Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2) by Tamara Gill Page B

himself to cook for.
    Stephen headed for the front drawing room, once the castle’s old solar and entered without knocking. Arabella stood beside the bookcase that covered one whole wall, her attention riveted on the works of the greats. “Good afternoon, Lady Montague. I had not expected to see you again.” He shut the door, seating himself at the desk while trying to busy himself with the mail with little success. The thought she was here, married and no longer accessible to him drove him insane.
    It was not to be borne. He closed his eyes for a moment, and fought for calm lest he throw his blotter against the wall or something even more ridiculous.
    “Hello, Stephen.” She sat in the chair before his desk and smiled. “I’m sorry to intrude on you without notice, but I was afraid you wouldn’t see me if I wrote and notified you of my intention to call.”
    “And what possibly could be your intention? I believe everything we’ve said to one another has left no stone unturned.” She paled a little at his words and he wanted to go to her, to hold her, comfort her in any way he could. Stephen gritted his teeth and didn’t move.
    “You never told me about your lineage or about this ancestral home you’ve purchased since your grandfather lost it all at a game of cards.”
    Stephen started. Not many knew that’s why. “I see you’ve been talking to the Duke of Dale.”
    She gave a decisive nod. “I have. And what a tale of foe he told me.” A small frown line appeared between her perfect brows. “Why did you never tell me?”
    Just the thought of how low the family had fallen left him hollow inside. “No one knows, and I don’t like talking about my family or their fall from grace. Life on the sea was the only option left for me and I made the most of it. I may no longer have a title, but I have my ancestral home back. I’m satisfied.”
    “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of your accomplishments. You have not had the easiest life, and yet you still achieved your goals. I too can only wish that should my situation ever be similar that I would act the same. Not settle for less than what I deserve.”
    A lump formed in Stephen’s throat having not expected to hear such pride in her words. Nor that Arabella’s belief in him was so important. Yet, it was.
    “Are you angry I came? I thought…” her voice trailed off and she fidgeted with the hem of her glove.
    “What, Miss Hester?”
    Arabella stood and went to the sideboard and after pouring herself a brandy, downed it in one swallow. She coughed before walking over to him, rolling back his chair and sitting before him on his desk.
    Stephen’s body thrummed in anticipation. There was never any doubt Arabella could be a seductive minx when she wished, but he never thought she’d be so once married. Had she married him at least he’d never allow her out of his sight. Lord Montague was a fool who didn’t know a gem when he held one in his hand. “What are you doing?” He cleared his throat, his voice sounding even tight to his own ears.
    “I want you. All of you.” She sat on his lap and pushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. “I never married Lord Montague. You are the man I want to marry and to spend the rest of my days with. It is you I love.” Stephen watched her a moment, read the sincerity in her gaze. She never married Lord Montague?
    He pulled back, startled by her words. “What happened?” Sadness clouded her eyes and he frowned. “Tell me what happened, Arabella.”
    She sighed. “The wedding went ahead as planned. I would do my duty for my father, but as I was walking down the aisle, no guests present to celebrate our wedding and my betrothed who looked like I was a noose about his neck I realized I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t put another person’s happiness before my own. I was tired of being ordered about by the men in my life.” She gave him a small smile. “I halted the ceremony and discussed my fears with Lord Montague.