Once Upon a Pirate: Sixteen Swashbuckling Historical Romances
Page 107
Chapter 10
The next morning, Juliana helped Oliver try and salvage their personal belongings. His man came in and cleaned up the bulk of the mess, but it was far too much for one individual. At mid-day they broke for a bit of lunch.
At this point, most of what they ate was fish caught from the sea. Just as Juliana was about to take a bite, there were shouts coming from above deck. Her fork froze halfway to her mouth.
Oliver’s nostrils flared as she pushed his plate away and moved to the door. “Do not leave this cabin, do you hear me?”
Juliana became more frightened by his tone of voice. This wasn’t the man she had spent the last three weeks getting to know. Nor was he the cold, untouchable Duke from London. As Oliver bent to open his trunk and return with a revolver, Juliana sensed just how dangerous he could be.
“What is going on?” she whispered.
He glanced up, meeting her gaze. “Likely pirates,” he said. “In the war, America sanctioned some of their ships as privateers, they were given permission to pillage and plunder the merchant ships from England.”
“That’s terrible,” Juliana gasped. “But the war has been over for quite some time.”
He gave her a grim look as he replied, “Once you legally give someone the right to be a pirate, it’s very difficult to take it back again. Many of these men are the sons of those that fought in the wars. It’s all they know. Even though it’s no longer legal to be a privateer, there are still those that haunt the International waters looking for their next bounty.”
His logic made perfect sense to Juliana. She honestly wished that it hadn’t. Oliver stalked to the door, with his hand on the knob he dictated, “Do not open this door for anyone. Do not come outside, regardless of what you hear. And do not make a sound, if they learn a woman is on-board, well, that is one problem we don’t want to have.”
Juliana nodded, her fear resting right in her throat. He must have sensed something in her eyes because he swore softly and stalked back across the room. In an instant, Oliver had Juliana by the arms and was lifting her so that he could kiss her.
The kiss wasn’t very long, but it was hard and demanding. He kissed her as a man kisses his woman. It was a branding, a promise of forbidden pleasures that were sure to come.
Juliana gasped as he broke the kiss, wanting more of this man’s touch. He gave her one final look before slipping out the door. Juliana raced over and turned the lock. With shaking hands, she tucked the key inside of her bodice and then looked for a place to hide.
Because the room was so small, there really wasn’t a lot of room for furniture. However, there were the trunks with their belongings.
Screams from above followed by the sound of fighting spurred her onward. Juliana opened her trunk and realized how foolish she had been. It was cram-packed all the way to the top. There wasn’t room for another corset, let alone a grown woman.
The stomping of boots coming nearer to her cabin had Juliana fighting back a scream. Was that Oliver or someone else returning?
“Oy, the door’s locked,” someone said as they jostled the handle.
Juliana slipped to the ground, ignoring what the second individual had replied. Crawling as to not make a sound she moved closer to the paneling underneath the books. From this angle, it seemed that there was one piece that stuck out further than the others. She pressed it and watched in fascination as it seamlessly opened and revealed a hidden compartment.
Not thinking twice, Juliana crawled inside and slid the panel back into place. Just as it closed the door to the room was kicked open.
She couldn’t see the pirates entering the room, but she could hear them. The space she was in was pitch black. The cobwebs sticking to her hair indicated that it hadn’t been needed in some time. Juliana only prayed that a rodent didn’t join her in the cubbyhole. She wasn’t sure if she could be able to keep silent with that kind of provocation.
“You’ve made a grave error gentleman,” the voice through the paneling was muffled, but Juliana would have known Oliver’s voice anywhere.
“You’re an American!” one of the pirates exclaimed.
“And you are an unmitigated idiot,” he said coldly. “Now, drop your weapons. Let’s go, guns as well as swords.”
“You can’t be serious,” the other pirate growled. “Why should we care what you say?”
Oliver paused for a moment and Juliana had to put her ear against the wood to hear his response. “Because I am offering you a chance to come out of this alive. Your friends upstairs made their choice. Now I offer you the same, however, I promise you this, make one false move and it will be the last you do.”
There was a scuffle to the left of the room, followed by the blast of a gunshot.
“Blimey! You killed him,” the second man whined. “I thought you were on our side.”
“I don’t know what game you are playing, nor do I care to. This ‘pirate attack’ has to be the shoddiest piece of work I have ever seen. The war has been over for quite some time. Indeed, I don’t know if you were even out of your nappies. Who are you working for?”
Silence met his question.
“Very well, keep your tongue, it matters not. I shall learn the whole of it soon enough. Now, do you want to join your friend, or would you rather be led to the brig?”
The man grumbled, but it sounded to Juliana that he was doing as Oliver asked. However, there was one man who was now lying dead on the other side of this wood panel. She could smell the residue of gunpowder and the slightly metallic scent of blood.
Blood.
Dear merciful heavens, even thinking about it had had her head spinning. Trying to place her head between her knees, Juliana began to count backwards from 100, she was at 78 when the panel slid open and she blinked her eyes trying to adjust to the brightness of the room.
