“Not when you are a bastard son born under a halfpenny planet to a whore in St. Augustine,” he muttered.
She flinched at his sharp words. “So Captain Fox saved you?”
“Just as I was given the drop, he stormed the gallows and cut me down. He and Mr. Tyburn and a few others fought soldiers all through town. Capt’n killed three by his own sword. They plundered the nearby marketplace and set fire to the courthouse. Got a good haul that day. I don’t know why he spared me. But I will march to my death for him.”
“A noble proclamation from a boy of, what, ten?”
“Eleven.” His chin jutted up a notch. “I can fight.”
Taken aback, she sucked in a horrified gasp. “He allows you to fight in battles?”
“Well, no.” His chin shot up higher. “But I’ve been practicing.”
Lianna put her hand over his resting on his bony knee. “Well, young sir, I know I will be well cared for should you ever need to defend me in combat.”
He softened with her kindness and bowed his head. “Thank you, ma’am.” He glanced at the door again. “I really must get back to work before I’m missed. Henri gets fired up if I slack.”
“Of course.” She walked Jason to the door. “My thanks to you for visiting with me. You have been a welcoming part of my morning. But might I ask a small favor?”
Jason tugged at his ear nervously. “I, uh, um.”
“’Tis nothing taxing to you, young sir. I promise. Won’t you ask Captain Fox if I may take a bit of sunshine today? If it pleases him, of course.”
He smiled and left.
The enlightenment from Jason about her captor wreaked havoc on her reason. Ridiculous images of Zane bounced helter-skelter in her mind. Here was a man of many masks: a kidnapper, a thief, a plunderer, and a killer, who could be bought and sold. And yet he displayed etiquette and manners, was educated, taught, and risked his life to save another. He was perplexing, a tempting enigma she found perilously attractive. What other surprises did he have in store? She wanted to find out more. She wanted to explore him, his motivations, his thoughts, perhaps the hard contours of his body, and the irresistible mystery that surrounded him. But how far would she be willing to go?
The ship would be arriving in port soon and she would be heading home. There wasn’t much time to dwell on the matter.
*****
Zane considered Lianna’s request to come on deck. He appreciated her pent up feeling of being held against her will. He had first-hand experience at how maddening confinement could be. He remembered painfully all too well being shackled in the belly of a rotten ship, scared and alone, as a boy, huddled in his own filth. Not knowing if the next time the door opened whether it would be for another beating or for a tiny scrap of food. To be able to sleep without the rats gnawing on his raw flesh had been a rare blessing. His crime had been only taking a sip of water from the rain barrel without permission. He had prayed for death. When death didn’t spare him, he vowed he would kill the captain that had been so cruel to him. Years later, he would have his chance. He and a band of his brothers happened upon the black-hearted bastard’s merchantman off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Aye, being held a prisoner made for a hard, bitter man. A little fresh air could do a world of good for anyone who had been locked away from the light of day, even for just a short time.
However, he didn’t feel he could honor her petition. She was a distraction, even with her absence. His mind drifted to the lady lying in her bed at night, adjacent to his own cabin, more than he cared to admit. Having her out of sight these last few days didn’t necessarily mean out of mind. But it did ensure her out of trouble.
Besides, he was very busy poring over the map of Tortuga’s coastline and couldn’t be bothered by an armful in skirts swanning around his ship. He was familiar with this stretch of the Caribbean Sea. But he needed more than just to rely on his expertise and that of his steadfast crew. He needed an unerring strategy for depositing the wench, delivering his message, and securing an escape route. A battle with Bennington was almost certain. There would be no room for mistakes and time was essential.
Still, with thoughts of his youth painfully fresh, he decided to let her go on deck provided she had an escort. Where were these acts of kindness manifesting themselves? If she were any other chit, he would decline her any privileges whatsoever. The woman would be lucky to have a chamber pot to sit on. Just rid himself of the headache at the first opportunity. But with Lianna, he had a mind to let the enduring little creature prove herself.
