by Hatch, Donna
Softly, he said, “I will not lay a hand on you. I swear it. Not in violence. Not in lust.”
Her brow furrowed, her eyes searching his. He battled the increasing need to love her as a man. He settled for a chaste kiss. She remained stiff. He teased her lips with his, keeping them soft, light. She softened for only a moment and then stiffened again. Heaving an enormous mental sigh, he ended the kiss and traced his finger down her cheek, battling with the man he wanted to be for her, and the man he wanted to be for himself.
Her wide eyes stared back at him as if she expected him to sprout horns. “You said you wouldn’t lay a hand on me.”
“I said nothing about not laying my lips on yours.
“You’re untrustworthy.” She sounded exasperated instead of frightened. That was good. Progress.
“I’m a pirate.”
“Don’t remind me,” she huffed.
“Are you in danger of forgetting?”
“Not even if you hit me over the head with a candlestick.”
He laughed softly. Against his better judgment, he kissed her again. Despite her fear, her lips remained surprisingly pliant. She was becoming very skilled at kissing. He kissed her until he thought he’d incinerate.
A very primal, possessive part of him enjoyed the idea that she’d never been kissed the way he kissed her. Or pleasured the way he planned to pleasure her. Just as soon as he got her to stop hating him.
Wishing he had a handy bucket of cold water to dump over his head, he groaned. She went rigid and stared at him with large eyes.
He rolled her over and pulled her against his chest. “You’re safe with me, Elise,” he whispered against her ear, making a silent vow to be a man of his word.
“You’ll have to prove that to me.” She said nothing more, but her body finally relaxed against him.
He stroked her hair, marveling at its silken texture, and raised a fistful to his lips. Inhaling its lavender scent, he kissed it, kissed her temple, and then simply held her.
As he cradled her blanket-wrapped body, the fire cooled. In its stead, peace and well-being stole over him. He vowed to protect her at all costs, even with his very life, if necessary. It would be no great sacrifice; she was so much more worthy of living than he.
He agonized over his need to assure Elise, and his need to protect himself from discovery. He couldn’t stand the thought that she believed him capable of cold-blooded murder. She no doubt envisioned him tying up a nobleman, extracting all his wealth, and murdering the man as he lay bound and helpless. He’d never done anything so ruthless and he wanted her to know it.
He put his lips next to her ear and whispered, “Elise.”
Though she made no reply, he knew by her breathing that she was awake.
He continued in a whisper, “I didn’t murder Jared Amesbury. I am Jared Amesbury.”
Her breath stilled.
Praying that the walls didn’t have ears, he whispered, “I swear I’ll tell you everything as soon as it’s safe, but for now, please believe me; I’ve never murdered an unarmed man. I am Jared Amesbury. I use the name John Black, or Black Jack, to protect my family. I can’t tell you more.”
She made no reply for a very long time. Up on deck, the watch bell clanged.
Finally, she drew in a breath and whispered. “How do I know that’s not just another lie?”
“You’ll have to trust me.”
She made a huff of annoyance. Defeated, but glad to have at least tried, he lay perfectly still. And wished he could take them both far away.
****
On the quarterdeck of the Mistress, Jared squinted up at the sun, idly watched a gull soar overhead before turning his attention back to Dubois.
“The repairs on the Mistress have been completed.” Dubois glanced toward the ship sailing just off their port bow. “But the Venture takes on water as quickly as they pump it out. She needs repairs we cannot complete at sea.”
Jared nodded soberly. “Providing the wind and the weather hold, we’ll be in port in two days. We’ll careen the Venture and leave her for repairs while we go back to England aboard the Mistress. I intend to return Mrs. Berkley home as soon as possible.”
Dubois stroked his beard. “The men spent all their booty in Port Johns before we came after Leandro. Should we land now, we’ll have hungry, thirsty men with no means to buy food or entertainment. The Venture had plenty of stores, but little cargo that we could sell. If I thought the Venture could last that long, I’d advise taking another merchant ship.”
