they talk about the rudder of a ship or the bit in a horse's
mouth, and then about how powerful our tongues are."
"Those were the ones I was thinking of. I always love it
when God uses illustrations I can see so well."
Suddenly both women smiled at each other. It was wonderful
and precious to find that they were sisters in Christ.
Smokey's heart became very full at the knowledge.
Sunny couldn't help thinking that Brandon had been right,
she liked Smokey immensely. She was so easy to be with, and
they never ran out of things to talk about.
They rode on, and Sunny had to squelch laughter every
time she remembered that Smokey was five years older than
she was. Not 24 hours ago, she stood opposite Smokey, thinking
she was very young and acting out of place with Darsey
standing beside her. What a woman! No wonder Dallas was
fascinated
"You mean to tell me that she actually fenced with Haamch
Wynn?" Brandon asked Darsey in disbelief.
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Darsey grinned before he answered "She holds her own
very well, sir."
"Who taught her?"
"Her father and I."
'You were his mate also?"
"Yes, sir. For years before Smokey was even born."
"Simmons," Brandon said the name softly and then shook
his head "I don't believe I knew him."
Darsey hesitated before speaking. "He never used the
name Simmons. Most knew him only as Clancy; to Smokey he
was Papa."
Brandon grew absolutely still and stared at Darsey as he
sat opposite him in his study. The women were out riding, or
he would have looked for Smokey right on the spot. A well of
amazement and then deep respect for Smokey and Darsey
rose up within Brandon. He knew there was something different
about this man and his captain.
"Smokey doesn't like to talk of it, sir," Darsey told him
bluntly, wanting to be honest, but also wanting to protect his
girl. "She prefers to be accepted on her own, for who she is."
"I understand completely, Darsey. I won't mention it, but I
will tell you this, I knew there was something special about
that woman the moment I saw her."
Darsey grinned. "I'll have to tell her that, sir. I think it
would do her good. We're a bit intimidated in surroundings
like these."
Brandon laughed outright. "You tell her she has nothing to
worry about, Darsey. She's doing just fine."
"How are you holding up?" Brandon asked Smokey the
next day during lunch. Dallas had been gone for three days.
Even though Brandon thought Smokey looked well rested and
lovely, he knew she might be getting a bit anxious.
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"I'm well. A little sore since your wife decided that I
needed to go riding yesterday and today."
Sunny laughed unrepentantly.
"Just wait, Sunny," Smokey warned her. "One of these days
I'll shanghai you and make you scrub the deck of my ship."
Sunny, who had always been fascinated with ships, rather
liked the idea.
"As you can see, that was no serious threat," Brandon said
dryly as he watched his wife's face. "Sunny and I met on a ship,
and I've always thought she might have a bit of the sea in her
veins."
Husband and wife grinned at each other, and the meal
progressed in high humor. When Sunny asked for tea at the
end of the meal, Brandon looked across the table at Smokey,
his dark eyes intent on her face
"Darsey tells me that you fence."
To his surprise, Smokey only smiled and said, "Did he
now?"
Brandon inclined his handsome head and failed to notice
the look of astonishment on his wife's face. Sunny had told
herself she was beyond surprises, but it just wasn't so.
"He tells me," Brandon went on smoothly, "that you hold
your own very nicely."
Again Smokey only smiled Brandon waited, but still she
said nothing. Smokey's teacup was halfway to her mouth
when he asked the question.
"Will you fence with me?"
Brandon's respect for her doubled as she calmly raised the
cup to her mouth, drank, and just as calmly placed it back in
her saucer.
"I'd have to change my clothes."
"So would I," Brandon informed her, and Smokey nodded
"In the den, in one hour?"
"I'll be there," Smokey told him. She thanked Sunny for
the delicious lunch. When she exited a moment later, Darsey
went with her.
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"You can't be serious," Sunny spoke as soon as the door
closed. Brandon chuckled at her look of horror.
"I'm not going to hurt her, love."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite sure. I've never known a woman who fenced, and I
must admit I'm more than a little curious. Chelsea wanted to
learn for years. When she finally badgered Rand into showing
her, she cut herself. Now there's nothing clumsy about my
sister, and I just wonder how proficient Smokey will be."
Sunny raised one eyebrow in the direction of her mate. "If
you're thinking of telling me I can't watch, don't waste your
breath."
Brandon laughed "I wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart, but
let me warn you not to get too settled in. I sincerely doubt it
will take long to prove the better swordsman."
smokey's small-booted feet were muffled by the carpet
as she walked into the den. Parks closed the door behind her,
and Smokey was glad for the few minutes of privacy. She had
changed into her work clothing and stood comfortably gazing
around the room, waiting for Brandon. She knew he would be
along any minute, but in the meantime she studied her surroundings.
