#RomanceSunday #HighlandHonor

 

Highland Honor

Christine Young

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 3

 

Buy at Amazon: Barnes & Noble

 

BLURB: Highland Honor

 

Highland Honor

The first book in the Highland Series

 

Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highlands to the Macpherson castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless half brother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her.

 

As hard and as unyielding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistibly drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice...but to love her would violate all his vows of revenge.

 

 

EXCERPT: Highland Honor

 

Scotland November 1512: 

 

A heavy frost sat on the frozen earth, and a full moon shone clearly between the heavy clouds dotting the sky. Lady Callie Whitcomb looked over her shoulder as she raced through the deepening gloom toward the lighted tavern ahead. Every shadow, every mournful sigh of the wind sweeping through the trees, every chilling animal sound filled her with terror. Fear for her life drove her to put all thoughts of danger aside. He would follow her, find her, and drag her home. 

 

Home. 

 

"Don't think of that now," she reminded herself fiercely, even while tears stung in the back of her throat and fear made her limbs tremble. "Don't ye dare think of home. It no longer exists." Nothing and no one could coax her back or make her believe there was naught but terror in the home where she'd been born. 

 

"I will never marry Lord Huntington. Never!" she whispered fiercely, the chill night air solemnly echoing her words. 

 

Her stepbrother, Archibald Covington III, made sure she could never return. 

 

"There ye be, lass! I've been waiting for you." 

 

The voice rose from nowhere and surprised her. Her heart froze, lurched, then began an erratic beat, while raw nerves snapped, sending a myriad of sensations racing down her spine. 

 

"Archibald--" she whispered, panic sweeping through her. "He's found me." All she could hear was the pounding of blood in her ears. 

 

Before she could reach her destination, before she could find safe refuge from him, his men had found her. No! Not now. Not when she thought she had eluded them all. 

 

A wave of fear sweeping through her reminded her, that if caught, she would be taken back to Archibald and forced to marry Lord Huntington. 

 

"I'll help you down, lass." 

 

"No." 

 

Before she could react and spur her horse forward, callous, rough hands centered on her waist then pulled her from her mount. 

 

"No!" She cried out to no avail. Regaining her wits, she beat fiercely upon the man's broad chest, tearing at his face and his thick beard with her fingers. 

 

"Ach, lass! Hold still! I mean ye no harm. Stop this--" His voice was gruff and impatient. 

 

Fear for her life had spurred her haste. Terror she might see Huntington or Archibald with each turn of the road haunted every hour of her journey. Archibald had retainers everywhere. Messages would have been sent. A highlander could be bought. 

 

"Ruffian! Unhand me! Ye barbarous Scotsman." 

 

If Archibald had guessed what path she followed... 

 

"Verra well, ne'er let it be said that I dinna do a lass' bidding." Just as suddenly as he'd grabbed her, his hold upon her vanished. She stumbled backward. 

 

Instantly, she found herself sitting on the frozen earth. The man towering above her watched her with concerned dark eyes. Despite the scar stretching from forehead to chin, his mouth quirked upward in a humorous slant. 

 

"Ye be a handful, lass." 

 

 

Mary of A Romance Review says, "Overall I liked the story and can recommend it as a worthwhile read. The author has a lot of talent and the plot and tension of the story are well handled."

 

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064FJ8Q2

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-honor-christine-young/1008444375;jsessionid=316B318EC467170FD9350C4415EB4A15.prodny_store01-atgap04?ean=2940013250291

 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Christine_Young_Highland_Honor?id=MA8BEAAAQBAJ

 

Apple: https://tools.applemediaservices.com/book/1536222317?country=us

 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/highland-honor-11

#SciFi/FantasySaturday

 

Title: His Eternal Promise

Eternal Gifts Book Two

Author: Sheri Lynn

Email: rivermoone@gmail.com

 

Genre: Paranormal romance; vampire

Excerpt Heat Level: 1

Book Heat Level: 4

 

Buy at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

 

TAGLINE

 

She never imagined that a peculiar encounter with Maxim, followed by a night of extraordinary passion, would result in His Eternal Promise.

