“Uncle, no,” Reggie protested.
James’ rages weren’t like Tony’s. Tony could be talked around. Even Jason, a stubborn bull when he was angry, could be talked to. But James Malory was frightening. Though his anger had never been directed at her, she feared it.
“Uncle James,” she said, “the men were really very gentle with me, and they saw diligently to my comfort. I wasn’t frightened,” she lied.
“A mistake has been made, Regan, and I’ll accept no excuses for it.”
A black brow rose sharply. “You mean I wasn’t supposed to be brought here?”
“Of course not. I would have come to see you before I left England again. I wouldn’t have brought you to me—certainly not in this fashion.”
The two miscreants appeared in the doorway just then, uneasy under James’ cold stare. “You wanted us, Cap’n?”
“Do you know who you have brought me?” James asked softly. It was his unpredictable tone.
Henri divined the trouble first. “The wrong lady?”
“May I present gentlemen”—James extended an arm toward Reggie, exploded—“my niece!”
“Merde!”
“Yeah,” Artie breathed.
Another man appeared in the doorway. “What the devil are you shouting about, Hawke?”
“Connie!” Reggie cried in delight, and rushed into his arms.
This was the man who had taught her to fence, to climb to the crow’s nest, even to sail the ship when her uncle wasn’t looking. Conrad Sharpe, James’ closest friend in childhood, was now first mate on theMaiden Anne. A more roguish, though lovable pirate had never lived.
“Is that you, little squirt?” Conrad bellowed. “Damn me, if it isn’t!” He hugged her close.
“It’s been years and years!”
“Hasn’t it though?” Conrad chuckled. Finally he caught sight of James’ scowling face and cleared his throat. “I, ah—I don’t think you’re supposed to be here, Regan.”
“So I gather.” She turned back to James. “Well, uncle, here are the scoundrels. Will you have them flogged for this dastardly mistake? If so, I want to watch.”
“Regan!”
“You’re not going to?” She glanced at her abductors. “Well, gentlemen, you are indeed fortunate my uncle is in such a charitable mood. He’s letting you off light. I would have taken the skin from your backs, to be sure.”
“All right, Regan, you win,” James relented, nodding curtly for Artie and Henri to leave.
“She hasn’t changed at all, has she, Hawke?” Conrad chuckled when the door closed behind the two kidnappers.
“Cunning little baggage,” James grumbled.
Reggie grinned at them both. “But aren’t you glad to see me?”
“Let me think about it.”
“Uncle James!”
“Of course, sweet.” James gave her his open smile, the one reserved for those he loved. “But you really have stirred up a problem here. I was expecting someone else, and now I suppose the watch will be up at Silverley.”
“Do you want to tell me what that is all about?” she asked him.
“Nothing that concerns you, Regan.”
