Page 47 of A Pirate of Her Own

He interrupted her with a short laugh. “Men and theirwhat?”

She shrugged. “Territory. My brother and father get quite insane anytime anyone intrudes on their private sanctuaries. I’m sure you view this room as such, and I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

Uncomfortable with her choice of words, Morgan shifted in his seat. Well,put outwould definitely describe that piece of his anatomy that was currently ramrod stiff.

“And where do you propose I putyou?” he asked.

“I was thinking we could put a hammock up by the window perhaps.”

“Have you ever slept in a hammock, Miss James?”

“Well no, but I’m sure it’s not that hard.”

It’s harder than it’s ever been before,he thought, shifting once more in his seat. “A hammock is no place for a woman.”

Serenity stiffened at his words. Words that set a fire raging in her belly. “And why is that, Captain Drake? Why is a hammock fine for a man and not a woman?”

By his face she could tell he didn’t want to explain himself.

The answer he gave her rated right up there with her father’sbecause I said so, and as long as you live under my roof…

“It’s just not fitting.”

She set her fork down and eyed him with all the malice she felt. “Says who?”

“Everyone.”

“Everyone?” she repeated, her eyes wide. “I certainly don’t say so, and I believe I count as someone.”

He hadthatlook on his face, that exasperatedwhy can’t you see reasonlook that her father always got when she confronted his more ridiculous notions.

“Where do you get these ideas?” he asked after several seconds of silence.

“My ideas are my own, Captain Drake.”

He snorted. “Well then, that’s comforting. I would hate to think these novel ideas of yours are catching among women.”

Insulted, Serenity glared at him. “I’m not the only woman to hold such views. Are you familiar with the writings of Mary Astell?”

“Never heard of her.”

“What about Lady Mary Wortley Montague?”

Now, that was a name Morgan knew—everyone in polite society was aghast at her exploits. “What about her?”

Her face lighted up. “Then you know her views on women. We are not addle-pated, goose-twits who have no other purpose than—”

“Goose what?”

“Goose-twits,” she repeated. “Women do have value in this world, Captain Drake. We can hold our own!”

“In case you haven’t noticed, Miss James, this is a man’s world. Women need protecting from it.”

Serenity came to her feet and narrowed her stare on him. “I’ll tell you what we need protecting from.Thoughts like thoseand men who think the only value a woman has is to be a pretty little decoration on his arm, or some trophy conquest.”

She put her hands on her hips. “The day shall come, Captain Drake, when women will take their proper place in society. And I assure you, that place is not the drawing room.”

His laughter rang out, and he applauded. “Bravo, Miss James. Tell me how long you have practiced that speech.”

---