The Pirate's Jewel (41 page)

“Thank you for what you did tonight. You’ve saved my life
twice now.” Nolan took a breath before he continued. “I wish you hadn’t done
what you did to Devlin.”

Jewel’s gaze swung in his direction, a look of hurt in her
eyes, and he quickly continued. “Though I’m grateful. I want you to know
something, and not just to clear myself of wrongdoing in your eyes. I know I
have much to account for. But I couldn’t kill your father. I laid down my sword
before the British came.”

Jewel stood, sauntered behind him and wrapped her arms
around his waist. “I know. Wayland told me. And that you won.”

Nolan was glad she couldn’t see the satisfied grin that pulled
at his mouth. “But did he tell you why I laid down my sword?”

She squeezed his waist. “I think I know.” She cushioned
her head against his back, letting him know he didn’t have to continue.

“It’s because I love you, Jewel. No matter what Bellamy
has done or been, he is your father, and you’re too kindhearted not to care for
him. I’ll not tread on those feelings again.”

“Thank you, Nolan,” Jewel said quietly.

“Would you like to steer?” he asked, needing to do
something to prove to her how he intended to let her into every aspect of his
life.

She straightened, and slipped in front of him without any
more encouragement. “I’d love to. I’ve been wanting to from the first day on
board.”

“Why didn’t you ever ask?” He slipped his arm around her
waist. “Never mind. Don’t answer. I know why. From now on, you can ask me
anything. Especially about the ship. You’re going to have to learn to sail.”

She gripped the varnished wheel. “Where are we going,
anyway?”

“To St. Lucia. I think it best if we rename the ship. Though
I don’t think our British friends will be leaving the island anytime soon, I’d
rather not risk having the entire Royal Navy after us.”

Nolan felt Jewel stiffen. “But they accused you of treason.
When Devlin is rescued—”

“By that time, if not already, the war will have begun, and
I’ll be a privateer for my country,” he said. He wasn’t as sure as he hoped he
sounded, but he didn’t want her to worry. “There’s another reason I want to stop
at St. Lucia. I want to marry you again.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, but he could hear
the pleasure in her voice all the same.

“Yes, I do. I want to have a piece of paper to show your
father next time we see him.” He brushed the hair from the back of her neck and
kissed her there.

“You don’t have to worry about Bellamy. I don’t know if
we’ll ever see him again.”

“We’ll see him again.” Nolan didn’t want to tell her about
his promise to give her father a portion of the treasure in order to escape
with her. “And don’t think you’re going to be rid of Wayland.”

“I hope not.” She laughed. “He’s definitely grown on me.”

Nolan took a deep breath. He’d gotten this far, and he
could say the last of it. “And of course, if you don’t want to marry me again,
I’ll consider it my just due. You’ll have your share of the treasure to do as
you please.”

She laid her head against his chest. “My treasure is right
here.”

IMPROPER PLEASURES

By

Cheryl Howe

Lady Astra Keane
ruins herself a second time by seducing her late husband’s younger American
cousin when he arrives in England to inherit a title and the estate she loves.
Discovering she has no funds to start a new life, Astra justifies her
proposition to secretly become James’s mistress in bed, in addition to his
estate, as the only hope of providing a stable environment for her daughter.
Her arrangement with James Keane allows Astra to remain the mistress of her
home while she explores her long denied passions with a man she finds irresistibly
attractive . Though warned not to fall in love with her paramour, Astra soon
discovers she’ll never make a proper mistress to James. Her heart has become
involved but she refuses to give up the affair.

James Keane knows
Astra is hiding secrets about her past, but he finds he can’t resist her offer
to become his mistress. He makes it clear that he’ll be returning to America as
soon as he turns around the bankrupt estate he’s inherited. Though he has no
reason to trust her, James doesn’t believe Astra could be involved with the
string of accidents that have befallen him since his arrival. Rumors of the
Keane Curse leads James to believe his misfortune has a human source, one that
he intends to uncover. He only hopes his investigation doesn’t reveal he has
fallen in love with a woman who wants him dead.

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Other
Books by Cheryl Howe

Secret
Pleasures

After
the Ashes

The
Pirate and the Puritan

Cheryl Howe writes sexy
historical romance novels with strong characters in sensual settings. She is an
avid reader and would rather bury her head in a book than do just about
anything else. She published her first novel in 2003. When she’s not reading or
writing, she tries to balance her time between cooking healthy gluten-free
meals, not ignoring her husband, and catering to her menagerie of house pets.
She lives in Southern California with an understanding husband, two spoiled dogs,
a demanding cat and a bright yellow parakeet.

To learn more about Cheryl and
her books, visit her blog, Whole-Healthy-Writer, at
http://cherylhowe.com/

You can email her at
[email protected]

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