Adrienne lolled on the pillows, and Nathan drew the bedclothes up to cover her nakedness. She was happy—glowing with a sense of completion—and it made him distinctly uneasy. Feeling her eyes on him, Nathan pulled on a pair of breeches. He was pouring from the second bottle of champagne they'd opened that day when his head cleared.
His agreement with Nicholai Beauvisage had been violated! Adrienne would not be virtuous when she reached her twenty-first birthday, and he would not receive the land in Barbados! Why was it that his brain always seemed to be out of commission during crucial moments of decision—like the one he'd reached when Adrienne came up against him in bed? Nathan's face was stormy and distracted as he returned to her with their cups.
"What is it?" she asked, concerned.
He'd be a worse beast than he already felt if he brought up this selfish issue just minutes after making love to her. So he tried to smile again. "Nothing, sweet Adrienne." He ran a hand over her hair, rather in the manner of a fond brother. "I'm tired."
"Mmm. So am I." She drank down the champagne, then lay back on the pillows to savor the afterglow. "I think I'll go back to sleep for a bit."
"Good. You may need to sleep until morning." Realizing that she was waiting for him to join her, Nathan removed his breeches and climbed back into bed. Darkness slowly covered the cabin as the ocean rocked them.
"I'm glad you don't have to go on deck and be the captain," Adrienne murmured drowsily. She snuggled close, her cheek on his chest.
"Well, even captains must sleep, or I'll be no good at all. I have complete trust in Minter."
"Can I tell you a secret?"
He felt as if a heavy weight were pressing on him. "You won't regret it later, I hope...."
"Don't be silly. I just wanted to tell you that I'm not so sorry to be here as I said I was. In truth, I don't want to go back to France or to Harms Castle anymore. I want to stay with you and continue this marvelous adventure."
Nathan felt queasy. "The champagne's gone to your head, my dear. Close your eyes now, hmm?"
Soon she did sleep, but he could not.
* * *
Zachary Minter gave the night watch to a seaman named Braddock. When he rose at dawn and went above, there was Captain Raveneau, pacing on the quarterdeck as if he'd never gone away at all. The sight of him did Minter's heart good.
The dawn sky was the color of English roses, but the coast of Britain was fading from sight as the Golden Eagle sailed deeper into the Channel. Once again all was right with the world as Minter hurried to join his captain and friend.
"Good morning, sir!" he exclaimed as he approached. "I don't mind telling you that it's truly fine to see you back on your quarterdeck where you belong!" His smile faded, however, when Raveneau turned. His eyes and cheekbones were shadowed. There were furrows in his brow and the scent of brandy on his breath.
"No need to scold me, Zach. Yes, I've been drinking, but I don't think it counts as before breakfast since I've scarcely slept." Nathan went to the rail and stared out over the choppy water. "I'd like to say that the simple joy of being at sea again kept me awake, but that wouldn't be quite true."
Minter's task, always, was to discover the real problem Raveneau inevitably tried to disguise. "What's causing you such torment?" As he spoke, a cloud of suspicion gathered over him. "I hope it isn't that wench! There's been nothing but trouble since the day she came into our lives!"
"Our lives?"
"I've been inconvenienced as much as you, Captain! Maybe more."
"Well, cheer up then. Our involvement with Miss Beauvisage may be at an end after all." He looked utterly miserable as he spoke.
As the sun rose higher, more men appeared on deck, and that made Zachary nervous. "See here, old friend, I must insist that you stop telling riddles and lay this matter out before me. Perhaps I'm dim, but quite frankly, I don't know what the devil is going on!" He caught Nathan's sleeve and tugged at it. "Look at me and tell me the truth. You know you will sooner or later, so let's get it over with."
Nathan grimaced as if he were in pain but met the other man's penetrating eyes. "I explained to you the terms of my agreement with Adrienne's father?"
"You were to keep her out of mischief and danger until her twenty-first birthday in August, and in return, Beauvisage promised you the land adjoining Xavier Crowe's estate."