*****
Blade and Lianna strolled along the upper deck of the Rissa. She drew deep breaths of the fresh air and let the sun in the clear sky melt away the clammy feel of her skin. The sunlight glittered off the serene rise and fall of the azure blue sea. Off in the distance, a tiny string of islands peeked above the horizon. Sea birds squawked as they swooped and glided overhead. A group of dolphins swam and frolicked alongside the brig. She bubbled giddy with excitement. Her fate was yet to be determined but the perfection of the natural world surrounding her simply made her at peace.
Blade, leaning with his back against the rail, stared at her. She wasn’t uncomfortable with him, though. In fact, she could avow more at ease with him than with Captain Fox, even though Blade looked as if he would devour her. She grew empowered by his attention.
“Beautiful creatures.” She pointed to the graceful dolphins dipping through the crystalline water.
“Not as beautiful as you, dear lady.”
Every time he flashed those dimples Lianna had an impetuous erotic vision. He entranced her, alluring her with words dripping like golden honey. He wove a magical spell of seduction, making her feel as if she were the only woman in the world. At least for the moment. “Come now, Mr. Tyburn. You flatter me far too much with such sentiment.”
“Oh, but I speak the truth. You are a jewel amid a ghastly ship full of ruffians.”
“Exactly a point. As soon as you dock, you have the means to surround yourself with many beauties.” She turned to lean back against the rail with her elbows up, alongside Blade.
“’Tis true that I don’t spend many lonely evenings but alas ’tis not usually in the company of such a breathtaking woman as you.”
“Don’t waste such blandishments on your prisoner.”
“Ah, but you are not my prisoner. I don’t hold claim to you.” He leaned in close. “Unless you would like me to.”
Lianna shifted her weight to her right arm to close the gap between them. “If I should, then ’tis I who lay claim to you, sir.”
Blade gave a throaty laugh. “True. Very true, I’m afraid. It seems you are quite good at snaring a man’s affections.”
“Oh?”
“Aye. My interest is not the sole interest on this ship.”
She shuddered to think of the greasy, smelly scoundrels laying a hand upon her. She crinkled her nose in a disgusted frown.
Blade laughed at her mental gagging. He clarified. “Captain Fox has taken a liking to you as well.”
“No doubt to venture on what is not his,” she reproached.
“Come, madam. You cannot say he has not treated you with the utmost respect and dignity. He has provided you with a nice cabin, clean dresses, and warm dinners. That is far more than what anyone could expect in your position. ’Tis no secret your caste does not deserve such. Thus, you haven’t the right to carp.”
“Be that as it may. I am still his captive. My safety is only ensured by his word. Pardon me for not being enthusiastic about a pirate and his word.”
“Zane is not what he appears, Miss Whitney. Careful you do not fail to appreciate his good intentions.”
“You mean his intentions to bed me?” Inflamed, she faced Blade with defiance. “I have no use for him or any other man.” She squared her shoulders. “I have control over my own destiny. Not some arrogant arse. I am not a possession to twist on the whim of a besotted beast who values me only as long as his stomach is emp
ty or his prick is hard.”
Blade smirked at her assertive language. “You have formed an ill-conceived opinion about the male sex. In our defense, I must say that it is a damned shame, for we are not all worthless cads. Above all, Zane.”
“And what makes him different?”
“He has an infallible conviction. He’s honorable. He has compassion.”
“Not traits found among pirates.” She crossed her arms.
“No. But traits which prove Zane’s leadership and gain him steadfast loyalty, even among the roughest fiends.” Blade’s gaze trailed out across the ship to the men toiling around. “Most of those bastards have committed some sort of the most heinous sins of mankind, ravaging homes, destroying livelihoods, violent rape or senseless murder. But every one of those hapless monsters respects their captain.” He paused, seemingly singling out a tar among the buccaneers. “Well, almost everyone, anyway.” Blade returned his sights to her. She caught the darkness in his eyes before they softened with his shrug.
