The Price of Indiscretion Read Online Free PDF Page B

did she like the way Sir William and his officers shoved aside Senhor Esteves and his countrymen as if they were lackeys. The pilot had been a touch too possessive, but Sir William’s conceit was irritating.
    She turned all her attention to Senhor Esteves. “You have great responsibilities, senhor. I would be quite apprehensive to carry out your duties.”
    It was the opening the harbormaster needed to talk about himself again. However, as he opened his mouth, Sir William smoothly interrupted him, even going so far as to step in between the pilot and Miranda. “Yes, those who stay in port have roles to fill, but the true excitement, Miss Cameron, is on the sea. It’s one of only two places a man can prove he is a man.” His gaze dropped to her expanse of exposed bosom.
    If he thought she was going to ask where the other place was, he was wrong.
    It was up to Lady Overstreet to respond in the expected manner. “And where is the other place?” she asked Sir William.
    He grinned slyly, knowing the obvious choice, but answered smoothly, “Why, in any service possible to his country.”
    “ Any service?” Lady Overstreet asked archly.
    “My dear lady, yes,” he answered, his tone warm and assured.
    Lady Overstreet giggled and gave him a pat on the arm for his impertinence. “Cheeky, Sir William, you are cheeky.”
    Miranda suppressed a yawn. She would have called him obvious.
    One of the ship’s officers, a young lieutenant, informed her, “In spite of his family obligations, Captain Sir William is one of the most daring officers in the fleet. He never flinches in the face of the enemy.”
    “Hightower,” Sir William chastised without heat, “I’m certain Miss Cameron is not interested in war or my family connections.” And Miranda was equally certain he couldn’t wait to tell her what they were.
    For that reason, she didn’t ask.
    She would have turned her attention back to Senhor Esteves, except Lady Overstreet was not going to let such a comment escape unexplored.
    “Your family, sir? Pray tell. Perhaps I have made acquaintance with one of them. Miss Cameron is the granddaughter of the late Earl of Bagsley.”
    “Ah, an earl,” Sir William said, and Miranda sensed that she had come up in his esteem. He shook his head. “I don’t trade on my family. I wish to be honored for my own abilities. But, since you insisted,” he continued, giving no one time to say anything, “my cousin is Colster.”
    “The Duke of Colster,” Mr. Hightower whispered in an aside to Lady Overstreet. “He’s his heir.”
    Lady Overstreet placed her hand over her heart, genuinely aflutter with excitement. “How fortunate for you, Sir William, to be so well-connected. Why, His Grace is considered one of the leading bachelors of the realm.”
    “Quite so,” Sir William answered, “although I doubt if he’ll ever remarry. My cousin was and is devoted to his first wife, who passed away at a regrettably young age. Meanwhile, I am ready for a wife and in search of a woman who would enjoy the life of a simple seaman, albeit one with a sizable portion to his name. The bark of our family tree is made of money.”
    Miranda struggled not to roll her eyes. Her smile felt pasted to her face. Did he believe her stupid?
    As Sir William’s “humble” gaze strayed back to her breasts, she thought, Yes, yes he did .
    And she wished now she’d never come out of her tiny cabin. She wished she was back on the ship reading the book she’d started that morning and not parading her breasts around. Her purpose could just as well be served if she had a bag over her head.
    A tingling went up her spine, an awareness of something other than herself.
    A breeze seemed to sweep along the wharf, its air fresh and uncomplicated by dueling colognes and pomades of her present companions. Something momentous was about to happen.
    Sir William was answering Lady Overstreet’s prying questions about his family in a loud voice intended to include