Tristan (Pirate Lords Series Book 1)

by Elizabeth Rose

  “Och!” gasped Gavina, her eyes fastening to his bare chest.

  “You like that?” asked Mardon with a devilish smile. His hair was tussled and he scratched at his chest when he spoke.

  “Get the hell out of here!” shouted Tristan, picking up Mardon’s neatly folded clothes and shoving them into his hands.

  “All right, take it easy, Brother,” said Mardon with a nod. “If you want to be alone with the girl, all you had to do was ask.” His bare feet shuffled across the floor as he slowly headed for the door.

  Tristan had enough of this. He needed to take a good look at that map and his brother was only slowing things down. In two long strides, he was across the floor and ripping open the door. “Go,” he told him.

  “Go where?” asked Mardon with another yawn.

  “Anywhere that isn’t here.” He pushed his brother out the door and slammed it behind him. Then he turned back to Gavina. “I’m not going to tell you again. Take off the tunic.”

  Gavina froze. She hadn’t felt frightened of Tristan as much as the rest of the crew until now. He looked angry and demanding, and very dangerous. Although the last thing she wanted to do was to undress in front of him, she felt that if she didn’t, he might tie her to the mast and have her flogged next.

  He moved toward her slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. It made her want to run, but there was nowhere to go. She was his prisoner on this ship and trapped in this room with his large body blocking the path to the door.

  “All right,” she told him, seeing she had no choice. “I’ll take off my tunic, just please dinna hurt me.” She figured he was feeling lusty again and probably wanted a look at her womanly form. Unfortunately, she wore nothing beneath the tunic. Shyly, she started to turn around to remove it. Then, remembering about the map, she decided that was the last thing she wanted him to see. So, seeming like the only choice right now, she faced him and quickly brought the tunic up and over her head, exposing her bare breasts.

  “There, I did it,” she said, clinging to the tunic, daring to look at him. His eyes were fastened to her chest like she knew they’d be. Quickly, she hid her nakedness by holding the tunic in front of her.

  “Turn around,” he said in a low, sultry voice.

  “Why?” she asked. “Did ye want to see my bum next? I’m still wearin’ the trews ye realize. It’ll be hard for ye to force yerself on me while I’m still half-dressed.”

  “You’re in no position to be talking to me in that manner. I advise you to stop with your little game because it’s only making me angrier than I already am. Now, do what I say.” He reached out and ripped the tunic from her hands and threw it to the ground. The tension between them hung thick in the air. She wanted to close her eyes and block all this out, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. If he was going to ravish her, she would stare him in the eyes when he did it. Afterward, hopefully, he’d never forget the vengeance he saw there.

  He spun her around and bent her over the table. The boat listed and the hanging table moved. She grabbed on to the rope to keep from falling, feeling the rough wood scraping her stomach.

  “Bloody hell, I’ve wanted this for such a long time,” she heard from behind her, making her very frightened now.

  She could barely breathe as she waited for what was to come. She hoped he’d be quick about it and that it wouldn’t hurt too much when he thrust himself into her. Life only seemed to get harder every day, and she didn’t have anything to look forward to anymore. Worst of all, never had she thought she’d be losing her virginity in this manner and to, of all people, a pirate.

  Just when she thought he’d be ripping off her trews next, he surprised her. Instead of feeling him forcing himself on her, she felt the tip of his finger gently grazing down her spine. It caused a tingling sensation to flit through her. She wondered just why he did this.

  “I knew you were lying when you said you knew nothing about Birk making a copy of this map.”

  The map! She tensed and also breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. In her worry, she’d almost forgotten that a pirate would choose treasure over a woman any day. She’d cursed the fact she’d been saddled with this map, but now she was grateful because it was the only thing saving her from being taken by the pirate right now.

  “I didna lie, no’ really,” she told him, her cheek smashed down against the table. “I told ye I didna see Birk copy the map and that is the truth. He knocked me unconscious before he did it, puttin’ it where even I couldna see it.”

  “Either way, you had it all along and kept that fact from me. Why? Were you going to go back to Birk’s men now that he’s dead and find the treasure with them?”

