Page 16 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

“We are here on a mission so we should both stay away from her,” Stephen said.

Calhoun sighed. “True. Disappointingly true. Come on. Let us head to our chambers. I will get ready to paint flowers, and you can write a hundred letters to your siblings about how you are not attracted to an American heiress who looks like a goddess and smells of desire.”

“Bugger off, Calhoun,” Stephen said. Thereupon, they chuckled as they exited the parlor.

After walking Calhoun to his room, Stephen strolled to his chamber. He was about to enter when the major called to him. He looked over his shoulder. Blythe, Adams, and Saxton were headed in his direction.

Hopefully, they would take their revenge swiftly so that the entire thing could be over with.

“A word, Captain Eaton?” Blythe asked.

“Of course.” Stephen opened his chamber door and invited the three frowning men in. He braced himself for the reprimand from his superior, but the first to deliver a scathing rebuke was Hugo Adams.

“How dare you come to Sir Saxton’s home and defile Madalene. And where everyone could see.”

Stephen clasped his hands behind his back and lifted his chin, accepting his chastising with as much pride as he could muster. “Elias, I deserve whatever punishment you see fit.”

“I should remove your bollocks,” growled Saxton. “However, Hugo and Reginald have convinced me not to do anything for now.”

What in the blazes didfor nowmean? Did they plan to slice him into a half-dozen pieces in a sneak attack?

“For Madalene’s sake, not yours,” Hugo said. “I do not want her to be humiliated.”

“Of course,” Stephen said.

“Major Blythe has assured us you will stay away from her.” Saxton stepped into Stephen’s space and jabbed his finger in his chest. “If you are seen within a foot of her, I will meet you at dawn. Do you understand?”

“Understood,” Stephen said.

“Good. Then we are in agreement,” Saxton said.

Saxton and Hugo were almost out the door when Stephen remembered to ask, “Elias, do you have a cat?”

Saxton looked over his shoulder. “Cat? Nay. Why do you ask?”

Then hopefully he was being followed by a hedgehog or a similarly benign creature. “No reason,” Stephen said.

The door closed, leaving Blythe and Stephen alone.

“I am sorry, Sir,” Stephen said. “I have no idea what got into me.”

“Stephen, you are the most dedicated, disciplined soldier under my command.” The major sighed. “She is beautiful, and I understand your actions. But can you keep your cock in your pants and focus on your tasks?”

Blythe knew the wordcock? Did he also know what said appendage did in the presence of an attractive woman?

Of course, the major knew. All men knew and this was not the time to smirk or chuckle at the absurd assumption.

“I can, sir,” Stephen said.

“Good. For now, I have convinced Elias to give you another chance and Adams has convinced him not to disown his niece. Consider yourself lucky and get ready for the hunting party.”

“Sir, I plan to stay in my room and work on my correspondence. I am of the opinion that my being around angry hunters with pistols is unwise considering the circumstances.”

“Unwise indeed. Benjamin can accompany me.”

“Calhoun plans to paint with the ladies.”

“What in deuces for?” Blythe asked.