Chapter One

Baltimore 1821

On board the ship taking her to Baltimore, Tira Hepburn watched the land grow closer until the boat finally docked. Her trunk was unloaded and she walked down the gangplank with a small valise in hand, her heart in her throat. This was her new life, and it was the first time her twin Tavia was not by her side. She inhaled a long deep breath, breathing in the fresh clean air so unlike that of London and listening to the sea gulls as they flew overhead.

“Tira, over here. Tira.”

She smiled seeing her cousin jumping up and down, waiving her hands in the air. Aidan McLellan, strands of wild red hair flying in the breeze off the ocean waited by a wagon, ready to take her to the home their families owned in the city. When Aidan finally finished jumping, she ran to her, arms outstretched.

With hugs, “You’re here. You finally made it. Auntie wrote to me when you would come. Mr. Lundin sent word this morning that several fishing boats had sighted the ship and relayed messages. I’ve been waiting impatiently for an hour at least.”

“Have you heard from Blade?” Arm and arm, Tira and Aidan walked to the wagon. A dockworker helped put the trunk on the cart. “He left London almost to the same day that you did.”

“No, thank goodness. If I never see that man again, I’ll be happy.” Aidan looked behind her as if the man she spoke of would turn up. “But I’m truly afraid it’s just a matter of time before he finds a way to humiliate me again. If he arrives in Baltimore and does that…” She let the sentence hang and Tira put her own meaning to the words.

Tira was pretty sure Aidan wanted to see Blade at least one more time. She loved him but she probably wanted it on her terms and where Blade was concerned, that wasn’t going to happen. For years their relationship had revolved around Blade’s ideas and what he wanted or thought was best for Aidan.

“You must live each day wondering if he’ll come after you. I know I would find you if I were him. He’s always tried to protect you. You have to figure out how you’re going to deal with his antics when he does show up.” Tira hated the thought, yet she knew Aidan loved the man. When the two of them got together for good or bad, their relationship would most likely be defined as a match made in hell.

“He won’t. If he hasn’t come yet, I doubt if he will. That last incident drove the point home for both of us that we’re not suited to each other and never will be. At least what happened before Ella’s wedding made it perfectly clear to me. He’s never going to see me as a woman, always as a little girl.”

“Lundin Ships,” Tira read as they stepped passed the building. “Experienced ship builder needed.” She turned to Aidan, “I’m going to apply first thing in the morning. This is heaven sent for me.” She clapped her hands together excited by the prospect. Her dreams were about to come to fruition. She so wanted to learn how to design and build ships, and Jamie Lundin was just the man to teach her.

“You don’t really believe Jamie Lundin will give you a job, do you?” Aidan stared at her, a skeptical expression of her face. “No one hires women for ship building jobs.”

“I can only hope. I’m going to go dressed as a man. Tavia and I bought pants and men’s shirts in London. Tavia sailed on a ship as a cabin boy. She even cut her hair short. Haven’t heard from her though I’ve been thinking about her constantly.”

“Tavia Hepburn, your twin, she did what?” Aidan asked, seeming shocked at what Tira said. “She’s more impulsive than me and you also. Look at you, trying to be like a man. I’ve been trying for years to convince Blade I’m a woman grown and less than a year ago he still thought I was a little girl. I would never masquerade as a man.”

“Perhaps you should have tried wearing pants. I heard the ploy worked well for Ella. Remember how Drake had her wear britches when he was trying to figure out if he wanted to marry her.” They were alone, of course, at Drake’s hunting lodge and no one else saw her.

“Ella Hepburn, now Montgomerie, she’s a duchess. Are they doing well, she and Drake?”

“They were when I left. You know, Blade searched London for you. No one would tell him where you disappeared. We all kept our promise to you even though it was hard,” Tira said. “Then he vanished without a trace.”

“That’s a relief, I’m glad everyone kept silent. I need time to figure things out, and the last person I want showing up on my front door is Blade McPherson. I’ve had a few outings with some men I’ve met, but none of them make my heart rush with desire or even beat a tiny bit harder. I don’t know how long it will take me to get over him. If I ever do.”

“Before I left, I heard Blade was called home. His father was ailing. So, you may have a longer reprieve than expected.” Tira watched Aidan for a reaction. All who had known these two over the years hoped someday they would find a way to get over their differences. Aidan had been in love with Blade since she was thirteen.

Aidan pulled in front of the house, stopping the wagon with a huge sigh. “Did you realize it’s been over six years since I first met him. I wish he never showed up at the castle that day with his friend, Hunter. If I never met him, I might be happily in love now and not pinning away for someone I can’t have.”

“You’ve been in love with that man for so long. Have you even been kissed by another man?” Tira was sorry she asked that question. After all, she’d never been kissed.

“Have you?” Placing one finger on her lips as if she remembered how Blade kissed her that first time in the gazebo at the Montgomery estate, Aidan turned the question back on her cousin.

