A Pirate of her Own Page 4

  Nay, her sister wouldn’t be so cruel. “My suitor?”

  Honor grabbed her about the waist and swung her to face the crowd.

  Serenity swept her gaze across the marble and gold ballroom where dancers twirled about in time with the minuet. Candlelight flashed against jewels and brightly colored gowns and even a few outdated wigs. She saw a number of men she knew fairly well, but none of them would have elicited such a response from her sister.

  A sudden hum of voices permeated the room. Voices that grew louder and louder until the musicians stopped playing.

  Dancers faltered in their steps, and all of a sudden the dance floor cleared.

  “Holy Christmas,” Serenity breathed. It was him. And everyone in the place was obviously as entranced by his presence as she.

  And if she thought her mysterious man handsome before, she was wrong.

  He wasn’t handsome, he was…

  Whatever there was that went beyond handsome—that was what he was!

  Her breath caught in her throat and an electric charge ran the length of her body, riveting her.

  No longer disheveled and rain soaked, but still dressed in black, he had the bearing of a prince and the aloofness of a king.

  Until one noticed his eyes. Eyes that betrayed his studied nonchalance. Like some exotic predatorial beast, he scanned the crowd, taking in every detail. Sizing up every man as a possible opponent and every female as a possible conquest.

  As his gaze touched on the women, feminine heads came together behind fans that fluttered and swayed. It was obvious he was on a quest, and in that second of realization, Serenity knew he sought her.

  Her heart pounded in expectation. In excitement.

  “Oh, my word,” Heather Smith gasped from where she stood about four inches from Serenity’s right. Heather, whose virtue was more than questionable, had been talking to Felicity Jacobs, the parson’s daughter, for most of the evening. And it was to Felicity her comments were now directed. “Tell me, Felicity, have you ever seen the like?”

  “Nay,” Felicity answered back. “But I tell you this, that man is certainly a devil out to ruin some poor woman this night.”

  “Well, if he be the devil, you can chain me to his throne anytime.”

  “Heather Smith,” Felicity snapped. “You’ll lose your soul for such words!”

  Then their conversation vanished into the crowd, lost in the sudden buzz of female voices and the clearing of masculine throats.

  The sound became deafening.

  Serenity couldn’t take her eyes off the source of everyone’s speculation.

  Paying no attention to the people around him, her pirate strode across the room with a masculine swagger. He was dark and deadly and mesmerizing.

  “He is the Sea Wolf,” Honor whispered in her ear. “He’s just as you described in your story. Where on earth did Douglas find someone so perfect?”

  “Out of my dreams,” Serenity breathed.

  Morgan Drake scanned the women, but none of them bore any resemblance to Serenity James. Belatedly he realized that he had become the topic on everyone’s tongue.

  The last thing he needed was for this many people to take notice of him.

  His crew was ready to sail and he was anxious to leave the busy harbor before someone recognized his ship. But until he could be certain that Miss Serenity James would exercise discretion regarding his identity, he couldn’t risk another mission.

  It had taken him hours to find out where she lived.

  If only he could find her…

  His gaze darted over two young women standing just outside the center pair of French doors. He well remembered the petite blonde with her luscious curves from the paper’s office.

  There was also something about her companion that seemed oddly familiar.

  It struck him like a pugilist’s fist.

  Nay, it couldn’t be.

  Stepping closer, he finally recognized Serenity James.

  How she had changed! Gone was her hideous black rag, and in its place she wore a stylish gown of pink. Though she lacked the voluptuous curves of her sister, there was a glow to her face that made her stand out.

  Her chestnut-colored hair had been swept up into the type of style that made a man yearn to free it, and he had no doubt that the soft ringlets would be like satin in his palm.

  And her eyes…

  Without her spectacles to overshadow them, they were mesmerizing. Fire and intelligence sparkled deep within their depths. And something about them sent heat straight to his groin.

  Morgan tensed. Whatever was the matter with him?

