Bobbi Smith - Captive Pride

Desperate for something to say to prove to him that she had not been affected by his frigid glare, CC asked, “How old is your brother, Lord Kincade?”

“Matthew is seventeen, although he’ll be the first to tell you that he’ll be eighteen within the month,” Noah smiled.

It was the first time that CC had seen him smile, and the transformation in him was nothing short of amazing. His features before had been so cruelly arrogant, so set and hard. Yet when he smiled, he seemed a different man. His whole countenance had been softened by the power of that one gesture, and she wondered distractedly what it would be like if he ever smiled at her that way.

Her musings were interrupted then as the dessert was served, and when they’d eaten their fill of the chef’s creamy concoction, they retired to the parlor to savor an after-dinner drink.

CC wanted nothing more than to retire to her room, to get away from Kincade’s disturbing presence, but she knew she had no good reason to go to her chambers early. She had to remain and help entertain her father’s guest.

“The dinner was delicious, Edward,” Noah complimented as he accepted a snifter of brandy from his host. “Extend my best to your chef. He’s a talented fellow.”

“Indeed he is. I’m most fortunate to have him in my employ,” Edward agreed as he presented CC with her liqueur before seating himself beside her on the sofa. “You’ll have to come to dinner often. We’d be delighted to have you.”

Noah sipped casually of his brandy. “Your hospitality is most welcome. I appreciate it.”

CC almost choked on her liqueur at her father’s open-ended invitation. That would be all she’d need…Lord Kincade to dinner regularly. It took all her willpower not to show her displeasure at the prospect.

They chatted idly for a while, Noah filling Edward in on things back in England, and he, in turn, describing the pleasures of life in Boston.

“Tell me of the political scene,” Noah ventured, wanting his opinion on what he’d heard the day before. “Yesterday at the inn, Matthew and I overheard a conversation between two merchants regarding unrest here. Is there any truth to the talk?”

“I’m afraid there is some truth to it.”

“Oh? What’s the problem?”

“The troublemakers are nothing but blithering idiots! That’s the problem,” he told him heatedly.

“Who are they?” His question was mildly put, a mere request from someone who wanted to know what was going on.

“The refuse of the earth,” Edward snorted in disgust.

“Is it true that they want independence from the king?” Noah tried to sound incredulous.

“They’re always trying to stir up trouble, but this time they’re going too far. It won’t work. We’re loyal here. Have no doubt about that.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt your loyalty to the Crown, Edward. I was just trying to understand why anyone would want to break away.”

“I don’t understand it.” He took a drink of his brandy. “It seems outrageously drastic to me to scream for independence over a simple tax on tea. There have been arguments in Parliament before over taxes. I’m sure there always will be.”

CC tensed as her father tried to dismiss as unworthy the grievances of the dissenters.

“Indeed?”

“The agitators have been stirring mobs to action. They’re trying to encourage an open rebellion against the king, but it won’t work. This stupid tax on tea they’re complaining about is negligible, and this argument that England now holds a monopoly on the tea trade is a most ridiculous complaint…”

“Father…” CC’s tone was hard as she sat stiffly next to him, and Edward glanced at her with warm affection.

“My daughter is of a differing view, I’m afraid.”

“Oh?” Noah looked to CC, noticing the high color in her cheeks and the way her eyes flashed with an inner fire.

“She thinks it’s wrong that-”

“I can speak for myself, Father,” CC cut in righteously, completely forgetting her father’s admonition to keep her opposing opinions to herself. “It’s a fact that Parliament has given the British East India Company a monopoly on the tea trade in our country. The point is, we cannot stand by and allow this to happen!”

“You say ‘our country,’” Noah pointed out. “England and her colonies are one and the same.”

CC gave a cutting laugh. “Hardly. We are not treated fairly, Lord Kincade. You Englishmen tax us without giving us a voice in our own affairs! We are-”

“Enough, daughter!” Edward interrupted, embarrassed by her cutting frankness. “Lord Kincade, I’m sure, is not interested in any of this.”

Silence hung tautly in the room as CC stood, breathless and magnificent in her barely restrained anger. It had been a long day-first, John’s domineering attitude, then her father’s. CC knew that if she didn’t leave the room, she might say something she would later regret.

“As you can see, my father and I do differ on several major points of political interest. So if you’ll excuse me? I believe I shall retire for the evening.” Without waiting for an answer, CC swept from the room.

“My apologies,” Edward began humbly, hoping his daughter’s outburst hadn’t discouraged Kincade’s interest in doing business with him. “As I said before, CC is a most spirited young woman and-”

“That she is,” Noah replied dryly, “but there’s no need to apologize.”

Noah had never known a woman to speak out so forcefully, and he found himself intrigued. She had the beauty of an angel, yet her temperament was fiery, her tongue sharp, and her convictions deep. Noah wondered why Edward had even allowed her to voice an opinion. Such was generally unheard of in England. Still, the news she’d imparted helped. It seemed there had to be truth to the talk of revolution if even the women were getting involved. He smiled slightly. All indications were that the Pride’s shipment was going to be just the thing.

“You weren’t offended?” Edward was surprised by his attitude.

Noah answered wryly, “Hardly, but I have to admit I was taken aback to find two such differing opinions in one household.”

Sighing, Edward rose and went to the liquor cabinet to refill his snifter. “I made the mistake of encouraging CC to grow intellectually, to think for herself, and to form her own opinions. I never dreamed hers would be so at odds with mine.”

“The curse of many a parent, I would think,” Noah replied nonchalantly as he swirled his brandy in the snifter before drinking of the heady brew.

“I’m sure,” Edward agreed. “You seem most interested in the unrest. Have you any thoughts on the matter?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know quite enough about it yet to have full understanding of the incidents. I was asking more for business reasons.”

“Business reasons?”

“As you know, my other ship, the Sea Pride, is due in port soon.”

“Yes, so?”

“The Pride’s carrying a full shipment of military supplies,” he informed him.

Edward nodded pensively before saying slowly, “As much as I hate to admit it, I’m afraid they may be needed by our troops.”

“I had been advised before I set sail that arms might be the most profitable of cargoes, but as an Englishman, I had hoped not,” Noah lied as he looked slightly remorseful.

“And I, too, but you see how easily tempers flare…” He shrugged, the action reflecting what seemed to be a weariness of soul over the matter. “There are powerful men involved in it now-rich merchant John Hancock, for one-and they’re determined that there will be changes. He has quite a following, he and Sam Adams.”

“Sam Adams?” Noah frowned. “I don’t believe I’ve heard his name mentioned before. What’s his connection with this?”