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had gone through to get it back.
    “Would it please you to have me underfoot and at your disposal, Katherine?”
    She had been toyed with enough. She pretended to straighten his immaculately tied stock and offered him a smile. “It is a relief to know that you will be settling down. No woman wishes to think her husband enjoys being away from her for nearly half a year at a time.”
    “You seem such an adventurer, Captain Hamilton.” Jacqueline Rudman’s attention focused on Matthew, her expression projecting polite concern. “I hope life in America will not seem boring after life at sea.”
    “I’m looking for challenges in other places now, Lady Rudman. I believe I’ll find it in marriage and fatherhood.
    I’m sure Lord Rudman feels the same way.” Avery Rudman frowned, making his jowly bulldog features appear even less attractive. “Indeed, Hamilton.
    Marriage is a challenge, but fatherhood sounds an equally worthy endeavor.”
    Katherine bit the inside of her lip to contain a smile.
    Lady Rudman appeared less than enamored with the idea.
    Clarisse commented from her place at the foot of the table. “You and Lady Rudman have been married a reasonable amount of time, Avery. I am sure you would
    both find it rewarding. With a family to see to, women look within their household for fulfillment and place less importance on the adventures of the exterior world.” Katherine met Lady Willingham’s gaze. When the woman winked at her, she bit her lip again. Some of the tension eased from her shoulders as she realized she had an ally in the room.
    “Being unmarried I know precious little about parenthood, but I do know about the adventurous spirit.” At his words, she turned her attention to the man at her right and searched her memory for a name as she studied his square-jawed features. He appeared to be in his mid forties. His brows were heavy, his hair thick and wavy and barely contained within the black lace at the nape of his neck. His beard grew so dark a shadow colored the lower half of his face. She had earlier experienced a moment of recognition when introduced to him at the chapel, but she hadn’t been able to place where or when she had seen him before.
    “I have made investments in America both before and after the war, Captain Hamilton. Profitable ventures. You are a lucky man to have captured one of our English beauties so easily, especially one with so illustrious a blood line who is willing to leave England for America.” She caught Edward’s satisfied smile and his attempt to straighten his posture.
    The man continued. “I knew your uncle many years ago, Mrs. Hamilton. Lord John Wesley Pemberton was a fine soldier.”
    She almost laughed aloud as Edward stiffened then frowned. “Thank you, sir. My mother was very proud of her brother.”
    “He and my sister’s husband, Lord Ardsley, served together before his death. You have obviously inherited some of your uncle’s adventurous spirit if you are eager to leave England for climes unknown.” Something in the man’s smile caught and held Katherine’s attention.He seemed so familiar. “A woman must follow where her husband, and her heart, leads, Mr.
    Drake.” she said, finally remembering his name. As his green eyes focused on her, anxiety knotted her belly. She reached out a hand and her fingers came to rest on her
    groom’s long muscular thigh. Mortified, she started to jerk her hand away, but Matthew captured and held it in place with his own. He shot her a warning look and laced her fingers with his.
    “You must call me Garrett, with your husband’s permission of course,” Drake bent his head in Matthew’s direction.
    Matthew returned the gesture.
    “It is a shame you are retiring from the sea, Captain Hamilton. We could have done business together. I have holdings in several export companies here in London.”
    “Unfortunately, this will be my last trip, Mr. Drake. I have several business ventures of my own to run once I get