Wings of the Morning

  they talk about the rudder of a ship or the bit in a horse's

  mouth, and then about how powerful our tongues are."

  "Those were the ones I was thinking of. I always love it

  when God uses illustrations I can see so well."

  Suddenly both women smiled at each other. It was wonderful

  and precious to find that they were sisters in Christ.

  Smokey's heart became very full at the knowledge.

  Sunny couldn't help thinking that Brandon had been right,

  she liked Smokey immensely. She was so easy to be with, and

  they never ran out of things to talk about.

  They rode on, and Sunny had to squelch laughter every

  time she remembered that Smokey was five years older than

  she was. Not 24 hours ago, she stood opposite Smokey, thinking

  she was very young and acting out of place with Darsey

  standing beside her. What a woman! No wonder Dallas was

  fascinated

  "You mean to tell me that she actually fenced with Haamch

  Wynn?" Brandon asked Darsey in disbelief.

  190

  Darsey grinned before he answered "She holds her own

  very well, sir."

  "Who taught her?"

  "Her father and I."

  'You were his mate also?"

  "Yes, sir. For years before Smokey was even born."

  "Simmons," Brandon said the name softly and then shook

  his head "I don't believe I knew him."

  Darsey hesitated before speaking. "He never used the

  name Simmons. Most knew him only as Clancy; to Smokey he

  was Papa."

  Brandon grew absolutely still and stared at Darsey as he

  sat opposite him in his study. The women were out riding, or

  he would have looked for Smokey right on the spot. A well of

  amazement and then deep respect for Smokey and Darsey

  rose up within Brandon. He knew there was something different

  about this man and his captain.

  "Smokey doesn't like to talk of it, sir," Darsey told him

  bluntly, wanting to be honest, but also wanting to protect his

  girl. "She prefers to be accepted on her own, for who she is."

  "I understand completely, Darsey. I won't mention it, but I

  will tell you this, I knew there was something special about

  that woman the moment I saw her."

  Darsey grinned. "I'll have to tell her that, sir. I think it

  would do her good. We're a bit intimidated in surroundings

  like these."

  Brandon laughed outright. "You tell her she has nothing to

  worry about, Darsey. She's doing just fine."

  "How are you holding up?" Brandon asked Smokey the

  next day during lunch. Dallas had been gone for three days.

  Even though Brandon thought Smokey looked well rested and

  lovely, he knew she might be getting a bit anxious.

  191

  "I'm well. A little sore since your wife decided that I

  needed to go riding yesterday and today."

  Sunny laughed unrepentantly.

  "Just wait, Sunny," Smokey warned her. "One of these days

  I'll shanghai you and make you scrub the deck of my ship."

  Sunny, who had always been fascinated with ships, rather

  liked the idea.

  "As you can see, that was no serious threat," Brandon said

  dryly as he watched his wife's face. "Sunny and I met on a ship,

  and I've always thought she might have a bit of the sea in her

  veins."

  Husband and wife grinned at each other, and the meal

  progressed in high humor. When Sunny asked for tea at the

  end of the meal, Brandon looked across the table at Smokey,

  his dark eyes intent on her face

  "Darsey tells me that you fence."

  To his surprise, Smokey only smiled and said, "Did he

  now?"

  Brandon inclined his handsome head and failed to notice

  the look of astonishment on his wife's face. Sunny had told

  herself she was beyond surprises, but it just wasn't so.

  "He tells me," Brandon went on smoothly, "that you hold

  your own very nicely."

  Again Smokey only smiled Brandon waited, but still she

  said nothing. Smokey's teacup was halfway to her mouth

  when he asked the question.

  "Will you fence with me?"

  Brandon's respect for her doubled as she calmly raised the

  cup to her mouth, drank, and just as calmly placed it back in

  her saucer.

  "I'd have to change my clothes."

  "So would I," Brandon informed her, and Smokey nodded

  "In the den, in one hour?"

  "I'll be there," Smokey told him. She thanked Sunny for

  the delicious lunch. When she exited a moment later, Darsey

  went with her.

  192

  "You can't be serious," Sunny spoke as soon as the door

  closed. Brandon chuckled at her look of horror.

  "I'm not going to hurt her, love."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Quite sure. I've never known a woman who fenced, and I

  must admit I'm more than a little curious. Chelsea wanted to

  learn for years. When she finally badgered Rand into showing

  her, she cut herself. Now there's nothing clumsy about my

  sister, and I just wonder how proficient Smokey will be."

  Sunny raised one eyebrow in the direction of her mate. "If

  you're thinking of telling me I can't watch, don't waste your

  breath."

  Brandon laughed "I wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart, but

  let me warn you not to get too settled in. I sincerely doubt it

  will take long to prove the better swordsman."

  smokey's small-booted feet were muffled by the carpet

  as she walked into the den. Parks closed the door behind her,

  and Smokey was glad for the few minutes of privacy. She had

  changed into her work clothing and stood comfortably gazing

  around the room, waiting for Brandon. She knew he would be

  along any minute, but in the meantime she studied her surroundings.

