Master of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle Page A

Maybe she bought us all a house in Bath, like I always wanted. Maybe…”
    His heart hammered in his ears at the realization she was deluding herself. “Do you honestly think that?”
    Leona let out an anguished sob. She closed her eyes, plastering a hand against her mouth. “I knew she and I were never that close, but I trusted her.”
    Damn people for being cruel. He strode toward her and refusing to think about what he was doing and why, he tugged her close and set her head against his chest, letting her sob against him.
    Jacob’s small hands frantically found their way around not only his mother but also Malcolm’s leg.
    They all stood in silence.
    Leona sniffled quietly and lifted her head, swiping at her face. “I…forgive me for…crying all over you. I—”
    “Don’t apologize.” Malcolm slowly released her and stepped back, letting her and Jacob’s hands fall away. His chest tightened seeing them both lingering in tears. “I will right this.”
    Despite the tears, she met his gaze. “If only the world was more like you, Lord Brayton. So beautifully kind.”
    Beautifully kind? He damn well wasn’t that. He made people bleed out of their noses for a living and thoroughly enjoyed watching it drip. “Let us not go that far. I’m an admiral. Not a saint.”
    Her anguished features became more subdued. Another tear traced its way down her smooth cheek. “I was merely offering you a compliment. I am and will always be eternally grateful to you for offering me a position and helping me.”
    And here it was. The tears and the sort of messy emotion and gratitude women were so well known for. The sort that made a man of steel snap in half and turn to rose petals merely because there was a damn tear tracing down soft skin.
    There was a reason he surrounded himself with men at sea. So he’d never have to get attached to a female who would only send him down a path no rational woman was ready to embrace. Not willingly, anyway. “I don’t need compliments to get me through the day, Miss Webster. This is about getting you through the day. So I humbly ask you do so.”
    She politely sniffed, set her chin and then forged a small smile, her tear-streaked green eyes struggling to brighten. “You needn’t worry about me. I’ve gone through worse.”
    This woman was the sort of trouble a man could stub his toe on and still love whatever pain it brought. “I admire your fire. Keep that chin up. I’ll see you tomorrow and will send someone over to pick up all of your belongings so you’ll already be settled in.” He inclined his head and then gave the older woman a pointed look. “Good day, Mrs. Henderson. Try not to marry her off to anyone. I know well-placed people who will resolve this.” He turned and in passing Jacob, Malcolm leaned down and nudged the boy with an elbow. “Until tomorrow.”
    Jacob stumbled against the elbow and gaped up at him. “I almost fell because of you.”
    Malcolm grinned and nudged him again. “Good. The sooner you learn how to balance yourself, the sooner I can teach you how to throw blades.”
    Jacob straightened, eyes wide. “ Blades ? Truly? Who will we be throwing them at? Aunt Judith?”
    Leona gasped and hit Malcolm’s arm from behind.
    His senses sparked to life. Grabbing her hand, he yanked her hard toward himself and spun her straight into his body. The pulsing softness of her bare hand and his instinctive aggression toward her astounded him into realizing just how dangerous their association could be.
    Passion was the one thing that had drowned his own brother into becoming someone unrecognizable and if he wasn’t careful, it would drown him next. “I wouldn’t do that again, Miss Webster,” he pointed out, trying to ignore her skirts bundling against his trousers. “As you can see, I have a tendency to overreact.”
    Her astounded gaze held his for a moment. “I’m sorry. I…Can you please keep my son out of the navy?” She leaned in, as if determined to