“No.” Tira didn’t want to talk about it. Since Ella and Drake’s wedding, Jamie Lundin had caught her eye when he escorted Tavia, her twin. She had dreamt of his kisses. Now she meant to parade herself in front of him in men’s clothing. He’d never treat her as a woman if she did that.

Aidan laughed softly. “Here we are virgins who’ve never been kissed.” She choked back her thoughts. “Well, I’ve been kissed that one time when Blade managed to humiliate me in front of all my family. I liked it when I thought he was sincere.”

“Maybe that’s why we fled London. There are no opportunities left for us in England,” Tira said, looking over her shoulder and trying to see Jamie’s building while wondering what would happen tomorrow.

“Hello, welcome. I hope you feel at home here.” Lilly, the black woman Amorica rescued from slavery stepped from the door. “Do you need help? I can call Joshua. He can get your trunk.”

“Yes, please,” Aidan said, smiling. “It’s the only way we’ll get that trunk up the stairs. If not, we’ll have to take each piece of clothing a couple at a time.”

Tira followed Aidan into the home and up the steps. “So, this is the house.” She inhaled a long deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. Here, she was truly independent. She didn’t have to answer to anyone except herself and her conscious. She could come and go as she pleased.

“I’ll show you to your room and you can freshen up before dinner.” Aidan looked over her shoulder at Tira as she followed behind.

Inside her new bedroom, Tira held her breath, looking over the place where she was going to stay indefinitely. Second thoughts about what she was about to do assailed her. She wanted Jamie to court her properly, but she had serious misdoubts about that ever happening.

She plopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about Tavia. Where in the world was she? They’d never been separated before, and now she hadn’t seen her twin for closing on seven months. Was she still alive? Tira was pretty sure if something happened to her, she’d know. They always had a way of communicating without speaking. They shared an unbreakable bond no one else understood.

A knock on the door brought her from her introspective thoughts to the present. The door creaked open and Lilly peeked inside. “I’ve hot water. Would you like a bath?”

“Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes, that would be heaven.” Tira sat up smiling, her hands clasped under chin. The trunk was brought in behind the hot water as her bath was filled.

Once the door closed and she was alone again, she slipped out of her clothes and into the bath. Famished, she washed quickly then dressed in clean clothes before skipping down the steps.

“Hello…” She peeked into the parlor.

Aidan met her with a glass of wine. “Come, dinner won’t be ready for another hour. Let’s go into the parlor and have a few dainty dishes before the meal. Lilly loves to put tiny bits of meat in pastry shells with a cream sauce. They are really very good. I have to be careful not to fill up on them before dinner though.”

Tira sat back, her eyes closed, wondering what the morning would bring and if Jamie Lundin would hire her and if she could pull off her disguise. “You know, I’m…I guess I’m a bit afraid for tomorrow. What if he recognizes me? What if he doesn’t think I’m a man?”

“Honestly, I don’t see how you can change yourself enough so that anyone who has met you would not recognize you,” Aidan said, blunt as usual. “And if Tavia tried to pass herself off as a boy, I’m sure her true identity will be or already has been discovered. This is all foolishness, but time will tell. If he doesn’t recognize or know that you’re a woman at first site, I have serious doubts about his character.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of too. Tavia cut all her hair off. Do you think I should do that?” Tira didn’t want to go to that extreme even when she knew it would grow back.

Aidan choked on her sip of wine, spewing liquid everywhere. “Absolutely not. Don’t you dare. Put lots of pins in your hair to keep it in place and wear a beanie of some sort. Do you have one?”

Tira pursed her lips, staring at Aidan and her look of concern. She had more than second even third thoughts about this crazy endeavor, wanting Jamie to see her as a woman not a man. “I do. I have material to wrap my breasts too. Tavia and I practiced winding the fabric around our torsos, but it hurts. I’m not sure how long I can put up with the bindings.”

Again, Tira’s thoughts turned to her sister who could have had the same problem. At least she had a home, a place where she could go and unwrap the fabric confining her, but on board a ship Tavia would have none of that, no privacy what so ever.

“This is all foolhardiness. Never, never lie, you know that. Go to him just the way you are and maybe he will see that you’re sincere. Men don’t like to be deceived, and they can hold it against you forever,” Aidan voiced her opinion. “I should know better than anyone.”

“You speak from experience?” Tira questioned, wondering what Aidan lied about with Blade. It certainly wasn’t her age.

“Not personally but I’ve watched my sisters and my cousins. Lies tore them apart from the men they loved. In the end they found their way back to each other, but the truth would have served each of them better. I am never going to tell a lie to the man I love.”

“Not always real lies but misunderstandings and lies of omission,” Tira corrected, knowing as soon as she showed up at the Lundin ship building company requesting a job, she would be in the middle of a lie of omission. “And I can’t risk going to him as a woman and asking for a job. He would never hire me if he knew I was female.”

“A man’s job.”

