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think again of business until the next day. Is that clear?"
    "Blindingly so," Kenneth said, unable to keep a trace of irony from his tone.
    The other man gave him a gimlet stare. "I am in a mood to tolerate sarcasm today. That will not always be the case."
    "I'm sure that my desire to be sarcastic will moderate after I become accustomed to your household," Kenneth said blandly.
    "You are unlike any of my previous secretaries, Captain," Sir Anthony said with a faint smile. "I foresee an interesting relationship. But not, I think, a smooth one."
    The door to the hall opened and a small female swept in. She was dressed casually, with a mass of auburn hair knotted untidily at her nape and a smudge of soot accenting a high cheekbone, but her manner was that of the daughter of the house. "You rang for me, Father?"
    "Yes, my dear. Meet my new secretary, Captain Wilding."
    Rebecca Seaton turned to Kenneth and a skeptical gaze examined him from head to foot. He felt as if he had been skewered. Though not a conventional beauty, the "ruined spinster" had shrewd hazel eyes and a vivid individuality that was far more memorable.
    She was going to be trouble. Serious trouble.
     
    ----
Chapter 4

     
    Good God, it was the pirate. Rebecca stared at the broad figure beside her father. Every impression she had received when looking down at him in the street was magnified dose up. He looked powerful and dangerous, a wolf among the Mayfair lambs. "This man, a secretary? Surely you're joking."
    Her father's brows arched. "I had thought you would be pleased that the position has been filled."
    Realizing how rude she had sounded, Rebecca said, "Excuse me, Captain… Wilder, was it? It's simply that you don't look like any secretary I've ever seen."
    "Wilding, Miss Seaton. At your service." He bowed courteously. "I fear I can do nothing about the fact that I look more like a pugilist than a gentleman."
    His voice was distractingly deep, but his accent was well-bred. So why did she distrust him? Perhaps it was the coolness of his ice-gray eyes. Or perhaps it was because a man of action seemed so out of place in a house devoted to art and ideas. His mere presence was disruptive. She gave her father a troubled glance.
    "Don't worry, Captain Wilding is quite qualified. He'll start right away. Show him the house and explain his domestic duties. Captain, meet me in the office at four o'clock and I will explain my business papers." Sir Anthony turned back to his easel. "Send Lavinia up so I can resume work."
    If the pirate weren't present, Rebecca would have argued with her father, but apparently it was too late to prevent the hiring. Damn Sir Anthony's impulsiveness. She guessed that his patriotic desire to employ a veteran of the wars had overcome his sense. With ill grace, she said, "Very well. Come with me, Captain Wilding. I'll show you your room first."
    He silently followed her from the studio. As she led the way upstairs, she said, "You were in the army, Captain?"
    "Yes, the Rifle Brigade."
    She glanced back over her shoulder. "Did my father explain that a large portion of your work will be domestic? Very different from the military. You may not find it to your taste."
    "Not so different. Both jobs involve commanding men."
    "Commanding women may prove more difficult," she said dryly.
    "I'll manage."
    He did look like a man who had had his share of experience with women. The knowledge did not raise her opinion of him. She thought wistfully of her father's previous secretaries. All had been pleasant young men of good family. Civilized. Easy to have around the house. Not a pirate in the lot.
    The captain said, "While I don't mind acting as a general factotum, I'm curious about why I'm needed for such work when you are so obviously competent."
    "I don't choose to spend my time as a housekeeper," she said in a clipped voice.
    Responding to her tone rather than her words, he remarked, "You don't like me very much, do you, Miss Seaton?"
    Good God, had the