Clearing his throat, he focused on the bandage around her ribs. “I need to remove this so it does not get wet,” he murmured, reaching over to untie the ends. Her skin smelled sweet and he inhaled deeply. Once it was removed and he could see all of her bared before him, those pert breasts and her enticing belly button, he took a deep breath and picked up the frothy linen square, dipping in the water before rubbing it on her shoulders. Shoulders were a safe place to start. He did his best to focus on just that part of her body. If he could do that, he may survive the mess he had gotten himself into.
He had to remind himself that he did not plan to keep her, so he must control himself. Locking his jaw, he focused on the soapy water… the soapy water running down her shoulders toward her breasts. As one droplet ran the length of the top curve of her breast, he watched with anticipation to see if it would reach her nipple. Gooseflesh sprinkled Katherine’s skin just as the droplet ran over the tip of her breast, clinging to the tempting flesh just before dropping back into the warm water below. He stifled a groan and continued to move the linen in small circles across her back and hips, avoiding her breasts as best as he could. Dipping the linen back into the water, he then grazed it across her ribs carefully, over the yellowish bruise. “It looks to be healing,” he murmured.
“Aye. I do believe it is not broken, after all. It hurts but feels much better than yesterday.”
“Good. That is good,” he whispered as he washed her flat stomach. His hand was so close to her core. He was running out of safe places to touch her. What next, her backside? Her thighs? Her woman’s folds? That made him groan in earnest and Katherine looked at him with hooded eyes. Aye, she knew he was fighting to stay calm. He wondered if she could have bathed herself and if this was not some ploy to get him to crack. It was working.
“Can ye… wash yer own… the rest of ye?”
“I can wash with my right hand, aye. I just cannae bend over to get more water.”
Dipping the linen once more in the water, he handed her the cloth and turned, knowing she was washing her nether area. His resolve was waning. She was already ruined. He could not bed the lass, but could he not touch her? She wanted it; he knew she did. Had this not been part of his plot all along? To tempt her into his bed? Somehow, she was the one tempting him to no end.
“Thomas? Am I… not attractive to ye?”
Spinning on his heels, he looked her up and down and shook his head. “Lass. Ye should not be asking me questions like that unless ye want real answers. I am quickly losing control of myself.”
“I do want real answers,” she persisted. “I want to know if ye are at least attracted to me. I ken ye dinnae want me as a wife. I ken ye only said the vows to protect me. But can ye not at least look at me?”
This was all his fault. He had taken her for one purpose only and now that he had her, he was avoiding that very thing. Her questions were not helping. Steeling himself, he knew what he had to do to keep her away from him long enough to get her to England. “Nay. I prefer the body of a woman, not a wee lass.”
Her sharp intake of air let him know that his words, although untrue for she was as beautiful, more beautiful, than any woman he had ever known, had done what they needed to do. He hated to be a bastard to her, but if she believed he was no longer interested in ruining her, mayhap she would stay the hell away from him before he did something he could not take back, such as stealing her innocence or worse, planting his seed. Nay, he could not mix Bingham and O’Malley blood, as tempting as the thought was.
Pulling the linen from his waist, he tossed it to her carelessly, then turned away to dress. “Meet me downstairs as soon as ye are dressed,” he commanded, without looking at her. “I do not appreciate yer petty games of seduction. They willnae work on me.” He slammed the door, leaving the lass to dry and get dressed. She was injured aye, but not as badly as they had believed. She would be on a ship with pirates as the crew, sailing the seas for treasure. She would need to learn to handle a wee bit of pain. He was an arse, he knew, but there was no other way to get through this. He had to stay focused on the task at hand and forget about this woman he had made vows to the night before. Somehow, he truly did feel like more of a pirate than a knight, yet he knew he was doing the right thing… the honorable thing, even if she could not understand it.
