“Naturally I don’t want you to know where I live. Can you blame me considering what happens between us every time we meet?”
He smiled. “Can you honestly swear you didn’t want me as much as I wanted you, either time?”
She could feel her face grow warm. She stammered in shame and guilt, “That…isn’t what…I meant. Don’t you see, Stephen? This…thing between us is wrong, dangerous. We don’t even know each other, and we’ll never meet again. I mean nothing to you,” she concluded painfully, her turbulent emotions revealed in her voice and eyes.
He pulled her to her feet and into his comforting embrace. “Sometimes I wish that weren’t true, Angel,” he hoarsely admitted as his grip tightened and he rested his cheek against her fragrant hair. “You were right about meeting at the wrong time. A few years past or a few years from now, who knows?” he murmured, briefly sharing her anguish and need for solace.
Such intense hunger filled her. Her arms slipped around his narrow waist as she clung tightly to his strong body. Her face lay against his powerful chest. “How can I refuse my father’s demands, Stephen? Yet, how can I marry another man when I want you so much? I wish I had never met you,” she cried out in an undeniable yearning for him.
“Then don’t go home, Angel. Stay here with me,” he huskily whispered.
She leaned back and looked up at him. “But what would people say? You’re a pirate, Stephen; they hunt you day and night.”
“No one would see you, love. I’ll protect you for as long as you wish to sail with me.”
“Sail with you? But don’t you have a home somewhere, another identity? If you use that mask all the time, only your crew knows who you are. When the war starts, it’ll be dangerous on the sea,” she reminded him.
He tensed and released her. He turned away to think clearly. “This is my home and Steele is my identity now. You can stay as long as you wish, then I’ll take you wherever you wish to go,” he offered, sounding selfish and unfeeling.
A flurry of thoughts raced through Alex’s mind. “You mean stay with you for only a time, then return home? Become your mistress? Is that it?”
Her tone of voice alerted him to her obvious misconception. “What did you think I meant?” he asked a little too coldly.
“I…wasn’t sure,” she hesitantly answered. “What does a prisoner and hostage expect of her kidnapper? I wouldn’t put it past you to hold me hostage for ransom. Become your mistress? Never!”
“Hold you for ransom? That isn’t my style, love. However, the idea does sound intriguing. As to complying with my wishes, you really haven’t much choice in the matter.”
Alex backed away from him until her back made contact with the bedpost, preventing a further retreat. “You wouldn’t dare force me to sail as your mistress! With all your previous crimes added to that one, you would hang for certain!”
Spencer’s manly presence seemed to fill the entire room. “Who said I would resort to compulsion? Your will has been mine since the moment of our first meeting. There’s no way you can remain at my side and resist me. Besides your attraction to me, you lacked the skills to resist me. I want you; therefore, I’ll have you. So don’t play the coquettish maiden with me. I’ve read the sweet invitation in your eyes. Admit it,” he softly demanded.
“Why should I want to become any man’s harlot, especially yours?” she angrily inquired. “Your carefree days are numbered, Captain Steele.”
“I would never consider you that, Angelique. We could enjoy each other for a long time. You could be free of your father’s demands to marry some ‘offensive stranger,’” he boldly alluded.
“At what price, Captain Steele? I think you’ve tarnished me enough without flaunting me in every port as your mistress! A man like you shouldn’t have any trouble supplying himself with a cabin full of willing females! No doubt you have one or more waiting for you in every port! But of course you must keep your identity a secret. Such are the costs of being bold and famous,” she taunted him.
His chilling look giving her a warning, she smiled sadly and promised, “You needn’t worry about my wagging tongue. As far as it goes, you and I have never met. You didn’t say; when and where will you release me?”
“In England in two weeks,” he tersely replied. “If you wish me to escort you home, fine; if not, be careful of hungry rogues,” he teased arrogantly.
