Free What the Duke Doesn't Know by Jane Ashford Page B

and James nearly stumbled as he stepped forward to give them his news. “I got a list of addresses. I’ll have to go down to Portsmouth to find most of them.”
    â€œWhere is Portsmouth?” Kawena asked.
    â€œOn the south coast. It’s our largest naval center, and a number of my old crew members are hanging about there, waiting to join a new ship.”
    She nodded, looking satisfied. “We can leave tomorrow,” she said.
    James was startled. “Not ‘we.’ I shall go alone.”
    â€œNo! I won’t be left behind again.”
    â€œBut it will be easier if I—”
    â€œNot easier for me! I will go with you to question these men. It is my right.” She sat very straight and frowned at him.
    â€œThat won’t work.” James was a bit tired from the ride, and thus impatient with silly obstacles. “No sailor would talk in front of you. And anyway, I won’t be lumbered with a chaperone—”
    â€œA what?”
    â€œA lady to bear you company.”
    Kawena made an impatient gesture. “What lady? I traveled around the world by myself.” This was not quite true. She’d had her father’s old friend to help her. But she saw no need to mention that. She had Lord James now, didn’t she?
    James shuddered to think of all the terrible things that might have happened to her on that voyage. Indeed, it was amazing that she’d made it safely. “You don’t understand,” he said. “A man and woman, unrelated, cannot travel together.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIt’s improper.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell…” He didn’t see why she had to belabor the obvious. “To stay at inns and be alone on the road…”
    â€œDo you intend to attack me in the inn’s bedchamber?” Kawena asked in an overly reasonable voice.
    â€œWhat? No! Of course not.”
    She shrugged. “We have no problem then.”
    James tried to keep his tone as even as hers. “It’s not me. It’s a matter of what others will think, and say…”
    â€œWho cares?” She gazed at him as if he was the one being unreasonable.
    James became aware of Ariel’s interested gaze. She was just watching them, back and forth, as if they were playing a game of lawn tennis, making no effort to explain the realities of life to Kawena. He turned to appeal to her. “You know very well what I mean. Tell her it’s impossible.”
    Ariel looked torn. Finally, she nodded. “I know what it’s like to be scorned, Kawena. My mother was an actress, and some hold it against me still. The proprieties are very important to many people.”
    â€œEnglish people,” replied Kawena. “I am not English. I don’t intend to be English.”
    â€œStill, you may not want to give the appearance—”
    â€œI am not an appearance. I am as I am. These ‘people’ may take it or leave it.” Kawena crossed her arms and stared at the two of them, obdurate.
    Ariel gave James a helpless glance.
    â€œIf you leave me behind, I shall simply follow you,” Kawena added. “I still have my coat and trousers. I know how to get a ride on a wagon.” She had no idea how she would make such a journey with no money at all. But, again, no need to mention that.
    â€œYou are a very annoying woman,” said James. And she was, partly. But he was struck by the way she sat there—chin up, very straight, fierce as a young hawk. He had to admire her assurance and fire. And it would be…interesting to spend days of travel alone with her. If she cared nothing for how it looked, should he?
    â€œNot if you remember that I am not an Englishwoman,” she answered. “Then it is all perfectly logical. I am different.”
    â€œAnd a master of understatement,” James murmured.
    â€œI must behave as I think best. I have my own honor.”
    What did that mean,