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“Sometimes, Captain, it’s a bother to be wed to a practical man.” His robust laughter filled the room as he sat back and lifted hiscup.
“What else might you seeto?”
“I’ve some messages about housing,” she told him, lifting another invitation and opening it. “I hope they produce something. I don’t care to stay here muchlonger.”
Devin frowned and shook his head. “Neither do I. I was given some hard looks from the man across the hall. I can only guess you kept him awake all night with yourmewling.”
“Ikept him awake?” Mia said with a gasp. “And mewling? Captain I don’tmewl.”
“No? Well perhaps tonight I’ll try and makeyou.”
This time she raised her brow at him. Certainly they had a vigorous sex life, and since they’d been on shore with few duties they’d more time to explore other things. But perhaps they would be advised to be more below boards with the looks and whispers that followed them. She didn’t mind anything Devin did to her in the bed, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted the world to know he’d tied her to the posts last night and… “Oh yes,” she said sitting back. “I must find a shop to purchase more stockings, seeing as you’ve ruined all but twopair.”
He laughed, “Iruined them? I think it wasyou.”
“No, it was you. Stretched them quite to the limit with yourwickedness.”
“They wouldn’t stretch if you wouldn’t wiggle and squirm once I’ve tied youup.”
“Captain?” she said shifting to the edge of her seat so their kneestouched.
“Aye?”
“You like it when I wiggle and squirm,” she teased and opened her knees so his could slip between as she moved from her chair to his lap and his hands grabbed her ass to pull hercloser.
“So I do. Best you buy a good number of extra stockings then, pirate,” he said, putting his face between herbreasts.
“I hope you don’t intend to bankrupt me with having to replace all my clothing,” Mia laughed then arched back so Devin’s tongue could have moreaccess.
“Use my accounts, Mia. Don’t spend your money on such things. I’m capable of affording your dress,” he said, his voice tight. She’d already learned he wouldn’t budge on the matter of finances. They’d be supported by his finances. Her money, he said with no room for argument, was to run her shipping enterprise and to buy things which were for her pleasure. Baubles and the like. Though she knew he meant ships: pleasure crafts like hersloop.
“Well of course, but you said use my money for… pleasurable things and well…” She wound her fingers through hishair.
“Naughty little pirate,” he whispered then nipped her breast where it swelled from her neckline. He followed the bite with a kiss then sat back and urged her to lean forward and rest against his shoulder. “You’ll take Mr. Hong and Grim with you while you’reabout.”
“Devin, I hardly need a bodyguard,” she said then yelped when his hand smacked her ass. “Aye,” she conceded, “I’ll take them though Grim can’t stand to be smashed into those littlecarriages.”
Devin laughed, lifted his cup, took a sip then pushed her off his lap back into her chair. “I can’t even think that he fits or that the poor animal pulling doesn’t struggle.” Standing, he bent over her and kissed her head. “Should I call one for you when Igo?”
“No, I’m not sure how long it will be before I figure out these invitations. Had I known you were such a popular man, I might have insisted on staying aboardship.”
“HadIknown I was so popular,” he said lifting one. “Sort them out by rank first, Mia. Anyone who outranks me accept those, unless they conflict, then take the highest one. Those who are of the same rank, set aside. I’ll look through and if they are lower in rank, then you can decline or accept at your will.” He lifted an envelope and scanned it then dropped it down. “I have a feeling it is not me they wish to get toknow.”
“You should tell them all I’m a terrible pirate. They should distance themselves well enoughthen.”
“Somehow, Mia mine, I don’t think they would. Not when it’s you who are theperfectpirate.” He kissed her head again then headed for the door. “Please be back before dark,Mia.”
“Bother,” she sighed and waved him out. She finished sorting the notes as he suggested then sent Hong to fetch a cab. She changed her plan to visit the shipping offices first when the feeling of being watched crept over her while she waited for the carriage. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt as if someone was watching her and the reason she’d go seek out housing first. The Dolphin Inn was a fine and well-mannered establishment, but even on the ship she didn’t feel so uncomfortable as she did in this publichouse.
She directed the driver to take her and her two unhappy companions north, passing the point, or Spice Island, and heading to see a home she’d heard was available closer to the academy—a distance about halfway between the two. Devin would need to go one way each day and should she wish to be at the offices or the docks would need to go theother.
The man she met with, at first reluctant to show her the houses, was more than willing to boast on the accommodations once she told him that she was part owner of theWind and Pearlshipping company and they wouldn’t need to rely on her husband who was a new instructor at the academy. She thought it odd the man would hesitate to rent or sell to navy men but in his rousing compliments he let it slip that more than one sailor had purchased from him only to vanish and never return, leaving it to him to evict the man’s family, a prospect he detested. Or at least claimedto.
The first two houses—one a lovely cottage, the other a more sprawling estate with fourteen rooms—didn’t suit any better than the terrace homes she’d already seen. First too small, then too big and both too far from the waters. Mia was starting to think their best option would be to dock one of her frigates and live on board, then he showed her the nexthouse.
The man boasted it was one of the few homes in the area already upgraded to have not only water pipes but gas pipes. To Mia it was perfect. But when the man hesitated to tell her the rent, she knew it wouldn’t be Devin’s favorite. At one-hundred-twenty pounds a year it was nearly twice what Devin said he was willing to pay. Mia had told the agent she could perhaps squeeze more from her husband, but twice the amount, she doubted Devin would give in. Still, Mia left the man with a deposit and asked him to have someone come in to clean the home. Perhaps she could talk Devin into it, reach an accord with her husband to let her pay half or to buy the home through the company. If she was going to live on land this was where she wanted tolive
Taking the coach back was a trial. Mr. Hong berated her the entire time about the cost of the house and even Grim was scowling. It crossed her mind more than once to perhaps not tell Devin the full rent and to simply pay it herself. Only the dreadful feeling of what he’d do to her when he found out kept her from committing to the idea, despite the reality she may have to start the search all overagain.
