Read Online What the Duke Doesn't Know by Jane Ashford - Free Book Online Page A

upside down. She didn’t know what she thought half the time.
    As they reached the house and went inside, Kawena gave herself a mental shake. Once she recovered her father’s fortune, she would have many choices. That was her mission, and must be her focus. If she failed…
    She wouldn’t. She couldn’t. The alternative was simply inconceivable.

Five
    Only four days later, James received an envelope franked by Nathaniel. Opening it, he was surprised and pleased to discover that his eldest brother had actually managed the thing. “Nathaniel found us an admiral who’s willing to help,” he told the others at dinner that evening. “He’s written to a friend at the Admiralty offices to smooth my way.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” asked Kawena.
    â€œUnofficial access to navy records,” he told her. “I can get a look at the addresses where they’re sending half pay without filling out a pile of forms. I’ll go up to London to talk this ‘friend’ and—”
    â€œ We will go,” said Kawena.
    James shook his head. “That won’t wash. He’ll talk to me, because his old friend vouched for me and asked him to, and I’m a navy man as well. But he’d balk if other people show up, particularly a lady. He won’t be accustomed to dealing with females on matters such as these.”
    â€œI don’t see why—”
    â€œAren’t I right, Ariel?” James added.
    His brother’s wife nodded, though her bright eyes crackled with annoyance. “I’m afraid that’s all too likely, Kawena.”
    â€œBut it is my story,” Kawena objected. “I can explain it better than anyone else.”
    â€œI’m not going to tell him your story,” James replied.
    â€œWhat?” She fixed him with wide dark eyes.
    It was always so distracting when she did that. It feels as if I could fall into those eyes and never come out , James thought. Her steady—warm?—inquiring gaze scattered thoughts like petals in a stiff breeze. He gathered his. “If I go in accusing some navy man of theft, this fellow will clam up, and I won’t—”
    â€œDoes your navy care nothing for justice?” Kawena asked.
    â€œIt does,” James told her. “But a straight-out accusation makes the matter more complicated. A case for investigation and tribunals. He’d have to report it, and then there’d be an absolute boatload of forms, and word would get out into the ranks. My former crew would hear about it.”
    Kawena considered this. “And the thief would hide.”
    â€œIf there is a…” James broke off at her frown. “Yes. We can report it after we get your jewels back. We’ll have the evidence then, anyhow. The navy will pay attention.”
    She remained reluctant. “I suppose you know best how to deal with them.”
    â€œI do,” James said. “You’re going to have to trust me.”
    It was a weighted word. This time, James did lose himself in that fathomless gaze. Its combination of interest and hope was a heady mixture. He could see her uncertainty, her resistance, and then resignation. Finally, Kawena gave a small nod. It was a tiny gesture, barely noticeable, but it filled James with a fierce desire to deserve her trust. She was so lovely, and so courageous, and so alone.
    A stifled gurgle of laughter broke the spell. James turned to find Ariel biting her bottom lip, her hazel eyes dancing. His brother’s head was cocked, as if he’d heard some curious sound that he couldn’t quite identify. They were both looking at him.
    Suddenly self-conscious, James picked up his wineglass and took a decorous sip. He cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t be gone above a day or two,” he announced. “Where can I hire a decent horse, Alan?”
    His brother replied, and the moment passed, and James put it from his mind.
    * *