And she had a scary feeling that before dawn broke on a new day, she would come to terms with herself and whatever the future held... if there were to be a future in view of the danger she faced.
Chapter 7
All was quiet and still on deck. A light drizzle fell from the stormy sky, and Julie breathed a sigh of relief that there would be no chance of moonlight to expose her. She had changed from the high-necked dress to one that dipped provocatively and exposed much cleavage. Its color was also dark, and she wore a shawl about her shoulders, wanting to be as inconspicuous as possible as she made her way to the hole where Derek was held prisoner.
Her heart was pounding, her body trembling, but she swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and began to tiptoe along slowly, picking her way through the riggings and ropes which lay tangled upon the deck. The ship had been anchored, so at least it was still. Peering into the darkness, Julie could make out the lines of the privateers' ship perhaps fifty yards off the starboard side.
Spotting a guard, Julie stooped quickly beneath the railing, wrapped her arms about her knees, and drew them tightly up against her chest, not daring to breathe as he passed within a few feet of her. For a moment, she feared he might take his post there. Then she would be trapped and eventually seen. Finally he moved on. Before she rose, she scanned the ship, peering to see as much as she could in the misty darkness. There was another man, further away, with his back to her. As best she could tell, these were the only two on the deck, though she was sure there would be others within shouting distance.
When she felt it was safe, Julie straightened and moved on. At the rear of the ship, between two wooden structures which looked like storage bins, was the entrance to the hole. She could see the guard sitting down, a musket across his knees. He appeared to be dozing, chin resting on his chest. She moved closer, wondering where Doc Jenkins and his men were hiding. Could they see her? Would they act in time? Perhaps he hadn't been able to muster enough of the crewmen to be effective. Captain Arnhardt was not loved by his men, that was a fact, and if they were assured of their own safety in the hands of the Yankees, they probably would not concern themselves with the fate of their officers.
"Eh..." the seaman's head jerked up. "Who's there?"
Julie found herself staring down at the musket, which was pointed straight at her. For a moment she froze, then reminded herself she must have courage. She must be strong. Now was not the time to be afraid. She was surprised to hear the calmness of her voice as she spoke softly. "Hello, there. I hope I didn't frighten you. I'm a passenger on this ship, and I just had to get some fresh air."
Quickly he scrambled to his feet, embarrassed to be caught sleeping on duty. He stepped closer, gun still pointed at her, and snarled, "You ain't got no business wandering about, miss. You're just as good as a prisoner, you know. Now you best get down below before you get yourself in trouble."
Very slowly, Julie let the shawl drop from her shoulders. There was a small lantern burning nearby, and it gave enough illumination that she knew he could see her clearly, see the way her breasts poured teasingly out of the bodice of her dress. She heard the quick intake of his breath, and she forced herself to take a step forward to give him an even better view. "It's such a nice night," she said petulantly. "And it's so stuffy down there in that old cabin. You know, it's not a bit cold, even though we're supposed to be in the middle of winter. I suppose it's the tropical air, being so close to Bermuda. Don't you find it unusually warm?..." She moved even closer.
He lowered his rifle so that it was all but drooping limply at his side, and she could feel his gaze riveted on her bosom. She leaned over quickly, as though adjusting one of the tiny bows on her skirt, so that he could see more of her, and she smiled with satisfaction as she heard his soft moan, "Oh—my—God!"
She straightened, smiling brazenly in the soft glow of the light, and forced herself to behave calmly, though she wanted to hurry and get it over with. There was a chance a passing guard might see them, and that would never do. Doc Jenkins and his men might not be able to subdue two men with weapons.
"Do you mind if I sit a spell with you?" she cooed, lowering herself next to the spot where he'd been reclining, without waiting for his response. "A girl gets lonely, you know. Don't you get lonely? Not only out here tonight but other times as well. I mean, it must be terribly lonely to be a sailor and seldom get into port where you can find the company of a young lady...."
