you are friends?” His tone was incredulous. “As we are friends?”

She felt as if she were being backed into a corner. “William is a friend. Of course, I hardly know him as well as I know you.”

“You do not know William at all.” He stared, his face hard.

She knew this was dangerous territory, but she couldn’t help herself. Their gazes locked, she said, “And I suppose you think that you know Louisa Cochrane well? And I am certain it is Louisa, not Mrs. Cochrane!”

“Do not bring Mrs. Cochrane into this.”

“Why not? She is obviously a fortune hunter,” Elysse cried, her gaze unwavering on his. “She is desperate to marry above herself, and soon! Why can’t you see that? Why do you even bother with her?”

He glanced aside. “I have made it very clear that I am not marrying anyone anytime soon.”

She felt her cheeks flame. She did not need him to remind her that they were lovers. She turned aside. Why did his affair bother her so much? When had she become so jealous? But all she could think of was Alexi and Louisa in a passionate embrace. It hurt so much. “She is undoubtedly planning on trapping you into marriage, even if it is a year from now.”

He caught her arm. “I am not discussing Louisa with you.”

“I knew it!” His familiar way of speaking of his mistress added to her hurt.

He didn’t release her. “Montgomery is besotted with you. But there is more. He is calculating his chances for a legitimate courtship. He is the one who is the fortune hunter here.”

She was taken aback. “That is absurd!”

“Is it? Have you told him that you could never fall in love with him? He knows that your father wants a love match for you. And men like Montgomery marry up all of the time!” His blue eyes sparked with anger now. “You are lucky he did not seduce you in the stables—then you would have been forced to marry him.”

She gasped. “What is wrong with you? William would never seduce me! He is a gentleman, Alexi. He is kind and sincere and, in fact, he thinks very highly of me!”

“Why won’t you listen to a single word I have said?”

“Because you aren’t making any sense!” Why did she feel like crying? “Why are you doing this? You have done nothing but ignore me since you have come home, while chasing after that hussy, and you would deny me a serious suitor.”

“Aha! So now you admit that he is seriously pursuing you?” he demanded.

She crossed her arms tightly and he looked at her cleavage. She flushed and managed, “Have you finished nagging at me? My dance card is full tonight.”

He dragged his gaze upward. “I thought you wanted a dance with me.”

“That was before you decided to be a boor.” She turned to rush away.

He took her arm, restraining her, and turned her back to face him. “I am not finished, Elysse.” His gaze hardened. “I want you to end this tonight, before you find yourself in jeopardy—the kind you cannot smile and laugh and flirt your way out of.”

She tried to jerk her arm free and failed. “You cannot order me about, as if I am one of your crew—or your sister.”

“You are making a mistake. Sometimes, Elysse, I feel like taking you over my lap and giving you the kind of spanking reserved for small children. You are truly the most stubborn woman I have ever met. You are playing my pilot and it is selfish and dangerous.”

She shot back, “You are playing Louisa, are you not? I wonder why you are so set against William but not my other suitors like James Ogilvy? Could it be that you are jealous?”

His eyes widened. “I am not jealous of you. I think of you as family. Not as anything else. We have known one another for thirteen years!”

She stepped back, stricken. “We aren’t family. We aren’t related at all!”

“Oh, ho! Wait a moment—are you jealous? Do you want my attentions?” He was incredulous.

“No, I do not!” she cried with panic.

His stare was skeptical, piercing. “I know you as well—no, better—than I know my own sisters! I know how you think and what you want—I know who you are. Sometimes I think I know you too well! When I walk into a room and I see you, I think, why, there is Elysse, the pretty, spoiled little princess I have known for most of my life!”

She was trembling. Tears were arising, and she didn’t want him to see. “Are you saying that you think of me as a sister? That you don’t even notice that I am an attractive and entirely grown-up woman?”

His mouth hardened. “Obviously you are good-looking, but I don’t think about it.”

She stared, terribly hurt.

His gaze slammed down to her lavender ball gown. “I hate that dress,” he said tersely. He strode away.

She did not move, in shock. When Alexi saw her in a room, he saw a spoiled little princess. He didn’t see a beautiful woman, he saw the girl he’d known his entire life, someone similar to a sister.

“I like the gown,” Montgomery said softly. “I think you are lovelier than ever. Elysse, don’t cry.”

She turned and found his concerned gray gaze upon her. Vaguely, she realized he had been eavesdropping. She couldn’t care. It was her heart that was broken.

Somehow, she smiled at him.

