Free Dusky Duke and the Gypsy Pirate Princess by Kya Lind

William talking about her gardens at home and the trial of raising ten children. He frowned and realized that he had yet to see the woman do anything with the children in question. He knew that Honesty spent much of every day with the younger children, and he had visited her there several times, but had never seen the mother or Pretty with the children except for when they had first arrived at the castle.
    Greyson watched a young buck named Charles trying to charm Honesty. He heard her laugh in response to whatever the young show-off had said. Greyson frowned.
    “You don’t approve of the proposed levy tax?” Greyson blinked at the man who was seating to Mrs. William’s right. How had they gotten on that topic?
    Greyson shook his head, “Not a subject, for polite company, old man,” indicating the ladies at the table. Honesty’s laugh carried down the table. Greyson wished the meal would move along.
    Mrs. Williams smiled at him, and changed the topic to fashion.
    When there was a slight break, Greyson asked, “Have you heard from your husband lately, madam?”
    “Why no, I imagine he in lost in his books as usual. The man reads everything he can get his hands on. We are so lucky that we live close to Tagan Manor. Lord Simpson is such a dear and loans Harvey all his books and notes. Even the children are allowed access to his library, the dear man. I believe Honesty would live in his library if I would let her.”
    The man to Mrs. William’s right spoke again, “Harvey Williams, do you mean Captain Harvey Williams?”
    “Yes, yes… do you know him?”
    “Oh, we met back in the day, but I had known Tabatha for several years before she married the bloke. Broke all of our hearts it did when Harvey stole her away from us all. Belle of the ball she was.” Greyson’s ears peaked up. Tabatha? Married Harvey? That would have made her Honesty’s mother. Mrs. Williams shifted uncomfortably and slapped her napkin down on the table with more force than he knew she intended. Greyson was surprised when Prudence for the first time since he had met her spoke up and changed the subject to the picnic that was planned after church services on Sunday. Greyson watched the mother and daughter pair with interest. He was missing something that was right under his nose, he could feel the undercurrents but he had no idea what they meant.
     
    ♣♣♣
     
    The next morning Greyson decided to skip his customary routine of working on estate matters and strolled to the nursery to find Honesty. He was surprised to find the room empty and was told by housekeeping that all of the children had been taken to the seashore for the day. Greyson chuckled in anticipation and ordered his horse saddled. A day at the shore with the Williams Pirates was not something that he intended to miss.
    As he rode closer to the large, white billowing tents set up on the shore, Greyson relaxed and smiled. He had forgotten the many hours of delight he and his sisters had enjoyed frolicking along the shore in his youth; the smell of the salt and the sand. Greyson dismounted and handed his horse over to one of the footmen with the coaches lined up waiting for the end of the day.
    Shouts rolled from the large boulders along the shore and echoed off the cliffs. Greyson could see several boys lead by True descend over a sand dune and head straight for a group of screaming, fleeing girls. The girls laughed and squealed and danced away down the beach.
    Greyson saw Honesty turn to face the horde of advancing boys. She stood, her bare feet braced in the sand, a wooden sword in one hand and baby Blue on her hip. “We will not give ground to pirates,” she shouted.
    “Surrender now, my lady, and it should go better for you.”
    “Never, you scurvy scum, you will never take me alive.”
    “Then ye shall walk the plank.”
    Greyson walked up behind Honesty and removed the wooden sword from her startled hand. “If you will allow, my lady, that I should have the honor of