 

BLURB: His Eternal Promise

 

Carlee put everything into her family and her job over the last couple of years, sacrificing any personal life. After a rare evening out with a few girlfriends, she encounters a captivating man under inexplicable circumstances. Against all rational judgment, they share an evening of the most fulfilling and erotic sex she's ever experienced.

Maxim hasn’t wanted a woman, especially a mortal, in over a century, but he wants Carlee. He intends to keep the truth from her in order to build a relationship first, but a woman from his past complicates things forcing him to reveal the truth. He hopes Carlee chooses to keep him in her life, because he can’t leave, her life is in danger.

 

REVIEW: His Eternal Promise

 

His Eternal Promise

By Sheri Lynn

4 Stars

Reviewed by Jeffrey Ross

 

I leave this entertaining book with the sense I might enjoy being a vampire! The human-to-vampire transformation is a little rough—but the benefits (immortality, heightened sensory awareness [of all kinds], and increased strength) seem worth the struggle. This book successfully combines vampirism and romance—Maxim and Carlee are hot for each other no matter what the circumstance—or century. Author Sheri Lynn does an excellent job of displaying the turgid emotions felt by her main characters.  She has a clear sense of the plot’s machinations and outcomes. The love scenes are passionate—and a little wild.  A great read that I award four stars to only because the language is a little rough for my taste—but that’s just me

 

 

EXCERPT: His Eternal Promise

 

He didn't sleep. Carlee breathed deep and steady, so he knew she slept. He should not have followed her. In a whole century, he never interacted with mortals other than business. The desire to be with one, sexually or in any intimate manner, never appealed to him.

Something about this one human reached out and into the dark, lonely places inside him. He couldn't let her go. He knew that. Looking into her eyes, hearing and feeling her blood circulating through her lovely body, he knew he found the exception. For her to accept him, want him, and take him as she did, just reinforced it.

Her light hair spread out inches from his face. Rubbing his nose in it, he breathed in the scent, reveling in the reactions her smell conjured in him. Many women attempted to attract him, entice him, and he always rejected them. After he fled Annika, he lost interest in women. Until Carlee. The need to seduce, cherish, protect, and indulge her consumed him.

How would she see him this morning? She could have regrets. She could obsess over what she saw behind the building. She could decide to end any further interaction with him. There were so many questions, and he needed to decide what he was and wasn't ready to divulge. With all certainty, he knew she belonged with him. She would remain his.

Without any sleep, and enraptured in the beauty of the woman lying beside him, his impatience mounted. Let the spoiling commence. Without disturbing her, he got out of the bed to put some coffee on. She probably drank coffee.

As he entered the kitchen, a coffee pot came into view. Now to find filters and coffee.

"Right upper cabinet, over the sink," informed Carlee. He didn't hear her enter the kitchen, but the sight of her standing there, just waking up, tousled hair, and nude, made him want to reclaim her right then and there. As if she read his thoughts, she grinned, lifting her arms awkwardly to semi-cover her chest.

Approaching her, he took both her wrists and pulled her arms to her sides. "Kotyonok, don't you ever hide from me…especially that exquisite body." Leaning in, he brushed his lips over hers. Her round, hazel eyes never leaving his. "What is it you normally do on a Sunday?"

That produced another grin from her sweet mouth. "I don't do anything before coffee." Scooting around him, she said, "I'll make the coffee." Filling the carafe from the sink, her back to him, the questions began. "So…your accent, is it Russian, or thereabouts?"

An easy one first. Good. "Yes. I grew up in a small village just outside of Saratov." Plagued with an inner turmoil of what truths to expose and what to suppress, he realized a human part of him still existed. He made the decision to hold onto her…build a trust…protect her, and if that meant withholding, that's what he would do. He wouldn't lose her.

