The Pirate's Lady (Spies of London #1)

Chapter 3

I was a bit confused about what they would say to each other, and frankly i'm not happy with it , but we'll see later if i edit it.... 

Hope u like it! Though the few chapters in the beginning will be a bit slow, it'll get better later, i promise! ;) 

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The next day James woke up to the sound of Connie's voice shouting at him to show a leg,a sailor's term for getting out of bed.

"Hell's teeth, Connie, we're not on a bleedin' ship anymore! Stop bellowing in my ear man!", snarled James, scowling as he looked at his oldest friend's widening smirk.

"Just wanted to check if your hearing's still good, Jamie ol' boy, after so fearlessly braving the mindless female chatter in your quest for a wife." Connie looked highly amused at his own jest, but James failed to see any humour in it. Connie's words only served to remind him of last night's waltz.

After overcoming his surprise, James had been assailed by the feel of the Siren in his arms. Her perfume, something flowery, made him think of how her skin would taste. Probably would taste -

"Is it true that you were a pirate?"The question snapped him out of whatever spell he had been under, and James looked at her eager face, trying not to smile, almost sad that he had to disappoint  her when she looked so hopeful.

"A privateer, madam, that's what I was. Though I must admit, most people consider both to be the same thing. A privateer -", he began to explain, only to be cut off by Olivia, who, bristling at his condescending tone, said in a clipped tone," Yes, I know, it is a captain of a merchant vessel legally sanctioned to attack and capture enemy ships. I am not unaware of the distinction my Lord."

"And here I thought young ladies only read about the latest on-dits and fashion", James said, smothering the laugh that threatened to erupt from his lips. The mutinous look on her face told him he had succeeded in riling her, which had been his intention all along.

But he realized, before she could say another word, that it would be best for his well-being if he should inform her that he had only been teasing." I apologize, my Lady, I was merely jesting" Olivia took one look at him and saw his apologetic face, softening instantly, knowing somehow that the Earl would not often be seen so carefree with his emotions, and she was glad to see him thus.

"It's alright my Lord. It's just that I do not appreciate the fact that the men of the ton think it amusing if a female is aware of subjects like politics and war. Why shouldn't we know? We- "  Abruptly realizing that she might be going a bit too far, Olivia looked at her Pirate, only to see him looking at her intently. Blushing, she changed the topic.

"My condolences on your father's demise, my Lord. I did not know him that well, but it must have been devastating for you to not be with him in his last days." Olivia looked at him sympathetically, but was surprised by the look that appeared on his face, before he carefully erased every emotion from it. It was a look of pure anger.

"I am sorry Ms.Wynter, but I would appreciate it if we would refrain from talking about my father." said James, his good humour completely gone. Olivia nodded and fell silent, unable to think of another topic to speak about.

Just then, the waltz ended, and James escorted Olivia to her mother. Without another word, he left the ball and went straight to White's, where he stayed till the wee hours of the morning, before he returned home and collapsed on the bed just as he managed to remove his jacket and boots.

Coming back to the present, James told Connie to go downstairs for breakfast, where he would join him shortly. Connie went downstairs chuckling at his friend's black mood. Well, atleast breakfast sounded good, he thought, dismissing everything else from his mind.

After a hearty breakfast, the duo headed to Tattersall's, where James passed time looking at the horses while Connie went to the brokers and saw about purchasing one particular Arabian that had caught his eye.

"James ! Is that really you?" , a male voice said behind James. He turned to see George Sheffield, one of his childhood friends, grinning at him. James grinned right back." Look at you Jamie! Marvelous meeting you here. You came back and didn't bother telling me?" James chuckled at his friend's obvious pleasure at seeing him. Before he could say anything, George said , "And where's Connie? You dunderheads don't have the decency to pay a call on an ol' friend now?" 

James laughed out loud now and replied," It's really good to see you again Georgie-boy. Sorry for not informing you of our return. It was rather sudden, you know." George understood what James hadn't said. His father's death was the reason for the hasty return."And as for Connie, here comes the man himself, why don't you ask him yourself?"

Connie had caught sight of George as well and gave him a manly hug as soon as he was close enough. The three boys had been inseperable in their youth, having gone to Eton together . They had separated seven years ago, when James had gone on to become a privateer, Connie becoming his first mate, while George could not go with them as he had a duty as the heir to the Duke of Carlyne. Now that they were together ,George was happy, as were James and Connie. George's suggestion that they go to White's to catch up was met with instant approval.

At White's, George was told about James's need to acquire a wife soon. George was surprised at this, but said ,"It won't be difficult, Jamie man, you'll see", and promptly began a discussion of potential females for his friend. 

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While James was being informed about potential brides by George, Olivia was recieving a lecture on how to become wifely material by her mother. She sighed, listening to her mother drone on about how  she must behave to gain a man's attention, or rather how not to lose it, every few days, had caused her to memorize it by rote.

"Livvy, how many times have I told you, you must not discuss Bills being passed in the House of Lords with the Lords themselves? You must behave as if you do not care about such things, not argue about them! Men do not appreciate their intelligence on any subject being questioned, darling. You must discuss the latest ton gossip, Livvy! Or you could ask about the weather if you recall nothin else! Do you even hear me, Olivia?", the Duchess was alarmed at Olivia's lack of response, she must get married soon or she might become a spinster, the poor girl!

Olivia hastened to reassure her mother." Mama, you mustn't worry now, I shall try my best to be a meek and timid conversationalist from now on. Don't you worry at all." Even though it would kill her to do so, thought Olivia. She knew her mother was worried for her, and she was sorry she was the cause of it, but she couldn't very well change her thinking overnight, now could she? But she must try for her mother's sake if nothing else.

Also, she recalled what her thinking had gotten her into last night. Actually she didn't have to  concentrate too hard to bring back the memory, it hadn't been far from her mind from the time the waltz had ended. How she wished she could know the reason why her Pirate's eyes had flashed with anger at the mention of his father. But the one thing she wanted to forget was how warm it had felt to be in his arms, how different a feeling from the previous waltz it had been!

Oh she should stop thinking about that, she admonished herself, she must practice being timid! It was going to be deuced difficult as it was, without her recalling the feel of his shoulder beneath her hand!

But still she wondered if she would see him at the Cavendish Ball tonight......

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What do you think? :) Vote and comment! 

~shreya07