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smile to her lips, but it was clear, as far as Rhiannon was concerned, that he was a dull stick indeed; his mannerisms were older than his years, and he had a tightly reined-in air about him, one that did not invite conversation, familiarity, or even idle chit-chat about the weather.
    He looked at the shirtless Yankee captain with faint disgust, thinned his lips, and snapped, “Don’t they issue clothes in America, Connor? One would think you’d don some in the presence of two ladies, but then, your manners are as barbaric as the country that spawned you.”
    “And yours haven’t improved despite the fact you’re now Sir Graham’s flag captain.” Captain Merrick bit into his apple. “Heat getting to you, Delmore?”
    Alannah raised her brows. “You two know each other?”
    “We’re cousins,” said Connor Merrick, grinning.
    “Don’t remind me,” muttered the Englishman.
    “How many cousins do you have , Captain Merrick?” asked Rhiannon, looking from one to the other and trying to find a resemblance.
    “Nathan and Toby are the sons of my Uncle Matt and Aunt Eveleen in Newburyport. Captain Lord here is from the English side of my family. His mother is first cousin to my father, so I guess that makes us second cousins?”
    “Your manners, Merrick,” said the Englishman, tightly.
    “Yes, of course. Miss Evans, Mrs. Cox, this is Captain Lord of His Britannic Majesty’s Royal Navy.”
    Mollified, the naval captain bowed stiffly, formally, and with military precision to them both. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances, ladies. May I be the first to welcome you to Barbados.”
    “Just so you know, Del, Mrs. Cox is Sir G’s sister. I’m sure he’s expecting her? They were traveling aboard the merchantman Porpoise , but got attacked by pirates,” Captain Merrick said, offhandedly.
    Alannah drew herself up. “And then attacked by you .”
    “Come now, Alannah, he didn’t attack us,” Rhiannon insisted. “He rescued us.”
    “After he attacked us!”
    Captain Merrick grinned, and his gaze met Rhiannon’s.
    The Englishman, whose irritation had increased at the American’s deliberately casual use of his and his admiral’s names, stiffened. “And where is the merchantman?”
    “On her way to a prize court in Mobile,” returned Captain Merrick. “Ought to fetch me a good price at auction there, I reckon.”
    “You will not practice your privateering in Sir Graham’s waters, or I’ll have something to say about it!”
    “Say it, then, and be done with it. It won’t affect my actions and you know it.” Captain Merrick took a last bite of his apple and pitched it casually over the rail. “And now, can we get this tedious business underway? Perhaps you’re comfortable, buttoned up to the chin in that uniform, Del, but me? I’m restless, hot, and fancy a swim.”

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Shortly afterward, Rhiannon and Alannah were safely aboard the boat and being rowed away from Captain Merrick’s sleek black schooner.
    Rhiannon looked back with longing. Already she felt bereft, being away from him. His restless energy and high spirits had buoyed her and in their absence, she felt suddenly empty in a way she couldn’t fathom. He was likable and fun and had taken great delight, it seemed, in recklessly tormenting his stiff and starchy English cousin.
    She would have liked to have stayed and watched him have his swim. . . .
    Oh, yes. She would have liked that very much indeed.
    She was aware of that same English cousin sitting in the stern sheets and studying her from beneath the shadow of his hat. His gray eyes narrowed, and the faintest of lines appeared between his brows as he noted the direction of her gaze.
    “I see that that notorious rogue has caught your attention,” he said tightly. “A pity that his sister married my admiral and that he enjoys the protection of that worthy man here in British waters as long as he behaves himself. Personally, I hope he doesn’t. Behave himself,