A Heart's Masquerade Read Free

solitary little girl and the lonely old sailor had grown over the years. Cat had soon declared her intention to sail the seas, too, when she grew older, and Budd had indulged her by teaching her everything he knew. What a blow it was when she grew old enough to realize she could never follow in his footsteps.
    Cat’s wistful smile spread into a mischievous grin at the knowledge that her long dormant dream of a seafaring life was close to realization. Her heart beat just a little faster with anticipation, though she knew her mentor would never approve of her scheme.
    Budd had entertained her with his tales of storms and battles, pirates, and fantastic underwater creatures. He had shared his knowledge with her until she could name each part of a ship and tie every knot in a rope, but in the end, they both knew she had no place upon the water. Her future was to be a lady, and Cat didn’t know which one of them was more disappointed by that fact.
    Glancing toward where Budd said he would be staying, Cat was tempted to look in on him, but she knew he would try to stop her from going. Even worse, he would do his best to protect her, though he was no match for Edward.
    With a firm shake of her head, Cat stepped away from the lane, sending a silent farewell to her old friend. Then she took a narrow track away from the estate and village that had encompassed her entire world for as long as she could remember.
    ***
    When she reached Barton near dawn, Cat was bone-weary from the hours she’d spent on the road, wary not only of her cousin, but all manner of ruffians, especially the infamous gangs of pressmen who periodically roamed the coastal towns and cities in search of bodies to fill England’s naval vessels.
    Her plans for going to sea did not involve being forced to join the navy, where conditions were known to be deplorable. Cat did not want to fight Napoleon. She simply wanted to work her way to Barbados on a decent ship, and she hoped Captain Duprey would provide that opportunity.
    She found him standing at the end of the quay, one foot on some rocks tumbling near the edge, his long cloak thrown back and his eyes on the breaking dawn. For a moment she hesitated, wondering fearfully if he would recognize her as the young girl from the day before.
    But she could not turn back now, so she took a deep breath and walked toward him. Still, she had forgotten in the span of a night how utterly handsome he was, and her surprise made her stop again before reaching him.
    The sun lighting his face seemed to caress his features: the dark brows over deep-set eyes, the classic nose, the full lower lip, and the waves of thick, dark hair brushed back from his face by the breeze. He was blessed with a youthful countenance which made his age difficult to determine, yet his bearing told Cat he was no green youth.
    He held himself with complete self-assurance, as though nothing could touch him, no troubles or squabbles or storms at sea. Here was a man Cat instinctively knew others would follow.
    "I sincerely hope, for your sake, that you are not intent upon picking my pocket."
    Cat almost jumped at the words, for the man’s gaze never strayed from the horizon, nor did he move from his position.
    "Certainly not," Cat said, indignant.
    At her response, the handsome face turned to survey her, one eyebrow cocked sardonically.
    Annoyed to feel herself blushing, Cat straightened her shoulders and looked directly into the chocolate brown eyes that viewed her with such disdain. "You are the captain of that ship, sir?" she asked, pointing to the Reckless .
    "I am," he answered, a curious mixture of pride and self-mockery in his voice.
    Cat’s body tensed with the realization that her life depended on the next few minutes. Sending up a brief prayer of entreaty, she took a deep breath and plunged ahead.
    "Well, sir, I would like to offer my services. I would make a good cabin boy. I can read and write and cipher. I could keep your books... and I know