Chapter 39

T HERE WERE FOUR OF THEM DINING that night in the captain's cabin. Drew's first mate had been invited, which was expected. Timothy had come for dinner the night before as well. But the fourth man bowled Gabrielle over when he entered with the first mate. Richard! She was so glad to see him she didn't think how it might look when she threw herself at him and hugged him excitedly.

Gabrielle did get off two quick whispered questions before she noticed Drew staring at her. "All of you are all right?" she asked.

"As well as can be expected in our crowded accommodations," he replied. "But our host kindly provided appropriate dinner attire." Richard swept a hand over his freshly washed white shirt and black britches.

"But what the devil are you doing here ?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, chérie, " he whispered back at her. "I was told, warned was more like it, merely to act like I am not a prisoner."

She glanced at Drew upon hearing that, but he just smiled and sat back to watch the reunion. Richard leaned toward her. "And may I say how lovely you look tonight, Gabrielle." He eyed her simple pink ball gown with the dramatic décolletage. "I imagine our captain provided your attire as well. He wants to enjoy himself tonight." Richard winked at her. Gabrielle blushed, but she didn't try to speak to Richard privately again. Drew had to have some reason for including Richard other than she'd be glad to see him, and that reason worried her.

The food arrived soon after Richard's arrival. It took four crewmen to carry in the assortment of platters, and one came in with an armful of wine bottles. Richard, glad to be out of the hold, started drinking more than he ought to. Gabrielle barely touched the wine herself.

Drew had ordered excellence from his cook, and by far it was not a meal one might expect to have at sea. Roast beef offered with two different gravies, glazed onions and carrots, three different rolls to choose from, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, and even a salad topped with a creamy garlic dressing. Gabrielle was going to have to find out how Drew's cook managed to keep lettuce fresh at sea, she really was.

The mood turned quite festive with such hearty food before them. It even began to feel like a real celebration. Richard relaxed and amused the group with his usual banter. Gabrielle stopped worrying that he'd been brought there for some ulterior reason. And even Drew seemed to be enjoying himself.

"By the way," Timothy said to Drew during a lull in the conversation. "On one of those ships we spotted briefly right before the storm, the lookout swears he saw your sister and brother-in-law on its deck."

Gabrielle blanched, hearing that. Drew, on the other hand, burst out laughing.

Drew began, "I hate to say I told you so—"

"Yes, I'm sure it breaks your heart, so don't," Gabrielle cut in tartly, thoroughly annoyed by his amusement. "The lookout was probably mistaken anyway."

And Richard joined in, "Oh, I say, is that Lady Malory he's talking about?"

"Oh, good grief, Richard," Gabby snapped. "Forget about her!"

Her friend winced, but then shrugged. "I've tried, Gabby. Really I have, but I just can't forget about my one true love."

Drew sobered now and demanded, "Is he talking about my sister?"

"Why yes, he is," Gabrielle fairly purred at the captain, though her eyes were glaring at him. "Fell quite head over heels for her. Won't listen to sound advice, like her husband is going to break every bone in his body if he gets anywhere near her."

"James will have to stand in line," Drew growled as he stood up and took a step toward Richard.

That was unexpected and had Gabrielle instantly regretting that she'd provoked him. She leapt between the two men to try to defuse what she'd instigated.

"Oh, stop it," she told Drew. "Georgina nearly slapped Richard's face off the last time they spoke, so nothing untoward has or will ever happen between them. She's a bulwark of resistance where any other man is concerned, simply because she loves her husband. You ought to know that."

It was a tense moment. Drew obviously took protecting his sister seriously. Every line of his body said he was ready to rip Richard apart with his bare hands. But he was paying attention, thankfully, and Gabrielle's last remark took the edge off his anger.

"I could have done without that reminder," he said as he moved back to his seat.

Richard had drunk too much wine to be wary. "You should have let him have at me, Gabby," he said. "He's been itching to ever since he thought you and I…" The thought made him laugh before he finished it.

"That isn't why I wanted to rip your head off," Drew replied rather calmly, considering the subject matter.

"Ah, that's right, it was because you couldn't remember why Gabby can't go back to England."

Gabrielle drew in her breath sharply. "Richard, that's enough."

But Drew sat forward to ask, "Why can't she go back?"

"With that rumor making the rounds that she's a pirate? Give it a good guess, Captain. I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Gabrielle sat back and closed her eyes. She had a feeling she knew now why Richard had been invited to dinner. Drew had been fishing for information, obviously, something he thought they were keeping from him. Instead he had caught the one subject guaranteed to bring her anger back in full force.