Love Me With Fury

by Janelle Taylor

  Alex went to the door and made certain the chair was firmly implanted against the knob. She dropped a bar of scented soap by the tub and quickly removed her clothes. She immersed herself in the water, surprised and delighted to find it warm. As swiftly as possible, she scrubbed her body from head to toe. Stepping out of the tub, she knelt beside it to pour the extra bucket of water over her long hair to rinse it a final time. Checking to see that no one was leaning over the rail above her cabin, she sat on her table and hung her lengthy curls out the porthole to dry them in the sun and air.

  Afterwards, she sat on the bunk and brushed her silky mane until it shone with shimmering highlights. Deciding to reject the captain’s company today should he offer, she donned a skin-caressing day dress in dark green. Clean hair and body and a colorful dress did wonders for her deflated spirits. She quickly put her hat and veil in place when Pete and the youth returned to remove the tub.

  Pete grinned in pleasure and genially announced. “Ye be looking fresh as a spring mornin’. Ye be wanting to get some air on deck?”

  “Not today, Pete, but thank you. I really should rest after all this activity. Tomorrow?” she said in her normal tone of voice.

  “Me pleasure, ma’am,” he replied like a lad of eighteen. He left this time whistling cheerfully.

  Around eleven o’clock, another knock came to her sealed door. Alex teased herself that Pete was making another try to coax her outside. As she answered the light knocking, Pete shifted anxiously as he informed her, “Sorry to trouble ye, ma’am, but the captain wants to see you. Says it’s mighty impo’tant.”

  “Why would he need to speak with me, Pete?” she asked, panic edging into her tone. Perhaps to share a cordial lunch?

  “He said fur me to fetch ye to his cabin. Seems upset ‘bout some’em,” he stated in uncertainty, his tension increasing hers.

  She pondered the worry lining his brow. Did Thackery simply wish to behave in a cordial manner he assumed proper for a lady on board? Was this merely a polite and harmless invitation to tea? Was there perhaps trouble brewing and he wanted to personally alert her to that possibility? Perhaps give her some orders of what to do in such an event? No matter, she couldn’t adamantly refuse to comply. She was alone on his ship and it wouldn’t be shrewd to displease or openly disdain him.

  Closing the cabin door, she followed Pete the few steps to the captain’s cabin. Pete knocked almost timidly and apprehensively waited for an answer. The door opened and the captain smiled at her. “Aw, Mistress Marie. Do come in,” he suggested, as if surprised to see her standing there! “I won’t be needing you anymore, Pete. Return to your duties,” he ordered in an authoritative manner.

  Alex remained in the hallway, suddenly aware of her green gown. She asked, “Did you wish to tell me something, Captain Thackery?” She hoped she could handle any business they might have here and now, then return to her room immediately.

  Thackery gently, but firmly, took her arm and pulled her inside his cabin as he spouted, “Come in, come in, Mistress Marie. We’ll have some tea or sherry while we chat.”

  Sherry? Chat? This meeting didn’t appeal to her at all! What was this old buzzard up to this afternoon? “I really don’t care for tea, sir; and I don’t partake of strong spirits,” she lied to hurry this talk. Fear claimed her senses as she noted the captain’s heated stare as his glowing eyes eased over the perfectly fitting green gown and the black veil which his keen eyes couldn’t penetrate. “I’m not good company today, sir. I’m weary from all my exertions,” she tried to excuse herself again.

  Thackery beamed as he stated, “Thought you might enjoy a nice bath. Sit down and join me. A glass of sherry might lighten your spirits,” he encouraged, twisting his clasped hands in apparent anticipation.

  Despite her protest, he poured two glasses and placed one before her. Without accepting the glass, she unthinkingly interlocked her fingers and rested those silky-skinned, graceful hands on the table before his astute vision. She remain rigid and straight in her seat.

  “You’re in private now, Mistress Marie. Why not give yourself some fresh air; you can take off your veil in here,” he boldly offered.

  She tensed. “It wouldn’t be proper, sir. I am in mourning, and we are strangers.”

