INTERIOR ARTWORK
IS LOCATED
BETWEEN CHAPTER 12 AND CHAPTER 13
and also can be accessed via the TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Buccaneer at Heart
The Adventurers Quartet: Volume 2
Stephanie Laurens
A BUCCANEER AT HEART
© 2016 Stephanie Laurens
Published in Great Britain 2016
by HQ, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF
Cover design by Savdek Management Pty. Ltd.
Cover and inside front couple photography © 2016 Period Images
Image of canopied bed: photographic credit to John Kershaw
The name Stephanie Laurens is a registered trademark of Savdek Management Proprietary Ltd.
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a Licensed Device) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
Unexpected loveplus passion, intrigue, and dangerchallenge our hero to embrace his true nature.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens continues THE ADVENTURERS QUARTET, a riveting blend of Regency-era high seas adventure, a mystery shrouded in the heat of tropical jungles, and the passionate romances of four couples and their unexpected journeys into love.
After a decade of captaining diplomatic voyages for Frobisher Shipping, alongside covert missions for the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides that establishing a homewith hearth and wifeshould be his next challenge. But an unexpected mission intervenes. Although Robert sees himself as a conservative businessman-cum-diplomat and this mission is far from his usual sphere, it nevertheless falls within the scope of his abilities. As matters are urgent, he agrees to depart for West Africa forthwith.
To Robert, his way forward is clear: Get to Freetown, determine the location of a slavers camp, return to London with the information, and then proceed to find himself a wife.
Already in Freetown, Miss Aileen Hopkins is set on finding her younger brother, Will, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared. Find Will and rescue him; determined and resolute, Aileen is not about to allow anyone to turn her from her path.
But all too quickly, that path grows dark and dangerous. And then Robert Frobisher appears and attempts to divert her in more ways than one.
Accustomed to managing diplomats and bureaucrats, Robert discovers that manipulating a twenty-seven-year-old spinster lies outside his area of expertise. Prodded by an insistent need to protect Aileen, he realizes that joining forces with her is the surest path to meeting all the challenges before himcompleting his mission, keeping her safe, and securing the woman he wants as his wife.
But the villains strike and disrupt their careful plansleaving Robert and Aileen no choice but to attempt a last throw of the dice to complete his mission and further her brothers rescue.
Compelled to protect those weaker than themselves and bring retribution to a heartless enemy, they plunge into the jungle with only their talents and inner strengths to aid themand with the courage of their hearts as their guide.
The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Continue the journey and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the riveting end.
Praise for the works of Stephanie Laurens
Stephanie Laurens heroines are marvelous tributes to Georgette Heyer: feisty and strong. Cathy Kelly
Stephanie Laurens never fails to entertain and charm her readers with vibrant plots, snappy dialogue, and unforgettable characters. Historical Romance Reviews
Stephanie Laurens plays into readers fantasies like a master and claims their hearts time and again. Romantic Times Magazine
A BUCCANEER
AT HEART
by Stephanie Laurens
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Principal Characters:
Frobisher, Robert Hero
Hopkins, Aileen Heroine
In London:
Family:
Frobisher, Declan Roberts younger brother
Frobisher, Lady Edwina Roberts sister-in-law
Staff in Declan & Edwinas town house:
Humphrey butler
Government:
Wolverstone, Duke of, Royce, aka Dalziel ex-commander of British secret operatives outside England
Wolverstone, Duchess of, Minerva Wolverstones wife
Melville, Viscount First Lord of the Admiralty
Dearne, Marquess of, Christian Allardyce ex-operative of Dalziels, now functioning in some unspecified capacity in government intelligence
Carstairs, Major Rafe army liaison in matters requiring discretion
Hendon, Lord, Jack ex-operative, now owner of Hendon Shipping
In Aberdeen:
Frobisher, Fergus Roberts father
Frobisher, Elaine Roberts mother
Frobisher, Royd (Murgatroyd) eldest Frobisher brother
In Southampton:
Higginson clerk, Frobisher Shipping
At sea:
Frobisher, Caleb youngest of four Frobisher brothers
Frobisher, Catrina (Kit) female cousin
Frobisher, Lachlan male cousin
In Freetown:
Dixon, Captain army engineer, missing
Hopkins, Lieutenant navy, West Africa Squadron, missing
Fanshawe, Lieutenant navy, West Africa Squadron, missing
Hillsythe ex-Wolverstone agent, governors aide, missing
Holbrook, Governor Governor-in-Chief of British West Africa
Holbrook, Lady, Letitia Governors wife, now absent
Satterly, Mr. Governors principal aide
Eldridge, Major Commander, Fort Thornton
Decker, Vice-Admiral Commander, West Africa Squadron, currently at sea
Richards, Captain army, Fort Thornton
Hardwicke, Mr. Anglican minister
Hardwicke, Mrs. Mona Anglican ministers wife
Sherbrook, Mrs. local lady
Hitchcock, Mrs. local lady
Winton, Major Commissar of Fort Thornton
Winton, Mrs. wife of Major Winton
Babington, Charles partner, Macauley & Babington Trading Company
Macauley, Mr. senior partner, Macauley & Babington Trading Company
Undoto, Obo local priest
Sampson old sailor
Lashoria vodun priestess
Fortescue, Katherine missing governess from the Sherbrook household
Wilson, Mary missing shop owner-assistant, Babingtons sweetheart
Muldoon the Naval Attaché
On board The Trident:
Latimer, Mr. Jordan First Mate
Hurley, Mr. Master
Wilcox Bosun
Miller Quartermaster
Foxby, Mr. Steward
Benson experienced sailor
Coleman experienced sailor
Fuller experienced sailor
Harris experienced sailor
CHAPTER 1
May 1824
London
Captain Robert Frobisher strolled at his ease along Park Lane, his gaze on the rippling green canopies of the massive trees in Hyde Park.
