Working on my next book and I must say, I am having quite a time with these two characters! It’s old school romance novel sparring and loads of fun! Here’s a short sample of a scene where American Captain Dorian Colburn has escorted his first and only passenger (he was tricked into taking her on board) the lovely Lady Kendra Townsend to his cabin (he is bunking with his first mate and not happy about it):

Her violet eyes flashed as she stopped him with a hand on his arm. It was a mere brush of a touch but his skin felt searing hot and his muscles jumped where her fingertips encountered his upper arm. It took him a moment to be able to concentrate on her tirade.

            “I will not be locked up in this stuffy cabin during the entire voyage. You cannot treat me like a prisoner. I am a paid passenger and expect a passenger’s rights.” 

            Dorian found himself gazing at her lips, thinking how he would like to take her into his arms and kiss her silent. He shook his head trying to rid himself of the sensation that someone had stuffed his mind with wool. “This, my dear Lady Thornton, is not a passenger ship therefore you have no rights. I am captain of this ship and you will obey my orders just like the rest of this crew.” When she opened her mouth to argue Dorian cut her off. “This is for your own good. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the attention you were receiving from my men.” She looked startled by the statement but he didn’t believe her. She must be aware of her feminine charms. “I will not have my men distracted from their duties to satisfy the vanity of an English lady.”

            Kendra gasped as if she’d been slapped. “Your opinion is formed from your vast experience with the ton, I presume? Why, I’m quite certain a man like yourself,” she allowed her glance to flick down to his feet and then back up to his furious gaze with all the condescension she’d seen her Uncle Andrew flay someone alive with, “has attended any number of social events with the aristocracy. Next, you’ll be telling me you are on excellent terms with the king. Ha! You’re little but a heathen and a pirate!” As soon as the words flew from her mouth she stopped, eyes wide as shame filled her. Lord, forgive me. I don’t know what’s come over me!

            It’s not my forgiveness that you need to seek. The words thundered in her ears as her face filled with heat. Taking a step back she bit her lower lip and peeked up at the captain’s face, which was ashen with shock and anger. “I’m sorry. That was ill played of me.” Kendra looked at the floor, at his boots and thought she quite deserved to have to polish them. Maybe if she offered . . .