by Bobbi Smith
The realization that there would be no rescue hit Victoria hard. Her emotions threatened to run away with her, but she was determined not to break down in front of these men. She remembered how her father had often counseled her that a cool head always prevailed in difficult and dangerous situations, so she tried to be logical. Victoria told herself that they were not going to die. Had the pirates wanted to kill them, they surely would have done so by now. Obviously, from what little the two brutes had said, she assumed she and Jonesey were worth something to the pirate captain. She would concentrate on that theory and would not be cowed by these men. If they knew she feared them, they would exploit it. She was determined to stay in control.
Suddenly, without warning, the pirate who was carrying Victoria stopped and dumped her on her feet. Victoria had been unable to see where they were going, and she staggered for a moment before regaining her balance and turning around.
Serad and Tariq had been standing apart from the others, watching over the transfer of men and goods from the hostage ship to the Scimitar. Serad had his back to the deck, so he had not seen Hassan and Najib coming with the women. Tariq, however, had been watching them coming their way, and his smile widened as Victoria and Miss Jones were dropped unceremoniously to their feet before them.
The crew of the Scimitar all turned to see what their captain would do with the two women. It wasn't often that a female as pretty as the young one was captured, and they knew she was a prize any man would want to keep for himself. They were eager to see Serad Reis's reaction.
"What have we here?" Tariq asked, eyeing Victoria with open interest. A quick glance at Miss Jones had told him she was unimportant. "It looks like the men have found quite a prize on board, eh, Serad?"
Serad turned around then to speak with his friend, and Victoria saw her captor for the very first time. She was tall for a girl, but this Serad loomed over her, forcing her to tilt her head back to look up at him. He was darkly tanned, and he wore a white turban. His hair where it showed beneath the turban was black as night, as was the beard that framed his face and added a touch of fierceness to his already wild appearance. She could have called his features handsome in a strongly masculine way if she were romantically inclined, but right now, fear for her life kept all thoughts of anything besides survival from her. She continued her measure of the man who was her captor. His chest was broad and bare and covered with a sheen of perspiration from the heat of the day. His shoulders were wide and heavily muscled. He was an intimidating figure of a man, and Victoria swallowed nervously as she fought to keep in control of her weakening defenses.
"She's a pretty one, all right," Tariq was saying as he reached out to touch her cheek.
Jonesey had been watching both men with eagle eyes and the moment Tariq tried to lay a hand upon Victoria, she attacked. Moving forward to block his way and wielding her umbrella like a sword, the birdlike woman gave the big, muscle-bound pirate a painful rap on the arm as she knocked his hand away from her precious ward. "You so much as lay a hand on Miss Victoria and I'll . . ."
"Jonesey, don't!" Victoria grabbed her and pulled her back away from the pirate to protect her. Though she knew if they'd wanted to kill them they would have done it already, she also realized that there was no point in tempting fate or pushing their already doubtful luck.
Tariq's shocked expression was so comical that Serad threw back his head and roared with pure amusement. "So, they're English and not French, are they? And the little wren is really a hawk and not so defenseless after all. When will you remember never to underestimate your enemy, Tariq?"
His pride was hurt over being so humiliated, and he took a menacing step toward the elderly woman.
"Hold your temper," Serad told his friend easily, putting a staying hand on his shoulder. "She's an old woman."
Serad hadn't really had a chance to take a good look at the women yet, and he glanced at Victoria now as she stood protectively in front of Miss Jones. Amazement was the only word to describe his reaction to her, but he was careful to keep it from showing in his expression. She was the most beautiful female he'd ever seen. From her flowing ebony mane to the gentle but generous curves of her slender figure, he thought her stunning. As Serad stared at her, he realized with some surprise that had he been captaining the French ship, he, too, would have made a run for it rather than allow this lovely creature to be put in any danger.
"She needs protecting," Tariq was saying as he stared hungrily at Victoria. "She is worth all the treasure we've taken for a month."
