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The Story Starts Here___________________________

A Happy Ending

Danese’s mouth opened but no sound emerged. Her hand trembled with the knowledge that Michael knew she was female.

The green of his eyes took on a sparkle. “Don’t fret, love. I’ve known from almost the first moment I saw you on board the merchant. Why do you think I brought you along?”

Danese’s eyes narrowed perceptively and her hand balled into a fist.

Michael caught it before it made contact with his face. His smile was devastating. “Get that thought right out of your pretty little head. You misunderstand.” His fingers caressed her knuckles until her hand relaxed. His thumb made lazy circles on her palm. The sensation created a heated longing in every part of her body. Danese felt her breathing increase to accommodate all the emotions that were churning her insides. “You haven’t answered me, love. What is your name?”

“Danese Mattheres.” The sound came out on a husky breath.

Instead of commenting, Michael seemed to digest her information. He reached towards her sailor cap, running his knuckles lightly over the curve of her cheek, his thumb over her lower lip. “May I?” Danese blinked. She couldn’t answer.

Michael smiled again and pushed the cap slowly backwards. He groaned when cascades of hair flowed over Danese’s shoulders. “God, you’re beautiful.

Danese made a small noise at the back of her throat as Michael pulled her closer. He ran his fingers through the long silky strands, marveling that it had all fit under that blasted cap.

“Danese.” A slow easy smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Your name is beautiful, too.” He pulled her closer, until she felt the warmth of his breath fanning across her face and tasted it on her lips. She smelled the clean scent of his body, felt the impact of his bear arms, his chest. “Danese?”

She barely managed to whisper, “Yes?”

“I’m going to kiss you. And when I’m done, Danese, I’m going to keep right on kissing you. I clamed you months ago, but now I’m going to make you mine.”

Her only answer was the darkening of her eyes in anticipation. Michael groaned again. Why was he willing to torture himself, except the torture was exquisite? This lady was not one to bed before marriage. This lady was meant for more. But how the devil would he make it? Months of yearning to claim her washed over him in seconds.

Lifting her over his lap, Michael pulled her shirt from her pantaloons and dragged down the binding that crossed and re-crossed her back. He was rewarded with the feeling of her young form shielded only by thin cotton plastered against the warm skin of his chest. Danese arched against him, mindless with new-found passion.

Michael called on more control than he thought he had. “Danese, love, no more.” He drew back, fighting his conscience every step of the way. His jaw clenched. She was every man’s dream, certainly she was his dream, lying there like that. Her pouty lips looked well-kissed. Her breasts rose and fell quickly with each little breath. It took every ounce of will power he possessed to hold back.

Michael touched her face lovingly, placing a few strands of soft blond hair behind her ear. “I have to stop before….” He took a deep breath, laid his forehead against hers and shuddered.

“It’s difficult for me to think when you’re close.” Michael inched reluctantly away from her, pulling the sheet over his chest.

“I want to marry you, Danese. That’s been my plan all along. I saw you standing there, frightened, yet defiant, and I knew that I wanted you in my life permanently.” He paused, his gaze hopeful. “You will marry me, won’t you? You’ll be my lady?”

Danese sucked in her breath, hoping she had heard his words correctly. He really wanted to marry her? She felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She studied his handsome features. She knew her answer. Deep down, no matter how much she had thought of returning to her family, she knew she really didn’t want anything more than to spend her life with this man.

Michael’s eyes widened at her words. He began to chuckle, tried to stop, then chuckled louder. Danese drew back and frowned. “What are you laughing at?”

His only reply was to laugh harder. Danese struck at him with her fists. How dare he laugh at her?

Michael easily caught her flailing hands. Making an effort to soften her expression, he pulled her closer. He managed to nuzzle her neck. “Ah, love, don’t give me promises you don’t have any intention of keeping. It’s enough you care about me at all.”

Danese stuck out her lower lip and stared at him. In response, Michael tilted his head with a quirk in one corner of his mouth. Avoiding his eyes, she lowered her head, her expression covered by her long wavy blond hair. Danese sat quietly for so long, Michael started to squirm. She gave her head a slight shake. When she raised her blue eyes, she was smiling. “You win. I’ll marry you, and I won’t promise a thing.”

Taken aback, Michael noted the twinkle in the depths of her blue eyes. “Then we have a bargain. We take each other as we are.”

Already having second thoughts about Michael not changing anything, Danese hesitated, then said firmly, “Yes, as we are.”

Michael reached for her again. Danese drew back surprised. “What are you doing?”

Michael chuckled softly. “Why, I’m going to seal the bargain.” His lips claimed hers again. Danese sighed and allowed herself to be drawn forward. As her softness melted against Michael’s hard body, Danese knew she was going to like this partnership very much, very much indeed.

Michael stood up slowly and walked to the porthole. Gazing out, he seemed to measure his words. “I’ve decided to make a visit home and it suddenly occurred to me that I have never asked you where you are from or anything at all about your family. I’ve never told you how much I appreciate the things you do to make me more comfortable, when in fact, I practically kidnapped you off the merchant ship you were on.” He paused to clear his throat. “I was wondering if you have forgiven me?”

Danese’s heart twisted at his version of an apology because he suddenly looked like a little boy in need of a hug. She fought back the urge to step forward and take him in her arms and forced herself not to move. “I must admit I was absolutely furious when you brought me aboard, but in all fairness I must say, my stay has not been a hardship. In fact, it has been an adventure I will never forget.” Thank you for that.” Michael drew a deep breath. He was still tense with frustration from their earlier encounter. He knew he had to marry this lady quickly before he did something rash. He ducked his head to avoid looking directly at her. “Now,” he asked brightly, “where is your home?”