He reached for and held her hand.

SHE DIDN’T KNOW WHY she had ever yearned to be in Alexi de Warenne’s arms. She didn’t even know why she had ever considered him a friend. He was hateful. He thought to control her life, treat her as a sister, and all while he ran after hussies like the widow Cochrane. Who cared? She had never suffered a rejection before. She did not know of another debutante in Ireland who had had five marriage proposals in two years. His rejection did not matter—not at all!

And if William decided to press a suit, she might even encourage him. He was kind and sincere, and he did not judge her or accuse her of being a harlot. He did not think her spoiled and selfish. When he called her a princess, he meant it as the highest compliment. When Alexi did so, he meant it as a slur—as an indictment of her character!

Elysse danced her eighth dance of the evening, a smile pasted on her face. The handsome squire, Sir Robert Haywood, was a widower of thirty-five, and considered an excellent catch. He had called on her a few times, but she hadn’t ever had any real interest in him until that night. As they danced, she kept smiling at him, refusing to look about the ballroom. She did not want to set eyes upon Alexi, not ever again.

Their friendship was now over. She no longer found him fascinating, much less attractive—oh no. The dashing boy she had once loved as a child had turned into an awful, mean-spirited man. She hoped he stayed away five years this time! And she hoped Louisa trapped him into marriage. It would serve him right.

Tears burned behind her eyelids. She could not understand why she felt so hurt. To be hurt, one had to care, and she most definitely did not care about Alexi de Warenne. She batted her lashes rapidly and beamed at her dance partner as they finished the country waltz.

“You have never been as lovely, Miss O’Neill,” Haywood said, bowing. “I had no idea you were such a superb dancer.”

She took a flute of champagne from a passing waiter, trying to banish Alexi de Warenne from her mind and her life, all the while hoping he had noticed how many admirers she had. Not that she meant to make him jealous, as she did not. She couldn’t care less if he was jealous or not, but other men found her beautiful—other men did not think her character defective!

The champagne was delicious. “Thank you, Sir Robert. And thank you for such a wonderful dance. I do hope you won’t neglect me as you have done these past few months, sir.” She sipped from the champagne, aware that she had drunk more than her usual two glasses. She didn’t care. Without the champagne, she might not be able to hold back her ludicrous, inexplicable tears.

“I hadn’t realized you wanted me to call again,” Haywood said, flushing. “But I will gladly do so.”

Elysse encouraged him to call another time. When he had left her side, she quickly finished the champagne before rushing off to the dance floor with Jonathon Sinclair, one of the men who had offered for her. He was very tense and flushed, and she instantly knew he still desired her. He said, whirling her about in a German waltz, “I didn’t think you’d give me a single dance, Miss O’Neill.”

“Of course I would give you a dance.” She smiled at him. “I have been looking forward to it all evening long!”

He started. “Why are you being so kind?”

“Do you think me unkind, sir?” She feigned hurt, slipping her hand across his shoulder.

“Of course not,” he said harshly, missing a step. “I think you are as kind as you are beautiful!”

“When you next call on me, I will explain myself to you completely,” Elysse said. Even as she spoke, a little voice inside her head told her she was going too far, and she would regret it when he called.

“I will call on you tomorrow,” he said instantly. “With your permission, of course.”

“And I will be waiting with bated breath,” she responded gaily.

After two more dances, she had to beg off, in order to catch her breath. As she stood by a table filled with dessert trays, she caught Montgomery’s eye from across the room. He smiled at her and she smiled back. They’d already danced two times and he had been wonderful, light and quick on his feet. More importantly, his regard had been warm and intent. Perhaps Alexi was right—perhaps he was seriously interested in her. Why shouldn’t she encourage him? He was a seafaring man and she was the daughter of a naval captain. Her father seemed to like him—everyone seemed to like him—and she did not need to marry a fortune, as she had one of her own.

Pain still throbbed in her breast—in her heart—and threatened to erupt if she were not very, very careful.

She walked over to the tray of champagne, wondering if she dare take another flute, wishing desperately to genuinely be happy and gay. Then she could truly enjoy the ball and her suitors. But she felt unsteady in her heels. Surely the champagne would chase the need to cry away. In the past, a glass or two had always made her feel merry. Why couldn’t she feel merry now?

As she reached for a glass, a hand closed on her wrist. “You have had enough,” Alexi warned.

He had come up behind her. She slipped around in such a manner that, for a moment, she was in his arms, her breasts crushed against his chest. His eyes widened. She stared, challenging him silently to deny her attributes. He stepped backward, away from her.