"Right." Nathan cleared his throat. "Did I mention the part about my responsibility to see to it that she reach her birthday with her virtue intact?"
"I don't remember." Zach peered at him, eyes narrowed. "Yesterday you said that we had to keep her with us in order to fulfill the twenty-first birthday rule. Now you're hinting that the bargain may be off and Miss Beauvisage may part ways with us. Don't tell me that you..."
Raveneau looked guilty. "It's a complicated situation."
"God's foot! I—I'm speechless!"
"It's no use shouting at me. I can't believe it happened either, and I've been heaping condemnation on myself for the past dozen hours. To think that I put myself through endless ordeals at Harms Castle, all so that I could obtain that priceless land on Barbados—and then, when I finally escape to the haven of my ship and my crew—"
"Were you drunk?"
"No. But I had been sleeping." He added hopefully, "Perhaps I thought it was a dream. Might that excuse me?"
"No. If you ask me, which you haven't, I'd venture to guess that there's more involved here than pure mindless lust. You just won't admit to it yourself! I'm not blind, sir, and I can see quite clearly that there is a bond of some sort—"
Raveneau clapped a hand over the smaller man's mouth. "Don't say that! Adrienne Beauvisage is the last woman on earth I would choose to be bound to—let alone—" He paused to swallow. "—love. She's a hellion! Unmanageable, headstrong—"
"Sounds to me like a match made in—"
"Hell," Nathan insisted grimly.
"So, now that you've had your way with her, we're taking her home to France and admitting defeat to her father, who trusted you to protect her from scoundrels of your ilk? Then we'll sail on home to Barbados and forget we ever knew Miss Beauvisage?"
Nathan closed his eyes. "I will despise myself for the rest of my life if I let that land, and the opportunity to finally do in Xavier Crowe, slip through my fingers—simply because I—"
"I'm growing bored listening to you scold yourself. What is Miss Beauvisage's current view of the situation?"
A steward appeared with two mugs of strong hot coffee, and they paused to drink for a few minutes. "God, I'd forgotten how vile this coffee is," Nathan said, then drank some more. "There's nothing like the taste of boiled, bitter coffee mingled with a gust of salty sea air." He took a deep breath and grinned. Zachary only stared in response, waiting. "Oh, yes. Adrienne. Well, she seems to have thawed a bit toward me."
"She's no longer begging to be rescued from this abduction?"
"Uh—no." A slow flush crept over Nathan's face, giving him a boyish look. "In fact, she has confessed that she's rather fond of me and would rather sail to Barbados with us than do anything else."
"I see! No wonder you're in this state."
"Have I ever told you, Zach, that sometimes you behave like my mother?"
"Someone must." Looking around, Zach saw that there were men who needed direction and tasks to which he should attend. "See here, Captain, the morning advances! I'll give you one choice piece of advice, all right?"
"I am listening."
"It seems to me that you can still have the land you covet on Barbados. Nicholai Beauvisage is a friend, is he not? If his daughter is a hellion who has sworn off marriage, it seems highly likely to me that he'd be overjoyed to see her wedded to you. He would doubtless view you as just the son-in-law he'd choose, and he would be delighted to give you that land." Minter watched his comrade's expression carefully. "Of course, Miss Beauvisage could decline your proposal and decide to return to France after all."
"Proposal? I can't believe my ears! Are you sug
gesting that I actually marry that little spitfire?" He strode across the quarterdeck, then back again. "You are mad, Zach!" Nathan stopped, and his brow cleared. "But wait. This is another of your jests, isn't it?"
"Oh, no, I'm quite serious. Haven't you ever heard of a marriage of convenience? Of course, she probably won't agree to such a risky scheme...."
Nathan put a hand to his thudding heart. "Have I not told you that risky is Adrienne's favorite word? I would like to know why you don't mention my feelings on this subject? Why do you assume that Adrienne is the only participant who would need convincing?"