Enjoying the sight of her moving about the kitchen invigorated him. These feelings were nonexistent since the change and before he became tainted. He resigned himself to the fact that he lost this forever. Her shoulder length hair swayed with her movements. Her beautiful soft skin with live blood flowing underneath it, her narrow hips, all of which he intended to worship…forever. Her plump rear bore light marks from his belt. The need to take her again, now, challenged his restraint.

Opening his mouth to speak, anything to subdue his yearning, she turned to face him and asked. "Before we take this any further…I need to know what was going on last night."

Not his initial impulse, but he decided to toy with her. He sensed she could handle it, and wouldn't accept it for long before she demanded the answers she really needed. "I had the pleasure of feasting my eyes upon you, Kotyonok. I followed you home, and to my ultimate surprise, you left the key in the door, allowing me access to your home." Placing her hands on her hips, she pursed her lips, but he continued. "You were in bed, in all your naked glory, and I couldn't resist tasting and feeling you from the outside in…and spanking your lovely needy ass."

His recount of their evening altered her breathing, and he heard her pulse quicken. She even paced in front of him before she scolded him. "Maxim…you know damn well that isn't what I'm talking about. Are you a fucking murderer?"

Surprised by her outburst, he answered in a calm, authoritative tone. "Language, Kotyonok, very unbecoming from someone so lovely." He hated lying, and prided himself on only doing so to survive. For now, he must do it out of necessity, necessary to keep her as his. "No. I am not a murderer. That was James. He drinks too much, and never learns. He is killing himself. I would not normally have treated him so shoddily, but I was worried about you." The lie executed, he hoped this won more time with her. He decided he better continue, remove any possible concerns from her mind. "His girlfriend was on his way to take him home. I attempted to have him walk it off a little."

Considering this, her brow furrowed, resulting in a cute crease in her forehead. "To answer your earlier question…on Sundays I go and see my father. Usually, I get him out of the house. Take him to eat."

That let him off the hook. His self-control waned, as thoughts of taking her as his again dominated his mind and body. He must handle this right. Scaring her off was not an option. She was his. Moving in front of her, he placed his right hand in her hair, tilting her face to look at him. "Though I would love nothing more than to spend the day with you, you have plans, and I also have an engagement." Gazing into her beautiful face, it bewildered him how much she affected him, reaching places he believed died in 1917.

He placed his cheek on her forehead. He savored her sweet warmth. Clearing his throat, he pulled back, giving her a quick kiss. "I very much want to pick you up…say around 6:30 this evening and have you attend a small art show at a gallery downtown with me."

Smiling, she nodded. "I would very much like that too."

 

 

AUTHOR BIO:

 

I grew up an Army brat, so my childhood involved moving every three years. However, truly a southern gal, I currently reside in Alabama with my husband, two Chihuahuas, a mean cat, turtle, and a teenage daughter. I have two sons, who live on their own, and a stepson and stepdaughter.

 

Romance novels have always been my first reading choice. I'm a hopeless romantic, and that trait materializes in every aspect of my life. "Wearing your heart on your sleeve" has been a common phrase repeatedly heard throughout my life. Writing romance and happily ever afters comes naturally.

 

Whether a result of my childhood, or not, I love to travel. Warm weather and beautiful beaches are always my choice destination.

 

 

 

 

 

Keywords: Romance, paranormal, vampire, contemporary

 

Blog URL: https://sherilynnauthor.wordpress.com

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherilynnauthor

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/sherilynnauthor

 

REVIEW: His Eternal Promise

 

Title:  His Eternal Promise 

Author:  Sheri Lynn 

Publisher:  Rogue Phoenix Press

Genre:  Paranormal Romance Fiction 

Length: 83 Pages 

Reviewer: Courtney Rene

Rating:  4 out of 5

 

 

His Eternal Promise, by Sheri Lynnn was a fast paced, well written, and entertaining read.   The main characters Carlee, a human who has been putting everyone and everything first for quite some time, has a moment of abandon with Maxim, a vampire, that changes her life forever.  Add in a feud that has lasted decades and you have a very good book to sink your teeth into (no pun intended).  