Somehow she knew she had made him uncomfortable. She smiled, pleased. She would never let him see how hurt she was. She was the reigning belle of the ball—the debutante every bachelor wanted—a woman with too many admirers to count and no other cares at all. Surely, he could see that! “I must disagree, Alexi,” she said sweetly. “You may instruct Ariella and Dianna on how much they may or may not drink, but not me.” She smiled archly at him.

His stare narrowed. “Are you crying?”

Was there moisture on her lashes? “Of course not,” she said gaily. Ignoring the pain bubbling in her chest, she smiled as coyly as possible. “Have you suddenly realized that I am a grown woman? Have you noticed how many admirers I have? Have you come to queue up for a dance with me?” And unthinkingly—instinctively—she touched his cheek with her nails and skidded them lightly across his skin there.

He jerked his face back. “I do not want a dance!” He seized her hand, stilling it. “You are inebriated. You need to go home.”

“I’ve only had a glass or two and I am enjoying myself immensely. Aren’t you? Have you even danced a single time?” The pain had miraculously dulled. Alexi was angry with her—and she was pleased.

“No, Elysse, I haven’t danced and I don’t intend to. Cease this absurd pretense! You are going home.” He was final.

“I am not inebriated and I am not going home.” Then she slowly smiled. “Not unless you are offering to take me? Could you so desperately desire my company, the way every other man does?” She lifted her other hand and stroked his cheek. “Oh, wait, I forgot—you are shackled to Louise.”

His eyes were even wider now, his cheeks even redder. “It is Louisa, and I am not shackled to anyone. Are you flirting with me? Would you dare?”

“I flirt with everyone, remember?” she murmured, stepping closer to him. Her chest brushed his satin lapels and she heard his breath catch. She knew a woman’s sense of triumph. He was hardly indifferent to her now! She ignored her own racing pulse. “I am a reckless flirt—no, wait, I am a harlot. You said so, remember? I suppose that makes me just like your paramour!”

“I said you flirt like a harlot,” he said grimly, seizing her shoulders and putting a good distance between them. “Jack can take you home.”

“Like hell he can,” she said softly, swaying against him again.

This time, he did not move away. Elysse thought a fire burned between them. He finally said, “You are making a fool of yourself.”

“Why? Because every eligible man here wants me? Except, of course, for you.” She laughed at him again. “You are immune to my charms…aren’t you? That is why you are breathing so oddly!”

He inhaled. A terrible pause ensued. He finally said roughly, shifting to put a distance between them, “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing is wrong with me. I am simply enjoying this ball, as one hardly knows when we will have another one. But what is wrong with you, Alexi? Why do your eyes burn like that? Surely—surely—you aren’t filled with desire for me? I am a spoiled and selfish princess, after all. Or does that make you my prince? Are you my Prince Charming, Alexi? If so, I imagine you will sweep me into your arms! Oh, wait. That’s impossible—I forgot—you are a boor, not a prince!”

“You are truly drunk,” he said. “Like a sailor, Elysse. You are going home.”

“No, I am not.” She saw Montgomery approaching, his expression concerned. Montgomery clearly did not like Alexi manhandling her. He was her hero and protector now! “I can’t go home, because I promised William a walk in the gardens. Have you noticed how lovely the moon is tonight? They call it a lover’s moon, Alexi. In case you didn’t know.” She had never made such a promise, but a walk with him outside was exactly what she intended now.

His stare was disbelieving. “Are you acting this way to thwart me? Or just because you gain so much pleasure from playing the coquette?”

She laughed at him, stepping past him and holding out her hand to Montgomery. “I am enjoying a wonderful country ball, and now, I am about to enjoy a walk in the moonlight with my very favorite suitor.”

“Are you all right?” Montgomery asked, looking back and forth between them.

“We are having a family argument.” Elysse beamed at him, taking his arm. “Alexi is practically a brother to me, after all. Surely he has told you that?”

Montgomery glanced at Alexi again. When he looked back at Elysse, his gaze softened. “Do you need some fresh air, Elysse?”

“I should love some fresh air,” she responded, looping her arm tightly in his. As she did, she stole a look at Alexi.

He was angry, of that there was no doubt. “She should go home,” Alexi said to Montgomery, his tone hard.

“I’ll see her home when she is ready to go,” the American returned flatly.

Alexi made a harsh sound. Elysse looked back and forth between both men and knew they were fighting over her. She wished she was thrilled. Alexi deserved everything he got tonight. But instead, she felt the hurt all over again. “Let’s go,” she whispered to William.

