Cliff shook his head. “This conversation is highly impolitic, Alexi.”
“There is no harm in flirting,” Amanda said to him, as reproof.
Montgomery added, “At home, a lady who doesn’t flirt would be considered odd. Flirting is rather an art in Maryland.”
Alexi folded his arms across his chest and refrained from scowling. He wasn’t sure what had possessed him to speak so disparagingly of Elysse, whom he cared for, in front of his friend, who was still an outsider to the family. “I just think you should keep your distance, William. Her charms can be fatal.”
Montgomery smiled slowly. “Are you speaking from experience?”
He tensed. “I have never had a broken heart—nor do I intend to ever have one.”
“You know that ladies are few and far between on our runs. Last night was very enjoyable—I look forward to the company of all the ladies here again.” The pilot picked up his cup and sipped.
But his intentions were clear. He meant to see Elysse again. Alexi stared thoughtfully at him. He truly didn’t care if Montgomery and Elysse flirted once or twice, as long as Montgomery remained respectful. There was really no reason for him to believe that he would ever behave in any other manner—they weren’t in Lisbon, Malta or Singapore now—but he continued to feel disturbed. He was sensing that Montgomery was simply too interested in Elysse for his own good—or her own good. When it came to Elysse, he simply didn’t trust his pilot, as he had told her last night. “You know, Dublin is a very entertaining city. We should spend a few days there before we return to London.”
Montgomery didn’t respond.
“Please don’t rush off so soon,” Amanda said, rising from her chair. She came to stand beside him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “We have all missed you so.”
Alexi knew he could not disappoint his family. He smiled at his stepmother. “I promise not to leave in any haste.”
“Good.” She kissed his cheek and excused herself.
“May I ask a question?” Montgomery said.
Alexi looked at him as his father returned to the London Times.
“Why isn’t Elysse married?”
He almost choked. Before he could answer, Cliff rattled his paper and said, “Her father means to find her a love match. Devlin has said so often enough.”
Montgomery sat up straighter. “Surely he means to find her a titled gentleman with deep pockets.”
“I’m sure he wishes for Elysse to have every privilege, but most importantly, he wishes for her to have genuine affection in her marriage,” Cliff said. He laid his paper down. “I’m afraid I have some tenants to see today. Alexi, do you wish to join me?”
Montgomery was obviously surprised by Cliff’s answer, and his mind was clearly racing. Alexi was disbelieving. Surely his pilot did not think to marry up? He couldn’t help thinking about the boy he’d once been—the boy who had secretly assumed that one day he’d grow up and marry Elysse O’Neill. “I have other plans, Father.”
Marriage was the last thing on his mind just then. All he wanted to do was escape his confusion and desire. He couldn’t wait to run back to China, pick up another Pekoe cargo, and then race the clock—and his rivals—for Great Britain.
But he couldn’t let this go.
Cliff left the dining room. Montgomery said soberly, “A great lady like Elysse O’Neill deserves all that life has to offer.” He took up his teacup abruptly.
Alexi stared. Was the American suddenly considering the possibility that Elysse might truly like him? That he might seduce her into falling in love? Elysse admired Montgomery. He was masculine and attractive; all women liked him. Men like Montgomery married up all the time. And Montgomery was an opportunist. Devlin might even embrace the American as a fellow seafarer and set him up in his own shipping line. He was suddenly certain that, while Montgomery was intrigued with Elysse, he was now just as intrigued with the idea of marrying into the great O’Neill fortune.
The stakes had entirely changed.
He pushed his plate away. Elysse couldn’t go to a dinner party, a dance or a ball without drawing every male in the room to her side and ensnaring them with her laughter, her looks and her charm. She had a way of hanging on to a man’s every word, making him feel ten feet tall and impossibly masculine, impossibly virile. He’d seen her do it a hundred times—no, even more. She’d been mesmerizing the male gender since she was a child of seven! But attracting Montgomery was a terrible idea—he had said so to her. Now, it had even worse ramifications.
Alexi crossed his arms. “You seem deep in thought, William.”
Montgomery glanced up. “I was trying to decide how to spend the morning.”
“Let’s ride.”
“That’s fine, as long as I am back by one.”
Alexi sent him a questioning look. “And what happens at that bewitching hour?”
“I am driving in the countryside today with the loveliest lady I have ever met.”
So they had made plans to meet again last night? Of course they had, because Elysse had ignored his warnings.
“Are you bothered with that?” Montgomery asked, his gaze riveted on Alexi.
“It’s going to rain today.” As a seaman, he could smell the impending rain. He damn well knew Montgomery could, too.
The American leaned across the table. “A bit of drizzle won’t stop me from enjoying Miss O’Neill’s company. Only a fool would postpone our afternoon. I asked you if you are bothered, Alexi.”
Our afternoon. “Actually, I am.”
Montgomery’s eyes gleamed. “I thought so. So, you are interested in Miss O’Neill?”
He didn’t move a muscle. “No. But I am very close to her and her family, Montgomery. We are friends, so I will be direct. She is a lady. One I will always protect.”
Montgomery wet his lips. “You don’t have to protect her from me.”
He laughed harshly. “What are you after, Montgomery? Since when do you play the gentleman and escort ladies about? I know what you want from a woman—we’ve ca-roused together far too many times. Elysse O’Neill is a lady—an innocent. She is not for you.”
“I know very well that she is not some dockside whore. I enjoy her company. I mean no disrespect.” His stare hardened. “And she enjoys my company.”
He sat up straighter, certain Montgomery was calculating his chances of far more than seduction. What would he do if Elysse decided that she wished to marry the pilot? Could she be so foolish as to fall for him? “She flirts with everyone. You are taking her too seriously.”
“I think you are jealous.”
He was startled. “I have known her since we were children, Montgomery. I know her as well as I know my own sisters. Why would I be jealous of her shallow flirtations? I have watched her suitors come and go for years. I am merely concerned, as her friend and her protector.”
“You would be jealous because she is too beautiful for words,” he said, standing abruptly. “Any man with a drop of red blood in his veins would dream of receiving her smile and being allowed into her arms. I know you, too. You have dreamed of her just like all the rest of us.”
Alexi stood, as well, his heart slamming. “I am trying to warn you that she is toying with your affections. I have seen her toy with men for most of my life.”
“And I am trying to tell you that I don’t mind. But if you must