Chapter Nine

Dinah couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, come here, you," she said, claiming his hand and pulling him down to her.

Drake fell onto the bed, the two of them giggling as if they were five-year-olds up to mischief.

He turned her so they faced one another, his hand cupping her buttocks. "Do you think you can be quiet tonight, love? I thought the staff, led by Powell, would race into the conservatory the other day."

She sniffed haughtily. "I can be as quiet as a church mouse, Captain." Then another fit of giggles hit her.

Drake silenced them by kissing her. Oh, how this man could kiss! He tended to her mouth before moving on to other places on her. He had told her at the beginning of their love affair just how powerful a kiss could be. After being kissed by him hundreds of times in areas she had no idea could be kissed, she now understood his words.

For her part, Dinah responded to each kiss, savoring his taste and scent, her fingers dancing along his magnificent body, hardened by hard labor over his many years at sea. She took the initiative now, undressing him first, kissing her way up and down his frame with every piece she removed. Drake returned the favor, ridding Dinah of her clothing, his lips caressing her everywhere.

For a moment, she contemplated what life without him would be like, their time drawing to an end. Shaking the thought off, she kissed him with everything she had. His large hands stroked her back as they kissed, making her feel cherished.

When it came time to come together, he turned on his back, capturing her waist and lifting her high, impaling her on his cock. As she took it inside her, a surge of power rushed through her.

"Move and see what feels good to the both of us," he told her.

Dinah did as he instructed, finding her way in a new position, learning what pleased her and Drake. She found her rhythm, and the intensity between them increased, exploding in an earthshattering orgasm for her. For his part, Drake lifted her off him and rolled, spending in the chamber pot next to the bed.

He climbed back into bed with her, cradling her in his arms, tenderly kissing her nape as his palms caressed her belly and breasts.

"Go to sleep," he whispered in her ear. "For the first time, I can stay with you."

"Not all night," she murmured sleepily. "You must be gone by dawn."

He pressed his warm lips against her shoulder. "I will."

When Dinah next awoke, it was to Drake's kiss. He made love to her again, this time slowly and tenderly, before once again sending his seed into the chamber pot. Afterward, he rose from the bed and dressed quickly.

"I will go and trade my chamber pot for yours," he told her. "I don't wish to leave any proof that I was in your bed."

She knew he had because she caught the scent of him on one of the pillows. She would say nothing of it, though.

He left the room and returned less than a minute later, exchanging his chamber pot for hers.

"The maid will understand my seed being in mine."

"Do all men pleasure themselves if alone?" she asked, curious.

"Most, I assume. Sailors at sea definitely do, especially when they are at sea for many weeks." He grinned. "And I am a sailor, first and foremost, even if I am a captain now."

Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss upon her lips. "I love you. I will see you at breakfast."

Before she could reply, he was gone.

Dinah fell back asleep and awoke a short time later. Being in the country, she always seemed to be up with daylight.

When she went downstairs and joined the others in the breakfast room, Drake gave her a wink.

"I'd like to show you some of Shadowcrest today," James said to his friend. "Not on horseback, of course."

"You could see more if you learned to ride a horse," Effie said, causing Drake to laugh.

"Perhaps the next time I am in England, you might take me in hand, my lady, and teach me the finer points of riding."

Effie stroked the cat sitting in her lap. "I would be happy to do so. When will you next sail, Captain Andrews? And return?"

Dinah's heart stilled at the question.

"That is something Her Grace and I will be deciding later today," Drake said.

She released the breath she had held, not even realizing she did so. Of course, it would be Sophie who would map out the next voyage Drake would undertake with his crew.

"I plan to seek Captain Andrews' advice on a good number of things today," Sophie said. "With his decades of experience at sea, he has valuable information to share."

"You had him for a couple of hours yesterday," James pointed out. "At least let me visit with him this morning."

"Ah, being fought over by a duke and duchess," Drake noted. "Who would have thought that might happen to me?"

Those at the table laughed heartily.

"When are we meeting with Cook and Miss Forrester, Aunt Dinah?" Allegra asked. "I have had a few ideas about the menus to be served."

"I have, too," Lyric exclaimed. "And I will admit I am a bit curious about the guest list, as well."

"We can meet after breakfast and discuss your ideas then," she told the twins.

