The Pirate Takes A Bride (33 page)

At the moment, Ashley just wanted Maddie to stop questioning her.

“What else do you want to know?” Ashley finally said. “I told you what happened.” Or at least a version of it.

Maddie shook her head. “But I don’t believe it.”

“Then you won’t believe the rest.” And Ashley was not going to tell her at any rate.

“So I am supposed to believe that you and Lord Nicholas actually conspired—”

“I wouldn’t have said we
conspired
. We collaborated.” Oh, this was too amusing. She could not wait to tell Nick when they were alone again.

Maddie sighed. “Fine. You collaborated to ensure that Lord Blackthorne and I married. I find that difficult to accept.”

Ashley would have found it difficult to accept as well. It wasn’t true. Ashley gently changed the topic of conversation. “That’s how I felt when I realized you were eloping with a dog-breeder. Really, Maddie! Someone had to save you!”

Maddie frowned at her. “How did Lord Nicholas become involved? I didn’t even know you were acquainted.”

Ashley bit her lip. Maddie was like a dog with a bone. “That’s a rather long story.”

“I have time.”

She glanced at Nick and Lord Blackthorne. “Lord Nicholas wanted to do his brother a favor. He felt guilty for all the trouble he’d caused over the years.” That sounded reasonable.

“And I was the favor?”

“You needed to be saved and Lord Nicholas thought his brother needed a wife. I thought you two would be perfect together.” That was true enough.

“But that doesn’t explain the innkeeper who chased us, or the Duke of Bleven, or the drunk priest. You cannot possibly have orchestrated all of that!”

Ashley raised her brows. “You underestimate us. A little bribery goes a long way.”

“You bribed the Duke of Bleven!”

Oh, she’d forgotten about that part. “No. That was one factor we hadn’t counted on. I’m sorry he hurt you, Maddie. He was never part of the plan.”

They walked in silence for a moment. Up ahead, Nick slung his arm about Lord Blackthorne’s shoulder. She smiled.

“And what exactly was your relationship with Lord Nicholas?” Maddie asked.

“He’s an old family friend,” Ashley said quickly. Too quickly.

“I see. I find it hard to imagine the two of you consp—collaborating together. You didn’t seem to like each other very much.”

“We’ve had a few...minor difficulties.

“And now?”

“Now?”

“Ashley, stop being so evasive! What are your feelings for Lord Nicholas? You said before that you had trouble resisting him. Are you in love with him?”

“No!” Ashley cleared her throat. Was she being too obvious? Giving all away? “I mean, no. It’s a marriage of convenience. A marriage that worked out rather well for you.”

“I don’t believe any of this. I
know
you feel something for Lord Nicholas, Ashley, and he for you. I can see it—”

“Maddie!” Ashley rounded on her. “Stop trying to help.”

“I can’t,” she protested quietly.

“Think of something else.”

“Very well. Where have you been all this time?”

“Would you believe kidnapped by pirates?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so.”

In front of them, the men turned and motioned for them to join him. Maddie gave Ashley one last look. “You know, as much as I love Jack, I do miss our Spinster’s Club.”

“We were its last members.”

“Perhaps we can form a new club.”

Ashley laughed. “Why am I not surprised? Very well, then.” She linked her arm with Maddie and they started toward Nick and Lord Blackthorne. “What shall we call it?”

Maddie smiled. When they reached their husbands, Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her, heedless of the people in the park. She batted him playfully away.

Behind them Maddie muttered, “Marriage of convenience. Ha!”

Nick gave her a look. “Is that what you told her?”

Ashley shrugged and whispered, “She would never believe me if I said I was madly in love with you and had been for a year. Besides, I like having our little secret for the moment.”

Up ahead, two figures emerged on the path and waved. Ashley recognized Josie and Catie. They looked lovely as always, Catie with her dark hair and regal gait and Josie with her cropped hair and that impish grin she wore. The four embraced, and Ashley saw Nick and Lord Blackthorne walk ahead to give them privacy.

“We’re together again!” Catie said. “I’ve missed you three.”

“You saw us not two hours ago,” Josie remarked.

Catie shook her head. “I meant, I missed the four of us together. Our Spinster’s Club.”

“But we’re not spinsters any longer,” Ashley said. “Not that we ever were.”

“Then it’s true,” Josie said. “You are married to Lord Nicholas.”

“I am, and I am trying to make the best of it.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Do not believe a word she says. She’s in love with the scamp.”

“Really?” Catie’s brown eyes widened. “How did that come about?”

“Maybe some other time,” Ashley said with a wave. “Right now I want to hear all about your adventures.”

“You mean our misadventures,” Maddie said.

“That’s right. We’ve formed a new club.” Ashley linked arms with Maddie and Josie, who took Catie’s arm. The four walked together, like they had as children.

“We’re calling it Misadventures in Matrimony.”

First of all, I want to say thanks to the many readers who wrote (
and wrote
) to ask for this book. If you hadn’t kept bugging me, I might never have written it.

In particular, thank you to Danielle Egan-Miller and Joanna MacKenzie, my agents, for encouraging me to try my hand at self-publishing.

Thank you to my husband for taking on extra responsibilities, so I could find a few more hours in the week.

Thanks also to

Susan Knight for suggesting the title of this novel.

Fellow author Elizabeth Essex, whose books I adore, for answering my emails about ships even from her hospital bed!

My dad, who spent countless hours explaining naval warfare tactics to a very poor student, indeed. Any and all mistakes are mine completely.

Gayle Cochrane and Susan Gorman for beta reading the book and suggesting revisions.

Kim Killion for the lovely cover, which I think goes very well with the other covers in the series.

Lindsay Marsh for copyediting the book for me.

Jessica Lewis for all the help with formatting and uploading.

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers’ Choice
The Making of a Gentleman
.
Booklist
says “Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion,” and
RT Bookreviews
calls her “a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre.” She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston’s inner city. Now she writes full time. She’s happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making. Shana loves to hear from readers, so send her an
email
or see what she’s up to daily on
Facebook
and
Twitter
.

For more information on Shana’s other books or the Misadventures in Matrimony series, click
here
.