  He chuckled in a way she found disturbing. “You seem nervous. That sherry’ll calm you down,” he coaxed. When he turned as if to get something from his desk, she hastily took several sips to do just that!

  He came back to the table, carrying a small box of scented powder. “I thought you might like to have this,” he offered, holding the fragrant box out to her.

  She inhaled sharply. “I do not accept gifts from strange men, Captain Thackery. If you don’t mind, I would prefer to return to my cabin to rest,” she stated indignantly, resolved to end this unpleasant meeting even if she had to offend him! He was as repulsive, persistent, and obnoxious as Daniel Grey!

  She felt as if her racing blood froze in her veins when he calmly announced, “But I do mind, Marie. You see, my dear lady; I don’t mind your play-acting around my crew, but I dislike deceit and haughtiness where I’m concerned. If you can’t trust the ship’s captain with the truth, you’re in deep trouble out here alone,” he murmured in a tone laced with innuendo.

  “I beg your pardon, sir?” she apprehensively stated, doubtful of what to do or say. Did he imply he knew who and what she was?

  “Did you think I was too low to be trusted? Why didn’t your brother, if he’s really your brother, tell me why a beautiful lady would travel the perilous sea alone?” he abruptly stated.

  “You were paid well to see me safely to England, sir. My personal affairs are none of your concern. You accepted the money and the responsibility for my safe voyage. My friendship and company were not part of that bargain,” she tersely informed him.

  He stood up and walked around a few minutes in deep thought. He halted near her. “Perhaps you’re right,” he mumbled, yanking her veil off before she realized what he was doing. He leered at the young beauty before his smoldering eyes as he sneered, “Then again, perhaps you’re not.”

  Alex jumped to her feet, knocking over her chair. She blanched white, then flushed crimson in fury. “How dare you! Your behavior is unforgivable, sir! Be assured my uncle and father will hear of this outrage!” she boldly threatened the laughing man. Snatching her hat from his loose grip, she whirled to leave.

  Thackery seized her arm in a painful grasp and yanked her around to face him. Fear and anger flooded those dark green eyes. “Release me this instant! This conduct will not go unpunished!” she stormed.

  “How can you report something when you might never get ashore?” he threatened.

  Alex paled in shock. “Surely you would not murder an innocent woman! Have you forgotten my uncle knows I am aboard your ship? He is awaiting word of my safe arrival in England. I assure you he will not rest until you are located and punished!” she daringly informed him.

  “Who said I was going to kill such a breathtaking creature?” he asked, reaching out to caress her satiny cheek.

  She slapped his hand away. He chuckled heartily. “Women get sold to them foreign slave ships all the time. Who’s gonna challenge my word when I sadly relate how you took ill and died, how we was forced to bury you at sea?” he smugly challenged the panicky girl before him.

  Trying to appear poised and brave, she scornfully asked, “Just what is it you want from me. Captain? More money? Jewels?”

  “Two things, Marie,” he easily came back, then abruptly asked, “Is Marie your real name?”

  “Yes, but Henry is my uncle, not my brother,” she stated.

  “Why are you dressed in that silly black outfit?” he demanded.

  “Uncle Henry felt it was safer since I was forced to travel quickly and alone. He wanted to send me home before a war broke out. He thinks England is getting ready to attack the Colonies. My brother and maid had taken ill with some strange fever and couldn’t come with me,” she fab
ricated a new story as she went along. She prayed he might suspect her of carrying that unknown fever and would leave her alone.

  “Why does he think there’s gonna be a war soon?”

  “He said men were talking about it all the time now. I think he mentioned some vote in Congress this week. He felt America wouldn’t be safe for me, so he’s sending me home.” She inwardly fumed as she watched skepticism fill his eyes. She added, “He assumed I would be safe aboard your ship, but evidently he made a bad choice in judgment.”

  Thackery laughed coldly. “You said you wanted two things from me, what are they?” she returned the conversation to his greedy demands.

  “First, the whole truth about you. Second, a nice little diversion along the way,” he drooled.

  “You must be mad! You cannot accost a lady in your care!”

