Kresley Cole - The Captain of All Pleasures

The marchioness had decreed it so, and everyone was happy to oblige.

The evening of the celebration had been wonderful for Derek, next to perfect except for the few sarcastic comments Lassiter made. But Derek was beginning to see the humor behind some of the man’s words…if he was very, very generous. With time, there might exist a grudging goodwill between them.

Although the festivities were still in full swing, he made his way to the door. Nicole had retired early, and he was anxious to join her.

“Derek,” Grant called from the terrace. He was standing outside alone, smoking a cigar.

He’d wanted to talk to Grant ever since he’d brought Nicole home from the Griffin . He smiled as he remembered her that night. She was like a little general insisting they lay out guidelines and goals for their lives before they fell into bed. That part of their lives, she’d told him, needed no adjustment. The rest, however

It had been unsettling to stretch himself and his beliefs to make her happy. Ultimately, however, he’d comprehended that with her fulfilled, he was fulfilled. He knew he’d been given a second chance with Nicole and with his family, and he didn’t want his brother ever to worry again that Derek wouldn’t meet his responsibilities.

Derek joined him at the rail overlooking the lantern-lit garden and took an offered cigar. “When will we be throwing one of these for you?”

Grant laughed. “Don’t hold your breath.”

“No? What about Bainbridge’s chit?”

“Despite all her family’s zealous efforts, I remain a bachelor.”

Derek lit his cigar. “I always thought you would suit. She’s nice and staid. Hard to believe you’ve resisted her scandal-free nature.”

“She is a nice girl. She even swore she’d wait for me to return.”

Derek raised his eyebrows. “Return?”

“You know Belmont’s fool’s errand?” Grant asked with a grin. “I signed on as the fool.”

“You’re serious?”

He nodded. “I went back to him and counter offered. He’s to give me all of Belmont Court at his passing.”

Derek let out a surprised breath. “He must be convinced his son’s family is out there to give away all he has left.”

“That’s because Belmont is desperate. Very emotional man, that Belmont,” Grant explained in a censorious tone. “He fears his health is failing, and the thought of them out there stranded makes giving away his home a small concession to find them.”

Derek frowned. “But if he gives away the estate and you do find the family, what will become of them?”

“It didn’t take you long to find the rub. If I were an intuitive man, I’d swear he dreams that I’ll marry the granddaughter when I find her, and we’ll all live at the court happily ever after, or some such nonsense.”

Derek paused, then pointed out, “You said ‘when.’ ”

With a sheepish grin, Grant said, “Yes, well, that damn man actually has me believing it.” From his coat pocket, he pulled a fading daguerreotype of a towheaded young girl with a shy smile. “Look at her. She looks so delicate. If she did survive…Thinking of her, out there alone—”

Derek must have looked at Grant with surprise, because he hastily slid the likeness into his pocket, then said in a gruff voice, “Probably a waste of time. She most likely didn’t survive.”

“I don’t know if I like this,” Derek said with a wave of his cigar. “You’re settling in at Peregrine. And I feel like I just got you back as my brother,” he added in a mutter. His wife had asked him not to hold back his feelings with his family, but he was new to it.

“You’ll just have to miss me until we come back, because it’s settled,” Grant advised good-naturedly. “And I figure, between you and Nicole, managing Whitestone and Peregrine for a year or so will be child’s play.”

Derek tamped his cigar and gave Grant an expression of absolute agreement. “I expect Nicole would like to help Peregrine, now that her father won’t be a head-to-head competitor.”

“Exactly so,” Grant agreed. “Who knows?” he began as the corner of his lips quirked up. “Maybe I’ll find some hidden treasure.” He slapped Derek on the back and, with more excitement than Derek had heard from his brother in years, said, “I sail in a fortnight.”

Nicole and Derek had seen a marked excitement in Grant about the upcoming expedition, though all knew it was far-fetched at best to think the lost family had survived. The islands targeted in Oceania were isolated and riddled with pirate activity, but if a voyage was what it took to make Grant happy, then they would be supportive.

On the day before Grant’s departure, she and Derek went to the docks to wish him a safe journey. He was sailing the Keveral on the high tide, early the next morning. Embarking was a lively time, but thinking about how long Grant would be gone, and how much Derek would miss him, made Nicole’s eyes tear. Lately, it seemed as though she choked up at the tiniest things.

Grant saw her dab at her eyes and said, “Don’t cry, Nic.” Then, in a pained voice, he urged, “No, really, don’t cry.”

Nicole had forgotten how uneasy Grant got around emotional females and smiled to reassure him. Her smile grew when Derek moved his hand to rest at her waist. One night soon when she lay in his arms, she would tell him what she’d suspected for days.

Grant was needed to supervise the last-minute arrival of provisions, so Derek said, “Get back to work, Grant.” A hearty handshake and slap on the back followed.

“Fair winds, Grant,” Nicole said as she hugged her brother-in-law, nearly tearing up again. “I hope you find them.”

Grant looked so very confident and strong when he said, “If they’re out there, I’ll find them.”

As Derek escorted her off the ship, they called out a last round of good-byes and wishes for smooth sailing. Grant in turn ordered them, “Be good to each other!”

Derek put her arm through his as they made their way to the carriage. “I suppose we’ll be doing this again soon,” he said, sounding aggrieved.

Nicole elbowed him, and he chuckled. In another week, they would be saying good-bye to Lassiter, Maria, Chancey, and the Bella Nicola ’s old crew as well. They were all sailing for South America to develop their newly planned routes. Nicole would miss them dearly. Even her grandmother, who’d truly become fond of her father and Chancey, and certainly of Maria, the “governess,” would miss them. However, the marchioness was excited that Nicole and “dozens of great-grandbabies” would be staying in England.

Nicole was no longer worried about Maria and Father. She was confident that together they would turn Lassiter Shipping around, and she’d begun to believe that her father would finally…see Maria. The lovely, intelligent woman looked at him with such tenderness that Nicole was convinced she would win him over in the end. A love that shone so brightly would overwhelm any obstacles.

She knew. Because hers had.

As they watched Grant give a last wave before their carriage rolled away, Derek said, “I hope he finds as much happiness in his journey as we found.”

“Still find.” Nicole smiled and snuggled closer to his side. “And I hope we can fulfill Grant’s wish by the time he returns.”

“What wish?” he asked against her hair.

“To become an uncle.”