Epilogue

Indian Ocean, off Madagascar

The Lady Muirgen

Adrienne leaned against the top hatch and studied her husband standing at the huge wheel and binnacle on the Lady Muirgen. The first time she"d sailed with him on a mission for the ship"s owner, Captain El, she"d been terrified at the way the huge wheel jerked and swung crazily in storms. She"d been grateful she didn"t have to control the wicked fast ship.

After a few lessons from Obadiah, she"d come to enjoy the feel of the sleek craft straining at the constraints of her fittings. The Lady Muirgen was a lot like her owner, Captain El, fierce smuggler and current Duchess of Chelmsford. The ship behaved as though she yearned to break loose of the bonds of the ocean and fly above the waves if only her navigator would give her leave to do as she wished.

After a tentative compromise, Adrienne had come to realize she and their young son, John Nils Lassen, could come along with Obadiah on his many forays to sea as Captain El"s sailing master.

Young John who"d be nine on his next birthday, was named after both of his seafaring grandfathers.

Even though she was no longer forever looking over her shoulder for the Marquess of Ormonde, she still refused to spend months alone without Obadiah in her bed.

She languidly stared up at the fast-moving clouds against an impossibly blue Mediterranean sky before slowly swinging her gaze back to the rigging.

"John Nils," she screamed out, competing with the roar of the wind. When her son ignored her cries, she vented her ire at his father

"He"s entirely too far up the rigging. Didn"t we tell him he was allowed up only so far? He"s nearly up to the crow"s nest."

Obadiah said nothing, but gave her a searing look. Finally, he said, "He"s your son."

In the next heartbeat she proved to her naughty son that she too could climb the rigging as well as he and his father.

Below at the helm, Obadiah stared aloft, enjoying the view of his wife climbing the rigging He"d actually hoped his stubborn son would force Adrienne up there with him.

Captain El crossed the deck to Obadiah"s side. "I know what you"re up to," she shouted above the keening of the wind. At the same moment, she snapped back around to her husband. "Percy, if you look, I"ll have you keel-hauled."

Obadiah grinned and Percy shook his head before skinning rapidly up the rigging behind them to make sure motors and cub made it safely back down to the deck below.

El shouted at Obadiah again. "I"m going to have that impossible man confined to our cabin."

"Careful, Captain," her first mate pointed out. "I think you"re beginning to enjoy confining the duke to quarters a bit too much."

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