Alexi gave her a dark, warning look. Then he turned and stalked away.

“Are you sure you are all right?”

“I am having a lovely time,” she told him, forcing a smile. “Aren’t you?”

He smiled at her, guiding her across the ballroom and out of it. “I am having a good time now. I must say, I wasn’t enjoying myself very much while you were dancing with all those other gentlemen.”

His gaze was serious and searching. He truly liked her—perhaps he even loved her. She had been so wrapped up in Alexi’s return that she had failed to realize just how handsome and charming William was. “You don’t have to be jealous,” she said.

He pushed open a door to the terrace. Because it was late March, it remained chilly at night and no one else was outside, even if the moon was mostly full and very bright. “Not even of Alexi?”

She faltered. “Of course not!”

“Good. Elysse, when I am with you, it is the best time of my life.”

She knew he meant it. She hesitated, recalling Alexi’s last, warning look before holding out her hand to him. He instantly took it and pressed it warmly to his mouth. She suddenly tensed. It was a moment before he released her hand.

She glanced at the terrace doors. Of course, Alexi would not follow them outside, not after that last look he’d given her.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

When she nodded, he took off his tailcoat and slipped it over her shoulders. His hands lingered. “I don’t want to take advantage of you, Elysse. But I am very fond of you.”

“You can’t take advantage of me,” she whispered, wondering if he was going to declare himself. She so needed a declaration of love now. She gazed into his eyes. Alexi was so wrong about him.

“I am glad to hear that. When you smile like that, a man might think it an invitation.”

Her glance strayed past him again. No one was watching them. She did not want to think of Alexi, not now or ever again. Should she encourage Montgomery to kiss her? Why not? He was the perfect suitor—it had just taken her a very long week to realize it! “Perhaps it is an invitation,” she managed.

He studied her and said softly, “I would like to court you, Elysse. My intentions are truly honorable ones.”

She trembled. “You may court me, William.”

He touched her chin, tilting up her face slightly, forcing their gazes to meet. “Good. I will speak with your father tomorrow about a proper suit.”

She didn’t know why she tensed. Her mind raced incoherently. Alexi’s image swam there. But this was what she wanted! “My father has always wanted a love match for me,” she finally said.

His eyes widened and he grasped her shoulders. “Are you saying that you love me?”

She hesitated, well aware that she did not love William—not yet. But she wanted his suit—desperately. Yet she must not lead him on. “I am becoming very fond of you,” she finally said.

He murmured, “Let’s walk out of the house lights.”

She wasn’t certain they should walk into the shadows at the edge of the terrace. But he smiled, taking her hand. “I want to kiss you, Elysse, and I don’t want to be interrupted,” he said softly. “Can you blame me? You are the most beautiful woman in Ireland—and you have just agreed to allow my suit.”

Should she allow him a kiss? Elysse paused, knowing Alexi would be furious if he learned of such behavior. Would a real kiss hurt? Hadn’t she enjoyed being in his arms on the dance floor? And Montgomery loved her—it was so obvious.

Realizing she had acquiesced, he led her across the terrace to the far side, where it was cast in shadow. He had a firm grasp on her arm, and she realized he meant to walk down the three steps onto the lawns. Suddenly she was confused. Did she really want to step so far away from the house?

“You are so beautiful,” he said. And then he caught her face in his hands and kissed her slowly and gently on the lips.

Elysse felt her tension soar. She had never been genuinely kissed. His mouth was very firm but gentle. It was pleasant, but not stunning. When Alexi had touched her in the library last week, her heart had exploded with desire. There was no such explosion now.

Tears butted up against her closed lids. Was this really happening? What was she doing?

“I love you,” he said thickly. “You are a dream come true.”

Elysse met his smoldering gaze and her heart raced. He loved her. He was a good man. Surely she could come to love him in return?

He suddenly put his arm around her. She thought he meant to kiss her again, but she found herself stepping down onto the lawns with him. He took her in his arms and kissed her again.

This time, his mouth was insistent, moving over hers again and again, and somehow she knew he wished for her to open her lips. She held firm, aware that she wasn’t ready, but she reached up for his shoulders. He grunted, the sound very male and shockingly sexual.

Some alarm began. They should stop—he had had his kiss.

But his grasp on her tightened. His mouth moved more roughly, more determinedly, on hers. His kisses were becoming frightening. She wanted to tell him that they should stop, but he loved her. She hesitated. Instead, before she could speak, his tongue thrust deep.

