Lady Pirate

Catching her other hand, he pulled her irritably back into his arms. "I was not thinking what? That we should marry? " He moved her into the dance again.



"Forget Ievensaidthat." Shelaughed with a shake of her head, as if the idea were quite ridiculous, he noted with mounting annoyance."I am a touchsuspicious onoccasion. Of course you werenot thinking thatwe could marry."



"And - just to satisfy my curiosity, mind you - why is it that we couldnot marry? "



Lady Ainsley'seyebrowsroseslightly, as ifshe was surprised that he needeven ask. "Why ... because ...Well..." And then she burst out laughing.



Daniel felt his indignation grow. Not that he had beenthinking that theymight marry - hadhe?  - but, well, now that he thought about it, it was not abad idea. Hehad to marry to gain the wealth his grandmother had left behind. She hadto marryto gain her landand title. They were both in thesame boat, so to speak. It could be abusiness arrangement. People did that all the time.



She, however, didn't seem to see thesense init. Shewho needed a husband or, as far as he knew, would be left with nothing, laughed at the idea of marrying him - even though most of the ton were throwing their daughtersandgranddaughtersat himin hopes of just such a match. "Because what? "



Valoree's laughterdied slowly away as she realized hehadn't joined her in it.In fact, helooked quite put out. "Because we wouldnot suit, " she said seriously."You are far too ..." He raised an eyebrow at her hesitation, and she sighed. "You are serious, aren't you? "



His silence was her only answer.



Valoree actually consideredthe matter, hergazetakingin his deep brown eyes and handsome features; hehad astrong nose, a square, stubbornjaw, a sensual lower and narrower upper lip.



Fitted together it all was an attractive package. Very attractive.



Her fingers slid from his shoulder to his upper arm and she measuredandsqueezed, testingthemuscle therebeforesliding quickly across his chest, poking to make sure that that magnificent expansewas allhis and not padding. Nay, it was all his. She pulled away, and her gazedropped downover his flat stomachtothe fine tight breeches he wore, without those silly frillyribbons, she notedwith relief, and she peeredat his strong, well-shapedthighs with interest.



Daniel was as stiff as a marblestatue underher inspection, his feet moving automatically in the dance as the rest ofhim awaited herpronouncement. When shefinally turnedher gazeback to his face, he eyed her warilyand waited.



"My lord, you are a fine specimen of a man. Well built, obviously strong, and nodoubt you could supply thebabe Ineed to inherit my family estate. However" - Valoree ignored his grimace - "ourcharacters are simply too similar tomake such an option a success."



"What? " He stared at her withamazement, and she rolled her eyes.



"I am far more independent, strong-minded, and strong-willed than the average lady.I am not in the leastbit interested in a husband. I wouldnot even ever marrycould I getawaywith it.



But I havebeen forcedto do so by my father'swill. Theman I choose to husband me will notrule me.Infact, Ishall probably rule him. You would not likesuch a thing."



"You are damn right, Iwould not like it, " he snapped. "What on earthmakes you think that any man is going to allow you to rule thehousehold? It simply isnot done.No man worth his salt  - "



"Ido not wishto marry amanworth his salt. I wish to marry a man who will allowme tolead my life asI havedone since I was nineteen."



"You would never respect amanlike that, " Danielarguedwith afrown.



"Ido not need torespect him, just tomarry him."



"And have a babe withhim, " Daniel pointedout.She grimaced this time.



"Aye, well, that is a part of the bargain I could do without thinkingabout fora bit, if youdonot mind, " she said unhappily, then glanced around. "Oh, look. Megand Henry have managed to escape yourwould-bebrides. Takeme back tothem, please."



It cameout as more an order than arequest, and shecouldtell Danielwas about to balk at it when he noticed the trickle of sweatslidingdown herface. That tookhim aback."Aye. Mayhap we should stop. You appearto be overwarm."



His words made her dab at the sweat selfconsciously. He releasedher hand and tookher armto lead her to where Meg and Henry were conversing.



"You did pretty well out there, Ca - girl, " Henry corrected himself, casting a quick glance in Daniel'sdirection.



"Aye.But you should havestoppedsooner, " Meg saidwith a frown."You are overwarm and..." She paused midsentence as she reachedout with her hanky to dab atValoree's cheek, just as Valoreeturnedto give ameaningful glance to Daniel.



"Idid try to stop. Several times, " she announced peevishly.