  “Not mad, dear Marie, just determined to enjoy a tasty treat placed within my reach,” he calmly replied.

  “I would die first!” she screamed at him. Would his crew come to her aid if she yelled. No, probably not.

  “Come, come, Marie. There’s no need to preen those lovely feathers for me. Let’s relax and have some sherry. This is gonna be a long voyage, but a pleasant one,” he ominously warned.

  “If you lay one finger on me, I’ll slit your miserable throat!”

  “Do tell?” he mocked her.

  “Yes,” she dauntlessly vowed, annoying him.

  She attempted to pull free from his grip, but could not. She recklessly slapped and kicked at him, actions which only infuriated the lust-filled man. When she managed to rake her nails down the side of his face and produce rivulets of blood, he angrily shoved her backwards with such force she toppled and fell. His hand went to his face to check the damage she had done. He looked at the blood on his fingers, then glared at the girl on the floor.

  He cursed her with words she had never heard used before and stalked forward to tower over her in a menacing fashion. Alex defiantly returned his glacial stare as if daring him to touch her again. He seized a handful of golden hair and yanked her to her feet. She screamed in pain and beat him with ineffectual blows.

  “You little hell-cat! You’ll pay for that!” he snarled through gritted teeth. He threw her against the wall, knocking the breath from her body. Grabbing both sides of her dress at the neckline, he yanked fiercely and ripped the material. She screamed again, but no one came to her rescue. She never knew old Pete was outside, chewing his nails and praying for the courage to come to her aid, knowing he would never find it.

  Alex wrestled with the stodgy Thackery with all her might, fearing she could never resist his intentions to ravish her. Still, her battle was as necessary as it was futile. Just as she felt she had no energy left to fight with, the alarm sounded.

  The ensuing fight lasted only a few more moments as Pete pounded upon the door to capture Thackery’s attention. At long last, Thackery shouted, “What the hell do you want?”

  “Pirate attack, Capt’n!” came the answer all captains dreaded.

  “Pirates?” he echoed as if stunned by this untimely intrusion.

  “Yep! The lookout says the sails are black, Capt’n,” came a far worse announcement.

  Alex watched the evil man before her actually pale and shudder in noticeable fear: He quickly attempted to hide such weakness from her. “You wait here, Marie. I’ll make short business of these pirates and be back to take good care of you. To make sure you stay put, I’ll prevent any ideas of your escaping over the side.”

  He pulled her struggling body over to his bunk and secured her hands tightly above her head to the post which reached from ceiling to floor. To vex her, he kissed her soundly. Alex thought she would retch. When she spit in his leering face, he slapped her hard across her cheek, slightly stunning her with its brutal force.

  “That’s another night you owe me before I sell you to them desert snakes, Miss High and Mighty,” he sneered, then strapped on his sword and left her alone and helpless.

  Alex pulled on the ropes and twisted this way and that. She only managed to cut rope burns into her wrists until the blood ran down her arms. She clenched her teeth against the pain as she attempted to free herself once more. Tears eased down her cheeks as she realized how degrading her situation was. As the sounds of battle reached her ears, she prayed the pirate ship would sink them before Thackery could return to his cabin and complete his vile act.

  Fatigued and terrified, she rested her forehead against the post as she awaited her impending fate. The ship shuddered as a cannonball made a direct hit on her starboard side. Alex laughed as she thought how lucky she was this cabin was on the port side. Shrieks of pain and loud shouts could be heard from above her. The clattering of booted feet running back and forth alerted her to the desperation of this battle. A thunderous crash suggested a severed mast and possible defeat.

  What would happen once this battle was over? Would Thackery return? Would he hopefully be slain? Would the pirates kill all on board and sink them? Never in her life had she experienced such soulshaking fear. No matter the outcome of this day, her fate was cloudy…

  It took a few minutes for Alex to recognize the portentous silence which indicated the fierce conflict for power was over. She dreaded to guess the victor. She could hear the softened sounds of boots as they made contact with the wooden deck overhead. The voices were so low, she couldn’t make out what they were saying or who was talking. There was nothing she could do but wait and pray.

