Lost Honor

by Loreen Augeri

  She jerked away from him. “Did your mother also tell you to bed her before you married?”

  “I was drunk. I don’t remember doing it.”

  Arianna jumped back with a cry. “You ruined the woman and have no recollection of it. How could you treat her so?”

  Now she was defending Susan? “I’m not proud of my actions, but it happened before I met you. Once I came to know you—”

  “You seduced me.”

  “Because I fell in love with you and you with me.”

  Unable to help himself, he wrapped her in his tight embrace. Arianna fought for freedom until Morgan lowered his mouth and slid his lips across hers, enticing, persuading. With a cry, Arianna surrendered, sinking into his arms.

  ****

  She had to stop, but Arianna didn’t want to. Morgan felt heavenly and his warm, smooth, firm lips moist and sensual. His body molded to hers, fiery and muscular. The resources she had pulled together to withstand his assault on her emotions quickly melted away, leaving her defenseless. Opening her mouth, he thrust inside, and she joined her tongue with his while her mind fought her heart for control.

  His hand caressed her naked breast, and she almost swooned with pleasure. When had he unfastened the two buttons on her shirt?

  This wasn’t right. She didn’t want to do this.

  His taste and smell engaged her senses. Oh, but she did. It was the only place she wished to be. The air around them sizzled with released pent-up desire. Her insistent mind sliced through the need, the longing, the love. He didn’t really love her. If he did, he wouldn’t have treated her so. Gathering her willpower and sanity, she reluctantly shoved him away.

  He grabbed for her.

  She swung her arm back and slapped him across the face. Her eyes widened, and a gasp escaped as she realized what she had done.

  Astonishment and anger carved his face as he stared at her. “I suppose I deserved that, but don’t ever do it again.”

  “Then, don’t ever touch me again. I will not be a whore or play mistress to a married man.” The red imprint of her hand marked his face. It took all the courage she possessed to face him. She hadn’t meant to strike him, it just happened.

  “You have made your position clear.” He turned and marched from the room.

  She dropped onto the bed and buried her face in her hands.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  As Arianna stood at the railing, the city of Boston slid into view. She sagged with relief. This tension-filled trip was finally at an end. She hated to part from Morgan but to stay together was a worse fate. If temptation tested her much longer, she feared she might succumb to the longings of her heart.

  “Do you have a place to stay once we dock?” Andrew asked as he came up beside her.

  “No, but I’m sure I can find lodgings until I’m hired on a ship heading back to England.” This adventure had not started or ended as she envisioned. Her heart was no longer in it, but she had no choice or money except what she would earn as a seaman.

  “Working on another ship is dangerous.”

  She gripped the rail. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll give you money, so you can travel as a paying passenger.”

  The wind blew strands of hair across her face. She flipped them back with her hand. “Thank you for the offer, but I can’t take money from you.”

  “Then, think of it as a loan. You can pay me back once you reach England.” He shifted his feet. “If you like, I could go with you. A woman alone isn’t safe.”

  Andrew was handsome, pleasant, and honorable, and if Morgan hadn’t captured her heart, Andrew might have stolen it. She smiled at him. “I am sure you have better things to do and a family to visit.”

  “I like to see them but after a few days… I have a hankering to visit England again.”

  Maybe he could take her mind off Morgan and disperse the despair that had settled over her in a gray cloud. The last week had seemed like a year. Her arms and legs had worked automatically with no real thought behind them. She struggled not to glance Morgan’s way when they were on deck at the same time, but her gaze drifted to him without realizing it. Not once did he look back.

  He never really wanted her. After she slapped him—how could she have done that—he probably decided she was too much work. With his face and muscular build, she was sure plenty of women followed, flirted, and did much more with him. She was one among hundreds. Self-loathing filled her when she realized, like them, she had fallen into his trap.

  Andrew cleared his throat. He still waited for an answer. Rising on tiptoe, she kissed his cheek. “I can’t stop you if you want to visit England but don’t leave all you have here on my account. You want to be around for your sister’s wedding.” She gripped the railing again and stared up at the sea gulls circling the boat. “I will be gone by then.”

  Her heart wouldn’t survive seeing and possibly encountering the newly married couple.

  He hesitated. “My sister would understand.”

  “I wouldn’t if I were her. Stay for her sake as well as Morgan’s.”

  Andrew pursed his lips. “I could care less what Morgan needs.”

  “Don’t you think he deserves a second chance? He is trying to make things right.”

  “How can you defend him after what he did to you?” His face reddened beneath his tan.

  “Our situation and relationship is different than yours and his. He is your closest friend and will soon be your brother-in-law. He needs you. Forgive him.”

  “I will consider your words.” He shifted his feet and looked down at his shoes. “Did he get you with child? If he did, I will marry you and raise the child as my own.”

  She didn’t know. Her monthly flow hadn’t appeared, but she had never been regular. Refusing to allow him to sacrifice his life for her sake, she lied, her face hot with embarrassment. “No. I was lucky.”

