Read Online Noble Destiny by Katie MacAlister - Free Book Online

she stroll into the crowded ballroom and announce that she was awaiting his help with her codpiece made his flesh crawl. “I must leave. Give me your word you’ll stay here and wait for Mrs. Whitney until I return.”
    â€œNot a gentleman investor, I think.” Patricia ignored his request, her eyes laughing as she tipped her head to better consider him. “For if you had an investor, it would not matter to you in the least whether or not Mrs. Whitney recommends you to her husband, and thus you wouldn’t be so worried about placating her. Not to mention keeping your scandalous past from her ears.” She tapped a finger to her lips, her eyes growing bright with interest. “If it’s not gaming and it’s not an investor, then it must be…good heavens, Dare, you’re not intending to have an assignation with a woman, are you?”
    â€œWell, I’m not likely to have one with a man ,” he snapped. “Now, will you—”
    â€œIt is a woman!” Patricia crowed.
    Dare scowled as he abruptly shushed her. “If you can’t behave any better than this in public, I’ll think twice about giving my permission for you to attend any other such festivities.”
    â€œAfter next week, you won’t have any say about where I go, but that’s neither here nor there.” She waved away her brother’s objections. “Tell me about this woman you’re meeting! Who is she? Do I know her? Are you courting her? Oh, Dare, I do so worry about who will take care of you after I’m married—please tell me you’ve fallen in love and are about to offer for a woman who will love you in return.”
    â€œLove.” Dare snorted, momentarily distracted by that unwholesome thought. “That sort of foolishness is what comes from reading those novels you devour weekly.”
    Patricia watched her brother steadily for a moment, the light of laughter dying in her eyes. “No, I can see you’re not in love with anyone, but I haven’t given up hope that someday you will find the woman meant for you. I know you believe yourself too scarred by past events ever to give your heart again, but truly, brother, not all women are like the one who hurt you. You must have hope. You must leave yourself open to loving again.”
    The blank, shuttered look that accompanied any reference made to the events of ten years past left Dare’s face a cold, unyielding mask. “Yes or no, will you stay here and behave until Mrs. Whitney is free?”
    There was no hope for it, he would not discuss the past. Patricia allowed herself an inner sigh of concern for him, but found a cheerful smile as she saluted smartly. “Aye, aye, mon capitaine . Hoist your mainsail and belay those worries, brother mine. I shall stay here becalmed until my own darling captain comes to hoist my anchor.”
    Dare paused as he turned to leave. “Patricia, just because you’re marrying a sailor—”
    â€œCaptain, if you please, of the finest Whitney ship ever to sail the seas!”
    â€œâ€”captain, does not mean you must talk like Halibut Harry, the fishmonger’s delight. And there had best be no anchor hoisting before the wedding,” he warned, his eyes dark with meaning.
    Patricia grinned and shooed her brother off. With a shake of his head at the folly awaiting him, he started for the small room off the darkened end of the hall that Charlotte had indicated. Surely it would be a simple matter to help her, one quickly attended to. He would assist in evicting whatever it was that had taken up residence in her codpiece—women were so often squeamish about such things—then perhaps engage in a few moments of the particularly delightful form of word games that passed for conversation with Charlotte, after which, with a polite but firm excuse, he would take his leave. The nagging desire he felt to be near her would be assuaged, she would