Lianna turned back to the open sea and gazed down at the breaking waves left by the ship’s wake. She had already known Captain Fox capable of compassion. After all, an immoral rogue would not save a beggar boy’s life or see to a serving wench’s safety. Or even bring her a book to stave off tedium. He made her head spin. Lianna didn’t want to talk about him anymore. She spent far too much time thinking about the enticing rogue as it was. No good could come from fantasies involving a pirate captain. She sought to change the subject.
“What about you, Mr. Tyburn? Are you honorable and compassionate?” Trifling. You’re trifling. With the devil’s advocate at that. You’re sure to end up in a compromising position. You should be throttled. Yes, throttled.
She warmed at the thought. Blade in her bed surrounded by thick, smooth pillows, getting intimate.
Wait, with Zane, in his bed, getting intimate.
Oh, good grief. These errant thoughts were getting the better of her. She may abhor men but she was still a woman with needs. It had been a long time and she craved a man’s touch. But whose touch? She inwardly groaned at her confusing indecision.
If Blade’s dimples got any deeper, there would be no doubts. His sheer animal attraction drew her in, fast.
“Compassionate? Unequivocally,” Blade stated. “So much so that I dare say you will ache for my charity until the end of time. Honorable? Well, that depends on my mood. And right now, your toying wit and pretty lips are destroying any chance of my behaving virtuously.”
“You are certainly cocksure. A bit fanciful, to be sure.”
Blade turned to lean on the rail, shoulder to shoulder with her. “I couldn’t have said it better myself, sweet lady.” His voice hummed low, nearly a whisper, as he stared at her mouth. “How about I offer up a little generosity now?”
He leaned in to kiss her. So close was he that his green eyes seemed to look down into her very soul, rendering her useless, a gelatinous mess. The rest of the world faded away. He made her dizzy, his musky scent washing over her. His slightly parted lips lingered just above her mouth, ready to swoop in for the taking. She instinctively wet her lips, anticipating him.
“Ahem.”
Damn. Not again. What does a girl have to do to get a kiss on this blasted ship?
Lianna and Blade abruptly turned around. Her blood iced over. Zane stood only three feet away, his hand rested on the pistol at his hip, and appearing rather waspish.
“Looks like I got here just in time, eh, brother?” The anger flashing in his blue eyes was the only movement on Zane’s stony expression. Lianna was quick to notice how he kneaded his pistol grip as if to keep his fury in check.
“’Tis a pity, too.” Blade sighed ruefully, without regard to Zane’s agitation. “Miss Whitney has been a delightful conversationalist and I was just about to show her my gratitude.”
“I’m sure a ‘thank you’ will suffice,” Zane said flatly.
Blade took a step back and bowed to Lianna. “It has been a pleasure, sweet lady. I do hope I get another chance to engage you in more talks of principled conduct. I am sure we can come to an agreement in the character of morality.”
“Only if you embrace my viewpoint, Mr. Tyburn.”
A knowing smile flickered across Blade’s face. He winked at Zane before he headed for the main deck.
Lianna avoided eye contact as the weight of Zane’s stare crushed her. Cowardly, she turned to look out at the sea, searching for anything to occupy the uncomfortable space that began to suffocate her.
“Oh, look. Dolphins!”
“Come. Walk with me.”
Zane didn’t offer his arm and she had to take quick steps to catch up and keep pace. Lianna didn’t care to be put off. Pertly, she wrapped her arm around his. The muscles in his forearm tensed, but he said nothing as they made their way to the back of the brigantine.
“Will we be at Tortuga soon?” His silence worried her, scared her even. ’Twas glaringly obvious that he burned hot with anger. But how hot and at whom? Well, of course, he had to be upset with her. Again. All men blame women for their carnal overtures. Doesn’t the doe entice the buck in a chase? Aren’t women the root of all that is corrupt in a man? She understood that jaundiced eye all too well. Still, she wanted to get Zane talking, feel him out. Lianna didn’t want to enrage him to the point that he reneged on his promise.
“We will arrive late tomorrow night.” No inflection varied his tone.
“Will I be taken to shore then?” She fished for answers. Was he as honorable as Blade said?
“No.”
Don’t panic. He probably would rather wait for daylight, she reasoned. “In the morning then. It’s just as well. I would much rather go ashore under the safety of the sun than cloaked in the risk of darkness.”
