She glanced at the shirt in her hands and lifted golden eyes to his. They held no anger. She had risen to take his bait a moment ago, but now the gentleness in her eyes set her own hook into his heart. “Thank you, Jaxon.”
* * * *
Later that day, eight white shrouds lined the sides of the ship. Jaxon moved slowly past each one in a silent salute honoring their service to him. Eight men’s bodies waiting to slip into the sea, with weights lashed to their ankles and a final sail stitched through their nose. A gruesome practice, but better to know a man is truly dead than to slide a body not quite done living.
The crew gathered to show their respects. Gavin Quinn shouted, “Ship’s Company…Off hats.” Every head bowed. Jaxon opened the worn bible and said the well-versed words over each body before committing it to the sea.
“Good men, these.” Cookie stood at Jaxon’s side after the crew dismissed.
“They were indeed.” He tucked the Good Book under his arm. Behind him, the sails were reset to catch the wind and the Scarlet Night was once again on her way.
“Hope eight will be enough fer today. Got two more below hangin’ on by luck and a prayer. Doing my damnedest to pull ’em through.”
The Scarlet gained speed. Jaxon slapped Cookie on the shoulder. “Death gives little quarter, but my gold’s on you.”
Quinn joined them. “I’ve got the tallies for you, Captain.”
Jaxon looked over the figures. Quinn’s accounting was impeccable.
“The French ship was full to bursting with silks.” Quinn indicated the count. “Some gold, silver. Foodstuffs, medicinals.” He showed Jaxon the disbursement due each man, the share the King “stole,” and what came to him as Captain.
“The men will need to move the choicest items into your cabin, sir, of course.”
“Of course.” How would he hide his beautiful stowaway during the transfer? “I’ll see to that, Quinn. You’ve already worked more hours than most. Take a meal and a rest.”
“Aye, Capt’n, just as soon as I check on the storage of those silks. If they’re to be worth anything once we reach harbor, they need to be kept high and dry.”
Jaxon watched him go. Quinn wouldn’t rest until everything was stowed to his satisfaction. Cookie slipped away as well, concerned about the two men whose lives depended on the next few crucial hours.
As they had for the past few days, his thoughts returned to Annalise. Thank you, Jaxon. The way she said his name caught him like a blow to the chest. Wasn’t it enough visions of her pale breasts haunted him? Did he need to have her voice in his head as well? Jaxon.
He paced the deck from stem to stern and back. His heels marking each step against the gentle roll of the deck. A scowl tightened his brow. They still had weeks at sea. He would never survive sharing the same quarters with her. Either she’d kill him in his sleep, or he’d die a thousand deaths trying to resist the sweet bit of heaven he was sure to find between her thighs. He should just hand her his pistol.
Then something she said stopped him. The duke in London who’d sent her the bloody ring. She said his name was Benedict Wolfsan. Giselle’s duke? His coach bore the initials BW. Nay, a coincidence surely.
CHAPTER 9
Between checking on his wounded crewmen, Cookie kept a sharp eye on Seaman Robbins, who appeared to be in quite a state this morning. He scurried about the deck, searching here and there, into rope coils, behind barrels, and under cannons.
Robbins’ red-rimmed eyes darted back and forth. Dark crescents dipped below each eye. Poor lad looked right done in. Cookie had an idea as to just what he was looking for.
“Good morn, Robbins. A fine stretch of day we’ve got comin’.”
“Aye?” the boy tugged at his ear. “Canna hear ye, Cookie.” He thumped the side of his head. “Blast it all. I be runnin’ powder during the attack yesterday and plum forgot to cover. Damn blast of that ten pounder done in me ear. Been ringin’ like a stuck bell since.”
Cookie gave the boy a look of sympathy and shook his head.
Robbins ran a finger under his nose and planted his hands on his hips. “And now, my bloody britches be missin’.”
Cookie bit the inside of his cheek to keep the grin from spreading. “I’m sure they’ll turn up, lad.”
“I’ve been lookin’ half the night. They’re nowhere.”
“Maybe yer spirit swiped ’em,” Cookie joked.