  When she heard the door open behind her, she tensed in dread and suspense. She held her breath in anticipation of Thackery’s renewed assault. God forgive her, but she would try to kill him in any way possible! She refused to move. Her face remained between her bound arms, her tawny tresses falling forward to conceal her face as her forehead rested against the post. She could sense someone standing beside her and staring at her, but she couldn’t force herself to look into that evil face.

  His sapphire eyes started at her bound hands whose bloody injuries bespoke her futile attempts at freedom. He noted her erratic respiration which announced her panic. Her figure was exceptional. Her skin and hair were those of a young female, a female who had unfortunately captured the eye of this stupid captain. Should he give her a lift to the nearest port? Did he have the time and patience? She was defenseless, but could he afford the danger of having a female on board his ship who might see or hear too much? No, he decided. The consequences were too grave.

  “Hand over the papers, Thackery, and I’ll forget you challenged me,” the never-to-be-forgotten voice commanded in a smug tone.

  “Not on your life, Captain Joshua Steele,” Thackery rashly declined, furious at the way Steele was eying the female tied to his bedpost.

  Steele? Captain Joshua Steele? The notorious scourge of the sea? But that was Stephen’s voice! Her head jerked upwards and she stared at the man beside her whose face was concealed by a black mask. When he glanced at her, she couldn’t help but witness the shock which registered briefly in those entrancing blue eyes. The half-grin which claimed his sensual mouth was the same one she had viewed at the pond. Her gaze spontaneously slipped over his powerful physique from head to foot, the truth of his identity exposed there. She licked her suddenly dry lips as she stared at him.

  His calm, mellow voice stated, “Take the good captain out for a few minutes. I have another matter to settle first.”

  Confused, Andy quickly complied. Spencer placed his hands on his narrow hips and grinned at her. “You certainly have a way of getting into trouble, Angelique.” Hearty laughter filled her ears.

  “You?” she whispered, all doubts cleared away. “No wonder I couldn’t find you,” she foolishly remarked, making it sound as if she had searched for him when she really meant she hadn’t known where to locate him.

  Chuckles came forth again, but he allowed her words to pass unquestioned. As if noticing the mask for the first time, she recalled that no one knew what this infamous rogue looked like. Instantly, she
realized she did. What would he do with her now that he knew she could identify him? Catching the irony of her predicament, she laughed aloud.

  “What’s so funny?” he quickly demanded of her curious behavior.

  “I take it your name isn’t Stephen,” she responded. “I should have guessed there was some reason your face and name weren’t known. I was just wondering which fate was worse: your revenge or Thackery’s.”

  He laughed too. Funny they should meet again this way! “Looks as if he’s been giving you a difficult time,” he joked, nodding at her bonds.

  “I was just planning how I was going to kill him when I got free,” she declared, then laughed nervously again.

  “What were you doing in America? You must have left England soon after our…meeting,” he suggested with a beguiling grin.

  Her stare grew cold and angry at the recall of that portentous day. “Yes, I did. I was hoping to never see you again, but it seems I’ve fallen into your brutal hands once more. Captain Joshua Steele…” she murmured aloud, her eyes slipping over his stalwart frame a second time. “Should I say it’s an honor to meet you, sir?” she scornfully questioned.

  “Perhaps the first time, but not today,” he answered in an inexplicable manner. “I asked what you were doing in America,” he repeated.

  “How do you know I was in America?” she sneered disdainfully.

  “Because that’s the origin of this voyage,” he casually stated, yet she could sense some irritation behind his words.

  “I was returning home after visiting friends there, but the good Captain Thackery didn’t take kindly to my refusal of his attentions,” she scoffed bitterly.

  “What friends? Where?” he demanded.

  “None of your business, Captain Steele,” she saucily replied.

  “Then I take it you would prefer I leave you to the discretion of Captain Thackery? You wouldn’t be interested in a ride to the nearest port?”

  Her face and eyes brightened instantly. But her smile and hope both vanished as she noted his taunting grin. “I doubt I would be any safer with you than I was with him,” she panted angrily.