grew angry, because he didn’t trust her. Yes, she’d hold onto her anger because it wasn’t nearly as painful and leaned in close to the journal until the words were no longer a blur. Blast, she should have brought her spectacles, but she hadn’t even considered that she’d need them to read.
As Epworth was reading over her shoulder, at least she didn’t have to read it to him and with a deep breath, Miranda blew it out and turned the page.
The moment I saw her, I wanted her. Raven hair flying in the wind, tricorn upon her head, breeches, hessians, sword in hand, and brown vest barely containing her assets. It’d been a long time since a woman made my mouth go dry, and she became my focus.
My men boarded the ship and as we outnumbered her crew, it was quickly overtaken. While my men were interested in the cargo, I wanted her.
Even thinking back, I didn’t recognize myself, but in a matter of moments, I knew she’d be mine. The fact that I’d just become an enemy would make that all the more difficult. It wasn’t until we were gathered on deck and I learned her name that I’d realized that I’d made a grave miscalculation.
We had boarded a Laswell ship and I had just broken the treaty. Even worse, the woman that so captivated me was the daughter of the richest merchant of Laswell, Walter Osborn. He was the true leader of the smugglers in the area. His daughter, Hester, had made a name for herself, as she sailed often, and rumors were abound with how she’d bested men with the prowess with her sword and wit. This was the first time I’d met her, and I was utterly captivated. Yet, a bit of panic and foreboding settled into my gut.
I know I should have removed myself and crew from their ship, leaving their cargo behind, and offer an apology to anyone who could hear. I knew the rules and to break them could bring calamity. Except, I wasn’t thinking as I should and was too focused on Hester. As I’d already broken the treaty, one that I had hoped that others had forgotten, I decided to keep Hester for a time and ransom her.
“Now we at least know his reasons,” Epworth murmured as Miranda turned the page.
She could understand her great-uncle and his infatuation as Miranda had experienced the same when she’d first spied Epworth. But she wouldn’t have acted nearly as carelessly. In fact, she hadn’t behaved as anything other than a proper miss, especially in London. If Miranda had strived for one thing, it was always propriety, no matter what the circumstance. Her very reputation depended on it since she already had to battle the one her mother had made for herself. At least she had until Epworth kissed her at Castle Keyvnor. Those kisses were anything but proper.
Miranda shook the thoughts away. She didn’t want to think of her mother right now, nor should she be thinking about Epworth’s kisses.
Hester’s outrage was adorable, though she’d probably skewer me with her sword if she knew that was my assessment. She tried to fight me, and despite what I’d heard of her fighting skills, I was able to disarm her, then I tossed her over my shoulder, gave her breeches-clothed bottom a good smack and took her to my ship.
Miranda gasped. Her great-uncle was nothing more than a pirate or rogue or…oh, she couldn’t come up with a name for what he’d done.
To say that Michael was unhappy would be a gross understatement.
“Who is Michael?” Epworth asked.
“His older brother, my grandfather,” Miranda answered absently.
Yes, it was ill-advised, which I completely acknowledge, but there is little to be done for it now. And, despite what Michael claims, I’m certain this one act couldn’t have undone treaties that have been in place since 1573.
“Fifteen seventy-three,” Miranda and Epworth said at the same time, their shocked tones mimicking the other.
Though, if I have, I will do what is necessary to make certain that a new treaty is in place once again.
I really wasn’t considering all the ramifications of my actions and to be honest, it is nearly impossible to think clearly when with Hester. She makes me want to toss caution to the wind, and it’s quite possible that she might drive me to insanity before this is over. However, so long as she is mine in the end, nothing else matters.
Miranda straightened and closed the journal, her index