“No. Not the daybreak either.”
Lianna’s eyes grew wide. “What? We had an agreement.” Damn him. She snatched her arm away from him and stood firm on her spot. “You lying pile of horse shit!”
Zane came to a precipitant stop and turned to face her. “Miss Whitney, if you intend to berate me, I will feel hastened to return you to your cabin and not prioritize your departure from this vessel or well being thereafter. Curb your enthusiastic prejudice and do well to listen to me.” He walked on to the aft. She followed, stricken by his calm, effective authority.
Taking out his spyglass, he searched the horizon. Could Commodore Bennington be near? She stood next to him, impatient, fingers drumming the rail. Below them, the swirling water sucked and rolled in the wake of the ship, leaving a violent backwash. They seemed to have picked up speed. She imploringly looked to Zane. She would bet he relished making her uncomfortable with his excessively long silence. He must want to make her suffer for chancing a near kiss with Blade.
Scanning the sea he finally spoke. “When we arrive at Tortuga, I will send a man to shore to find a colleague of mine, Captain Drake. He is a trusted friend, albeit one with a high price. He will see that no harm comes to you and take you home. Tortuga is a favorite haunting ground of his and he should be easily found. There is, however, a chance the Widow Maker has been, shall we say, commissioned.”
“The Widow Maker?”
“Drake’s ship.”
Blazes. Lianna clicked her tongue, slowly shaking her head. She was ever in a quandary. Of course she should be passed off to another blackguard who names his ship according to his stature. One who may not be as honorable as the captain before her, keenly searching the ocean horizon.
“Sailing with a sole passenger is not profitable,” she said. “I doubt Captain Drake will want to voyage to Nassau merely to take me home. Why would he do such a thing?”
“Because I will have asked him to.”
That wouldn’t be reason enough, surely. How much would his favor cost Captain Fox?
“Should he not be in port, I will need to secure you another passage. And that may take time, which is severely lacking. You do not want to be on a vessel encountering the
Royal Navy on your return voyage. Any captain would be forthwith in handing you over in hopes of avoiding a deadly scrimmage. In the hands of Commodore Bennington, you are as good as dead.
“So you see, Miss Whitney.” He paused to focus the telescope. “I am upholding my end of the bargain. You will be released from my custody whenever I see it fit for your protection. With any luck, your transference will be before daybreak.”
“My apologies for my quick temper, Captain Fox.” Lianna didn’t usually apologize to anyone, but she had been close to crossing the line with him. Best to stand down. “I am not used to many kindnesses.”
Zane brought down the spyglass and looked her over. His face softened, he tilted his head to the side, studying her. “I am not used to being kind.”
Lianna tsked. “That’s a lie. I think you are a very kind man.” She placed her hand on his arm.
He peered down to where she touched him. “’Tis a mistake you have made in your assessment of me.”
“I don’t believe it. You must have been in a foul mood then when you sent me the book. And thank you. I have enjoyed reading the passages. Have you read it?”
“I haven’t the inclination for such leisure.”
She had a hint otherwise. He had indeed read the book. But she decided not to call him on it. He obviously did not want her to think of him as a man of character. “Well then sir, what is it you do in your repose?”
Lines around the corner of his mouth flickered, something mischievous flashed behind his blue eyes. Her question had been innocent enough, but Lianna thought she may have just opened the lion’s cage.
“Mayhap you don’t want to know.”
“Perhaps not.” Whew, dodged that bullet.
“We should discuss the medallion.” He returned to searching the distance. “I am sure you would like to hold onto it until just before we depart company.”
“That I would.”
“Indeed. Thus far, it has been safe with you in your locked cabin. However, I don’t want to make an exchange in haste upon your leaving.”
“Then, we should discuss this exchange further. Dinner, again?” Even as she said it, she surprised herself. She found that she wanted to be with him, this precarious man, for just a little longer before they parted ways forever. Her curiosity may very well kill her. No matter, his lure pulled too strong.
Romancing the Pirate 01 - Blood and Treasure Page 6