Page 101 of A Wicked Game

“What about your father? A journey like this will take several months.”

“He’s been talking about going to visit Uncle William at Newstead Park for the summer. I think he’ll be fine there until we get back.”

“In that case, Lord Melville, we accept. We can be ready to go as soon as theBriseishas a crew.”

Melville clapped his hands. “Excellent. Time is ofthe essence. You will, of course, be paid for your time at your previous rate, Captain Davies, but there’s an added incentive: Prinny’s offering one-tenth of the value of any French gold recovered to whoever finds it.”

Morgan grinned. “In that case, we’d better start packing.”

When Melville had left, Harriet couldn’t contain her delight. She let out a little shriek of happiness and twirled in a circle in the middle of the drawing room carpet. Morgan caught her in his arms as she staggered giddily, and she looked up into his face.

“Are you sure you’re ready for several weeks trapped on board a ship with me?” He smiled.

Harriet went up on tiptoe to kiss him. “Oh, I think I’ll manage. I expect we can make your cabin very cozy. Do you think we’ll find the treasure?”

“I have no idea. But even if we don’t, I don’t really care. You’ll be getting an adventure. And I have my very own treasure right here in my arms. You’re everything I could want. I love you.”

“I love you too. I bet we find it.”

His lips quirked. “You bet, eh? Well,Ibet I can make you blissfully happy.”

“That’s quite a claim. Do you mean right now, or just in general?”

“Both.”

Harriet chuckled. She slid her hands around his neck and sent him a wicked look from beneath her lashes. “Go on then, Morgan Davies. I dare you to try.”

She shrieked as Morgan bent and swept her off her feet and headed for the stairs. She knew better than to dare a Davies to do anything, of course. But this was one bet she was more than happy to lose.