Sophie went to her office to get some work done, and James and Drake excused themselves, leaving to walk parts of Shadowcrest. Effie decided to join them, even if they were walking and not riding. Mirella went off to practice her pianoforte, while Lyric and Allegra accompanied Dinah to the kitchens. They sat with Cook and Miss Forrester, discussing various dishes to be served, especially the desserts.

"If you would like, Cook, I can bring back a few scullery maids from town with me to help with the party."

The older woman breathed a sigh of relief. "That would be appreciated, Your Grace. This is a large house party you are talking about. The more hands, the merrier."

They drew up a meal plan for each day of the house party, including a few outdoor teas to be held, both on the terrace and by the lake.

"This is not our final menu," Dinah cautioned, "but I believe we have made good headway this morning."

"Then I am going for a walk," Allegra declared. "Would you like to come along, Aunt Dinah?"

"I think I will stay here. I am hoping to lure Sophie away from her work."

"You should," Lyric said. "She is always working. I keep telling her when the babe comes, she will have to count upon Mr. Barnes to shoulder more of the load."

Dinah left the kitchens and made her way to the room dedicated as Sophie's office. She tapped lightly on the door and entered, seeing Sophie deep into thought as she held a paper in her hand.

"Is it that complicated?" she asked.

Sophie chuckled. "Business has a tendency to be complicated at times." She paused. "Not to Captain Andrews, however."

She frowned. "What do you mean? He does not have a background in business."

"He doesn't—and yet his instincts are quite good. With his sailing experience, he shared countless insights with me yesterday. It is almost a shame to waste him at sea, because I certainly could use him in the shipping and warehouse offices."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Would you make that kind of offer to him?"

"I very well might, Dinah." Sophie paused, gazing at her intently. "And not merely because the two of you are in love."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, leaping to her feet. Conscious she had done so, she took a seat again. "What did you say?"

"It is obvious to me," Sophie said. "I noticed the bond between the two of you right away. It was the first thing I asked Captain Andrews about once we were behind closed doors."

Dinah felt her face flushing with heat. "Thank you for not saying anything in front of the girls."

"Do you love him, Dinah?" Sophie pressed.

She nodded. "Yes. Very much so. But we are in a unique situation, Sophie. He has finally risen to be the captain of a Neptune Ship, something he aimed for his entire life. The sea is in his blood. I cannot take him from that."

Pausing, she then added, "He is a most proud man. If he left his ship in order to accept a new position with your company, he would be miserable. He might want to do so now because he loves me, but in the long run? I fear he would resent me. Because of that, I cannot ask him to stay, nor would I ask you to keep him in port longer than he should be. There is also his crew to consider. Drake would not want them kept from their livelihood."

"Will you wait for him? Try and see him between voyages?"

"I hope to," she said. "I am not confident that he would agree to such a plan, though. Drake believes I should wed again. A man from my world."

She burst into tears. "Oh, Sophie, I am so frustrated by the entire situation."

Sophie came to her, embracing her. "I know how much I love James. If we could not be together, I haven't a clue what I would do."

"We know the time is coming when we must part. I have tried my best to prepare myself for it, but I fear misery will engulf me. Yet I would not trade a minute of the time we have had together. It has been so very precious."

She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. "I am grateful for what Drake has shown me. I had never known love before. While my heart will break when he sails away, it was the right thing to do. To be together while we could."

A knock sounded at the door. Before Sophie could call out for the servant to enter, Forrester hurried into the room, his brow furrowed. He bore a silver tray in hand, a letter atop it.

"Your Grace, this just came for you. The messenger is getting something to eat in the kitchens and can return with a reply if you wish."

It was obvious to Dinah that the butler had spoken to this messenger and already had a good idea of the contents within the letter.

"Thank you, Forrester," Sophie said, dismissing him.

Forrester left the room, closing the door. Dinah looked to Sophie.

"With Forrester looking so grim, I am almost afraid to break the seal," her friend admitted.

"If it is bad news, perhaps I should read it first," she offered. "You must think of the babe."

Handing the letter over, Sophie said, "Yes, go ahead."

With trepidation, Dinah broke the seal, opening the letter. She read it, shock filling her.

Raising her eyes, she met Sophie's gaze. "It is Mr. Barnes," she revealed. "He has suffered a heart attack." Dinah paused. "He is not expected to live."