 

The romance between Maxim and Carlee is fun to read.  They are definitely into each other, no matter what the circumstance or the problems. The love scenes are passionate, wild, and sometimes a little rough, and I have to admit made me laugh now and then, which I think was the authors intent.  The story itself was a very sweet love story.  The author did a very good job keeping me entertained and reading. Well done.   It was a very good read and I am therefore giving this book 4 1/2 stars.    

#Friday'sFeaturedTitle #ChristtmasPawsabilities

 

Title: Christmas Pawsibilities

Author: Genie Gabriel

Genre: Fantasy/HUMOR

Book Heat Level: 1

 

Buy at: Amazon, 

 

Read first chapter

 

TAGLINE

 

The dogizens of Planet Candid crash land on Earth in the midst of Aunt Maddie’s zany family planning a Christmas wedding.

 

BLURB: Christmas Pawsabilities 

 

With their world destroyed and their space ship malfunctioning, the dogizens of Planet Canid have little choice but to crash land on Earth--in the midst of Aunt Maddie's zany family planning the Christmas wedding of Ryan and elfenchaun, Dori. Under cover of a Nertz tournament staged by the Blue-Haired Ladies, the family hides the royal dogizens from a dastardly plan to use them for tortuous experiments by the evil commander of the Geeks in Green.

 

 

EXCERPT: Christmas Pawsabilities

 

“So where is this alien craft?”

Fletcher had never completely trusted Commander Viktor Atrocitor. Since he had taken command of GIG two years ago, the atmosphere at the agency had become cold and suspicious, like the man himself. He seemed carved from six and a half feet of granite, blocky and scowling.

“It has disappeared.” Fletcher knew this statement would draw Atrocitor’s ire and disdain, but what was the use of denying the obvious?

“Fool! Can you do nothing right?” Atrocitor turned to the GIG agents waiting at a wary distance. “Search the neighborhood. Someone must have seen something or is hiding them.”

While Atrocitor berated Fletcher, other GIG agents spread throughout the neighborhood, offending pretty much everyone by demanding they stay in their houses while their property was overrun and searched.

After two hours of fruitless searching, Commander Atrocitor called a halt. “If you want to save your career and this town, you will bring me these aliens within twenty-four hours.”

As Fletcher watched the caravan of GIG vehicles disappear down the road out of Watermark, he felt like a six-year-old kid again. Bullied and humiliated for his belief that beings from distant galaxies simply wanted to explore and build alliances. They weren’t like aliens in movies who wanted to destroy humanity.

That’s why Fletcher started working at Geeks in Green. He thought he found other humans like himself who believed alliances with aliens could benefit everyone. Now he was starting to believe the rumors about Commander Atrocitor being heartless and determined to eliminate aliens were true. How could he know for sure?

His thoughts were interrupted when Agnes staggered out the back door toward the barn. “Who’s disturbing my goats?”

With her hair disheveled and her clothes askew, she did indeed look as if she had spent a raucous night of partying—the after-effects of being zapped by a ray gun.

Laycee and Fletcher followed Agnes into the barn, where the spacecraft was once again visible. Now the hatch was open, with guards standing on either side pointing ray guns at Agnes, Laycee and Fletcher.

“Holy extraterrestrial!”

With a sizzle of purple, one of the alien guards fired his gun and Fletcher crumpled to the ground.

“Why did you do that?” Ryan hustled out of the spacecraft.

“He is of GIG,” one of the guards stated. “He is a danger to our Queen.”

“Is he dead?” Ryan knelt over Fletcher’s inert body.

“Simply stunned. We will revive him when the danger to our Queen is gone.” The two guards loaded Fletcher onto a transport board, which levitated and moved inside the spacecraft.

“Your mouth isn’t moving but I can hear your words.” Laycee’s shocked whisper matched the stunned expression in her eyes.

“Our Canine Queen is birthing and is not to be disturbed.” This time the alien’s mouth moved as he spoke, and he looked like any other human except for a twinkle of star light in his eyes. “Weren’t you getting milk for the royal puppies?”

