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An excerpt from Celestial Persuasion, a Regency Romance

He crossed the upper deck and descended the companionway before briefly saluting the marine sentry posted at his door. Cursing, he threw his hat across the room and roughly removed his coat. Normally controlled and reserved, the captain allowed himself a moment to release his frustration. Truth be told, he was more than frustrated. He was angry. Angry with Captain Lawrence for his flagrant abuse of power. Angry with the Admiralty for turning a blind eye to rogue and lawless officers. Angry with the helpless situations in which young women found themselves when their menfolk’s choices went awry. He could not help himself and thought of Anne. Would the pain ever subside? Would he be able to set aside the rejection and rally again?

Throwing himself into his chair, uncharacteristically without ceremony or care, Captain Wentworth grimaced at the task before him. He must write to Isaacs’s sister. He—of all men—would have to lay out a new trajectory for her and pray she would comply with the plans he proposed. The captain reached for a nearby bottle of spirits and poured the amber liquid into a crystal glass. He swilled the contents down in one gulp, feeling only the burning sensation as it glided down his throat. The feeling was welcome. Considering what was required of him now left a worse taste in his mouth than the fiery rum. Captain Wentworth could not deny that he was now in the position of having to persuade a young lady to alter the course of her life. Of all things, he despised the thought of manipulating someone by playing on their respect for his rank and command. And again he thought of Anne. She too had been young and naïve in the ways of the world and had allowed someone she trusted to guide her. To guide her in such a way as to lead her away from him.