  She was not his type. Indeed, her stunningly beautiful sister should have tempted him more.

  But there was something about Serenity that made a mockery of her name.

  Morgan closed the distance between them. She greeted him with a suspicious smile, arching an inquisitive brow that made her look like some impish elf out to make mischief. “Why, sir, I don’t seem to recall your name on our guest list. Perhaps if you give it to me…”

  “And what name would you call me?”

  “Sea Wolf.”

  His gut tightened in response. Aye, she knew him. And now she’d involved her sister. So be it. “We must talk.”

  “Go on, Serenity,” her sister whispered.

  Her gaze uncertain, Serenity glanced back at Honor. “I have no chaperone,” she said under her breath.

  “You do now!”

  Morgan watched the two women as Serenity frowned at Honor, but judging by the determined slant of her sister’s eyes, he doubted if the whole of Washington’s army could deflect Honor from getting them alone.

  Why? It was strange to him that he had such an unlikely ally.

  What did Honor hope to gain?

  “I believe the library is empty,” Honor said, taking Serenity’s arm. “If you’ll follow us, Mister…?”

  He said nothing.

  Serenity exchanged quizzical looks with Honor, and he wondered what game they played.

  Could it be trap?

  It could. And well he knew it.

  His senses sharp and alert, he detected no imminent threat. He followed them through the crowd of people that no longer seemed quite so curious about him, other than to speculate what it was he wanted with Serenity.

  Now that he knew for certain Serenity James had learned his identity, he needed a plan of action.

  But how in the world could he keep silent a woman who loved to babble as much as this one?

  Hang her out to bake in the bleedin’ sun, Cap’n. Let the gulls feast on her gizzard.

  Well, that would certainly be Barney’s answer. As well as his own.

  Honor ushered them into the library across from the ballroom, then closed the elegantly carved mahogany door behind them. As Serenity walked past him, Morgan realized she had bathed and found a decent rose-scented perfume.

  Her pink dress rustling slightly with her steps, Serenity moved to stand in the center of the room. A slight shake to her hands, as well as the fact that she wasn’t chattering, alerted him that she was already nervous about this meeting.

  Good, she feared him. Now, if he could play up that fear, perhaps it would be enough to quell her pen.

  Her sister crossed the room to stand beside her. Both women waited while he purposefully remained silent. Let them anticipate his words, then they would pay him more attention when he did speak.

  “Miss James,” he began after a long pause.

  “Yes,” they both answered in unison.

  Honor blushed a becoming shade of pink. “I’m so sorry,” she said, taking her sister’s hands. “You meant Serenity, of course. Go ahead, forget that I am here.”

  Clearing his throat, Morgan wished again that they were alone. It was enough that one Miss James threatened his secret identity. Two of them being able to identify him was two too many.

  “Back to our earlier discussion, I want to know the name of the man who gave you the Sea Wolf’s identity, a
nd everyone’s name you have given that information to since.”

  “His identity?” they answered together. They turned their heads to look at one another.

  A sudden doubt prickled the back of Morgan’s neck. Either both women were consummate liars or the confusion that creased both their brows was sincere.

  “Why, sir, I have no idea of his identity,” Serenity said, releasing her sister’s hand and taking a step toward him. “I wrote the story as a piece to rally support for his efforts. If I knew his name, then I would have gladly sought him out and I would have written his views about his activities. I would be honored to report such grand news.”

  “She’d be the envy of all!” her sister piped in.

  For the umpteenth time since he first met Serenity, Morgan was baffled and unsure. Could it all be just a coincidence?

  Surely not.

  What were the odds?

  Suddenly the door to the library swung open. An older man entered the room, and then catching sight of Morgan, he paused.

  “Forgive me if I’m intruding…”

  “Oh, Douglas, no,” Serenity said as she left her sister to greet the gentleman. “I am so glad you’re here. I’ve been wanting a chance to speak with you all evening.”