“A man’s job,” Tira agreed with a huge sigh. “I don’t know what to do. I spent the long voyage here believing I would learn how to design and build ships. This is the only way and I’m determined to make it work. He has to believe I’m a young man and give me a chance.” Tira picked at the little pastry in front of her, the huge appetite from minutes ago vanishing with her outstanding worries. She sipped her wine, staring over the rim and out the window toward the building, Jamie’s building.

“Alright then, you think he’ll believe you’re a man. What will you do when he sees through your disguise and he will?” Aidan posed the question.

“If.”

“If he doesn’t know who you are the minute you stand in front of him, I’d be shocked. You have delicate feminine features that no man would have. Of course you could say you were fourteen, but he wouldn’t hire you then either,” Aidan pointed out.

“I really don’t want to think about it right now. Thinking about tomorrow makes my stomach churn and tie in knots. Have you figured out what you will do when Blade turns up here to protect you from yourself just as he always does?” Tira challenged Aidan, determined to change the subject from her and the very real probability Jamie would recognize her.

“Good ploy, change the topic.” Aidan laughed, finishing off her wine and pouring them both another drink. “If he turns up, I will dissuade him in the best way I know how.”

It was Tira’s turn to chuckle. “Have you ever dissuaded him?”

“No. I chased him until he mortified me. If I ever see him again, I will play hard to get. Not sure if I can do that, but I’m certainly going to try. Actually, after what he said to me, I’m not going to forgive him easily. Besides, I’ve a few suitors here in Baltimore.”

“Any you can be serious about?” Tira asked, pretty sure she knew the answer to her question.

“No, but they escort me places and keep me from getting too bored. Lilly has all the chores done by the time I think about them. I go for long walks by the small lake down the hill. Other than that…” She shrugged. “I miss everyone so much and would almost welcome Blade just so we can have a big fight. He challenges me and keeps everything exciting. I really don’t want to say this but I miss him more than I care to admit.”

“Don’t you wish life was easier?” Tira asked thoughtfully, knowing anything worth having was worth working for. “I certainly do. All I want is to learn how to build ships. I don’t care about anything else.” But she did, she needed a family and love.

“You will when you find someone to love. Do you care about Jamie at all?”

“Right now, yes. Jamie did touch my heart a tiny bit when I met him at Ella’s wedding, but he held himself aloof. He’s not approachable. I doubt if he’s looking for a permanent relationship or a relationship of any kind for that matter. I had the distinct feeling he was hiding something. Do you know if Drake knew what it was?”

“He was merely an acquaintance Drake knew from his ships and business. He asked him to be part of the wedding party so he could tell his brother he didn’t need anyone.”

“Are you in love even a little bit?” Aidan asked. It seemed her curiosity had risen several notches.

“Not right now and certainly not with Jamie Lundin. I barely know him. How did this conversation change from asking for a man’s job to a possible husband? Have you heard from Amorica recently?” Tira changed the subject to her oldest sister.

“She and Damian were here a couple of months ago. Their children are growing like weeds and the two of them are still so much in love…” Aidan let that thought hang in the air. “I so wish I could have what they have.” She paused, thinking, “with Blade when I finally forgive him.”

“I need to fall in love first,” Tira said pensively, wondering what it would take to catch Jamie’s attention. Could she work as a man on his ships during the day and meet him at night as a woman?

“I’ve been in love for over six years, and he’s thought of me as a little girl for that long. What can I ever do to change his mind?” Aidan let a heavy sigh emanate from her.

“Blade doesn’t deserve you.”

“Tell him that.”

“Dinner is ready, any one hungry?” Lilly stood in the doorway, hands clasped in front of her, a smile on her face.

“Famished, even though the pastries were wonderful.” Tira strode to the dining room relieved to put the conversation behind her and eager for tomorrow morning so she would know her fate.

“Lilly, will you and Joshua join us for dinner? I understand you don’t feel comfortable eating in this house, but you and your fiancé are so welcome.” Aidan took Lilly’s hands in hers obviously hoping she would finally get over the slave versus free person status.

“I will ask him, but he is newly emancipated and I know exactly how it feels to have to bow down to a white master.” Lilly spun, “I’ll be right back.”

Aidan turned to Tira to clarify, “When Damian first came here, he bought Lilly and emancipated her. Now he has done the same for Joshua. Because of intense prejudices, they must be very cautious and don’t dare go very far from this property. The townspeople understand they are free, but the farmers and plantation owners in the surrounding lands will not accept it unless they see proof. If they go anywhere, they have to carry their papers and in doing so they risk losing them or having them stolen.”

“There is risk in everything they do.” Tira was appalled at the revelations.

“Many will strive to keep these two apart and put them in chains again. There are several copies of their papers just in case. Amorica also has duplicates in her home. There is a reproduction in the safe here and they both have copies of their own.”

“My goodness…” Tira was shocked by Aidan’s words. “I would have never believed one would have to go to such lengths to prove they are free. Everyone should be free. This is the eighteen hundreds after all.”

