"Black Harry's going to feed my arse to the sharks when he hears…"

"Matthew, you aren't going to tell Harry anything," she interjected.

The seaman wasn't at all intimidated by her angry tone. "You got yourself a sassy mouth," he replied.

"I seen the fancy man put his arm around you when you were walking to the front door that first day,

and I will be telling Harry. That's a fact you can start cringing over now. Jimbo wanted to put a knife in his back. Only reason he didn't is because he knew you'd be put out with him."

"Yes, 1 would be put out," she answered. "No one's going to touch a hair on Caine's head or he'll

answer to me. Now quit frowning, Matthew. We have an important issue to discuss."

Matthew didn't want to let go of their topic. "But is he giving you real trouble?"

"No, he isn't giving me any trouble," she replied. "Matthew, you know I can take care of myself. Please have more faith in me."

Matthew was immediately contrite. He didn't want his mistress to be disappointed in him. "Of course I know you can take care of yourself," he rushed out. "But you don't know your own appeal. You're too pretty for your own good. I'm thinking now Jimbo and Harry were right. We should have cut your face when you was a youngster."

She knew from the sparkle in his handsome brown eyes that he was jesting with her. "None of you

would have dared to harm me," she countered. "We're family, Matthew, and you love me as much as I love you."

"You're nothing but a puny brat," came another deep voice. Jade turned toward the sound and watched her friend, Jimbo, silently move to stand directly in front of her. Jimbo's frown matched his giant's size. Like Matthew, he was also dressed in drab brown peasant garb, for brighter colors could easily be

spotted through the branches.

In the moonlight, Jimbo's frown looked fierce. "Matthew told me the dandy touched you. I could kill

him, just for that. No one's…"

"You're both underestimating Caine if you think he'll easily let you put your knives in him," she interjected.

"I'm betting he's as puny as Colin," Jimbo argued.

Jade let him see how exasperated she was with him. "You haven't seen Colin in quite some time and he was half out of his mind because of his injuries then. He's probably as fit as ever now. Besides, you've made a serious miscalculation if you believe either brother is weak. Remember, Jimbo, I was the one

who read Caine's file. I know what I'm talking about."

"If the man's got blood, he can bleed," Matthew pronounced.

Neither seaman seemed affected by her frown. Jade let out a sigh of frustration.

She turned to Matthew and said, "I must go and have a little chat with Caine's father. You must keep Caine occupied with a diversion while I'm away."

"I don't see any need for you to talk to Caine's father," Matthew protested. "Colin and Nathan are bound to show up any time now."

"The way they're dawdling? No, I dare not wait any longer. Caine's father might very well be on his death bed now. He isn't eating or sleeping. I can't let him die."

"I can see you got your mind set," Matthew muttered. "What kind of a diversion are you thinking of?"

"I'll leave that in your capable hands," Jade countered.

"When you want it done?" Jimbo asked.

"Tomorrow," she answered. "As early as possible."

Jade finally went back to her bed, content with the knowledge that Matthew and Jimbo wouldn't let her down.

The diversion began just bare minutes before dawn the following morning.

She realized then that she should have been more specific with her instructions. And when this was over, she was going to have Matthew's hide. His capable hands, indeed. The man had set the stables on fire. Fortunately, he'd had enough sense to let the horses out first.

Caine was occupied, she'd give Matthew that much credit. The horses were running wild. Three were about ready to drop their foals, and every hand was needed to squelch the spreading fire and chase the animals down.

She pretended to be asleep until Caine left the room.

Then she dressed in quick time and slipped out the back way. Caine had posted guards around the perimeter, but in the chaos, she was easily able to sneak past.

"Jimbo just left for Shallow's Wharf," Matthew told Jade as he assisted her onto the mount he'd chosen for her. "He should be back by sunset tomorrow with word for us. If the winds are strong, don't you suppose Nathan will be here soon? And are you certain you don't want me riding along with you?"

"I'm certain I want you to keep your guard on Caine's back," she replied. "He's the one in danger. I'll be back in an hour. And Matthew? Don't set anything else on fire while I'm gone."

Matthew gave her a wide grin. "It did the trick, didn't it now?"

"Aye, Matthew," she answered, not wishing to injure his pride. "It did do the trick."

She left Matthew smiling after her and arrived at her destination a half hour later. After leaving her horse in the woods adjacent to the property line, she quickly made her way to the front door. The house was monstrous, but the lock was puny by any thief's standards. Jade had it unlatched in bare minutes. There was enough light filtering through the windows for her to make her way up the winding staircase. Sounds radiated from the back of the house, indicating that the kitchen staff was already at work.

Jade was as quiet as a cat as she looked into each of the numerous bedrooms. The Duke of Williamshire couldn't be found in any of them, however. She had assumed he'd be occupying the largest bedchamber, but that giant's room was empty. A blond-headed, rather attractive elderly woman who snored like a sailor occupied the adjacent bedchamber. Jade guessed the woman was the Duchess.

At the end of the long corridor in the south wing, she found the library. It was an out-of-the-way, unusual place to house the study. Caine's father was inside. He was sound asleep in his chair behind the mahogany desk.

After locking the door against intruders, Jade studied the handsome man for a long while. He was very distinguished looking with silver-tipped hair, high, patrician cheekbones, and an angular face very similar to Caine's. There were deep circles under his eyes. The color of his skin was sallow. Even in sleep he looked as though he was in torment.

Jade couldn't decide if she should blister him with a stern lecture or apologize for causing him such needless pain.