Even before he frowned at her in such a way that warned she’d stepped out of bounds, she regretted the question. It was natural enough for her to be curious about the people she was staying with, but since those people happened to include him, she’d just as soon he not be made aware of it. And she really shouldn’t be making disparaging remarks about his brother-in-law, the very man she’d foisted herself upon. That had been rude of her.
Before she could apologize, he surprised her by asking, “Do you really think he’s a brute? My brothers and I have always thought so, but personally, I’ve wondered how a woman perceives James Malory.”
“A definite brute. But I suppose your sister doesn’t think so.”
“No, she adores him,” he replied. “Hard to imagine, isn’t it?”
She detected the humor in his tone and wondered briefly if it was at her expense, or because they were sharing the same opinion. She decided not to find out and kept her eyes off him. The man was far too attractive for her to be able to look at him indifferently.
“Actually,” she said after a moment, “if you can get past the feeling that all he wants to do is clobber you, then I’d have to allow he’s a handsome man.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to saythat.”
“To say what?” Georgina asked as she returned to them with her niece in tow.
Gabrielle’s cheeks reddened. Considering how disagreeable the man had been to her, she didn’t doubt that he was going to confess all. It was the perfect opportunity to embarrass her, and he seemed determined to do that. He might have let up enough to have a conversation with her, but she hadn’t forgotten how it had started.
Again he surprised her, by making light of it and only mentioning, “She thinks that brute you married is a handsome fellow.”
“Of course she does,” Georgina replied. “I’ve never met a woman who didn’t. But I wish you’d remove the word ‘brute’ from your vocabulary.”
“Not until he removes ‘barbarian’ from his,” Drew said with a smile.
The woman with Georgina chuckled. “I’m glad my Nick isn’t present to hear this.”
Regina Eden was quite stunning. She had black hair and the most amazing cobalt-blue eyes that were slanted just enough to appear exotic. And her chuckle left behind a smile that was warmly welcoming.
Georgina explained to Gabrielle, “You’ll find that Reggie’s husband doesn’t like mine very much. They used to try to kill each other.”
Georgina spoke in such a teasing tone that Gabrielle didn’t take her comment seriously. But then Regina added, “And nearly succeeded a few times, but they get along famously now—at least in comparison.”
“I wouldn’t call it famously,” Georgina grinned. “But I’ll allow it’s probably just old habits dying hard. They still go toe-to-toe verbally. My brothers are the same way,” she added with a disapproving look at Drew.
He didn’t appear at all abashed, even grinned cheekily. “I know when I’m outnumbered, which is a good time to go find some libation while you ladies get acquainted.”
He sauntered off, but only one of them watched him go. Gabrielle caught herself staring after him and groaned inwardly. It was going to be a problem, keeping her eyes off that man when he was around. He’d insulted her enough that she should want to ignore him at all costs, but she simply couldn’t. She was so powerfully attracted to him that even when he raised her ire, he affected her in other ways she couldn’t control.
But she was going to have to figure out how to deal with his proximity. The man wasn’t just a sailor who might, with enough incentive, be convinced to give up the sea. He was captain of his own vessel and his family even owned their own shipping company! He couldn’t be a more inappropriate man for her to get better acquainted with.
Chapter 12
“DID WE MISS HER?”
“Has she not come down yet?”
Drew put his fork aside and smiled at the two young girls who’d just run into the breakfast room. Their excitement was obvious. And he didn’t need to ask whom they were talking about. He’d just been thinking about the same female and asking himself the same questions!
He told his niece, “If you mean the pirate, she’s probably still abed. We returned rather late last night from your cousin Regina’s party.”
“Did she have fun there?” Judith asked.
“Probably,” he replied, and managed to keep his tone neutral, though he found the thought irritating. “She was swarmed by every bachelor in attendance.”
“She said she’s not a pirate,” Jacqueline corrected him as she came over and swiped a sausage from his plate.
“But she’s a treasure hunter!” Judith volunteered.
“And Papa said she’d tell us all about it,” Jacqueline added.
