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Leaving the house, he ushered her and Margaret into the waiting carriage and joined them last while closing the door behind him.“May I ask, what sort of books do you read?”
“I prefer books with a love story, a touch of mystery, magic, and intrigue. I am not particular to tragic stories, nor horror,” Esther replied. “I do like some humour when I can find it, but that’s rare.”
Captain Morgan extended a long leg, “I believe we can find the perfect book for you.”
Something in his tone sparked a hint of interest, and suspicion in Esther’s mind, “Could it be that you’ve found the book already?”
“I might have,” he smirked, “You’ll have to find out for yourself, won’t you?”
Plucking out her fan, Esther teased, “You are incorrigible, good sir.”
“I don’t believe I have ever been called that before,” he replied, “On the scale of all the names, I believe I will treasure that one the most.”
Fanning slowly, Ether said, “I am afraid to ask what the worst is.”
“And you should be,” he replied. “Let’s leave it as it is not fitting for a lady’s ears or sensibilities.”
Blinking, Esther fluttered the fan, “Oh my.”
His brow ticked up, “Navy lads are not the most tactful men, My Lady.”
The carriage cantered to a stop and with a quick look out the window, Captain Morgan smiled. “We’re here.”
He alighted first, helped Esther out after him, and then Margaret. With glee, Esther waited for him to open the door and stepped into a lovely scene of books lining the walls. A good number of Lords and Ladies meandered through the stalls.
“My Lady,” he offered his arm, and with a soft blush, Esther took it.
While they walked, it was apparent that Captain Morgan was different from the Lords around. Even without the blue of Navy uniform, his striking, masculine beauty and proud demeanour drew attention, particularly of the feminine nature. Esther saw more than one lady in the book-store aim an appreciate look to him beneath half-lowered lashes and secret smiles.
She delicately turned a blind eye to them.
“Are you an academic, My Lord?” Esther asked.
“I wouldn’t say I rank as one,” Captain Morgan replied. “My Latin teacher was one to threaten hell and damnation upon me if I did not conjure the verbs right. I was more drawn to the physical; I prized fencing over calculus and equestrian over philosophy. Not to say my education is sub-par…” he held her gaze, “…Instead of an intellectual, I am a tactile man, My Lady.”
They were so close that she could see the ethereal knit of colour in his eyes shift from blue to silver, and under his gaze, heat, like warmed oil, melted her sensibilities.
“I promised you that I would tell you the traits I prize in a man, didn’t I,” Esther replied, “Honestly is the first, and you have shown me that. Thank you.”
Bowing his head, he led her to the rows, “Pick out whatever you like, and if it tops what I have already picked out, I’ll purchase it for you, or both, if you would like.”
Taking her time, Esther meandered her way through the shelves, picking out a few but placing them back. Passing by rows upon rows, she found herself nearly at the back of the store where the most risqué novels lay. Captain Morgan plucked out a book and his left brow cocked.
“My, my,” he murmured.
“What is it?” Esther asked the gasped when he spun the spine to her.The Crimes of Loveby the Marquis de Sade. Good heavens.”
“Precisely,” he said while replacing the book. “Not at all the sort of book a young woman of good breeding should read.”
A strange squeak left her lips and her hand clamped over her mouth, but it still drew the Captain's attention. His hand slowly retracted from the shelf and a sly smile curved his lips. Dropping his tone low, he asked. “Or mayhap not?”
Looking over her shoulder for her maid, Esther felt relief that Margaret was away from her, and staring studiously at a row of Phoenician Numerical Texts. Turning back to Captain Morgan, she said, “I have not the faintest inkling of what—”
His disbelieving stare stopped her in the middle of the lie, “…I cannot dare. Only fast and loose ladies would dare to read such a notoriously wicked book.”
“Hm,” Captain Morgan looked contemplative, “Is that so.”
Attempting to change the mood—and to dispel the warm flashes under her skin—Esther said, “I have not found one thing to capture my interest. Perhaps we will have to go with your choice.”