Chapter Nine
Katherine sat on the edge of the bed inside Thomas’s captain’s quarters. Since leaving Clew Bay, they had been at sea for four days and he had hardly spoken to her, nor had he come to bed any day, preferring to sleep on deck with his crew. He claimed it was his duty as captain to be ready in case an enemy vessel should be spotted, but Katherine was quite certain he was avoiding her. After all, he made it clear he was not attracted to her, although he had told her once before that she was beautiful, and she knew he enjoyed kissing her. So why had he suddenly pulled away? Was her body too thin? Or was it the blood that ran through her veins?
Restlessness ate away at her. Aside from the one erotic book Thomas so persistently brought along, she had no entertainment, and she could not very well be caught looking at those images, should someone walk in on her. They also piqued her curiosity and made her want for things from the man who refused to so much as look at her.
The only bit of information he had given her was that they sailed for Scotland, specifically, Dheomhan Castle. She shivered at the thought. How was she suddenly bound to this man who teetered on the line between chivalrous knight and dastardly pirate? He was taking her to a place crawling with thieves and murderers. She had learned that at least the men working for Grace helped to support Ireland, but even they had their own pockets lined with gold. Thomas may not have stolen any treasure from merchants yet, but he had stolen her away from her home and then abandoned her to a life of loneliness. She was used to being lonely, but was that to be her fate?
Her wounds had all but healed with the four days of doing nothing but lying around the cabin. She was not allowed to go on deck, as it was considered bad luck for her to even be here and these men seemed to have many superstitions where women were concerned. She scoffed at that, considering these were Grace’s men, and hopped off the bed, the faded green wool of her borrowed… or stolen dress swishing around her legs. Whoever had owned this garment before was similar in height but much smaller in the bust. She feared she would spill forth if not for her chemise… which only helped slightly.
Anxiety niggled at the back of her mind. What would Thomas do with her once all this was done? Why had he demanded she accompany him? Most pirates never married and if they did, their wives did not regularly travel with them. Had he feared for her safety? She was unwelcome around the O’Malleys swarming Clew Bay and feared what her father would do if he got his hands on her after this. She supposed she was safer here with Thomas. That made her chuckle. She was surrounded by outlaws and still safer than she was with her father. How had her life come to this point? The unwanted wife and the tarnished daughter.
The cabin door swung open suddenly, Thomas’s large, imposing body filling the small space as he stepped inside. She stopped pacing and looked at him, sending him a scowl so he would feel her ire. “We approach Scarba. This is the stronghold of the Devils of the Deep, Kat, and I expect ye to stay with me at all times. Have no doubt that these men are dangerous and take what they want,” he warned. Her skin flushed, and she crossed her arms.
“Then I can stay here.”
“Nay! Ye cannae. Ye come with me, where I can keep ye safe.”
“Is that all I am to ye, Thomas? An obligation? Another person to keep safe?”
He scowled at her. “Right now? Aye. Come.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the door, down the few steps leading to the main deck and past several men who looked at her warily. Juan bowed his head to her and she smiled. The sole survivor of her father’s attack, she was quite fond of the Spaniard who also was the only man aboard who seemed to have any manners, including her brute of a husband. It appeared he had charmed h
er just enough to convince her to marry him, then decided he wanted nothing to do with her. Now, she was to be dragged into a den of sinners, where he would what? Pretend to like her enough to keep the others away?
Looking around, she saw that they were anchored, and the gangplank was down as Thomas’s crew scuttled about. Ahead, a large castle loomed so high she had to crane her neck to see the top. It was evening now, the sky lit up in a brilliant orange just behind the formidable fortress. Her jaw dropped. The only way to get inside the waterfront fortress was through the open portcullis that created a walkway where it met up with the gangplank.
She felt Thomas’s fingers digging into her lower back, urging her forward. Juan, coming up beside her, bowed before taking her hand and guiding her. Sending him a tentative smile, she turned to scowl at her husband who should have been the one to consider her trepidation about walking over a narrow walkway, nothing but water below.
Once they had crossed into what must have been the inner bailey, a large man with dark hair and matching dark eyes awaited them with huge arms crossed over his chest. He wore a plain white tunic and black breeches with a black leather jerkin, and Katherine felt her heart beating wildly. He looked every inch a pirate with a sword and gun tucked into his belt.
