With a promise to do all in his power, he ejected the pair of them summarily from his office before they could taint his sanctuary with any more of their hysterics.
On the one hand he was furious that his own time and finances would be frittered away on such a pointless exercise. He would not be able to sail before the next tide, by which time the wicked bastard that had taken her would have a good head start, though he had no doubt that his ship was more than capable of outrunning anything else on the seas. What the foolish chit had been thinking was beyond him though. He hadn't wanted to take a wife at all and it had only been the endless nagging of his elderly aunts about his responsibilities to the family and the need for an heir that had moved him to offer for her.
He had only seen Miss Morton in passing and made her acquaintance a handful of times and she had appeared sensible and level-headed, particularly so considering her beauty and her youth. He could not abide simpering and giggling and had been more than relieved she appeared inclined to neither. His own preferences did not run to seducing innocents, she was far too young and green for his tastes but he overcame any scruples in that direction by dint of the fact that her father was about to ruin her for good by his own idiotish behaviour. Miss Morton at least, despite her father's frivolous nature seemed, in his estimation, the kind of independent girl who would be grateful for a house of her own and a husband who was often away to leave her to her own devises, rather than harbouring any foolish romantic notions. But now this! He wondered if she had made some ill-advised assignation to meet a lover. It was the only explanation. It was only good fortune that meant his own ship, The Revenge, was provisioned and ready to sail for France the next day.
On the other hand, his blood quickened at the idea of engaging with The Rogue. He had read of the man's exploits like everyone else and had to admit to a grudging admiration for him. He appeared extraordinarily courageous and, in his own way, rather honourable. Though if Miss Morton really was on board it would cause rather a lot of complications, as he could hardly wreck the ship and risk her dying at his own hand.
Alex smiled. Whatever was to come it would at least be an adventure and a relief from a growing sense of ennui. When he'd been injured at the battle of Trafalgar, he had promised his dying father that he would take his responsibilities seriously and give up his naval career. As earl, his responsibilities were many and varied and ... interminably dull. At first he had simply taken to whoring and drinking too much, and spending any free time he could snatch indulging in pleasures that had gained him a reputation that was wholly deserved. Anything to feel alive again. But in the past few years his actions had been rather more dangerous and if he was discovered he would lose everything, the ancient family name would be disgraced, and he may even hang. But bringing a notorious pirate to justice and saving his fiancée in one fell swoop, well that should do his reputation no harm at all. And, if nothing else ... the coming days were unlikely to be dull.
Chapter 8
“Wherein adventure looms and pirates entice.”
Henri awoke with a nagging sense of doom at the back of her mind. Something was wrong. For a moment her brain refused to acknowledge it, preferring to burrow deeper into the warmth of the bed, and she was warm. Warm and surprisingly comfortable considering ... Her eyes flicked open.
Hardly daring to breathe, she remembered her dire situation and realised she was not alone on the bed. The room was icy cold and as her eyes adjusted to the dim light she saw clouds of her own breath billowing in front of her face. She also became aware of a large, warm body pressed close against hers and the heavy weight of an arm slung over her waist.
She waited, frozen and quite at a loss as to what to do next.
“Stop panicking,” came the sleep-heavy, husky male voice from far too close behind her. “I've been here all night without molesting you so you needn't look so indignant.”
“I'm not looking indignant,” she snapped. “Though how you'd know with your eyes shut is beyond me. If you deign to open them you'll find I'm bloody furious!” Henri cursed and pushed his arm away before struggling to an upright position which was tricky as he'd left her little room on the narrow bed.
“That is really very uncouth language from a lady,” he grumbled as she pushed him farther away.
“How dare you!” She kept her voice low, only too aware of the sounds of life on deck and the thin walls between them and the crew as shouts on deck filtered through to her quite audibly. “How dare you get in the same bed as me! I knew you were no gentlemen but truly, you live up to your name with quite startling accuracy.”
She huddled into the corner and watched with mounting irritation as he sighed, stretched and rubbed at the stubble on his chin before yawning with enthusiasm, apparently completely unperturbed by her fury.
“Well,” he said, with what she imagined he thought was an endearing and sleepy smile. “What did you expect? I gained this reputation for a reason, as I'm sure you know.”
As his reputation rested rather heavily on the effortless seduction of most of the women he came into contact with, she replied to that particular comment with an icy glare.
“Let me get up,” she demanded, meeting those cool blue eyes with determination. But to her consternation he ignored her and simply turned onto his side, head resting on his hand as he watched her through heavy-lidded eyes. Henri scowled at him and pressed herself as far away as was possible in the confines of the bed. She wanted to get up more than anything, but she was damned if she was going to climb over him to do it, so she compressed her limbs into the smallest space possible.
“You really ought to be grateful,” he said watching her with amusement as she gaped at his words. “You were warm weren't you, when you awoke ? Considering the temperature last night that is something of a miracle. You see, I did everything I could to keep you warm and in good health,” he said smirking, before reaching out and tracing a finger over her hand. “I would hate you to catch pneumonia,” he said, his voice too low and inviting and filled with devilry.
