The Pirate's Desire by Jennette Green Page A

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    “Lady Lucinda.” Portly Mr. Chase stood up behind his desk, beaming. His smile wavered when he took in Lucinda’s unhappy face. “My dear.” His hand closed around hers, a shade firmer than his usual, tepid shake. “I am so sorry for you loss. Your father was well loved and respected in this community.”
    “Thank you,” she said quietly. From an unknown source, she summoned enough strength to straighten her shoulders. “As you know, that is why I am here today.”
    “Of course, my dear.” Mr. Chase’s gaze swung to Riel, and he put out his hand. “I am Thomas Chase. You might be…”
    Riel’s hand engulfed the other man’s in a firm shake. “Gabriel Montclair, Baron of Iveny.”
    “Pleased to make your acquaintance. Why don’t we sit?”
    When Lucinda sat, she realized her chair and Riel’s touched arms. A silly thing to notice, but it disturbed her, as did everything about her enforced relationship with the Baron…if indeed he was a Baron. Baron of Barbary perhaps, she thought darkly. Or perhaps Lord of the Pirates would be more apt. Although clean shaven this morning, he still wore his long black hair in a tail, and now that she was nearer to him, she could clearly see the faint indentation in his ear lobe where an earring must have hung, long ago.
    His dark eyes caught her staring, and she narrowed her gaze. Much as he might fool everyone else, he would not fool her. Not ever. She knew very well what sort of a man lived beneath his finely tailored clothing. Truly, a brigand of the worst sort. Hadn’t he treated her roughly? Hadn’t he physically forced her to succumb to his wishes? Twice. Never mind her own questionable behavior. A true gentleman would never have responded in such a manner.
    Averting her gaze, she sat ramrod straight and folded her hands in her lap. “Mr. Montclair has a letter addressed to you from my father.”
    “A letter?” With alacrity, Mr. Chase accepted the parchment.
    “I was with the Earl when he died,” Riel said in a low voice. “The letter states his final wishes.”
    The solicitor frowned. “His final wishes? I have his last will and testament on file.”
    “As I understand it, that document will remain the same. This is an addendum until such time as Lady Lucinda marries, and can take over running Ravensbrook on her own.”
    Mr. Chase nodded, and broke the seal. Silence ensued, except for the loud ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Each tick sounded like a hammer striking a nail into Lucinda’s coffin. Why did she have the dreadful, absurd feeling that her father’s letter would bind her to Riel for eternity?
    Surely, she was being fanciful. Melodramatic, as Mrs. Beatty had often chastised her in the past.
    It was only for two years. Right? Lucinda wished her stomach would stop roiling.
    “I see.” Mr. Chase lowered the letter and adjusted his glasses.
    “May I see it?” Lucinda requested.
    “Of course, my dear.” When the solicitor handed it over, she quickly read the note.
     
    Mr. Chase,
     
    Please add this letter as an addendum to my will. In the event of my untimely death, Gabriel Montclair has agreed to assume guardianship of Lucinda until her twentieth birthday, or until she is married, whichever comes later. As you know, I love Lucinda dearly, but she can be a headstrong young lady. By this, I mean occasionally hot-headed and impulsive. She needs a steady influence and guiding hand to help her choose a suitable husband. Riel is that man. I trust him with my life, and I also trust him with Lucinda’s, as well as with the responsibility of running Ravensbrook until Lucinda is married.
     
    Please forward the monthly stipend to his hand to distribute as he sees fit for the running of Ravensbrook and everything that entails, including Lucinda’s wardrobe. If extra monies are needed on occasion, Lucinda and Riel must petition you together for them. If it seems prudent to you, advance those sums to Riel, as