  He nodded sharply. “So, will you accept my loan?”

  “I will have to think on it.”

  ****

  Morgan spied Arianna kiss Andrew’s cheek, and a knife pierced his soul. He clenched his hands into fists as rage simmered below the surface. What he wouldn’t give to feel those lips on his skin, again. But what they had was over. He rubbed his cheek. She had made her feelings perfectly clear. His new life was about to begin.

  Andrew strode to the quarterdeck, and a ball of grief settled in Morgan’s stomach. He missed his friend. As they sailed smoothly into the harbor, Andrew relayed Morgan’s orders, but Andrew didn’t speak to him unless it concerned the ship or crew.

  Arianna scurried up into the shrouds to help the men reef the sails. He would not stop her. He had already taken too much from her. But his heart twisted in fear the entire time.

  Once they were safely docked, Arianna disappeared below. Since Shark had stolen his cargo and he need not see to it, he soon followed. He found her in his cabin gathering her meager belongings. Her head jerked up as he entered. Emotions flooded him, but he forced them back.

  “I’ll soon be out of your way. I wanted to collect my bag.” Her voice held an impersonal note.

  He couldn’t allow her to traverse a strange city on her own. “There is no hurry.” Morgan strode to his desk and dropped into the chair behind it. He rolled a quill between his palms as ways to delay her ran through his mind, until one intrigued him.

  She started toward the door.

  “Arianna, where are you going?”

  “To find a room for the night.”

  He raised a brow. “Do you have money?”

  She stood straight and tall. “Not yet. I’d like to have my earnings now.”

  “Why would I pay you? You were a stowaway.”

  She planted her palms on the mahogany desk. “Morgan, I worked hard for that money.”

  He rose and sauntered toward the door. If she disagreed with his plan and tried to escape, he would stop her. He didn’t like what he was about to do, but she never listened to reason, and he had a resp
onsibility toward her. “I never hired you.”

  “You are being unfair. Of course, I never became acquainted with the true you.” She studied him as he lounged against the door, her eyes wary. “Forget it. Andrew offered to loan me what I need.” She headed toward him, and when Morgan didn’t move, she stood toe to toe with him, all five feet of her. “Please move.”

  “You are going nowhere.”

  Her sky-blue eyes rounded. “What?”

  “As a stowaway, I can have you thrown in jail.”

  She stepped back and huffed with indignation. “You wouldn’t.”

  Arianna knew him too well. He brushed a crease from his pants. “I might.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Let me go.”

  “I can’t do that. Since you set foot on this ship, you are under my protection.” Morgan tugged on the sleeves of his shirt.

  “No, I am not. I can take care of myself.” Her chest heaved with her words and growing agitation.

  “Sorry, I take my duties seriously. You will stay at my house until I can escort you to England.”

  “That could take weeks,” she screeched.

  He paused and nodded. “It may.”

  Why was he doing this to himself? He was mad. It would be torture to see her every day and not be able to touch her.

  He deserved the agony.

  Should Arianna have to suffer along with him? No, but it couldn’t be helped. She should have never hid on his ship like an impulsive, spoiled child. He would make it up to her someway.

  She broke into his inner musings. “Andrew offered to take me back. I’ll go with him.” Her voice sounded breathless as if she had run miles.

  So that was what they had spoken about. He should have known. But hadn’t he pushed them together? Wanted them to marry? Now, he couldn’t bear to think of her in Andrew’s arms, in Andrew’s bed. He shook his head to dispel the horrible image. He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. She drove him crazy.

  “My ship, my rules.”

  “You can’t do this.” Her gaze spun about the room, seeking a way out.

  “I can do whatever I want to a stowaway.”

  “I really wasn’t a stowaway. It was all a big mistake.” She frantically searched for a solution.

  “We have already had that discussion. I need you to wait here while I provide for transportation.”

  “You can’t do this,” she repeated.

  He sighed. “Would you rather I turn you over to the authorities?”

  She didn’t answer as she debated which alternative to choose.

  His heart raced. Did she hate him so much she’d rather go to jail? He erased his emotions from his face as if he didn’t care which decision she came to.

  “No.” She sighed in defeat.

  He didn’t trust her. She was much too smart and sneaky. He gestured to her with a flick of his fingers. “Come here.”

  She stared at him with wary eyes. “No.”

  “Are we going to have to do this the hard way?” He started toward her.

  “Do what?” Her quivering voice rose. She swallowed.

  He picked up a length of rope that lay on the table.

  Arianna’s eyes rounded as her gaze latched on his hand and what he held in it. “What are you going to do?” Her voice squeaked.

  “I want to make sure you are here when I return. You are not known for following orders.”

  She collected herself, drew her body up, and stared into his eyes. “You are not tying me up with that rope.”

  “Sorry. But I have to.” He was going to hate himself later.

  She retreated around the desk, placing the furniture between them. Her gaze raced to the door.

  “Forget it. You would never make it.”

