Catherine signed the monthly report so Marianne could send it off to Captain Baron. The governor wondered what was going on up there since she hadn't heard anything from her since their face to face meeting two months ago. After Prudence Baron had left, Catherine had looked up the officer's military jacket. After reading it she had been ashamed of what she had originally told the redheaded captain.
Her record was impressive. In just the first six years of her career, she had been awarded twenty-two medals and ribbons-- including those so rarely handed out that most people have never seen them on anyone living. She had four of them. Letters from her former commanding officers had referred to Pru as 'the luckiest woman alive'. Although her uniform was often ripped to shreds from incoming fire, she had only been shot once in her six years in the Special Forces. Catherine was amused to note that the injury was a flesh wound across her buttocks. Secretly she thought that was because the enemy soldier had been staring at her lovely behind through the scope and had accidentally pulled the trigger.
Catherine admitted that the rest of her wasn't bad either. Candid shots taken for one of the military's magazines proved that. Prudence Baron might be small but she packed a very feminine punch. Flaming red hair that matched her temper, green eyes flecked with brown, a pert nose, and a chin that came to a perfect point. That chin was certainly capable of lifting when annoyed. One photograph was of the Captain wearing snug combat pants and a sleeveless undershirt. The green uniform looked great with her Irish coloring and fit like a second skin. Catherine was pleased to see that no gaudy tattoos were showing on her skin. She didn't mind them if small and discreet but many of the soldiers prided themselves on being covered head to toe since the Fleet long ago gotten rid of the ban for them.
The next photograph was the official portrait used whenever they had the need to provide a head shot to the news hounds. Every hair was in place, her serious face looking directly at the camera. Catherine was surprised to notice telltale hints at freckles across the nose and cheeks of the Captain. She hadn't noticed them before. Then again, she was too busy fighting her own response to Pru Baron's closeness to concentrate. Damn the woman. Pru had known all too well of the pull between them and had the audacity to be smug about it. Well, she could take that cocky grin and shove it up her ass. She wasn't one of those willing bimbos who hung around the military bars. She was neither easy nor loose. Catherine shoved the file back into her desk drawer, vowing not to look at it again.
She returned to her stack of memo pads and began reading. Some she had an immediate answer and punched in her response. The electronic pad would automatically send a reply back to the sender. Others she placed a pending notice on, which also sent a message out. Others still required that they be relayed through other offices and those she gave to her secretary to hand out as needed. Marianne was the perfect governor's secretary. Nothing bothered her and she had the attitude that kept people from hounding her for answers. They would damned well wait until Catherine was ready to get back to them, thank you very much.
At the thought, Marianne buzzed her office. "Captain Baron to see you, Governor Disraeli."
Catherine's elegant dark brow rose. "Does she have an appointment?"
"No, although she has a hold of a very smelly man wearing a gag and chains. Shall I call security?"
"Please. I'm sure the Captain would appreciate that. Send her in, Marianne." Good Lord, was she actually turning over a pirate? Well, she would see in a moment.
The door opened and Marianne stepped aside just in time as the Captain shoved the burly man into the room. The redhead swept the man off his feet and he landed with a loud grunt and thud. Pru planted her booted foot on his throat and ordered him to behave or else. Catherine didn't know whether to laugh or be shocked.
"Who do we have here?" she managed to say evenly.
"This is none other than Earl Vincent. I'm sure you recall his rap sheet. Sorry about the gag but the man has a mouth like a cargo hauler and breath to match." Two men from security arrived and Pru removed her foot from the man's neck. "All yours boys. Be careful, he likes to go for crotch shots." She stood by quietly as the men dragged the pirate away.
"What time would you like me to pick you up? I can come here or meet you at your home if you'd like."
Catherine wasn't about to let Pru Baron near her house. She wasn't going to invade her privacy. At least that's what she told herself. The voice in the back of her head snickered and muttered it was because she was afraid of falling into the bed with Pru with that temptation.
"Do you know where Charles' is located?" she asked, naming one of the finer gourmet restaurants in town.
"Yes, I do."
"I'll meet you there shortly before 7 O'clock. I'll make the reservation."
"Afraid of me?" Pru asked with a raised brow.
"Of course not. I have appointments until then and I see no need for you to cross town once again. I can arrive in my own transport and go home from there. Nothing more."
"If you say so. Alright, I'll meet you there. Until then, Governor Disraeli." She bowed ever so slightly and left the office. Marianne entered the room as Pru was leaving. The secretary's face expressed shock. She closed the door and hurried over to the governor.
"You're going out with her?"
Catherine sighed. "Not exactly. Somehow I was conned into agreeing that every time she brought in someone from our wanted list that I'd take her out for a nice dinner. I was hoping she'd forget about those silly terms and just turn them over to the authorities."
"You were delusional. I've seen how she looks at you. Do the words 'tasty snack' ring a bell? If you don't own a chastity belt then I suggest you order one soon," Marianne told her with no hint of humor despite her words.
"Marianne, you're fired."
"You haven't rehired me yet from the last dozen times. Besides, who else would put up with you other than family? I can tell you to screw yourself and get away with it."
