Ooh, what a treat today!! Captain Jack Sparrow is interviewing Lady pirate, Adele Seaton!!
Describe your favorite Valentine’s Day experience and random.org will select one winner from those who comment. Winner will receive some Luv Booty, including Katherine’s swag and chocolate doubloons. Woot!”
Captain Jack Sparrow’s Interview with Lady Adele Seaton from The Rogue’s Prize, Book #2 in the Nelson’s Tea Series by Katherine Bone
Jack fumbled with his belt while Harper, Lady Adele’s butler announced his arrival.
“Captain Jack Sparrow is here for his interview, Lady Adele.”
“Send him in, Harper.”
Armed with more than his share of charm, Jack swept past Harper in swashbuckling style. He’d heard tall tales about Captain Blade, Adele’s brother Garrick, and was eager to find out if they were true.
“Thank you for that very kind introduction.” He took off his hat and bowed. Harper attempted to snatch the tricorn from his hand. A tug of war began. “Are these formalities really necessary, Adele?”
“I’m afraid so, Jack. You know how Henry feels about pirates.”
Jack blanched, reached for his gun and gave Harper a serious shake of his head. “This shot is not meant for you.”
“Are your belongings that important?”
“You know they are, luv. And if Harper knows what’s good for ‘em, he’ll step back.”
“Very well, Harper. Jack may keep his possessions.”
Harper bowed. “If that is your wish, m’lady.” Without giving Jack any more consideration, he turned for the door.
Jack waited until the door was closed before he relaxed. “After marrying into your family, I would have thought Henry would be over his dislike of pirates by now.”
“An association with pirates nearly cost Henry his leg. Surely you can understand how that makes him feel.” Adele reached for a teapot and poured dark amber liquid into two cups.
“He’s a very proud man.” She pushed a cup toward Jack. “It will take some time for him to get used to the idea of being surrounded by smugglers on a daily basis.”
Jack regarded the partially-filled tea cup before him and shivered. “You are most kind to offer me a libation but you know I don’t drink anything weaker than grog.”
“Are you, the great Jack Sparrow—”
“—Captain. Jack. Sparrow,” he said, lifting a finger to emphasize his point.
“Judging a book by its cover, eh?” she asked. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned since sailing to Spain to rescue Garrick, it’s nothing is certain until it’s been tried.”
He stared at the tea cup for several moments then lifted the porcelain rim to his nose. He took a whiff of the steamy substance. His eyes grew round. “Clearly you haven’t been to Tortuga.”
Adele laughed. “Ah, but I’ve been to Spain. Close?”
“Not the same thing at all.”
“That would depend on whether or not a madman, gold, and ransom were involved.”
“You have me there.” Jack smiled readily and took a sip. He didn’t stop there but drank the entire contents in one swallow. “Heated rum? Now that is a welcome surprise, luv.”
She nodded. “Even a Seaton has standards.”
“Very handy custom I must say.” Jack pushed his cup toward the teapot. “Ahem. But you are not a Seaton anymore, are you?”
“What are you implying?”
He took a deep breath. Talland Bay Seatons were a touchy lot. “My journey to Pendrim produced quite a thirst. Perhaps before we start my interview… that is to say, your father doesn’t have a vicar on standby and more maidens hiding nearby to wed, does he? A nasty habit that. I assure you I only want an interview and possibly,” he said licking his lips, “more to drink.”
Adele rolled her eyes. “Vicars and weddings are not part of our discussion. I will never live down the fact that I emptied my stomach on Pickering’s feet.”
“Aye.” Jack tried to control his laughter but failed. “An enviable memory. One I’ve probably got stashed in me brain somewhere, minus the vicar.” He drank the next round gladly. “Back to Tortuga. Or was it Spain? Where did you first meet Henry again?”
She sighed. “Aboard his ship, HMS Dragon. I don’t recommend stealing a man’s ship as a way to his heart.”
“I agree with ye, luv. There’s nothing worse than losing a ship. I’ve got Cap’n Barbossa and that damned undead monkey to contend with since losing the Pearl.”
“There are things worse than that, I can assure you.”
“You can’t be serious. The Kraken? What could be worse?”
“Being tied naked to a bedpost, for one.”
Jack spewed his third cup of rum all over the tea service. “Many pardons. Did you just say Henry tied you naked to his bedpost after you tried to steal his ship?”
“Sparrow!”
Porcelain clattered as Jack jumped to attention, hands flailing willy-nilly. “Aye. Aye, sir. Henry. Captain. Guffald. What be your pleasure, sir?”
“The end to this interview.”
“But I haven’t even gotten to the heart of—”
“Garrick’s rescue?” Henry flexed his palms. “For that, you will have to read The Rogue’s Prize.”
