She wouldn’t want to sleep with him? “Is that bad?”

 “No, I like it here. I just don’t know why I’m so tired.”

 “Because I’ve made love to you continually for three days,” he said as he set her down and began undoing her buttons. “Even a lusty woman like you has her limits.” He drew the gown over her head and kissed her neck. “Anyone would need some rest after the last few nights.”

 She finished undressing down to her shift. “Maybe for a few minutes, but then I have to go to my father. They’ll be back by now.” Her voice was sad, her tone lethargic.

 He pulled the counterpane over her as she snuggled down in his bed. He liked seeing her there. Kissing her forehead, he said, “I know. We’ll talk when you wake up.”

 After he left her, he settled in his study, looking out the window, lost in thought. Damn it, he didn’t want Nicole to feel like this! Yes, she acted much the same outwardly, but she wasn’t happy. He’d sworn to be a better husband, a sober husband, and he knew she believed in him. But she needed more.

 He sank back in his chair.

 Even if he wanted to end the war between him and Lassiter, what could he do? Unlike Nicole, Derek didn’t think an apology and a handshake would suffice for the bast—the man. No, some things were better left alone.

 In Sydney, Derek had ceased to dismiss it when she told him he was a good man inside, but he hadn’t been giving her much to believe in lately. If he didn’t change, he would lose her. Period. And he couldn’t imagine life without her.

 Chapter 30

 Nicole awoke an hour later, unable to sleep any longer. She rose and redressed, splashing water on her face and smoothing her hair before going in search of her husband in the huge mansion. A servant told her he’d gone out ten minutes before and wasn’t expected back before dinner.

 He must be out seeing to business. She sighed. In the back of her mind, she’d thought Derek would come around. That’s why she’d let their argument drop. But he’d fled without even accompanying her to her father’s ship, much less giving her a kiss good-bye. She’d be facing her father on her own.

 After a short carriage ride, she boarded the Griffin. Chancey was there to greet her. Well, not precisely—he silently indicated with his hand that she should follow him into the room directly off the salon, then left without a word.

 From the next room, she could hear a conversation just beginning between her father and…her husband! Did Chancey want her to overhear what was said?

 “What do you want?” Lassiter snapped.

 Nicole heard Maria say softly, “Jason…”

 Amazingly, her father calmed and said gruffly, “Well, why’ve you come here?”

 Maria added, “Captain Sutherland, we are very honored to have you visit us.”

 “I’m glad to have been admitted,” Derek replied.

 Her father sounded angry again. “We’re waiting—state your business and be gone.”

 Derek took a deep breath. “I want—I need…your help,” he finally bit out.

 Lassiter burst out laughing. Nicole couldn’t believe the man cackling was related to her.

 Maria spoke over his laughter. “How can we be of service to you?”

 “I need help with Nicole.” At that, Lassiter fell silent. Until he bellowed, “What have you done?” He must have lunged for Derek, because she heard scuffling and glass breaking. Nicole was up and not quite at the door when Maria said, “Jason!” Then the room quieted. Nicole eased back.

 “I procured an annulment and married her.” Again, the sound of another enraged attack. This time she heard a punch and was flying out the door. Chancey, standing in the corridor, eyebrows raised, intercepted her. Nicole whispered crossly, “Yes, I married him.”

 He gave her a grave, satisfied nod, then placed his finger over his lips and leaned forward to listen at the door. Nicole looked in both directions, then threw up her hands in exasperation and tiptoed closer.

 “I married her last week,” Derek said in an unmistakably skewed voice. Chancey gave a small punch in the air, then pointed to his nose with a questioning look. Nicole shook her head—she recognized that tone from experience, and answered by tapping her jaw.

 “Perhaps you should explain what has occurred since we’ve been away,” Maria said in a tone that brooked no denial. She somehow kept Lassiter in check the entire time Derek recounted what had happened—well, most of what had happened—in the last couple of weeks.

 “And that brings me to my visit here, to ask for your help,” he finished, sounding irritated that he’d had to go through the long explanation.

 “Why should we help you?” her father said in a churlish tone. But did he sound less riled than before?