"That she is, Tariq," Serad agreed, his gaze still resting upon her with no visible show of emotion.
Victoria refused to play the submissive female. She bravely lifted her gaze to meet Serad's. A shiver of apprehension ran down her spine as she saw the coldness in his gray eyes. His casual, dispassionate appraisal of her struck more fear in her heart than any open threats of violence could have. Victoria had never before come across a man so commanding in presence.
"Where shall I put them? Shall I have them taken below with the others, Serad Reis?" Tariq asked.
For the first time ever, Serad found himself concerned about a captive's condition. He didn't want either woman subjected to the heat and degradation the men of La Mouette were going to suffer on the trek back to North Africa. The trip would be more than uncomfortable for those in chains in the belly of his ship. "No. They will stay in my cabin."
"Your cabin?" Tariq was surprised. Never before had his captain taken a personal prize from any bounty.
"They're too valuable to leave down below," he offered in calm explanation, looking away from Victoria.
Victoria was angry. He was going to keep them in his cabin, was he? Fury sparked in her as the pirate went on to remark about their worth. She chose to deliberately misunderstand his purpose. With a determined lift of her chin, she spoke up with cool disdain. "You are obviously a man of good breeding and exceptional judgment, Captain Serad. It is Captain, isn't it?"
Surprise registered on Serad's face that she dared speak to him with such firm assurance. "Yes, I am Serad, reis of the Scimitar."
Victoria gave a curt nod as if acknowledging his position of command. "Well, Captain Serad, I appreciate your thoughtfulness in allowing my companion, Miss Jones, and myself the use of your cabin for our private accommodations."
Jonesey, fully aware that the pirate captain had no such intention, tugged at Victoria's arm, but the younger woman ignored her subtle warning.
Serad was unable to believe that this mere slip of a woman was being so daringly outspoken. Except for his Aunt Rabi, Serad had had no dealings with English women. The women of the Barbary States were to be seen, occasionally and at the male's discretion, and definitely not heard, unless asked to speak. This was certainly a new experience for him, and one that tugged at vague and distant memories. Still, there was the matter of maintaining the respect and loyalty of his crew. No mere female could speak to him in this manner and get away with it.
"You will stay in my cabin, true, but know that your stay there will not be private, " He said the last with emphasis, just to put her in her place.
Jonesey tightened her hold on Victoria. The younger woman still ignored her. There was too much at risk here to give in without a battle of some sort, even if it only was her wits.
"Sir, as captain, our safety is completely in your hands." Victoria kept her head held high as she countered. "You are totally responsible for us and our well-being."
"That's very true," Serad agreed with artificial mildness, wondering why she didn't realize that she was completely in his control and be pliant to his wishes.
Victoria knew he had the power of life and death over them, but she refused to let him think even for an instant that she would kowtow to him. "Good, then we understand one another," she responded with haughty bravado. "You see, I am Lady Victoria Lawrence. My grandfather is the Marquess of Ravensley. He carries much influence with the King and he would not take kindly to any harm befalling me or Miss Jo
nes." Her arrogance in the statement shocked even herself.
Tariq was staring at the Englishwomen in disbelief. No man spoke to Serad in that manner and tone and lived very long, yet this woman dared.
Serad knew without a doubt that this was the most outrageous female he'd ever met, but to give any credence to her demanding ways would be to lose face with his men. Without another word, Serad picked up his grappling hook that lay nearby and with a very accurate throw, sent it high into the Scimitar's riggings.
"What are you doing?" Victoria demanded, her eyes growing round.
"Well, Lady Victoria Lawrence, if your safety is truly in my hands as you say, then I should see to your well-being personally, shouldn't I?" He spoke softly, for her and her alone to hear. Then in one smooth move, he slipped a powerful arm about her waist and drew her tightly to his side.
"Let me go . . ." she resisted.
At her panicked look, Serad almost smiled. It pleased him to have cracked her sophisticated veneer. Known by his crew as a man of action, Serad reaffirmed that opinion when, without another word, he grasped the rope with a sure grip and swung them both across to the deck of the Scimitar.
