A PIRATE’S ONE
AND ONLY
Book 5 of the Seekers of
the Past series
Amy Valentini
and Free to read at
KindleUnlimited
Continue
the Journey to Where the Past Meets the Present
and
Love Lives Forever
Having survived a
devastating fire that left her scarred and alone in the world, Gabrielle
Hawkings seeks to make her own way. Suffering the horrible remarks and stares,
and believing no man will ever love her, she is surprised when a handsome
stranger not only shows her kindness but attention quite foreign to her.
Capitán Tomás Alvarez is
by his own admission a pirate and a wanted man but is innocent of the crime for
which the British seek him. Visiting Kingston is dangerous at best but he will
risk it all to see the beautiful Gabrielle again. When the authorities use her
as bait, he must do what is necessary to protect her so neither of them ends up
at the end of a noose.
Join Emma and Sam as
they search for the origin of the mystery gold. And thrill in the love that
grows between two people who carry scars on their skin as well as their souls
and heal each other in the process.
*** Each book in this
series can be read as a standalone historical romance with the first and sixth
books set in the present.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Excerpt:
Tomás Alvarez deplored the manhandling of any woman so when he saw the
drunken oaf clutching the young woman and slobbering all over her while she
screamed for him to release her, he knew he had to halt the assault. Had he not
been standing in the middle of the town and not wishing to draw attention to
his presence, he would have snapped the man’s neck and left him lying in his
own filth. Any man who assaults a woman was lower than low in his mind.
Now he was
looking down into bright sky blue eyes in an angelic beautiful face surrounded
by silky blonde hair the color of spun gold. A pert little nose, cherub mouth,
and smooth skin rounded out the beauty of this little woman. Smoothing a strand
of wayward hair from the side of her cheek, he noticed scarring on her neck. Who did this to her?
Before he could
react in any fashion, she stiffened in his arms, her hand came up to push his
hand away, and she demanded to be released. Not one to deny her, he assisted
her to an upright position but when she pushed off his lap to stand, she
wobbled as if her legs would not support her.
“Please, little
one, let me,” he implored her as he scooted to the side and helped her take a
seat alongside him.
“I am sorry. My
scarf—”
He noticed how
she tucked her chin and pulled her hair in close around her face. Suddenly, he
understood. Her scars embarrassed her. This saddened him for she was a
beautiful woman and her scars were nothing. He wanted to soothe her ego and
tell her to hold her head high, to be proud but he knew how such a thing could
plague one’s thoughts.
Glancing around,
he saw a piece of brightly colored cloth lying on the ground nearby. He stood,
moved to it, retrieving it then he shook it out and brought it to her.
“Tis yours?”
She glanced up at
him, nodded then took the cloth, and looked away. Wrapping the scarf around her
neck, he knew she wore it to cover her scars. It was then he noticed she wore
long sleeves even though the temperatures were far too high to warrant them.
Had she more scars?
“Thank you. You
have been most kind…” She peeked out at him from under smoky dark lashes, the
color of which fascinated him since her hair was like captured sunshine.
“Capitán Tomás Alvarez, at your service,” he said with a slight bow of his head then
glanced around to make sure no one overheard him giving his name. “And who do I
have the pleasure of addressing, mi linda?”
“Me—no, my name
is not Linda,” she said, her delicate brows which matched the color of her
lashes knitting together in confusion.
He laughed making
her frown harder.
“No, no, mi linda
means my pretty one,” he said smiling at her and receiving a chuckle and grin
in return.
“Oh! My mistake…my
name is Gabrielle,” she said once again averting her eyes and tucking her chin.
This time Tomás was not going to allow her to hide so he
tucked two fingers under her chin and gently lifted until her eyes met his.
“My
honor to meet you, Gabrielle and yes, you are very pretty…beautiful,” he said
in a low voice as his gaze dropped to her lips and he wondered if they tasted
as sweet as they looked.
Once
more she reacted by pulling away. His hand dropped and his heart ached for her
pain and desire to hide even as his mind pushed back fury at whomever or
whatever caused it.
“Thank you, Captain. I appreciate your
assistance,” she said looking around as if looking for something or someone.
“If you are looking for the beast who attacked
you, he has been dealt with and is in the hands of the authorities,” he told
her. “May I see you home safe, Gabrielle?”
As if he had just proposed something wholly
inappropriate, she jumped to her feet with her hands fluttering around her
scarf then tugging at her shawl to cover her further.
“That is quite all right, sir, I am here for
shopping and wish not to return home yet. I shall be fine. Thank you again.”
She turned to leave but he caught her hand, stilling her.
“Might I accompany you, in case you feel ill at
ease on your feet again?” he asked still holding her hand and surprised she was
allowing it.
Gabrielle slowly removed her hand, her fingers
trailing along the tips of his and he swore the sensation traveled straight
down his spine and ignited a fire in his loins which had him wishing he could
sweep her off her feet, return to his ship and sail away before anyone stopped
him. He did not know what it was about this innocent-looking young woman but
she enchanted him the moment she opened her eyes.
“I suppose it would be all right,” she remarked
looking around them. “As long as we are in full view of others, that is.”
He was about to comment on her not trusting him
when she gave him a smile which told him she just might and was teasing him.
Then it was gone and she tucked her chin once more. He wished he could explain
she had no need to do so for he found nothing unattractive about her.
Standing, he gave her a quick bow and waved her
to start. He joined her walking just one pace behind her and to the side to
allow her to lead while he followed. His action must have surprised her for she
kept peeking at him over her shoulder as if to see if he was still there. He
grinned watching her. She was a delight.
When they reached a small shop with hats in the
window, Gabrielle stopped and looked at the items then glanced at him.
“You shall probably not enjoy this shop,” she
said.
