The man blanched. “’Tis not for me to tell, m’lady. We best finish the meal before the men start yelling.” A bit of humor danced in his gaze. “Have ye ever seen an elephant, m’lady?”
“Nay, Bram. Tell me about this wonderful beastie.”
He needed no further encouragement; he continued to speak until the food finished cooking and she’d rung the bell for mealtime.
~ ~ ~
The men sat around the table and stared at Lady Faith.
He swore beneath his breath. Now they were acting like lads courting a lass. All of the pleases and thank yous. Not to mention it looked as if the men had scrubbed their faces and brushed their hair—and blast if they hadn’t changed their clothing.
“Such a pleasure to share the table with a lady,” Dougal said with a wide grin on his face.
He grunted.
All heads turned toward him.
“Captain,” Bram chastised. He tipped his head toward their captive, his frown switched to a grin. “Lady Faith helped me with the dinner.”
“A treat, m’lady,” Alec said and shoved the food into his mouth.
Colin raised his tumbler of ale. “Aye, m’lady.”
Enough.
“Tell me, Bram. Do you think ’tis a grand idea to have our captive using knives?” He spoke softly, but the men understood when he spoke calmly, he was angry.
Bram opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.
Lady Faith glared at him and he met her glare with one of his own. He’d watched her and Bram talking and cooking together. They chatted as if they’d been friends for years. Aye, men didn’t often chat with each other like lasses, but he’d learned things about his mate Bram that he’d never knew. And it festered that a lady such as her encouraged the man to talk.
She rose and damn if she didn’t take his breath away. Lovely, even with her hair dangling from the precarious bun and the sheen of sweat galley work often prompted, or more so because of it. How could she be so unassuming about her beauty? She brought more food to the table, her graceful movements were like those when she drew her bow. Languid strides as she moved about and a gentle touch on Bram’s shoulder had him settling back in his chair so he could study her. When Lady Faith smiled at Colin, you’d have thought she’d given him a treasure chest filled with gold.
He wasn’t the only one besotted with her presence.
She must have sensed his interest. She strode to him, and said, “Mayhap some wine would sweeten your mood.” Her eyes blazed with ire and he’d be lucky if she didn’t hit him over the head with the butt of wine.
As she poured, he had a clear view of her breasts. Bollocks, they were lovelier than he’d remembered. And now with them before his face, he imagined the soft, womanly weight of them. Which he’d done many a time since their embrace. While the storm pounded around them and water sluiced over their clothing, the imprint of her body forever forged in his mind. Full, round, and within his reach. Dougal cleared his throat, and he glanced his way. With a terse shake of his head, Dougal sent a warning message.
I’m not a lad, he thought angrily.
’Twas his ship. His captive. And these were his men to whom he gave orders, not the other way around.
Regardless, he nodded toward Lady Faith and said, “Thank you, m’lady.”
When she didn’t move back to her chair, he glanced up at her.
“Shall I bring a plate to Wee Will?”
If the man need sustenance, he’d come and find some food. “Why would you do that?”
She fisted one hand at her waist and looked down her nose at him. Her brow pitched forward, sending a tinge of warning down his spine.
Regardless of the warning, he couldn’t help but grin. Spirit, och, the lass had spirit.
“How is he supposed to keep an eye out and come and get his meal?” she questioned. In front of his men, he might add.
The men around the table nodded their heads. ’Twas mutiny. His men had turned against him for a pretty lass. How to keep order if his men were smitten with the very woman they were ransoming? He couldn’t allow them to ruin it for him.
His mission stayed first and foremost in his mind. His redemption rested on the completion of the mission.
“’Tis a sound idea, m’lady,” Dougal said with a smile on his auld face.
His chest rumbled as he held a chuckle; Dougal’s normally sour demeanor had shifted to that of a gullible lad.
“Alec, go relieve Wee Will.” He turned to the rest of the men. “Dinnae forget our mission, men. Amit will be onboard tonight and on the morrow, we’ll strategize.”
Colin narrowed his gaze and nodded toward Lady Faith. “’Tisn’t kind to be talking about such in front of the lady, Captain.”
“Bollocks.” He threw the napkin onto the table and left the hold.
He passed Wee Will on the way and the man cast him a sympathetic look.
“Alec will relieve you,” he yelled as he kept walking toward his cabin and then remembered ’twas Lady Faith’s now. Regardless, he entered and grabbed a bottle of brandy. One hearty swig and he headed toward the bow. There he’d be able to commiserate with himself without interference from his crew.
He’d also be able to keep his own watch for Amit. His rigger’s journey was a long row from shore.
He took another swig from the bottle. The liquid slid down and settled into the pit of his stomach. His plan started to unravel. When they had watched Lady Faith stalk the stag in the forest, he’d ignored the sway of her hips, her comely profile as she concentrated on the mark, and pushed himself to think only of his home and his duty to his father. Yet, now, he couldn’t get the image of Lady Faith pulling back on the bow and letting the arrow fly right into the school of fish out of his mind. The actions, from the angle of her arm to the squint of her eye and the smile of sheer triumph, had set his cods to aching. Sensual movements, erotic when done by a lovely woman. Another swig eased down his throat; mayhap it would ward off his burgeoning desire for his captive.