Alarm began as his heavy tongue filled her mouth. What was she doing? She choked. She did not want to be kissed like this! He was a stranger! She pushed at his shoulders, becoming very frightened now, but he didn’t notice.

Fear turned into panic. She told herself that the kiss would soon end—wouldn’t it? And he did love her. But one hand clasped her buttock and pulled her close, and she felt his stiff manhood against her hip. She had never felt that part of a man’s anatomy before, and she wanted to protest, her fear escalating. Instead, she froze.

Still holding her intimately, he broke the fierce kiss. “I love you,” he said, panting.

Before Elysse could protest and tell him that they must go back inside, he swept her back into his embrace, this time taking her down to the wet grass with him.

As his huge body covered hers, Elysse seized his shoulders to press him away—to push him off. Instead, his mouth tore at hers, his breathing heavy and harsh. She felt his hand move beneath her dress and underclothes to clasp her bare breast.

“William!” she somehow cried, but his kiss covered the sound of panic and protest. His arms were like a vise, his body like a clamp. She didn’t know how his huge thighs had gotten between hers. Her skirts seemed to be tangled up around her knees. What was he doing? She couldn’t do this!

And then she felt his hand high up on her thighs, beneath her skirts, only a thin soft layer of cotton between her and him. She bucked and twisted wildly now, desperate.

And suddenly Montgomery wasn’t on top of her anymore.

Elysse saw a blur of movement—and then Alexi was throwing Montgomery aside, his face a mask of rage.

She cried out. He had come to rescue her! She scrambled to stand up as Montgomery turned. Alexi tackled him viciously, head-on. Both men went down to the ground, struggling. Alexi was now on top, pummeling him furiously. She knew he meant to kill him. But Montgomery seized his throat.

Elysse screamed. “Stop! Both of you—stop!”

Alexi glanced at her, the American still choking him. Montgomery used the moment to jerk his knee up at his groin. Alexi twisted quickly away from the blow, and as he did, Montgomery thrust him off, and scrambled aside. Both men leaped to their feet simultaneously, crouching, facing one another.

“I am going to kill you,” Alexi said.

Montgomery said, “I am going to marry her.”

Elysse choked. What had she done?

Alexi suddenly looked at Elysse, his eyes hard and furious. “Are you all right?” he demanded. But his gaze widened as it held hers. She knew her hair was a mess. She thought her lip was bleeding. His gaze slammed down her body and she cringed. She was fairly certain that her dress was askew, possibly torn, and covered with grass stains.

She backed up, panting. She would never be all right, ever again. How had she allowed Montgomery such liberties? What had she been thinking? Why had he turned into such a beast?

“Elysse!” Alexi cried.

Elysse met his gaze, and felt the tears begin in a flood. She wanted to rush into his arms. He had been right. Montgomery wasn’t a gentleman. He had touched her, kissed her, grossly violating her body. She choked and staggered to the wall, to cling to it or fall down.

“I would never hurt her,” Montgomery said harshly. “I would never hurt the woman I love.”

Alexi said softly, dangerously, “Did you think to seduce her to assure that marriage? Don’t you know I would kill you first?”

Montgomery looked at Elysse. “If I hurt you, I am sorry.”

She shook her head, hating him. More tears fell. She trembled, the urge to vomit sudden and intense. “That wasn’t a kiss,” she heard herself whisper. “You touched me.”

“You fucking bastard,” Alexi growled.

Montgomery smiled coldly. “Get lost, de Warenne. I will take care of Elysse now. She is merely a frightened virgin.”

“No!” Elysse cried, horrified at the idea of being left alone with him again. But Alexi was oddly silent—and she saw the knife in Montgomery’s right hand. She froze. It gleamed.

“Leave us,” Montgomery said. “I need to speak to Elysse alone. She needs to understand how a man can become so aroused that he loses all control.”

She felt even sicker now. She had been fooled by Montgomery’s charm, his declarations of love. A true gentleman—a man like Alexi—would never force himself on any woman.

“Leave the two of you? Like hell.” Alexi smiled dangerously. He began circling the American. Montgomery turned, so that the two men continued to face one another.

And Elysse knew her presence was forgotten by them both. This had to stop, she thought frantically, before someone was seriously hurt—or worse! Elysse cried, “Alexi, I am fine. No one is marrying anyone! Let’s go home! You can take me home now!” She heard how terrible she sounded, sobs choking her tone.