“Niall,” Thomas said as he put his hand out. The man stepped forward and clasped forearms with Thomas. “My thanks for allowing us entrance into Castle Dheomhan.”
“Ye are the grandson of the Pirate Queen and great-great-grandson to a Pirate Prince. When we saw Grace’s flag in the distance, we assumed yer business was of great import?” The man cocked a dark brow just before finally acknowledging Katherine. His face, handsome as it was, shifted into one of interest as he none too discreetly scrolled her length with a dark gaze, clearly noticing her breasts pushing over the low-cut bodice of her green dress. “Och, and who is this bonny wee lass? Ye have brought me a wench in payment for our hospitality, aye?” He reached out to grab her, and she gasped just as Thomas pulled her back and growled.
“She is my wife. No man touches her! This is Katherine. Katherine, this is Niall MacDougall, Captain and Pirate Prince of the Devils of the Deep. He is also, apparently, my cousin.
Katherine looked up at the man, whose interest in her had only intensified since the introduction. “Ye have been in Ireland less than a fortnight and already ye have married yerself the bonniest of lassies. I dinnae know if I envy ye, or pity ye. But ye should no have brought her here, mate. Not into this den of sin.” He quirked a brow. “Especially dressed like that,” he waved a hand over her breasts. “She looks like a bloody wench!” he laughed.
“She had no dress. We borrowed this one,” Thomas scowled in warning.
Niall shook his head and shrugged. “’Tis none of my concern, but if she were my wife, she would be dripping in jewels and wearing only the finest of silks.” Katherine blushed while the man looked directly at her, as if Thomas was nowhere near. “Would ye like that, Katherine? I can make it happen.”
Her heart rate picked up and she gripped tightly to Thomas’s upper arm. She felt his muscles flexing beneath her hand and knew he was struggling for control. “Niall, I came here to seek safe passage through Scottish waters as I search for something of grave importance. If ye grant me that, ye shall have yer cut of the gold. I ask nothing more of ye.”
“Mayhap I wish for something more in payment,” he said while he rubbed his hand through his short, thick beard and looked at Katherine again. “Ye ken we all share our women in this castle. Ye can have another for tonight. I’ll take Katherine. ’Tis my only offer.”
Thomas’s silence frightened her more than if he had begun to brawl with the man. Was he actually considering it? She knew he had no interest in her and desired the treasure beyond anything else, yet he had vowed to protect her. Would he give her over to this man in exchange for a chance to search the coasts of Scotland for a treasure? One night with Niall would also save Thomas on the gold.
Her blood boiled over. How dare the man think he could bargain for her body! “Excuse me, but I am not interested in a night in yer bed,” she scowled at the infuriating man, putting her hands on her hips. “I would sooner jump into the sea!”
Looking up at Thomas, she saw a smirk slide across his face at her boldness and his green gaze locked on hers before he gave her a playful wink. “Ye heard the lass, Niall. Accept the gold. Ye have but to offer us one night of hospitality for yer troubles and ye will gain handsomely.”
With a booming laugh, Niall tilted his head back and slapped his thigh. “I like a lass who speaks her mind. All right. Though I am no used to being turned away by a bonny face, I accept her lack of interest. I offer ye my hospitality, but ye willnae find the Treasure of Danu on Scottish soil.”
“How did ye know—”
“Och, Thomas. Do ye really believe ye are the first man to come looking for the cursed treasure in fifteen hundred years? No cave nor cove nor a scrap of this coast has not been searched. It is not here, brother. Come,” he flagged them further into the bailey, walking toward the large wooden door leading to the castle. “Share an evening meal with me and we will talk more. I ken yer people have suffered enough at the hands of that bastard Bingham. If I can help ye in any way, I will.”
Katherine’s heart beat wildly at the disgust in the man’s voice. Even the Scots hated her father. Pursing her lips, she looked away from the man, hoping Thomas would keep her identity quiet.