For a moment, he just stood staring down at her. He pulled at his chin as though deep in thought. Finally, just when Julie began to feel the first waves of panic, thinking that he might reject her, he fell quickly to his knees, a wide grin on his face as he moved closer. "Yeah," he whispered huskily. "I do get lonesome. I reckon it's the same for women, ain't it? I mean, you're supposed to make like you don't want the company of a man, but I know you do. All women do. They just put on an act, that's all."
He laid down his gun and, as he slipped one arm across the back of her shoulders, carelessly draped his other across her legs. "I heard about you...." She could feel his hot breath on her ear, smell the sour odor of rum. Good. He had been drinking. That would make it all so much easier.
"Yeah, I heard all about you...." he repeated, his hand straying to her ankle. Slowly he began to inch his eager fingers upward. "You're the one that scar-face had a fight with Captain Guthrie over. Hot-blooded wench, he said you were. Said you needed taming and he was the man to do it. The captain, he said he'd take care of you hisself in his own good time. And look who winds up with the treasure? Ol' Ringo! When I tell the guys about this..."
A lump rose in Julie's throat, choking and constricting her, as she fought to quell the feeling that she was actually going to be sick to her stomach. Then she forced herself to turn sideways in his arms, and slid her hands up about his shoulders. Closing her eyes, not wanting to see his face, she whispered huskily, "Just kiss me... I have this need... and I'm so lonely and frightened..."
Her head was tilted back, lips parted, and the seaman whispered, "Sure, baby, fine. I got what you need. I can take care of you...."
She began to slide downward, wanting to be on the deck with him on top of her body, thereby making him more vulnerable to what she hoped was the impending attack by Doc Jenkins and the others. Surely to God they will come, she thought with panic. If they didn't, then she was helpless. There was no way out of this situation, because if she tried to push the sailor away, make him think she had only been teasing, he would be furious, and he would take her anyway—roughly and brutally. Then, in revenge, he would probably alert the other guards, and she would be passed around freely. She was in a very dangerous situation; where was Doc Jenkins? If he were about, he must see that now was the time to act!
"Ringo knows what the ladies want...." the guard grunted, lifting his weight from her to fumble with his pants. "Never get any complaints, I don't. And I'm ready to go again in no time a-tall. I really please a woman—you'll see..."
She could hold back no longer. Jerking her thighs together and pushing against his chest with both hands, she moaned her protests through clenched teeth.
Instantly he tensed, lifting his head to glare down at her with angry surprise. "What the hell do you mean—no? What kinda tricks you playing on ol' Ringo?"
Her brain whirled maddeningly as she tried to think her way out of the revolting and dangerous situation she had gotten herself into.
Suddenly she decided on a different ploy. Pushing at him once again, she asked in a whining voice, "Must you be in such a hurry? I thought you said you pleased your women! You could kiss me some more, and..." She took a deep breath, stomach heaving with nausea once again.
"Eh?" He stared down at her in pleased awe. "I do always pleasure my women, and if you want to tussle some more, then tussle we will. I know lots of ways to get you fired up, I do."
Suddenly there was the sound of bone crunching, and he opened his mouth to gasp with pain, his head slumping downward upon her chest.
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br /> Quickly he was kicked away from her, and she was yanked roughly to her feet. She made out the anxious face of Doc Jenkins in the dim glow of the lantern just before someone doused it and they were in total darkness. "Are you all right?" he whispered, his trembling hands clasping her shoulders nervously.
"Yes, but you sure took a long time getting here!" She said irritably.
"Sorry. We got here as quick as we could," he said in a rush. "We were planning to be here ahead of you, in position, but we had to take care of the guards on deck, and there were more than we thought.
"Now if you're sure you're all right," he went on anxiously, "we've got to proceed at once. If an alarm is sounded, we'll all be thrown to the sharks, for sure."
Julie shivered at the thought, and reminded herself that the danger was not over merely because Jenkins and the others had showed up. "I'm fine," she assured him. "Just a bit nervous. Let's get on with it quickly."