The Rogue’s Prize Buy Links:
B&N: http://ow.ly/GWXle
ARE: http://ow.ly/G41Hu
Amazon: http://ow.ly/FxXYn
ITunes: http://ow.ly/G41C5
Kobo: http://ow.ly/G41to
Smashwords: http://ow.ly/GWYU2
Katherine Bone’s Social Media Links:
Website: www.katherinebone.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katlbone/
Facebook- Official Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Katherine-Bones-Official-Fan-Page/134578253291785
Instagram: http://instagram.com/katlbone
Katherine Bone has been passionate about all things historical since she was an Army brat traveling all over the world. Initially, she dreamed of being an artist, but when she met and fell in love with Prince Charming, her own dashing Lieutenant vowing duty, honor, and country, she found herself saying, “I do.” Whisked away to Army bases, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals, where tales of swashbuckling adventure filled the lonely gaps when the Army called Charming away, Katherine’s imagination took flight. No longer nomadic, she calls the south home and spends most of her time daydreaming about Charming and heroes of yesteryear.
The Rogue’s Prize
The Rogue’s Prize ~ The Nelson’s Tea Series Book #2 by Katherine Bone
An unlikely alliance earns Henry the ultimate prize…
Captain Henry Guffald is no ordinary sea captain. A member of Nelson’s Tea, he’s been ordered to rescue a comrade captured in Spain. The rescue is Henry’s last chance to prove his loyalty to Admiral Nelson. Not so easy a task when the job entails joining forces with a female pirate.
Lady Adele Seaton would no sooner give up the call to rove than marry, contrary to her father’s wishes. When news arrives that her brother has been captured in Spain, Adele quickly develops a plan to rescue him and sets sail to intercept the first royal navy ship she encounters. A brilliant tactician, she doesn’t count on meeting her match in a navy captain bound and determined to outwit her at every turn. Can a pirate be tamed?
EXCERPT
“Captain! Captain!”
Henry spun on his heel at the frantic sound of his first mate’s voice. Lieutenant Lucas Winters rushed toward him, sword drawn, his hat askew, eyebrows fretfully knit together, his mouth set in a scowl. It was the same expression the man had worn when he’d forewarned the Dragon was being boarded by pirates. What the deuce was happening now?
Hair rose on the back of Henry’s neck. “Mr. Winters, what has you in such a state?”
Winters’ face turned ashen, and his eyes lit with feral purpose. “There’s a problem below, sir.”
“What kind of problem?” Dreading the answer, Henry drew his own sword.
“We’ve a breach, sir. Several of the prisoners have escaped.”
“Escaped?” he bellowed. His blood began to boil. “Out of an iron cage? How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I gave strict orders the prisoners were not to be left unguarded.”
Enraged by the incompetence of his men, Henry followed Winters down the gangway to the next deck, hurrying as fast as his laborious gait allowed. Damn the useless appendage!
“Where are the guards?” His gaze traveled the length of the deck, finding it empty. “When I said not to let those pirates out of your sight, I meant it.”
“Your orders were carried out to the letter, sir. Still, this development—”
“What development?” he spat.
“This one.”
This strange, new voice knotted Henry’s gut. He stiffened.
Winters looked to Henry’s right. Taking his lead, Henry turned with his sword drawn, prepared for whatever fight would soon befall him. He heard a ping of clanging steel and felt a powerful weight thrust against his sword. He shifted back then stepped forward, lunging as the two blades chinked together, slicing the distance between captain and foe, creating sparks that fired, faded, and then sparked anew.
His opponent moved with lithe grace, whipping his cloak about him and then retreated just as Henry had gotten another foothold. Lurching forward, Henry challenged each lunge more aggressively than the last, taking note of his adversary’s skill. Tall and lean, the masked pirate thrust a gleaming weapon close to Henry’s shoulder then took a step near his side as he skirted around a wooden cask.
Sidestepping another advance, Henry moved forward, dipping low, using his good leg to support his retaliation. Yet again, his efforts were challenged with an agility that surprised him. Changing tactic, he spun on his good heel and brought his sword down in a thunderous swoop, carving wood as his quick-footed enemy dodged his thrusts with uncanny agility.
There was an odd familiarity about the way his opponent fought, a methodic grace he’d practiced with only one other. But that was impossible because that man was in Spain, waiting on the ransom Henry still had to acquire. Yet, the swift turn of his attacker’s wrist, the flexible maneuver of the arm, and the parry behind an arched back illustrated Garrick Seaton’s trademark thrust.
Another well-aimed lob ricocheted off of Henry’s blade, redirecting his thoughts, sparking the twilight with brilliant light. Alarmed, Henry doubled back, retreating toward the Dragon’s rails. His enemy marched toward him. Lightning flashed, momentarily blinding them. Henry took advantage, quickly taking the upper hand, settling his blade against his opponent’s breast bones.
“Tell your men to stand down.”
The pirate moved toward him, baiting him to slide the blade home. Was defeat so horrible a cost that death was a better option? Henry drew back his sword slightly so as not to draw blood. He didn’t want to kill the man, only glean what he could about the Black Belle, who captained it, and where it hailed from. Though he already suspected the truth. He also wanted to know how the vermin had escaped his brig.
His attacker moved menacingly forward again.
“Stay where you are, or I will be forced to drop you where you stand.”
“Surrender is not an option, Captain.”