 “Because I want to give her anything she needs to be content with me. Because I want to make it up to her for being—”

 “An ass?” This actually from Maria.

 “Yes, an ass.” His words sounded pulled from him.

 “Well, what can we do? I’m not coming up with anything as a favor to you,” her father unnecessarily assured Derek.

 “Nicole’s dreaded telling you about the marriage, and she’s worried about your company. I’ve told you about the marriage; you can’t be angry with her about it, because I never would have given up. I would have pursued her until she said yes. And your company…” He paused. She could picture him running his hand through his hair as he did when frustrated. “I can think of nothing to save it unless I loan you money.”

 “Loan me money?”

 “I know the loss of the Bella Nicola brought the creditors down on you. If you let me assist your company, you can stave them off until you can get it back on its feet.”

 “Let me get this straight—you want to give me money so my daughter will be happy?”

 “She worries about you. Unless you have a better idea, that’s exactly what I’m proposing.” Again, he was met by laughter.

 Maria’s voice sounded closer to Derek. “Captain Sutherland,” she began in a sympathetic tone, “Lassiter Shipping has had a new infusion of capital. We arranged for it in Cape Town. I’ve helped Jason with his accounting and a refinancing. I believe he’s on much stronger footing than before.”

 “That’s right, Captain. Don’t want your money and don’t need it.”

 Father!

 “Jason, be understanding,” Maria said. “Have you forgotten that this man saved Nicole’s life?”

 “He also compromised her. When he was married.”

 Derek spoke up, “That was wrong and I admit it—”

 “But you were in love and couldn’t help yourself?” Maria finished softly.

 The room grew painfully silent. Nicole believed even her heart had stopped beating as she held her breath. What would he say? Did he really love her?

 Then the answer, the rumble of a word exhaled on a breath: “Yes.”

 And she was running past Chancey into the room, straight to her surprised husband, whose arms flew open to her. “I love you so much,” she sighed against his neck.

 With his face in her hair, he murmured, “I love you, Nicole. More than I can say.”

 When Maria coughed discreetly, Nicole turned in Derek’s arms until they were both facing her father. “Father. You are bad,” she said, and he looked somewhat chagrined. “I love you both, so you’ll simply have to bury the past.”

 “But what about that time outside Hong Kong when he ran me into the jetty?” Lassiter complained like a scolded schoolboy.

 Derek scowled at him and added, “Or that time in Melbourne when you told the port officials my crew was suffering from smallpox? My crew and cargo were quarantined for three weeks.”

 “Enough!” Nicole commanded, looking from one man to the other. “Right now—you two, shake hands.” Neither moved. Until Maria pushed Lassiter forward just as Nicole dragged at Derek. With great effort on their part, and great reluctance from Derek and her father, the men shook hands.

 “I’ll kill you if you don’t make her happy.”

 “If I can’t keep her happy, I might let you try.”

 A wedding reception two weeks hence, to be held at Atworth House.

 The marchioness had decreed it so, and everyone was happy to oblige.

 The evening of the celebration had been wonderful for Derek, next to perfect except for the few sarcastic comments Lassiter made. But Derek was beginning to see the humor behind some of the man’s words…if he was very, very generous. With time, there might exist a grudging goodwill between them.

 Although the festivities were still in full swing, he made his way to the door. Nicole had retired early, and he was anxious to join her.

 “Derek,” Grant called from the terrace. He was standing outside alone, smoking a cigar.

 He’d wanted to talk to Grant ever since he’d brought Nicole home from the Griffin . He smiled as he remembered her that night. She was like a little general insisting they lay out guidelines and goals for their lives before they fell into bed. That part of their lives, she’d told him, needed no adjustment. The rest, however

 It had been unsettling to stretch himself and his beliefs to make her happy. Ultimately, however, he’d comprehended that with her fulfilled, he was fulfilled. He knew he’d been given a second chance with Nicole and with his family, and he didn’t want his brother ever to worry again that Derek wouldn’t meet his responsibilities.

 Derek joined him at the rail overlooking the lantern-lit garden and took an offered cigar. “When will we be throwing one of these for you?”

 Grant laughed. “Don’t hold your breath.”

 “No? What about Bainbridge’s chit?”