Ransome's Honor (The Ransome Trilogy Series, Book 1) by Kaye Dacus

Author:Kaye Dacus
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Published: 2010-03-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

William’s stomach sank faster than a hulled ship. What had he done?

“Your—intended?” Lady Pembroke gaped at him, an expression that shattered her carefully cultivated refinement.

Sir Drake grabbed Julia’s arm and yanked her toward him. “She is my intended.”

“Unhand her.” William stepped between Julia and the baronet, reaching for the hilt of his cutlass that wasn’t there. He fisted his hand instead. Oh, how he wanted Pembroke to refuse.

Sir Drake scowled, but Julia yanked her arm away from his grasp. William moved her directly behind him.

Drake did not back down. “You will remove yourself, sir. Julia is to marry me. Her father will sign the wedding articles when he returns from London.”

William resisted the urge to pound the man’s face to a pulp and to step away from the stench of alcohol on his breath. “Indeed? I find that fascinating, given the fact I have already received Admiral Witherington’s permission and blessing to marry Julia.” Sir Edward had given it twelve years ago when William asked for Julia’s hand. He assumed it still stood.

Pembroke’s expression turned smug. “But you are not yet legally wed. Banns must be read for three weeks before a marriage can take place. Objections can easily be raised.”

“And why do you assume we will not marry by special license?” William’s stomach churned. When he’d stepped between Julia and her cousin, he hadn’t thought through how complicated this “business arrangement” might become.

Pembroke raked his glance up and down William’s uniform. “Because you are—”

“A post captain in the Royal Navy?” William scowled—an expression that made lower-ranked officers squirm.

Drake snorted with derision. “A man of obscure birth with no family name of consequence, no hereditary title, and no property.”

Julia gasped. “Aunt—have you nothing to say?”

“Drake, that is quite enough.” Lady Pembroke sounded anything but contrite. “Julia has apparently made her decision and we must capitulate to it. Come.” She tugged on his sleeve.

Pembroke gave William one last glare and turned to slither off behind her.

William swallowed. That had been the easy part. Now he had to face Julia. He tugged at the waist of his coat and turned.

Julia’s green eyes fixed on him in wide disbelief. “How can I ever thank you? When they came upon us—I—” She shook her head. “I was trying to reconcile myself to a life with him.” She nodded the direction Pembroke had disappeared. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, then looked up at him and tried to smile. “I promise I will not be a burden to you. I will stay to my quarters as much as I can—”

“Your quarters?” Of what could she be thinking?

“Yes. Aboard Alexandra. Remember? One of the reasons for our business arrangement is so I can travel with you to Jamaica.”

Lips pressed firmly together, he closed his eyes and expelled his breath. He’d forgotten about that part of the deal. A ship was no place for a woman.

Julia clasped her hands at her waist. “I know it has been a score of years, but you should remember I sail well.

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