Never Trust a Pirate Read Free Page B

happened to coincide with mine. She wants a wealthy sea captain for a husband; I want a society wife. I’ve a mind to turn respectable, and she’s the way to do it.”
    “It’s not your money she’s after, laddie,” Billy said dourly. “There’s more than enough of that around, and Miss Gwendolyn Haviland could have just about anyone she pleases. It’s your pretty face.”
    Luca snorted. “Then it’s a great deal fortunate that she doesn’t have an inkling what kind of dark soul lingers beneath it,” he said lightly.
    “She sees you as a project. You’re like a doll—she can dress you up and teach you manners and trot you out like some trained monkey.”
    “You don’t like women,” Luca said unnecessarily.
    “Aye. They’re nothing but trouble and I’ve got no use for them.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know. Like when am I going to get properly fed?”
    “Miss Haviland told Mrs. Crozier you weren’t to be served dinner until eight o’clock of an evening. You maybe have something light for luncheon, and tea and watercress sandwiches at teatime.”
    “And who hires Mrs. Crozier and pays her and her husband’s wages?”
    “You do. Which should give you a little hint that your sweet little fiancée isn’t the angelic creature you think she is.”
    Luca laughed. “I don’t believe in angelic creatures. If you think Gwendolyn’s sweet ways fool me for one moment then you forget we’ve been together for twenty years. It’s a business arrangement, whether she realizes it or not.”
    “Oh, aye,” said Billy. “Then where’s your food?”
    Luca felt his stomach rumble. “In the kitchen, I expect.” He rose, raising an eyebrow. “You coming?”
    “Mrs. Crozier is a terrible housekeeper and her husband’s a lazy drunk,” Billy said, pushing his massive bulk to his feet. “And her cooking isn’t much better, but at least it means I don’t have to cookfor myself. You’re bloody well right I’m coming. Besides, I’ve got a word or two to say to the old witch about the state of this house.”
    “Wait till after we eat,” Luca suggested. “Besides, I believe she’s hired a new maid, so things should be improving.”
    “Another woman in the household,” Billy said dourly. “Things can only get worse.”
    “You’re prejudiced. In fact, let’s not get in Mrs. Crozier’s way. If she’s been listening to Gwendolyn then there’s no telling what she might serve us. I think the Crown and Rose near the docks would give us a much better meal.”
    “You’re on, mate,” Billy said. “It’s too good a day to be indoors, though I’d rather be out at sea. When is the
Maddy Rose
coming?”
    “Soon.” It was nothing more than the truth. “Lunch today, and a long sail as soon as she gets here.”
    “She’s a grand old boat,” Billy said wistfully.
    “Only five years old,” Luca reminded him. “But you’re right. She’s the closest I ever intend to get to loving a woman. If I had a heart it would be pledged to the
Maddy Rose
.”
    “Amen,” said Billy solemnly.

CHAPTER TWO

    G ETTING HERSELF READY FOR her new life as a maidservant cum spy was a bit more trouble than Maddy had expected. Mr. Fulton was aggrieved to be seen driving into the dockside town of Devonport with a servant by his side, particularly one he judged as far too pretty to be credible. Maddy knew better. People didn’t actually look at their servants. As long as she kept her shoulders hunched and her face lowered the ancient captain would pay no attention to her at all.
    Mr. Fulton hadn’t liked dropping her off near High Street, but she was hardly going to show up at her new position in a fancy carriage, for all that Matthew was supposedly the source of the captain’s new employee. She needed to do this alone, and she needed time to get in the proper state of mind. A nice long walk to Water Street would be just the thing, and Maddy planned to make good use of the time. It was astonishing how different a