The den was as masculine a room as she had ever seen,
done in navy and gold with hunting trophies everywhere. It
was easy to see why Brandon chose this room for their match.
All the norniture sat back against the walls, leaving the middle
of the room wide and clear. Huge windows on three of the
four walls made the light ideal.
Smokey was studying an embroidered hunting scene
when the door opened. Sunny walked in, followed by Darsey
and then Brandon. Smokey stood calmly, her hands clasped
behind her back. She watched both Brandon and Sunny study
her and smiled at their expressions.
Sunny, whose look was almost envious, was thinking how
well suited Smokey would look at the helm of a ship. Brandon
on the other hand, thought she looked ten years old. His face
gave nothing away, however, as he opened a case and invited
Smokey to select a foil. She chose a sleek weapon with an
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Italian grip. Carefully weighing it in her hand, she walked
confidently to the center of the room.
Darsey had seated himself in a comfortable chair, and
Sunny stood in indecision. Smokey's first mate looked settled
in for the afternoon, but if Brandon's predictions proved
accurate, it would be awkward to sit down, only to have to rise
again in a few minutes. After anothe
r moment of hesitation,
she took the sofa.
Smokey stood still and watched as Brandon moved toward
her. As he came forward, Smokey read something in his gaze.
Her own lit with amusement.
"Is that doubt I see in your eyes, Lord Hawkesbury?"
"I must confess that it is," he told her with a grin.
"I'll have to see if I can put your doubts to rest," Smokey
responded easily, and just held her laughter.
Fighting his own mirth, Brandon bowed low and straightened
"Engarde" he said, and their swords clashed.
Only moments into the match, Smokey sliced one of the
buttons from his vest, and Brandon's demeanor, much as the
pirate's, changed in an instant. His every sense was alert as his
small but worthy opponent parried every thrust. As with
Haamich Wynn, Brandon found himself to be stronger, but
Smokey was faster.
He also found her gaze unnerving. Her eyes rarely left his.
Brandon began to believe she could anticipate his moves
before he made them. He feigned moves, tried the offense and
then the defense, but to no avail. She was with him every step
of the way.
Had he not needed every ounce of concentration, he
would have laughed at his own conceit in the matter. Darsey's
comment that she could hold her own was turning out to be a
gross understatement.
As time passed in the most intense fencing either of them
had ever done, each participant began to think of an end
Brandon was drenched with sweat, and his arm was screaming
at him. Smokey's own face was beaded with perspiration,
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and her arm ached as well. She was tiring fast and about to cry
truce when Brandon surprised her with a fast lunge and flick
of his wrist. He flipped the foil right out of her grasp. They all
watched as it spiraled neatly through the air to land beneath
the north windows.
Smokey sighed with relief and bowed to Brandon, whose
chest was heaving.
"I thank you, Lord Hawkesbury," she said "You are a
worthy opponent."
"As are you," Brandon gasped "Allow me to apologize to
you, Miss Simmons, for ever doubting your skill."
The two smiled at each other, and Sunny let out a small
sigh of relieved laughter. She felt completely wrung out, and
all she had done was watch. Darsey stared at Smokey like a
proud father. Everyone began talking at once until Brandon,
who had been facing the door, spoke.
"Well, Dallas, welcome back."
The other three turned in surprise. Smokey immediately
felt apprehension rise within her. Dallas' face appeared to be
set in stone, and she knew in an instant he had seen the match.
Embarrassment flooded her, and she wondered if he thought
she was out to prove something. She didn't know how to tell
him that this was the farthest thing from her mind
They all watched as Dallas came forward, unaware of how
badly he wanted to take Smokey out to talk with her. The way
she kept her head down and eyes averted, stopped him, however.
Brandon began to question him about his trip. Dallas did
not comment on the fencing. Some minutes passed before
Smokey slipped soundlessly away. Everyone noticed her departure,
but no one commented
Many hours later, Sunny knocked on Smokey's bedroom
196
door, a note in her hand Smokey opened the door but did not
immediately ask her in.
"Are you really not hungry?"
"I didn't say that in the note, Sunny. I said I didn't feel
well."
The younger woman stared at her, and Smokey stood back
to give her entrance. Garbed in a pale silk creation that
perfectly suited her dark hair and gray eyes, Smokey looked
lovely. To Sunny's gaze she looked completely ready to join
them downstairs, but she had obviously made up her mind
otherwise.
'You look wonderful. Are you pleased with the way Ken-dra
did your hair?"
'Yes, thank you."
The conversation died then, and the silence became
uncomfortable. Smokey took a small walk around the room.