“I think I lost ten years of my life,” Oliver said gruffly, putting a hand in and helping Juliana to her feet. But she didn’t remain there. The moment he had her free from the cupboard, Oliver swung her into his arms.
She couldn’t help but turn her head to see that Captain Pincher and his men were blocking the way to where Juliana supposed the pirate’s body was. Instinctively she tucked her head into his shoulder and shuddered.
Having not heard any of them enter the room and search for her, Juliana surmised that she had passed out after all. She didn’t say a word as Oliver carried her out of the cabin and into a smaller one.
“Are you alright?” he whispered into her hair.
She nodded, still clinging to him. “I was so very scared.”
Oliver blew out a shaky breath. “I was terrified. I had no idea what I was walking into. Thankfully the crew had things in hand. It was rather bold of them to try and attack, however, they did have the element of surprise catching us right after that storm. We have more than double the crew that they had.”
“What is it?” Juliana asked when he seemed to slip into his thoughts.
“There was something rather odd about the entire affair. I can’t seem to put my finger on it.”
“What will happen to the man you have in the hold?” Juliana asked hesitantly.
When Oliver didn’t answer right away, Juliana figured that perhaps she didn’t want to know.
“I will leave that up to Captain Pincher. However, I am certain that he will get what he deserves,” he said at last. “We will see that he’s brought to the authorities in America. Would that please you?”
Juliana nodded against his neck. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You need not worry about such things,” he replied softly. “I will always be there for you.”
He was quiet for a time and just held her close. Juliana wondered if he was as shaken as she was. Her mind couldn’t help but focus on what he said to her. Would he always be there for her? How could he make such a promise?
After a time, Oliver spoke, “I’ve made certain that our cabin will be inhabitable. But if you
want, we could always stay in another cabin.”
The one they were in was small and had a slightly rancid smell. Juliana had a feeling that this was the second-best cabin and likely where Captain Pincher was staying.
“No, I will be alright to return.”
He hummed his approval and kissed the top of her head tenderly. Juliana wondered if she might be getting heavy in his arms, but she didn’t want him to put her down. As silly as it seemed, on a ship in the middle of the ocean after a pirate attack, this was one of the most romantic moments of her life.
It didn’t have anything to do with the physical attraction that had been brewing between them. This was something deeper, a connection of souls that only went to affirm that she was falling for this man. As much as she had fought it, Oliver had slipped under her defenses.
When Juliana was a little girl, the notion of a pirate attack held something of a romantic notion. She had pictured a certain type of suave Robyn Hood of the seas, that would swoop in and cause the ladies to swoon. She had certainly swooned, but it had nothing to do with the terrible men who had attacked them.
It struck Juliana that if Oliver hadn’t been there, and if she would have stuck to her original companion of Connie, things could have been far worse.
“Thank you,” she whispered brokenly. “You saved me.”
His arms tightened and Juliana felt her pulse leap. The familiar desire that had been harboring deep inside of her leapt to life. If he wasn’t going to kiss her, perhaps she just needed to kiss him.
Chapter 11
As Oliver held Juliana in his arms, he knew that the stranglehold he had on his libido was growing more tenuous by the minute. Never in his life had he known such fear as when he heard those pirates.
The thought of any of those ruffians coming close to Juliana made his blood boil. Lost in his thoughts, Oliver was surprised when she shifted and placed her hands on either side of his face. As she searched his eyes, Oliver felt the connection between them growing stronger until the truth was so undeniable that he had to tell her. And he would have, but she chose that particular moment to kiss him.
Her soft lips caressed his, lighter than a butterfly wing, once, then twice before settling more firmly against him. Oliver knew that this must be what heaven was like, wrapped in the arms of the woman he loved, sharing sweet kisses. For a time, he allowed her to take the lead. However, as the kiss progressed, Oliver snapped, no longer able to hold himself back.
All of the sleepless nights, knowing that she was a mere two feet away from where he lay came to mind. The way she would spy on him when he undressed, it had been pure hell trying to act the gentleman. Every man had his limits, and Oliver had finally reached his.
Pivoting, he pressed Juliana up against the door, her legs despite the billow of skirts, managing to wrap around his waist. With his hands free, Oliver cupped her face and kissed her desperately. The passion flaring bright and hot between them.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured against her lips. “If you do not want this, tell me, Juliana.”
“Don’t stop,” she pleaded, digging her nails into his shoulders. “Whatever you do, please don’t stop.”
It was all the permission he needed. This time when he kissed her fiercely, his tongue plunging in and out of her mouth much like he wanted to be doing with his cock into her slick heat. Just the thought of touching her, of knowing that he could possibly spur that type of reaction had him grinding his cock against her bottom. The way Juliana squirmed, let Oliver know that she too was feeling that undeniable urge to be joined together.
His hand moved up to cup her breast. With deft skill, he quickly unfastened her bodice, thankful that she had dresses particularly designed for the voyage that opened in the front. He had anticipated being held up by her corset, but when he pulled back the fabric, he found that she only had a chemise underneath.
