The Pirate Next Door Read Free Page B

proving inadequate.
    “Reward?” she stammered. “I do not need anything. Really, I only heard him through the window and ran over to see if I could help—”
    The viscount held up his hand. “I have seen the fiercest pirates wet themselves when faced with James Ardmore. You are very brave.” His blue eyes darkened. “I have opals that would shine like white fire in your hair. I will have a jeweler set them.”
    She suddenly pictured his tanned and calloused hands holding the jewels, letting them spill from his fingers to scatter on her hair as she lay beneath him. “I have no need for opals,” she said hastily. “Really, for any jewels. Heaven knows my husband bought me plenty.”
    He gave her a puzzled look, and her face burned. Theo had thrown jewels at her, true, because of course, his wife must be well turned out and not embarrass him. By now, the viscount must have heard all about her humiliating marriage. Poor Mrs. Alastair , anyone with a penchant for gossip could have told him. Her husband was so indiscreet . Indiscretion was, in her world, a greater sin than infidelity.
    She drew a breath. “My lord, I am happy you are unhurt. I will return home now.”
    “Not yet.” He caught her hand and held it loosely. “I must think of some way to reward you.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips. His kiss was cool and satin-smooth, but the touch of his breath licked heat down her spine. Her mouth still tingled where he’d kissed her. He’d been out of his head, probably not understanding what he did, when he’d held her to the floor and kissed her so passionately. She touched her tongue to her lower lip where his teeth had scraped her. No man had ever kissed her like that. And likely never would again, she thought wistfully, now that he’d come to his senses.
    “Papa,” the girl said. “Why did Captain Ardmore want to kill you?”
    The viscount lowered Alexandra’s hand but did not release it. When he looked at his daughter, his expression was guarded. “He was not trying to kill me, Maggie. He was giving me a warning.”
    Alexandra thought of the words she had heard coming through the window before she’d run upstairs to wake Jeffrey and her cook. She had been startled to learn about the disappearance of the French king, but she had suspected that the enmity between the viscount and the man called Ardmore had little to do with that. The hatred in the stranger’s voice had been deep, an anger festered over a long time.
    The viscount abruptly changed the subject. He released Alexandra’s hand. “We must go and help Lieutenant Jacobs. He is hurt.”
    The girl’s puzzled look turned to one of tight concern. “Oh, dear. Poor Mr. Jacobs. I must see to him. Where is Oliver?” Pushing past her father, she dashed from the room, still clutching the knife, as if she were running off to avenge their enemies.
    Alexandra took a step after her, worried she would hurt herself with the dagger, but she was brought up short, like a fish on a hook. She swung around. The viscount held the green silken end of her sash, and he was grinning. “Stay with me, pretty lady.”
    “But Maggie might be in danger. What if there are more of them? Or if they come back?”
    “They won’t,” he said. “Not tonight.”
    He certainly seemed calm for a man whose house and been invaded and whose life had been nearly taken. “Who were they? Who is this Mr. Ardmore? You must send for Bow Street.”
    He toyed with the end of her sash. “It is most important, Mrs. Alastair, that you forget all you heard tonight. Can you do that for me?”
    “But what about—”
    His gaze became hard. “Trust me when I say that my business is too deadly to drag you or Bow Street into. Go back home and be the pretty lady next door.” His expression softened again, and he gave her a small smile, one that made her heart beat a little bit faster. “Perhaps next time we pass, we will not simply nod and go on, but have a small conversation. I think I