“Yes.” Ryan refocused his attention on this task, determined to ignore Laycee’s presence. What was she doing here anyway? “Agnes, do you have milk from your goats?”

“My goats don’t much like to be milked.”

“Surely it can’t be that difficult,” Ryan said.

Agnes lifted an eyebrow. “You’re welcome to try. I’ll get a clean bucket.”

Determined to get milk for the Queen’s puppies, Ryan began stalking one of the goats.

“I think it should be a female,” Laycee said.

Ryan felt like a first grader again. “I knew that.”

Laycee coughed behind her hand to cover her laughter. “There’s a girl goat on top of the space ship.”

Ryan looked up the curved, smooth surface. “Maybe there’s another girl somewhere easier to reach.”

He stepped around the space ship and over the boards broken when the craft crashed through the roof. “There’s a girl! Help me get her into a stall.”

“Um-kay.”

While Ryan circled around the nanny goat one way, Laycee closed in on her from the other side. The little goat narrowed her eyes at the humans and, when they were within a couple feet of her, she let out a bleat and ran between Ryan’s legs. Startled, he stumbled and dropped to one knee.

“Watch out!” Laycee’s shout made Ryan turn in time to see an irritated male goat charging toward him.

 

 

 

Website URL: www.GenieGabriel.com

 

Blog URL:http://quantumcanines.blogspot.com

 

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/genene.valleau

 

 

 

#Taylor'sDestiny #Historical/paranormalRomance

 

Title: Taylor’s Destiny

Author: Christine Young

Genre: Historical Romance

Book Heat Level: 4

 

Buy at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Kobo, Google Play

 

Read first chapter

 

TAGLINE

 

Taylor Maxwell never expected she would wake up in another century. Reid Stewart never expected to find her, nearly naked, on the bow of a sailing ship.

 

BLURB: Taylor's Destiny

 

She traveled to another time and place to change destiny...

 

Enjoying a day of sailing, Taylor Maxwell never expected after a suffering a concussion she would wake up in another century. A resilient independent woman in the twenty-first century, the blond beauty is ill prepared for life in the 1800s. Her first sight of the naval captain who rescues her makes her heart stop, giving her hope for her future.

 

His life is transformed by a woman who appears from nowhere...

 

Born to a life of ease, Reid Stewart defies the dictates of those born to aristocracy and chooses a life of adventure in the navy and as a spy for the crown. When he discovers a nearly naked woman on the bow of small sailing ship, his heart warms. His love for Taylor and his need to protect her from a man who pursues her might cost him his life as well as hers.

 

 

EXCERPT: Taylor's Destiny

 

“I don’t trust myself with you. I don’t fall into anyone’s bed the first day I meet them,” she told him and knew there was a greater chance these impulsive feelings could quickly change to sex. Before she let him make love to her, she needed to know more about him and where exactly she was.

He chuckled softly. “Again your honesty amazes and intrigues me. I don’t know any other woman who would be brazen enough to imply they wanted to make love or they were even thinking about it.”

“Is it shameless here for a woman to tell a man how she is feeling?” She knew it was in any other century but her own. Even then many women did not speak of their feelings and needs. Men still assumed control.

“Americans are different,” he told her. “But since you admitted feelings for me, could I plead my case for a kiss, a chaste kiss, well maybe not too chaste.” He pushed her hair behind her ears, his hands settling gently on her face.

Unable to help herself, she moistened her lips and leaned into him at the same time. His mouth settled softly against hers. She opened for him, accepting the tantalizing warmth of his breath before feeling his tongue touch hers. In the back of her throat she moaned, accepting all he gave. One hand now resting on the small of her back, he drew her closer to him.

Her breaths came in short intervals. When he looked at her, she knew she craved more but also told herself she didn’t want him to think she gave herself to anyone or everyone who kissed her.

In his arms, she turned in a slight effort to distance herself from him and regain a tiny measure of composure. This was happening too quickly. In a rush, she found she was falling in lust with him. She’d only felt this way once before and that was with Sean. It had been incredibly hard to remain chaste with her fiancéwhen she craved intimacy.