“The people here use the slaves to plant and harvest their crops. They are not free and it seems never will be unless some wealthy person buys them and gives them their freedom.”

“That’s awful.”

“No, it’s inhumane.”

Lilly returned. “I’m sorry. He wants to give his apologies, but he doesn’t want to intrude on your privacy. So he declines. I will eat with him and I will see both of you tomorrow morning.”

“I understand. Amorica told me it took years for you to feel this comfortable even to consider eating with us, but I want you to know that we are not above you in any way. We are all the same, equal in every way. What happened to you and Joshua is a travesty that in a better world would be stopped immediately.” A tear slipped down Tira’s cheeks, wearing her feelings for everyone to see.

“It won’t though,” Aidan said thoughtfully, placing a hand on Tira’s. “Having been in this part of the world for only a short time I understand what drives the men who keep slaves. They are all greedy men who want free labor. Most believe they couldn’t afford to farm their huge crops without the slaves who work for them. They think they would go out of business if they paid anyone to work their land. Your Jamie Lundin is not one of them. His farm is slave free.”

“I must go. Joshua is very apprehensive. He has a hard time believing Tira came from across the ocean and she is not his enemy. He is constantly looking over his shoulder, believing his master is hunting for him,” Lilly said, also looking over her shoulder at the back door.

“Take enough food for both of you then and enjoy,” Aidan said, having assumed the role of the lady of the house. “He had the same reaction to me the first time we met.” She turned to Tira.

“Thank you.” Lilly curtsied then packed a basket of food before leaving for the kitchen then their little cottage beside the big house.

“So, let’s talk about tomorrow.” Aidan leaned forward, elbows on the table, her chin resting on her hands.

“Tomorrow?” Tira feigned innocence, anticipating and excited but dreading the moment too.

“Yes, you’ve got this notion you can wrap yourself up all by yourself. If you’re going to wake me up at the crack of dawn, I’m going to be very unhappy with you, Tira Hepburn.”

“I promise you I can do it.” Tira smiled before taking a bite of food. “But perhaps I should practice. If I can’t do it by myself tonight, I’m going to want you to help me. I’ll just sleep in them.”

“You mean lie awake staring at the ceiling all night long, but yes, I’ll help you because I don’t want you waking me up before the sunrises.”

“I promise I won’t wake you up.”

Finishing dinner and clearing the dishes the cousins strode upstairs. “Lilly will clean this up in the morning or later tonight. She berates me if I try to take over any of the chores she considers her duty.”

In Tira’s bedroom, “Here are the bindings.” Tira pulled out a long length of fabric cut about five inches wide. “And here are the shirt and pants I plan on wearing.” She held them up, grinning.

“Oh bloody eyes, this is scandalous. Jamie Lundin is going to be shocked at your brazenness. There is absolutely no way you can hide your curves in those garments.”

“He won’t know I’m female. Tavia and I planned everything.” Tira was determined to make this work, and if she had to tell herself the same thing over and over, she would. Aidan shook her confidence and she wasn’t at all sure anymore if he would believe she was a man.

“Keep saying that and maybe you’ll convince him.”

Aidan plopped down on the bed to watch Tira try to wrap herself in the fabric and fasten the bindings. Twenty minutes later, Tira frowned at her and lay down on the bed. “This isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.”

“Thought you said you practiced.”

“We did but we weren’t able to do any better than this. I kept going over the process in my head, and I thought I had it figured out, but my hands and my fingers just don’t work the way I think they should.” Tira felt the weight of her plans begin to implode on her.

“Obviously you don’t. What now?”

“You wrap me up now so you won’t have to get up in the morning.” Tira smiled, one eyebrow lifting in silent speculation.

“I want to see you completely dressed.” Aidan stood back to look Tira over when she was done with the bindings.

Tira pulled the britches and shirt from the trunk and after putting them on, “How do I look?”

“Like a woman. Your hips are too wide, Tira, and even with your hair pulled up and tucked under the cap, your features are all female. There is no way Mr. Lundin will believe this ruse. You wouldn’t even believe you were a boy. I’m sure Tavia had the same problem.”

“Well, I have to try. You knew who I was, so this test wasn’t fair in the least.” Tira protested, her hands on her hips. “I’ve got to keep believing he won’t see me as a woman.”

“Don’t do that if you want to ape a man. The way you’re standing makes your hips stand out even more and I have a feeling you better not bend over either. Try to pose like a man would.”

“And how is that?” Tira asked thoroughly out of her element.

“How would I know?”

“Well, you brought it up. How does Blade stand when he’s acting all male?”

“Chest puffed up and feet braced apart. He usually has his hands on his narrow hips. Don’t think you should puff up your chest or bring his eyes to your wide hips.”

~ * ~

“What the devil,” Jamie mumbled after the incessant knocking woke him up from a deep sleep. “The town must be on fire…the docks, the ships.” His heart racing, he slipped on his buckskins and running his hands through his hair then racing down the stairs, opened the front door.