  Morgan watched as she took Douglas by the hand and led him to stand before him. She gave both of them a dazzling smile, then turned back to Douglas. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your sending this man to the office this afternoon. Why, it was the best surprise I’ve ever received. He almost had me going again just a second ago, but I realize now he’s still—”

  “My sending what?” Douglas interrupted. “Who?”

  Serenity’s mouth dropped open and she looked back and forth between them. Morgan suppressed a groan, realizing finally that Serenity had no idea who he was.

  “You don’t know this man?” she asked.

  Douglas lifted his brows. “Should I?”

  “You didn’t send him into the office as a birthday prank?”

  Douglas shook his head slowly. “No.”

  Serenity covered her mouth with her hand and took a step back. “Oh, heavens to Betsy,” she murmured, her face pale and mortified.

  Morgan lifted one corner of his mouth into a smile. God’s blood, it was all just a bizarre coincidence.

  Then Douglas smiled. “Is this another of your games, Miss Serenity? You really should warn me. I’m getting far too old to keep up with you and your shenanigans.” He extended his hand to Morgan. “Douglas Adams.”

  Morgan wanted to laugh aloud. So, this was the man she’d been talking about earlier.

  And she had assumed…

  And then he had assumed…

  Oh, this was rich. Truly rich. His anxiety had finally come home to roost.

  Wouldn’t Barney have a good laugh about this?

  On second thought, he better keep it to himself. The less Barney knew, the more peace he’d have.

  Morgan took Douglas’s proffered hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Adams.”

  Douglas turned back to Serenity. “I just wanted to let you know that Annie isn’t feeling well. I thought that I should take her home, but before we left I had to wish you a wonderful birthday.”

  Finally her gaze settled on Morgan and for a moment she became so pale he thought she might actually faint. “You must think me the greatest of fools.”

  The irony of the incident amused him. Besides, it was his initial assumption that had begun this whole ridiculous misunderstanding. “Not at all. I think we have both been made the brunt of fate’s folly.”

  Her laughter rippled. It was an enchanting sound, deep and throaty, not the silly little giggles practiced by most women of his acquaintance.

  “What is going on?” her sister asked from behind them. “I don’t think I understand.”

  Serenity turned to her sister. “’Twould seem that honest business brought this good man to my office, but he bore such a striking resemblance to my hero that I merely assumed Douglas had hired him as a prank.”

  Douglas joined her laughter. “I wish I had thought of that.”

  Now it was Morgan’s turn to feel foolish. All this time he had been ready to threaten and intimidate, even abduct her if necessary, and it had all been just a strange quirk of fate.

  “Forgive me for intruding on your party,” Morgan said, giving her a curt bow. “’Twould seem we have both jumped to conclusions.”

  “Well, Serenity certainly does that enough,” her sister said indelicately.

  Pulling his gloves on, Morgan smiled again. “Allow me to wish you a happy birthday, Miss James, and I shall take up no more of your time.”

  Serenity watched as her mysterious visitor walked out of the library.

  He was gone.

  A strange feeling enveloped her. One that warned her she had somehow just defied fate.

  “I, too, must be going,” Douglas said, then followed after Morgan.

  For several thundering heartbeats, Serenity stared out the open door. Her pirate was truly gone, and now she knew they would never again meet.

  Nor would she ever know his name.

  Oh, what did it matter? It wasn’t as if there could have ever been anything between them anyway. Handsome men like him never paid heed to women like her. Nay, such handsome men were always attracted to beautiful women like Honor and Heather Smith.

  “What a strange thing to happen,” Honor said, her voice breaking into Serenity’s thoughts. “Who would have thought a man like that would want to investigate your sources for your story. What could have caused him to pursue you all the way to the house?”

  “What?” Serenity asked, her mind whirling at the significance of the question.

  “I said, who would have thought that such—”

  “Yes, who would have.”

