Parris Afton Bonds (30 page)

“
But where does he put into?” she pressed. “Clarksville?”

“
La, Jen, if I knew that, I’d have my story. I’d interview the buccaneer firsthand.” He fixed a singular drooping eye on her. “Why all the interest?”

The flush that colored the broad sweep of her cheekbones and washed out her freckles was not feigned. She would have to watch herself. She took a quick swallow of the now flat punch. “
Oh, but a real buccaneer, Cristobal. This Kitt sounds so—so mysterious and daring.”

“
And a mercenary out for his own profit. No doubt most uncouth. I imagine your buccaneer must go for weeks without the amenities of a bath or razor. And the ilk of people he would consort with—well, my dear . . .” Cristobal fluttered a handkerchief before his aristocratic nose as if scenting something unpleasant.

Jeanette gasped as Cristobal
’s swishing handkerchief landed in her crystal cup.

“
Dios
!” he swore and dipped his fingers into the cup to retrieve the soggy portion of material. Without warning the cup tilted precariously, and the sticky punch sloshed over the rise of her breasts revealed by the sapphire-blue tulle bodice.

“
Hell and damna— ” Quickly she bit her lip. But her eyes rolled with exasperation as Cristobal plunged the brandy-soaked handkerchief into her cleavage in a fruitless attempt to absorb the liquor that dribbled down between her breasts.

“
What—whatever is going on?” demanded an imperious feminine voice.

With little hope that the question could possibly be directed e
lsewhere, Jeanette cautiously poked her head around Cristobal’s broad shoulder. From behind her lorgnette, Elizabeth Crabbe, the matriarch of Brownsville society and the possessor of a voluble tongue, glared with shocked outrage. Next to her stood Claudia Greer, the hostess’s married daughter, and Jeanette caught the sympathy in Claudia’s plain face. However, on Elizabeth’s other side Aunt Hermione looked as if shock would topple her into the cistern behind her.

His hand still lodged between Jeanette
’s breasts, Cristobal said drily, “I fear this is going to be difficult to explain.”