Pirate of My Heart: A Novel by Jamie Carie

complexions she was used to seeing. He had rather long, dark hair that had been brushed back from chiseled features and waved in the breeze. His eyes were a cerulean blue with silver flecks in them and filled with piercing intensity and . . . disdain. Thick black brows arched almost wickedly over his eyes. His chin was square with a small cleft and she sensed he may have a dimple in his left cheek when he smiled. Small lines stood on either side of his well-molded mouth. His lips were slightly wide with even white teeth peering behind them. Kendra peeked up through her lashes and saw broad shoulders and a wide chest. He looked like a pirate she’d once read about. Goodness Lord, I didn’t know You made such men for real!
    Peeking up at his face she saw him frown with such a look of disapproval in his eyes that it took her aback. What had she done to cause him to give her such a look?
    Her eyes widened as she realized the turn of her thoughts. What did she care if this captain didn’t like her? Heathen, blackguard, thieving pirate most likely! But she did care and that made her all the angrier. Of all the injustices, first she was being thrown out of her home and then there was this, this, man whom she would be forced to spend the next few weeks with, maybe even alone with . . . Oh goodness, she had to get these wandering thoughts under control. Goodness! Self-control!
    The other man rushed to make the introductions. “Lord Townsend, this is Captain Colburn and I am John Lucas. And this must be your niece?”
    Andrew nodded, peering down his nose at Kendra. “This is the Lady Townsend.”
    Kendra dipped her head toward John but ignored the captain as Andrew continued. “I have the payment we agreed upon and instructions for some overland travel once you’ve reached America. As your fee is exorbitant, you will see to it that she is safely delivered?” Andrew pulled out a clinking purse and pressed it into John’s hand.
    Kendra frowned. Where had her uncle come up with so much money?
    “Of course, sir.” John assured her uncle. “We will see her safely delivered.”
    The captain cleared his throat and John rushed to correct the statement. “That is, I will see that she finds her destination, sir.”
    Well at least this John fellow seemed decent enough. The captain obviously didn’t want anything to do with her.
    Andrew turned to Kendra, gave her an awkward pat and a peck on the back of her hand, which she wrenched out of his grasp, then spun about on his heel and left. Kendra raised her chin a notch, trying to still the traitorous quiver of her bottom lip. She ignored the captain and looked at the kind face of the other man. “I’m ready to board, sir.” When she glanced at the captain she saw that he was glowering in the direction of her uncle’s back. Well, let him scowl! She was on her way to America and meant to make the most of her new life.
    John offered Kendra his arm and saluted the captain with a secretive smile. “I’ll just be about my duties to the lady, sir. As you directed.”
    Kendra looked from the gleeful, teasing eyes of John to the thunderous gaze of the captain, as he replied, “See that you do.”
    John turned to her and flashed a bright smile. “After you’re settled, I’d be happy to show you around the ship.”
    “Why thank you, sir. It is so good to see that some Americans have gracious manners.”
    John made a choking sound as he hurried them away, leaving the pirate , as she chose to think of him, to follow behind with the trunks.
    “I do believe I’ve upset the captain. He has been looking daggers at me since the moment we met, but I can’t fathom what I’ve done,” Kendra confessed to John when they were out of his hearing distance.
    John only shot her a knowing smile and murmured, “So I noticed. I do believe, my dear lady, that this voyage is going to be very interesting.”

    Kendra paced the short breadth of the cabin she had so impulsively confined herself to. She