by Dawn Brower
“Wait up, you shouldn’t be out here alone. There is a storm coming in.”
She ignored him and kept running. The fear in her eyes alarmed him when she glanced over her shoulder. He raced after her as lightning crashed and a thunderous boom followed. Paul had to help her. If he left her alone in the storm he would be the worst cad ever.
“Miss, don’t run. I can help you.”
Maybe she couldn’t hear him. The thunder was rather loud and getting closer with each rumble. The rain began to fall in waves. After a while, he couldn’t see two feet in front of him and he’d lost sight of the blonde. He slowly made his way to where he last sighted her. A huge blast of lightning blinded him as a gust of wind blew over him. He scrambled to find his balance, but soon lost it and fell forward. Pain shot through his head and he began to lose consciousness. His arms flailed out as he plummeted toward the bottom of the mountain. His mouth fell open with a silent scream.
So much for being a good samaritan, next time, if he lived through this, he’d leave the woman to her own fate…
Saved by My Blackguard 2
St. Kitts, August 18, 1722
Lady Evelyn Beckett finished dressing in a light muslin gown. The summer heat on the island didn’t leave many options for a lady, and she was dying in the sweltering heat. Her long golden blonde curls were drenched with sweat. She sat down and began the tedious process of plaiting them and wrapping them into a tight chignon. Even the smallest loose strand would lead to unwanted warmth on her already overheated skin.
“Lady Evelyn,” a maid said. She curtsied quickly before speaking again. “Pardon my interruption, but your father requests your presence in his study.”
Her father, the Earl of Ashland, owned the plantation they currently resided in. She’d lived in England during her formative years, but when her mother died he packed them up and started a new life in the West Indies. Evelyn hated every moment of her time on the island and looked forward to returning to the cooler climate of England. Maybe this was the moment she’d been waiting for. Her betrothed, the Duke of Southington, might have finally summoned her for their wedding.
“Tell him I will be down in a moment.” She hid her excitement. It wouldn’t do to show her emotions. Her father frowned upon a lady doing anything untoward. “I need to finish my coiffure.”
Her father had very strict ideas of what a lady should and should not do. He took being overprotective to extreme lengths. She had a footman, or rather a guard as she thought of the man, who followed her everywhere she went. He denied her a personal maid forcing her to learn how to dress herself properly and see to her own needs. It was supposed to teach her humility. The entire household watched her every move. She couldn’t sneeze without someone reporting it to him.
After feeling her hair and glancing over her dress, she was satisfied that she would be presentable and made her way to her father’s study. A servant stood outside his door. Evelyn glanced up at him and asked, “Is he available?”
She learned early on not to barge into her father’s study. The one and only time she did it her bottom had burned for a week from the whipping he’d given her. It was a mistake she never made again. If there was one thing she did right it was never to repeat the same mistake twice. Living on the island and without a mother’s guidance oftentimes left her at a disadvantage—her parents were as different as night and day. Her mother had been loving, kind, and nurturing. She sheltered her from most of her father’s darker proclivities. Once she was gone, she saw him for the man he really was. A monster she couldn’t wait to escape.
He nodded. “Lord Ashland is expecting you.”
She steeled herself to deal with her father and walked stiffly into his study. Gray hair flopped forward, shadowing his face as he bent over his desk and studied a document. She folded her hands in front of her and patiently waited for him to acknowledge her presence and give her leave to sit down. After a few moments he glanced up and gestured her forward. “Evelyn, come in girl. Don’t dawdle.”
She repressed the urge to roll her eyes. Insolence was forbidden. “Yes, Father.”
“Sit. We have much to discuss.”
He stood and walked over to a nearby window. The sunlight illuminated him. He was a sturdy man and he’d worked hard to build his fortune in the West Indies. It was starting to take a toll on him. New wrinkles were forming on his forehead and around his eyes every day. Evelyn didn’t doubt the stress he put himself under would put him in an early grave. Sadly, she doubted she would miss him once he was gone. He made her life hell.
She sat, waiting for him to tell her why he summoned her. His lack of conversation was making her nervous. Why wouldn’t he get it out and tell her what she’d done wrong this time? If it was the duke summoning her for their wedding he’d have already said it. This had to be bad if he left her wallowing in misery.
“I’ve tried to do my best by you. Raise you right and humble,” he began. “I know you must think me evil, but I truly have your best interests at heart.”
This wasn’t good. He was gearing up to a lecture she wouldn’t leave unscathed from.
“Yes, father, I mean no”—she shook her head ardently—“I don’t think you’re evil.” He really was. “I know you only want to make sure I have a good life.” As long as she followed his rules and didn’t deviate from them in any way.
