The Captain of All Pleasures (Sutherland Brothers #1)(34)
Author: Kresley Cole

When the man finished the record of the Southern Cross ’s docking and inspection, Derek said, “That was quick, senhor . Not that I’m complaining of course,” he added jovially. He’d already decided to garner some information about Lassiter’s crew from the self-important little man.

“Yes, I know you are in the Great Race, so I thought I might hurry you along,” he said in a magnanimous manner as he handed the papers to Derek.

“My thanks.” Derek paused before asking, “Have you already checked the Bella Nicola?”

“Not yet.” Twirling his perky mustache, he leaned closer to add conspiratorially, “I also hurry to go see Captain Lassiter’s daughter.”

Derek forced a benign look onto his face even though he wanted to throttle the man simply for his interest. Apparently, Miss Lassiter had admirers everywhere she traveled. He schooled his features as a thought occurred to him. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?”

After listening to the inspector’s enthusiastic agreement, Derek remarked, “You know you might want to be extra kind to Miss Lassiter.”

At the man’s quickening interest, Derek shook his head sadly. “Yes, it appears that the girl developed quite a tendre for me. But when she made her interest known, I had to set her down. Pretty girl, but with my being an earl—well, of course, men of my title and status can’t go around marrying commoners, you understand.” The man nodded as if he completely understood the myriad trials of being an earl.

Derek had a hard time keeping a sober face. “She was very distraught. So much so that she swore to me she wouldn’t wait but would marry the next man who proposed to her.”

“Truly?” the official asked in a voice gone higher with excitement.

“Truly. I think she might play hard to get because of her experience with me. But the fact is, the girl greatly desires to be married. And as her father is desperate to get her off his hands, I know he would be only too happy to speak at length about her substantial dowry.”

“Thank you, Capitao . Thank you,” the official said fervently. He took Derek’s hand and shook it with irritating zeal.

After Derek had finally extracted his hand from the man’s grip, he added, “And, senhor Miss Lassiter greatly admires strong, I daresay, domineering men—men who aren’t afraid of charting a course and following it unwaveringly. Be warned, the clever girl might try to test your dedication.”

“Many thanks. I go now to see Miss Lassiter!” He confidently saluted Derek.

As the man marched away, Derek could swear he heard the official chanting to himself,“Forte, bravo, dominante!”

Derek took satisfaction in the thought that Nicole had no idea the hounds of hell had just been unleashed, and merrily sent panting in her direction.

“The nerve, the utter arrogance of that man! He wanted to make love to me, Maria. As if I would ever. I wanted to slap him. I will win this race, just so he will lose—”

“Nicole! If you could stop cursing the captain for just one moment,” Maria began over Nicole’s tirade, “I would like to tell you something.”

Nicole shut her mouth, frowned, and poured tea. “Very well ” she mumbled.

Maria took the offered cup. “I’ve been trying to tell you all the way from the house that Captain Sutherland did not touch Juliette. After only a brief kiss, he told her he couldn’t be with her.”

Reaction exploded in Nicole’s heart; thoughts roiled in her head. He hadn’t made love to Juliette? Why couldn’t she tell he hadn’t just been with another woman?

She’d been comfortable as an adversary to the rake, especially when she thought of him with Juliette. But now that Maria had told her the truth, her emotions catapulted to the other extreme. She replayed that last ill-fated meeting between them, imagining that she’d done everything differently. Hadn’t wounded him so badly.

How could she wait until after the race to tell him how sorry she was?

“Oh, God, Maria! I have feelings for the captain!”

“Muito bem. Very good.” She smiled. “I’ll give you my professional opinion. The captain behaved as he did because he is already in love with you.”

Nicole absently swished the end of her braid against her mouth. “No, it can’t be love on his part.”

“Trust me. There is something very strong between you. You two would do well together. It won’t be easy, but love seldom is.”

Love from the captain? Nicole shook her head. “He probably hates me now. Did you forget I assaulted him this afternoon?”

“He’ll recover. You could help him with that when you next see him,” she said, and chuckled.

Nicole’s eyes went wide. “Maria, I need to talk to you about all that. You have to tell me everything, so I won’t make a fool of myself with him next time.”

“Ah, bella, it’s simple.”

Nicole leaned forward in her seat.

“There’s one rule. All you have to do is—”

A knock interrupted her. Nicole scowled. “What is it?” she called out.

Chancey ambled in. “Ye got a message, and the port official’s here to sign off.”

She rose in a huff, took the message, and tossed it on her desk. “Maria, I’ll be right back. Make some more tea—I have so many questions for you.”

She hurried out the door to meet the official. He was a stout little man, trollish and brimming with condescension. Even after she’d signed the papers, he lingered, hovering about her.

“Yes?” she sniffed in her haughtiest tone. She was dying to get back to her cabin and hear the one rule.

“Miss Lassiter—I wish to speak with you about your recent unfortunate affair.”

“My what?” She froze.

“Your heartbreak. I know of it, as well as your plans to marry. I have come to offer myself.”

“Sir, I have no wish to marry anyone.” She strove for calm. “I’m sorry, but you should leave now.”

Unaffected, he twirled his moustache. “Ah, yes, now you play hard to get. But I will overcome you.”

The man was insane. Utterly insane.

Behind the official, Maria stood in the doorway and gave her a questioning look. Nicole could only shake her head. The man was now assuring her with his tubby chest puffed with pride that although he was an official of some standing, he would overlook Nicole’s basebornness and marry her regardless.

She turned on him in a flash. “If you think I will marry you—”

The man interrupted her, “You have continued your games long enough.” He was becoming piqued, and his hands, before resting on his belly, gestured heatedly. “I wish to speak to your father about your dowry.”

“My father,” she bit out, “isn’t receiving visitors.”

He demanded a meeting. At once. When she continued to deny him, he grew suspicious that Captain Lassiter hadn’t appeared on deck at the high tide.

How could she explain why they sailed her father’s ship without him—or any captain with papers? He could make trouble for them just out of spite.