“Ye ken rib me all ye want, but I know what I heard. This ship be haunted, and I ken prove it.” He moved closer to Cookie and lowered his voice. “Me rum’s been tasting a might funny. And doesn’t matter how much I drink, me tankard is always full. It ne’re runs out. It’s some strange magic. Makes me head feel like I’m stuffed with cotton.”
Cookie stifled a chuckle.
Robbins held a hand over his eyes, “And then there’s the screams…”
“Ye do know of the sea sirens, don’t ye, lad? Gorgeous creatures, selkies be. Sittin’ out upon the rocks, and luring young fools like yerself to their deaths beneath the churning waves. Or there are those that swear our maidenhead cries out at night for her lost love.”
“I beg ye, cease these bloody tales.” He looked at Cookie with wild eyes. “Makes it so a bloke can’t close his eyes at night.” Robbins shook his head. “But that still don’t explain this. What’d a ghost be needin’ with me britches?” He leaned closer and narrowed his eyes. “Nay, either me mates be playin’ me for a fool again, or someone pinched ’em. If’n that be the truth of it, I need to be talkin’ to the capt’n. I mean, if a man’s trousers ain’t safe…”
Cookie raised a hand to stop him. “The capt’n’s a busy man.”
“He’s a fair man, too. He’d want to know if there be thieves aboard.”
“We all be thieves.”
“Ya know what I mean. I was sick ’n half-starved when he dragged me aboard and let me join the crew. Quite the feather in me cap to fight with the likes of him.” Robbins pointed out into the sea. “Did ye see the way he fought those French? Ne’er seen the like. The capt’n jumped into a battle he dinna have a prayer of winnin’. Then bodies fell ’bout his feet like scales off a bloody fish. He’s brutal, and I fer one be glad to be on this side of his sword. Nay, he needs to know if he’s got a rotten apple in the barrel. I owe it to ’im to tell.”
“I know ye look up to him, laddie. ’Tis a fine thing, but ye can’t be bringin’ him yer tales of missin’ britches.”
The boy’s mouth flopped open like a dying fish.
Cookie thumped Robbins’ shoulder with his trusty three fingers. “At least ye’ve got a spare. Not like yer bits and bobs will be flappin’ in the breeze.”
“But--” Robbins tugged again on his bad ear.
“I’ll keep me eye out for ye. Leave this to ole Cookie. No need te be botherin’ the capt’n. Best ye be gettin’ back to yer duties.”
“Aye, Cookie.” The boy shuffled away.
Cookie chuckled and headed toward the galley. Mayhap he should tell the lad a tale about giant sea creatures that swim the deepest parts of the oceans and feed on britches and boots.
* * * *
Coming down the galley way a few hours later, Cookie caught Robbins as he barreled into him. The speed with which the lad hit him knocked them both against the wall. A fixed lantern added another crease to Cookie’s thick skull.
“Bloody hell, Robbins.” Cookie rubbed at the spot on the back of his head.
“I’ve seen her. I swear to ye.” Looking over his shoulder, he pointed a shaky finger toward the captain’s quarters.
Cookie rubbed the pained knot on the back of his skull. “What do ye think ye’ve seen?”
“’Tis just like ye said. A spirit, wailin’ like a banshee, wantin’ to steal me soul. I’ve seen her. She haunts the capt’n.”
“Ye’ve lost yer sense, Robbins. Calm yerself.”
He grabbed Cookie’s shirt. “I’ve not. I tell ye, I’ve seen wha
t I’ve seen.”
“I was just in the capt’n’s cabin not thirty minutes past. There ain’t nothin’ amiss.”
“I’m swearin’ to ye on me own mother’s eyes. Hair like flamin’ fire and wet from the sea. Naked as a jaybird, tryin’ to lure me. Just like ye said she would.”
“Naked, ye say.” Cookie wriggled his eyebrows.
“Dammit, I’m serious. I’ve got te warn the capt’n and the rest.”
“Nay.” Cookie grabbed his arm. “Ye can’t go runnin’ on deck carryin’ on like a madman. Ye want ’em to toss ye over?” He lowered his voice. “Ye stay right here. Calm yerself. Catch yer breath. I’ll go take a look. If ye’re right, then we’ll both go tell the capt’n. Two stories will sound better than one, don’t ye think?”
