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Surrender the Heart ~ MaryLu Tyndall
Release Date: August 1, 2010 ~ Publisher: Barbour

A pair of wide brown eyes, streaked with terror, stared up at Noah. He shook his head. The woman amazed him. The last place he would have expected to find Miss Denton was hiding in his sleeping cabin. And for the life of him, he could find no reason for it, save one, which would be an impossibility.

“Pardon me, Noah. I seem to have gotten lost.” The fear fled her eyes, replaced by her usual lofty manner as she attempted to brush past him.

“A condition you seem to be making a habit of aboard my ship.” He moved to block her. A chuckled erupted from his throat.

She planted her hands on her waist. “I fail to see what is so amusing.”

Seafoam jumped onto Noah’s bed and plopped down, eyeing them both.

Noah set the lantern down and leaned on the door frame. A grin overtook his lips as he realized he could have some fun with this awkward situation. “On the contrary, finding you so close to my bed in the middle of the night is quite amusing, or should I say, rather pleasing.” He winked.

Her chest heaved. Her gaze flitted about the tiny room, avoiding him entirely. A red hue crept up her neck onto her face like a rising tide.

She lifted a hand as if she were going to push him, but when her eyes met his bare chest, she seemed to think better of it. “If you please, Noah, I need some air.”

He stepped aside before she swooned. Then grabbing the lantern, he followed her out into his cabin and placed it atop his desk. He faced her, searching his memory of his conversation with Mr. Heaton for anything the lady should not have overheard.

“Good night, Noah.” She kept her head lowered and headed for the door, but he darted in front of her. “Not just yet, Miss Denton.”

She backed away. “I am tired and wish to retire now.” The scent of her lavender soap swirled around him

“Then why are you in my cabin?” Noah lowered his head to peer into her face, but she kept her gaze upon the deck.

“If you insist on keeping me here, would you at least do me the honor of donning your shirt?”

He chuckled. That she was an innocent did not surprise him. That his unclad chest affected her, he found oddly pleasing.

“Are you quite sure, Miss Denton?” He quirked a brow.

She raised her chin, her face twisting in disdain as another flood of crimson blossomed over it. “How dare you?”

“Perhaps you cannot wait for our wedding night?”

Her brown eyes simmered. “Why you insufferable cad” She raised her hand to slap him.

He caught it and lifted it to his lips for a kiss, eyeing her with delight.

She studied him then released a sigh. “You tease me, sir.” Snatching her hand from his, she stepped back. “But what would I expect from you?”

Moving to the chair he grabbed his shirt and slipped it over his head. His glance fanned over his desk where his chart had been and he spun around. “You. You ruined my chart.”

She averted her gaze and began twisting her ring. “Why would I do that?”
Brown curls swayed in disarray around a fresh bandage devoid of blood. Her lips pressed in their usual petulant manner, and her petite nose pinked as it always did when she was distraught.

“To force me to return to Baltimore, perhaps?” He took a step toward her. She retreated.

Then squaring her shoulders, she placed her hands atop her rounded hips. “Who is Priscilla?”

Noah couldn’t help but grin. So she had heard their conversation. Shame settled over him, but he shrugged it off. He had done nothing wrong. “A friend.”

“How dare you toss your affections to another when you are engaged to me.”

“I can assure you, miss. I never toss my affections anywhere.”

***

Marianne studied him. A word of truth at last, for she doubted the man cared for anyone but himself. Then why was she behaving the jealous shrew? His thick chest peeked out from within his open shirt. The sight of it befuddled her mind. How could she think clearly with his firm muscles staring her in the face?

Yet something else caused unease to clamp over her nerves. Why wasn’t Noah furious with her for ruining his map? Instead of chastising her and tossing her from his cabin, he seemed to find the incident amusing.

Which only further infuriated her.