Page 26 of Dangerous

His single eye narrowed, as if he could see her devious thoughts.

“Has the Batavia’s Ghost run into any trouble on her recent journeys?”

He stared.

It was Mia’s turn to give an exaggerated sigh. “I only mention the matter because I’ve heard the French have increased their forays.”

“She is out of the water and undergoing repairs in Eastbourne at the moment,” he finally admitted.

“Is your crew enjoying this sojourn on English soil?”

His full lips compressed into a grim line. “Please, don’t bring up such an irritating subject. Most of my crew has circled the globe dozens of times and one would think they’d know how to behave. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I seem to spend most of my time—and not a little of my coin—rescuing them from either the authorities or armed, angry townsfolk. The sooner the ship is mended and off, the better it will be for all.”

“Yes, I suppose most people have not often seen the likes of men like Two-Canoes or Martín Bouchard.”

“Yes, Two-Canoes has managed to terrify the locals merely by existing. Martín is no longer disrupting either the townspeople or my household, as I have put him in charge of the Ghost, at least for the time being.”

“Martín Bouchard is now captaining your ship?” Mia repeated, stunned.

Ramsay frowned at the excitement in her voice.

“So, he is a captain now,” she said in a much calmer voice, even though inside she was leaping for joy at the news. There was no doubt in her mind that Martín Bouchard—for the right amount of money—would take Mia wherever she pleased. She bit her lip hard to keep from grinning.

Ramsay nodded slowly, his forehead deeply furrowed, as though he was working through something in his head.

“Why are you suddenly so interested in my ship and crew?” Ramsay asked, interrupting her private rejoicing.

Mia was spared from responding by the approach of Lord Exley. Her husband, she mentally corrected.

“My lady, Lord Ramsay.”

She had given up trying to look beyond his haughty façade. Maybe there was nothing behind it? Other than the brief show of passion when he’d proposed, and the equally brief flare of anger when Mia had flirted with her footman, she’d seen no sign of any other emotions. It was his wedding day and he’d shown no sign of caring one way or another that they were now man and wife. Did their marriage really matter so little to him? Mia knew the thought should please her—after all, the more distant he was, the better it was for her plans. Even so, the knowledge that he could be so cold left a chill in its wake.

Ramsay grinned at her husband, as though thrilled by the marquess’s cold greeting. He held out a giant hand, a habit that was most certainly not English.

“I was just congratulating your lovely wife, Exley.”

Her husband’s elegant hand disappeared in Ramsay’s enormous fist.

“I am the one you should congratulate,” the marquess contradicted softly. Mia could see he didn’t believe the baron. It didn’t take a genius to see that her conversation with Ramsay had been heated. Well, heated on her side. Mia would need to behave with more circumspection around her husband in the future; his sharp eyes saw too much.

She placed her hand on his forearm. “I was just telling Lord Ramsay how eagerly I am looking forward to seeing Exham Castle.”

The marquess laid a hand over hers, the almost imperceptible flush on his high, sharp cheekbones the only sign her possessive gesture had affected him.

Ramsay’s gaze flickered back and forth, like an eager spectator at a play. “You cannot be leaving tonight for Hampshire?” He swept Mia’s body with a lecherous look that caused Exley’s hand to tighten around Mia’s.

“We will spend our wedding night in town.”

The words wedding night caused heat to creep up her neck. Once again her new husband had made her blush and feel like a girl, rather than a woman long past her prime. Mia beamed up at him and his eyes widened, as if he, too, had experienced something unexpected.

The baron looked from Mia to her new husband and snickered. Mia did not know Ramsay well, but she had quickly realized the big privateer had a mischievous streak a mile wide. He was clearly enjoying the awkward tension between her and Exley and looked eager to add to it. “My congratulations to you both. I wish you both very happy.” He rocked back on his heels, his gleeful expression making him resemble a very large boy who was struggling to contain his amusement. “I understand you have children in Hampshire, Exley?”

“Yes, three daughters.”

“Ah, daughters.” Ramsay grinned for no apparent reason. “I daresay they will be thrilled with a new step-mama. Not to mention the prospect of a new sister or brother.”

Mia’s jaw dropped at his vulgar innuendo. Why the obnoxious—