Page 30 of Good Duke Gone Wild

But this…holding her…having her trust…

She didn’t even know who he truly was. And that, by far, was the best part. For much too long he had batted away women in pursuit of his title, and here he had a woman willingly in his arms without a clue as to his true identity. For the better part of them knowing each other, Agatha had thought he was a fake pirate. Now she appreciated the fact that he was a privateer, but little did she know the deepest truth.

Chapter 16

“ARE YOU GOING TO tell anyone about this last mission?” Sprat looked out over the water at the shore growing larger.

“I hadn’t planned on it, but I don’t think there’s much use in hiding it now. Once we pick her up, everyone will know. That, or rumors will spread. Might as well spread the truth.” Raking a hand through his hair, Jude tried to shake off memories of last night and focus on the conversation at hand. But all he could think about was Agatha. The many sides he had seen of her; that being every physical side as well as her emotional side. Of course, just the mention of her body sent a jolt to his cock.

They hadn’t done anything sexual last night, but holding her through the storm had felt more intimate than anything he experienced in his life so far, and to say it rattled him would be putting it mildly.

Physically, and emotionally now, she had exposed herself to him. Back at the ball, she had the ability to seamlessly fit into the aristocratic crowd. That wasn’t shocking in the least. She was born into it. What was surprising was how well she navigated his ship and his crew. For ages, the men had been loyal to him. But seeing them fawn over hernow and ensure her comfort as she sat watching the water, he wasn’t convinced that they wouldn’t turn on him in her favor.

When had that happened?

“I’m still waiting,” Sprat pointed out. “In case you’d forgotten.”

“Was hoping you might forget.”

“You’re not that lucky.” Sprat chortled.

“We’re picking up a princess.”

Sprat choked on something in the air. “What? A princess?”

Jude patted the ship’s wheel hard. “That’s what I said.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Are you questioning my judgment?” Jude tapped his foot on the damp wooden planks. “You’ve never done that before.”

Folding his arms across his chest, Sprat said, “Never had a reason to.”

“What’s your reason now?”

Sprat jabbed his thumb toward Agatha.

“Pfft. She had nothing to do with this.” Sprat shrugged as Jude plowed on. “The mission was assigned before I even met her.”

“Didn’t know what I didn’t know.” Sprat let out a soft whistle. “I guess that settles it then.”

“Good,” he growled. “Now go make yourself useful and get out of my face.”

“Sure thing, Captain.”

What was in the air to make everyone around him question him or challenge him? This—Sprat finally believing him upon his word—that was the way it should be. Once Jude said something, it shouldn’t be questioned. It was fact. His word was law. He was the damn captain. When was everyone going to just accept that again?

***

“A princess?” Agatha’s mouth hung loosely agape. “I’m about to meet royalty looking like this?”

She barely registered Jude’s annoyance as he dragged a hand down his face. “Do I need to repeat myself to you as well?”

Unnerved, she shook her head. “I should have gone ashore and purchased a new frock, at the very least.” Her hands smoothed the sides of her head attempting to tame her hair that she assumed looked about as good as she remembered it. Which is to say, it was the very likeness of a rat’s nest.

“You look…fine,” Jude grumbled.

He couldn’t even bring himself to lie to her. But should she have expected anything more? Sure, last night he had comforted her and that had felt like a whole new kind of home. But she couldn’t let herself make more out of that than it was. She was scared. He was reassuring. It was nothing more.

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