Captain's Bride Read Free Page A

satisfaction of
building his fortune.
    “Nicholas!” Lavinia’s syrupy voice drifted across the
balcony.
    How appropriate, he thought as she rushed to his side
stirring a fresh wave of the honeysuckle scent. All sweetness and
sugar and not a moment’s regard for the man she had married. Yet
how could he fault her when he’d been sharing her bed all week?
    “Good evening, Lavinia, you look lovely.” And she
did. Her flame-red hair curled in delicate ringlets above her head,
and her green eyes sparkled as bright as the emeralds at her
throat. Even in the dim lamplight of the balcony, Nicholas could
see the shimmering perfection of her skin, the fullness of her
breasts.
    “And you, Nicholas, look like one of Satan’s own—
devilishly attractive. I blush just thinking of these past few
days.”
    “You never blushed in your life, Lavinia. Where’s
Victor? I think you had better go find him before he discovers
you’re missing.”
    “Oh, bother. He never pays any attention to me at
all.”
    “I’m certain there are others inside who will.”
    “Oh, Nicholas, you’re no fun at all.”
    One corner of his mouth lifted in what might have
passed for a smile. “That isn’t what you said the other night,
sweeting.”
    Lavinia batted her long black lashes and peeped at
him over the top of her fan. With a mock bow, Nicholas excused
himself and strolled back inside.
    He was leaning against the doorjamb, one long leg
crossed over the other, when Julian walked up beside him. Nicholas
barely heard him. For the past few minutes, his gaze had been
following a golden-haired woman gowned in white. No, not golden, he
decided. Flaxen. Flaxenhaired. Until tonight Nicholas hadn’t
understood the difference. Her skin was the color of day-old cream,
rich and smooth, with just the hint of an apricot blush. The
radiant creature dancing in the arms of a handsome smiling young
man was one of the most beautiful women Nicholas had ever seen.
    “I see you’ve discovered my daughter,” Julian said as
he approached, his voice laced with pride and the hint of a
smile.
    “Your daughter !” Nicholas nearly choked on the
word. For the past five minutes he’d been scheming how to bring the
girl to his bed, conjuring images of her naked body writhing
beneath him while he trailed warm kisses along the curve of her
neck. Now he felt a wave of guilt bordering on sacrilege.
    “My pride and joy would be more apt,” Julian said.
“Lovely, isn’t she?”
    “Exquisite,” Nicholas agreed, continuing to watch her
graceful movements on the dance floor.
    “I’m glad you approve. Glory is one of the reasons I
invited you here.”
    “Oh?” Nicholas forced his attention to the powerful
man beside him.
    “My daughter is nineteen today. She’s all grown up.
Ready to make a life of her own. In fact, she should have been
married before now.”
    “I’m certain she hasn’t lacked for suitors.”
    “Quantity is not the problem, I assure you. It’s
quality I’m worried about.” Julian glanced around to be certain
they had the privacy he needed. “I planned to discuss this with you
tomorrow. But I think maybe now is the time.” Nicholas’s curiosity
was piqued as he watched his friend’s blue eyes turn serious.
    “You see, I want my daughter to be happy in her
marriage,” Julian told him. “I want her to love and respect her
mate. I want her to marry a man who is her equal.”
    “Surely among all her admirers there must be
someone.”
    “Oh, they’re all good boys . . . men, really. Each
would surely give her a good home, treat her well. I’ve spoiled her
terribly, pampered her in the extreme. Any of her suitors would be
willing to go right on spoiling her, just as I have. I have no
worries about that. But Glory has much more to offer than a pretty
face.”
    Nicholas couldn’t have agreed more. His practiced eye
measured the gentle curves of her elegant figure, the full breasts
swelling above her organdy gown.
    “It wouldn’t be