Notorious
rogue, Lord Nathaniel Kingsley always tended to leap without thinking. Becoming
a smuggler, adopting a sheep, getting engaged to Miss Patience Grey….
Patience has
no need for a fiancé, or a husband. For once in her life, she wants to prove
she’s just as good as a man and she does not need Nathaniel Kingsley getting in
her way. With her brother injured, it is up to her to continue her family’s
work…and that means tracking down a French spy and ensuring said spy will turn.
Unfortunately,
no one believes she can do it alone. Which is where Nathaniel comes in.
Nate is happy
to be of service. Why pass up the opportunity to repay an old friend,
especially with a little intrigue along the way? Find the spy, play escort to
Patience, return home to continue smuggling. Easy.
Or at least
it would be if the stubborn Patience would let him do his job. The
breeches-wearing woman is determined to do it all alone and, he has to admit,
there’s something quite distracting about a woman in men’s clothes.
Can he keep
his attention from her long enough to complete their mission and persuade
Patience to let him do his job and protect her? A job he’s beginning to find
he’s enjoying a lot more than he thought he would…
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Excerpt
“There would have been many a heartbroken lass had you really been
engaged,” Drake said. His grin grew wicked. “I was looking forward to offering
my comfort and condolences.”
Nate shook his head and ignored his friend’s jest. Instead he turned his
attention to the ale in his hand. It would be his last for a while. He’d need a
clear head for what was to come, especially if he was to keep that minx under
control. If her own mother could not make her wear a dress, what chance did he
have?
Either way, he was looking forward to the challenge. Smuggling was all
well and good but they had only gone out once in the past month and all had
been quiet. No excitement to be had. He was rather looking forward to the
chance to indulge in some espionage and adventure.
Of course, Jacob Grey was aware of their illicit activities. Being a government
agent had meant they had helped him before. He was one of the few residents of
Penshallow who quite understood who was behind all the smuggling that took
place in their small fishing village. Most thought Knight the face of it—the
big, brooding, scarred hulk of a man opposite who spoke only when absolutely
necessary.
At present, Knight’s attention was on something near the bar. Nate
flicked a glance over but could see nothing of interest. Only the usual overly
drunk patrons gathered while Louisa, the innkeeper, worked her hardest to keep
up with demand.
Other patrons littered the room, gathered around small tables. Some had
cards in their hands while all had drinks. The Ship Inn was not the most savory
of places but it was out of the way and the food was good. Not to mention
Louisa was uncannily good at ensuring the customs men never came near the
place. She had saved their skin many times and they repaid her help generously,
ensuring she had a good supply of excellent French wine.
“You were a damned fool, signing up for this,” Nate’s brother said,
thrusting a finger at him.
“What was I to do? You were off enjoying yourself with Hannah. Far too
much it seems.” His brother’s gaze darkened and Nate immediately ceased any
idea of talking of Red’s fiancée. Hannah was currently installed in lodgings in
the village while they awaited the license for their marriage and to finalize
all the details. His brother was, unbelievably, utterly in the love with the
woman. It was not such much the woman he had fallen for that surprised Nate but
that his brother had the ability to fall so heavily for her. Red had always
been too busy to think of love or even marriage.
Drake leaned in. The captain fixed Red with a slight smile on his lips.
“Face it, Red. While you were distracted by petticoats, Nate held down the
fort. I don’t blame him for offering to help, after all, are we not in this to
help the crown?”
“Since when are you so noble?” Red demanded.
“Since I have a pocket full of coin,” Drake said smugly. “Things have
been going uncommonly well of late. I don’t see why Nate cannot help Jacob Grey
and be back in time for our next outing.”
“Uncommonly well?” Nate’s brother lifted a brow. “After Knight’s illness
and the storm that near tore your ship in half, you were complaining of curses.
Now you think things are going uncommonly well?”
Knight glowered. The giant of a man sat with his arms folded, a great
scowl etched upon his face that in some lights looked as though it could be
made of granite. Were it not for being friends with him, Nate would give him a
wide berth. The man looked like trouble and, potentially, he was. No one really
knew anything about him apart from the fact he was useful muscle and a damned
hard worker. Though Nate suspected there was something more under that silent
exterior. What that was, however, he was not sure.
“It was not an illness,” Knight protested.
Drake laughed. “You vomited on my boots, Knight. What would you call
it?”
Knight fell back into silent mode and glowered some more.
Congrats!!!! Looking forward to reading it. <3
ReplyDeleteI loved it! Congrats and best wishes!
ReplyDelete