Juliana flushed wildly and whispered in a fury of words, “I couldn’t wear my corset without Connie’s assistance. You see, it’s tied in the back.”
Oliver was momentarily stunned. “How did you get out of it the first night?”
He felt like a cad for not thinking of such things. All he knew was that he was trying to avoid all thoughts of Juliana undressing or naked.
If possible, her cheeks turned a brighter shade of pink. “I used a knife to cut through the fabric. It’s completely ruined.”
Oliver smiled wide and leaned in once again. “You have been going around all of these days without a corset?”
She nodded.
“Are you trying to kill me?” he moaned right before kissing her again.
His other hand pushed the chemise down and took her breast into the palm of his hand. Juliana was slender, her breasts were small and perky. Using the palm of his hands, he rubbed circles, causing her nipple to pucker up.
Loving the way, she groaned when he pulled away from the kiss, Oliver quickly kissed her nose before looking at he exposed breasts. They were perfect in his eyes, the size just enough to grasp and nothing wasted. Her nipples were also small, they reminded him of berries. That made his mouth water.
Juliana moved her arm to cover herself. “I know that I do not look like the other ladies of your acquaintance.”
Oliver suppressed a smile. “Really? Do you have parties where all of the ladies bare their breasts and compare?”
Juliana looked at him with a horrified expression. “No!”
Oliver laughed. “I am only teasing, Juliana. Your body is incredibly beautiful just the way it is. Do you think that I would be half as crazy for you if I wasn’t utterly captivated by your beauty?”
She looked hesitant, as if uncertain whether or not she should believe him. “But they are small. Lillian is better endowed, and don’t get me started on my sister in law. You can hardly hug the woman without being attacked by her bosom.”
Oliver couldn’t stop laughing. “An attacking bosom—we should inform the war office. That’s a natural resource that our nation should be utilizing.”
Juliana’s lips twitched and soon she was laughing along with him. “I didn’t know it could be this way,” she said when she finally caught her breath.
He smoothed a curl back from her face. “What way is that, darling?”
She tucked her head, a flush on her cheeks. “Laughter while we were, erm…”
“Making love,” he answered huskily.
She nodded, and he could see the look in her eye indicating that her fire was starting to ignite once again.
“You can always laugh with me,” he said seriously. “You can speak freely with me about anything, Juliana. I swear to you that I will answer anything you ask me. I don’t want you to ever feel like you have to hold a part of yourself back.”
Oliver had wanted to set her at her ease, but instead, Juliana seemed to withdraw from him.
“Could you please let me down?”
Uncertain of where this was coming from, Oliver did as she wished. “Did I say something wrong?” he asked.
Juliana shook her head and tried to smile. “No, you said everything right. I can’t explain it, not right now. I just need to think about some things. I am sorry.
As he set her to the floor, Juliana quickly fastened up her bodice. He could see that her hands were shaking and that she had a rather pinched look around the corners of her mouth. Oliver could tell that whatever was bothering Juliana, it was no mere trifle.
Chapter 12
Juliana decided that she simply could not think clearly when Oliver was about. Therefore, her only recourse was to avoid him at all costs. Juliana figured that this would have been easy in Mayfair or even in a ballroom. In a crush, all she would have to do is hide behind the dozens of other debutantes.
As the only woman on a ship in the middle of the ocean there wasn’t that many places for her to go. So, was it any wonder that Oliver found her skulking on the quarter deck?
“Might I have a word with you?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Now, would you please tell me what it was I did to cause you such disgust of me?”
Guilt immediately crept up her spine. “There was nothing. That is to say, you are perfectly within your right to be upset with me. I should have discussed things with you.”
He ground his teeth together. “I have half a mind to take you over my knee and give you a firm spanking. Juliana, you have to use your voice and communicate with me. I cannot read your mind as much as I’d like to.”
She swallowed nervously and tried to gather her thoughts. Juliana had decided at last that she needed to come clean about Vivian and Ian’s involvement together. She didn’t think that she could allow him any further liberties without divulging the truth. Coming clean was far scarier than she anticipated.
“I need to speak with you,” she said with a sigh. “But not here.”
Oliver lifted a brow.
“Please,” she asked, placing a hand on his arm. “Come with me.”
Thankfully, Oliver followed Juliana below deck and into their chambers. She glanced quickly at the floorboards were still stained where the pirate had been shot. But they had been scrubbed with lye and the smell no longer permeated the room. A rug had been tossed over the stain, but she knew it was still there.
“Well,” he motioned for her to sit at the only chair. “What is it that you are so worried about sharing with me?”
Hands clasped together. Juliana began to tell Oliver about her trip to Sussex.
“Do you recall Lady Lucy’s younger sister?” Juliana asked.
“Yes, she had a terrible case of rose cold, if I remember correctly. Whilst playing hide and go seek with Ian she had ended up in the stables. From what I understand she has a breathing malady.”