Minter shrugged. "I know you love these sparring matches, Captain, but there is work to be done. Look at that inept seaman in the ratlines!" Turning away, calling to the boatswain, he looked back one last time at his oldest friend. "We both know that you've never had time or the inclination to search out real love. So why not marry for more practical reasons? Can you think of a better reason than the land you yearn for? Besides, Miss Beauvisage is hardly spinsterish. She'd give you beautiful children."
With that, Zachary Minter went off to oversee all the details on board the Golden Eagle that the captain was too preoccupied to bother with.
Nathan, meanwhile, stood gripping the quarterdeck rail, his entire being in turmoil. He was exhausted, frustrated, and more confused than he could ever remember feeling. In fact, confusion had visited him rarely in the past. Even as a child, he'd always known his own mind and had been certain of his needs and abilities.
Until Adrienne. Damn her!
There seemed to be nothing for it but to go below and talk with her, even though Zach's plan seemed too ludicrous for words.
Walking along the shadowed gangway, Nathan recognized Franklin Crenshaw approaching from the other direction, an empty tray in his hand. The sight of his captain made him go scarlet.
"I—I've just taken breakfast to Miss Beauvisage, sir," he stammered when they were face to face. "She requested it."
"That was good of you, Crenshaw." He stared hard at the young man, wondering why he looked so embarrassed. "I trust that nothing was amiss?"
"No, sir, I don't think so! Miss Beauvisage could not have been more charming."
"I see." He arched a dubious brow. "Thank you, then. Back to work."
Moments later Nathan entered his own cabin and found Adrienne sitting up in the sunlit bed, wearing his shirt and happily buttering a muffin. At least her bare legs were safely tucked under the covers, but that was little consolation given the rest of her appearance.
"Good morning!" she called, beaming at the sight of him. "Goodness, you look more and more like a real pirate. Will we bury treasure on your island?"
Her glossy hair was still long and loose. One curl drooped appealingly over her eye. Nathan couldn't help feeling alarmed by the strength of his attraction to her. "Couldn't you have scraped together a little of your celebrated breeding and gotten dressed before you called for breakfast? You'll soon have my entire crew in a lather!"
Adrienne laughed, pink-cheeked. "Have a bite of my muffin. It's surprisingly tasty." She was so terribly happy that nothing he said could dampen her spirits. "You have that stormy look. I know it can't be anything I've done, because I've been sleeping ever since we kissed good night. Come and sit down and tell me what's wrong."
Disarmed, Nathan did as she bade. He perched on the edge of what had been his very own bed and was taken aback when Adrienne leaned forward and kissed him.
"Mmmm. Even after brandy and a cheroot, you still taste good." Her eyes sparkled with daring. After long weeks spent trying to conform to a prescribed role at Harms Castle, she was finally able to give free rein to her true self. Nathan had certainly approved of her impetuous streak in bed last night, and the tenderness and closeness they'd shared had allowed Adrienne to open her heart at last. "I've missed you. How long have you been awake?"
"Hours." In search of a distraction, he sampled a piece of muffin. "I... have had a great deal on my mind."
Instinct made the little hairs on her neck prickle. "Please don't tell me you're speaking of regrets." She took her hand from his arm and moved back into the pillows.
"This isn't about regrets, or even sentiment," he said coolly. It took real determination to steel himself against feelings that would only get him further into trouble. "I lost my head last night and I've been trying to straighten this matter out ever since, with little success."
"This matter?" Adrienne repeated. Her heart began to ache.
"For God's sake, can't we simply discuss this as two grown people, perhaps even as friends? We've been through a great deal together, after all. Just this once, try to lead with your fine intellect rather than your fiery emotions!"
She jumped out of the bed, set the tray of breakfast dishes on the table, and began dressing. "Obviously you and I were differently disposed last evening. Let me restore my shattered modesty, and then we'll sit down and untangle our affairs."
It was impossible not to hear the throb in her voice. When she had slipped on a simple muslin gown and couldn't reach to fasten the back, Nathan walked over and assisted. Both of them were aware that his strong fingers were trembling slightly.
Adrienne pulled her hair back with a ribbon, took a seat at the table, and folded her hands. "Now I am ready."
