Hart's Reward (Pirates & Petticoats #3) by Chloe Flowers Page A

shapes. Captain Hall’s ship and crew simply could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the British.  
    “But what about the other American ship? That one that just hoisted the flag?” Gus asked.
    Landon smiled grimly. “That was a trick. That ship is British, I’d bet my life on it.” He handed the glass to Gus.
    “How do you know?” Gus accepted the glass and put it up to his eye.
    Landon gestured to the Glory . “Because Commodore Hall hoisted the Union Jack, to warn us.”
    “They be in no danger at the moment.” Gus said, the concern in his voice betrayed the nonchalance of his words. “The ships are too far from the Glory to fire upon her and the wind is too weak to move them. At this point, they be all still in the waters and can only eye each other and wait for a luff in the canvas, same as us. Shall we continue with kedging the Desire ?”  
    Landon paused a beat before answering. “We could, but if the British mimic us, it could put the Glory in more danger.”
    “If we don’t, Cap’n, they’ll think of it soon, anyway. We might as well get a jump on ‘em. We have only one anchor and hawse pipe. They may very well have two of them.” Gus shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the ships on the horizon.
    Landon nodded his acquiescence. “Aye, but send a man here with flags. I have a message to send to Commodore Hall. He should be able to see from this distance.”
    Gus nodded and left to do Landon’s bidding.
    “Is there any way to help Commodore Hall?” she asked. “Can’t we distract the British long enough for the Glory to move free of the blockade?” The commodore and Landon were friends. Surely he remembered that much. He had to help.
    Landon studied her a moment as if weighing the sincerity of her question. “You know Commodore Hall?”
    She shrugged. “Not personally. I was supposed to travel with him to Philadelphia, but he was called away before I could board.”
    Landon tilted his head and snorted. “United States Navy warships rarely take on passengers.”
    “It was a special favor.” Her voice dropped off and she closed her eyes, already anticipating what he would say next. Every fact she gave him sounded like a farce. Couldn’t they have one conversation where her words didn’t sound contrived?
    Landon leaned against the rail and crossed his arms over his chest, his steely blue gaze on her face. “A special favor for whom? I suppose you’re going to tell me that I was the one who requested he take you aboard?”
    She swallowed and nodded.
    He leaned forward until his nose was inches from her own. “You lie.”
    She clenched her jaw closed in an effort to prevent herself from snapping back something she’d regret later. She failed. “I’m not lying. I’ll have you know you stubborn, arrogant rake, that you insisted I go, while I argued to stay with you !”
    He stepped forward, making her tilt her head back to glare at him, perhaps trying to scare her into recanting her words. To reinforce her resolve, she fisted her hands on her hips, and threw her shoulders back like an angry chicken. She’d show him she could be just as stubborn as he.
    She wasn’t prepared for the affect his proximity had on her nerves, though. The heat from his body, coupled with the scent that was uniquely Landon’s…ocean air and leather and something else…distracted her completely.
    He trapped her gaze and his pupils widened, darkening the blue of his irises. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and calm and so cold, it made her shiver.  
    “I would never put my wife on another man’s ship. If, indeed, I had married again I assure you, I would have never allowed you to stray that far, especially since I now know about the silky, soft, pale curves you hide under that leather corset.”
    She fought to keep her hands on her hips and her chin jutted out in defiance. She wanted to reach up and bury her fingers in the glossy, black curls that caressed his broad shoulders