Jared frowned. Now that his assignment had officially ended, he had no intention of engaging in piracy for real. Even to prevent a mutiny.
Surely no one would be stupid enough to take a crippled ship into battle. Some of the crew had houses and families on the island, and would simply go home. Others lived at inns in between voyages and had only their share of the plunder to support their needs. Leandro’s men would only see it as another port call and fall into their customary disorderliness of wenching and drinking. But if they landed without any coin, Leandro’s men might ransack the smuggler’s port on the island his crew used as their haven.
He couldn’t wait to rid himself of the whole business.
“The men may insist upon it,” Dubois added.
“We can’t go after a ship with the Venture so badly damaged, and I don’t want to leave her behind unprotected while we go without her.”
“If it comes to a vote, they’ll be in favor of it. Empty purses make reckless men.”
“We don’t dare risk it and they know it,” Jared snapped.
But Dubois had a point. At times, the democratic way pirate ships operated was a confounded nuisance.
Jared sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Empty the safe in the main cabin and have the quartermaster divide it among the men before we land.”
“You’re giving up your share?”
“Only what I have on board.”
Dubois shrugged. “We’ll bring it to a vote, but I think they’ll agree.”
Jared paused as Dubois indicated with his chin at something over his shoulder. Jared turned to see Elise coming tentatively from his cabin.
Blinking in the sunlight, she rested her hand on the bulkhead to steady herself against the motion of the ship. The wind stirred her dress, making it cling to the contours of her delicious body. Her rumpled clothes and unbound hair flowing around her shoulders invited images of her arising from her lover’s bed.
Who would have thought an angel would be such a temptation?
Jared rubbed a hand over his stubbled face. Such thoughts would only challenge his resolve. Keeping his baser desires at bay last night had been one of the more difficult things he’d ever done, but holding her all night had been a dream.
“It is good we have just come from port or the men would be sniffing around her like a pack of hungry wolves.” Dubois watched her. “She’s a fine- looking woman, non?”
Jared glowered. “She’s my woman, and I’ll skewer anyone who challenges that.”
Grinning, Dubois held out his hand in surrender. “But of course, mon capitaine.”
Wearing his best smile, Jared went to Elise. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
She eyed him with trepidation. “Very well.”
“Were you warm enough?” He grinned roguishly, taking delight in reminding her she’d slept in his arms.
A faint pink tinged her cheeks. “Quite warm.”
Jared smiled broadly. “I can’t remember when I’ve slept so comfortably.”
Her color deepened and she looked away.
Jared took her hand. “You’re cold. O’Brian!”
“Sir?”
“Fetch my coat.”
The boy trotted to Jared’s cabin and returned carrying a dark brown wool coat. The youth looked carefully at Elise. As he turned away, he frowned. Jared wondered if O’Brian harbored the superstitions of many sailors with regards to having women in board bringing bad luck.
&
nbsp; As O’Brian returned to his duties, Jared laid the coat across her shoulders. She clutched it together and offered a hesitant, grateful smile.
“The wind is almost constant. We hope. Otherwise we sit dead in the water. But it can take some getting used to.” He led her to Dubois who watched her with appreciation, a crooked smile on his weathered face. “Mrs. Berkley, I believe you’ve met my first mate, Jean-Claude Dubois.”
“We meet again. Enchanté, madame.” Dubois raised her hand to his lips.
Her smile appeared more relaxed. “What is a civilized Frenchman doing on a pirate ship?”
Dubois laughed. “I’m afraid I’m a pirate, as well, ma cherie.”
“Oh, too bad. I’d hoped to hear you were a ‘guest’ here as well,” she replied ruefully.
“Mais oui, we are all guests here, madame. Some of us have stayed longer than others, non?”
“Captain. A word?” One of the crewmen called.
Jared sent a meaningful look at Dubois. His first mate gave a brief incline of the head in reply and tucked Elise’s hand in the crook of his arm.
