At the rustle of a key turning in the lock, she let go of the map and turned in the chair to face the entrance. The door swung open and Jasper stared at her. She fought the urge to look away but, instead, met his gaze. It would not kill her to be amiable. Perchance it may even benefit her. “Thank you for sending me the change of clothes.”
“The ship’s gunner will mend your gown so you have it when you depart.”
“That is not necessary. Discard it.” She smiled at the surprise her words ignited in his ice blue eyes. Had he expected her to be vexed over her new wardrobe?
“As you wish.” He leaned his hip on the edge of the desk.
“Can you tell me where we are exactly?” She pointed to America on the map. “I would like to know how far I am from home.”
He glanced from her to the document. “You know how to read maps?”
“I am an educated woman, Captain.”
He chuckled. “I do not doubt it, and, as I told you previously, you have leave to call me Jasper when we’re alone.” A mild irritation laced his voice.
She nodded but had no intention of ever using his given name. The act was far too intimate. He was a pirate for God’s sake. She had no desire to befriend him. Pirates murdered her father and Louisa. She traced the puckered scar on his cheek with her gaze. Had he received any new injuries saving her?
Captain Blackmore murdered the pirates who captured her—avenged her father and rescued her. He risked his life in battle. Still, she could not allow herself to see him as more than the enemy, not even if she wished to.
“It has been my experience that women generally do not read maps. Who taught you?” He opened a drawer and retrieved a bottle of amber-colored liquid along with two glasses.
She watched as he poured some into a glass all the while attempting to decide whether she should answer his question. It would not do for a pirate to know she was a wealthy shipping company owner. She certainly could not allow him to discover that her company was without protection. He must not learn of her father’s death. If he did her company would be vulnerable to him and his crew.
Jasper offered her a glass. “Thirsty?”
“No.” She held up a hand in protest. “Thank you.”
He pressed the glass into her hand anyway. “Have a little. After the day you’ve had, I am sure you are parched. Besides, spirits are good for drowning one’s sorrows.”
She accepted and took a small sip. The liquor burned down her throat but she did not choke on it. “What is it?”
“Brandy. Have you never drank it before?”
“No. I have had watered down wine and champagne on occasion, but Papa never allowed me liquor. It is not proper for a lady to imbibe in stronger drinks, but then I do not suppose a pirate would care about propriety.” Emboldened, she took another sip before setting the glass aside. “Now answer my question. Where are we?”
He stood behind her then leaned to look over her shoulder. His chest made contact with her back, sending heat spiraling through her. He smelled of the sea and fresh air. She inhaled, relishing the scents. An odd sensation assaulted her, but it was not all together unpleasant. Desire? She chased the foolish notion from her mind.
“Do you know where the English Channel is?” he asked, his voice smooth.
She pointed to its location on the map. If that was their position, she was an impossible distance from Boston. “How do you plan to get me to America in under a fortnight from this location?”
He pointed to a different spot on the map. “That was merely a starting point for showing you. This is our current location.”
Relief spiraled through her. They were closer to the middle of the Atlantic than to England. She watched his long finger trail across the map. “We will be careening the Marion here, at Domina est Maria. The repairs should not take more than a day.”
“The Sea’s Mistress.” The words rolled off her tongue. Latin had always been one of her favorite things to study. “Is it an island? I have never heard of it.”
He straightened and went back to lean on the edge of the desk. “I discovered it some years ago. A small, uninhibited island perfect for my needs.”
She took another drink of brandy, imagining what those needs might be. Things like hiding treasure and repairing his ship, surely. “Did you name it?”
“I did.” He smiled. “Now it is my turn.”
“For what?”
He stared at her, his expression serious. “Where did you learn to read a map?”
Drat. She hoped she had sufficiently deterred him from that path of inquiry. “My Papa taught me.” Perhaps he would not press her for more information.
“The same Papa who refused you strong drink?” Amusement lit his gaze.
“Map reading is hardly the same as getting foxed.” She stood and went to the window. “Do you intend to keep questioning me, or might we go for the walk you promised me?” She battled back her rising emotions at the memories of Papa. It would not do for this man to discover her truth.
Chapter 4
Jasper strolled next to Prudence on the main deck as he pondered their earlier conversation. Why had she been so reluctant to speak of her Papa? And why had she become vexed? His earlier question seemed innocent enough to him.
He slanted a glance at her as they came to a stop near the railing. The sky behind her was a blaze of red and pink. Her honey blond hair danced in the evening breeze while her hazel eyes sparkled. The chit was breathtaking and the snug breeches, and the flowing shirt did naught to hide her ample charms. There was a mysterious edge to the woman that only added to her appeal.
If he were forced to spend much more time with her, he would not be able to resist stealing a kiss from her plump lips. His gaze roamed to those very lips and he could not resist imagining what they would feel like pressed to his. Soft and sweet.
“It will be fair weather tomorrow.” She notched her chin, indicating the sky and breaking the spell he was under.