One of the men unbolted the hatch door and held it while Doc Jenkins descended. Once he was at the bottom of the ladder, one of the other men helped Julie down the narrow rungs. She could hear others following, but knew one man would be left up on deck to stand watch.
Groping in the darkness, Doc called out to Captain Arnhardt while Julie hung back, afraid of stumbling and making noise. Just as someone lit a lantern, Derek answered Jenkins's call, and Julie could see him. Her heart constricted as she thought of the excruciating pain he must have experienced from his arms being stretched high above his head, wrists shackled with heavy chains. On either side of him, his officers, Edsel Garris and Grover Watson, were likewise restrained.
"How in the hell—" He spoke to Doc in a rasping voice.
Doc interrupted him. "No time to talk now. We've got to get you out of here. You can thank Julie for occupying the guard so we could slip up behind him."
Derek lifted weary, swollen eyes to her, a weak smile touching his lips.
She saw the blood oozing around the steel bracelets on his wrists, and ground her teeth.
Doc told one of the men to go up the ladder and search the guard for the keys to the shackles. While they waited he told Derek how they had bound and gagged some of the guards. "We had to slit the throats of three of them. We hid all the bodies, but there's no telling how long before they'll be missed. We have to move fast, and the rest is up to you, Captain. I've no plans or ideas."
Derek pulled at the chains, the muscles in his arms flexing and straining. "Just get me out of these things and I'll think of something." He bit the words off angrily.
"Hold on." Doc was trying to examine Derek's bloody wrists. "You aren't doing a thing now but cutting your flesh to ribbons."
The crewman scurried down the ladder to tell them he had searched the guard thoroughly but found no keys. Derek swore, then snapped, "Get something to break these chains. There's a sledge hammer in that storage bin up there. Hurry."
His gaze turned to Julie, eyes narrowed as though deep in thought. Finally he ordered, "Get her back to her cabin. Put her mother in there with her. Post a man with them, and make sure he has a gun and plenty of ammunition. I don't want them harmed."
"I don't want to be locked in my cabin and not know what's going on," Julie protested. "I want to help...."
Despite the tension surrounding them, all of the men laughed, which infuriated her. Derek chuckled, "You've done all you're capable of doing, pretty lady. You'd only be in the way now. There'll probably be a lot of shooting and killing before the sun rises on this day."
"Give me a gun and I'll use it." She gave her long hair a toss. "I'm tired of being treated like a child, and I refuse to go to my cabin."
Derek turned his attention away from her as someone returned with the sledge hammer. A few quick, hard blows and the chain on his right shackle snapped. He held out his arm to Julie and said in a quietly commanding tone, "Come here."
She obeyed and moved into the circle of his arm. He pulled her tightly against his chest and held her there while the men worked to free his other hand. Her head was tucked beneath his chin, and he leaned forward to nuzzle her thick, silky hair, his fingers moving up and down her back possessively.
As always, she marveled at his strength... the sheer beauty of his massive, glorious body.
When his left arm was released, he lifted her up so that their lips touched. The others looked away self-consciously, then turned to free the other officers.
Julie felt as though the very life were being squeezed from her body, and a tremor rippled through her with the realization that he could very easily kill her just by using his powerful strength to keep on hugging and squeezing her till there was no breath left in her body.
He placed one hand on her bottom, pressing her against him, and she felt the hardness, knew that even then, in the midst of danger and peril, he wanted her.
"Later," he whispered, raising his lips only slightly above hers, so she could feel them moving against her mouth as he spoke. "Later, little one, I'll be inside you, where you want me—where I want to be. For now, you're going to your cabin."
"No—" she struggled against him futilely.
"Julie, you only waste your breath and try my patience when you argue."
He bent his head to press his lips against her ear so no one else could hear his whispers. "You know what it's like when I'm inside you? I feel like I'm wrapped in sweet, hot velvet. You're so tiny, but you take all of me, and one of these nights I'm going to stay inside you till the sun comes up. I've never known a woman like you, so passionate, so eager to please. But there's much you need to learn about a man, things I'm going to enjoy teaching you."