“That was enough for one night,” she told him, running her hands along his arms, wishing her life was more stable.

“Never enough but I’ll abide by your wishes.” His hands now rested on the bare skin at her waist and she realized with the slightest invitation from her, he would explore higher, perhaps slip his large, calloused hands beneath her top.

“You told me you were in the Navy. A captain perhaps?” She needed to discover more before sex kept her from thinking rationally.

“I was, but I didn’t fight in the War of 1812.” He moved his hands a bit higher until they rested just beneath the swell of her breasts, “I was too young for a commission.”

“Did your family buy you one?” she asked, curious about the workings of the British government and trying to find out more about the time. She told herself she had to keep her mind on the questions and not where he explored.

“No, a friend of my family bought the commission with the provision I work for him once my duty to my country was done.”

“What do you do for him, this man who helped you become a captain?” She laughed, understanding he wouldn’t appreciate her question.

“If I told you I’d have to kill you.” He trailed kisses down the back of her neck in what she assumed was an attempt to distract her.

“You’re a spy.”

“I can’t answer that,” he said as his teeth slowly seduced, leaving an impression as they investigated. She shivered, succumbing to his seduction of her.

“Doesn’t matter if you deny or confirm. I’ve no interest in anything secretive.” If he were on a mission on this tiny island...well, she couldn’t imagine unless he was after a person. Perhaps she was more interested than she let on.

“Earlier you spoke of an office and a boss. Seems strange. Women work in America?”

“Whatever I told you, you wouldn’t believe me and I don’t want you to think I’m lying to you.” Nothing she told him about her work would be believable to him. She was a graphic artist who specialized in advertisements, emphasis on the internet and social media. She could tell him she drew pictures.

“Try me.” He wrapped one arm around her and leaned against the railing with his other arm.

When one door closes, another one opens. For the first time since Sean left, she felt protected and safe. More than anything she wanted to tell him what he asked but... She didn’t want to find herself committed to some insane asylum.

“You have no faith in me?”

“It’s not that...” she paused.

“What is it then?”

 

 

Website URL: http://christineyoungromancewriter.com/

 

Blog URL:  http://christineyoung-romancewriter.blogspot.com/

 

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Christine-Young-350132315013316/

 

Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/achristay

 

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christine-young-5a991c21-1f11-47a0-ada5-6c2e6b689cbe

 

 

 

LINKS

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081HZ34CN

 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taylors-destiny-christine-young/1134926489?ean=2940163160518

 

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/taylors-destiny/id1488130401?mt=11&app=itunes

 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/taylor-s-destiny

 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Christine_Young_Taylor_s_Destiny?id=0jG-DwAAQBAJ

 

 

 

 

 

#Tavia'sDeception #HistoricalRomance

 

Title: Tavia’s Deception

Author: Christine Young

Genre: Historical Romance/Regency

Book Heat Level: 4

Buy at:  Barnes & Noble  Smash words

Amazon

 

Read first chapter

 

TAGLINE

 

Tavia Hepburn resolves to see the world, but she never bargains on finding passion and love to a red haired sea captain.

 

BLURB: Tavia's Deception

 

WHISPERS OF DECEPTION

 

When her father decides to send her to London for her season, Tavia Hepburn resolves to see the world instead. The raven haired beauty decides to disguise herself as a lad and find employment on a ship bound for Barcelona as a cabin boy. But she never bargains on finding passion and love to a red haired sea captain who rescues her from certain death. 

 

 

WHISPERS OF MURDER

 

For James Macmurra, the world is black and white until he meets a young debutante, who turns his world upside down. He’s unable to deny Tavia’s intoxicating effect on him. In a match tense with obstacles, unwillingness to divulge secrets, and unforeseen peril, irresistible desire and passion grows into undeniable love. James would risk his life to shelter and protect the innocent debutante who seduces him with her sweet love.