Tira Hepburn, what the bloody eyes was she doing at his front door at five in the morning and what was she doing aping a man? For that matter, what was she doing in Baltimore? Tira must have been the reason her cousin Aidan was inquiring about the ships coming in from London. “Can I help you?” he asked out of politeness but wishing he still lay in bed sleeping.

“I’m here to apply for the job.”

“What job?” Sleepily, he ran his hands through his hair, unable to take his gaze off the woman on his front porch wearing men’s clothing. Even dressed in that ridiculous outfit she mesmerized him. The only job he knew of was the one for an experienced ship builder.

“The one building ships.” She smiled, puffing up her chest and settling her hands seductively on her hips.

Obviously, she had no idea how the simple gestures emphasized her femininity.

If he didn’t miss his guess, she sounded indignant, but for some reason he couldn’t fathom, he didn’t want to end the conversation this instant. He had no choice though. His six-year-old daughter was asleep upstairs and needed breakfast before he could continue with this strange encounter. “Come back at eight o’clock. Not here but at the shipyard. I’ll speak with you then and not a moment before.”

“I went there to begin with but when no one answered my knock, I came to your house. I need this job.” Her voice filled with indignation.

You need this job my ass. “Come back at eight and we can discuss this civilly.” He started to close the door.

“Promise me you won’t give the job to someone else before the interview.” She smiled at him.

“Doubt if anyone in town besides you wants the job. The sign has been up for over a month. Besides, there aren’t very many skilled ship builders in town. Are you skilled?” He challenged, hoping she would back down and he wouldn’t have to be at the office at eight.

“Papa, who is it?”

“Go back to bed, honey. It’s no one you need to concern yourself with.” Yet he suddenly knew what he wanted Tira Hepburn for. She could be Annie’s nanny. He reminded himself none of the Hepburns could possibly need a job. He was eager to find out more, and the upcoming interview with Miss Tira could be enlightening. Getting to the bottom of this made the day a bit more interesting than he thought it would be. Suddenly, he was eager to start the day and discover what would come of this chance encounter.

“Papa.” Annie stood beside him, tilting her head slightly and pursing her lips.

“Who is it?” Tira shifted her position as if she was trying to see beyond his shoulders.

“She’s no concern of yours,” he told Tira a bit too harshly, his protective nature kicking in. Where Annie was concerned, he would guard her with his life and make sure nothing bad happened to her, ever.

“I’m sorry,” Tira said weakly. “I didn’t mean…”

“Of course you didn’t. Come back at eight. I’ll meet you then.” He was surprised at her smile and how that simple gesture affected him, touched his heart in a way he didn’t understand. What on earth was she doing to him?

Awkwardly, she backed away and nearly fell off the porch before she turned and headed away from the shipyard, her hips swaying provocatively as she walked. He felt a crazy urge to run after her and then what? Drag her into his arms and kiss her?

He remembered her from Drake and Ella’s wedding months ago. She’d been the first woman who found a way beneath his hardened heart since his mistress died in childbirth and left him to raise Annie on his own. Tira Hepburn was not a candidate for his mistress, a wife maybe…

Lizzy, his mistress, had never wanted to become his wife and after his first marriage, he sure as hell never wanted to be wed again, but he cared for Lizzie and mourned her loss. Before she died, he promised her he would take care of Annie and make sure she would never have to sell her body to make a living.

He was too awake now to go back to bed, so he walked Annie to her bedroom. It seemed she was awake now too.

“Would you like a big breakfast this morning?” He ruffled his daughter’s hair and delighted in her smile and laughter.

“Pancakes,” she asked, “and bacon too? Anything but oatmeal.”

“What ever you want today but don’t get used to this royal treatment. Get dressed and by the time you get down for breakfast, I should have most of it cooked. We can talk then about the rest of the day.” He loved her more than life itself.

“Who was the lady?” Annie asked.

He chuckled softly. Even his five-year-old daughter knew the person at his door was a woman, not a man. For a quick second the thought of going along with her ruse crossed his mind, but he shrugged it off. Truth was always better than lies, and if he let her work for him, he could risk her life. He wasn’t about to do that. Damian Andrews, her brother-in-law, would have his hide if he hired her. Truth be told, he was more afraid of her sister Amorica.

Annie stopped at the top of the stairs. “Are you going to get dressed before breakfast? Did you know she was staring at your chest, Papa? Why was she doing that?”

For a moment he choked back an answer. He’d been staring at her chest or lack of breasts too. That wasn’t the way he remembered Tira. “After breakfast, maybe we can talk about where she was looking.” Given time his Annie might forget her question. He certainly didn’t want to answer it.

He remembered Tira’s form from that one time he saw her in London, and she was not flat chested. She must be horribly uncomfortable. It was another reason to let her know she couldn’t fool him.

“That’s not an answer,” Annie said, standing at the bottom of the steps. “Don’t forget I want to know why.”

Laughter threatened to bubble up from his gut, “Guess I don’t know. Now run along and dress.” Jamie couldn’t help but chuckle at his daughter. He felt a strange sense of elation that Tira liked his body.

