Patricia Potter Read Online Free Page B

interest heightened, and he almost forcibly led her down the remaining few steps to the pier, where they stood aside to allow the other passengers to finally disembark.
    There was a flurry and chattering behind him, and he turned around. Socrates had moved; deciding, apparently, that he was forgiven, he now wanted attention. The small monkey stood like a wizened little man, his eyes blinking at Lauren Bradley. Adrian stiffened, wondering whether another attack was imminent, when Socrates made a little bow to Lauren and offered a gnarled hand with crooked little fingers.
    To Adrian’s stunned surprise, she laughed and stooped to take the small hand, totally unafraid of and unawed by the monkey. Women, he had discovered, often to his disgust, usually giggled nervously or backed fearfully away when confronted by his furry companion. He sometimes wondered if that was why he often took Socrates with him.
    But Lauren Bradley accepted the small hand and curtsied to the monkey’s bow with such fanciful enjoyment that Adrian was captivated even as he noted that she reacted with much more warmth toward his monkey than she had toward him.
    “Socrates,” he interrupted with a rakish smile, “this is Miss Bradley.”
    Both appeared to ignore him. Socrates chattered happily if unintelligibly, and Miss Bradley stooped to Socrates’s level and tipped her head as if trying to understand. He had never seen Socrates take so readily to anyone, and Lauren Bradley’s smile was now full and open and completely enchanting as she glanced up at Adrian with delight. And then the delight quickly vanished, as if she were a small child caught doing something wrong.
    She stood again, and as she glanced around him, her smile reappeared. He turned and saw a familiar figure hurrying toward them.
    “Uncle Jeremy,” the girl said, and Adrian watched as the two embraced warmly before the newcomer turned to Adrian and stretched out his hand. “Captain Cabot, my thanks. I saw you save my niece from an unexpected swim.”
    “Your niece?” Adrian replied with some surprise. He had often frequented Jeremy Case’s shop on Bay Street. It carried the finest goods, including high-quality cloth, the best cigars in Nassau, and gift items such as music boxes and porcelain. He liked Case, who was unfailingly fair and courteous in his dealings. “Then I’m especially pleased to be of service.”
    “You have been indeed, Captain Cabot. Perhaps we can repay you with supper.” Jeremy smiled. “You and your small friend here.”
    Adrian grinned. “He’s not often included in invitations.”
    Jeremy’s smile grew wider. “I think your Socrates is quite smitten with my niece.”
    “As am I,” Adrian replied gallantly. “We would be delighted.”
    “How long will you be in Nassau this time?”
    Adrian hesitated. There were any number of spies in Nassau, some with signaling abilities. He didn’t want any leak as to when he might leave, which would assure he’d have Union boats waiting for him. “I haven’t decided,” he said. “I have to sell this cargo and find a new one.”
    Jeremy gestured with his hand to the crates lining the docks. “You’ll have no trouble finding goods. There’s far more cargo available than ships to carry it.”
    Adrian looked appreciatively at the sight. “Aye, that’s true, and there are fewer ships all the time. The risks are getting too great.”
    “But not for you?”
    “The danger’s part of the attraction, Jeremy, you know that. We’ve spoken of it before.”
    “I leave that to you, Captain,” Jeremy said with a smile. “In the meantime, in the peace of Nassau, why don’t you join us for dinner tomorrow evening?”
    Adrian’s gaze went to the woman’s face. It was guarded now, her pleasure from Socrates’s unprecedented courtesy gone. But despite the quiet gown, the reserved look, she still held a certain appeal, no, more than that. A bit of mystery, perhaps. And challenge. He felt a peculiar stirring