Robbins bobbed his head in agreement, eyes wide. “Don’t be lookin’ her in the eye.”
“Right. Don’t want her stealin’ my rottin’ ole soul, do we?”
Cookie moved down the hall, glanced back at the panicked boy, shielded his eyes, and entered the cabin, shutting the door behind him.
“Don’t scream, miss. Are ye decent?”
“Cookie. A man…He saw me.” Annalise was wrapped in a blanket damp from her bath. The hot water he brought her earlier still steamed in the basin. He was quick to open a back window and toss it out. He gathered the clothes he’d given her and pushed them into her hands.
“Ye scared the hell out of the poor boy.”
“He scared the hell out of me. What do we do? He’s run off to tell the crew, I’m sure. They’ll hurt Jaxon.”
He raised an eyebrow. Jaxon, is it now? “Nay, he won’t be tellin’ a soul. Ye’re gonna hide yerself good, and I’m gonna bring him back in here and convince him ye weren’t ever here. Ye’re a figment. A spirit in his head.”
“Will that work?”
“He’s already believin’ the ship be haunted. I’ll just let him believe it a bit longer. He won’t be tellin’ no one, I promise ye.” Cookie slipped the basin under the desk. “Hide yerself.”
“All right.”
He went to the door. Annalise slipped into the corner behind the trunks. Cookie put a worried frown upon his face and shook his head as he walked back to meet Robbins.
“Son, I’m powerful worried about ye.”
“What? Did ye see her?”
“There ain’t nothin’ there.”
“Don’t ye be tellin’ me that. I know what I saw.” Robbins pushed past him and went to see for himself. When Cookie caught up to him, he stood in the middle of the captain’s cabin, as pale as the mainsail and pointing.”
“She be right there.”
“Are ye sure ye didn’t dream it?”
“Blast it all, Cookie, I’m not mad. I know…I think…” He turned pleading eyes to Cookie. “I could’ve sworn. She was right here.”
Cookie bobbed his head solemnly and put his arm around Robbins, steering him toward the door. “I believe ye, son. I’m sure ye thought ye saw somethin’, but that somethin’ may just be in yer head.”
“But…”
“I know. Ye get out on the water, and the sun can do strange things to ye.” He walked the boy toward the crew’s quarters. “Why don’t ye go have a lie down? Have yerself some rum and get some shut-eye. Ye look like ye haven’t slept in days.”
“I haven’t. The screams.” Robbins stared at him with wide eyes.
“I know. I know. Ye get some sleep, and I bet ye’ll be feelin’ yerself in no time.”
“Mayhap a bit of sleep.”
“That’s the way. Aye.” Cookie stopped and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “I’ll make a promise to ye. I won’t be tellin’ no one ’bout this. We’ll keep it between us. Ye’ve been gettin’ a rough time from yer mates this trip already. Don’t need to be addin’ to their jests.”
“And ye won’t tell the capt’n?” Robbins looked like he was about to cry.
“Nay. Just between us.”
“Yer a good mate, Cookie. I thank ye.”
“Nay, just watchin’ out for a young one is what I be doin’.” Cookie slapped him on the back. “Go. We be needin’ a powder monkey with a level head.”
“Aye. That’s what ye’ll be gettin’ I swear.”
“Good.”
The rumble of laughter within Cookie started low in his belly. By the time he hit the deck, he was laughing like a fool and slapping his stump. Lordy, this was turning out to be the best voyage of his life. His wounded crewmen survived the night. He found Jaxon spending more hours on deck. Man avoided his quarters like the plague. Never seen the captain fall so hard for a wee bit of skirt before. And the skirt turned out to be hotter than a two-bit pistol. Walking in on her holding the capt’n’s own blade on him. Blimey, that was great. Now she be callin’ him by his given name and worryin’ about his neck? And Robbins?
Cookie wiped the tears from his eyes. He caught Jaxon wandering the decks again and laughed some more. This was even better than the time he’d been locked up with three whores and five barrels of rum.
And just ye wait till you get an eyeful of yer red-haired beauty in her new clothes.
CHAPTER 10
Quick to close the door behind him, Jaxon scanned his empty quarters. Where is she? His stomach plummeted into his boots. “Annalise?”
