Exclusive Excerpt: The Pirate’s Lady by Suzanne Hoos
Suzanne Hoos's novel hits e-readers today! I’m thrilled to be able to share with you an excerpt from the book, And lucky for you, because the book is out today, you can keep reading after you get a taste of this addictive love story!
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Synopsis
Cate Whitfield harbors revenge in her heart for the bloodthirsty pirate who murdered her betrothed. So she’s stunned to learn that he is to be her father’s guest of honor at one of his revelries—and even more upset to discover that Captain Alexander Chase may not be the scoundrel she believes. Even though she has publicly branded him a criminal, feisty Cate mesmerizes Alex. But the former pirate isn’t about to let her accusations deter his own agenda for vengeance. He’s returned to Promise, New Jersey, to retaliate against the man who murdered his father … the man who just happens to be Cate’s father. Trouble is, he may be falling in love with her, and she’s hell-bent on seeing him punished. Can these two wounded hearts find out the truth before it’s too late, or is their love doomed to walk the plank?
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE
April 1730
Town of Promise in the colony of New Jersey
Cate Whitfield’s temper flared. Was it possible? Could Alexander Chase really be here at Blythewood, mocking her family’s name and sullying her beloved home? If what she’d learned were true, then by God in heaven, she’d see to it he’d pay for his crimes. The expensive pearl necklace she wore bounced against her flushed décolletage as she dashed down the winding staircase. She gave no concern to falling and snapping her neck. Her thoughts focused only on Alexander Chase.
The return trip these past three days from her cousin’s house in Maryland to New Jersey had been long and arduous. Though she’d thoroughly enjoyed her time with Luella, Wil, and their five children, she’d looked forward to coming home to Promise for some quiet time and peace of mind. She’d purposely evaded her father’s latest social gathering in the ballroom this evening and had stolen away to her room as soon as she’d arrived home to acquire that harmony.
Cate had planned on rising early and surprising her father in the morning. She’d already taken off her unyielding green silk frock and corset and was about to slip her nightgown over her head. If it weren’t for Esme, her maidservant, blathering on and on about “Mr. James’s important guest,” she’d be headed for her bed to garner some much needed sleep, not flying down the stairs like some avenging angel intent on beheading a serpent with her sword.
Now, wearing nothing except her chemise, pantaloons, and stockings, Cate raced across the slate floor of the antechamber. Her white hair ribbon had come undone, and a sea of blond curls furiously sprang like coils around her head.
Nary a guest was in sight. From the corner of her eye, she spied Clarence, her father’s manservant, approaching through an arched alcove. He balanced a large silver tray. The aroma of highly seasoned beef wafted past her. She ignored her rumbling stomach and rushed to him.
The lanky man stiffened with surprise and then alarm. His gaze fell to the floor. He swallowed hard; his dark skin turned gray. “Miss Whitfield, you shouldn’t be here,” he lowered his voice, “like that.”
“Clarence, where is the man my father sees fit to entertain this evening?”
The manservant refused to meet her stare.
“Where is he?” she asked again.
The tray jumped in Clarence’s hands. His eyes darted up and down, back and forth, anywhere except on Cate. “I … I don’t know who you mean, miss. Mr. Whitfield chooses to entertain many guests this evening.”
Cate took a deep, angry breath and expelled it just as furiously. “Alexander Chase.” She spit out the name as though a bitter bile coated her tongue.
Still Clarence refused to look at her. “I … I imagine he’s with the others in the ballroom.”
“Come with me,” she ordered. Usually, her tone would have been less severe.
Clarence was a loyal servant. A free man, just like the other servants at Blythewood. But her emotions were riled and, unfortunately, it was Clarence who received her wrath.
With the now-quaking manservant a few steps behind her, she headed for the ballroom and peeked around the wall, taking care not to be seen. She wasn’t about to be discovered. Not yet. The gentle melodies of violins and a clavichord reached her ears, and the heavy fragrance of balm and heated bodies filled the ornately furbished chamber.
The smells twisted her already-distressed stomach.
The guests’ laughter and merriment overpowered her thoughts while their colorful array of party clothes blurred her senses. Once her glance swept past the gilt and crystal, she mentally made a note of each person. Some twirled about on the dance floor. Others mingled. Most she recognized. They were her father’s friends and colleagues. Those who had helped him in his quest to become land commissioner of Promise and those who, no doubt, would help him in his pursuit to become governor one day very soon.
The object of her anger could have been any one of them. She’d never met the man called Alexander Chase. Still, she was fairly certain she’d recognize a cur when she saw one. Surely he’d not carry himself like many of her father’s other acquaintances that fancied themselves stately and significant, even though they lived in this insignificant little town. He’d be attired differently, too. Rags would cover his gaunt body, and the smell of the sea and other foul things would emanate through his pores. His scraggly beard and misshapen teeth would frighten the bravest of men. He might also be minus a limb, using a hook or a wooden leg instead.
Cate scoured the room again. As a young girl, she’d been warned about such brutes, but she saw no one who fit the description she’d conjured up in her mind. Was it possible this man, this beast, had already left the festivities? Or was Esme mistaken about the unwanted visitor?
Cate spied her father conversing with several people. He was his usual amiable and boisterous self. The perfect host when it suited him. Her eyes searched the far side of the ballroom, where undraped apertures graced the back wall. Reaching from the scrolled ceiling to the gleaming floor, the windows opened to the courtyard and gardens.
She was losing patience. “Show me who he is, Clarence.” The harsh sound of her words even shocked her for a moment.
Before Clarence could answer, Cate stopped him with a sharp wave of her hand.
There, standing in front of the opened panes, outlined by the night sky, was someone she’d never seen before.
He was a strapping man. Tall. Powerful. Intimidating. His bright red coat shimmered in the sea of dark waistcoats the other men wore. The silk molded around his broad shoulders and thick arms. Cream-colored breeches curved with the muscles in his legs. He wore no powdered wig, like most of the gentlemen. Instead, his long, dark brown hair was tied in a queue at the nape of his neck.
Cate swallowed.
“There he is, miss.” Clarence’s meek voice sent a shiver through her. “There’s the
man you’re looking for. That’s the one they call Alexander Chase.”
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