Henri snatched her hand away. “You're all heart,” she said, deadpan, glaring at him. “Now. Get. Off. My. Bed,” she bit the words off with as much venom as she could manage at this early hour of the morning but to her frustration he didn't budge.
“It may have escaped your notice, sweetheart,” he replied with a mocking smile and mischief glittering in his blue eyes. “But this is my bed.”
Henri gritted her teeth. Never in all her days had she come across a more infuriating and inconsiderate man. By comparison he made her fiancé look like the perfect gentleman.
Her fiancé. The word jarred in her mind and she tried to find the resolution she'd had last night. That at least was a problem that would no longer trouble her. That was surely a good thing, as it was what she had set out to do. Though, she'd only really sought to avoid marriage to that one man, not to never be married ... or have a home and family of her own. As much as she railed against her position, those were things she would have liked, if she could have only have found a man to love and respect her as she was. She tried to swallow down the misery that welled in her throat as she considered her position.
Even if she ever did find her way back home, which was looking increasingly doubtful, she was ruined. There would never be a match for her now. A night spent in the cabin of a pirate captain was unlikely to make her an alluring prospect as a wife. The enormity of what she'd done and everything she'd lost pressed down on her, taking all of the air from the room; she clutched at her chest. Slumping back against the wall she stared across the cabin, not really seeing it. What was she to do?
She sat in silence for a while, quite sunk in misery until she realised she could feel his eyes on her still. Well let him look, what did she care?
“Come now, Miss Morton, don't look so glum.”
She spared a moment to glare at him before turning away in disgust. To her frustration, however, he didn't leave it at that.
“Seriously now, yo
u said you wanted adventure didn't you? Or was it the safe kind of adventure you were after?” he asked, a faint but unmistakable mocking tone in his voice now. “The kind to be experienced sitting at home sewing perhaps?”
She turned back to him, her arms folded tightly across her chest. His expression was perfectly placid, just that faint expression of curiosity she had seen in his eyes before. Was he really serious? There was a difference between an adventure and losing everything - your home, your family, your reputation and any hopes for the future - all in one fell swoop.
“It rather depends on what your notion of adventure implies,” she snapped at him as fear and misery beckoned, threatening to swallow her whole. “For example, am I likely to survive it?”
She watched with irritation as he grinned at her and then stretched out like an indolent cat, laying out on his back with his arms behind his head. His shirt was undone and her eyes unwillingly tracked the enticing triangle of tanned skin on show, from the hollow at his neck down to where a scattering of dark hair was visible around his belly button. She had never in her life been this close to a man and as disconcerting and precarious as her position was, it was certainly an education. His skin was smooth and golden, his chest hard and well-defined with muscle. She swallowed and dragged her eyes away with resolution. She was in quite enough trouble as it was.
“Oh you will survive it,” he said, his words followed by a low chuckle that seemed to rumble through the bed. “I promised you no harm would come to you didn't I? I meant it.” He inclined his head to look up at her. “You're free, is that not what you wanted?”
Henri frowned as she considered the implications of his words. That much was true, she supposed. If she'd lost everything, there was nothing left to lose. But then she thought of her father, and his devastation at having lost her. For all his selfishness he really wasn't a bad man, just a weak and foolish one, and as much as she was forever vexed beyond reason at his callous disregard for her future, she knew he loved her dearly at heart. Beyond that he had also lost her worth, as now his outstanding debts would be called in, and he would be forced to sell the house. It was unlikely he would mend his ways, so it was only a matter of time before any proceeds from the house that had been in their family for generations were gone too. And then there was Annie.
She wondered how Annie was faring. Surprisingly, considering their differences, she loved Annie. Perhaps not like a mother. She frowned thinking on some of the conversations they'd shared, no, certainly not like a mother. But she loved her just the same and knew Annie felt the same about her, despite her lack of maternal instincts. Henri sighed, there was nothing to be done about that. She would do everything she could to return to them, but she doubted they would thank her for it in the end. Not her father at least, no matter if he was glad to have her back. What on earth was he to do with her? He would be forced to support her still and yet she would cease to have any value to him. She doubted she could even get a position as a governess once people heard what had befallen her. She would just be a burden, another debt to be paid for. Perhaps it was better like this.
But then she realised what options were actually open to her. And the few possibilities she had of making money. She may be lost to polite society, but that did not mean she intended to become a whore. And there was little else that she could do to earn her keep.
“What on earth is going on behind those pretty eyes of yours?” he asked, and she glanced down at him, scowling.
“I'm ruined,” she said, hoping her voice and her expression held as much accusation as she felt. Despite the fact that she knew it wasn't entirely his fault. “I may as well be dead. I'm lost to my family and friends, what prospects do I have? How will I live?” she tried and failed to keep the tremor from her voice and then jumped as he moved, wondering what he intended. But he simply sat up beside her with his back against the wall, a little too close, but he made no further move in her direction. She turned to look at him with trepidation, startled to see a fair amount of sympathy in his expression.