"Well, this is all very simple, actually. Or it can be." Somehow he found himself wandering over to the cellaret, where bottles were fitted into niches and securely stoppered. This was thirsty business. After pouring himself a small glassful of brandy, Nathan drank, but he felt no better.
"Anything would seem simple to a man who freely indulges in strong spirits at dawn," Adrienne observed politely.
"Just once would you let me have my say?" He began pacing, moving with the motion of the ship. "Perhaps, as a woman, you do not understand that men are created differently when it comes to... uh, mating."
"Pray instruct me."
He paused near the table, aware of her cutting look, and refolded his left cuff. "Well, when a man has an opportunity to—be with a woman, it seems that that urge overrules all civilized impulses. His mind, his reasoning power, and his sense of discipline are swept away by a powerful ancient instinct that women will never be able to comprehend."
If she hadn't been so furious, Adrienne would have laughed. "Fascinating! And women don't have such instincts?"
Swallowing hard, he offered, "As a man, I really couldn't say, but I have always been told that ladies are more concerned with more delicate matters—like romance and marriage."
"This has been an informative lesson indeed, sir!" Her hands were clenched. "And what bearing might it have on me? Could you be telling me that last night you were in the grip of 'ancient instincts' too powerful for you to control? That your need to 'mate' rendered you temporarily senseless?"
Nathan glanced at her under his lashes. "Something like that," he muttered.
"Which means, of course, that I mustn't delude myself that you care for me." Adrienne caught the back of his shirt as he turned. "If you are such a big brave man, why can you not sit down and look me in the eye?"
He did so. "All right, I admit it—I'm ashamed of my own behavior toward you. At Harms Castle I was able to maintain a semblance of honor, but that's gone now." The sight of her pale face and bright eyes made him straighten his shoulders. "We both should face facts and admit that neither of us is suited to the sort of romance our parents have enjoyed in their marriages. You and I are both stubborn and fond of our independence. We like to take risks and dislike compromise—"
"So last night was just another adventure for us?"
Nathan leaned toward her with a tentative smile. "You might say that, yes! If you look at it that way, it will be easier to store our... interlude away in your memory and not expect me to become someone I am not."
"Oh, I understand perfectly. You're a rogue."
He grinned. "And you're a gently bred vixen. We're not cut out for romantic love. As long as we understand each ot
her, we can manage quite well."
"What did you have in mind?" Adrienne inquired.
Now he was really skating on thin ice, particularly with a woman as perceptive as Adrienne. Longing to jump up and resume pacing, Nathan instead held her gaze. "I've been cutting myself to ribbons this morning—over my failure to live up to my bargain with your father. He trusted me to protect you."
"I was the lamb, and you the wolf in sheep's clothing?"
"It's not as if I plotted your seduction, for God's sake, or took you against your will!"
"That's true. And now what do you intend to do with me? Does your honor, or lack of same, allow us to carry on as if last night never happened? My father wouldn't know, and I wouldn't tell."
"Then you suggest that we both deceive him?"
Adrienne tossed her chestnut curls. "I've been doing it all my life and Papa is used to it, though I do think deception is rather a strong word. I call it managing my own life."
"You really do want to go to Barbados?" He watched her, but her usually expressive face was closed.
"Yes. Have I not told you so? I'm looking forward to it."
"Believe it or not, I am a man of honor. I would not consciously deceive your father, especially in this case. I could not accept land I hadn't earned. However, there is one possible solution—if you, and then your father, agree."
Hope fluttered inside Adrienne's heart like a little bird, but she couldn't let him see. "Yes?"
The words caught in his throat. "I—well, it seems to me that there is a way for both of us to have what we want, but it strikes even me as rather coldblooded." She didn't encourage him except to hold his eyes, waiting. "We could marry."
Chills ran over her body. "What, exactly, are you proposing?"
"Neither of us has wanted to marry for love. Why not join our houses for more practical reasons? You'll have the life of adventure you desire in wild Barbados, and I'll have that land I covet." He smiled jauntily. "It would solve my problems with all the mothers of marriageable daughters as well!"
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