Captain Of Her Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

is someone special.”  Molly compressed her lips.  “Tom Penniman, the stablemaster in Plymouth.”
    “How charming.”  Alex envisioned her sea captain and smiled.  “Is he a man of character and good standing?  And does he share your affection?”
    “Everyone speaks well of him, and he brings me flowers every Sunday, after church.”  Molly refilled Alex’s cup.  “And thank you for your friendship.  I must confess you are not what I expected when you appeared on the doorstep.”
    “Oh?”  She recollected their initial meeting.  “What did you presume?”
    “I had thought you one of those London society ladies, who have no interest in maids beyond how we serve them, much less consider us people with feelings.”  Molly bowed her head.  “I am sorry I misjudged you, as I should have known Cap’n would abide no snobbery in his kin.”
    “No, Jason would not.”  A chill shivered down Alex’s spine, as Molly had provided food for thought.  “So you must tell me all about your conquest, and I vow to bring him to his knees, in no time.”
    Molly gasped.  “But I do not wish to injure him.”
    “I refer to a proposal, Molly.”  Alex giggled.  “And it will not hurt your Mr. Penniman to kneel.”
    #
    By the time Jason returned to the cottage that evening, he was exhausted.  After securing his horse, he rounded the side of the small structure and then paused.  Closing his eyes, he willed himself to resist the temptation Alex presented, but his body reacted to the mere thought of the brown-haired beauty.
    Against his better judgment, he had allowed the source of his discomfit to remain at his rented lodgings, when everything inside him argued he should have sent her back to London.  So why had he permitted her to stay?
    Because Jason wanted Alex.
    It was with that singular thought dancing in his brain that he entered his temporary residence and found the one person he desired most, sitting on the sofa, with a serious expression, and concentrating on a repair to a shirt.  “Good evening, sweet lady.”
    “Hello, Jason— ouch .”  Wincing, she stuck her injured finger in her mouth, and all manner of naughty imaginings assailed him.  “Is it possible to bleed to death from countless pinpricks?  And how was your day?”
    “Productive.”  He laughed.  “And how about you?  Have you assisted Molly with repairs to my clothes?”
    “Actually, I completed the mending, myself, because Molly feared I might ruin one of my dresses.”  Alex held a shirt for his inspection.  “She promised to bring a frock more suited to heavy labor, tomorrow.”
    “My compliments to the seamstress, as I can scarcely note the stitches.”  Then he slipped his hand inside the sleeve and pulled the garment taut.  “Uh—Alex.  We seem to have a minor problem.”
    “Oh?”  She gazed at the lace-edged cuff.  “Did I miss something?  Is there another tear?”
    “Not quite.”  With a chuckle, he held the sleeve for her scrutiny.  “You sewed the end shut.”
    “What?”  She wrenched and tugged at the fine lawn.  “This cannot be possible.  Blast .”
    Jason burst into laughter.
    “And just what do you find so funny, Jason Collingwood?”  With an impressive scowl, she yanked the offensive item from his grasp.  “After all my hard work and bloodshed.”
    “There, there, my dear.”  He surrendered to another fit of guffaws but quieted when she cast him a fiery glare.  “It is only a shirt, and you are new to such work.”
    “Bloody hell.”  With a groan, she rummaged through the remainder of the mending pile, emitting one unladylike curse after another.  “I repeated the same mistake on several sleeves.  Oh —I attached the end of this collar to the other.”
    “Molly will help you set it right, in the morning.”  He patted her back.  “Perhaps I should wash up, while you serve dinner.”
    “I will not ask Molly to correct my error, as this was my task, and I shall