Winter of the Passion Flower (The de Vargas Family) Read Online Free PDF Page A

memory
of that strong, muscular body pinning her to the wall had given her a sleepless
night. It had been some months since her last sexual escapade, she reasoned to
herself. That explained the way her body responded to him. Although she found
Captain Dogooder most intriguing, he was only another man.
    Nothing special.
     But he did not seem intimidated by
her, as most gentlemen in her acquaintance were. Traveling to South America in
the Artemis provided occasional contact with men of a different time,
who were receptive of her confidence. The captain appeared not at all
perturbed, and a thoughtful smile curved her lips as Indigo recalled his
interest. However, she would forget all thoughts of a dalliance until after the
voyage. Having come to a decision, she returned to the matter in hand.
    Indigo rang the breakfast bell impatiently.
“Mrs. Grimoult, is there any sign of the captain rising from his bed? Would you
go and wake him please.”
    The housekeeper came from the kitchen,
carefully placing a fresh pot of tea in front of her mistress. “I believe
Captain Dogooder has gone back to the Skip Shaft Inn in Tin Town to collect his
kit. He did not know what welcome you would give him, so he did not come
prepared to spend a night. You do have a fearsome reputation, my dear.”
    “Good.” That perception pleased Indigo
greatly. “Does the captain have evening attire for the soiree at Castle
Lorcathian this evening?”
    “I believe so.” Mrs. Grimoult looked down,
smoothing her apron, not meeting the eyes of her mistress. “Have you told him
about the—”
    “Enough.” Indigo held up an imperious hand.
“I will tell him when the time is right.”
    “Very well, Madame.” Mrs. Grimoult bustled
from the room.
    Indigo laughed at the disapproving look on her
housekeeper’s face. Moving across the chilly room to the chair beside the
window she sat, chin in hand, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, wondering for
the umpteenth time why her crew had disappeared and where they were.
    * * * *
    Zane sauntered into the salon as the last
blood red rays of the setting sun shot from the horizon. Tight lipped, Indigo
looked at him from head to foot. Dressed beautifully in golden breeches tucked
into high, buckled boots, the outfit was topped with a gold embossed smoking jacket,
and the captain looked the epitome of elegance. A large, brass, cogged
timepiece hung from a golden chain around his neck, matching the brass goggles
on top of his head.
    “It is a pleasure to finally have your
company, Captain.” Indigo welcomed him, keeping her face expressionless and her
hand across her bare neck, concealing the fast beating pulse in her throat.
    “No, Madame, the pleasure is mine,” he
drawled. “May I say how fetching you look this evening?”
    Indigo burst out laughing, appreciating his
blatant admiration of her attire. Dressing with deliberation, she had planned
to upset the equilibrium of Duke Lorca this evening. A prudish stickler for
convention, it was rumored the sight of a piano leg would offend him. Servants
draped shawls over the offending furniture in the castle. The sight of her,
scandalously attired in an incestuous clinch with her supposed brother would
distress the priggish duke, distracting him from the attention of Mr. Henry
Cole.
    “Come, dear brother, it is time to leave
and seek out our information.” Indigo flashed the captain an appreciative
smile.
    Wisps of mist puffed from their mouths in
the icy air as they hurried to the streamlined scarab vehicle for the short
journey to the castle. Mr. Grimoult hovered around the vehicle, flipping back
the glass roof of the sleek three-wheeled contraption with a brass hook. Zane
proffered a hand to assist Indigo and a frisson of warmth shot up her arm as
his strong fingers brushed hers, distracting her from the task in hand.
    “I will drive,” she announced crossly. Zane
smiled and deferred to her, moving across to the passenger side, pulling the
brass goggles over his