One Sinful Night by Kaitlin O'Riley Page A

family’s company.”
    The skin on the back of Vivienne’s neck tingled. “Then you are related to Miles Harlow?”
    â€œHe is my brother. Harlow Shipping was our father’s company. Now my older brother Miles and I manage the business, and our brother Davis is a sea captain. What prompted you to ask about us?” Jackson asked.
    â€œMy father was a captain on one of your family’s ships.”
    Again, Jackson’s face clouded. “Oh, I see. It was from one of our ships that he disappeared, wasn’t it?”
    Vivienne could hardly breathe. Her main purpose in coming to England in the first place was to go to London to learn more about her father’s disappearance, and here the information just fell into her lap! Her good fortune astounded her. This man was quite possibly the only link to learning the truth about her father. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
    â€œYes. My father is Captain John Montgomery. His ship was the Sea Star .”
    â€œAh, the Sea Star . Yes, I recall that ship being lost in a fierce storm off the coast of Africa. They never did find a trace of it. I confess I do not remember all the details for it was many months ago. I am terribly sorry. I had no idea your father was Captain Montgomery for I did not connect your name, as you did with mine. This is quite a coincidence. But you have my deepest condolences.”
    â€œThen you think there is no hope either? That he is not alive, perhaps stranded on an uncharted island somewhere?” Her Irish brogue became more pronounced in her urgency to make him believe her. “Since the ship has not been found, then could it not be safe somewhere ?”
    Jackson took her hand in his. It felt warm and strong, and his touch comforted her instantly. “My dear Miss Montgomery, it would be my fondest wish that your father is still alive. I would hate to raise false hopes, but stranger things have come to pass.”
    â€œThank you,” she whispered, looking into his light brown eyes.
    He was so goldenly handsome it unsettled her. He possessed a classically sculpted face with a broad brow and a strong jawline. His aquiline nose was straight and his lips full and sensual. His skin had a tanned glow, as if he spent a great deal of time outdoors. There was something wild and untamed about him, as if he could barely contain himself, that left her a little breathless.
    â€œYou are very kind, Mister Harlow. It’s just that no one in my family shares my belief that my father could be lost and still alive somewhere. No one will even discuss the possibility with me. They think I’m foolish to keep believing that he might return someday.” She paused for a moment. “Do you think you could—”
    â€œI could contact my brothers to find out what they might know about your father and his ship?” He finished her question for her.
    She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully. “It is terribly presumptuous of me to ask, but could you please? I would be forever in your debt.”
    â€œNext week I will enquire into the matter of the Sea Star . I shall talk to Miles and look over the records we have in my office in London and I shall write to Davis to see if he knows anything. Let’s not talk of debts, Miss Montgomery. I would never take advantage of you in that way. This is the very least I could do for you after the tragic misfortune you have suffered while your father was employed by my family.” The genuine look of sincerity on his face warmed her and filled her with a glimmer of hope.
    â€œThank you, Mister Harlow.” Vivienne felt almost dizzy with her success. He really wanted to help her find out what happened to her father!
    â€œYou are most welcome, but…I shall ask a small favor from you in return.” He smiled at her, a smile that made her stomach flip-flop in a way she had not felt since she was seventeen.
    â€œThat only seems fair,”