“I can promise you I’ll be very cautious from now on.” To win his trust and to disarm him, she softly added with a smile, “If you saw me home, my father would never believe your chivalrous intentions. One look at you and he would suspect the truth. He would flog me and kill you. Besides, it could be dangerous for him to come into contact with Captain Joshua Steele. Your secret identity might not remain a secret forever. I love my father and I wouldn’t want to endanger his life because of my mistakes…or misfortunes as you call them. This time, could we part as secret friends and forever?” she entreated, her green eyes dancing with mischief and allure.
“You constantly amaze me, Angelique,” he stated with a chuckle. “As you wish, my fair-haired maiden. If we do meet again someday, I promise not to enlighten your husband to your adventurous past,” he mirthfully jested.
“Nor will I betray you to the hangman, my love,” she parried.
“Two weeks of blissful freedom left. If I were you, I would thoroughly enjoy them,” he suggested wickedly, smoldering eyes enticing her to think wanton thoughts.
“If it’s possible, Captain Steele, I would prefer separate quarters and some privacy. I wouldn’t want you to become a nasty habit.”
“If I’m to only have you for two weeks, then I demand every available moment of your time and attention.”
“Under the right conditions, you could have me for keeps,” she brazenly offered to test his strength of purpose.
Flames danced in his eyes and his body tensed in anticipation. “Is marriage that condition?” he fearlessly took her bait.
“Naturally. I would have you and a freedom of sorts. You would have my silence and anything else you desired from me. No matter what you said earlier, I know you have another name and a home somewhere. To avoid suspicion, maybe you also have an urgent need for a wife…Such a bargain could be profitable for both of us,” she speculated aloud.
“Why would you want to marry a man like Joshua Steele?”
“I don’t, but I might find marriage to Stephen most compelling and exciting,” she murmured in a sexy tone. “Besides, marriage to me would offer Steele a respectable image to hide behind.”
“Stephen doesn’t exist anymore,” he bitterly informed her.
She stepped before him and caressed his taut jawline. “He does when you allow him to come alive. You were Stephen by the pond; you were Stephen earlier when you made love to me. Why do you suppress him and punish him, Joshua?” she asked seriously.
Her touch tantilizing, he captured her hand and imprisoned it within his. He couldn’t explain Steele’s cover. This strange girl was too unsettling and too perceptive to suit him. He had to get rid of her before she learned too much for his own good! She was much too tempting and dangerous to keep around longer than necessary to see her safely to port! He was unnerved by the way she was looking at him and the way she was talking with him. She was wavering on the edge of falling in love with him, and he couldn’t permit that. A scorned woman was even more trouble! She had altered her charge of seduction to lovemaking. Was she actually trying to disarm and seduce him now? He would prove to her he wasn’t a man to fall in love with…
“If you had a choice between being a poor Stephen or a living legend as Joshua Steele who could have or take anything you desired, which would you choose? Would you be willing to settle for only one woman when you could have a new diversion every day? What makes your sole ownership so valuable?”
Alex flinched as if he had physically struck her. “What makes you think Joshua Steele is worth any price to possess?” she shouted back at him.
“If my ears
didn’t deceive me, you just offered yourself to me for any purpose I desired,” he brutally taunted her.
“You’re vastly mistaken, Captain Steele. I offered you a bargain: my freedom and marriage to you in exchange for my…silence and services,” she clarified. “I wouldn’t want you or need you under any other circumstances.”
“Then why did you so eagerly and willingly submit to me?” he charged.
“You simply caught me at a moment of distress and weakness. After all, you are the more skilled and experienced of the two of us. I was distraught and afraid. You do have a way of appearing when a female is vulnerable and defenseless.”
“Then you don’t find me irresistible?” he devilishly mocked her.
Knowing he would detect her deceit, she smiled and shook her head. “As Stephen, I find you utterly overpowering and attractive. Sadly, you’re Steele most of the time. I have no wish to become entrapped by Steele, but Stephen is entirely a different matter,” she craftily eluded his trap.