Confident Dubois would watch over her, Jared stepped aside and listened to the crewman with one ear and Dubois with the other. Jared frowned as Dubois poured his French charm upon Elise.
“Madame, despite sailor’s superstitions, I must say, I’m delighted to have you aboard. You much improve the scenery.”
Silently cursing Dubois, Jared shot his first mate a warning look. Dubois grinned in reply and returned his gaze to Elise.
“You flatter me, sir,” came Elise’s voice.
“Oh, no. I’d love to prove my sincerity, but the captain has a powerful temper, and he can best me in swords. Half the men follow him because they believe he’s the best man to do it. The other half fear him too much to vote him out.”
Jared ground his teeth. Perfect. All he needed was for Elise to have continuous reminders of what he was. Or had been. And presently still was. Even if it weren’t precisely true.
What a twisted mess.
The crewman who’d called him away paused. “Captain? Did you hear me?”
Jared snatched his attention away from Elise and Dubois. “Yes. We’ll leave the Venture careened on the island. Anyone who wishes to remain on shore may do so. The rest will accompany me back to England.”
“The missus will be glad of that.”
Jared sent him an understanding grin and the crewman returned to his duties. Young O’Brian hung around, alternately watching Elise and Jared with furtive glances. Jared had never seen O’Brian so edgy.
Catching O’Brian’s attention, Jared motioned him over. He slung his arm around the boy’s shoulders. “What’s the problem, lad?”
O’Brian hesitated. “Nothin’,” he replied glumly.
“Speak up, lad. I won’t eat you for dinner.”
Miserably, he looked back at Elise speaking with Dubois. “The lady, sir. You’ve never taken a lady prisoner before. You uh … you don’t normally treat the fair sex in such a manner. Least, not since I’ve been aboard.”
“You’re right. The ship’s articles are very specific about the treatment of women. And we never take prisoners. But she was Leandro’s prisoner. What would you have me do? Leave her on the Venture with Leandro’s men?”
He ducked his head. “She…” he swallowed. “She’s your prisoner now, sir. You kept her in your cabin.”
Jared nodded, understanding the problem. Who would have thought the boy who chortled at the thought of battle and plunder would be so tender-hearted toward women? Jared folded his arms and fixed him with a stern scowl. “Does she look to you like a woman who’d been brutalized?”
O’Brian paused, and then took a longer look at Elise. Jared did, too. Her skin glowed in healthy radiance and she stood in a relaxed and open stance as she smiled up at Dubois. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight and blew in soft waves in the wind. Her laugh rang out.
O’Brian gave a brief shake of his head. “No, sir.”
Jared nodded. “A woman will give you the greatest pleasure when you’ve pleased her. Seduction is satisfying. Rape is not. And if she isn’t ready to be seduced, you must give her time to accept you. It will always be worth it. If not, let her go untouched. There will always be another willing woman.”
O’Brian nodded, looking enormously relieved. Jared wondered how long it would be before the entire crew learned their captain’s softness toward women. However, Jared had always been adamant that his crew leave the women untouched, hence the articles which addressed that. It should come as no surprise.
Jared went back to Elise and Dubois. With a dark look at his first mate, Jared took Elise’s hand from Dubois’s arm and placed it upon his own.
“Dismissed, Dubois,” he said crisply.
Dubois’s eyes crinkled in silent laughter. He made mock salute and left them alone.
Elise made no move to pull away, but she seemed to withdraw in every other way.
“Did you breakfast yet?” Jared asked.
She nodded, her eyes moving to the horizon.
“Any sea sickness?”
“No.”
“You are fortunate. Most are sick for days or weeks when they first go to sea.”
She nodded, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “I suppose there is a silver lining to every cloud.”
He gentled his voice. “What troubles you?”
She made a sound that might have been a sharp, mirthless laugh. Or a sound of despair. He could not decide which.
“Your men think I’m your prisoner. And therefore, your … ah … mistress.”
“Who cares what a bunch of scallywags think?”
“You’ve compromised my honor. And now they might expect me to … to entertain them.”
