Read Online Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2) by Tamara Gill - Free Book Online Page A

having food that was less extravagant than usual. Come to think of it, less servants and only one carriage to support their household in Malta. Was her father short of blunt? Were they poor? She swallowed.
    “Apparently not,” he said.
    “What will you do if he cannot pay?” Would he ruin her publicly? Throw her overboard as a waste of his effort and time? She shook the silly thought aside, her mind going places that were less than helpful. At times such as these one needed a clear mind, free to think rationally.
    “I will ruin him.” And you as well . The unspoken words hung between them like a noose.
    She clasped his hand. “Perhaps if I speak to my father I can get him to pay you and there be no need for any further trouble.” Although the more Arabella thought about the strictures of her life of late, something told her that her father wasn’t going to be able to pay no matter how much she wished it.
    A knock sounded at the door before a tall man, dressed in attire Arabella had only ever seen in the highest ranks of society. In her shabby dress, stained and torn in parts it left her feeling inadequate and poor. She checked her gown, pleating a section of her skirt to try and hide the small tear.
    The gentleman’s eyes widened when he spotted her, but he continued into the room and greeted Stephen with warmth. Who was he?
    “And who is this?” the man asked, nodding toward her.
    Arabella frowned, not liking how this gentleman’s tone lacked warmth when speaking of her.
    “This is Miss Arabella Hester. Sir Ronald Hester’s daughter.” Stephen turned to her. “Arabella, this is Gabriel Lyons, the Duke of Dale.”
    She felt her mouth fall open and she nodded in hello. How was it Stephen knew a duke?
    “ Miss Arabella, is it?” The word was accentuated and had it been as sharp like a knife, she didn’t hesitate to think Stephen would’ve been cut. “As in unmarried and from looking about this room and seeing no maid I can assume, unchaperoned…” The duke sighed. “I had hoped the rumours were false.”
    For the first time since she’d known Stephen he looked sheepish. “Dinner is about to be served. We’ll discuss this later. Alone.”
    The gentlemen glared at each other and Arabella sat down at the wooden table as dinner was brought in by two kitchen girls. Night was falling and the storm howled outside. Candles were brought in and the fire stoked to ward off the dark chill of the night. The windows whistled, a cold draft running down her spine and making her flimsy gown less than ideal in such weather. She shivered, wishing she had a shawl or blanket.
    “We’ll be staying here for the night,” Stephen said, as if sensing her unvoiced concern. He joined her at the table, but didn’t meet her eye. The other gentleman did the same and a quiet awkwardness settled around them. The duke did not try and hide his disappointment at seeing her here. She quickly ate the stew and welcomed the maid who came in to take her upstairs. Bidding the men goodnight, she left them to their discussions.

    * * *
    “ W hat the hell is going on? Rumours reached me in London over your escapades or should I say your kidnapping of innocent women. What are you doing?” Anger thrummed in the duke’s voice and Stephen tempered his answer.
    He slumped back in his chair and sighed. “Her father owes me funds. She’s my leverage in getting it.” He didn’t point out that the day he’d gone to Arabella’s father to ask for the blunt in a gentlemanlike manner, he’d spotted her in the garden and his whole plan to be civil had dissolved before his eyes. She’d been sitting on a bench, surrounded by lush green plants and he’d wanted her instantly. Had abruptly turned about and devised a more devious plan that would enable him to have her in his bed and alone for some weeks.
    He was a cad.
    And revenge was sweet. What he hadn’t planned on was how the lovable woman with a strong backbone and warmth could worm her way