Page 2 of Devil of the High Seas
Without another thought, he fetched a traveling case and began to fill it with clothing before he emptied a box of coins into a leather pouch and tied it to his belt.
When he opened his bedchamber door, he found his brother standing there, his hand raised as if to knock.
Griffin halted at the sight of him clutching the travel case of belongings. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes.” It was the only word he could manage.
“I didn’t want to love her,” Griffin said, equally at a loss for words.
“But you love her anyway,” Gavin said.
“At first, I think I loved her becauseyouloved her. I suppose that’s because we’re twins. But then I began to love her because of my own heart’s desires. I told her tonight that she should choose you, take the title of countess, and live here. It is what she deserves.”
“And did she agree?” Gavin knew the answer when Griffin’s face fell.
“She still chose me.”
“Then take her and the bloody title,” Gavin said, his tone sharp. “Take it all. I am dead to you, brother. Take everything, because I have nothing left.”
“Gavin, please. That is ridiculous. I cannot take the title even if I wished to, which I don’t,” he shot back.
“If I’m considered dead, Father will still have his heir to the title. You will never see me again.” He pushed past his twin to leave the room, but then paused, his voice softening. “Tell Mother I love her, and Father too. Tell them I’m sorry and that the better son will stay here and be the heir they need.”
Griffin caught his arm when he tried to leave again.
“Gavin, no matter what happens between us, this will always be your home. Always.”
I love you too, brother. Always. But I cannot stay with a broken heart.
This time Griffin didn’t stop him as Gavin slipped away. Soon he was gone from his home and headed toward the sea and the uncertain future that awaited him. Thunder rumbled in the distance, signaling an approaching storm.
CHAPTER1
1742 – Seven years later
Cornwall, England
There wasnothing worse than being the little sister of a notorious pirate.
Josephine Greyville hid in the shadows of the ballroom, watching her brother, Dominic, and his bride, Roberta, as they danced. Envy and longing struck her like a bolt fired by a powerful crossbow.
Josephine wanted to have a life of adventure like Dominic. He had gone to sea for fourteen years and had seen the world, and according to their mother, he’d caused a fair bit of trouble too... being a notorious pirate, after all. Adventure was all Josephine had ever wanted... and something she could never have. Gentleborn ladies could not run away to sea and becomepirates.
At eighteen, she was more than old enough to marry and yet too young to experience life the way she wished. And she was a woman. Her twin brother, Adrian, had far more opportunities than she ever would because she had to wear skirts and play the part fate had assigned to her as an earl’s daughter.
Not that she minded a lovely dress, like the green silk ballgown she wore now. The cream panels of her underskirt and the gold bodice embroidered with swirling patterns were exquisite. She felt beautiful when she wore such gowns, but what did beauty matter when life was without excitement and joy? Men simply didn’t understand how trapped a woman could feel in a life restricted to domestic activities with no chance to do anything else.
Already her life felt as though it was ending. Tonight she was at the fine estate of the handsome Earl of Castleton, where she was to be presented to him as his future bride.
“There you are, my little love.” Her mother, Lucia, had discovered Josephine’s hiding place behind a Grecian statue. Lucia was a wonderful mother, a fiery Spanish beauty who held her own against her dashing husband, Aaron, Josephine’s father, the Earl of Camden.
“Hello, Mother,” Josephine sighed.
Her mother caught her chin and turned Josephine to face her. “What is it? You look like you’ve been crying.”
She had, but she didn’t want to admit it. She gently pulled away from her. “I’m all right.”
“Your father has spoken to Lord Castleton, and the engagement has been settled. Your dowry has also been agreed upon. I thought you might like to dance with Lord Castleton now that the papers have been signed.”
