Read Online A Captain's Order - A Duke's Command (Hot Regency Read) (Scandalous Series Book 2) by Tamara Gill - Free Book Online Page B

dear.”
    “I'm perfectly well, I—”
    “I heard of Andrew's demise.” Emma clasped her hand. “I'm so sorry, dearest, truly sorry. He was a wonderful man, whose life was cut tragically short. I wish I had been there for you.”
    Eloise blinked, refusing to give in to emotions already running high. “Thank you. I wish you had been there as well.”
    “Come,” Emma said. “Let's get you home.”
    Eloise settled her skirts on the leather squabs, the excess material feeling bulky and awkward around her legs. For months, while on the ship home, she had worn breeches, shirts, and a jacket to keep her modest when in the view of the captain's crew. The freedom had been liberating for a girl used to the strictures of society. After the death of her brother, something inside her snapped.
    No longer was she willing to pass through life unhappy, doing what everyone else thought was right. For, within a moment of time, one's life could be over. And she'd lived by the rule for six months. But her hiatus of freedom had now ended. She was an aristocratic, and with such dire circumstances came the dreaded high-waisted gowns of English fashion, and responsibilities she now had to face.
    “Tell me,” she said, changing the subject. “Everything I have missed while I was away. What's the latest on dit scandalising the ton?”
    Eloise listened to her friend's gossip and exploits covering the last fifteen months, but sadly, she had heard it all before. Life, it seemed, did not change in London during the season or at the ton's country homes during the winter. As usual, life here was tedious to the extreme.
    And the complete opposite of what she had tasted.
     
     

 
    Three
     
    Somewhere between the colony of New South Wales and England, 1810
     
    Gabe sat on a wooden water barrel and watched as Eloise tried to learn the art of tying knots with his second in command, Hamish Doherty. He laughed to himself that the irony of the situation. For the last two month’s that’s exactly what she’d been doing to him. Tying him in knots.
    With a will of their own, his eyes took in her summery gown, the gentle breeze giving him a view of her lovely ankles every now and then. Her attire wasn’t appropriate for this type of voyage and he really ought to supply her with some breeches and shirts.
    He swallowed as the vision of what she’d look like in such attire flooded his mind like a rogue wave. All her delicious curves would be there for him to admire. The roundness of her bottom, a lovely handful he’d ache to clasp. The thinness of her waist accentuated by breasts that were lovely and pert.
    Oh dear lord. He was turning into a perverted fiend.
    Eloise laughed at something Hamish said and a twinge of jealousy shot through him. He stood and walked over to them before picking up his own slip of rope and sitting.
    Hamish nodded and stood. “I have things to do, Lady Eloise. I’ll leave you with the good captain to carry on our lesson.”
    “Thank you, Hamish.”
    She didn’t meet his eye, only seemed to concentrate more on the knot she was learning.
    “Do you need some help?”
    Eloise pulled the rope from her hand, a muffled curse escaping from her lips. “It’s supposed to be a stopper knot. I can’t seem to thread the rope right.”
    Gabe moved to sit beside her and took her hand. Her skin was soft, warm and made his flesh sizzle with desire. He felt the rate of his heart increase at the close proximity to her. Taking a deep breath, he rallied himself to calm down. It was only a knot after all.
    “You must with this knot hold your hand solidly in this way. The rope will then thread and link more easily for you. Here,” he said, picking up his discarded rope. “Let me show you.”
    He quickly finished and held it out for her to review. She smiled, laughing he mused at her own inability before trying again. Again he helped her to ensure her hand remained solidly fixed in one position and with a couple of try’s she pulled the