Sunny watched her intently.
"Are you wishing right now that you'd gone back to London
on the first day?"
"No," Smokey told her after a moment. "I wouldn't have
wanted to miss these days with you, Brandon, and the baby,
but I'm afraid I never dreamed Dallas would return right then,
and in a rage to boot."
"I don't know Dallas the way you do, Smokey, but I'm not
really sure he was angry. Surprised maybe, but not angry,"
Smokey sighed. "I don't know him all that well myself, but
I'm embarrassed, and the thought of facing him makes my
stomach hurt. So rather than come down and sit at the same
table with him and pick at my food, I felt it best that I stay
away."
"Why would you be embarrassed? Certainly not because
of your fencing. You should be proud of your skill."
"It's not that really, although it didn't help."
"What is it then?"
Again Smokey sighed. "I'm just afraid that he'll feel obligated
toward me since he brought us here. I fear that he'll
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force himself to be witty and entertaining when he really
wants nothing to do with me."
Sunny didn't think there was any bigger fairy tale in all of
England than the story of Dallas Knight wanting nothing to do
with Smokey Simmons, but Smokey wasn't up to hearing that
at the moment. Smokey was feeling hurt and vulnerable, and
on the off chance that Sunny was wrong about Dallas' feelings,
she refused to push Smokey. Instead she prayed Moments
later, someone knocked
"It's probably Darsey," Smokey commented as Sunny went
to answer it. Dallas, in dark suit and white shirt, stood in the
hall.
"I've come to escort Smokey to dinner. Is she ready?"
Feeling like an anxious mother at her daughter's coming
out, Sunny backed away from the door to allow Dallas a view
of the woman within. When Dallas stepped across the threshold,
Sunny quietly made her way from the room. Smokey,
wishing Sunny hadn't gone, licked her suddenly dry lips as
Dallas' eyes met hers.
"May I have the pleasure of escorting you downstairs?"
Smokey told herself to say no, but she couldn't follow
through. With just the slightest nod of her head, Dallas came
forward and offered his arm. Smokey placed her hand within
the crook of his arm and walked with him from the room.
Not a word was said as they descended the stairs. Although
Smokey didn't look at him, she was aware that Dallas seemed
to be looking all around them as they walked. When Smokey
thought they would be headed into the dining room, she
suddenly found herself whisked behind the stairs, into the
picture gallery at the rear of the entryway, and into Dallas'
arms.
Smokey blinked as she looked up with wide eyes into his
face. He bent close to speak to her and forced himself not to
kis
s her With one arm snugly around her, he reached with the
back of his free hand to stroke the soft skin of her cheek, his
eyes warming as they held hers.
"I missed you," he finally said
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"You did?" Smokey was truly surprised
"How could you think that I wouldn't?"
Smokey shrugged, feeling helpless and uncertain.
"Oh, Smokey, what have I done? You didn't wake up before
I left, and I hated the thought of leaving you a note." Dallas
stopped. There was so much to be said and no time right now.
"We're going to talk after dinner, do you hear me?"
Smokey could only nod
"And one more thing/' Dallas' voice dropped to an intimate
whisper. "I'm going to kiss you tonight, so if my attention
is unwanted, Smokey, you had better make yourself scarce."
Smokey couldn't have replied if she had wanted to. Dallas
held her for a moment more before he released her, took her
hand within his own, and led her in to dine.
dallas heard vekv little of the evening's conversation.
His mind and eyes were so centered on Smokey that someone
could have set his boot on fire and he wouldn't have noticed
As he had thought many weeks ago while aboard her ship,
Smokey was far and away the most fascinating creature he had
ever encountered He now realized he was very much in love
with her.
Both Brandon and Sunny, as well as Darsey, saw the change
in him that evening and sensed his need to be alone with
Smokey. The night was still young when the three made their
excuses and Dallas finally found himself alone with Smokey
in the parlor. Smokey became rather nervous but tried hard
not to show it. She kept thinking about Dallas* words before
dinner. The thought of his kissing her was very exciting, but it
was also a little scary.
"You're not tired are you? I was rather hoping we could
talk," Dallas said from his chair by the fire as he watched
Smokey on the sofa. He wanted to join her but knew that for
the moment he would need to keep his distance.
"I'm not tired," Smokey replied and licked her lips, a sure
sign, as Dallas had come to learn, that she was nervous. As
much as he wanted to tell her all that was in his heart, he made
a firm resolve not to rush her.
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"I was surprised to come in and see you dueling with
Hawk," Dallas began.
"You weren't surprised," Smokey countered, her voice
calm. "You were angry."
"I wasn't angry, Smokey. I was flabbergasted. I thought you