Every plundering wretch in the area has either turned himself in for pardon or taken himself into hiding for fear of Morgan’s wrath. And you say the man is hardly a consideration? You are either extremely arrogant, Chilton, or else you are a fool.”
“Who is the fool here, Frederick?” Chilton’s silky tone made Diana think of a snake slithering through the grass. “You and I are partners. Do you really believe that Morgan would consider you innocent in this matter?”
“He will,” came the immediate reply. “And had he not already left for the evening, I would prove it. I am known to be an honest man. My good name is my protection.” He paused. “A pity you cannot say the same.”
“I give no credence to the ranting of a low-born wretch such as yourself, Frederick. You are not fit to utter the Markham name.”
Half a breath from flinging open the door in defense of her sire, Diana froze when he spoke for himself.
“I may be a ‘low-born’ wretch, Chilton, but my daughter is not. As you are well aware, my late wife was the daughter of a Scottish nobleman. Diana inherited great wealth through her in addition to the substantial dowry I intend to bestow upon her. However, a man who associates with the likes of Marcus would not do as a husband for Diana. Kindly do not press your suit again.”
Chilton spluttered in response, but Diana lost interest in the conversation. One thought blazed across her mind and brought a wide smile to her lips. Chilton would no longer bother her.
She started back to the ballroom, so happy she wanted to dance. Chilton could no longer offer for her. Frederick Covington did not tolerate dishonesty, and if Chilton were indeed linked to the pirate Marcus, then he certainly lacked scruples.
Her father’s sterling reputation could withstand a little tarnishing. But the Markham name had been sullied when Chilton’s father committed suicide after gambling away the family fortune. Only Frederick’s belief that the son should not pay for the sins of the father made him take on Chilton as a partner.
She entered the ballroom. The blaze of lights and lilting music raised her spirits higher. Once her father reported Chilton’s activities to Sir Henry Morgan, the persistent nobleman would be punished for his crimes. He would no longer seek her as his bride, and her father would be lauded as the hero who exposed the villain.
Satisfied that her unwanted suitor would plague her no longer, Diana tried to lose herself in the dancing. But beyond the garden doors the night beckoned, seducing her with the memory of a dark stranger’s kiss.
Chapter Two
Moonlight slanted into the unlit room and fell across the paper-strewn desk. A figure slipped through the window, head and shoulders briefly gilded by the silvery light. Wraith-like, he melted into the darkness of the study.
The ominous snick of a pistol hammer echoed like thunder in the quiet room.
“Hold, lest I splatter the wall with your ballocks.” The menacing words came from a man sitting near the desk. He gestured with the pistol, pale light playing along the gold-and-ivory inlay of the weapon. “Come over here where I can see you.”
The intruder stepped into the shaft of moonlight, white teeth flashing in a grin. “Is this how you greet your friends, Morgan?”
“Blast it, Rothstone!” Sir Henry Morgan uncocked the pistol and shoved it into his belt. “How do you expect me to react when someone sneaks into my house? I heard you tramping through my shrubbery and thought ‘twas a bloody thief.”
“I meant for you to hear my approach. I had no wish to be skewered before you realized my identity.”
“You were almost gelded, my boy.” With a chuckle, Morgan reached over to light a nearby taper. The soft glow of the candle accented the lines that hard living had etched in his face. “Sit down, lad, and tell me what you are doing here. I thought you to be at sea.”
“I was.” Alex took a chair opposite Morgan’s