He laughed. “Don’t try and dupe me, girl. I am well aware of what you truly believe.” Her father waved a hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not why I summoned you. I received a letter from the Duke of Southington. It’s time for you to return to England for your wedding. It isn’t a good time for me to leave the plantation so I’m sending you with a maid as a chaperone. He expects you in England in six weeks for the wedding.”
Evelyn gulped. “I understand.”
She wanted to jump for joy. Surely the duke would be better than living under her father’s care. Six weeks and she’d be the Duchess of Southington, she could hardly wait.
He nodded. “I’ve already ordered your trunks packed. You’re leaving on a ship this evening.”
“So soon?” The words were out before she could stop them. She bit her lip and awaited her punishment. It was usually a slap in the face for daring to question him. When no reprimand came, she slowly opened her eyes and was surprised at the expression on her father’s face. He looked contrite.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I won’t apologize for them, it’s the only way I knew how to raise you. Sometimes I wish…” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what I wish. If your mother were here she’d be better at this. I’m going to miss you, Evelyn. It’s harder to say goodbye than I thought it would be.”
This was a side of her father she’d never seen. She had no map to guide her. How was she supposed to respond to this sudden change? If she took a wrong move she could end up regretting it. So she said nothing and waited for him to continue. When there were no adequate words it was better to wait her father out, another lesson she’d learned the hard way. There were too many to count.
“What are you waiting for?” He shooed his hands at her. “Go prepare to leave.”
So much for sentimentality, it was nice to see, no matter how brief it was. It showed her that for a small moment in time her father had a heart. He kept it buried too deep for the world to see. In the grand scheme of things it didn’t matter. She still wanted to be as far away from him as possible. Surely there was something greater and more meaningful for her life than to be the daughter of an autocratic earl.
So she left him alone in his study, the way he preferred, and went to prepare for her new life.
***
Out at Sea, August 21, 1722
Evelyn had been aboard the ship for days. For too long they didn’t move because there was no wind to guide the sails. The journey was going to take forever at the rate they were traveling. The waves rocked the ship and made her stomach queasy. The daily walks on the deck did nothing to ease her discomfort
. Sailing never had been something she enjoyed. The trek from England to St. Kitts had been equally as horrible.
“Lady Evelyn.”
Abby’s voice broke through her melancholy.
Evelyn turned toward the maid her father assigned to her for her journey and said, “Yes?”
“Perhaps it’s time we take shelter in your cabin. Your cheeks are getting red from too much sun.”
Evelyn had no desire to be cooped up in her sweltering cabin. She didn’t care if her cheeks burned under the sun’s heat. It was a blessing to breathe the fresh salt air. She was about to tell Abby that when a shout echoed on the breeze from above.
“Jolly Roger, ahoy!” A sailor called down from the crow’s nest.
The first mate scrambled forward, shouting, “All hands hoay!”
Chaos ensued as everyone hurried to get on deck. They forgot about Evelyn in the process and she got shoved against one of the masts. Her head hit it hard and she crumpled to the ground. She stared off into the distance, dazed for several hectic moments.
“Lady Evelyn.” Her maid shook her. “You need to get up. Pirates are attacking the ship.”
“What?” The words were not registering. “Who is attacking?”
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Abby shrieked. “Get up now and go to your cabin where you’ll be safe.”
Abby grabbed her arm and yanked hard. Evelyn barely moved. She shook her head to clear it. What had Abby said? Oh yes, pirates. The words finally started to penetrate her mind and she got up. Her movements were sluggish and she swayed with each step she took.
“Keep moving,” Abby urged.
A blast hit the hull of the ship lurching her forward. Her knees hit the deck hard and took the brunt of her fall. She would have bruises all over her body before this day was done. She scrambled back to her feet feeling her way toward the entrance to get below deck and the safety of her cabin. The cannons fired again and another explosion rocked the hull. Vibrations rolled across her fingers as she moved against the side of the ship.
“Hurry. For the love of God, make haste. We’re going to die at this slow pace.” Her maid’s voice was filled with terror. “Why did I let the earl talk me into joining you on this voyage back to England? I’d be safe in my bed on the island if not for you.”
A part of Evelyn knew Abby didn’t like her. This was all the confirmation she needed. “If I am such a burden you can leave me alone.”
She’d probably be better off without her maid tagging along behind her, spying on her. She didn’t doubt Abby would report her every move back to her father. Soon he would have no control over her life. A new man would have that honor. She had only met the duke once when she was a small girl. He’d seemed so foreboding then, but not unkind. Evelyn hoped her original assessment wasn’t wrong. It was easy to fool a girl, but as a woman she would see through any façade he presented her. Under her father’s tutelage she’d been trained for any possibility. She’d had to grow strong and able to withstand anything because of his unruly temper and exact expectations.