He looked out over the expanse of ocean at the setting sun. How did she know to draw such a conclusion? He would not ask now, but before she left his ship, he would know where she gained her knowledge. It was not common place for a woman to understand such things—let alone speak on them. She had been around ships before, and often. But in what capacity? “Indeed,” he replied.
Before he could say more, a scream issued from above. He tilted his head back to look up into the sails and rigging. Payne dangled from a mast, his leg wrapped in thick rope If the man kept struggling he might plunge to his death. “Be still,” Jasper hollered up at him as he surveyed the situation.
“Captain, I lost my balance. It’s lucky the rigging caught me, but I need an extra hand to get free.” Payne stopped wriggling as he took hold of the nearby lines, steadying himself.
Jasper rushed forward to help, propelling himself up the lines toward Payne. How the bloody hell an experienced boatswain managed to get himself in such a position was beyond him. The fool was indeed lucky the rigging stopped his fall. Leastwise, his sorry ass would be splattered on the deck.
“Do be careful.” Prudence called after him.
Jasper could not miss the grin that lit Payne’s weathered face as he looked down at her. He would wager the fool had been paying more attention to her than his duties when he slipped. Having a woman, worse yet, an attractive woman, on board was bad for all of them. He would have to convince her to stay out of sight until he could be rid of her. Surely she would see reason once he explained the danger she presented to his men.
Jasper reached for the thick rope tangled around Payne’s leg. “Hold tight to that line. Once I loosen this, it will be up to you to keep yourself off the deck.”
“I’m ready, Captain.” Payne’s knuckles turned white as he fisted the line in preparation.
Jasper held onto the lines with one hand and wrapped his legs around the mast while he worked to free Payne. Just as suddenly as the man’s yell had sent Jasper up the mast, his boatswain was freed fro
m the snare he’d found himself in.
He waited for Payne to make his way down to the deck before following after him. Irritation pricked at him as he made his decent. Several of his men stood clustered around Prudence. As soon as his boots hit the deck he moved toward her. She stood near the mast with her hands on her hips and seemed to be taking in the damage to his ship.
“Those lines will need to be repaired sooner rather than later.” She glanced up, her gaze following the damaged rigging before coming to rest on his. “The main sail is useless without them.”
Jasper surveyed the damage, annoyance warming his blood. She was right in her assessment. How did she know so much? And why were his men tripping over themselves to pay her homage? Did they not realize the dangers of having a woman on board? The bloody fools could not see past her charms. He could not allow her to take command of his ship. “It is not your—”
“Yes, miss. I am going to take care of them straight away,” Payne interrupted then gave an awkward bow.
Prudence looked at Payne, offering a wide smile. “I do not doubt you.”
Styles offered her an amused grin. “Seems ye know a thing or two ’bout ships.” He nudged Jasper playfully. “She’s a good eye, Captain.”
“Ne’er saw another woman who’d know that.” Finch, the ships carpenter, agreed.
“Back to your stations.” Jasper ordered his voice firm as he battled his growing frustration.
A chorus of “Aye, Captain” followed as his men turned to follow their orders, but not before they tipped their heads or offered a bow to Prudence. How had one woman reduced his crew of fearsome pirates to a lot of bustling peacocks?
Bloody hell. He’d had all he could tolerate of this nonsense. He took hold of her elbow, determined to remove her from his men’s sight. “Let us return to the cabin.”
Prudence did not budge as he attempted to propel her into motion. Blast the woman was stubborn. Worse, somehow her defiance made her more attractive. The urge to take her to bed and tame her tightened his loins.
He peered at her, his rising lust battling with anger, and tightened his grip a fraction. “Now.”
* * * *
Prudence peered at Jasper, not at all impressed with his highhandedness. She should jerk her arm free of his hold. Tell him what she thought of being man handled. She should spit on his boots. Take his skiff and row herself to safety. Show him she was capable of caring for herself.
She met his gaze, ready to do battle. A warning flickered in his icy-blue eyes telling her she had better cooperate. Heat flamed within her as she allowed him to guide her back to the captain’s cabin. The moment he closed the door between them and his crew she would give him a tongue lashing. For now, she concentrated on keeping up with his long strides.
Her vexation grew with each step as she practically ran to keep from tripping. By the time they entered the cabin she was ready to collapse. Only her anger kept her standing as the solid wood door latched shut behind them. She wheeled on him, peering directly into his eyes. “You have no quarter to handle me in such a way.”
“I am captain of this ship. I have every right to remove dangerous distractions from my decks.” He grabbed a bottle of rum from his desk, popped it open, and took a large drink.
Her dangerous? Why, because she was a woman? She’d never heard such a ludicrous thing. “Have you lost your mind?” She grabbed the bottle from his hand and slammed it back on the desk. The liquor splashed from her force, sending droplets onto the wooden surface. “You are the bloody cut throat here, not me.”
His jaw ticked. “You take it too far, madam.”
Prudence advanced on him in blatant disregard of the warning in his rough tone. “Me? I did not ask to be brought aboard your ship.” She poked her finger out at his chest and continued toward him. “You threatened my life to get me here. Now you accuse me of being a danger. A distraction.”
