When Two Hearts Meet (Brightmore #2)

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16

Extract from Oriana Harmony Brightmore's Journal

Oriana Harmony Brightmore's Inventory of Favourable Qualities One Should Expect in One's Husband

One: He should be Captain Cole Stanley.

The man reflected in the mirror was a stranger to Cole Stanley. He hardly recognised himself. There was something tangibly different about him, something that had never been there before. It couldn't be his appearance- indeed, no, that hadn't changed at all. Experimentally, Cole rubbed his hand over the short stubble that had developed across the angle of his jaw. He always had looked naturally rugged thanks to the fact that his facial hair had a tendency to regrow within the space of a couple of hours of shaving. His face was weathered and angular, hard. Women had always found him appealing, though he was not entirely sure why. It had never been a struggle for him to find a comely woman to share his bed, but he wasn't actively in pursuit of acquiring countless partners or conquests. He had endured his sexual encounters with the same tenacity he would a satisfying meal- necessary and favourable. However, he had never entertained the thought that one woman would entice him to settle down into a life of marriage, it simply hadn't ever been presented to him in a manner which would allow him to contemplate such a probability. It had been decided personally, many years ago, that Cole would simply never take a wife.

His lips unconsciously turned upwards at the thought of Oriana Brightmore. Absurd to think that his sentiments could be swayed so quickly, as if his whims were fickle. Even now, he was anxious to see her again, yet they had only been apart for a couple of hours as the household prepared for the feast tonight, the final evening before he departed England and the others returned to their respective homes and families.

He tore his thoughts away from the prospect and gave his cravat one final tug. He ran his fingers through his closely cropped hair, shook his head, and turned to exit his chambers. He was early, but he felt restless. Perhaps there was a decanter of whiskey in Ashcroft's study that could occupy several minutes of his time.

Upon entering the dimly illuminated study, Cole was mildly surprised to find that he would not partake alone. Mr. Wood, his young successor, was reclining in a majestic wing-backed chair, a paper propped up on his knee. He glanced up at Cole's appearance and nodded in acknowledgement.

Wordlessly, Cole helped himself to Rhys's treasured whiskey and gestured to a glass. Mr. Wood politely declined with a shake of his head. "Thank you, but no," he said. "I prefer not to imbibe the evening before setting sail."

"Wise choice," Cole agreed as he sipped pointedly at his drink. He was aware of the suffering of men at sea who hadn't yet acquired their sea-legs, the tumultuous water could play havoc on their internal disposition and over-indulgence the night before was sure to make matters considerably worse. "Are rough seas a problem for you then, Mr Woods?"

"Assuredly not," he was quick to assure, "however I am quite sure we will need our wits about us the next several days or so." He gestured to the paper in his lap. "I take it you have not had a chance to review this morning's papers?"

"I am sure you are aware that I have not." His morning, he reflected, had been mired in sweet encounters with his secretly betrothed. Mr Wood handed him the paper in his lap and the headline immediately caught his eye and made him frown. "The hazards of travel at sea are well known, Mr Wood. Shipwrecks may occur regularly, as well you know. And when they do, the account can be rather dramatic as recorded by the printing press."

The young man's face was carefully blank as he retrieved a folded vellum parchment from his inner jacket pocket. "I was going to ask for a private audience after dinner," he explained as he handed Cole the missive. "I received this but an hour ago. I wanted to find a paper to see if word had reached the papers yet, but it has not."