Free Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare Page A

into the captain’s chair. “Be careful, Joss. I do believe you nearly made a joke. People might get the idea you have a sense of humor.”
    “I don’t see anything humorous about this. This isn’t a pleasure cruise around the Mediterranean.”
    “You think I don’t know that?” Gray paced toward the windows spanning the ship’s stern. “Believe me, I know perfectly well what’s at stake here. They’re my stakes, damn it.”
    Joss made a dismissive snort. “You don’t need to remind me whose money it is.”
    “Yes, it’s my money and my ship, but I’ve entrusted them both to you.”
    “No you haven’t. You’re ordering my crew around, questioning my decisions …”
    “So that’s what this is about. The storm yesterday?”
    “The storm, the goats, Bains, the girl. You’ve countermanded me at every turn, and we’re only a day out from land. I’m telling you, if you want a captain who thinks only of profit, with no regard for the comfort and safety of people aboard—”
    No regard for people? Oh, now Gray was getting angry. This was all about his regard for people—two rather important people, one of whom stood glaring at him with murder in his eyes. The other being the principal reason for his presence on this ship. Fetching his baby sister for her London debut was something he’d been waiting to do for years. That task, Gray wouldn’t delegate.
    “I want a captain who doesn’t furl the sails and drop anchor at the sight of a few clouds,” he said. “And yes, damn it, I need a captain with the fortitude to put up with a few goats and governesses, if that’s what it takes to turn a profit.” He rounded the table to stand toe-to-toe with his brother. “What’s happened to you? We used to churn up these seas like a pair of sharks. We took everything, feared nothing.”
    “We were young. And stupid.”
    “Maybe so, but we were great. We sailed the fastest ship on the Atlantic. The Aphrodite captured more prize than any other privateer in service of the Crown, and we didn’t do it by playing safe.” Gray put a hand on Joss’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “The war’s over. And I don’t need to tell you how much of that money’s sunk into this venture. We have to conquer honest trade now. We have to chase success with everything we’ve got.”
    “ We? What’s all this talk of ‘we’? When did that word enter your vocabulary?” Joss shrugged off his hand.
    “When did you become such an insufferable ass? It’s always been ‘we.’ We were supposed to be full partners, until you changed your mind.”
    “Oh, are we going to tally broken promises now? Be my guest, but I’m warning you … I don’t think that’s an argument you want to start.”
    Gray took a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm. “What’s past is past. I’ve done what I can on my own, but now we have to make this work. We owe it to Bel. And to Jacob.”
    “I see. It’s your money, but it’s our obligation.” Joss shrugged off Gray’s hand. “Don’t presume to tell me what I owe my own son. I’ll be damned if I’ll take lessons on family duty from you.”
    Gray stared at his brother. Their father’s ears aside, he scarcely recognized Joss anymore. When he wasn’t cutting the pitiful figure of a mourning widower, he was being a downright prick. Why couldn’t he see this was all for the good of the family? That Gray had worked all these years, assumed all these risks—for him and Bel, and now Jacob?
    “Miss Turner may be a sweet-looking lass,” Joss said, “but you’ve got to look the other direction. Aside from my responsibility as captain to guard her personal safety, I can’t afford the melodrama that accompanies your affaires , Gray. You know full well what it’ll do to the crew if they know you’re bedding her under their noses. And what happens when you tire of her?
    Need I remind you of the French captain’s widow? That incessant wailing did wonders for shipboard