“I do not accuse you of anything. Rather I call it as it is.” He continued taking steps backward toward the wall as she drew nearer to his person. “Payne nearly plummeted to his death because of you.”
Her anger flamed stronger as she continued toward him. “It is no fault of mine that your man had an accident.”
Jasper stepped from her path, coming around behind her.
She spun to face him, her back now against the wall, heart racing.
“Payne fell because he was distracted by the sight of you.” His eyes narrowed on her.
She tipped her chin defiantly. “There is nothing about me that warrants distraction. I am quite certain you are mistaken.”
Her skin warmed as he swept his gaze from her head to her toes and back again. Before she could react his mouth came down on hers. She went still for a moment, her head swimming, lips tingling under his. The faint taste of his rum invaded her mouth adding to the sensations assaulting her.
He brought his arm around her waist pulling her closer to him as he slanted his mouth over hers. Prudence feared her knees would buckle from the delightful sensation spreading through her and coiling in her abdomen. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders for support as her heart beat against his muscular chest. In another moment, she found herself kissing him back with everything she had.
What in heaven’s name was she doing kissing him? A bloody pirate! And worse, she was enjoying his lips on hers. Never had she experienced something so intimate, so all consuming. She could not stop from wondering what it would be like to have his hands on her skin, his lips on her bare flesh.
She could not allow herself to take pleasure in his touch. She fought past the sensations driving her and removed her arms from around him, then turned her face away, breaking their connection. She did not dare glance back at him for fear she would offer herself up for more.
A moment later the echo of his boots on the wood-plank floor filled the small cabin. The door slammed shut and she heard the tell-tale click of the lock before allowing herself to slide down the wall. What had she done?
She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. Something about him captivated her and made her believe, if only for a heartbeat, that she wanted his attentions. Impossible. She could not allow herself to ignore what he was. Could not allow herself to desire him.
Chapter 5
“Captain.”
Jasper cracked his eyes open at the sound of Hawkins’ voice. He had spent a long night above deck in order to avoid the hoyden in his cabin. Memories of her kiss, and the effect she had on him filled his mind until at long last he nodded off. Now the sun broke above the horizon, casting its glow across the ocean. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stood. “Hawkins.”
“Chit chased you from your cabin, I see.” An amused grin tugged at his lips.
Jasper ran a hand through his mussed hair. “One might say as much.”
“I should congratulate the woman.” Hawkins chuckled and clapped Jasper on the shoulder as he wiggled his dark brows. “She must be a real spitfire to send you running.”
“I did not run. On the contrary, I elected to keep her honor intact.” He would never admit to being cowed by a woman’s kiss. Certainly not to his cousin—as well as a member of his crew. Besides, he spoke the truth. Had he stayed in the cabin, her virtue may well have been lost. Prudence had ignited his passion with that one kiss like no other woman ever had.
His mind flashed back to the previous night. Her body had fit against his perfectly. All of her soft curves molded to him, begging him to run his hands over her flesh. The heat between them had been unlike anything he had previously experienced. Had she not pulled away he would have been incapable of stopping at a kiss. He wanted all of her.
Hawkins chuckled again, pulling him from his thoughts. “Indeed. Captain Blackmore, the pirate gentleman.”
“Very funny, Hawkins,” Jasper said in a dry tone.
The hour was far too early for this sort of jesting. Jasper needed to wake up fully and figure out what he was going to do about Prudence. Leavin
g her locked in his cabin was not a permanent solution. Furthermore, he was determined to find out how she knew so much about ships and why he recognized sadness under her bravado. He had no time for Hawkins’ jibs today. “Is there a reason why you interrupted my slumber?”
His eyes shone with amusement. “But of course. It seems the woman has barred your door from the inside. She refused to allow Kipp in when he arrived with her breakfast. Shall we break it down?”
Jasper closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. Bloody hell. “You worry about keeping the Marion on course. I will deal with our guest.” He turned to go to his cabin then paused and looked back at his first mate. “How long until we reach Domina est Maria?”
“Not long, Captain. Land was spotted at dawn. We should be there before three bells.” Hawkins indicated the starboard side of the ship, a serious continence overtaking his previous humor.
Jasper followed his direction and was greeted by the distant shores of the island. “Very good,” he replied before continuing on his way to the cabin. Perhaps he could use the promise of landfall to gain entry to his cabin. Surely Prudence was ready to feel solid ground beneath her slippers. He hoped. If not, he’d have no choice but to break down the door. He could not allow her to starve in there, or to keep him from his quarters. What would his men think if their captain could not even make use of his own cabin?
He turned the corner and stopped short. His door was wide open. Cold fear gripped him as thoughts of Prudence alone wandering the ship filled his mind. After a second he propelled himself into the cabin. “Prudence?” He glanced around the space, not believing what greeted him. The woman was nowhere in sight. Storming to the doorway, he yelled, “Kipp.” Jasper stomped back into the room and peered under his desk then into the small space near his bed. There was nowhere else she could have tucked herself. The hoyden was not there.
Captivated by the Captain (Fabled Love Book 2) Page 3