“Jaxon?” She shimmied out of her hiding place.
Bloody hell. When I see Cookie, I’m going to kill him.
“I’ve found a space where the bed meets the side of the ship. I can just squeeze behind.” She fiddled with the front of her shirt. Its low open collar barely covered the rich swell of her breasts.
He ran his gaze over the vision before him. Breeches, a size too small for the lass, fit her like black on a cannon. The top was as unattractive as they came. It was the color of mud, and would have fit loose on a man four times her size. Missing its lacing, the neckline opened to the girl’s waist, revealing a healthy amount of tender, rounded flesh. A strip of black cloth wrapped around the slimness of her waist, and stockings hugged her legs.
Behind her, the setting sun lit her hair, which she tamed into a thick braid draping one shoulder. She was utterly beguiling.
Cookie is a dead man.
Jaxon pulled the leather thong from his hair and handed it to her. “Lace your blouse.”
“Oh, thank you. I shouldn’t like to complain, as I am grateful for the clothing, but this shirt is far too large.”
Annalise started at the bottom and threaded the length of leather through each hole in turn. Transfixed, Jaxon watched her pull and tug at the ties. Oh, to be that length of leather.
“The breeches feel strange on my legs, but I like not being hampered with skirts. Cookie said I would have to do without shoes, however. My feet are too small.” She turned away from him, bent to tug up the tops of her stockings, and smoothed her hands over her thighs.
His breeches tightened.
She turned back and held her hands out to her sides. “Better?”
“Aye.” His voice broke the word in two.
“I’m sorry about what happened this morning. Did Cookie tell you? I was afraid your man would come back with half your crew after he caught me bathing, but Cookie said he convinced--”
“I’ve been told. Now, thanks to you, I have a lad who thinks he’s lost his mind.” He hadn’t meant to snap, but the idea of Robbins seeing her naked brought a rush of jealousy and a sultry vision to his mind’s eye. Blast it all.
She pushed a curl off her forehead and glared at him. “Are you saying it was my fault?”
“I’m saying.” He planted his hands on his hips. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. If you weren’t daft enough to hide yourself on my ship, I wouldn’t be standing here with a member of my crew thinking he’s mad.”
Annalise crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m beginning to think you’re all mad.”
Jaxon almost agreed with her. His thoughts we
re less than sane in concerns to her. He couldn’t decide which he wanted more at that moment, to toss her over the side, over his knee, or onto her back. A throbbing ache in his breeches gave him his answer. He plowed his fingers through his hair and moved to the desk. Pouring himself a drink, he glowered at her above its rim.
The chit had the nerve to notch her chin and stare him down.
He drained his glass. “From now on, unless I am present in these quarters, the door will be locked from the outside.”
“Do you mean I’m a prisoner?”
“It means there’ll be no more men on this ship who’ll see your naked arse.” His jaw felt like granite, as did other parts of his body. “It means you’ll do as I say, when I say, and how I say if you wish to end this voyage as naive and untouched as you began.”
“You needn’t yell at me as if I were a child.” She planted her hands on her hips.
His gaze ran hot over the tightness of her breeches. “Nay, you’re no child, but you act as if this is a nursery game of hide-and-seek. You’ve no notion of the danger.”
“No notion of the danger?” She shook her head. “Do you believe I did this on a whim? Do you think I sat about one day and said to myself, ‘Whatever shall I do on the morrow? I know, I think I’ll see what it’s like to take a sail.’” She shook her head again. “I don’t know the type of women you’re used to, Captain. They must be as dull-witted as seagulls.
“Believe me when I tell you, I know the danger I’m in. I wouldn’t be standing here listening to an insufferable lout like you if I weren’t running for my life. You have no notion of the danger that surrounded me in London. So, before you sit behind your fancy desk and judge me as if I haven’t a brain in my head, perhaps you should stand in my shoes for a moment. Oh wait, I have no shoes. You threw them into the sea.”
She swiped at a tear. “I’ve lost everything. My home, my family, my only friend.” She straightened her spine and crossed her arms. “I may be naive about certain things, but don’t you think for one minute I didn’t know the risks I am taking.” She turned her back on him and moved to the window. Shoulders bunched, her anger radiated back at him.
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