“Neither man is interested in marriage, love. But we can make the best of our time together.”
“Considering you claim to be the world’s best lover, you could spoil me for my husband. Surely you wouldn’t be so cruel as to leave me pining after you?” she continued her joke, alertly noting the way he stiffened each time at the mention of her impending marriage to another man.
“We could always see each other if I’m ever around,” he suggested with a beguiling grin.
She lapsed into deep thought. She suddenly laughed and replied, “If Papa weds me to some feeble man, perhaps your generous offer might have some appeal after all. Then again, he might be virile and handsome; he could put even Joshua Steele to shame—in bed and out.”
A tic quivered in his jawline. His eyes chilled and narrowed as she kept referring to her future husband. “Perhaps I might find you too irresistible to release in two weeks. You just might miss that delightful chance at marriage,” he growled in displeasure and anger.
Alex laughed in rising spirits. “I doubt I could become unforgettable in two short weeks, Joshua. I’ll admit I’m attractive and desirable, but utterly magnetic…” She sighed dramatically and went on, “Don’t tempt me to foolishly and futilely try to win your heart. To tell the truth, I wish I had the courage to stay with you for a time.”
She walked over to the porthole and gazed out across the blue water. “I share your love for adventure and freedom. To sail the ocean with the breeze caressing your face, to visit strange lands, to face danger and excitement every day, to do whatever your heart desires, to have no cares or responsibilities, to be free and happy…sailing with the winds and tides…You’re a lucky man, Joshua. You have the courage to be your own man. If I weren’t a female, I’d sign on with you today.”
“Why don’t you?” he asked.
Tears eased down her cheeks. “Because I wouldn’t be a sailor or a pirate. I would be the same thing here as I will be at home: at some man’s beck and call for only one reason: his pleasures and needs.”
Spencer found himself arguing, “That isn’t true, Angel. You could do anything on my ship that’s not too dangerous. You can learn to climb the rigs, sail the ship, handle cargo, scrub decks, repair the sails… You can even become my cabin boy. But I wouldn’t let you board other ships,” he jested mischievously.
“Don’t make fun of me! You’d never allow me enough time out of your bunk to do any of those things! You’d be afraid I’d mess things up or the crew would laugh at you. The only place I would sail is in your bunk!”
Lusty laughter filled the quiet cabin. “I would train you personally if you decided to stay with me. You can dress like a sailor and get your skin all golden by the sun and hide that golden head beneath a cap. No one would recognize you. You could do all those things and see all those places if you stay,” he coaxed.
“You would really let me visit in the ports?” she asked.
“Sure. But only when I say it’s safe,” he added cautiously.
“What about your crew?” she debated.
“My crew is loyal; they obey my orders. Do you want to stay?”
“I don’t know. It sounds crazy. My father would…” Her eyes widened in alarm as she shrieked just before the signal was given, “A ship, Stephen! Look!” she cried out, pointing out across the expanse of blue.
He pushed her aside and gazed out the porthole. The lookout then shouted, “Ship to portside!” A loud knock came upon the door. A man’s voice called out, “Captain Steele, ship sighted. No flag, sir.”
“I’ll be there shortly. Alert the crew.” He quickly changed into his pirate’s clothes and tucked the black mask into his waistband. As if suddenly recalling her presence, he turned to face Alex. She was shaking in dread and watching his every move with wide eyes.
“Will they attack?” she apprehensively questioned. “Is it English?”
“I don’t know yet, Angel. Stay here until I come back,” he commanded, his mind clearly on deck.
“Should you tie me up in case they defeat you?” she asked for some unknown reason, never once imagining such a deed.
He turned at the doorway to stare at her. “What?” he stormed in disbelief and fury. “No ship will ever defeat the Black Mist!” With that explosion of temper, he left, slamming the door after his departure.
