10. Jonto #2
Several women gasped aloud and tsked at Jonto’s less-than-stellar descriptions of men who moved within their social circles. Perhaps even their own husbands and sons had been among those she’d set adrift in the middle of the seas.
The Archduchess, who had her forearms resting on the arms of her chair, merely raised a single finger. To a woman, they immediately fell silent. “Continue.”
“A few years of being illegally boarded by so-called honest navies, of having my cargo wrongfully seized, and several of my people—only the dark-skinned ones, mind you—but having my people taken and sold as chattel, and I changed my sou’wester hat for a tricorn and raised the Jolly Roger.
To answer your question,” she raised her chin, “my father would be proud that I stood up to the corruption I found on the high seas. I only attack ships from men I know to be corrupt. I don’t allow any of my people to rape or pillage. ”
Jonto’s face hardened when she heard scoffing from the nearby women. “I’m an honorable man.” She held up her family ring. “I’m a nobleman by birth, probably of higher rank than most of you and your husbands, and I’ll thank you not to scoff at my words.”
She met the gaze of every woman who’d look at her. Most had turned away at her words, whether from shame or snobbishness, she couldn’t tell.
Not the Archduchess, however. When she returned her attention to the old woman, there was a pleased glint in her eye.
“As I said earlier, Lord Jontoreaux, I knew your father and your hereditary title of Marquess is, indeed, higher than most people in this room.” She raised her brows.
“Now, was there a reason you came to speak to our little group?”
Thinking she understood the calculating look in the Archduchess’s eyes, Jonto bowed and once again held out her hand. “May I have the honor of this dance, Your Grace?”
“The nerve.” One of the younger women of the group, a lady in her late fifties by the look of her, hissed at what she was sure was an insult to Archduchess Pierpont. Her eyes widened in shock, however, when Pierpont rose and accepted Jonto’s outstretched hand.
All of the women rose as well and watched as Jonto led Lady Pierpont onto the dance floor, only retaking their seats once the august woman was entirely out of their presence.
Jonto made a note to herself to thank Lord Riordan, who, as soon as the Archduchess had accepted her invitation to dance, had hurried to the conductor and requested Csaba’s Overture to the Lost Kingdom, one of the slowest waltzes ever written.
Placing one hand on the well-padded waist and gently grasping the Archduchess’s outstretched hand with the other, Jonto expertly led the old woman as gracefully and elegantly as she knew how.
Only a few older couples remained after the orchestra slowed the tempo to such a serene and tranquil pace. The Archduchess moved surprisingly well, rising and falling in accordance with Jonto’s cues. “You’re an excellent dancer, Your Grace.”
Amusement lit those deeply hooded eyes. “For an old woman, you mean.”
Jonto opened her eyes wide. “Not at all. You’re graceful and elegant, and it’s truly a pleasure to dance with you.”
“Ah, you have your father’s golden tongue, I see.
” Lady Pierpont cocked her head as she regarded her dance partner.
“I’ve followed your career, you know. My brother and I were so fond of Lord Jontoreaux.
He was so proud of his twins. He often spoke of your courage, compassion, and amiability and of your sister’s quick wit and shrewdness in business matters.
He believed the two of you would go far together. ”
A shadow passed over the lady’s features.
“We grieved your father’s death, and then, when I heard of the tragedy of you losing your twin, I feared for you, for the soundness of your mind.
I’ve lost many loved ones in my life, and at times, I’ve descended into the abyss.
When my spies,” she leaned in, and her eyes sparkled as though she were imparting a humorous secret, which, indeed, she was, “brought me word that you’d become a pirate, I was afraid my fears were founded. ”
The music ended, and Jonto slowed her steps and paused. Since the Archduchess didn’t remove her hands, however, Jonto stayed where she was. When a second slow waltz began, she obligingly guided her partner into the opening steps of the dance.
Lady Pierpont continued as though they hadn’t paused and began again.
“But then my spies told me you were an honorable pirate.” She smiled the first smile Jonto had seen, causing the hundreds of wrinkles to double and even triple across that well-worn face.