  “Morgan, why are you doing this?”

  “I’ve already given you my reason. Now come here.”

  “No.” Arianna watched his every move.

  Arianna had engaged his natural ability to laugh and feel, but he could still cloak his emotions and plans when he wanted to. He had years of experience. She would not spy his next move, no matter how hard she tried.

  He lunged across the desk and captured her wrists.

  She squealed and jerked back. “Get your hands off me,” she screamed, digging in her heels and pulling with all the power she possessed.

  She may be small, but she was strong. He was stronger. He held both her wrists together in one hand, and while she struggled and squirmed, he bent over the desk and wound the rope around them.

  “I’ll never forgive you for this.”

  “I know,” he muttered quietly. He would never forgive himself. Morgan dragged her to his berth, pushed her onto it, and tied the other end to the bed leg.

  Just in time.

  As soon as she unscrambled herself, she vaulted up and lashed out at him with kicking feet. “You’ll regret this.”

  He already did. Morgan jumped back beyond her reach. “I realize that, love.”

  With her blonde hair tumbled about her head, her red face filled with anger, her blue eyes shooting sparks of fire and her white teeth clenched in rage, she never looked more beautiful. But she would never be his. If only he lived in the days of the Vikings and he had captured her to be his slave. Then she could never leave. No, he wanted her as an equal. Wanted not just her body, but her soul and her love.

  Unfortunately, now that could never be. But he could save her from herself.

  He opened the door. “I’ll be back, shortly.”

  “I hate you!” she cried.

  Short, firm words packed with meaning that destroyed him. He faltered for a moment and then strode from the room.

  ****

  Arianna screamed as she yanked at the bindings. How dare he tie her up like a wild animal. She tugged and pulled mindlessly until her fury diminished and reasonable thought once again took its place. She plopped onto the berth in defeat. He thought he could take charge of everyone’s life. That those within his realm had to obey his commands. Well, she would not.

  If only she had a knife.

  To cut the rope. Or to kill him.

  Twisting her head from one side to the other, she scanned the room. There had to be something she could use to escape. She jumped up and started toward the desk. The rope jerked her back.

  The drawers beneath his berth. She could reach those, and she had found a knife there before. Was there another? She fell to her knees, and with her tied hands, she began dumping his clothes onto the floor. He didn’t like his possessions disturbed. Evil laughter spilled from her mouth. Wait until he spied her handiwork.

  The drawer completely emptied and no knife discovered, her hopes tumbled down a steep incline, and she collapsed onto her haunches. The knot securing her to the bed leg taunted her. It was right before her eyes. Why hadn’t she seen it before? She began tearing at it with her fingers, but even though she knew knots, with her hands restrained as they were, she hardly made any progress.

  The door swung open and the arrogant, vile beast stood there. He stiffened and his eyes darkened as he took in the condition of the room. For a few satisfying minutes, he refrained from speaking.

  She faced him squarely. Not one ounce of guilt that she had attempted to escape showed on her body. Because she didn’t feel any.

  “Time to go.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  He stalked toward her, and she scampered back, scattering his clothes with her feet, but she was on a short leash.

  He captured her shoulders. “Don’t move.”

  Standing a better chance of defending herself with her hands free, she obeyed.

  He frowned as he worked on her bindings. “You injured yourself. Why couldn’t you sit quietly until I returned?”

  “Why did you have to tie me?” Her red wrists, chafed from the rope, stung.

  Morgan glared at her. “I’ll rub a healing salve on them after you are settled at the house.”r />
  “Are you going to imprison me there also?”

  “Will I have to?”

  She narrowed her eyes. Again, he answered her question with a question of his own. “I will not stay with you.”

  “Then, you have your answer.” The rope dropped to the floor. Circling her upper arm, he helped her to her feet. “Let’s go.”

  She jerked away from him.

  “Are you going to walk off this ship with me quietly or will it be over my shoulder kicking and screaming?”

  As much as she hated this situation, she would endure it with dignity. She wouldn’t allow him to humiliate her further. She stalked past him and up onto the deck. Dark, gray clouds that matched her mood hovered overhead. She would miss this ship and the friends she had made. She wished she could say good-bye to them, but Morgan would never allow it. She stomped down the plank bouncing beneath her feet with Morgan following close behind. When she reached the end, his hand clamped around her upper arm again. She struggled to dislodge it with no success. Apparently, he didn’t trust her. Wise man.

  “This way.”

  He escorted her around crates and barrels and men of various descriptions, hurrying back and forth, straining under weight or calling to each other. She breathed deeply of the familiar smells of fish, salty ocean water, and unwashed bodies.

  A carriage awaited them at the end of the dock. Still holding her arm, he opened the door and urged her inside the darkened interior.

  “Morgan, can I ride with you to the house?” a voice asked.

  “Get in.”

  Harry entered. He smiled as he sat on the seat opposite her. “What are you doing here? Is Morgan dropping you off at a suitable lodging?”