Lady Thorn. Catherine Archer

Nina. Had she rejected him because she felt she was better than he? She could not help thinking that this woman must indeed be a fool. Jedidiah McBride was handsome, intelligent, well-spoken, strong, and master of his own ship. One would need to have keener eyes than hers to find some flaw in him, other than the fact that he might be too obstinate and bent on keeping others at a distance.

      What in heaven’s name was she to do with the man in London? They would, in their search for a suitable mate for her, be moving among the very highest orders of English society.

      He spoke, interrupting her thoughts. “I… Forgive me. I had no right to talk to you that way. You have done me no wrong, have in fact agreed to do me a great service in helping to find my child. I will do whatever is necessary.”

      Victoria felt a rising sense of compassion for this strong, intractable man. He must feel a great sense of longing for his child, if he was prepared to do something so unpleasant in order to find the boy.

      She said, “I am very sorry for what this woman named Nina did to you. It was wrong, and had little or nothing to do with her social station. She was obviously just a foolish and selfish woman.”

      He looked at her with an expression of displeasure and surprise, clearly not happy that she should broach the subject. To her amazement, he did answer her, though the words caused her to frown. “She was a product of her class.”

      “The nobility are like everyone else. Some work hard and care about doing good, others live their lives for nothing but their own pleasure.”

      “I’m sure you are right,” he told her, but the set expression on his face gave the lie to the words.

      She wondered if there was more to this than a woman’s rejection. Jedidiah McBride did not seem the type of man to let such a thing color his thinking so completely.

      Victoria’s thoughts returned to their original subject. “As we were discussing, you will have need of a new wardrobe. The very fact that it is for my benefit makes me feel I must certainly pay any expenses incurred in attaining it. You have already done much to help me, and I do not wish to inconvenience you further.”

      His expression grew obstinate as he scowled at her. Victoria could not help frowning in annoyance herself. What had she done now?

      He spoke slowly and distinctly, leaving her in no doubt as to the fact that this would be his final word on the matter. “I will purchase my own clothing. I will buy only what is absolutely necessary to get me through the next weeks. When I am finished with the garments, they can be given to someone who has an interest in such foolishness. You will not be paying for them.”

      His dictatorial tone rankled. Yet, as her wayward gaze traversed the masculine length of him, Victoria had an unconscionable desire to tell him his garments would be of no use to anyone of her acquaintance. She knew no one with such wide shoulders, flat belly and slim hips. Victoria forced herself instead to concentrate on the fact that the stubborn man was being so very unpleasant. With a great force of will, she made herself answer with cool irony. “Thank you. I appreciate your amenability.” But as she rose to her feet, she could not prevent herself from adding, “I can only hope that our purpose is accomplished quickly, so you can rid yourself of everything you find distasteful with all possible haste.”

      He stood as well, looking decidedly uncomfortable with her veiled sarcasm, but he made no reply. Obviously he felt it was better to allow the matter to rest.

      But he had one last thing to say. “Your gratitude, although flattering, is somewhat misplaced. You are doing a favor of equal value for me. This is a business arrangement between us. You owe me nothing besides that which we’ve already agreed on.”

      She watched him for a long moment, then nodded. “Very well.” Jedidiah was simply echoing her own sentiments. She ignored the tiny jab of regret in her chest.

      Forcing a smile of deliberate civility, Victoria changed the subject. “I would assume you are hungry. I have asked that breakfast be held for you in the informal dining room. I hope you will find it to your liking.” She met his eyes briefly. “Now I ask you to excuse me, for I must attend to some business matters myself. We will be having luncheon in the informal dining room. Later this afternoon, Mr. Randsome will arrive to see to your new wardrobe.” She paused, then added, “I hope you will not mind if I meet with the two of you.”

      He nodded, his sea-green eyes cool, expressionless. “Not in the least.”

      It was clear that he meant to accept whatever was necessary to get the matter settled. With nothing more to add, she turned to go, but his voice halted her. “Lady Victoria?”

      Victoria swung around to face him.

      He said, “I will need to send a message to my first mate. I have to inform him of my whereabouts, in case he needs to contact me.”

      “Of course. My servants are at your disposal.”

      He grimaced, but made no other comment than to say, “Thank you.”

       Chapter Three

      With that, Victoria left him and went to what she still thought of as her father’s study. From behind that enormous black lacquer desk, he had directed not only his continued financial success, but also the well-being of the people he was responsible for.

      She was accountable for doing the same. She would not allow thoughts of Jedidiah McBride and his stubborn American independence to distract her from her work. Many people depended on her being clear in her thinking. Victoria seated herself at the desk and rang for her estate manager, with whom she had a standing appointment.

      As she waited, she thought about the many hours she had spent at this desk, the efforts she had made to fill her father’s proficient shoes. In the beginning, she had been frightened and uncertain about fulfilling his responsibilities with even a modicum of competence. In the end, she had come to realize that she must trust in her own judgment. After all, there was no one else. It was because she had learned to trust herself that Victoria told herself to accept her first impression of Jedidiah McBride.

      Her parents would have approved of the American. Her father had always said a man must be judged by his action and not by his title. And Victoria knew that anyone who came to her aid so gallantly would have earned no criticism from her mother.

      Once more she asked herself what it was about Jedidiah McBride that awakened her. Perhaps, she told herself hopefully, he was not the cause. She recalled the start of awareness she had felt when his hand brushed hers. Perhaps it was her own realization that she must marry that made her begin to feel more awareness of the opposite gender.

      A discreet cough brought her attention back to the present. The estate manager, Robert Fuller, stood waiting for her. His quiet demeanor and conservative brown attire did not disguise the keen intelligence in his brown eyes. Victoria knew him to be a man who missed little, a man able to read most people and situations quite accurately. It was one of the reasons he was so valuable to her, but today, especially when she considered what she had been thinking, those skills seemed less desirable than usual.

      Victoria flushed, clearing her throat and feeling decidedly grateful that the man could not read her thoughts. She also felt a trace of irritation with herself. She had no cause to think of the obstinate sea captain in any but the most impersonal of ways. As the man had told her himself, theirs was a business arrangement.

      Refusing to even acknowledge any hint of regret, Victoria forced, her mind to concentrate on the present. Her duty must not be forgotten. “Mr. Fuller, please be seated. I’m sure there is much to be seen to, as I have decided to go up to London for at least a part of the season. Shall we get to it?”

      If he had indeed noted her agitation, Mr. Fuller gave no indication of it, for with a nod he sat down and opened his case. Victoria felt herself flushing again. Of course he had seen nothing. It was her own ridiculous fascination with Jedidiah