  “Nay!” she answered, standing up straight, crossing her hands over her chest in modesty. “Birk killed my faither,” she blurted out. “Why would I want to go back to that awful place?”

  “Aye, that dead man in the game room,” he said with a nod, fingering the ring hanging from the chain around his neck, in thought.

  “Aye, he was my faither, and ye stole my mathair’s weddin’ ring right off his dead body. How black-hearted of a man are ye?”

  “Do you really want to know?” His dark eyes bored into her as he raised his thick brows. Plucking up the ring in two fingers, he inspected it closely while he talked. “For your information, I wasn’t the one who took this off your father, it was one of my men.”

  “Give it to me,” she demanded, still trying to hide her breasts with one arm as she reached for the ring with the other.

  “Nay,” he said, pushing her hand away. “This amethyst ring is mine now. Besides, your father is dead and has no need for it.”

  “Well, I have a need for it,” she said. “Now give it to me. It’s mine, no’ yers.” She reached for it again and he grabbed her hand, still looking at the ring.

  “How does a peasant such as you come to possess something of such value to begin with?”

  “That’s none of yer concern. I need that ring, now give it to me.”

  He dropped the ring and it swung from the chain, settling against his chest. “I have a need for something that you have as well. So why don’t you be a good wench and give me what I want without giving me any trouble?”

  “I – I nay,” she said, daringly looking into his eyes. His gaze settled on her lips. Her eyes settled on his mouth as well.

  “I’m not used to being denied what I desire. Especially from a woman.” His voice sounded dangerous and sexy. He leaned over and kissed her before she could object. Gavina’s eyes closed when his lips touched hers. She thought the kiss would be hard and forceful but, instead, it was soft, gentle, and almost caring.

  Their lips slowly parted and his hands closed around her waist, cradling her protectively.

  “Did you think I was going to hurt you?” he asked.

  “I – I wasna sure.” The tip of her tongue shot out and touched her top lip. His raw essence still clung to her and she savored the flavor of this man’s pure power. “I’ve always heard that pirates are thieves, liars, and cutthroats. They take innocent women against their wills just to satisfy their carnal urges.”

  He laughed. “Don’t believe everything you hear about pirates. Although . . . I suppose most of it is true.”

  Just then, the door burst open and Ramble walked in.

  “Cap’n, time to get up,” said Ramble, stopping in his tracks when he saw what was going on. His eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped. “Oh, sorry, Cap’n, I didn’t know ye were couplin’ with the wench. I can come back later.”

  Tristan pulled Gavina to him, so she wouldn’t be exposed.

  “Ramble, have you ever heard of knocking?”

  “Mardon said you were actin’ odd this mornin’ and I just wanted to make sure ye weren’t feelin’ ill. Sorry to disturb ye and the wench.”

  “Did I hear somethin’ about a wench? Is there a wench in there?” Several of the men overheard Ramble and hurried over to the open door. Tristan wrapped his arms aro
und Gavina and pulled her closer. The men pushed each other to get into the room, Noll being the first among them.

  “The Cap’n’s got a wench in here, all right,” shouted Noll. “That’s breakin’ the code!”

  “It’s that lad, Gavin,” said Goldtooth. “He’s really a she!”

  “We’ve got a wench on board disguised as a boy,” shouted Coop.

  “Aye, that’s breakin’ the code twice,” Wybert pointed out.

  “Get out! All of you,” yelled Tristan.

  “I want my turn with her when ye’re done,” said one of the men.

  “Nay, I get her before ye. I don’t want her worn out,” said another.

  “No one will touch Gavina,” said Tristan through gritted teeth. “And I warn you, whoever tries to do so will be strung up from the yardarm and left there until the crows peck out their eyes.”

  “What’s that on her back?” asked Wybert, peeking out from around Noll, pointing to Gavina.

  “It looks like some sort of a map,” said Goldtooth.

  “It is a map! It’s the copy of the treasure map we’ve been lookin’ for.” Noll pushed Ramble aside and shot forward. “The Cap’n knew she had it all along and wasn’t goin’ to tell us about it.”

