Page 11 of His Pirate Wife

“Look at these, Mia,” Devin said with awe. “I’ve never seen anything like them. The detail andcraft.”

Mia looked and smiled when she saw the ships stamped into the silver. The recesses in the waves were tinted green and blue, likely from an addition of jade and sapphire dust being mixed in. And clearly embossed on the side of the ships her name. “They’re lovely, Devin,” she told him understanding such a possession wasn’t something a navy captain would ever be able to afford. But he married well and Papa wanted him to be reminded ofthat.

“I don’t know what to say,I—”

“Say nothing, do next,” Mr. Hong interrupted. Grim handed Devin the second letter and opened the box. “Read loud,” Hong instructed withimpatience.

“Thank you, Mr. Hong. I rather thought I was to as it’s addressed to Mia.” He huffed and Mia giggled again. “Mia Lyn, my sweet Siren of the sea,” Devin read and sighed again. “I get navy man you get a title,” he grumped making Mia laugh out loud. “I chose this man knowing he would do all in his power to keep you well and from harm.” Devin stopped and rolled his eyes. “Man put far too much faith in me, I think. He could’ve at least warned me better what I was up against withyou.”

“Read the letter, Devin. I’m not going to jump off a cliff or under a dock again.” Mia slapped his arm only to have Grim glare at her and wipe at thespot.

“Of course not, but I’m talking about all this.” He indicated her person. “I’ll take a second pistol tonight maybe,” he said then winked at her. “Where was I? Oh. My daughter, you should never have need of this for a reason other than to show how much brighter you shine than it.” He stopped as Grim removed the brooch from the box and handed it to Hong who then stepped up and fastened it to her dress at her left shoulder. Mia knew what it was the moment it was lifted from the case and her eyes filled with tears as Devin started reading again. “But should you ever need, Mia my heart, give this to any man of ours and I will send every and all to your aid. No greater gift has any man been given, my child, than you. Until all the seas run dry, My love eternal. Papa,” Devin finished then turned to look at the magnificent piece ofjewelry.

“Mia that is beautiful as well. Your papa knows some finecraftsmen.”

“No,” Mia started then had to clear her throat as her fingers traced the silver blade, wrapped in red ribbon set against a large emerald surrounded by diamonds. “No, Papa didn’t make this. It was Mama’s before she met Papa. She used it to buy passage on his ship when he fetched her out of thesea.”

“Fetched her out of the sea?” Devin asked pulling his handkerchief from his pocket and handing it toher.

“When her father learned my father wouldn’t have her and that she was with child without prospects, he put her on a ship and set her towards America. He said he’d found her a husband there that would take her, but he hadn’t. He’d paid the ship’s crew to drop her in the ocean. They at least gave her a chance and put her in the dinghy before leaving her bobbing in the waves. When Papa’s crew spotted the boat and pulled it in, he planned to take her back to England and set her ashore, but she traded him this brooch for passage, giving him no destination. She sailed with him for two months before she couldn’t hide her condition and Papa took her ashore in Scotland and wed her then took her back aboard and took her to Cartagena. He bought her the house and set her in and then spent time sailing her around and encouraging her to sculpt. He was sailing her to fetch some marble when she went into labor and gave birth tome.”

“That is as sad as it is beautiful, Mia. The commodore must have been like me, in love at first sight.” Devin said with a smile that made her giggle. She reached out to slap him again only to be stopped by Grim who gave her a fiercelook.

“Oh you weren’t Captain, not atall.”

“Oh but I was. In love, in lust and hoping your papa didn’t see that last part before we saidI do.” Devin said stepping up close then bending down to kiss her softly. “It was hardly my fault you were so averse to marriage. Rowdy little pirate that youare.”

Mia gasped then burst out laughing. She didn’t see this side of Devin often. He wasn’t one to tease but when he did it made her heart race and her body heat the same as when he said something wicked. “Well, I’m a lady tonight, but if you don’t hurry and take me from here we may not make it to the vice admiral’s home for at least aweek.”

“Oh, how you tempt me, Mia mine. How you tempt me,” Devin said as he let Grim help with his overcoat while Hong gathered her train that she could hold it up then put her wrap around her. “Shall we go, my lovely littlepirate?”

“Lady, Devin,” Mia corrected taking his arm and stepping out withhim.

“Ah yes, lady. But only for this dinner. You must be a pirate again when wereturn.”

* * *

Devin tooka step back and turned his head slightly. Mia stood with a group of newly enrolled cadets and whatever she was telling them had them focused on her hard. At least he hoped it was what she was saying and not her stunning beauty. He’d always thought Mia a beautiful woman, even when dressed simply on ship. He should have realized should she dress more to her status as a wealthy woman she’d shine more than the stars. Luckily for him she didn’t seem to care for the formal attire any more than he, or looking around, any of his crew. Mia, like them, preferred the practical dress of asailor.

“What’s the matter, Captain?” Lieutenant Commander Yates asked with a laugh. “Do you worry someone will stealher?”

The group around him laughed and Devin felt his face heat. Taking a sip from the frail crystal glass, he looked back at Mia as Lieutenant Coventon stepped up and ushered her away from the group. The relief on her face spoke volumes. “Not at all,” Devin said turning back to the group of men who, unlike him, were not ship officers but shore ones. They’d stepped foot on ships only for ceremonialthings.

“I’d be worried, Captain,” Captain Parker said. “She is quite lovely, and she came well dressed out,” he finished. Again his eyes went to the large pearls woven throughout Mia’stresses.

Devin took no offense. The older man was making an observation that everyone in this room was making. With the exception of his royal highness, Mia was maybe the richest person in the room. “Well dressed,” Devin remarked dryly. “Well dressed if you consider three ships as well as several other holdings.” He heard the group gasp. “My wife, however, is the business mind. I’m boggled by the prospect of shipping bills andsuch.”

“You plan to retire your commission then, Captain?” Another captain, this one Devin thought to be the son of a retired admiral. He was younger, full of himself and he’d had his eyes on Mia far more than Devin thisnight.

“It’s crossed my mind,” Devin said then turned as Coventon escorted Mia into the circle. A round of polite greetings and then Devin finished, “I’ve not decidedyet.”

“Not decided what, Captain?” Mia asked smilingwickedly.

“To retire, Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin said handing her his glass and snagging a fresh one from the tray being held out for the group by aservant.

“Oh bother, Captain,” Mia said. “You can’t retire. You’d be ever so lost if you were not able to fire your cannon at pirates andsuch.”

Devin choked on the sip he took. And as his face heated, he glared at Mia who in no manner looked as innocent as her words sounded to everyoneelse.

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