CHAPTEREIGHT
Children had no past, rarely worried about more than the next few minutes, and often saw you for exactly what was before them. He’d not had many interactions with them other than to throw those in need some coins, and the children that he gave passage to on his ship.
“Do you live on a boat?” the little girl leaning on Baron’s legs asked Ash.
“I do yes.”
The beautiful Dorset Sinclair had left. He’d known the minute she had, even though he’d been looking away from her, because his body relaxed.
She disturbed him, and that alone was curious. No one disturbed Ashford Charlton. He didn’t allow it. But then he was still breathing because of her, so that could be the reason.
“Does it have big masts like Uncle Harry’s and Uncle Dev’s boats?” The little girl moved closer, placing her hand on his knee.
“Yes, it does,” he said as she climbed to her toes to look at the table.
“I want to eat that.” She pointed to the sweet treat on his plate.
He held out the plate for her, and she took the offering and a large bite. She then leaned on his legs. Happy, he thought. Ash could feel the happiness in this room smothering him.
“My name is Katherine.”
“And my name is Ash.”
“I know. You’re the pirate.”
Baron choked on air.
“Who told you I was a pirate?”
“I heard Uncle Gus and Uncle Nicholas talking about you.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full of food,” he said, remembering that being hammered into him as a child by his nanny.
The child sighed. “Everyone says that.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be hard for you to learn then.”
She ate the last bite and then reached up with her sticky fingers to touch his face.
“I like you. You should stay with us.” Her smile was wide.
How could those simple words feel like a lance through his heart?
His eyes found Dorset Sinclair again, she of the soft scent and pretty face. It had been a long time since he’d felt the sting of attraction that he did when he looked at her. He still couldn’t believe she was here. What were the chances of finding the woman who’d saved his life in a country full of people?
Not that it mattered. She was nothing to him, and he was leaving here soon and returning to London. Radcliff needed to be dealt with now he clearly knew Ash was alive.
“Ash.”
Looking up, he found his brother. The jolt at seeing him would take some time to pass.His brother.
He held the hand of a girl. Age undetermined, but perhaps twelve, or maybe older.
“’Lo, Gus and Daisy.”
“’Lo, Katherine.” He bent to kiss the little girl.
Katherine patted the girl he now knew was called Daisy on the cheek with her sticky fingers.