Alex fumed in fear and anger. Was it always like this at sea? Did peril loom on any wave? Stephen led a very precarious existence; he could be killed, injured, or captured at any moment. She couldn’t remain with him any longer than she had to, regardless of her feelings.
She screamed and covered her ears as a crash split the air. Almost immediately another cannon fired upon Stephen’s ship, coming close enough to send water splashing upon her highly polished decks. Boots clattered upon the decks above her; loud voices could be heard issuing or passing orders. The Black Mist shuddered under the stress of firing her own guns. Alex suddenly realized the ominous sounds of battle were besieging them from both sides; more than one ship was attacking them!
In terror, Alex slipped to the floor against the wall and curled into a tight ball. She closed her eyes and prayed for survival. Could this ship be defeated? Should she worry about her safety?
The door flew open and some clothes were carelessly tossed inside so quickly that she failed to see who had done this deed. She gaped at the pile of clothes on the floor, then at the closed door. She summoned her courage to retrieve them and put them on. She wondered why Stephen was allowing her this measure of generosity unless he feared…Had he relented because… No! Her hands shook violently as she struggled into the petticoat and dress. Suddenly the door opened again and in walked a strange man. She began to retreat in panic, eyes wide and throat dry. He halted long enough to say, “Captain Steele told me to assist you and bind you.”
“Why?” she fearfully inquired, noting the way he was studying her with surprise and interest.
“Just in case of trouble,” he calmly informed her. “If the ship is overrun, tell them the truth about what happened on Thackery’s ship. But tell them Steele kidnapped you and was going to ransom you. Understand?”
As he buttoned the back of her dress, she asked, “Are things that bad?”
“We’re under attack by two frigates. But we’ve seen worse fights,” Andy cockily stated. “Do as I said and you’ve no worries. They’re English,” he enlightened her. He pulled her over to the bunk and bound her hands tightly after removing her bandages. He grinned sheepishly as he tore her dress and mussed her hair. “Captain’s orders, ma’am.”
“What will they do to Captain Steele if they capture this ship?”
“I think you already know the answer,” he murmured, respect and admiration glowing in his eyes for his captain. “But Josh hasn’t lost a battle yet,” he confidently stated. “I can see why he’s been spending his time in here since we took the Sea Star,” he playfully teased her. “You’re the girl he met in England, aren’t you?” he could not help but ask.
“Yes, why?” she curiously inquired, wondering why Stephen had told this man about that fateful day. “Who are you?”
“Andy. Josh is my best friend,” he replied to her unspoken question. “I’ve got to get back on deck. Just remember what I told you.” With that, he was gone.
She stared after him in mounting confusion. Stephen had actually talked about her with this man? If she truly held such little interest for him, why? The noise of the battle banished those musings from her mind. The ship lurched to and fro as the siege continued. When it seemed Alex could bear the suspense no longer, a deathly silence filled the air. All movement ceased; the crew’s voices were so low she couldn’t make out their words. She tensely waited…
X
“To unmask falsehood, and bring truth to light.”
—“Rape of Lucrece,” William Shakespeare
“To do a great right, do a little wrong.”
—Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
The petrifying feeling of having lived through this before plagued Alex during the lengthy silence which followed the last shouts and gunfire. When the door finally opened, she dreaded to see who would enter. Relief and joy flooded her as Stephen and his best friend strolled in as calmly as if just coming from lunch! Nerves tingling, she waited for him to release her.
“Untie her, Andy,” the pirate nonchalantly ordered, then glaneed her way as he added, “I’ve agreed to ransom you to that persistent English captain in exchange for letting us sail away. I’m to put you in a small boat as soon as we’re out of their range. I told him you were a highborn English lady and he bought it,” he stated.
In her state of shock, Alex didn’t see the look of astonished amusement which flickered over Andrew Pennington’s face at his friend’s cruel joke. “There you go, miss,” Andy murmured as he completed his task, smiling down at her.
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