“If you enjoy it, I shall,” he told her with a
grin then opened the door and waved her inside.
The quiet chatter of women inside told him he
was probably going to be quite a surprise to them. Tomás chuckled and stepped inside to the sound of a
collective gasp.
~*~
Gabrielle
did not know what to make of this handsome and charming man. There was a kind
gentleness to him but somehow, she knew there was an underlying dangerous side
as well. Perhaps it was his swagger, his commanding demeanor, or simply the
small gold hoop earring he wore in his left ear. He made her nervous but not in
a scared way. No, it was something she had never experienced before. It was something
rather thrilling, which made her insides quiver when he touched her. Something
which had her wishing her scars gone more than ever before and made her palms dampen
as if in anticipation of something exciting.
She
watched him enter the small shop filled with ladies’ items of clothing and
accessories and grin when the women inside gasped as they turned to look at him.
She had no doubt they had not noticed her.
“Greetings,
sir, may I assist you,” one of the women exclaimed as she hurried over to him.
She
was an older woman, probably the owner of the shop. Gabrielle nearly laughed
aloud at the way she was fluttering her hands in front of her breasts and
blushing like a schoolgirl.
“Not
me, madam, but my lovely friend here,” Tomás remarked as he turned slightly,
placing his hand on her elbow and drawing her forward. “I believe she requires
your assistance in making a purchase.”
The
woman’s gaze shifted to Gabrielle and as she did, her smile waned.
“Ah
yes, welcome, madam,” she said, her gaze narrowing on where her scars peeked
out from under her scarf near her jawline.
Under
her scrutiny, she immediately wished to retreat and began to step backward but
Tomás did not allow her. His grip tightened slightly on her elbow and he pulled
her closer.
“Madam,
you shall show my friend anything she wishes,” he said in that particular voice
which held so much command Gabrielle thought even the King of England would do
as he ordered.
“Of
course, sir. Is there anything in particular you wish to see, my dear?”
She
knew the woman was only turning her attention on her because of Tomás but she
did not care. There was something about him, which gave her increasing confidence.
“Yes,
please, there was a scarf in the window last week which I wish to purchase as a
gift,” she told the woman turning to peruse the display. “It had colors of
green and gold.”
“Ah
yes, I have some, in the back here. If you will follow me,” the woman said
indicating a table toward the back against the wall.
Gabrielle
stepped up to follow her expecting Tomás to stay near the door but he surprised
her by placing his hand near the middle of her back and walking along with her,
pushing past tightly set displays including one of undergarments. She heard the
other women giggle behind her when one of them remarked how she would not mind
modeling anything at all for him. She smiled thinking how they must think she
belongs with him. It was a powerful feeling having other women being jealous of
her for a change.
Not
wishing to dawdle or take up any more of the captain’s time than necessary, she
quickly made her purchase, and foregoing a perusal for her own pleasure concluded
her business, and headed for the door. Tomás
caught up to her, holding the door and allowing her to precede him in exiting
the shop while bidding the women good day.
“So
where to next, Gabrielle,” he asked once they were outside on the street again.
“I
have taken up quite enough of your time, Captain Alvarez—”
“Please, say not my name quite so loud,” he
interrupted her in a low voice while glancing around them over her head. Since
he stood over a head taller than she, it was not difficult for him to do.
“Why ever not?”
“Well…perhaps I shall just say the authorities
here might not be pleased I am in port,” Tomás said with a sly grin and a naughty wink.
She
gasped in response. Perhaps he was just as dangerous as she had thought…perhaps
even one of the notorious pirates she had heard whispered sometimes frequent
the port of Kingston.
“Ah,
now I have worried you, Gabrielle. Please, trust me, I would never allow any
harm to come to you because of me,” he said in a low voice near her cheek which
sent a shiver over her.
Not a
shiver of fear, however…no, it was something else she did not recognize. The
sensation intrigued her. He intrigued her.
“I
must finish up my shopping and return home now,” she said turning to head in
the direction of the McGillicuddy’s home, but his hand on her arm halted her.
Turning
to look at him, she looked up into dark eyes shaded by thick dark lashes
beneath dark brows furled together.
“Do I
frighten you, Gabrielle, for tis not my intention?”
Tucking
her chin, she shook her head.
“No, Captain, I simply must
return for I have duties and responsibilities,” she told him, not wanting to
admit he made her nervous.
She knew not why he was so attentive but she was
enjoying it very much. Most men ran from the sight of her scars yet he had
called his pretty one. What did he want from her?
“Then I shall see you to your home,” Tomás announced standing tall and extending his arm
for her to take as if they were about to walk a promenade.
A
sudden nervous laugh erupted from her before she could stop it causing him to
frown and drop his arm.
“You
do not wish my company anymore, Gabrielle?” he asked looking dejected.
Before
she had a chance to answer, a ragtag looking young man ran up to Captain Alvarez and whispered
in his ear. Tomás looked around with sudden and
obvious nervousness having descended on him. He looked down at her and gave her
a quick smile.
“I
fear I must take your leave, my beautiful Gabrielle,” he said taking her hand
and lifting it toward his lips as he bent. “We shall meet again, my sweet. Tis
a promise and I always keep my word.”
Tomás Alvarez pressed a kiss
to the palm of her hand, which sent fire and ice over her skin while causing
her insides to quiver with nervous energy so strong she gasped.
“Adios—for now,” he said and then he was gone.
Gabrielle stood there, her hand out as if he
still held it, his lips caressing it even as he disappeared into the milling
crowd. Had she only imagined him? Was the entirety of the afternoon simply a
manifestation of the heat and attack by the drunken man? She had felt faint earlier. Perhaps she had
only imagined the attentions of such a handsome and charming stranger.
Happy Reading and please, if you do read it, I’d
greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review. xox
