“Wife?” Jack stammered faintly. “No, we… I didn’t… She doesn’t…”
“You haven’taskedher?” Redmire spluttered. “What are you waiting for? Do you want me to go and do it?”
“No.” Jack slapped his hands atop the map. “Do not propose to my children’s governess on my behalf.”
Redmire fished a cheroot from his waistcoat. “Are you happy?”
Jack nodded. “Yes.”
“Your life better with her as part of it?”
“Yes.”
Redmire narrowed his eyes. “You love her?”
Jack laughed. “Oh, come on. You know I’m not going through that again. Once was more than enough. I’m not foolish enough to…”
Redmire smirked at him knowingly.
Jack slumped into his chair.Damnit. He was in love.
“I swore I wouldn’t do this,” he muttered into his hands.
“You can’t help it.” Redmire chewed on his cheroot. “You’re a pirate at heart. You find treasure, you want to hold it close. Marriage is just like smuggling.”
Jack glared at him. “Marriage is not like smuggling.”
“Marriage isexactlylike smuggling. Have to be willing to lose later in order to win now. No risk, no reward. If you don’t go after her while you’ve got the chance…” Redmire shrugged. “Going to be just like our access to Clicquot champagne. Gone forever.”
“I can sort out the champagne,” Jack said quickly. “Let me see that map.”
Redmire pushed it forward without further comment.
Jack tried to make sense of the lines and squiggles, but all he could think about was his vow to never again risk his heart.
He knew what love was. He’d been there before. Which was how he knew Redmire was right—he’d fallen in love again. The second time was just as real. Just as dangerous. He’d never been more terrified. There were no more walls he could put up between him and Désirée because it was far too late. She was already inside.
Redmire tapped the edge of the map. “You want me to turn this right-side-up? Or…”
“I’m working on it,” Jack snapped and spun the map around.
Now it was upside down.
“You pillock.” He fixed the map and started tracing alternate routes with his finger.
He hadn’t just fallen in love. He’d fallen in love with someone who intended to leave him forever. His hands went clammy. Jack couldn’t let that happen. Hehadto find a way to un-temporary their arrangement. Not just for a few years, but forever.
Marriage. He’d never thought he’d consider the idea again.
He didn’t even know ifDésiréewould consider it. Certainly her brothers would never allow marriage to an Englishman. Even one who preferred French wine.
Their plans for their sister were much loftier. They were aristocrats, for god’s sake. Or had been, before the revolution. Perhaps could be, again. All they had to do was get their sister back home and out of Jack’s clutches and then next thing you knew, she’d becomtessethis, ormarquisethat.
Jack couldn’t offer her anything of the sort.
“I have an idea,” Redmire said. “Why don’t I scout the harbor and you secure the governess. I’ll send you letters. With little hearts on them, since I know hearts scare you.”
Jack leaned back to rub his temples. Redmire was right. Jack used to sail off at the drop of a hat, first as a privateer and then as a private investor. Wasn’t love worth just as much risk?