Hed steered his ship, The Trident, up the Thames on the previous evenings tide. Theyd moored at Frobisher and Sons berth in St. Katherines Dock, and after hed dealt with all the associated palaver, it had been too late to call on anyone. This morning, hed dutifully gone into the company office in Burr Street; as soon as the customary formalities had been completed and the bulk of his crew released for the day, hed jumped into a hackney and headed for Mayfair. But rather than driving directly to his brother Declans house, hed had the jarvey let him down at the end of Piccadilly so that he could take a few minutes to drink in the green. He spent so much of his life looking at the sea, being reminded of the beauties of land was no bad thing.
A self-deprecating smile curving his lips, he turned the corner into Stanhope Street. Barely ten oclock was an unfashionably early hour at which to call at a gentlemans residence, but he felt sure his brother and his brothers new wife, the lovely Edwina, would welcome him with open arms.
The morning was fine, if a touch crisp, with the sun intermittently screened by gray clouds scudding across the pale sky.
Declan and Edwina resided at Number 26. Looking down the street, Robert saw a black carriage pulled up by the curb farther along.
Premonition swept cool fingers across his nape. Early as it was, there was no other conveyance waiting in the short residential street.
As he continued strolling, idly swinging his cane, a footman perched on the rear of the carriage saw him; instantly, the footman leapt down to the pavement and moved to open the carriage door.
Increasingly intrigued, Robert watched, wondering who would descend. Apparently, he wouldnt need to check the house numbers to discover which house was his goal.
The gentleman who, with languid grace, stepped out of the carriage and straightened was as tall as Robert, as broad-shouldered and lean. Sable hair framed a face the features of which screamed his station.
Wolverstone. More precisely, His Grace, the Duke of Wolverstone, known in the past as Dalziel.
Given Wolverstone was plainly waiting to waylay and speak with him, Robert surmised that Wolverstones status as commander of British agents outside of the isles had, at least temporarily, been restored.
Roberts cynical, world-weary side wasnt all that surprised to see the man.
But the gentleman who, much less elegantly, followed Wolverstone from the carriage was unexpected. Portly and very precisely attired, with a fussy, somewhat prim air, the man tugged his waistcoat into place and fiddled with his fob chain; from long experience of the breed, Robert pegged him as a politician. Along with Wolverstone, the man turned to face Robert.
As Robert neared, Wolverstone nodded. Frobisher. He held out his hand.
Robert transferred his cane to his other hand; returning the nod, he grasped Wolverstones hand, then shifted his gaze to Wolverstones companion.
Releasing Robert, Wolverstone waved gracefully. Allow me to present Viscount Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty.
Robert managed not to raise his brows. He inclined his head. Melville. What the devils afoot?
Melville curtly nodded back, then drew in a portentous breath. Captain Frobisher
Perhaps, Wolverstone smoothly interjected, we should adjourn inside. His dark eyes met Roberts gaze. Your brother wont be surprised to see us, but in deference to Lady Edwina, we thought it best to await your arrival in the carriage.
The notion that consideration of Edwinas possible reaction held the power to influence Wolverstone even that much... Robert fought not to grin. His sister-in-law was a dukes daughter and thus of the same social stratum as Wolverstone, yet Robert would have wagered there were precious few who Wolverstone would even think to tiptoe gently around.
Curiosity burgeoning in leaps and bounds, at Wolverstones wave, Robert led the way up the steps to the narrow front porch.
He hadnt previously called at this house, but the butler who opened the door to his knock recognized him instantly. The mans face lit. Captain Frobisher. Then the butler noticed the other two men, and his expression turned inscrutable.
Realizing the man didnt know either Wolverstone or Melville, Robert smiled easily. I gather these gentlemen are acquainted with my brother.
He didnt need to say moreDeclan must have heard the butlers greeting; he appeared through a doorway down the hall.
Smiling, Declan strode forward. Robertwell met!
They grinned and clapped each other on the shoulders, then Declan noticed Wolverstone and Melville. Declans expression shuttered, but then he looked at Robert, a question evident in his blue eyes.
Robert arched a brow back. They were waiting outside.
Ah. I see.
From Declans tone, Robert gathered that his brother was uncertain whether Wolverstone and Melvilles appearance was good news or bad.
Yet with assured courtesy, Declan welcomed Wolverstone and Melville, shaking their hands. Gentlemen. As the butler shut the door, Declan caught Wolverstones eye. The drawing room might be best.