 

 

EXCERPT: Tavia's Deception

 

The knock on the door didn’t surprise him. “Come in.”

            “Tommy here.”

            The sight of the cabin boy shook him to the core, and he knew he had to school his features as well as his surprise. It was important that he think this out before he revealed what he knew. 

            “Tommy. Tommy no name. Why is that?” He watched her stop midstride when she entered before she had the look of a cornered animal. “Nice name.” He drummed his fingers on the desk, trying to remember everything Seamus had told him about the new help and the subtle smirk in the man’s eyes. The first mate had meant to see how he handled this and was most likely laughing right now. Seamus was probably at the door listening.

            “Yes,” she folded her hands in front of her.

            “Heard you climbed the masts and handled the rigging quite well. Heard you were as nimble as a monkey.” His glance riveted on her hands, which were bleeding. He clenched his fists, his anger simmering. He knew he had to discipline his emotions, but in this case it was damn hard.

            “Yes, sir,” she looked down. It didn’t seem she wanted to meet his gaze.

            “Your feet must be really interesting. You can’t take your gaze off them. Look at me when I address you.” He didn’t know what to do. If he let her know that he knew who she was... Damn, but he didn’t have an empty cabin, and the only place he could keep her was in his cabin, with him.

            She wouldn’t be protected sleeping with the crew nor would she remain safe sleeping with him for the duration of their trip. The crew would figure out he was a she before she could blink, and they would want certain favors he wouldn’t allow with any cabin boy, let alone Tavia.

            He was caught in the middle of an untenable position. The vows he’d made with The Duchess had just been undone but not by him. He would not return her to London pregnant with his child. He wouldn’t. Or they would be married but not until they reached a port. Unless they made an unscheduled stop, that was months away.

            “Yes sir,” she said, looking up and biting her lip.

Her britches as well as her shirt were loose fitting, but he didn’t doubt for a moment if she bent over the perfect roundness of her derrière would give her away.

            “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked for lack of a better question and trying for time to figure out his next move.

            “Yes, sir.”

            “Do you know what your duties are?”

            “Yes, sir.”

            “What are they?” he asked, wondering what exactly she would come up with.

            “I’m supposed to wait on you and the other officers, and I’m supposed to take messages to various people and become familiar with the sails, lines and ropes and the use of all of these in all types of weather.” It seemed she’d memorized her words.

            “Good, very good, rest assured your only duty is to wait on me. You’ll attend to all my needs and you won’t leave the cabin unless I’m with you. Whatever happens I don’t want you climbing the masts. Seamus,” he yelled.

            “Captain?”

            “Hammock. In here. Now.”

            “Yes, sir,” the man said with a chuckle that told James his first mate knew the cabin boy was a girl, but what he didn’t know was that she was Tavia Hepburn, the debutant he’d been seeing, the one he intended to court.

James stared at her, hoping she’d apologize or tell him how sorry she was.       “Nothing to say?”

            She moistened her lips and his gut turned upside down. “What will your crew say?”

            “They won’t say anything. I’m the captain and they obey my orders as will you.” What possible motive could she have for keeping up this ruse? She had to realize he saw through her disguise.

            “Yes, sir.”

It didn’t matter whether or not she came forward, she was going back the minute they reached a port and he found a reputable captain. Then, perhaps she didn’t know he recognized her. If that were the case, she’d never say anything.

            “I don’t want to be seen as someone who shirks their duties, Sir,” she said, finally meeting his gaze. “I like climbing the masts. It’s fun. Been doing it practically my entire life, well trees, that is.”

            Tempted to relax a bit and let her get a taste of the work she’d face if he allowed it, he struggled with his next words. “You cannot go up the masts. That is not a cabin boy’s duties on my vessels,” he lied.

            “I misunderstood then? I apologize.”

            “You did.”

            “Captain? It’s Seamus. Got the hammock.” The first mate pushed the door open. “Where do you want it?”

            James pointed to the side of the cabin just over the bed. If she fell out, at least she wouldn’t land on the hard floor. But in my arms.

 

 

 

 

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