Henry paused to give his son an incredulous look. 'And Gweneth is payment for this debt?'
'Let me handle this matter,' Caine demanded once again.
Before his father could argue with him, Caine turned. 'Harry,' he called out.
Black Harry whirled around and hauled the Duchess up against his side. Caine noticed his grim expression, of course, but also the definite sparkle in his eyes. Appearances, he thought to himself.
And pride. Both needed to be upheld.
'I'll be taking her with me,' Harry announced to his audience. His men nodded their agreement.
'Caine would want me to have her.'
'No,' Caine replied. 'I don't want you to have her.'
'You being inhospitable, boy?'
'Harry, it isn't possible for you to take her.'
'It's a fair exchange,' Harry stated. 'You're determined to have my girl, now aren't you?'
Caine nodded. 'I am.'
'Then I'm taking this one,' Harry countered.
'Harry, she's already taken,' Caine argued. He turned to his stepmother then and said, 'Madam, please quit shouting. It's difficult enough to negotiate with this stubborn pirate. Nathan? If you don't quit laughing, I'm going to bloody your nose again.'
'What's this woman to you, Caine?' Harry asked. 'You just called her madam. Now what the hell does that mean?'
'She's my father's wife.'
'But she ain't your mama?'
'She's my stepmother,' Caine qualified. 'Then it shouldn't matter to you if I take her or not.' Caine wondered what Harry's real game was. 'She has been like a mother to me,' he said.
Harry frowned, then turned to his pretty captive. 'Do you call him son?'
The Duchess lost her outraged expression and slowly shook her head. 'I didn't believe he would wish
me to call him son,' she answered.
'He ain't your favorite,' Harry announced.
The Duke of Williamshire quit trying to get past Caine. His stance became relaxed. A hint of a smile turned his expression. He understood at last what this was all about, for he remembered Jade's instructions about loving his children equally. She must have mentioned her concern to Harry.
'I don't have a favorite child,' Gweneth cried out. 'I love all my children.'
'But he ain't yours.'
'Well, of course he's mine,' she snapped.
The Duchess didn't look frightened now, only furious. 'How dare you suggest…'
'Well now, if you'd call him son,' Harry drawled out, 'and if he called you mother, then I couldn't be taking you with me.'
'For heaven's sake, Gweneth, call Caine son!' Henry roared, trying to pretend outrage. He was so pleased inside over this surprising development, he wanted to laugh.
'Son,' Gweneth blurted out.
'Yes, Mother?' Caine answered. He was looking at Harry, waiting for his next rebuttal.
Harry let go of his hostage. His chuckle was deep as he turned and walked out the doorway.
While Gweneth threw herself into her husband's arms, Caine followed Harry outside. 'All right, Harry, what was that all about?'
'My reputation,' Harry drawled out after his men had taken their leave. 'I'm a pirate, if you'll remember.'
'What else?' Caine asked, sensing there was more to tell.
'My girl worried about Colin being the favorite,' Harry finally admitted.
Caine was astonished by that statement. 'Where did she get that idea?'
Harry shrugged. 'Don't matter where she got it,' he replied. 'I don't want her worrying, no matter what the niggly reason be. You're going to have to ask me for her, you know. You'll have to do it proper, too, in front of me men. It's the only way you're going to be getting her, son.' He paused to grin at Caine,
then added, 'Course you're going to have to find her first.'
A feeling of dread settled in Caine's bones. 'Hell, Harry, she isn't upstairs?'
Harry shook his head.
'Where is she?'
'No need to shout, son,' Harry answered. 'Can't tell you where she is either,' he added. He waved his men away when they started toward him, then said, 'It would be disloyal.'
'My God, don't you…'
