window. A moment later warm arms encircled her waist, and then her husband's deep voice was purring in her ear.
'Are you still excited?'
'Are you jesting?' She spun in Hugh's embrace and stared up into his handsome face. 'Of course I'm excited.'
'You seem pensive.'
'I miss Gwen,' she said with a sigh. 'I know she's having a wonderful time at the finishing academy, but still…'
Hugh kissed the tip of her nose. 'I miss her, too.'
Wrapping her arms around his lean waist, Charlotte squeezed tight. 'Thank you so much.'
'For what, love?'
'For arranging this treasure hunt. I know you believe it to be nonsense.'
His mouth curved in a smile that stole her breath. 'And you don't?'
'I'd like to think it exists.'
'You'd like to believe in the romantic version of the tale as well.' Hugh's large hands smoothed the length of her spine and cupped her derriere. 'What happened to my pragmatist?'
Charlotte laughed, her heart light and filled with love. 'I've never been a pragmatist where you are concerned.' Hopelessly addicted, she wondered how she ever considered living without him.
He squeezed her close before turning away, moving to the trunks that had yet to be taken downstairs. He was preparing to close one, then paused. Picking up a brown-paper parcel, he shot her an inquiring glance before untying the twine. A moment later his laughter, warm and rich, filled the air and warmed her heart.
'What do we have here?' He held up an eye patch.
'The journey is long I've been told.'
Hugh's mouth twitched. 'So it is.'
'It could become tedious.'
'You and I alone in a cabin? Never.'
'I have a fantasy,' she confessed, moving toward him with salacious intent.
'Umm… I like the sound of that.' Hugh tossed the pirate costume in the trunk and caught her about the waist.
She winked. 'You'll like the doing of it much better.'
'Fetch your pelisse,' he growled. 'I want to get to that ship.'
Author's Note
The characters of Calico Jack and Anne Bonny, mentioned in 'Her Mad Grace,' did indeed exist. However, their 'treasure' is entirely fictional.
Sylvia Day
