The Pirate's Desire by Jennette Green Page B

well.
     
    After Lucinda is married, my original last testament will take over.
     
    Thank you, my good friend, and God bless you.
     
    Peter Hastings, Earl of Ravensbrook
     
    Tears filled her eyes as she read her father’s last wishes. Truly, he had trusted Riel Montclair completely. Why, however, she still could not fathom.
    And he had loved her very much to the end.
    Still, it did not take away the sting of his descriptions of her being hot-headed and impulsive. Lucinda was honest enough to admit they were true; at least, on occasion. And thus Riel was to be her guardian. Her father had supposed he would be a steadying influence in her life.
    But Riel did not steady her at all. He unsettled her, and had from the first. And her father hadn’t seen her in two years. She was nearly eighteen, and had matured a great deal in her father’s absence.
    Her behavior to Riel being the exception, of course.
    She certainly did not need a guardian. The panicky, sickly feeling boiled up again as she cast a quick glance at Riel’s profile. The blunt angles of his face looked cut from stone, and his personality reflected an equally unyielding nature.
    She bit her lip. This was wrong. All of it. It should not be happening. Her father should not be dead. This…this man should not be taking over her life.
    At least her father had put a limit on the amount of Ravensbrook’s money that Riel could access. Still, each month he’d fully control how the monthly stipend was spent. Could he be trusted to use the money as her father had intended? At least his possibly grander, fortune-hunting desires would be squelched; unless he had some other plan afoot that she could not yet imagine. Still, she did not know how he would run Ravensbrook, or treat its servants…or herself.
    The lurches of her stomach made her feel sick.
    “Very well.” Mr. Chase cleared his throat, and Lucinda’s thoughts returned to the gleaming study, which smelled faintly of orange oil. She realized he wanted the letter back. With reluctance, she returned it.
    “All appears to be in order, Mr. Montclair. I will take care of the necessary paperwork. Perhaps you will return at the end of the week and sign the documents?”
    “That would be fine,” Riel said.
    Lucinda did not reply. But a small, unexpected bit of hope bloomed. Apparently, the agreement would not go into effect until Friday. But on Friday, when Riel signed those documents, her fate would be sealed. She would be forced to submit to his leadership in every aspect of her life…including his guidelines for a suitor. In fact, for all intents and purposes, Riel would choose her husband.
    She bit down hard on her inner lip to keep from moaning in protest. Three days of freedom remained. Surely, within that time she could discover a way to escape from her impending doom.
    “At that time,” Mr. Chase continued, “I will deliver the monthly stipend into your hand, Mr. Montclair, so you may pay estate expenses.” He smiled. “Frankly, I will be glad to see an end to that task.”
    “May I have the account books in advance? I leave for my ship at the end of the week, and would like to understand how the estate runs before then.”
    “Of course.” Mr. Chase retrieved several leather bound ledgers. “When will you return, Mr. Montclair?”
    “Within two weeks. I need to oversee repairs, and then ready my ship for dry dock.”
    “You own your own ship, Mr. Montclair?”
    “Riel. Yes, a merchant ship.”
    “You would put your livelihood on hold to care for Lady Lucinda?” Mr. Chase gave a jovial laugh. “That is most self-sacrificing, Riel.”
    “I owe the Earl a deep debt. It is the least I can do.”
    “Very well. I will see you on Friday.”
    “Mr. Chase.” Lucinda sat forward on her chair. “Father’s funeral will be tomorrow evening at Ravensbrook. If you can come, I would be most pleased.”
    “Of course. Of course.” Mr. Chase nodded once, as if bestowing a great favor upon