Every time Jacqueline was reminded of that unpleasant experience, she got angry all over again. Her parents had witnessed many of these sparks of rage and understood them. She’d been helpless, she’d been bested, and not one of the skills James had taken pains to teach her had come in handy during the Kidnapping. But at least the sparks of anger were brief.

Jack was already grinning when she changed the subject. “I’m running out of ball gowns. Shall we order a few more?”

“I suppose we must,” Georgina agreed. “I really wish these hostesses wouldn’t try so hard to outdo each other. There should be a law to restrict them to giving just one ball each per Season.”

“I like to dance, so I’m not complaining. Which mask?”

“The domino, of course. Full masks are far too hot and uncomfortable. You’d be removing it before we even arrive. Your father, on the other hand, should definitely wear one—then he won’t have to hide in the garden for this ball and I might even get to dance!”

James snorted. “Not bloody likely, George. But I’ll drag Tony along if you feel like dancing. He’ll need distracting for the duration of Judy’s honeymoon.”

Georgina laughed. Both of these Malory brothers hated balls, and everyone in the family knew it. If Tony did need distracting, he’d choose any means other than a grand social event.

Henry, who was serving as butler today, a duty he shared with his good friend Artie, hurried into the room with a look of urgency and handed James a missive—which he didn’t open. Georgina raised a brow, waiting. Jacqueline raised a brow, waiting. But James just put the letter in his pocket and smiled.

That particular smile, filled with relish, suggested the letter was from Drew. James finally had what he’d been waiting for, which meant he’d be leaving for the Caribbean soon.

Both women drew that conclusion. Georgina sighed, but Jack crossed her arms over her chest, her expression and stance as stubborn as they could get, and told her father, “I’m going with you.”

“The devil you are.”

“I want revenge just as much if not more’n you do!”

“I’ll bring you home a full accounting, every bloody detail!”

Georgina smacked the table sharply with her hand to stop the head-butting before it got any louder. “Jack, use your head instead of your emotions. Your presence on such a trip will divide your father’s attention. Instead of dealing with the matter at hand, he’ll be worried about you if you’re anywhere near those waters.”

“I could wait at Gabby and Drew’s—”

Georgina cut in, “Their island is too close to St. Kitts, where whoever wrote the ransom note wanted your father to go to secure your release. And what’s the point of waiting it out there rather than here? You’d still be in the area where those villains operate, and you could get captured again while your father is pursuing the fight elsewhere. Then James would be helpless again to vanquish whoever is determined to harm him. Is that the outcome you want, to let them win?”

Jacqueline opened her mouth to protest, but, looking angry, said, “I get it,” then she stomped out of the room yelling, “But I don’t like it!”

Georgina sighed. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I had a feeling she’d make that demand.”

“I would have been surprised if she didn’t,” James agreed.

Georgina held out her hand for the letter even as she said, “Make damn sure you search your ship from top to bottom for a stowaway before you sail. She might have said she understands why she shouldn’t go with you, but that doesn’t mean her anger won’t get in the way of her common sense.”

“I can sail before she notices.”

“Better you see her standing firmly on the dock with me as you leave. Now let’s see if this letter contains the information you were expecting.” She read it first, then handed it to her husband. “I don’t think it does.”

Chapter Two

QUITE A FEW PEOPLE in the church were frowning and whispering about the five men moving furtively down the aisles on both sides of the left set of pews. They appeared to be conducting some sort of important mission that required stealth, speed, and split-second timing. Even Georgina, sitting next to Jacqueline, whispered, “What the devil are they doing?”

Jack had wondered why her father wasn’t sitting with her and her mother, but had assumed he was keeping his brother company while Tony waited to walk his daughter down the aisle. But that was done and Judy was standing at the altar next to Nathan taking her vows. So it wasn’t at all clear why the five men were behaving so furtively.

James did not join his wife and daughter, but casually sat down in the first pew next to his brother, the father of the bride, instead. Jason, their oldest brother, sat down next to Roslynn, who was seated on Anthony’s other side. And their second-oldest brother, Edward, as well as Nicholas Eden and Jeremy, moved into the pew behind them, squeezing in next to their wives, Charlotte, Reggie, and Danny. The men were so quiet and unobtrusive about it that Tony, who appeared to be listening closely to every word being said at the altar, didn’t notice them or feel James put his arm on the back of the pew, not quite touching Tony, but obviously ready to if necessary.

The wedding guests’ frowns turned into smiles and grins, and instead of whispers a few discreet chuckles were heard. It was clear now that the five men had positioned themselves to restrain Anthony if he made any objection to the marriage when the clergyman raised the question. They obviously thought he still might!

Jacqueline admired their heroic deed, though it wasn’t necessary. Moments later, without any interruptions, Judith and Nathan Tremayne were pronounced man and wife, and Nathan was kissing his bride. Jack smiled despite the tears on her cheeks. She had started crying the moment Judy had entered the church because she was so happy for her best friend. They were cousins but had been closer than sisters their entire lives.

And it had been such a beautiful wedding ceremony with the children in the family, including Nathan’s nieces Clarissa and Abbie, scattering rose petals down the aisle, and Jacqueline’s twin nieces carrying the long train on Judith’s exquisite gown. Judy was breathtaking in that silk and lace gown with its bodice glittering not with sequins but actual diamonds, one of Roslynn’s many extravagances. And Jack knew her cousin was quite in love. Judy was supposed to wait a year for love to show up, the way Jack was waiting, but getting stuck on a ship with that smuggler she’d lost her heart to had made it impossible for her to avoid him.