At the Captain's Command

At the Captain's Command
Louise M. Gouge

Duty and career–Captain Thomas Moberly of His Majesty's Navy prizes them above all. So why is he tempted to relinquish both for Dinah Templeton? Though Dinah seems sweet and charming, the difference in station between an East Florida belle and the son of an earl is too marked to ignore.And all other obstacles pale with the discovery that Dinah's brother James is not what he seems….A war is brewing on the colonies' horizon, and James has chosen his side–in opposition to the country Thomas has sworn to defend. But what of Dinah? Where does her heart truly lie–with her family, or with the man she claims to love?

Dinah started to remind Captain Moberly of her vow not to marry a seafarer, but somehow the words would not form.

He gazed about the room. “You have your choice between Mr. Richland Senior or Junior.”

Dinah bit her lips to keep from giggling. “Captain, I order you to cease matchmaking for me.” A playful thought nudged Dinah’s mind. “That is, unless I am permitted to serve the same office for you.”

He gave her a slight bow. “Fair enough. Make your selection and present me to the lady.”

She stared around the room, seeking a likely candidate. “Hmm. Well. How about…no, not her. And then there’s…but no, she would not suit.” She released a dramatic sigh. “I fear not a single match can be found for you in our city, sir.”

Kindness would not permit her to tease about pairing him with any of her acquaintances. Kindness? Or perhaps something far more selfish?

LOUISE M. GOUGE

has been married to her husband, David, for forty-six years. They have four children and six grandchildren. Louise always had an active imagination, thinking up stories for her friends, classmates and family, but seldom writing them down. At a friend’s insistence, in 1984 she finally began to type up her latest idea. Before trying to find a publisher, Louise returned to college, earning a B.A. in English/creative writing and a master’s degree in liberal studies. She reworked the novel based on what she had learned and sold it to a major Christian publisher. Louise then worked in television marketing for a short time before becoming a college English/humanities instructor. She has had ten novels published, five of which have earned multiple awards, including the 2006 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award. Please visit her website at www.louisemgouge.com.

At the Captain’s Command

Louise M. Gouge

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

I will receive you and will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.

—II Corinthians 6:17b–18

This book is dedicated

to my beloved husband, David,

who has stood by my side through my entire

writing career, encouraging me, helping me with

research, reading my raw manuscripts and giving me

the gentlest of corrections. Oh, and best of all,

he gives me the male perspective and insights a

woman sometimes can’t quite grasp. He also gives

me the benefit of his military experience in the

U.S. Army, during which he served in the

101st Airborne in Vietnam. Every March 11,

I thank God for bringing David safely home to me.

Acknowledgments:

In addition, I want to thank

my amazing critique partners for their

wonderful suggestions and research tips:

DiAnn Mills, Ramona Cecil, MaryLu Tyndall

and Laurie Alice Eakes, all gifted authors

in their own rights.

Finally, I’d like to thank my insightful editor,

Melissa Endlich, who sets the bar high for

writing excellence. I’m proud to be writing for you.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten