Captive Splendors Read Online Free

when a man was happy and contented. Regan was more happy and contented than he had ever been in his life, and now that Wren would be going back to Java with them, his cup would run over. The only thing missing was Caleb. If Cal would only see fit to make his home with them in Java, he swore to all the Gods in Heaven that he would never sin again. What more could a man ask?
    â€œDo try to be quiet, Regan. We don’t want to awaken the entire household.”
    â€œMy dear, I will walk on tiptoe, as though I were walking on eggs. You need to have no fear of my awakening your dear friend Tyler.”
    â€œYou’re baiting me, Regan. Morning is only a few hours away, and sleep is what you need.”
    â€œIf you’re trying to tell me I’m getting old and feeble, you can bite your tongue, young woman. I can still outshine that Sinclair, and well you know it. I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not looking forward to seeing either him or Camilla. I gave you my word that we would leave as soon as it was decently possible. I’ll keep my word. No noise, I’ll sleep in your arms, and you’ll wake me at the first early light. I want to see what manner of young lady our Wren has become.”
    Giggling like two small children, Regan and Sirena followed an aging servant up the curving staircase.
    â€œReminds me of the time I spent three days in Clarice’s brothel.” Regan grinned as he pinched Sirena on the thigh.
    â€œIf you think I’m going to ask you to tell me about that little escapade, dear husband, you’re wrong. I’ll take it up with you tomorrow,” she said, her eyes glinting dangerously.
    â€œA slip of the tongue, sweetheart. You know how boastful I am at times. It was Dykstra who spent three days there. I merely stopped by to see how business was doing.”
    â€œYou kept that—that— establishment in business all by yourself. Don’t blame Captain Dykstra,” Sirena hissed.
    â€œWell, I do feel a certain responsibility for him. After all, I did take him there, and Clarice . . . what she did . . . actually . . . You’re right, we’ll discuss it tomorrow. Suddenly I feel so tired I can barely keep my eyes open.”
    â€œIf I were you, I’d sleep with them open the rest of the night,” Sirena warned ominously.
    The moment the door closed behind the servant, Regan gathered Sirena in his arms and kissed her passionately. God, how he loved her. He had baited her on purpose just to see her respond with anger. It was his way of proving to himself that she still loved him. He had to see her anger to know for certain that their love had not banked, that it could be rekindled in a moment with a few choice words. Right or wrong, he had to do it, and Sirena understood and played the game right along with him. God, how he loved her. Even more now than on the day he had married her for the second time.
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    Tyler Sinclair descended the stairs with the same worried expression on his face as he had worn when he had finally drifted off to sleep. He felt his stomach churn as the housekeeper told him that the van der Rhyses had arrived unexpectedly during the night and insisted that the Baron and the Baroness remain undisturbed.
    â€œIs the Baroness ready for breakfast?” the housekeeper asked.
    â€œThe Baroness is feeling under the weather this morning. Have one of the maids bring her some mint tea and a sweet roll in about an hour. She will be down for luncheon with our guests.”
    Good Lord, what am I going to say to Sirena? he wondered as he seated himself at the breakfast table. Perhaps he was worrying about nothing. Both of them might really like Malcolm Weatherly. No one likes Malcolm Weatherly except Wren, he answered himself. Camilla had said that Malcolm could pass muster in a dark room, but this was the bright light of day, and both Sirena and Regan were clear-eyed and as sharp as axes.
    Tyler bit into a sweet roll and