Abby stuck her chin in the air defiantly. “Good riddance too. I’m sure the pirates will find you lovely.”
She scooted past Evelyn and headed down to the cabin. It took every bit of strength she had to fight back the tears threatening to fall. Abby had the right of it. Good riddance to her spy and task master. Her life would be inherently easier without having to deal with the maid dictating to her in her father’s absence. Maybe the pirates would be a better choice.
“Prepare to be boarded,” a pirate called out.
The pounding of feet on the deck filled her ears. Shouts and screams joined the bombardment of noise. Strange men shifted from one side of the ship to the other as they fought for control. The pirates filled the ship and before long they seized power of the vessel. Evelyn wanted to crawl into a hole and seek cover, but the time for hiding had passed.
“What do we have here?”
A husky voice as rich as the Scottish whisky her father preferred filled her ears. Something she shouldn’t know much about, but out of curiosity she’d sneaked a taste or two of the amber liquor. Evelyn looked up and stared straight into eyes the exact shade of the Caribbean Sea. The pirate’s golden-blond hair shimmered in the sunlight. He was perhaps one of the most beautiful men she’d ever gazed upon. She’d heard pirates were a dirty lot, but this one was surely a different breed altogether.
“Who are you?”
He studied her for a moment and then his lips tilted into a wicked smile. It made him intrinsically more appealing. The sexy beast was too gorgeous for his own good. He would be devastating to the female population if he were unleashed upon them.
“Captain Jack Morgan at your service.” He bowed to her. “Percy, come help the Lady board the Siren Song. She’s going to join our crew as my mistress.”
“But Capt…” The pirate stammered.
“Are you refusing to follow a direct order?” Captain Morgan glared at him.
“No, Captain.” He bowed his head in submission. He leaned in and said with a loud whisper, “Women are a curse on board a ship.”
“I don’t bow down to superstition. This woman is mine and I intend to keep her.” The captain waved a hand dismissing the other pirate. “Now, do what I ordered.”
Evelyn turned her head back and forth between the two. Did the pirate captain say she was going to be his mistress? Over her dead body… She was meant to be a duchess and she’d be damned if she let that man lay a hand on her. He might be astoundingly striking, but her father hadn’t raised a fool.
“I am no man’s mistress,” she spat out, finally finding her voice, and the spine she’d grown dealing with her father’s tyranny.
“Of course not, you’re Captain Morgan’s and he’s no mere man.”
Evelyn’s gaze flew toward the pirate who’d cowed before his captain. “I don’t recognize him as someone in need of worship. He might be a god to you, but he’s nothing to me.”
Captain Morgan laughed. “Let her be for now. She’ll come around in time. They all do.”
A cocky smile filled his dazzling visage. Evelyn wanted to wipe it permanently off his face. He was so damned sure of himself. How many women had fallen at his feet? She would not be among them. “You can wait till the end of time. I will not be changing my mind.”
“We’ll see, love.” His grin widened and he traced her jaw with the tip of his finger. “I’ve been told I have a magic touch.”
She shivered involuntarily. Why did he have to be so bloody handsome? “I wouldn’t know. You do nothing for me.”
He chuckled lightly. “I like this one. She has spirit. We’re going to have a lot of fun together.” He turned toward the other pirate. “Take her aboard the ship now.” He gestured his arms toward the ship Evelyn had been sailing on before they attacked. “As for this one, scuttle it.”
Percy yanked her toward the gangway and hauled her across it toward their ship.
“What did the captain mean by scuttle it?”
“He means to sink the ship.” Percy didn’t even bother to look at her. He kept pulling her toward a cabin on the ship. He shoved her inside and locked it from the outside.
“You can’t murder everyone on the ship.” She banged on the door.
The last thing she thought she heard him say was, “Not your call to make.”
Then there was nothing but silence, leaving Evelyn alone with her own dreary thoughts. There was no saving her from the fate she found herself in. She had only herself to rely on. Jack Morgan believed she’d willingly fall into his arms. He didn’t know her or her resolve. As long as he didn’t force her she could withstand his advances. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. She would need her strength for the upcoming battle.
Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjo
ys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.
Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. While she loves all genres she focuses most of her writing on historical and contemporary romance.
There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.
For more information visit her website at: www.authordawnbrower.com
Books by Dawn Brower
Broken Pearl
Deadly Benevolence
Marsden Romances
A Flawed Jewel
A Crystal Angel
A Treasured Lily
A Sanguine Gem
A Hidden Ruby
A Discarded Pearl
Novak Springs Series
Cowgirl Fever
Unbridled Pursuit
Sensual Games
Linked Across Time
Saved by My Blackguard
Searching for My Rogue