  The den was as masculine a room as she had ever seen,

  done in navy and gold with hunting trophies everywhere. It

  was easy to see why Brandon chose this room for their match.

  All the norniture sat back against the walls, leaving the middle

  of the room wide and clear. Huge windows on three of the

  four walls made the light ideal.

  Smokey was studying an embroidered hunting scene

  when the door opened. Sunny walked in, followed by Darsey

  and then Brandon. Smokey stood calmly, her hands clasped

  behind her back. She watched both Brandon and Sunny study

  her and smiled at their expressions.

  Sunny, whose look was almost envious, was thinking how

  well suited Smokey would look at the helm of a ship. Brandon

  on the other hand, thought she looked ten years old. His face

  gave nothing away, however, as he opened a case and invited

  Smokey to select a foil. She chose a sleek weapon with an

  194

  Italian grip. Carefully weighing it in her hand, she walked

  confidently to the center of the room.

  Darsey had seated himself in a comfortable chair, and

  Sunny stood in indecision. Smokey's first mate looked settled

  in for the afternoon, but if Brandon's predictions proved

  accurate, it would be awkward to sit down, only to have to rise

  again in a few minutes. After anothe
r moment of hesitation,

  she took the sofa.

  Smokey stood still and watched as Brandon moved toward

  her. As he came forward, Smokey read something in his gaze.

  Her own lit with amusement.

  "Is that doubt I see in your eyes, Lord Hawkesbury?"

  "I must confess that it is," he told her with a grin.

  "I'll have to see if I can put your doubts to rest," Smokey

  responded easily, and just held her laughter.

  Fighting his own mirth, Brandon bowed low and straightened

  "Engarde" he said, and their swords clashed.

  Only moments into the match, Smokey sliced one of the

  buttons from his vest, and Brandon's demeanor, much as the

  pirate's, changed in an instant. His every sense was alert as his

  small but worthy opponent parried every thrust. As with

  Haamich Wynn, Brandon found himself to be stronger, but

  Smokey was faster.

  He also found her gaze unnerving. Her eyes rarely left his.

  Brandon began to believe she could anticipate his moves

  before he made them. He feigned moves, tried the offense and

  then the defense, but to no avail. She was with him every step

  of the way.

  Had he not needed every ounce of concentration, he

  would have laughed at his own conceit in the matter. Darsey's

  comment that she could hold her own was turning out to be a

  gross understatement.

  As time passed in the most intense fencing either of them

  had ever done, each participant began to think of an end

  Brandon was drenched with sweat, and his arm was screaming

  at him. Smokey's own face was beaded with perspiration,

  195

  and her arm ached as well. She was tiring fast and about to cry

  truce when Brandon surprised her with a fast lunge and flick

  of his wrist. He flipped the foil right out of her grasp. They all

  watched as it spiraled neatly through the air to land beneath

  the north windows.

  Smokey sighed with relief and bowed to Brandon, whose

  chest was heaving.

  "I thank you, Lord Hawkesbury," she said "You are a

  worthy opponent."

  "As are you," Brandon gasped "Allow me to apologize to

  you, Miss Simmons, for ever doubting your skill."

  The two smiled at each other, and Sunny let out a small

  sigh of relieved laughter. She felt completely wrung out, and

  all she had done was watch. Darsey stared at Smokey like a

  proud father. Everyone began talking at once until Brandon,

  who had been facing the door, spoke.

  "Well, Dallas, welcome back."

  The other three turned in surprise. Smokey immediately

  felt apprehension rise within her. Dallas' face appeared to be

  set in stone, and she knew in an instant he had seen the match.

  Embarrassment flooded her, and she wondered if he thought

  she was out to prove something. She didn't know how to tell

  him that this was the farthest thing from her mind

  They all watched as Dallas came forward, unaware of how

  badly he wanted to take Smokey out to talk with her. The way

  she kept her head down and eyes averted, stopped him, however.

  Brandon began to question him about his trip. Dallas did

  not comment on the fencing. Some minutes passed before

  Smokey slipped soundlessly away. Everyone noticed her departure,

  but no one commented

  Many hours later, Sunny knocked on Smokey's bedroom

  196

  door, a note in her hand Smokey opened the door but did not

  immediately ask her in.

  "Are you really not hungry?"

  "I didn't say that in the note, Sunny. I said I didn't feel

  well."

  The younger woman stared at her, and Smokey stood back

  to give her entrance. Garbed in a pale silk creation that

  perfectly suited her dark hair and gray eyes, Smokey looked

  lovely. To Sunny's gaze she looked completely ready to join

  them downstairs, but she had obviously made up her mind

  otherwise.

  'You look wonderful. Are you pleased with the way Ken-dra

  did your hair?"

  'Yes, thank you."

  The conversation died then, and the silence became

  uncomfortable. Smokey took a small walk around the room.

