Captured by Love (Michigan Brides #3)(28)

“You’re right,” Pierre replied with a laugh. “You certainly won’t be bored with me here.”

Angelique had the urge to stand up and slap the silly grin off Pierre’s face. He was acting like a besotted fool.

Miss McDouall peeked at Lieutenant Steele from underneath her lashes. “I was very happy to meet the acquaintance of the fort’s quartermaster, Lieutenant Steele. He has also assured me that he will do everything he can to make certain my time on the island is entertaining.”

The two men again exchanged wary glances.

A smile played at Miss McDouall’s lips.

She was obviously enjoying the attention and flattery of both the men. When Pierre turned his adoration back upon her, she gave him another bright smile.

Was that what beauty brought? The flattery of handsome men like Pierre? Angelique stared up at Pierre, willing him to look at her with adoration.

But the truth was, next to the stunning Miss McDouall, he hadn’t noticed her at all. And why would he? Not when she looked the way she did.

She glanced at her roughened hands and then again at Miss McDouall’s flawless skin. What would it take to get Pierre to admire her?

She shook her head and pushed to her feet, scolding herself. Why should she care? Let Pierre make a fool of himself with other women. It didn’t mean anything to her.

“I don’t think you should count on Pierre providing you any entertainment,” Angelique said, straightening and facing Pierre. “He’s as boring as an old goat.”

At the sight of her, surprise widened Pierre’s eyes, quickly followed by a spark of mirth. “An old goat?”

Miss McDouall gave a start. “Why, Miss MacKenzie!”

“Besides, he’s leaving in a few weeks.” An unseen force prodded Angelique, driving her rudeness, along with the need to claim Pierre’s attention away from Miss McDouall. “If he does all the work he says he’s going to, then I have the feeling he’ll be too busy for social calls anyway. Am I right, Mr. Durant?”

Pierre nodded. “I can always make time to socialize, Miss MacKenzie. You should know that all work and no play has never been my motto.”

“Do the two of you know each other?” Miss McDouall’s delicately shaped eyebrows rose.

“We’re childhood friends,” Pierre explained. “We were inseparable playmates when we were younger.”

“I see,” Miss McDouall said. “Then you should be pleased to know that this summer among the charities I’ll be heading, I have chosen to bestow my kind attention and help upon Angelique.”

The room with its fancy furniture, fine linens, and bookcase of thick books seemed to close in on Angelique. Embarrassed, she felt heat rising beneath her high neckline.

“I didn’t know Angelique needed help with anything,” Pierre said.

“Why, Mr. Durant, look at her. She needs improvement with just about everything, if I’m to turn her into a lady by the end of the summer.”

Angelique wanted to run from the building, out of the fort, and down to the lake, where the cool breezes could soothe the heat on her skin. She didn’t dare look into Pierre’s eyes and chance seeing pity in them again. She wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Pierre was silent for a moment. The loud voices in the hallway, Lieutenant Steele calling a greeting to a newcomer, echoed around them. When Angelique finally dared to peek at Pierre, she was surprised that instead of pity, he offered her a grin.

“I don’t think Angelique needs improvement,” he said, “except for maybe a few more fishing tips from the master himself.”

Gratefulness welled inside Angelique, and she returned his smile.

Miss McDouall slipped her arm into the crook of Pierre’s. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “’Twould appear I’ve come to the island at just the right time. Not only to improve Miss MacKenzie, but to give you a few lessons as well.”

She started to lead him toward the door. He didn’t resist. Instead he placed his hand over hers and tucked it more securely in his grasp. “Then it’s a very good thing I’m a willing student.”

He flashed Miss McDouall the kind of smile that made Angelique’s chest twist with painful longing. What could she possibly do to make him smile at her like that? The kind of smile meant for a beautiful woman, instead of one for an old friend and playmate.

“Good day, Miss MacKenzie.” Miss McDouall tossed the words over her shoulder. “I shall expect your visit tomorrow at half past three promptly.”

She nodded. What harm would come of letting the commander’s daughter teach her a thing or two about how to act more ladylike?

But just as quickly as the thought came, she shoved it aside.

She didn’t need Pierre’s special smiles. She didn’t need to be beautiful, like her mother. She was perfectly happy with the way she was.





Chapter

9



Pierre slipped the folded paper into Red Fox’s outstretched hand. He glanced around the thickly wooded bluff. The only other sign of life was the breeze blowing through the tall spruce branches overhead and the soft swooshing of the long needles.

“Leave the note with Baxter on Bois Blanc Island,” Pierre said quietly. “He’ll make sure it gets into the right hands.”

He’d gleaned a substantial amount of information regarding the British plans from both the colonel and Lavinia in the short time he’d been back. And now he needed to get that information to the Americans. Although he wanted to take the missive himself, he knew he’d be safer giving it to Red Fox. No one would suspect the Indian of carrying messages to the Americans.