“Oh, and what type of trade?” Michael was glad she had forgiven him after all he had put her through. At first, it had been a game, to put the young lady in her rightful place. But after the battle with the “Yorkshire”, where she had come on deck and put her life in jeopardy, he knew he could no longer keep her with him on the ship. He wanted her safe. Safe to wait for him.

Danese frowned, showing the worry she had been nurturing. “He supplies everything needed to sail a ship, sailcloth, ropes, nails and nautical instruments. Also foodstuffs and such. He owns some warehouses where everything is stored.” She raised her eyes, her worry showing in the lines of her forehead.

This time, seeing her obvious distress, Michael enfolded her in his arms for comfort. “Knowing the resourcefulness of any patriot, I am sure your family has managed. If nothing else, the Crown will have simply confiscated your family’s business.”

Danese raised her eyes to his. Her brow furled. “We’re entering the Chesapeake? Isn’t it dangerous?”

“Not yet. Lord Howe will concentrate on the Delaware, where Fort Mercer and Fort Mifflin are located, along with the water route straight to Philadelphia. My guess is, he won’t have much time for the smaller cities. I, too, am hoping my family is safe. My father, David, has been quite outspoken for liberty. That’s why, even though I’m going home, I have to keep a low profile.”

Michael paused and looked Danese in the eye, saying softly, “I would very much like you to come home with me, ah, to meet my parents, of course.”

“Of course,” she nodded eagerly. “Yes, I would very much like to meet your parents.” The minute the words left her mouth, Danese had doubts. She couldn’t meet his parents dressed as she was! They couldn’t know she had been aboard a ship with nothing but men for months and months!

She shivered delicately. Danese could hear fate laughing behind her back. She had finally met the man of her dreams, the man who could send hot fire licking along her veins and she was ruined in the eyes of society. What was she to do?

Michael studied the myriad of emotions flitting across Danese’s beautiful features. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll take care of everything. No one will know anything other than you’ve been on board the “Bold Spirit”. None of the men know, though I’m not sure about Oliver. But he is the last person who would ever say anything. We’ll advise an explanation for your parents to alleviate their concerns. My parents will know the truth and society be damned.”

They arrived in the early hours of dawn. Annapolis was still asleep as they rowed ashore. Michael scanned the harbor again, thankful not to encounter any British ships.

They made their way quietly along the narrow waterfront streets. These soon gave way to more fashionable houses. Michael pointed out some landmarks as they passed, and though Danese followed his hands as he gestured, she was acutely aware of the man with whom she had fallen in love. He continued to take her breath away.

His white linen shirt with the off-shoulder sleeves only emphasized the broadness of his chest. The tan seen in the deep V made the shirt appear more white. One look at his hands brought a faint blush to her cheeks. It didn’t take much to imagine those long-fingered hands running over the curves and angles of her body. Add to that his sailor’s swagger and his sexy green eyes and Danese found she had trouble breathing.

Michael stopped abruptly and Danese almost ran into him. “This is it. What do you think?”

“Blimey!” The sound hissed out through the lump in Danese’s throat. She hadn’t realized Michael was wealthy. “It’s yours, isn’t it? The “Bold Spirit” is yours? You aren’t just the captain? You own it?”

Michael laughed at her expression. “Course I do, and three others along with my father.” The thought that she had agreed to marry him when she had no idea of his wealth made him feel wonderful. “We won’t ever starve, love, no matter what the British do. It may take a while to win this war, but I have a feeling we’ll fight until we gain our independence. We’ll raise our children in a country free of tyranny and each and every one of them will choose the way they want to live.”

Michael didn’t bother to knock, but opened the front door with his key and ushered Danese inside. Within moments they were surrounded with Michael’s family. David, Michael’s father, hugged his son and growled, “It’s about time you showed up. You’ve had your mother worried sick.” He looked his son over from head to toe and pronounced him fit.

Turning to Danese, David surveyed her pantaloons and the jerkin that had successfully hidden her gender from Michael’s crew. When he stopped laughing he officially welcomed her to the family. “Michael wrote weeks ago about having you on board. Of course, his mother heartily disapproves; but I can’t think of a better way to test each other feelings, than to sail together the way you two did.”

Christina, his mother, took immediate charge of Danese. Prying her out of Michael’s arms, Christina wagged an accusing finger in his face. He turned away laughing, thoroughly chastised.

Michael watched Danese as she climbed the steps. The sway of her hips in her masculine attire drew his eyes first, but there was no denying she was all female. The thought of years to come with his little spitfire were enough to make him rigid with desire. The wedding would have to be soon. He’d brook no excuses from anyone. He wanted to claim that female as his and the sooner the better.

He entered the library with his father, finding comfort in the familiar room. Though it was very early, they shared a small glass of brandy. David raised his glass. “Here’s to your lovely lady, son. I must say I’m glad to see you settling down. I don’t suppose you’ll give up the “Bold Spirit” and stay at home?” When Michael shook his head negatively, David sighed, “I didn’t think so.”

He sank into his chair behind his desk. “I have some other news to add to your happiness. John Peters has been found. It seems the lad wasn’t impressed after all. He was recruited as a spy for Benjamin Franklin. He made himself well known in upper British circles, managed to smuggle out some important information and escaped by the skin of his teeth. As a matter of fact, he’s upstairs in the back bedroom now.”

Michael didn’t wait for his father to finish. He was out the door and half-way up the stairs before David stopped speaking. Michael was filled with excitement. His best friend was safe and he was getting married.