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Everyone became stiff in preparation of the proper formal greeting of a royal, but even before the men could bow, the woman pushed through the group, ignoring the attempted greeting of Lady Mallory, and embracedMia.
“Oh,” Mia cried out, startled, as she looked to Devin and wrapped her arms around the woman she didn’t know from Eve. “There, now, are you all right? Do not cry, madam. This party is not so bad as that to cry,” Mia said, causing some nervouschuckles.
“This is her?” His Royal Highness asked, turning to Devin who bowed before straightening andanswering.
“Her who, your majesty?” Devin made a quick survey of the room and exits. Perhaps her pirate father had been caughtand—
“Your wife, Captain Winthrop? This is your wife?” Vice Admiral Saumarez asked, joining the group that was a moment ago all mostly equals. “We never did get those formal introductions,” the man said, slapping him on theshoulder.
“Yes, sir,” Devin said, stepping closer to Mia who was trying to comfort the woman weeping on her shoulder. “That is mywife.”
“Good showing, Captain, good showing,” His Highness said, stepping to take Devin’s hand and shakeit.
“Oh my,” Mia said again as she tried to lift the womanback.
“Alice,” Phillip Lovelace said, stepping in to pull his sister back. “Our pardon, Mrs. Winthrop. My sister is still a bit wrought by today’s eventsand—”
“Oh, you’re the little boy’s mother?” Mia said and when the woman started crying more she stepped up and embraced her. “But he is well, is he not? I wastold—”
“Yes, he is doing quite fine, speaking highly of the mermaid who saved him,” Philip said with an indulgentsmile.
“Oh, I like that indeed, a mermaid, far better than what I’ve been called of late,” Mia said and tossed a nasty look towards theMallorys.
“If it hadn’t been for you,” Alicesniffed.
“Oh bother it, someone would’ve gone in,” Mia said in a vain attempt to play down heractions.
“No one, not even I, saw him fall in. He’s all I have and… and,” again she wrapped her arms aroundMia.
“Oh please, you should save your tears for when some horrible woman steals his heart and he weds her. The child is well enough, yes?” The woman nodded and dabbed at her eyes. “I knew he would be. He was quite brave as the waves came in. So clever to hold his breath when I said to. And to make as much noise as he could that we might be discovered,” Mia said, though Devin suspected the child was no help at all in his own rescue. “And do you see here, this is the man who chopped us free. My husband, Captain Devin Winthrop.” Mia pointed and turned the woman to faceDevin.
“Oh Captain, I cannot thank you enough,” Lady Alice said, holding her hand out as she regained her composure. Behind her, Philip Lovelace stepped up and placed a kiss in the air next to Mia’s cheek and spoke with her. Mia again tried to shove off the praise andaccolades.
“No need. As long as the boy is well, we have our thanks and reward,” Devin said and watched the prince step up to Mia who gracefully dipped into a curtsy as the man took herhand.
“Remarkable bravery,” the princesaid.
“Oh no, I was rather scared through it all, Your Highness,” Mia said, causing everyone to chuckle. “Had I an idea the child had such fine blood,” she said and again cast a glare at Mallory, “perhaps I’d have worn better shoes to the rescue.” That remark made everyone burst outlaughing.
“It’s a remarkable telling of character,” the Vice Admiral said, now stepping in to greet Mia more personally, “that you risked your life to save a child not knowing hisrank.”
“It is more telling anyone should think rank a matter when considering a life, let alone the life of a child, I’d think,” Mia said, managing to turn so she was again close to Devin. If the man took offense to Mia’s admonishment, he didn’t showit.
“You have a remarkable woman, Captain,” Prince Williamsaid.
“I’ll not disagree, Your Highness,” Devin said and smiled down at Mia who stayed true to form with her nextcomment.
“You certainly would, Captain, and have on any number of occasions.” She turned that brilliant smile on the crown who, like most males still breathing, was more thanimpressed.
Devin again felt heat rising to his face as all eyes came back to him. “I should only disagree when you’re being a brat,” Devin said then wanted to bite his tongue until he saw most of the men double over withlaughter.
“The very best wives are usually such, Captain,” the vice admiral told him. “It is the husband’s penance for being given a good woman. Were they the best wives and easy to manage,” he went on shaking his head, “we men would be soft and useless to theworld.”
“Here, here,” someone shouted and again laughter rolledthrough.
The group stayed together, and Devin watched as Mia held conversation with Philip and Alice even as Mallory and his sister continued to try to cut in and steal it away. Not until the band struck up a waltz and his highness claimed Mia for the first dance did Lady Mallory get the chance to speak with her cousin. It hardly went well. If not for the cover of music, the slap Alice placed across the obnoxious woman’s face would have rung out. Before his full satisfaction could set in, Devin found himself dragged to the dance floor by Lady Alice as Lady Mallory made her way towards anexit.
“I fear, my lady, I’m not as good at dance as my wife,” Devin told her then stepped into themusic.