Alexi launched himself at Montgomery, reaching for his right wrist. Elysse screamed, afraid that the American would stab him with the knife. But the blow glanced off of Alexi’s shoulder, and Alexi seized his wrist. Both men now strained at one another, their expressions murderous, Montgomery wanting to get free so he could wield the knife and Alexi not daring to release him.

Suddenly Montgomery grunted and dropped the knife. Alexi dived for it. Montgomery dived for Alexi, tackling him from behind. Elysse screamed as both men became entangled, wrestling on the ground, making it impossible to see what was happening. She thought Alexi had the knife. She wasn’t certain. She prayed it would get kicked away from them both!

And suddenly the knife was skidding across the terrace and both men were diving for it. Alexi landed on top of the pilot, grunting, as he seized it. A loud, sickening crack sounded. And Montgomery went still beneath Alexi, cheek pressed against the stone terrace.

Suddenly neither man was moving.

Elysse froze. Alexi got onto his hands and knees, staring down at the American—and she saw that Montgomery’s eyes were wide-open, eerily so.

Elysse gasped in shock. Montgomery was dead?

Alexi slid off him slowly. As slowly, he looked up at her, the answer in his eyes.

Her own horror began.

Alexi looked back down at the pilot. “He’s dead.”

She cried out. “He can’t be!”

Alexi inhaled harshly. “He’s dead. He hit his head on the stone.”

William Montgomery had hit his head—William Montgomery was dead?

“Damn it,” Alexi gasped, trembling. He was fighting his emotions now.

And it hit her. This was her fault—wasn’t it?

Alexi looked up at her again. “Elysse,” he said thickly.

She began shaking her head, backing away. Then she seized her skirts and fled.

CHAPTER FOUR

STILL IN SHOCK, Elysse ran into the house, choking on a raw sob. She could not believe what had happened. William Montgomery was dead!

She stumbled, leaning against the wall. They had been fighting because of her. They had been fighting over her. Oh, God—this was all her fault.

Elysse collapsed against the wall. She couldn’t stop shaking. She was so sick. How had this happened? She hugged herself, crying. Montgomery had wanted to court her! Yet he had turned into a beast! He had said he loved her, but if he had, he would have never treated her with such disrespect! Alexi had been right about him! And now he was dead!

Gasps sounded.

Elysse started, wiping her wet face with her fingers, looking up. A pair of women stood at the other end of the hall. They were frozen, staring at her in shock.

Suddenly Elysse realized how she must look and what they must be assuming. She knew that her hair was coming down, her face was tearstained, and her skirts probably dirty. Any rational person would just think that she had been accosted—and she had.

She recalled William Montgomery’s hands and mouth and she felt even more violently ill. Why hadn’t she listened to Alexi, who was her oldest and dearest friend? What would have happened if Alexi hadn’t come outside and intervened?

“Miss O’Neill,” one of the ladies began.

No one could know about the horrid events of that evening! No one could know that she had allowed a kiss and that it had turned into something more, and that William Montgomery was now dead! Crying out again, she whirled to flee back down the corridor. Alexi was rushing up it.

She had never needed anyone more! She shouldn’t have left him alone outside with Montgomery’s body! She rushed to him. Alexi seized her arm, their gazes locking. Then he jerked his head and turned, dragging her back down the hall with him. Behind him, she heard both women in a frenzy of whispering.

Oh, God.

She was ruined now.

Alexi pushed open a door and they fled inside the room there; he closed and locked it behind them.

Trembling, her heart pounding with sickening force, she managed, “They know.”

“They know nothing,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

Elysse cried out, collapsing against his chest, her cheek against his lapel. He held her, hard, in a bearlike embrace.

When he spoke, his mouth moved in her hair. “Tell me you’re all right, Elysse. That he didn’t hurt you.” His tone was raw.

She was crying now, incapable of speech. She reached for his shoulders and clung as never before. He rocked her. Why had she allowed William Montgomery to kiss her? Why had she ever even considered his suit? The events of that evening began to replay in her mind—her terrible, endless flirtations; her argument with Alexi; the awful, aggressive kiss; and the fatal confrontation she had just witnessed between the two men.

“I am so sorry,” she wept. “I never meant for this to happen. Oh, my God! Alexi!” She looked up at him. His face was spinning. She felt faint. The horror was consuming.

He clasped her face in his hands. Tears shimmered in his eyes, too. “I know you didn’t. Damn it, Elysse. Why did you go outside with him?”

