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lonely child. To his surprise and admiration, Angeline never once uttered a word against Elizabeth.
    He listened as she imparted another childhood adventure. “At one time, my father entertained quite often. I found the perfect place to hide at the top of the stairs where I could watch everyone arrive and not be seen. Back then, Lord Windsford was a viscount, and so handsome. When I knew he planned to attend, I would sit and wait until he ventured by.”
    Michael listened while she turned Adrian into a bigger-than-life hero made to leave his home and flee to America, and for the first time felt the initial stirrings of jealousy toward his best friend. Adrian had no idea what he could have with this fantastic creature, but Michael did. What he wouldn’t give for the opportunity. He felt like hitting Adrian, and wanted nothing more than to knock him flat on his ass.
    “It’s late and I really must go.” Angeline started to rise.
    Michael came quickly to his feet. He hated seeing the evening end, but how revealing it had been. He bowed. “Thank you, ma’am, for a most enjoyable evening.”
    When he glanced toward the doorway, now thick with shadows, a deeper shadow retreated back into the hall.

Chapter 5
    “I’ll see you safely to your cabin.” As he spoke, Michael monitored the darkened corridors for any further movement.
    “Thank you, Captain.” Angeline accepted his arm.
    After seeing her safely inside her room, Michael retreated into the shadows and waited. After spending the better part of the night on guard, he was about to leave when a man appeared and made his way quietly to Angeline’s door. Dressed in a black seaman’s coat, with a cap pulled low on his forehead, he blended into the background so effectively, Michael had almost missed him.
    Slipping up behind him, Michael pushed the barrel of his pistol against the man’s ribs. “If you value your life, do not move.”
    The man stiffened. “See here, ‘tis some mistake.”
    “It is indeed a mistake. Yours. Now, turn quietly and climb the stairs,” Michael ordered.
    “‘Ere, now. No need ta take on like that. I thought ‘twas my room, I did.”
    “Walk.” Michael’s well-honed instincts told him this man wasn’t alone. In the morning, he would alert his men to be on guard.
    “Where we goin’?” the man glanced over his shoulder at Michael.
    “That depends on you and how cooperative you are. Now move.”
    Michael forced the man up the steps and out on deck. The man hung back. As they neared the railing, his eyes widened.
    “What we doin’ up ‘ere?”
    “Again, that depends on you. Tell me who hired you.”
    “He’ll kill me if I do.”
    “So will I if you don’t.” Michael urged him nearer to the railing.
    The man’s eyes bulged.
    Michael lowered his voice. “Don’t make me ask again.”
    The man paled. “He were a nob. Insisted on bein’ called, ‘Sir.’”
    Michael pressed the gun closer.
    “Malcolm, his name was Sir Charles Malcolm.”
    Michael eased back. “How many others are there?”
    The man stared, refusing to answer.
    Michael pulled the hammer back on the pistol, the sound echoing in the still night. “You try my patience. How many more?”
    “Two,” the man almost shouted.
    Michael nodded. “You have a choice. You may accompany me downstairs to a safe cell, or try your luck at swimming.”
    After the man was incarcerated below deck, Michael woke his men. Although a thorough search was made, they were unable to locate the other two.
    During the remainder of the trip, Michael spent a considerable amount of time with Angeline. They played cards and chess and exchanged tales of their childhoods. He had a fairly good idea of the events prior to the tragic death of her father and Beth. Although he didn’t believe Malcolm played a part in the accident, it was obvious the man had taken full advantage of the situation.
    With many opportunities to tell her who he was and why he was there, Michael instead chose to