"I want to be an only child," Catherine whined.
"Too late. You missed your chance to convince mom that one was enough. Your terrible twos weren't terrible enough."
"If I had only known," Catherine sighed.
Marianne blew her a kiss and returned to her office, eager to spread the news to the rest of the brood. Catherine sat wearily, wondering what she had done to deserve all this.
* * * * *
She spotted the captain sitting at the lounge bar, sipping on a glass of lemonade. Catherine had taken her for the whiskey kind of woman. Perhaps she was the type who wouldn't drink unless she was on leave. She placed her bag on the bar along with her linen jacket. The restaurant had been too warm to continue wearing it indoors.
"There you are. Care for a lemonade? They make them nice and tart, just the way I like them."
Catherine heard a hint of a jab in the statement but pretended ignorance. "Sure, that sounds wonderful with this weather. The hostess said she would find us when our table was ready. It seems we chose a busy night."
"I'll remember to bring in bad guys on the slow nights in the future."
"Do that. It would be embarrassing for the establishment to turn away the governor because of the long lines."
"They wouldn't dare. The owner would turn away his own mother first."
"Possible but then I'd feel guilty for ousting an elderly woman. Best to keep our business to quiet nights."
Pru smiled, enjoying their conversation. Catherine wasn't afraid to make fun of herself it seemed. The bartender placed a sweating glass of lemonade on a napkin in front of the governor. Pru forced herself not to automatically press her thumb against the tab panel. She was the one who insisted that Catherine be the one who treated her to the meal. She interlocked her fingers and pretended not to see the brunette pay for her own drink. They continued to chat until a young hostess approached them.
She led them to a table that was set in an area that gave more privacy from the other diners. It sat away from the din of the kitchen and bar but Pru doubted that they'd be forgotten by the staff. A waiter stood near the table and held out the chair for the governor, seating her expertly. Pru sat herself before the man had the bright idea of helping her also.
He smiled and offered to refresh their drinks while they considered their choices that night. Charles was one of the few places who didn't have a menu. The chef shopped each day for the fresh ingredients and the patrons had only three meals to select from each night. They changed as the available foods came and went out of season. A small ornate card sat at each setting, naming the three selections. No prices were stated. If one had to ask then they couldn't afford to dine there.
Pru looked at the card and quickly decided. Her choice was easy enough. One she was allergic to, the other was something she hated, so it left her with the native specialty of roasted quail with a fruity glaze. She had it once before and had enjoyed it.
The waiter returned and inquired if they were ready to order. Both women chose the same, including the side dishes.
"And perhaps a nice white wine with the meal? We received a splendid selection of wines from Ganthrey Valley this week, both sweet and dry."
"Perhaps sweet to compliment the fruit glaze," Catherine ventured.
"Wonderful choice. Would you care for anything to nibble upon until the meal is prepared? The quail can sometimes take just a teeny bit longer than the other choices."
Pru knew that meant they had a long wait ahead of them. The waiter knew they'd be ready to chew their own napkins without an appetizer to tide them over.
"What is available tonight, Rafael?"
"Tonight we have stuffed baby button mushrooms, endive leaves filled with shredded vegetables, and small golden bread rolls filled with soft goat cheese."
Catherine looked at the tiny woman in front of her and decided for both of them. "All three, Rafael. I haven't eaten since early this morning and I think the captain is a woman with a large appetite in spite of her petite frame."
"Hollow legs," Pru agreed.
"Better make that double portions, Rafael."
The waiter nodded and promised to return shortly.
"You must come here often if you know his name," Pru commented.
"He's my baby brother. I hope I know his name by now," Catherine grinned.
"Ah, and dare I ask if you are related to the owners?"
"You may ask. I may not answer but in fair warning, if you so much as fondle my knee the chef will chase you from the restaurant with his largest butcher knife."
"Protective papa?"
"Quite."
"And the older, but beautiful, woman whispering behind the potted plant, your mother?"
"Of course." Catherine didn't even bother looking up. She knew her mother would be spying on them and discussing every movement with her niece, who had seated them.
"I don't have any red laser dots floating around on my back, do I?"
Catherine couldn't help it. She laughed at the question. "I wouldn't put it past my family. They can be protective at times. My wife had to pass a lot of hurdles before she was allowed keep me out after midnight. My parents were very strict."
"Married from the home like a well brought up girl. Tell me, do you live with them now or is it possible that perhaps, just perhaps, you might invite me in for coffee in some distant future?"
"I live alone with not even a cat. I work long hours, captain."
"Pru, please."
"Not Prudence?"
"My name and my personality do not mesh well, Governor Disraeli. By the way, any relation to Benjamin?"
"I'm not sure. We've never had our ancestry investigated. And since I have permission to address you by your first name, you may call me Catherine."
"Not Cathy, Kate, or Katie?"
"Only if you like bleeding shins."
"Ouch, alright, Catherine it is--unless you infuriate me and I'm at least a dozen paces away from you. Then I might torment you with a Katie and run for it."
"I bet you were an only child."
"Why yes. How did you know?"
"Just a lucky guess."
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