Entering the great hall, she looked around in wonder. Never had she been inside a building so large. The gray stones of the structure were nothing to marvel at, but the sheer height and size of the place made her gawk in awe. Men sat at tables already, laughing loudly as women, some with their breasts fully exposed, sat on laps and laughed with the men. No wonder Niall had thought her a wench. One man sucked on a woman’s breast in front of everyone and nobody seemed to notice or care. That same needy sensation flooded her core. How she wished Thomas would so much as kiss her again. What she would not do for more.
“Follow me,” Niall said, and he found a smaller, private table to the side of the room, hidden in the shadows. Katherine intentionally sat with her back to the debauchery. It was not so much that it bothered her. It was the thought that she rather enjoyed it that startled her and made her feel slightly ashamed.
Niall snapped his fingers and a beautiful dark-haired woman sauntered over, carrying a jug of mead to fill their goblets. “Bring us our meal,” he ordered abruptly to the lass, but she only nodded and walked away.
Warily, Katherine took her very first sip of mead in all her life and smiled as the sweet liquid slid down her throat. Her father never allowed to her drink it and kept none in the house. She rather enjoyed the taste. Mayhap she was meant for the life of a pirate’s wife more than she thought… if only he would pay her the slightest attention. With a shrug, she drank down more mead.
Thomas listened intently while Niall spoke about the treasure. He had been so sure his ancestors hid it in Scotland during their wars, to keep it far from the enemy. Yet, according to Niall, the land had been thoroughly picked over and nothing found. However, mayhap nobody found it because it had not wanted to be found. With a grunt of frustration, Thomas tugged on his short beard and took another gulp of the fine whiskey Niall had shared with him. Looking over to his left, he watched Katherine from the corner of his eye. Her cheeks were pink and she seemed to be overindulging in her mead. Reaching over, he grabbed it from her hand just before she went to take another sip.
“Hey!” she scowled. “Ye are a brute. Ye know that, husband?” she emphasized that last word, her meaning more than clear. He had not been acting a husband at all, at least not a kind one. He had treated her like an obligation, confirming her accusation. But, she was an obligation, and at every turn he had to make sure Niall did not tempt her into his bed, that she did not notice the man lapping at the nipples of the wench in the corner, that she did not over drink… Devil’s bollocks! Why had he brought her here? She
looked beautiful even in those old, ill-fitting rags and her fiery temper had enthralled him when she stood up to Niall. She was a brave lass. He admired her, wanted her with every part of him. Avoiding her while at sea had been easy enough, but now they would most assuredly share a room and a bed here. There was no way he was allowing her out of his sight with all these pirates skulking about. He had seen more than a few appreciative glances her way and he had to tamp down a sense of possession that struggled to consume him.
With a wink, he downed her mead in one gulp and slammed it down in front of her. The lass needed no more beverages. With a look of pure mischief in her eyes, she reached over and grabbed his goblet, downing his whiskey all at once, then sputtered and coughed, no doubt feeling its burn as it slid down her throat and into her belly. “Blah! That drink is awful! How do ye stand it?”
Niall laughed at her, a twinkle of something in his eye that Thomas did not at all like. He needed to get Katherine away from here for the night. Niall must have read his mind, for he pushed his empty trencher aside, stood and stretched, taking one more lingering look at Katherine’s breasts. With all the bared breasts in this hall, couldn’t the man leer elsewhere? Thomas gritted his teeth and clenched one fist at his side, putting his other hand around Katherine, pulling her in much closer than he meant to. With a squeal, she stumbled into him, laughing when her hand collided with his chest. The lass was intoxicated, that much was certain.
“Allow me to show ye and yer wife to yer room. I think ye will find it more than accommodating.” Thomas stood behind Katherine and held her around the waist while they followed Niall up a stone staircase. He could not risk having her take a tumble and feeling her backside sway with every step had his cock begging for release once more. How would he survive such torment? Even if she attempted to seduce him, which he doubted after the way he had been treating her, he could not make love to her while she was not in her right mind. Besides, was this not supposed to be temporary? As much as he tried to treat her as an obligation, he found he rather enjoyed her constant presence and yearned to know her on a more personal level. There was more to Katherine Bingham than the world could see.
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