  Sunny watched her intently.

  "Are you wishing right now that you'd gone back to London

  on the first day?"

  "No," Smokey told her after a moment. "I wouldn't have

  wanted to miss these days with you, Brandon, and the baby,

  but I'm afraid I never dreamed Dallas would return right then,

  and in a rage to boot."

  "I don't know Dallas the way you do, Smokey, but I'm not

  really sure he was angry. Surprised maybe, but not angry,"

  Smokey sighed. "I don't know him all that well myself, but

  I'm embarrassed, and the thought of facing him makes my

  stomach hurt. So rather than come down and sit at the same

  table with him and pick at my food, I felt it best that I stay

  away."

  "Why would you be embarrassed? Certainly not because

  of your fencing. You should be proud of your skill."

  "It's not that really, although it didn't help."

  "What is it then?"

  Again Smokey sighed. "I'm just afraid that he'll feel obligated

  toward me since he brought us here. I fear that he'll

  197

  force himself to be witty and entertaining when he really

  wants nothing to do with me."

  Sunny didn't think there was any bigger fairy tale in all of

  England than the story of Dallas Knight wanting nothing to do

  with Smokey Simmons, but Smokey wasn't up to hearing that

  at the moment. Smokey was feeling hurt and vulnerable, and

  on the off chance that Sunny was wrong about Dallas' feelings,

  she refused to push Smokey. Instead she prayed Moments

  later, someone knocked

  "It's probably Darsey," Smokey commented as Sunny went

  to answer it. Dallas, in dark suit and white shirt, stood in the

  hall.

  "I've come to escort Smokey to dinner. Is she ready?"

  Feeling like an anxious mother at her daughter's coming

  out, Sunny backed away from the door to allow Dallas a view

  of the woman within. When Dallas stepped across the threshold,

  Sunny quietly made her way from the room. Smokey,

  wishing Sunny hadn't gone, licked her suddenly dry lips as

  Dallas' eyes met hers.

  "May I have the pleasure of escorting you downstairs?"

  Smokey told herself to say no, but she couldn't follow

  through. With just the slightest nod of her head, Dallas came

  forward and offered his arm. Smokey placed her hand within

  the crook of his arm and walked with him from the room.

  Not a word was said as they descended the stairs. Although

  Smokey didn't look at him, she was aware that Dallas seemed

  to be looking all around them as they walked. When Smokey

  thought they would be headed into the dining room, she

  suddenly found herself whisked behind the stairs, into the

  picture gallery at the rear of the entryway, and into Dallas'

  arms.

  Smokey blinked as she looked up with wide eyes into his

  face. He bent close to speak to her and forced himself not to

  kis
s her With one arm snugly around her, he reached with the

  back of his free hand to stroke the soft skin of her cheek, his

  eyes warming as they held hers.

  "I missed you," he finally said

  198

  "You did?" Smokey was truly surprised

  "How could you think that I wouldn't?"

  Smokey shrugged, feeling helpless and uncertain.

  "Oh, Smokey, what have I done? You didn't wake up before

  I left, and I hated the thought of leaving you a note." Dallas

  stopped. There was so much to be said and no time right now.

  "We're going to talk after dinner, do you hear me?"

  Smokey could only nod

  "And one more thing/' Dallas' voice dropped to an intimate

  whisper. "I'm going to kiss you tonight, so if my attention

  is unwanted, Smokey, you had better make yourself scarce."

  Smokey couldn't have replied if she had wanted to. Dallas

  held her for a moment more before he released her, took her

  hand within his own, and led her in to dine.

  dallas heard vekv little of the evening's conversation.

  His mind and eyes were so centered on Smokey that someone

  could have set his boot on fire and he wouldn't have noticed

  As he had thought many weeks ago while aboard her ship,

  Smokey was far and away the most fascinating creature he had

  ever encountered He now realized he was very much in love

  with her.

  Both Brandon and Sunny, as well as Darsey, saw the change

  in him that evening and sensed his need to be alone with

  Smokey. The night was still young when the three made their

  excuses and Dallas finally found himself alone with Smokey

  in the parlor. Smokey became rather nervous but tried hard

  not to show it. She kept thinking about Dallas* words before

  dinner. The thought of his kissing her was very exciting, but it

  was also a little scary.

  "You're not tired are you? I was rather hoping we could

  talk," Dallas said from his chair by the fire as he watched

  Smokey on the sofa. He wanted to join her but knew that for

  the moment he would need to keep his distance.

  "I'm not tired," Smokey replied and licked her lips, a sure

  sign, as Dallas had come to learn, that she was nervous. As

  much as he wanted to tell her all that was in his heart, he made

  a firm resolve not to rush her.

  200

  "I was surprised to come in and see you dueling with

  Hawk," Dallas began.

  "You weren't surprised," Smokey countered, her voice

  calm. "You were angry."

  "I wasn't angry, Smokey. I was flabbergasted. I thought you