“An oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one. It was for that reason I had my grandnephew seek you out and why, when I heard the terms of your bargain, I suggested he reward you with Count Deverell’s land so that I might keep an eye on you. ”
Jonto’s steps faltered, but she quickly regained her rhythm. So, it hadn’t been the King’s idea to hire her and her fleet. That was an interesting tidbit she tucked away to think about another time.
The side of the canny woman’s mouth lifted in amusement at her surprise.
Jonto suspected she was ensuring this pirate captain knew who held the power in the kingdom.
The Grande Dame continued as though she hadn’t just shocked her with the truth of why the kingdom had sought her out and why the King had given her a prime piece of real estate on top of glorious, majestic sea cliffs overlooking the ocean.
“But still, I knew you were faithful to your father’s memory.
” She looked deeply into Jonto’s eyes. “He would have been so proud of you, Lord Jontoreaux.”
Tears formed in Jonto’s eyes, and she fought to hold them back. “Please, Your Grace. I’d be honored if you’d call me Jonto.”
This time, it was the Archduchess who was overcome with emotion.
“Oh, I remember when your father said those words to me. He showed up at my villa with a platter full of syllabub because one time, when we were both visiting my brother, I happened to mention it was my favorite dessert. We ate some together, and I said, ‘Lord Jontoreaux, not many people remember the little things in life. Thank you.’ And he smiled that crooked, charming smile of his and said, ‘Please, Your Grace. My friends call me Jonto, and I’d be honored for you to call me that as well.’”
She squeezed Jonto’s hand, but instead of letting go, her eyes narrowed as she carefully studied Jonto’s features.
When she’d finished, a knowing glint came into her eyes as she nodded once.
“I hope you and I will be friends, too.” She squeezed a second time and stopped dancing.
“I believe that’s all these old legs can handle. ”
As a bewildered Jonto escorted her new friend back to her seat, the Archduchess leaned in and said, “I think if you ask them again, most will dance with you.” Jonto thought she’d hidden her distaste for the idea rather well, but apparently, the old girl was more astute than she’d thought initially because as they approached, the lady once again leaned in, “And I highly recommend you do just that.” Lady Pierpont laughed sympathetically and patted Jonto’s hand when she obediently murmured, “Yes, Your Grace.”
As she was returning the second septuagenarian to where the Archduchess was holding court, she was surprised to see a younger woman standing beside Lady Pierpont.
The heavy makeup did a remarkable job of concealing her natural beauty.
Still, the silk gown, with its fitted bodice, low neckline, and voluminous skirt, more than made up for what Jonto considered poor taste in cosmetic adornment.
After seating her latest dance partner, she looked to Archduchess Pierpont, who motioned for her to approach.
When she did, Pierpont introduced the young woman.
“Lady Rosetta Pierpont, this is Lord Admiral Jontoreaux. Admiral Jontoreaux, may I introduce you to my granddaughter, Lady Rosetta Gallacher.”
With a sniff, Rosetta held out her hand for Jonto to kiss before she had a chance to greet her with a proper bow.
In her early twenties, with red hair curled into fashionable ringlets and brown, doe-like eyes adorned with a thousand caterpillar legs waving helplessly every time the young woman blinked, Rosetta’s arrogance was on display for everyone to see.
Jonto decided to let her hang a moment and took her time setting herself, placing one hand behind her back and bowing before putting her hand beneath the proffered one and pretending to kiss the knuckles. “It’s an honor to meet Archduchess Pierpont’s granddaughter, Lady Gallacher.”
The veiled insult was lost on the young woman but not on the dowager Archduchess, who chuckled quietly into her fist, coughing slightly to cover her amusement.
The older woman was well acquainted with courtly manners and knew it would have been proper for Jonto to say it was an honor to meet the young woman in her own right instead of implying it was only an honor due to her being Lady Pierpont’s kin.
“Would you care to dance, Admiral?”
For a woman to ask the question was pretentious and rude, and Jonto was sorely tempted to decline. That is until she glanced at Lady Pierpont, whose nearly imperceptible nod told her that would not be an acceptable option. Jonto stepped to the side and held out her forearm.
Lifting her chin in haughty disdain as though doing the admiral a favor, Lady Gallacher placed her fingers on the proffered arm and strode onto the dance floor like she was the one leading and not her partner.