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“Mia,” Lady Mallory said as she took her brother’s arm. Devin felt her eyes roam over him and Mia saw it for her own eyes flashed bright. “Do tell. Your family—are they settlednear?”
It was a polite enough question, and one expected from women. Especially women assessing someone they perceived as a threat or competition or even a means to better themselves throughassociation.
“My family calls the sea home, but I’ve a house in port at Hermosa Alma,” Mia said and stepped closer toDevin.
“Where’s that dear,” Mrs. Parker asked as she hobbled up to her husband. The two aged people looked very content together and Devin was struck with the thought he and Mia would someday look likethat.
“It’s on the southeast shore of Cartagena, along the CaribbeanSea.”
“Oh sounds lovely,” Lady Mallory cooed in a rather insincere manner. “You were born there then? In theislands?”
Right away Devin knew the woman was putting Mia down. Her blood line and birthright were tainted at best and ruined at worst, by British societystandards.
“Cartagena isn’t an island, and no, I was born in the Mediterranean Sea aboard theMerry Lyn,” Mia said her hand lifting to touch the brooch at hershoulder.
“Oh my,” Mrs. Parker gasped. “Your poor mother, what hardship. She is a strong, brave woman to sail while withchild.”
Mia smiled softly at the woman. “She was a committed artist. A sculptor. And when she got the chance to purchase a beautiful section of marble, she wouldn’t let it go. Papa sailed her to south Italy to collect it. I think I came too soon,” Mia laughed. “And during a storm, no less, so they couldn’t get back to port. But men of the sea are a capable lot. All fared fine. And we were right there so I was baptized in Rome noless.”
“Well how marvelous, such a grand tale,” the old woman twittered and flapped herfan.
“Not by the pope?” Devin asked never having heard thisstory.
“You should ask Papa, I don’t know. I only know the ship’s log said we stopped in Rome to have me baptized.” Mia laughed and smiled up athim.
“Your parents then? They’re English?” Lady Mallory pushed, and Devin felt Mia lean into him. She wasn’t completely comfortable with the subject and Devin was about to suggest they dance when Mia took a breath, squared her shoulders andanswered.
“My mother was born in Cornwall, to missionaries. But Papa is a Scott and will tell you not water or soil will make him British,” Mia said and the group laughed. The old rivalry always made for good jesting. “My father though,” Mia said again, lifting her hand to the brooch, as the group went quiet, “other than that he is from England I know nothing of him. He, like my mother’s family, have never been part of my life and I have no real care to have it any otherway.”
“You’re a bastard child?” Lady Mallory gasped and pulling back stepped behind her brother, like the status was acontagion.
“Madam,” Devin snapped. That was rude and insulting and as a lady the woman should have knownsuch.
“Captain, it is fine, and it is the truth,” Mia saidsoftly.
“Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin started, then noticed the rest of his crew stepped up out of nowhere to hold Mia’s back. If insults were going to fly, fists might too, and these men were going to defend their heart. “I’ll not stand here and allowslander.”
“It has to be false to be slander, Winthrop,” Captain Mallory said and this time when his eyes rolled over Mia, Devin saw exactly what he knew he’d shown when he first took Mia as his wife. That she was tainted, a woman of low breeding and morals. Corrupted because of the sins of herparents.
“Mia’s parents were wedbeforeshe was born,” Devin said. “Her mama and papa wed months before. There is no stigma, no disgrace in such. The disgrace belongs to the man who failed in his duty and responsibility to a woman he professed to love but only used. My wife’spapawas more honorable a man than he, and moreover, his love and devotion to Mia are unmatched. Woe that not every child is so cared for, blood ornot.”
“Of course, child,” Mrs. Parker said stepping over to Mia and giving her a hug. “Any number of these well born whelps might do well to look back at their blood and see not all were conceived between the sheets of a marriage bed and I’m sure,” she said turning to glare at the Mallory siblings, “breeding doesn’t promise goodmanners.”
“Mrs. Winthrop?” Devin offered his arm, but Mia wasn’t someone to run. She took it only to be closer to him as she stared down the woman across fromher.
“It’s well enough, Captain,” she said. “After all, I was raised by a good andwealthyman and am now his sole heir. What matter if my money isn’t old gold passed through blood, new gold spends just as well. And I have more than enough to ensure our children need only join the ranks of navy if it pleases them, not because they’ll need to shore up familyconnections.”
Devin was rather shocked at her words, but he didn’t miss how both Mallorys jerked back. She knew where to aim her cannon. And it was a direct hit if their expressions were telling itall.
“What a lovely brooch, Mia,” Mrs. Parker said clearly doing her duty as a navy wife to smooth the waters and change thesubject.
“Thank you. It was my mother’s. Papa gave it to me as a wedding gift. He gave Devin those lovely cufflinks,” Mia said, turning Devin’s wrist to show the woman who gasped and took his hand. Mia’s eyes never once dropped from where they held LadyMallory’s.
“Such fine craftsmanship,” the old woman said as everyone stepped closer to look. Everyone but theMallorys.
A slight commotion at the far side of the room finally made Lady Mallory look away. “Look Kenny, Cousin Alice is here. Oh and so isPhilip.”
“Wonder what brought them out?” Captain Mallory said, turning as if preparing to meet the pair being escorted in their direction by none other than Lord High Admiral His Royal Highness Prince WilliamHenry.