The moment Serad lifted off, Victoria instinctively threw her arms around his neck and held on for dear life as they swooped through the air. Clasped to his naked chest, his arm securely wrapped around her waist keeping her safely against him, Victoria was very aware of his strength, and she was actually grateful for it. The wind whipped her skirts around them, and she was forced to bite back a shriek as they crossed over the small patch of open ocean below.
They landed with an amazing lightness on the pirate ship's deck, and Victoria was breathless from their flight. Serad didn't immediately release her after they gained the footing, and she was relieved, for her knees were quaking from the excitement of their flight. After a moment, though, she knew she had to move away from him. Victoria glanced up to find the pirate captain gazing down at her, a look of amusement in his silver regard. His finding humor at her expense stung her pride, and she pushed away from his support to glare up at him.
"Thank you for that 'safe' trip," Victoria said angrily.
Serad had expected her to be terrified, and her display of bravery earned respect from him. If at all possible, he thought her even more lovely now, standing as she was there before him with her hands on her hips. He was about to offer a retort when a feminine cry of outrage split the air.
"Unhand me, you barbarian!" Miss Jones's voice rang out.
Victoria and Serad both turned to find her being held in Tariq's arms as he crossed the deck of La Mouette, a look of complete and total indignation on her face. She tried several times to hit at Tariq with her umbrella, but he successfully managed to control her actions, leaving her even more frustrated.
"Don't hurt her!" Victoria exclaimed. She started to run to the edge of the deck to go to her aid, but Serad caught her by the arm and held her back. She turned on him, furious, her fear for Jonesey showing plainly on her face.
Serad read her concern. He nodded in Tariq's direction, and said, "Watch."
Tariq set the small woman, umbrella and all, down upon a large crate and stepped back. "Now," he directed.
"What is he doing to her?" Victoria demanded, her gaze flying from Serad to her companion and back again.
Serad never had the chance to answer as the men on board the Scimitar tightened the ropes around the net that lay beneath the crate of merchandise from the French ship. Jonesey squawked in surprise as the net closed around her, and she and the crate were lifted off the deck and sent swinging across to the pirate ship.
"What do you think you're doing, hauling me around like nothing more than a piece of freight?" Miss Jones demanded, struggling to maintain her dignity while perched in such a precarious position. "Watch out, you ruffians! You have a lady on board here! You!" she shouted down to the pirate who was waiting for the crate to be lowered so he could guide it to its final resting place on the Scimitar's deck. "You take care! I don't want any nasty accidents now!"
Tariq watched the little old woman go, and his smile was relieved as he saw her safely landed on the opposite deck. Only then did he cross to the other ship himself. He'd had no intention of swinging over with that old woman in his arms. The young one, yes, the old one, never! He'd rather swim to Algiers! He'd felt the pain of her attack once, and he wasn't about to give her a second chance to inflict damage with that umbrella of hers.
When Serad's hold on Victoria's arm finally loosened, she broke away and ran forth to meet her companion. Had their situation not been so dreadful, Victoria would have laughed at Jonesey. She looked comical, seated as she was on a huge crate, her umbrella held threateningly in hand as she fended off the pirates who'd gathered around.
"Get back! Don't you touch me! I'll get down on my own . . ." she ordered in a loud voice as she swung her legs over the side and got down, unaided, with some difficulty. In a very dignified, ladylike gesture, she arranged her skirts, then patted her hair into some kind of order. She looked up just as Victoria got to her side.
"Are you all right?"
"Are you?"
"I'm fine, I expect," Victoria replied, really thinking about it for the first time.
"So am I, although I must say their methods of transportation are quite primitive, to say the least," she huffed as they stood together in the middle of the deck.
Capitaine Duval had been watching all this from where he was being held by a guard near on the far rail. He was livid over the loss of his vessel and his feelings of impotence over his lack of ability to protect the women were driving him to near madness. He eyed his guard with malice.
