How to Steal a Pirate's Heart by Alexandra Benedict

Author:Alexandra Benedict
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2017-07-01T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

Madeline had had enough. She was determined to uncover the truth behind William’s peculiar behavior. He seemed dismayed by his family’s arrival, yet he loved the lot of them, she knew. He’d threatened to hang her to protect them. Now their presence aboard ship had brought about a startling tension. And why had he proposed to her, nay, demanded they wed, when he’d never even suggested the idea before that day?

A rap at the door; it snapped her from her meditation.

She opened the barrier and lifted a brow. “Captain Hawkins.”

“James,” he said. “There can only be one captain aboard a ship.”

“What can I do for you, James?”

He entered the cabin without waiting for an invitation, his ominous presence filling the small space.

She shut the door behind him. “Do come in.”

After prowling the room for a moment, he dropped into a chair. “I have the unenviable task of pleading my brother’s case—for your hand in marriage.”

She folded her hands across her lap. “I don’t see how this concerns you?”

“It concerns you and it concerns my brother, so it concerns me.”

She had forgotten the Hawkins family banded together no matter the circumstances, that they looked out for each other’s happiness—unlike hers. And just the thought of being part of such a family warmed her to the idea of marriage. Not that she was prepared to accept William’s proposal. At least, not until she had some answers . . . and James’ unexpected arrival may just be the boon she was looking for.

She joined him at the table. “I will listen to your case.”

“I’m not a matchmaker,” he groused. “But the affair between you and William must be settled—permanently.”

Another threat? He was no better than his brother at proposals. Did all Hawkins men club their women over the heads and drag them to the altars?

But Madeline maintained her temper. She wanted to know the truth about William.

“Our affair is complicated,” she said.

“Isn’t every affair with a woman?”

He sounded like he spoke from miserable experience.

“William and I have a delicate arrangement.”

“An arrangement, eh?”

“He isn’t interested in marriage; he’s never even broached the matter—until today. Why?”

His blue eyes shifted from one end of the room to the other. “He realized you might be pregnant.”

“Today?”

“Aye, today.”

“I find it hard to believe a man of such foresight and planning failed to consider the matter before today.”

James growled, “He’s not been thinking straight of late.”

“Why? His headaches?”

“You know about the headaches? Anything else?”

“What else is there?”

“Blimey.” He shot out of the chair, startling her. “I should have sent one of the women to convince you to marry him.” And he headed for the door, disgruntled.

“James, tell me!”

He stilled.

She whispered, “Tell me what’s happening?”

He sighed, keeping his back to her. “You need to ask William that question.”

And he left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Madeline fisted her hands. She circled the cabin for a few restless minutes, stirring up her strength, before she squared her shoulders and stalked toward William’s cabin.

The moment she reached the door, her intention to barge into the room withered away.

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