But even in the dark galley she looked lovely. A bit disheveled, but mayhap that made her lovelier. The lasses he’d known always strove to be perfectly coiffured and if one piece of hair lay out of sorts, ’twould be a calamity.
He watched Amit’s boat inch toward them. The moonlight reflecting off the mellow waves in the wake of each swoop of the oars. The man would be exhausted but hopefully he’d be able to relay all of the needed information. If they moved ashore now, ’twould put them at risk, a risk Amit knew he wouldn’t take. As he watched the boat, the rocking of the ship and the cresting of the waves calmed him. Och, he loved the sea. ’Twasn’t merely a means to the end. He would continue to sail after he’d settled his father’s debts and secured a steward who’d not be bullied by Laird Ross to help run the castle.
The sea called to him. He loved the swift pace of the ship as the sails unfurled and carried them along the cresting waves. At sunset, the bright yellows and orange of the sun spread over the water as if melting into it. He’d watch in awe each twilight at the spectacular splendor. And at night? The stars blanketed the sky, guiding them with their twinkling brilliance.
He finished the bottle of brandy and gazed up at the sparkling night. How many stars were there? Hundreds? Thousands?
“Captain?” a sweet voice said.
“Aye?” He didn’t need to tear his gaze from the stars to know who spoke.
“I . . . I want to apologize for dinner.”
“What?” Now he did glance at her. She stood beneath the moon and its golden light haloed around her. He went to reach out and touch her hand, then let his hand drop.
“I have caused dissention between you and your crew.” She picked up the brandy bottle and tipped it upside down. She lifted a brow at him. “I’ll remain in my cabin.”
Lady Faith turned to leave.
“Nay, m’lady.” He strode toward her. Again he reached to touch her. She saw his action and stepped back. He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. “Nay.” He wanted her to stay—needed her to stay.
She canted her head to the side. “Are you certain? You seem to be vexed with me.”
He let out a humorless laugh. “Vexed with you?”
She nodded and cast up a brow. “Aye, when you growl and throw your napkin down, I would say you’re vexed.”
A slight breeze tousled her loosened hair, swept it across her full lips. She idly tucked it behind her ear.
He moved toward the bulwark and leaned against it. “’Tisn’t you, m’lady. ’Tis the situation.”
He heard her move closer. “And just what is the situation, besides my kidnapping, of course?”
His mind swam in a fog from the amount of brandy he'd consumed. Aye, he indulged, but never so much that he couldn’t lead his men. A few moments passed before he felt he could answer. “The situation is a family matter.”
“Family matter?” she scoffed. “’Tis more than that if you needed to kidnap me.”
He clenched his fists. How to explain without tipping his hand?
“Let me help you tell the story,” she whispered close to his ear. “Your clan needs money. You’ve traveled about, looking for ways to gain some coin.” She tsked and pulled back. “And then you heard about Clan MacAlister and how two lairds lead the clan.” Her voice rose. “How Aidan MacKerry even took the name of the clan. A hardworking and hard-training clan.”
Her accusing tone grated on his nerves. The situation was more than she understood. Much more.
“Two lairds means twice as prosperous, aye?” She fisted her hands at her waist and moved about the deck. She didn’t venture far, but paced before him. “I need to be with my clan. I need to help them.”
He narrowed his gaze at her. “’Tis a large clan. I’m sure they’ll do well without you.” He needed her. Had to have her—her ransom money.
She pivoted and glared at him. “Do without me? Tell me, Captain Ross, what did you eat for your evening meal.”
“Surely you aren’t the only hunter in the clan.”
She raised her hands in frustration. “I’m the only successful huntress, Captain Ross,” Lady Faith said with an arrogant tip of her chin.
If he hadn’t seen her prowess with the bow, he’d argue his point, but he’d seen her and had to admit she was an expert hunter. “How is that, Lady Faith?”
She shrugged. “I’m the best.”
Infinite pride filled her tone. He imagined she’d earned it and worked hard to continue to be the best.
He chuckled. And he bet she made the others know she was the best. He cast a speculative glance in her direction. God, how the moonlight played over her skin, golden waves of light touching cream. Bewitching, blast her.
“Tell me about your clan,” she demanded.
No matter how much he wanted to touch her, feel if the moonlight heated her skin, he held back. Tell her about his clan? Did he want to tell her?
“’Tisn’t important, darling.”
“But it is.” She swaggered toward him, a mix of bravado and femininity. “Tell me why you need the ransom?”
Leave. Leave the deck now, a voice warned. He shook off the warning. The brandy and Lady Faith’s intoxicating beauty befuddled his senses. One moment he was vexed she’d cozied up to his crew and the other, he was vexed because he wanted to kiss her senseless.
“Nay.” He pushed away from the bulwark, sidled up to her. Settled in close, warning be damned. “’Tis my business.”
She laughed and damn if it didn’t fill him with . . . with what, he didn’t ken—warmth, enticement?
He saw her swallow and he grinned. Beneath all of her bravado, Lady Faith was nervous.
