Free Love With an Improper Stranger by Barbara Devlin Page A

formidable protection such as she had never known.  “Oh, dear.  This is dreadful.  Everything is written in German.”
    “Shall I order for you, my dear?”  The incorrigible naval man winked.  “Or would that impinge on your independent toes?”
    “You can order for me, Cap’n.”  Lucy furrowed her brow.  “I am far too hungry to worry about my autonomy.”
    “Are we not witty?”  Swallowing a morsel of pride, Lenore surrendered the bill of fare to her pompous but attractive sailor and studied the crisp white tablecloth of the elegant establishment.  “And I defer to your judgment, Blake.”
    “Well that is a first.”  He snickered and elbowed Lucy.
    “And it could be the last, if you keep talking.”  Just then, the waiter approached, and she smiled.  “Good evening.”
    “Ah, Captain Elliott.”  The server bowed.  “So good to see you again, sir.  If you have made your selections, shall we start with your wife?”
    Just as Lenore was about to correct the attendant, Blake covered her hand with his and squeezed.  “My beautiful bride and I will have the sauerbraten with potato dumplings and spargel with hollandaise sauce.”  When she emitted a groan of frustration, he laughed.  “And the same for Miss Lucy.”
    “Do you still favor the brown ale, sir?”  The servant peered at Lenore.  “And what shall the ladies drink?”
    “Have you any dragon pearl jasmine?”  She perched upright.  “It is my favorite tea.”
    “But, of course, Mrs. Elliott.”  With that, he dipped his chin and rushed toward the kitchen.
    The title, innocently directed at Lenore, left her reeling, as she pondered what the position entailed.  Glancing at Blake, who sported a pompous expression to which she would take exception if she could muster a rapier retort, she admired the angular lines of his classical features.  Without thought, she relaxed and twined her fingers with his, and in that second everything changed.
    With a subtle flinch, he met her stare, searched her gaze, and whatever he spied therein brought forth an endearing smile that warmed her to her toes, and she knew she could do it.  She could wed a man of estimable character determined to protect her, if not drive her mad, and live as his other half.  In so doing, she could safeguard Lucy.
    When Blake engaged in his usual naughty boot work, as they enjoyed their delicious meal, she should have admonished him, and she thought about it.  Instead, she giggled.  “In the event I forget to tell you later, I had a wonderful time today.”  Then she massaged his calf with her slippered foot, and a noticeable blush spread from his neck in sharp contrast with the crisp white collar of his shirt.  “Thank you, for everything, Blake.”
    “You are most welcome.”  To her surprise, he gave his attention to her sister.  “Miss Lucy, if you are finished with the main entrée, perhaps you would like to visit the dessert trolley, and make your selections, but only two, mind you.”
    “Oh, sir, I should be too delighted.”  Lucilla jumped from her chair, saluted, and skipped to the large bay window.
    “If I may, how old is Lucy?”  Blake chuckled, as Lucilla cornered some unfortunate waiter and appeared to be interrogating him in regard to the sweets.  “She seems wholly unspoiled.”
    “She is eight and ten, but she is very naïve.”  Lenore admired his profile.  “After Mama died, Papa and I did everything we could to shield Lucy, as she has such a gentle spirit and a precocious mind.”
    “Notwithstanding her height, never would I have imagined she had so many years.”  As he studied Lucy, Lenore wondered what he would think of her age.  Would he regret asking to court her?  “Has she always been so inquisitive?”
    “According to Papa, Lucy was born with a magnifying glass in one hand and the concise history of John Long’s voyages in the other.”  Lenore sipped her tea and toyed with the scalloped edge of the fine