She buried her face against his chest. She didn’t want Alexi to ever know that she had allowed Montgomery to kiss her.

“I would never let anyone hurt you.”

It was so hard to think—all she could remember was that William Montgomery had turned into a beast and he was now dead and it was because of her. “This is my fault, isn’t it? Because I played him—because I went outside with him. Because I didn’t listen to you.”

Alexi’s face hardened. “Stop!” He pulled her tightly against him. His taut body was shaking as wildly as hers. “He had no damned right to kiss you—he knew you were trying to fight him off!”

His embrace felt so safe. She had never been so scared. All she could think of now was that she was safe, finally. But Montgomery was dead—because he had been fighting with Alexi over her. Surely Alexi would not be blamed? Elysse didn’t speak, breathing hard, fighting the tears, her cheek pressed against his chest. She wrapped her arms around him. “It was awful. Don’t let me go,” she managed. She wished they could stay that way, in one another’s arms, forever.

Images whirled wildly in her mind. She would never forget the sound of his skull hitting that stone staircase! Worse, those two ladies had seen her in the hallway. She started to cry, soundlessly.

Alexi was in trouble and she was ruined….

His grasp tightened. She didn’t know how long they stood there that way, each grappling with their own demons. She finally became aware of his harsh breathing, which sounded suspiciously like choked sobs, and her own heavy, anguished breaths. The sound of a shutter banging against the house filled the night. A clock was ticking loudly in the corner of the room. The trembling of Alexi’s body had slowed. Her own wild shaking had not.

Slowly, she looked up.

He slid his hand up her jaw, then into her hair. His cheeks were damp. “We need to get you home.”

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered. “It was an accident, Alexi, wasn’t it? Everything was an accident!”

He inhaled loudly. His gaze blazed through his tears. “I warned him not to take liberties.” Agony flickered in his eyes and she knew he was thinking of what she had suffered. “I wanted to kill him, Elysse.”

“What are we going to do?” More tears fell, slowly but steadily, an outpouring of torment and guilt.

He caught her face in his hands. “I’m going to take care of everything,” he said.

Their gazes locked. Suddenly the nausea roiled, too much to bear. She ran across the room and retched in a small wastebasket. A man was dead because of her foolish flirtation. This was her fault, not Alexi’s!

“Can you stand?”

She nodded and he helped her to her feet. She didn’t realize she was still crying until he brushed his thumb across her cheek, as if to stop the flood. “I want you out of here,” he said roughly.

She wanted nothing more than to run away and hide—forever, if possible. “How can I leave you now? After what happened? I can’t stop thinking about…him.”

“In time you’ll forget—we both will,” he said, not meeting her gaze.

She knew Alexi well enough to know neither one of them would ever forget—he was lying to her, to make her feel better. “Yes. Because it was an accident.”

He met her gaze abruptly, and she thought about the fact that the men had been shipmates and friends—and that the pilot had saved Alexi’s life. Stricken with guilt, she looked away.

“I need to think, Elysse.” Alexi’s tone was rough and raw. “Montgomery is dead—and the body is outside.”

And suddenly her mind came to life. Could Alexi be accused of murder? Could he wind up in prison? The future flashed vividly in her mind—a sensational murder trial, her reputation in ruins, Alexi behind bars.

“Stay here. Don’t move. I mean it!” He whirled for the door.

Elysse followed him nervously. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to get my father—and yours.”

She seized his arm. “My father can’t know!”

He faced her and said, “Devlin has to know.”

Elysse gasped as Alexi strode from the library. Then she shut the door behind him, leaning on it, breathing hard. What were they going to do? Alexi couldn’t be charged with murder! It had been an accident!

But she was the only witness to the fight. Everyone knew how close Alexi and Elysse were and how close their families were. She might not be believed. How had this happened? She had liked William Montgomery. She thought of his forceful kiss, his disgusting touch. Hadn’t he known she wanted him to stop? More tears welled. She should have never walked outside, alone, with him!

“Elysse,” her father cried, stepping into the room. “Alexi said there is a problem!” As his glance moved over her, he paled impossibly.

Her mother, Cliff and Alexi were with him. Alexi shut the door and locked it.

She somehow straightened, clutching her churning abdomen, more tears falling. Speech was now impossible.

Her mother ran to her, embracing her, and Elysse sagged in her arms. Devlin choked, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at her hair, her face, her dress. “Who did this? Who? Wait.” His handsome face enraged, he turned to look at Alexi. “Where’s Montgomery?” he snarled.