  Honor took a step back. “Serenity, you’ve got that look on your face.”

  “What look?” she asked, arms akimbo.

  “That you’re-thinking-something-you-shouldn’t look.”

  Relaxing, Serenity smiled and tapped her fore-finger against her chin while her thoughts tumbled around. “Tell me, Honor. Why would a man like that pursue me so?”

  “He was curious about the story.”

  “Yes, but why would he be curious?”

  “Maybe he wants to meet the Sea Wolf?”

  “Or maybe he is the Sea Wolf.”

  Chapter 3

  “He’s what?” Honor asked, her eyes wide.

  “Don’t you see?” Serenity asked Honor excitedly as the full implication hit her. “’Tis the only thing that makes sense. He was so angry this afternoon, so accusatory. He has to be the Sea Wolf and he thought I knew him! That I would betray his identity.”

  Honor scoffed. “Serenity, you’re jumping to conclusions again.”

  “Nay,” she said, her mind positive. “Not this time. I know I’m right.”

  “That’s what you said about the butcher being in league with a French spy to steal the secrets of our new government.”

  “’Tis not the same.”

  “What about thinking the Widow Pennington was the one who was pilfering the collection plate, or that the chandler, Mr. Phipps, was working with the British government to—”

  “Very well, Honor,” she said, irritated at her sister. “You’ve made your point quite nicely.”

  Honor put her arm around Serenity’s shoulders and gave a comforting squeeze. “I’m not trying to be harsh, sister. But God blessed you with an incredible imagination and I’m grateful for the wonderful stories you create. It’s just that you need to remember that life is never as incredible as your dreams. Fantastical things just don’t happen to everyday people like us.”

  Too bad Serenity didn’t believe that. Incredible things could happen to people who were just minding their own business. After all, Moses had just been tending his flock when the Lord spoke to him. David had been a humble shepherd until he faced Goliath.

  Extraordinary thin
gs could happen. Extraordinary things did happen!

  And her pirate could be the Sea Wolf.

  Nay, she corrected herself. Her pirate was the Sea Wolf. She would prove it!

  Hours went by slowly as Serenity waited for the house to quiet. She’d never noticed before how long it took her father and brother to find their beds.

  Nervously she paced the floor of her darkened bedroom, her black kidskin riding boots whispering across the pine boards.

  An hour ago she’d sneaked into her brother’s room to borrow some clothes while he sat below discussing his latest story with her father.

  Jonathan’s large black breeches felt strange, and not very secure; she’d made a belt from one of her sashes, and Serenity prayed it wouldn’t break and send her pants falling into a pool around her feet.

  She must blend in with the dock workers tonight. No one must ever suspect she was a woman alone, or there would be much more than Mrs. O’Grady’s gossip to fear!

  She knelt by the fireplace and smeared soot across her face, neck, and hands, hoping to conceal herself in the darkness.

  As she continued to wait, she debated the sanity of her mission.

  How was she to ever find her mysterious hero? She didn’t even know the name of his ship.

  Yet she was confident that she knew enough details to distinguish his ship from the others. Pulling out from her pocket the small book where she made notes for her stories, she reviewed what Jonathan had told her about the Sea Wolf’s ship. It was a hundred-gun frigate, painted black and trimmed in gold with a serpent masthead.

  How hard could that be to find? Out of the six ships that had come in today, only two had been black—one trimmed in red, the other in gold. And that one had also been a frigate.

  She smiled.

  Imagine, an interview with the Sea Wolf! She would be the talk of the Colonies.

  For once she would be like her idol, Lady Mary. She would brave unknown dangers to uncover this story.

  No matter what, she wouldn’t return home tonight until she had interviewed the Sea Wolf.

  “Hold me tight, sweet courage.” She tucked her book back into her pocket.

  Then she saw her opportunity—the flickering of a candle’s light beneath her door as her father made his way down the hall to his room. The door handle rattled, then she heard his door open and close.