Rebellious Cargo

by Susan Lodge

  Jane’s mind spun as the facts swirled around inside her head. He was going home – they were going home. She instantly felt stronger, joyous at the thought. The warmth of his hand slid up her arm and caressed her cheek.

  “Are you sure, Adam? Your family aren’t expecting you to turn up betrothed to an infamous widow. I don’t want to ruin things – not now, just as you are about to reconcile.”

  “Reconciliation may take a while,” he replied, pulling her to his chest. “A heroine is more likely the title you will be branded when the Government reveals what service you have done for your country. And I want to be there to protect you. There are still those who would benefit from your talents, Jane. I can’t bear to leave you to face any sort of danger on your own. Besides that” – he cupped her face and kissed her softly – “I need you.”

  That was it, her resolve crumbled. He needed her and she desperately needed him. The last few days had been a living hell. Her heart had been screwed up into a ball and her head filled with regret at what she should have done and said back in Malta. Now she had been given a second chance.

  “Yes,” she said softly. “Together we can take on England and all the problems that wait there for us.”

  “So we can wed as soon as possible?”

  She nodded. “As soon as arrangements can be made. If you are sure.”

  His arm came around her waist and she thought he was going to kiss her again, but he deftly turned her towards the door.

  “Adam! Where are we going?”

  “I need to speak to Townsend.”

  Oh! She had rather hoped for another kiss; she really didn’t think they needed company just at the moment. Disgruntled, she let him lead her to the captain’s quarters.

  Martin Townsend looked up from the large leather-bound book he was studying as they entered his cabin.

  “Ah, Adam, Mrs. Charlesworth, I have been expecting you.” He rose to his feet beaming from ear to ear. “So, have you decided when you would like me to proceed?”

  Jane frowned. Proceed!

  The captain’s smile slipped. “You have asked her, Adam?”

  Jane glanced at each of the men, noting Adam was now wearing a very self-satisfied smile. What is he up to?

  “I have, and she has agreed to become my wife as soon as possible.”

  Beaming again, Captain Townsend came around the table and took her hand. “I am sure you have made the right decision. Although he has an inferior command, he is a decent captain and I am sure you will be able to manage the man’s other shortcomings.”

  Jane wondered to what shortcoming he would be referring when Townsend pointed to the open book on his desk.

  “I haven’t officiated at this ceremony before, but I have been reading up on the procedure; it is all documented quite clearly.”

  Realisation hit her. A wedding at sea. Now! She swivelled around to stare at Adam, her eyes narrowing.

  Captain Townsend fell silent, glanced between them, and made for the door.

  “I will just go and check on the watch whilst you discuss things.”

  ***

  Adam looked down at accusing chocolate eyes, wondering if his plan was going to go as smoothly as he had intended. God’s teeth, he couldn’t let her change her mind now.

  “But you just agreed, Jane.”

  “I didn’t realise you meant…” She waved a hand at the open book. “I mean…a wedding at sea?”

  “It is a perfect plan.”

  “I am sure it is. But you tricked me.”

  “How can I have tricked you? Five minutes ago you agreed to marry me as soon as possible.”

  “Yes, I did, but the proposal and the wedding are usually months apart, not minutes. This is all too fast.”

  “Well, we can wait an hour or two if you prefer.” He watched her mouth firm and, having no other defence, he swooped down and kissed her again. A long, reassuring kiss, all the time his mind racing for some new words to convince her to agree.

  Leaving her limp and breathless, he rested his head on top the soft mahogany locks.

  “Come on, Jane, it makes sense. And wouldn’t you rather be in my care than Lord Alysworth’s? It will be a lot more fun, you know.”

  Her body stayed relaxed against him, but she was still frowning when she looked up – so he kept talking.

  “If we wait until we get back home, things will get in our way.”

  “What things?”

  “People. Duty. Cookson tried to tell me that in his own devious way.”

  His eyes were pleading with her now. But the look on her face was not a good sign. He had really bungled his proposal.

  “Don’t over-think things, Jane. These new orders are fate giving us a helping hand. I have thought about you and nothing else since you left Malta – that is not a good state for a captain at war to be in. I was hoping you felt the same.”

  She gently extracted herself from his embrace and his spirits began to fall as she moved to study the horizon. The seconds dragged along. Why didn’t she speak, say something – anything? Finally she turned from the window and looked up at him. The glower had faded but she still looked deadly serious as their eyes met.