"But Lord Thurbornewas notwilling to let me."She waited a moment then, for some comment orapology fromthe man, but he remained silent, hisgaze locked on her face. Frowning, she glanced backtowardMegandHenry questioningly, only to see them both just as frozen and fixated on her. Shifting uncomfortably under theircombined stares and mountinghorror, Valoreeglancedfromone person totheother. "What isit? "



"Your face, "Henry said in dismay.



Frowning, she reached up to feelher cheekwhere Meg had meantto daband felt that her movement had turned the dab into abrush that had removed aportionof her makeup. The bare skin underneath felt oddly lumpy.



"Do not touch it, " Meg said quickly, pulling her hand away and peeringatthespot."Is your face itchy? "



"Itchy? " Valoree muttered with disgust."It has been burning anditching allnight.It has been nearly driving me mad."



"What? " Megpeeredat herwith concern. "Well, whydid you not saysomething? " the woman asked in exasperation. Valoree glanced toward Henry, whose expression showed complete understanding mingled with regret. She hadn't said anything because a captain should notcomplain ofminor discomfort. A captainshould bearit as long as necessary, thentend to it when the opportunity arose.



"Never mind why she said naught about it, " Henry said resignedly. "What dowe doaboutit? "



"Do? " Meg peered at him blankly, then shook herhead. "She is obviouslyreacting tothe makeup.We must leave and getit off heras quickly as possible."



Henry'sshoulders slumped atthat, and Valoree could readthe disappointment inhim. They had goneto all thistrouble. Again.



And it had been a flop. Again. She hadonlydanced, or talked even, with one man. Nonetheless, he nodded solemnly. "We leavethen."



"Nay. Not just yet, " Valoree said suddenly. She turned to Daniel, hermind racing with aplanthatwasforming even as she spoke. "Who is the biggestgossip of the ton? "



Daniel peered at her in surprise and confusion, then said slowly, "That would be Lady Denholme. Why? "



"Is she here tonight? "Valoree asked hurriedly.



Daniel hesitated before nodding. "I believe she is."



"Where is she? "



He peered at Valoree silently for a moment, then glanced around thehall, scouring thepeoplepresent until he spottedthe woman in question."She isover there, besidethe large womanin white and green."



Valoree followed hispointing finger, then glancedto her aunt.



"Meg? "



"Aye? " The older woman moved to herside atonce, frowning in concern at her niece's blistered red skin.



"Go and strike up aconversation with this Lady Denholme.



Tell her aboutthe codicilin my father's will. Tell her how you must marry me off quicklyto claim it.Then tell herit shouldn't be a problem, however, since I am exceedingly wealthy. Make sure you mention that I am desperate and not likely to be picky." She paused suddenly to glance toward Daniel. "Are thereanyother rather gossipy women here tonight? "



Daniel gaveher a look ofmixed admiration and annoyance, then straightened to glance around the room again. "Ah, well, Lady Smathers over there, and... er ... Lady Wenback by the tall, skinnygentleman."



Nodding, Valoree turned toMeg again. "After you are finished with her, move on totheother twoand tell them the same things.



Then comejoin us. We shall be onthebalcony."



Nodding, Meg hurried off to do as she asked. As she did, Valoree began to fan her face with one hand, her gaze moving aroundtheroom.



"Damn me." Henry's hissed words drew her gaze around questioningly, andhe muttered, "A passeloftroubleheaded our way." Henodded towarda herdof hopeful mamas dragging their chicks theirway.



"Damn."Valoree muttered as she spotted the group. This was the last group she wanted to see. Her gaze shot aroundto land on Daniel. "They are after you. Go away and they will leave me alone."



"Ihavea better idea, " he answered. Taking her arm, he hurried her through thecrowd toward thebalcony doors, Henry hot on their heels.



"See, this is what I mean about our not suiting, " Valoree snappedirritably ashe rushed herout onto the balcony. "You could not justgoawayas I asked; you had to take charge and drag me alongwithyou."



Daniel said nothing, simply led her down into the garden.



Finallyhe said, "Well, your aunt did say that you shouldget that stuff off directly, or else ruin your complexion."



"So? And so I shall. Assoon as Meg is finished with what I asked her todo, we shall returnhome and getthis goop offmy face."



"Why wait? " Daniel grinned anddrewhertoahalt, gesturing towarda fountain hehad brought her too. "Itworked wellenough last night."