"See them to my cabin, then post a guard at the door," Serad was saying to Tariq as they walked toward the women, their backs to Duval.
When Duval heard his order, he went wild. Far better to be dead than to suffer the humiliation of losing his ship and being responsible for the women's horrible suffering. In a vicious move, he hit his unsuspecting guard and grabbed the knife out of his hand. He charged toward Serad and Tariq with murder on his mind.
Serad and Tariq had just joined the women when they heard Victoria gasp and saw both women's eyes widen in shocked terror. Tariq turned first to find Capitaine Duval running toward them, his eyes glazed, his hand upraised, clenching a big knife that was aimed at Serad's back. In a quick move, he attempted to shove his friend out of the way and take on the attacker alone, but he was not quite fast enough. Duval's knife sliced through the air and struck Serad in the upper arm before Tariq could stop him.
Neither Victoria nor Miss Jones could prevent the cries of horror that erupted from them. They clung together in fear as they watched the dangerous, hand-to-hand battle.
"Stay away from the women!" Duval shouted as he grappled with the pirate. He was trying to wrest free so he could continue his assault on the captain.
Tariq was more than his match. Though the fight took a few minutes, eventually his superior strength won out. He landed a punishing blow to the back of the Frenchman's neck that laid him low.
"He's dead!" Victoria and Miss Jones gasped as they stared at Duval's prostrate body.
"He's not dead," Tariq replied in disgust as he took the knife from the unconscious man's grip. "But it would be his due if he were."
"Thank you, my friend," Serad told Tariq as they shared a knowing look. It was not the first time someone had tried to murder him, and they both knew it would not be the last. "Take him below and chain him up. I don't want to see him on deck again until we make port."
"Aye, Serad reis, " two of his men answered in unison as they complied with his wishes.
Victoria and Miss Jones looked on helplessly as Duval was hauled away.
Serad saw the women's expressions and grew even more irritated. "My men are sworn to defend me as I am sworn to defend them." His voice was cold and condemning as he continued. "Duval was a fool to try anything."
Victoria stared at the man who was her ca
ptor, and the fear she harbored within her grew even more potent, and so did her anger. "Duval was a man of honor who was trying to help us," she defended.
"How would getting himself killed help you?" he scoffed, disgusted with the whole ordeal. The man had cost him the prize of his ship and now he had almost lost his life over nothing. Serad found it difficult to believe that his real motive was to defend the women. This Lady Victoria was beautiful, but not worth certain death. He dismissed the idea as ludicrous and turned back to Tariq. "Take them below," he ordered. "There is still much that needs to be done, and we have wasted enough time already."
Victoria knew better than to say anything more. She held her silence as Tariq led them belowdecks to Serad's cabin and left them there.
Chapter Sixteen
Victoria and Miss Jones looked at each other as they stood in the middle of the cabin, then they glanced nervously at the closed door behind them. Without another word, Victoria hurried to try the knob, but to her dismay she found that it was, indeed, securely locked. She heard the sound of voices through the door and knew that Tariq had posted the guard as Serad had instructed. They were trapped. Her hands clenched into fists as her fear and frustration turned into anger.
"Damn!" she exploded.
"Miss Victoria," Jonesey scolded primly, "remember yourself. There is never any need for a lady to use such language."
"I don't feel very much like a lady right now!" Victoria countered with a harshness unusual for her.
"But you are one, and you must remember that at all times. You handled yourself quite brilliantly on deck, I thought."
The rare words of praise from the fastidious Miss Jones soothed her somewhat.
She felt some of the tension drain out of her. "I wasn't quite sure what to do, but I couldn't let them know I was afraid."
"Well, you were magnificent. I'm sure your father would have been very proud of you."
The thought of pleasing her father pacified her, but still did not erase the turbulent emotions that were raging with her. "I may have acted the lady, but it didn't really change anything, did it? Our ship's been taken and we're still being held against our will . . ."