Ruined by the Pirate by Wendi Zwaduk Page B

don’t want to marry him.”
    Nelson nodded once. “I assumed so.” He stood and walked across the room to the painting of her mother. The grand oil painting decorated the space above the mantel. “Dot was right. You’ve got her free spirit.” He touched the gilt frame. “I never told you about the night your mother died.”
    She gulped and toyed with the beading on her dress. Her father rarely spoke about her mother, let alone the night she passed.
    “Your mother used to believe things I never thought possible and convinced me to be more than I was. Dorothy encouraged me to travel back to England and speak with Father. She said I flourished once Father and I made amends. She was right. My Dot.” He withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbled his eyes beneath his glasses. “The day Dot told me we were going to become parents, I panicked. I wasn’t ready to be a father. She said otherwise and was right. We had so much fun.” He smiled, despite his misty eyes. “Do you remember the night my Dot left me?”
    “Mother was sick. She had me sleep in her bed the night before. I wanted to stay with her but you made me go to school. When I came home, you kept me in the nursery.” She remembered sitting with her stuffed bear and her porcelain dolls, talking to them and hoping her mother would be fine. Nothing was ever the same.
    Nelson touched the skirts on the painting then turned his attention to Sarah. “She was round with your brother. I wanted a boy to teach the business. I knew you could handle it, but I wanted you taken care of.” He shook his head. “There were too many complications late and once the doctor came.”
    “Mother lost a lot of blood and you lost the both of them,” she whispered.
    He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes again. “I swore I’d never lose you, too, but it seems I let my money cloud my judgment. I did what I thought was best. Isaiah would have treated you well with the finest dresses and furs. He’d make sure you lived in a sweeping estate with horses and the grandest parties.”
    “I’d be bored,” Sarah whispered.
    “I’m sure.” Nelson managed a smile. “You never liked parties. Too much trouble to pander to people you didn’t care for.” He touched the painting once more then rounded the couch to sit beside her. “Now tell me the truth about Killian Thomas.”
    She gasped. The charade hadn’t worked. “There’s not much to tell.”
    “The infamous pirate kidnaps my daughter, treats her well as far as I can see, and pretends to be someone else in order to bring her back to me. I’d say there’s plenty to tell.”
    “I insisted he lie.” She stared at her hands. “For a pirate, he was quite kind. No shackles or rude behavior. He showed me around the ship, almost like he was a shipping baron. I felt like a lady in his presence. Yes, he kidnapped me, but he was a gentleman.”
    “And you fell for him?”
    “Father.” She refused to be so frank with him.
    “Be honest. From what I can see, you’re head over heels in love with the rascal.”
    She might as well do as he’d asked. “I have fallen in love with him. He’s terrible because he’s a criminal, but there’s a good side to him. He risked his life and crew to bring me back.”
    “I see.” Nelson snapped his fingers.
    Rodgers, the butler, marched into the parlor. Nelson whispered something to Rodgers Sarah couldn’t hear. Rodgers then nodded and left the room again.
    “What’s going on?” she asked.
    “Clean yourself up for dinner, child. Wear something cheery.” Nelson stood. He replaced his glasses and refolded his handkerchief. “We’re going to celebrate.”
    Sarah surged out of her seat. She wanted to question him but hesitated. “Yes, Father.” The idea of eating nauseated her. She wanted Killian to come back. She’d never catch up to him if she snuck off to find him.
    “Oh, and, Sarah?” Nelson said, standing in the doorway.
    “Yes, Father?”
    “The next time you