Valoreestared. This fountainwas smaller than the mammoth one theBeechams had owned, but muchmore attractive for all that. Its musical trickle was like some tempting siren's call, promisingrelief for her face.She couldwash off andsoothe her face in the cool water. Ease the itching and burning. Enjoy a momentof givingher facea good scratch, allunder the guise of cleaning it.



A moan slipping from herlips, she dropped to her knees beside thefountain and thrust her face into its cool, soothing water, her fingersscouring herskin with avengeance that made up forthe whole night of suffering. Lifting her face out of the water a moment later, shesighed in relief. She heard Henrysighas well.



"I don't suppose ye'vegot an alley siding onyergarden here, do ye? "sheheard him ask as she impatiently tugged off thewig Meg had insisted upon her wearing.Tossingitto the ground, she rubbedather scalpvigorously asDaniel answered.



"Aye. Along the sidethere. ShallI help her over thestone wall whileyou fetch the carriage? "Sheducked her whole head into the water, then, thrashing it exuberantly about rather like a dog shaking itself off.Shepulled her head back out just in time to hear Henry answer.



"Aye. But give ita couple of minutes.I shallgo back inside and wait forMeg, thenleave with her, get into thecarriage, andhave it comearound."



"Make sure she talks to all three women, Henry, " Valoree called after him as he headed backtoward the balcony;then she collapsed back tositon her heels.She gavea sigh of purebliss.



"Better? "Daniel asked.



"Aye, " Valoree said. Though the itching and heat were still there, her face felt not nearly as bad as it had with all that makeup irritating it. When Daniel offered herhis hand to help her up, she hesitated, her gaze moving back toward the fountain.



Thenshedecided thatshe'dhad enough andplacedherwristin his hand, her own fingers closing aroundhis wrist so thatthey workedtogetherto gether back on herfeet. "Where doesthe alley side your garden? "



"Thisway." Daniel gestured, thentookherarm towalkwith her, following the moonlit path to the trees.There, he slid his fingersdown tograsp hers sothat hecould lead the way onthe uneven ground, tugging her behind him.At thewall, he paused andturnedto faceher. "Thisis becominga habit."



"Whatis? "she asked. "My leaving soireesover walls, ormy littleincidentsatballs? "



"Both of those two, "he admitted. "ButI was thinking more along the line ofour meetingindark, secluded spots."



"Oh, that."Tuggingher handfree ofhis, she stepped up tothe wall, checking its heightrelativeto her own. Of course it was a good foot higher than her head, she thought in annoyance. Who exactly werethesenoblestrying to keep outof their darngardens anyway? shewondered. "Well, never fear, it shall not happen again. Iam never wearing thatfoolish muck onmyface again."



"Good. You are far toolovely to bother with suchnonsense."



Valoree gave a doubtful snort. Lovely? Whatnonsense. She'd had an entire crew ofpirates convinced she wasaman forthe pastthirteenyears. That hardlyspoke of loveliness."Aye, well, if my plan works, I should havethis businessdone in no time. Then weshall headfor Ainsley and I shall notneedworry whatthe fashion is, orwhat people think."



"Ah, your plan, " Daniel murmured softly, suddenly standing directly behind her.He was uncomfortably close, she thought, feeling his heat through his clothes and her own. He wasn't touching her anywhere, yet she was incredibly aware of his presence.She actually shudderedwhen hisbreath brushed her ear as hewhispered, "Do you really thinkthat simply spreading the word among the gossipmongers will work? You'll just announce that you are looking for a husband, and they shall come? "



"Why not? Itworked for you, " shesaid, thenfrowned atthe husky quality of her voice. She had meant to sound slightly derisive. Insteadthe words had come out slightly breathy, asif she had just swuma longdistance.



"Aye, but whatsort ofman willit bring running, do you think? "



He breathed soclose toher ear that his lips actually brushed it.



She shivered uncontrollably, ripplesofsomething She hadnever experienced before shimmering through her body. Her mind unable to actually grasp whathehadsaid, she leaned back into him, herbreasts rising andfalling quickly now.



"I - Ohhh." Shegasped in surpriseas his lips closed onthe rim of her ear. His handsclasped her waist gently, fanning out where they rested as he did some dark and mysterious things to her earlobes that hadher turning into pudding inhis hands. Moaning mindlessly, shelet her headdrop limply back against his chest.