“He’s outside,” Alexi said harshly. “And he’s dead.”

Virginia gasped. Cliff strode forward, seizing Alexi by the shoulder. “What the hell happened?”

“It was an accident!” Elysse cried, before Alexi could respond. “It was my fault. I encouraged him. I have encouraged his attentions all week. Alexi found us…kissing.” She thought she flushed. “They fought.” She looked at her father, begging him now. “It was an accident, Father. They fought and he fell and hit his head. Please, you have to protect Alexi!”

“What did he do to you?” Devlin demanded.

“I’m not really hurt,” Elysse cried.

“Not now,” Virginia warned her disbelieving husband. To Elysse, she said, “Darling, we are going home. We’ll go out the back. And you needn’t worry about Alexi.” She smiled reassuringly at her.

“I am not going home, not until this is all sorted out! He is dead, Mother, and—” She stopped. “And it was my fault, not Alexi’s.”

“If Alexi fought Montgomery, then he was hurting you,” Devlin roared. “I want to know what happened!”

“It was just a kiss, a terrible, disgusting kiss!” she shouted back.

A silence fell. Virginia pulled her closer to her side. Elysse wiped the incessant tears, wishing she hadn’t spoken so openly. Finally Alexi said, his tone firm, “The pilot was making improper advances. Elysse was rudely accosted, but nothing more. Nothing else happened.”

Devlin jerked to stare at him, clearly uncertain of whether to believe him or not.

Elysse flushed as Cliff demanded sharply, “Where is Montgomery’s body?”

Alexi’s gaze was unwavering on her. Elysse trembled in her mother’s arms. He said flatly, “The body is outside on the terrace.” Alexi added in a grim, matter-of-fact tone, “We fought hand to hand and he hit his head on the stone steps.”

Devlin said, “So they were on the lawns, not the terrace?”

Alexi looked coolly at him.

Devlin was red. “Where was he taking you?” he asked Elysse.

“I don’t know—I didn’t want to leave the terrace!”

“When I saw them, I wanted to kill him.”

Cliff paled. “Did anyone else see anything?”

Elysse bit her lip. She didn’t want to bring up the two women in the corridor now.

Alexi apparently agreed, as he sent her a cautioning look. “We can’t go to the authorities.” Alexi spoke rapidly and firmly. “If we do, the events of this evening will be made public, sooner or later, during an investigation and maybe even a trial. Elysse will never recover from that.”

She knew he would do anything to protect her now.

Cliff turned to Devlin. “We need to get rid of the body.”

Devlin nodded, his face ruthlessly set. “Agreed.”

Virginia whispered, “They will fix this, darling. Alexi will be fine and so will you.”

Elysse prayed that her mother was right.

Devlin and Cliff locked gazes. Devlin said, “We’ll bury Montgomery at sea. No one will ever know.”

HE HAD JUST KILLED A MAN.

It was half past four in the morning and Windhaven was silent now, its women soundly asleep on the second floor. Alexi followed his father, Devlin and Jack into the kitchens, the four men having surreptitiously entered the house from the back. He had shed his tailcoat long ago and his white ruffled shirt was black with dirt and oil, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows. It remained difficult to think clearly. What he was aware of was the pounding pain in his chest, the hammer in his temples. Even his ribs hurt, as if they were bruised or broken, so much so he’d had difficulty breathing the entire night.

William Montgomery was dead.

But Elysse was all right.

He trembled in exhaustion. Elysse had been accosted—assaulted. She had been struggling to get free of Montgomery, her skirts tangled around her thighs. The moment he’d seen them, he had felt her alarm, her fear and her panic.

He had instantly wanted to destroy the other man. And he’d gotten his wish.

He was no stranger to death. But killing savage American Indians or bloodthirsty Africans or equally barbaric pirates in self-defense was one thing. What had happened that night was an entirely different matter—one he was having a hell of a time comprehending.

Montgomery had been his shipmate, his pilot and his friend. He’d saved Alexi’s life. And he had just killed him….

It remained utterly incomprehensible.

The other men were in a similar state of disarray and filth. No one had spoken a word since leaving Limerick Harbor. In silence, they now followed Cliff through the vast kitchen, which was in darkness except for a small fire, down an equally dully lit hall to the library. Cliff did not bother to close the teakwood doors. He lit several gas lamps, instead.

Devlin walked over to the gilded bar cart and poured brandy from a decanter into four glasses, his face grim. He, too, was lost in thought. Alexi simply stared, watching him without really seeing him, his head aching as never before.

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