“I've sat where you are,” he said, his voice low. “I wanted a life of adventure, but I had no idea of the price I would pay in searching it out.” He paused, and she imagined she could see the weight of truth in his expression, a wistful tone behind his words. “I lost everything,” he added, and then his eyes began to sparkle and he smiled at her. “But I gained my freedom. And truly, I have no regrets.”
She watched him carefully, she didn't entirely believe him, at least not about having no regrets. But she could believe he had lost as much as she had.
“Perhaps,” she conceded. “The difference is that you're a man. You can command a ship, you can command respect; no one can own you,” she spat the last words out, as all the old frustrations tumbled down on top of her again.
The captain frowned at her and for once, after having spoken in such a way in front of a man, she felt it wasn't because he disagreed with her words. She had frightened away too many suitors with her plain speaking so it was at least refreshing that she hadn't shocked him.
“Oh I assure you they could,” he said, his tone dark and then, after a pause. “Why not?”
“What?” It was her turn to frown now, perplexed. What on earth was he talking about?
She watched as he got to his knees on the bed turning to face her. “There have been women pirates before. I see no reason why you could not do the same.”
She blinked, astonished by his words. “You're not serious?” She watched as he shrugged, his fingertips rasping at his stubble once more as he considered.
“I don't see why not,” he said eventually.
She snorted in disbelief and shook her head. “You're insane.”
“Why? Don't you think you're capable?” he said, with a smile tugging at his mouth. “I could teach you all you need know.”
Henri gaped at him, truly astonished. “Why?” she demanded. “Why would you help me? Why would you even suggest such a thing?”
He smiled, that slow, confident smile, and once again she was struck by just how handsome this man was.
“Truthfully, I don't know.” He shrugged, as though he was as bewildered as she was. But then he looked back at her and she felt there was something honest in his eyes. “Except ... I feel we are kindred spirits, you and I.” The look was just as quickly gone to be replaced by a sardonic smile “And besides, I told you I like a challenge. Teaching you to be a pirate? Now that's got to be a challenge.”
Henri took a deep breath, unsure of what she was feeling. This was madness, surely? And yet ...
She couldn't trust this man, couldn't trust any of his crew. The chances of her arriving at whatever destination he had in mind must be ludicrously low. Yet, he was offering to help her. What other choice did she have? At the very least, she should learn to defend herself.
“Well then?”
She looked backed and found he was watching her expectantly, his eyes glittering with excitement. He was really serious. He had every intention of teaching her to be a pirate. In truth she had no idea what that actually meant. But at the very least, it had to mean learning how to use a pistol. That was something she felt an urgent need to understand. He held out his hand to her. “Do we have a deal?”
She frowned as another idea presented itself and wondered how, considering the mess she was in, she could have been so naive. Folding her arms she stared at him, eyes narrowed. “What, exactly do you get out of this?”
He grinned and held his hands out, as if he had nothing to hide. “You'll work aboard my ship the same as the rest of the crew. We're a little short handed right now, so every man - or woman - helps.”
She didn't believe a word of it. “And that's all?” she said, one eyebrow raised.
He chuckled again and leant forward on the bed. Henri pressed herself back against the wall as if she hoped to slide between the planks as he moved towards her. He didn't stop until his face was so close she could feel his warm breath against her skin once more and
wished he would keep his distance. “Well now, Miss Morton,” he whispered, his words raising goosebumps. “I think we both know what I would take as my prize for helping you with this endeavour.”
She opened her mouth to curse him but he cut her off, pressing a finger against her lips. “I will teach you everything you need to know. I will teach you the workings of the ship, how to command men and gain their respect. I will teach you to defend yourself, and to attack another should the need arise. I will teach you everything you need to know to be considered as a man,” he said, the promise in his words only illustrating a fraction of the guarantee in his voice. That voice promised so much more. “And if the men truly accept you as one of them, then I will teach you all the reasons you should not despise being a woman.”
She smacked his hand away. “I thought as much,” she said with disgust. Shifting her position, Henri drew up one knee, placed her foot firmly against his chest, and pushed hard. The captain flew backwards and landed with a heavy thud, sprawled on the floor of the cabin.
Chapter 9
“Wherein sparks fly.”
“Dammit!” he cursed, picking a shard of glass from the palm of his hand.
Henri bit her lip, torn between amusement at having seen him hit the floor in such an ungainly fashion and guilt as she watched blood drip down his arm from the wound on his hand. “Was that really necessary?” he demanded, showing her the cut as blood fell to the floor with a steady drip, drip that Henri found a little unnerving.
“In the circumstances, yes.” Henri folded her arms and looked down her nose at him. She would not feel guilty. He may be pretty to look at, but she knew all too well he was the Devil in a Sunday hat, and she wasn't as green as he might imagine. “You must think me a fool indeed to suggest such a thing. And you can put any thoughts of seducing me far from your mind. I may be ruined but I haven't lost my wits with my reputation. Frankly, based on all I have seen, you are the last man on earth I would consider falling for, even if I simply meant to take a lover." Warming to her theme she decided to twist the knife a little deeper. "In fact I can't imagine how you've gained such a colourful reputation. I can only think that the women you have encountered to date have been a very poor sort indeed and already inclined to sluttish behaviour.”
The Rogue Page 6