Page 47 of The Captain Claims His Temptress

“To the devil with everything.” He grabbed and kissed her—long, hard, and deep.

As the door closed behind him, Madalene smiled. How long had it been for him? Weeks? Months? Surely not years? Not that it mattered. She had awakened his beast.

And my oh my, was he ravenous.

Chapter seventeen

October 5th, 1817

Amanshoulddoteon a woman after giving her an orgasm. He should not leave her alone in his chamber with his correspondence, especially if she is spying on him. Not that Stephen had anything to hide beyond his sibling’s indiscretions. Moreover, leaving while Madalene’s promise to fulfill his every fantasy hung in the air was torture.

He could still smell her perfume on his hands and taste her desire. He ran his tongue over his top lip and moaned—sweet, musky Madalene.

Calhoun glared at him and shook his head. Sighing, Stephen kept up with the second lieutenant’s brisk pace.

On second thought, it was good that he had left before making love to Madalene. Let her ache for him the way he ached for her. She might be spying, but she also wanted him. No woman was a good enough actress to moan and quake like she had. And she could not have faked that explosive force when she came apart on his tongue.

Besides, what could she gain by spying since he had nothing to do with the pirated ships? If only he knew her true feelings because he was falling in—

“Is something wrong?” Calhoun asked. “You are sighing a lot.”

“I am thinking.”

Calhoun sighed, eliciting a lone ironic cackle from Stephen.

Although Saxton growled at their approach, Lady Saxton greeted them warmly. Since he had kissed—among other things—one of his spies, he might as well smile at the other. He added a chin bob and lowered into his seat between Madalene’s empty chair and Mr. Gracey.

Calhoun strolled to the other end of the table, grinned at Arabella, then sat beside Blythe. Calhoun, the poor chap, was besotted with the impertinent chit.

A server placed a plate of roast lamb and potatoes before Stephen. A few bites in, he put down his fork and met Dupont’s gaze.

Malicious mirth and a knowing arrogance combined in the Frenchman’s countenance, alerting Stephen to the truth. The clues had been bombarding him since he arrived, and he had been too busy lusting to see clearly.

Dupont was using his friendship with Saxton. No surprise there. Once a Judas, always an untrustworthy traitor. The man had somehow found out about the cargo on those ships and had orchestrated the pirating. Easy to do since Elias used fixed transport schedules. Since Stephen had been dealing with Cartier, and Cartier reported back to Dupont, Dupont knew Stephen was unaccounted for the days the ships were overtaken.

How unfortunate that Stephen had become a convenient dupe. Dupont was a devious one.

What if the stolen book held proof of Dupont’s guilt and Stephen’s innocence? Why else would he be so desperate to get it back? Cartier, the madman, had probably recorded Dupont’s illicit activities. Perchance, he planned to use the information for bribes. Or mayhap it contained Dupont’s personal journal. Whatever secrets it held, Stephen needed that book.

What had Madalene said?“Be careful not to leave your room open again. I do not trust some of my uncle’s associates. Especially Pierre. He dislikes you. And Hugo Adams is a male version ofArabellaBeaumont.”

She also mentioned retrieving his letters from the floor. Had someone been in his room searching before Madalene arrived?Hugo Adams had glared at Stephen since his arrival. Was Dupont in league with Saxton’s solicitor?

Stephen drummed his fingers on the table as he studied Adams.

The man scowled at a potato. He cut into it, and a chunk flew, smacking him in the chest before landing in his lap. His bottom lip jutted out.

Madalene was correct. Adams was a male Arabella. Which probably meant he was too self-involved to be part of a nefarious plot. He simply disliked Stephen because he wanted Madalene Spencer all to himself. Still, he’d keep an eye on the ill-humored man. Now, more than ever, he must remain vigilant.

Madalene glided into the dining room in a turquoise gown that complimented her ample bosom. Although, everything flattered her curvy figure. Wisps of hair fell from her coiffure, giving her a deliciously disheveled look. Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks pink. A sparkling diamond pendant drew attention to her creamy neck and shoulders.

Although every man in the room looked up from their meal, she only had eyes for Stephen. She could not look at him with that much affection and mean him harm. His heartbeat tripled in speed as he stood and pulled out her chair. Her smile filled him with warmth and resolve.

Stephen would beat Dupont at whatever diabolical scheme he was up to. As soon as he could leave the dinner, he would free Myrle and Diggins, make the trip to Hockley Castle, and have the scallywags dig up the book. If he kept them in shackles, he could manage the simpletons on a cross-country trip, and once they reached their destination, William and Georgie would assist. His sister and brother-in-law would thoroughly enjoy keeping the duo under control. However, there were a few loose ends he needed to tie up. And, unfortunately, he would again be unaccounted for.

“Madalene,” he whispered. He kept his gaze on his plate so that it didn’t appear as though they were engaged in intimate conversation.

“Yes?”