With the bacon cooking on the stove, he mixed the pancake batter. He thought about eggs and potatoes but decided with just the two of them that was too much food. For a moment he thought about inviting Tira but shrugged off the thought. Asking her to breakfast was too much too soon.

“You’re not done.” Annie raced into the room laughing. “I knew I could beat you.” She ran to him and hugged his legs. “I brought you a shirt.” She folded it across the top of a chair.

He bent over, lifting her into the air for a quick toss then a kiss before setting her on a chair. “Be patient, little one, and thank you for your thoughtfulness. This shirt is exactly the one I would have picked.”

“Do you think the lady is hungry?” Annie asked.

His heart stopped for a moment. “Why do you ask?”

“She’s sitting on the stoop at the shipyard office. Every once in a while, she stands and stretches then sits down again. I feel sorry for her. We could invite her to breakfast. If you have your shirt on, she might not stare at your chest.”

“Probably not a good idea. She’s looking for a job. We don’t mix business with pleasure.” Tira Hepburn was clearly muddled if she thought he would hire a woman.

“What kind of job?”

“She wants to build ships.”

“That’s man’s work,” Annie said, a serious tone edging her voice. “She can’t do that.”

Those three words shook him to the core. While he didn’t want Tira Hepburn in his shipyard distracting his men, he wanted Annie to be able to pursue any dream she had.

“Annie, I want you to think beyond what men and women should do for work or with their lives. Your mother wanted you to pursue whatever dreams you had.” Actually, her mother wanted her to find a man to marry and support her, but Jamie found he wanted more for his little girl. He wanted her to have a voice in her life.

“Why would you want that? I want to be a wife and a mother, well, that’s what all my friends say they want. Do you want to know what I really want to be?” she asked, eagerly watching him it seemed for a reaction.

“Tell me.” Jamie flipped a pancake on to her plate and pushed the syrup and butter toward her. He gave her a piece of bacon then heaped his plate with food.

For a couple of seconds, she pushed her food around on her plate before she looked up. “I’d like to be a doctor.”

“Really. That’s incredibly special. Why?” He didn’t want that for her. Hypocrite.

“Because they help people when they are sick,” she told him in such a matter of fact manner. “I want to know how to do that.”

He was suddenly frightened her dream would come true. Doctors took risks with their lives to help people. “That’s noble of you.” He meant to encourage her even though he wanted anything else for her. He knew through the course of a person’s life, they changed their dreams. When he was a boy, he wanted to be a lawyer.

“If she can’t work in the shipyard, could she be my nanny. I like her. Well, I think I’ll like her. You told me you were going to hire someone, but that was months ago.”

“You don’t even know her, but I met her when I was in England and I liked her too. I’ll ask her if she’d like that job.”

“When you fire her from man’s work.”

“Yes, poppet when I refuse to hire her because she’s not strong enough to work in the shipyard. I’ll ask her if she wants to be your nanny.”

“Thank you.”

“Eat up. I’ve got to go to work and you will need to go with me.” Except when Mooney’s wife wanted to watch his little girl or school was in session, Annie went to the shipyard with him. Today would be no different.

He cleared the dishes, leaving them in the scullery for his housekeeper. “Are you ready?” Jamie held out his hand and Annie let him take her hand in his. She was so precious, the best thing that ever happened to him. “Would you like to go swimming after work today?”

“Yes, the little swimming hole behind the Andrews house? I love it there. You can help me learn to float on my back.”

“The very one.” He stopped in front of Tira who stood when they approached. “I see you waited here. Nothing better to do?”

“I did.” She nervously wiped her hands on her pants. “Stay.”

Inwardly he groaned, noticing the beautiful curve of her hips and imagining the sway of her breasts if she hadn’t bound them, and he sure as hell hoped she didn’t cut off her hair. He opened the door and waited for Annie and Tira to walk through the door. “Go up on deck. Your things are still there. Practice tying the knots I showed you last week. Now behave yourself until I’m through with this interview. Call me if you need anything.”

Jamie walked into his office, Tira following him. He sauntered around his desk and sat then motioned for her to take a seat. For some reason she fascinated him. “What can I do for you?” The only real question was how long he was going to let her think she was fooling him.

“I’m looking for a job.” One more time, she ran her hands along her thighs then back. “I want to design and build ships. Wanted to learn how to do that for as long as I can remember.”

He couldn’t help himself, that small gesture made him think about doing just that to her. He cleared his throat, pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, trying to focus on her eyes instead of her lips. “So, you’re an expert ship builder. Any credentials?”

“No, but…”

“But?”

“I want to learn. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do and I’ll work hard,” she repeated. Her voice grew soft, almost wistful.

“The job description calls for an expert. I don’t have time to teach someone.” He watched her expression change from hopeful to full disappointment. “I need this person who I hire for the job to be there for me, so I can spend more time with my daughter.”

