“A mere scratch.”

“How did you get it?”

“Pirates,” Chase said blandly.

At his side, Harriet stiffened, and he was hard-pressed not to laugh. Instead, he nodded safely. “A battle with pirates off the coast of India. Nothing serious, of course. We routed them in thirty minutes and captured their cargo.”

“Cargo? Was it a rich prize?”

“Mainly slave women.”

Harriet pinned him with a hard glare. “Slave women?”

“Harem girls, actually.” He held Harriet a little tighter, then winked over her head at Gower. “A healthy prize indeed, a hold full of slave women.”

A sound suspiciously like a snort came from Harriet, who was still being held prisoner against Chase. He blinked innocently down at her. “Did you say something, dear?”

“No,” Harriet said flatly, her brown eyes sparkling with indignation. “Not yet.”

Mother leaned toward the banker. “You’ll have to forgive Captain Frakenham’s boisterous spirits. He’s been at sea for months and months and—”

“Almost a year,” Chase agreed, tugging Harriet a little closer until her hip rested against his. “And I thought of nothing but you, my little flower.”

That seemed to raise some hackles. Harriet’s smile, already patently false, grew more strained and she said through her teeth, “It’s a pity you’ll be returning to your ship so quickly, Captain Frakenham.”

“Return?” Chase said, feigning bewilderment. “Oh no, sweetheart. I have no plans for returning to the sea for a while yet. In fact”—he released her and went to the settee, where he lay down, crossed his ankles on a small pillow and tucked his hands beneath his head, and said, “I plan on enjoying your hospitality for weeks and weeks to come.”

His gaze found the empty tea tray and he frowned. “Speaking of which, I am famished. Harriet, my love, bring me something to eat, would you? But no tea. I prefer stronger spirits. Some brandy would not be amiss.”

A choked exclamation came from Harriet.

Mrs. Ward quickly intervened. “I will be glad to ring for a nice light luncheon. Meanwhile, I daresay Mr. Gower must be on his way. He’s a very important man and cannot linger for hours on end.”

From his position on the couch, Chase gestured magnanimously. “Of course he can’t! Anyone can look at him and see that he is not your average banker, by any means. Mr. Gower, I wish you good speed on your tasks today. May you foreclose on at least three separate properties.”

Mr. Gower tried to smile, but failed. “I do not think I will be foreclosing on anyone today.”

“No? Perhaps tomorrow then. Good day.”

Mrs. Ward opened the door. “Mr. Gower, let me walk you out. Harriet can take care of the captain.”

Gower did not seem to like that arrangement. He looked meaningfully at Harriet. “I will speak with you again, Miss Ward. Soon.”

Chase watched closely. Something passed between the two…irritation on Harriet’s part, and something else on Gower’s. Had that been a warning? Chase frowned, determined to question Harriet the second he had her to himself.