Page 76 of Scandalous

“I have returned a number of people taken by the corsairs,” Martín said, choosing his words cautiously. “Please remember I also make a considerable amount of money taking such vessels. I would never want to misrepresent myself as an angel of mercy.”

Her eyes narrowed to pale gray slits. “Oh, I doubt you’d be mistaken for an angel of any kind, Captain.”

Martín laughed, far more comfortable in the area of flirtation than that of slave emancipation.

* * *

Sarah was beyond grateful Lord Ramsay had claimed her first dance.

“I see you’ve made another conquest, Sarah,” Ramsay teased, glancing at Viscount Danforth, who’d escorted her from the dining room.

Sarah rolled her eyes, eliciting one of his bellows of laughter.

“I know that look. My dear wife uses it on me at least once a day.” He continued undaunted. “Danforth seems a nice young chap.”

“I cannot concentrate on these steps and answer your questions at the same time, my lord.”

“But that is the most important part of dancing, Sarah dear, keeping your partner amused. If you do it well enough, they will not care about their flattened toes.”

“I have not stepped on your feet. Yet.”

“See, you can speak and dance at the same time. Come now, what did that wretch Martín say to upset you so at dinner?”

She was disappointed her tantrum had been noticed. “Oh, he told me where he had spent the previous fortnight.”

Ramsay laughed.

“It is not a laughing matter, my lord. Surely the man can find a more productive use of his time.”

“Perhaps he only wants some guidance?”

“Not from me, he doesn’t. He has made that abundantly clear.”

“My dear Sarah, I believe you do not know how to read men as well as you think you do.”

“I’m sure you are correct. Your wife informs me I should treat you all like children.”

“My wife is as wise as she is lovely. But she neglected to mention you must also dispense with any attempt at kindness.” He was no longer mocking. “Martín has no experience with it, is suspicious of it, and has no clue how to respond to it.”

“But what of you, my lord? You have been kind to him.”

“Yes, but I’m a man. With women it is different.”

“So I see,” she retorted, her eyes lingering balefully on the subject of their discussion: Martín surrounded by at least eight females.

Ramsay laughed.

“You are an absolutely dreadful man.”

“I am laughing because you clearly have nothing to worry about.”

“Are you mad? Look at him!”

“My dear Sarah, haven’t you noticed the careful way he has placed himself?”

“Placed himself?”

“Yes, you silly girl. He is standing just where he may keep watch over you.”