He watched her squirm in her chair, her lips tilting downward. “I see. So there’s no chance you will give me the job.”

He leaned forward, hands clasped, “However.” He peered heavenward searching for divine strength, “Lady Tira Hepburn…” he paused, seeing her sit up straight, her demeanor changing to obvious anger and her lips pursing. Red colored her cheeks. “Yes, I know who you are. I don’t know why you want to ape a man or why you need to work, but I could hire you as a nanny.”

“Please.” Annie stood at the door, jumping up and down, clearly excited about the prospect. “She’s pretty and I want her for a nanny. I bet she’ll be more fun than my last one. I don’t even care if she stares at your chest.”

“Stare at your chest? I didn’t.” She turned even redder, if that were possible.

“Yes, you did, but it doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t know you had a little girl.” Tira looked from one to the other. “She has your eyes.”

“I don’t keep Annie a secret nor do I advertise the fact at a wedding in London,” he said, his voice curt, his brows drawing together defensively.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply…well, I suppose I should go.” She rose, hesitating a moment to address Jamie. “What gave me away? How did you know I was Tira and not my twin?”

He sat back, relaxing in his chair, looking her up then down, understanding the advantage was his. “Anyone who looks at you would know you were aping a man. Even Annie knew you were a woman. As to how I know which twin you are, you have one tiny dimple on your cheek next to the corner of your lips. Tavia has none.”

“Oh.” She backed toward the door, clearly distraught, moisture forming in her eyes. She turned and in her haste, ran into the wall.

Before she could leave, “You didn’t answer my question. Would you like to be Annie’s nanny?” That would mean he would spend more time with Tira. He wasn’t adverse to that notion. She had intrigued him the first time he saw her and now dressed in men’s clothing, she captivated him even more.

“You’re right. I don’t need to work. I’ve always wanted to learn how to build ships. I did build a small sailboat about six years ago. The vessel didn’t sink.” Tira turned to glance at his little girl. “I could be her nanny for a little while. I don’t want to go back to London right away, and I will need something to do with my time. Why not?”

“Good, then you can start today. She was supposed to be playing in the captain’s cabin aboard the ship. Instead she chose to eavesdrop on our conversation. The vessel is nearly finished.” He slanted Annie a stern look.

“I couldn’t wait to find out what she’d say. I promise I won’t do it again,” Annie said, in her defense.

He led the way to the gangplank, which stopped at the ship’s deck. Once on board, he showed her the cabin. “Annie has a few toys she likes to play with inside. When she’s hungry, you can take her home and fix her whatever she wants or whatever is in the pantry.”

“Anything else?” she tilted her head prettily to one side. “Will you be there for lunch too?”

He vowed he’d never get involved with a woman other than a willing widow or someone who would be a mistress. Tira Hepburn was not that woman. So why was he letting her move him in ways he was hard pressed to resist? “If I can spare the time.

“I think Annie can fill you in if you have questions, and I’ll be in my office finishing some paperwork if either of you need me.” He turned and left, shaking his head and thinking about his life in a completely different way than he’d seen it when the pounding on his door woke him up this morning.

In his office he poured himself a cup of coffee, realizing Mooney, his assistant, had come to work early this morning. The man must have seen and heard most of the conversation between Tira and himself. Jamie groaned, unready to answer questions and knowing the man would be relentless when he wanted to know something.

“Who’s the little gal and why’s she dressed like that?” Mooney stepped through the door, rubbing his bearded chin and holding a cup. “I see she caught your eye. ‘Bout time you found someone.”

“Lady Tira Hepburn.” Jamie turned slowly, unable to stop smiling. “She thought…she wanted a job building ships so she thought she could fool me with that get up. I met her on my last trip to London.”

Mooney’s jaw dropped. “You’d have to be blind as a bat for that to happen. Don’t see a lady in britches too often but…” It seemed he couldn’t say anything more. He poured coffee into his cup.

“She’s going to be my…Annie’s nanny,” Jamie put in, thinking how ridiculous that sounded.

“You’re going to employ a real lady, a member of the British aristocracy, to be your nanny. She on hard times or something?” Mooney gazed out the door as if he wanted to get another look at a real lady.

“Looks like it. Annie likes her. No hard times as far as I know.” Jamie didn’t want to explain himself. He sensed a note of disapproval in Mooney’s voice. He couldn’t help but wonder at his motives, and if that was what Mooney was thinking too. He and his daughter were going swimming after work, and he wondered how he could convince Tira to come with them. Those thoughts went directly to motive.

“Well, it appears to me, you’re lookin’ at a lot of trouble. Thought you told me once you’re not the marryin’ kind. You keep lookin’ at her the way you were just doin, well…”

“I did say I don’t intend to embrace that popular institution. You don’t have to remind me. Annie likes her and she usually gets whatever she wants,” he said again trying to convince himself he didn’t have ulterior motives where Tira was concerned.

After his first marriage and the way it ended, he knew he would never give that institution another chance. Three months after they tied the knot, his wife ran off with another man.

