The light from the gently swaying lantern bathed his cabin in a warm glow. He swirled a glass of brandy in one hand, his gaze captured by the motion. The color of the brandy reminded him of Lily’s hair; swirling, sparkling firelight. “You are in a very odd mood tonight, Captain.” Remmington glanced at his dinner companion, then returned to his contemplation of the brandy. “I did not anticipate being anchored off the coast of Normandy tonight. My abrupt departure made me miss an important engagement this afternoon.” “She will surely forgive you.” He glanced up to see the sparkle in Sebastian Lacroix’s dark eyes, although a tankard of ale hid his grin. Lacroix knew his moods far too well, Remmington decided. He doubted if he even knew Lacroix’s real name. On the other hand, his guest couldn’t know that he dined tonight with the Duke of Remmington. Lacroix knew him only as Captain Smith. In the six years of their acquaintance they had developed an extremely odd friendship, each aware that it would be dangerous for either of them to know too much about the other.
