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And, she’s definitely one woman that my brother always listens to, if he knows what’s good for him.”
    “So, she has the fire breathing dragon temper of yours too, I assume.”
    She planted her hands on her hips and converged on him. “I will not trouble myself to respond to that sort of ill humored remark.”
    “You just did.” He chuckled, making his way toward her so she could feel his hot breath on her face.
    “Remove your person from this room, this instant. I command it!”
    “I don’t feel like it.” His eyes sparkled. “The house is going to bed, you should to.”
    “I should like to. The only problem is I have an infidel in my abode.”
    He waved his hand in dismissal. “Soon, you’ll be quite accustomed to welcoming me into your bedroom and your bed. Quit fighting your burgeoning attraction for me, Gemma. I recognize that look in your eyes. Despite yourself, you’ve already lost your heart to me. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe.” He gave her a roguish grin. She sighed.
    “I’ve never met such an egotistically stubborn man in all of my days.”
    “Oh, I think Mallory could probably give me a run for my money when it comes to stubbornness and size of ego. We are both single minded when it comes to achieving our objective. That’s what made us such formidable pirates.”
    She gasped. “Don’t say such a despicable thing in this house. I will not hear you blacken my brother’s name in that manner! The Crown does not tolerate piracy, my brother has always been a loyal subject of the King!”
    “Indeed he has. We never attacked English ships. We only stole from other countries … something I’m sure the King wouldn’t object to. Come to think of it, he’d probably clap Mallory on the back for a job well done.”
    She turned her back to him, staring out the window. “You are not worth the time or effort.”
    “Oh, I’m quite worth the effort, why don’t I show you just how much I am
    worth.” In an instant, he’d crossed the distance between them, turning her so she faced him. She didn’t know why but she didn’t shrink away from him—or try to fight him.
    She quite simply went with it.
    He extended his hand and gently caressed the side of her cheek. She shivered at his feathery and electrifying touch. She couldn’t help herself. Every time he touched her, he made her feel the most unusual sensations. She had to admit that he made her blood boil more than Kilworth ever could.
    “This is insanity, Hart. You are not meant for me. We are two passing ships.
    You must sail on to the next harbor. I won’t be your safe passage in the night!”
    “I assure you, Gemma … I want you for the rest of my life, not just for one night.”
    She threw her hands up in the air. “Do you honestly know how foolish you are being? What sort of debt do you owe Mallory to be willing to marry me? This will change your life forever, and it will change mine as well … I’m not so certain I like the way that it will change my life. Marriage isn’t something to be taken lightly—to marry HIS LADY’S KEEPER Marly Mathews 37
    me would be sheer madness!”
    “Oh, I beg to differ. I think it would be one of the sanest decisions I’ve ever made. You might be spoiled, you might be headstrong, but underneath all of your mule headedness you have a pure and loving heart. Passion boils within you—all I need to do is ignite that flame. As for your brother, I owe him my life. He saved it once, and I haven’t had the opportunity to repay him in kind.”
    She laughed. “Oh, I see. He saved your life during one of your looting and pillaging adventures.”
    “No. He saved my life from a French man’s blade.”

    HIS LADY’S KEEPER Marly Mathews 38

Chapter Eight

    She cut her laugh short. There was nothing that sobered her better than the mention of the war. She’d made her peace with the French. After all, the St. Martin’s still had distant family in France, but whenever someone mentioned the Wars, she