Mooney’s roar of laughter echoed in his ears, “Bet you’re wed before the end of the year. She’s not Lizzy and she’s certainly not like your first wife. She’s not going to sleep with you and have your child without a ring on her finger.”

Jamie stiffened. Mooney’s words hit too close to his thoughts, and he couldn’t figure out why he was regarding Tira in that same light. Two chance meetings and Mooney had him married. “You know I don’t gamble.”

“She’s a pretty little thing, even in those clothes. Wonder what she’d look like dressed in proper female clothing?” It seemed Mooney tried to goad him.

He was about to say something back when Annie’s scream caught him by surprise. He dropped his coffee cup and ran.

~ * ~

Mathew Dutton surveyed the inside of the house. It was opulent, designed in golds and reds, a mirror on every wall. The women of the house were all beautiful and scantily clad, yet in ways more discreet than in most brothels. They showed their curves but not their bodies. A man had to pay handsomely to play with one of his girls. His was what he called a high-class operation.

Beside him the madam of the house sipped a fine brandy he’d imported from Scotland. Kendall was his first. No one else touched her unless they paid more than handsomely. She’d given herself to him years ago, claiming she never wanted conventional things for herself, not marriage and certainly not a family.

“Kendall, I’ve a new girl in mind, but I don’t think she’ll come along as easily as most. I’m not sure. I’ll have to look into her situation more extensively. At first look she appears to be British aristocracy.”

“Who is it? Do I know her?” Kendall Mackenzie asked.

“No, she’s new in town. Just arrived yesterday. Heard she asked for work at Lundin’s shipyard.”

“What’s the problem? If she looked for work there, she must be down on her luck.” Kendall sipped the brandy, sliding her hand along Mathew’s leg, her meaning clear.

“We could take this upstairs?” Mathew said, catching her exploring hand and kissing the back before she could reach her destination.

She moistened her lips. “Not until I know who you’re talking about and why there might be a problem. You’ve always had a way to convince the ladies. Besides this job at the shipyard had to be gossip. No member of the British aristocracy would stoop so low.” Kendall sat back, pouting provocatively and letting him take full advantage of the view of her cleavage.

“Don’t know her name, working on that little piece of information, but Aidan McLellan picked her up at the docks and took her to the Andrews home. Could be she’s connected to that clan in some way.”

“You think she’s kin. We don’t want to mess with any of them. They’ve got too much influence here and in England. Andrews and Lakeland could have me run out of town if we provoked them. I like it here and I don’t want to move.”

He trailed a finger along her bodice. “I don’t want that either. I’ll make sure I understand who it is before I take action. She’d make a beautiful addition to the stable of girls we have here. She’s looks aristocratic, long black hair and enticing curves. I couldn’t get close enough to see her eyes, but I will.”

Kendall swatted his hand away. “We can take this upstairs later. Need I remind you, I’ve a business to run?”

She rose and flounced away, greeting a customer before calling for one of her girls. The man and the lady disappeared upstairs. Mathew’s gut tightened. He downed his brandy, standing. On the front porch he leaned on the railing, looking over the town.

Meeting Kendall had been a godsend. Together they built this brothel as well as two others in neighboring communities in addition he just purchased one in London. When he met her, they were both dirt poor. Now he could buy anything he wanted, and he wanted the girl he saw yesterday.

Kendall wasn’t like most women. She had a fire inside that couldn’t be tamed. At first, she had been the main attraction, now she only serviced him, unless someone came to the home she was attracted to. He knew she had been intimate with more than just him. Of course he saw other women too. He looked forward to making love to the new girl in town. Mentally, he undressed her, his breath quickening in anticipation.

The evening was clear, barely a cloud could be seen. A few stars shone in the darkening sky. A crescent moon rested on the horizon and a cool breeze blew off the ocean.

Kendall appeared at his side, two glasses of brandy in her hands. She handed him one. “You really smitten?”

“I don’t know what it is. I thought I was too old and too experienced to feel this way. She’s just another woman.”

“You’re going to have to find a way to convince her this is the life she’s been craving.”

“It would help if I understood why you chose me and all this.” He gestured with his hands.

She paused, seeming to think. “I’ve never told you this, but my mother was never happy. She married a bastard and had his children, one after another until he left her. I didn’t want a bastard dictating my life. When I met you, I’d slept with several men and I liked it. The thought of having to make love to just one man my entire life wasn’t appealing.”

“Variety is nice.” His hand rested at the small of her back. “No regrets?”

She gasped when his hand slipped beneath her skirt. “None.” She turned in his arms.

His lips molded against hers as her tongue swept the inside of his. He groaned low in his belly, letting his other hand find her breast, teasing a nipple. “Can we take this upstairs yet?” He touched the length of her neck with lips and tongue.

“Another hour perhaps. I’ll leave Jessica in charge if we get any new customers.”

“Go on then.” He stood back, watching her leave and anticipating the night with her in his arms.