“Not unless they want to fight me. And I doubt any of them are that stupid.” He took her to the bow of the ship where their voices would carry downwind out to sea. Still, he lowered his voice. “Dubois thinks we were already lovers even before you came on board. The rest of the crew sees you as a prize I won fairly. If I hadn’t laid claim on you, the men might still have considered you fair game and hang the articles. Now that I have claimed you, they won’t dare touch you, unless we give them reason to believe I’m through with you.”
She looked up at him, half hopeful, half doubtful. “Then you didn’t publically claim me because you expected me to—?”
“No.” He glanced about, but all the men appeared busily attending to their labors. “I know I’ve turned your world upside down, but I’m not as different as you suppose. I didn’t attack you on land. I won’t do it on sea.”
“I have no reason to believe you.”
Her words stung. “Last night offered no proof? At first, O’Brian assumed I raped you. Now he merely believes I seduced you.”
“That’s exactly my point.”
“Would you feel better if I had?”
“No!” She looked utterly horrified.
That stung, too, as if the thought of being intimate with him seemed repulsive. Hurt gave way to anger. “You know me better than anyone on board. But if you want me to behave the barbarian, believe me, I can.”
He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and hauled her against him. She let out a cry before he brought his mouth down hard upon hers. She struggled against him, but he held her fast. A sound of distress escaped her.
His anger faded. He couldn’t be rough. He couldn’t hurt her.
He wanted to protect her, hold her, love her.
As he gentled, she stopped fighting him. He slid his arms around her, drawing her in closer and poured out every tender word he could not tell her, showed her without speaking that he loved her as the man who’d asked her to wait for him. Her sweet mouth became pliant under his. With his hand behind her head, he changed the angle of their mouths and deepened the kiss.
She responded, tentatively at first, but with growing hunger. She wrapped her arms around him, her voluptuous body pressing against him.
Her heart hammered against his chest, matching the rhythm of his own. He wanted nothing at that moment but to scoop her into his arms, carry her to his cabin and love her deeply, passionately.
When he thought he might explode, he ended the kiss. He cupped her cheek, caressing her soft skin with the pad of his thumb. With his eyes closed, he rested his forehead upon hers. Breathing raggedly, shaking with unfulfilled desire, he held her.
“I could never harm you, Elise,” he whispered. “If my entire crew pointed guns at me and threatened to kill me unless I hurt you, I’d die gladly. My only fear would be leaving you unprotected.”
She drew in a shuddering breath.
Jared opened his eyes. Hers were closed, her lashes laying against her cheeks. Her lips were moist, pink and swollen from his kiss. Her flushed face and disheveled hair gave the appearance that she’d been thoroughly ravished. How badly he wanted to complete the picture!
Becoming aware of his crew, he lifted his head and glowered at the raised eyebrows, knowing grins, and sly chuckles.
“As you were!” he barked.
They snapped into action, but they continued to toss his way knowing winks and smirks. Ignoring them, he released Elise slowly.
Half-dazed, she blinked up at him. A moment later, the softness vanished, and she stared at him in horror, backing away. Her eyes shimmered and tears spilled down her cheeks.
His gut clenched.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned away.
Jared steadied his breathing. She believed him a pirate. She wouldn’t easily warm to him. If ever.
He took her hand and led her to an area shaded by the mainsail where he made her a seat with a coil of rope and a folded piece of canvas.
She sat stiffly without meeting his eyes.
“My cabin is at your disposal, of course. Or, if you prefer, you may stay on deck. The crew knows to leave you be.” He caught O’Brian’s attention and motioned him over. “Your task is to see to Mrs. Berkley’s every need.”
“Aye, sir.” The youth plopped down at Elise’s feet and looked up at her worshipfully.
Jared went to consult with the pilot and made a slight course correction. Then he climbed aloft to help adjust a sail. He normally let the smaller, nimbler members of his crew climb the rigging, but he needed something with which to occupy his mind other than Elise.