Astonished, she jerked her head back to stare up at him in wide-eyed wonder. Then he patted her bottom soundly and grinned, "Be off with you! And no arguing. I haven't time!"
With an insolent wink, he turned toward the others, releasing and dismissing her.
Someone touched her elbow hesitantly, but she jerked away and called out frostily to Derek, "Just how long do I stay in my cabin like a child? If it weren't for me, you'd still be here rotting in chains!"
Without so much as a glance in her direction, he snapped, "Keep your voice down, dammit. You'll stay in your cabin until you hear from me."
"And if I don't hear from you?" she cracked sarcastically. "How will I know when to come out?"
"Oh, Captain Guthrie or Shad Harky will show up if I don't," he replied matter-of-factly, and even though his back was turned, she knew he was smirking. "Don't worry, misty eyes, your bed won't stay cold for long."
Soft laughter echoed around her as she scurried up the ladder, shaking with rage. Her escort had to hurry to keep up with her.
How could he—she thought with wild fury—How could he humiliate her so? And in front of the others! Oh, she was a fool to consider caring for him. He was conceited, arrogant, used to having his own way. He wanted to dominate her as he did his crew. He probably even wished he had the nerve to use the lash on her back! He was a savage!
Even though she had secretly dreaded marrying Virgil, she now looked forward to the respectability of being his wife so she would never again be susceptible to the likes of Derek Arnhardt. All she wanted was to get off the Ariane and never think of what had taken place aboard it.
"My name is Lymon Anastor," her escort told her as soon as they reached her cabin. "It's my job to defend you and your mother—to my death, if need be," he added, pride heavy in his voice.
She whipped about and stared at him in the lantern's glow, realizing with a start that he was hardly more than a boy—skinny, with a thatch of unruly strawberry-colored hair falling across his forehead.
He sensed her doubts about his capabilities as a bodyguard, and his adam's apple bobbed nervously as he shook his musket at her with one hand, using the other to open his coat and display a Colt Navy revolver which was tucked into his belt. "You've nothing to fear, Miss Marshal. I'll gladly give my life, if need be, if that's what my captain orders."
"Well, that'
s very noble," she murmured, unimpressed. "But tell me why you worship Ironheart so. He'd as soon slash your back to ribbons as he would anyone else's. He's cruel and vile and vicious and—"
"Don't be a-talking like that about him," the boy snarled, eyes bulging as he cocked his head to one side. "It's my duty to protect you, but that don't mean I got to stand here and listen to you run down a man that I respect more'n any other I've ever known in my whole life. He picked me up outta the gutter and gave me a job—a reason to live. If he was to beat me, I'd deserve it."
He paused to take a deep breath, then rushed on, "He's a fine man, and you ought to be proud he cares for you like he does. Thinks right smart of you, everyone says. And you should be glad, 'cause he's never taken to a woman for long at a time. Sure, he'd have one on board for a few nights, 'cause every man's got a need, but—"
"Will you stop?" she cried incredulously, eyebrows raised, hands on her hips as she faced him, stunned. "I do not care to discuss Captain Arnhardt's 'needs,' and I don't have to listen to a lecture from you."
They faced each other, eyes blazing. Then Julie shook her head, and covered her brow with one hand as she murmured, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to quarrel with you. It's been a very unnerving night, and I'm sure you have good reason to revere the man. We're both facing danger, so let's try to be friends."
She held out her hand, and he took it without hesitation, grinning broadly. Then he said he'd go and awaken her mother. Julie was glad to leave that task to him.
A few moments later, hair falling loosely about her shoulders, her mother hurried into the cabin, wrapping a pink satin robe about her. Their servant, Mammy Sara, was right behind her, looking very frightened.
"Tell me what this is all about," her mother commanded, sinking into a chair as Lyman took his position next to the door.
Julie told her as briefly as possible, and Mammy Sara rolled her eyes and kept saying, "Oh, Lawdy... Oh, Lawdy..." over and over.
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