  “Shall we say in one hour, then? I need time to prepare. I am not getting married looking like a scarecrow.”

  ***

  Martin Townsend read the wedding service with slow precision. Jane smothered a grin at his laboured words; it was clear he had never performed this particular duty before. Her body warmed as Adam confidently took her hand in his and repeated his vows. The past weeks had taken their toll on her emotions, but she had no doubts on her decision, although it had been rather satisfying letting him squirm a little.

  When her turn came, she tried to keep her voice steady. One hour had not really been adequate to compose herself for such a momentous occasion.

  She managed the first responses after Martin’s prompt, now grateful he was going slowly to compensate for her equally unprepared state.

  “Will you love, cherish, and obey?” the words rang out.

  Jane digested the sentence slowly. Love? Cherish? There was nothing wrong with the first two sentiments, but the third – now that might well pose a problem. Her eyes wandered to the left where she saw Celine widen her eyes and glare back at her.

  Don’t you dare quibble now, her friend silently warned her.

  As the pause lengthened, Adam looked down at her. His eyes widened and the pressure of his fingers around hers increased slightly. Perhaps it was not the time for this particular debate. Poor Captain Townsend was holding his breath, no doubt wondering whether he was allowed to improvise the sacred text.

  She stumbled out the words love and cherish, but then she paused again before she felt his hand firmly tighten around hers.

  “And obey,” she finished, the words escaping a little high-pitched.

  As the ceremony was concluded, Adam lowered his head and murmured, “That word seemed to give you a little difficulty, dear wife.”

  His eyes glowed and she very much thought it was probably the look he wore just after he had won a battle.

  We shall see, she thought, grinning up at him just before their lips joined to seal the agreement.

  ***

  Jane carefully extracted the brawny arm that lay across her waist and enjoyed the novelty of being able to study her new husband as he slept. The sheet that barely covered their nakedness shifted off him as she tugged it up over her breasts. It was a little late for modesty, but the cabin was now unnervingly bright with the morning sun.

  Her eyes journeyed along the muscled planes of his figure from head to foot and then back again. His body, like a sculptured masterpiece, lay peaceful and majestic. Events had moved so fast. Yesterday she was wondering if she would ever see him again and today she was waking up beside him as his wife. Perhaps that had been a good thing. She hadn’t had the time to over-think her first night with him or reflect on the brutal act that constantly haunted her. Adam had slowly wrap
ped her up in such tenderness and warmth in his patient seduction, and she never could have imagined the pleasures that could be teased and shattered from her body – their bodies. Her skin heated as the unfamiliar ache of their lovemaking still pulsed through her.

  Unable to keep her hands from touching him any longer, she traced a finger across his chest.

  A warm hand snaked around her waist as he turned on his side. “Not thinking of leaving already, are you?”

  She grinned back at the sleepy grey eyes, and her fingers moved to sweep through the morning stubble and the rumpled locks of raven hair.

  “No! Just appreciating my newest asset.”

  “And are you satisfied, madam?”

  “Very.”

  “How long have you been staring at me, Mrs. Marston?” He gazed up at her, making her face flush and her body ripple with another wave of desire.

  “Not long enough – there is a lot to admire.”

  He raised himself on one elbow as his other hand tugged away the sheet covering her. “My turn now.” Smouldering grey eyes leisurely examined her as he skimmed his hand up her thigh and then paused to slowly caress the curvy line of her hip.

  “Are you all right, Jane – no regrets?”

  “No. None at all,” she sighed as she settled back beside him, giving herself up to the pleasures of his touch. “Life is so strange. Taking and giving.”

  “How so?” he murmured.

  “Here we are in the middle of the sea, in the middle of a war, and just at this moment in time I have never felt more at peace.”

  “Peace?” He laughed softly, seductively, and her insides melted. “No peace for you, Mrs. Marston, not for at least another hour.” His hand continued its journey, capturing a breast. Her breath hitched as he teased the soft flesh, igniting sparks of fire deep and low inside her.

  Jane had no more coherent thoughts on the matter until six bells rang across the morning breeze. Then she hoped the wind would drop and the sails slacken. This was one particular journey she didn’t want to hurry.

  THE END

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