Her breath hitched when he trailed his finger along her jaw and down her neck. He nuzzled her ear, inhaling as he did so. God, she smelled so good. So womanly. He continued exploring, moving his fingers over her collarbone and to the cleft between her breasts. Her chest heaved and she tipped back her head.
He captured her earlobe with his mouth, trailing his tongue along her neck and to the hollow, that sweet hollow at the base. She twisted toward him, gripped his head, and held him tight against her. He set his hands at her waist and suckled along her neck. A throaty moan escaped her lips as he reached her chin.
When he assaulted her mouth, she melted into him. Hot, soft, and eager. He held on tight, lest she slip away and hide in his cabin. Faith returned his kiss as if she were far more than curious. Lust, desire—stark need drove him.
He’d been without a woman for so long. Been without love and attention for even longer.
He cupped her face with both hands. She pulled back, her eyes shining in the moonlight. She glanced at his mouth and leaned in. He didn’t need any more encouragement; he feasted upon her mouth and growled when Faith gripped his shoulders and crushed her body against his.
Heat surged through his blood, fueled by her delectable body and the softness of her lips. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, skimmed over her teeth and parried with her tongue. She gripped him tighter and a growl escaped her.
“Captain?” a voice called just as he bent to pick her up and carry her to his cabin.
“Bollocks.”
“Damn,” she said as she ripped from him.
Even in the near darkness, he saw the blush upon her cheeks. He reached up to touch her face and pulled back when Amit said, “Captain.”
“Go,” he said to her. Damn Amit and his quiet way of moving about. If any of his other men had scaled the rope ladder hanging over the side of the ship, all of Scotland would have heard their clamoring and complaining.
She glanced back at him. Did her gaze send desire or regret? He pledged to put desire in those startling green eyes again and ensure his crew wouldn’t interrupt another one of their embraces.
He dragged his fingers through his hair. “Aye, Amit. Tell me all.”
His man began to speak and Graeme tried to pay attention. Strange how the ransom, how gaining funds for his father had driven him for so long and now he could barely concentrate on what the man had to say.
“The woman has bewitched you,” Amit accused as his dark eyes bored into him.
He sighed. “Aye.”
His man bristled. “Aye? ’Tis disaster, Captain.”
Aye.
For now that he’d had a taste of her, could he ever let her go?
Chapter 9
She tossed and turned all night. No matter how hard she tried, Captain Ross’ touch woke her in a heated frenzy. Och, such a lass. Truth be told, she wanted to talk to Hope, ask her a hundred questions about kissing and men. ’Twasn’t like her, wanting to talk to her sister about kisses and lads. In fact, Faith thought as she rubbed her eyes, I’ve never talked to my sister about lads.
She punched the pillow and fit it beneath her head for the tenth time. Restless and aggravated, not to mention bewildered and even more curious, she flopped onto her back and stared at the ceiling of the cabin.
What to do? This kiss complicated things more than the first. An urgency filled her and pushed her to grip Captain Ross and not let go. And when he slipped his tongue into her mouth, sensations tingled through her body, filled her womb with heat and longing—need.
One thing she knew for certain—she wanted more.
And just as she wanted more, it wouldn’t be possible with this man. He acted as if he’d forgotten he kidnapped her. Yet even as he watched for Amit to arrive on the ship with ransom information, he kissed her.
She pinched the bridge of her nose as she tried to determine a solution to this particular tangle.
Mayhap if she convinced him to leave her ashore, he’d be on his way and no harm would come to him and his crew. Och, what was she thinking?
“Amadan,” she muttered to herself. But damn, if she didn’t feel something for Blue Boy’s crew. The men she’d spent time with were much like those of her clan. Working together and creating a camaraderie was indeed an important facet to both the crew and her clan.
Working together. ’Tis what her father had wished for Faith and her sisters. And how had she responded to her father’s pledge? She’d created a duty she completed alone. And when others offered to work with her, help her? She lorded over them in an attempt to push them away.
And now she was a captive on a ship. Would Hope and Aidan come for her? In her heart, she believed they would. But sometimes, when she and Hope fought, she’d threatened to leave and never come back. And Hope challenged her to do just that. Honor would stand by, her eyes wide with fear. Then she’d cry and they would apologize.
If it weren’t for Honor or Nora, their mother’s maid, most of their days would be spent out of sorts.
And now she wanted her sister. “Dear God, please have her come and save me.”
Save me? The thought took Faith by surprise. Was she in danger? Not unless it stormed again, and then she’d threaten Captain Ross until he brought her ashore. Otherwise, nothing threatened her. The crew had taken a liking to her—mayhap not Amit, but he’d barely spent time with her.
She’d win him over as well. Well, mayhap not. His dark eyes had bored into her as if she were the enemy. Didn’t he know she was the means to the ransom? Blasted man.
“M’lady?” Dougal called from the door as the morning light eased its way through the dawn.
She scrambled out of bed and quickly dressed in her own clothing. No more gowns for her. While she’d felt pretty—she’d also felt foolish wearing such a gown on a ship.
Highland Faith Page 9