  “Aye, he wanted the wench and the treasure all for himself,” said Wybert, joining Noll in riling up the men.

  “Mardon! Aaron, get in here,” Tristan called out, reaching over to his weapon belt on the table to draw his sword.

  Gavina could tell a fight was about to break out and it was all because of her. Tristan would never be able to fend off the men if he had one arm around her. She broke free from his hold and dove for the tunic on the floor. But as she picked it up, Noll’s foot came down atop it.

  “Let’s see that map, Wench,” he sneered. But before he could touch her, Tristan’s sword was at Noll’s throat.

  “What did I just say?” asked Tristan.

  “I didn’t touch her,” said Noll, holding his hands out to the sides. “I only asked to see that map on her back.”

  “Out of the way. Get out of my way, ye fools,” came Nairnie’s voice from the door. She held her soup ladle in one hand and a cast iron skillet in the other, swinging them both at one man after another, hitting them and pushing her way into the room. The men held up their arms to block her blows and quickly cleared a path for her. Mardon and Aaron ran in right behind her.

  “Nairnie, get over here and help the girl dress,” Tristan commanded, the tip of his sword still pushing against Noll’s throat. “The rest of you, out!”

  “Tell us what’s goin’ on, Cap’n,” said Stitch, stretching his neck, trying to see over the crowd.

  “The captain’s been hiding a girl on the ship in disguise. That’s breakin’ the code and punishable by death,” spat Noll, even with the sword to his throat.

  “And what do you think the punishment is for mutiny?” growled Tristan. “I know that’s what you’re trying to do by getting everyone worked up into a frenzy. I should just push this blade through your throat right now and be done with the likes of you.”

  “Nay, Cap’n, I was only jestin’ about goin’ to work for Nereus,” Noll pleaded, slowly raising his palms.

  “Cap’n, why were you keepin’ it from us that ye had a wench on board?” Peg Leg Pate’s wooden leg thumped against the floor as he hobbled over to Tristan.

  “I’ll explain everything, but not here,” Tristan answered. “Everyone meet me on the deck below the main sail,” he told his men. Slowly, he moved the blade away from Noll’s throat. “Remember, I don’t want any trouble.”

  The men, talking to each other in low voices, headed out the door.

  “What are you going to tell them?” asked Aaron as he and Mardon approached Tristan. Ramble stood waiting at the door.

  “There has been a change in plans,” Tristan explained. “We’ve got the map now so there’s no need to go back to the Crooked Crow. We’ll set a course to find the treasure anon.”

  “The map? Where is it?” asked Mardon, looking around. “Did I miss something?”

  “It’s inked onto the girl’s back,” Ramble called out from over by the door.

  Nairnie was tying the neck of Gavina’s tunic tighter than it needed to be, as if that would stop a pirate from touching her if he so wanted.

  “I’m confused,” said Aaron. “So, she had the map on her back all along and we didn’t know about it?”

  “Aye, it seems so.” Tristan put his sword down on the table and donned his weapon belt. “However, I don’t think she was working with Birk.”

  “I’m no’ workin’ with that horrible man. I already told ye that,” said Gavina. “Birk and my da were bettin’ me against the map.”

  “What?” Tristan spun around, his sword in his hand. “Your own father put you up as part of the winnings in a game of chance?”

  “He did,” she admitted, the thought making her extremely sad. “But he only did it because he wanted the treasure map and was sure to win. Ye see, he was cheatin’.”

  “I saw him lying dead on the floor so I guess his plan failed,” remarked Tristan, sliding his sword into his scabbard.

  “It did fail,” she agreed, feeling ill at the thought of what had transpired. “They were both cheatin’ and my faither paid the price.”

  “All right, let’s go,” said Tristan. “I have to calm the men down before I have a mutiny on my hands.”

  “Wait,” said Mardon, stopping in his tracks. “Shouldn’t we copy down the map on a piece of parchment first?”

  “Aye,” agreed Ramble. “That way, if anythin’ happens to Gavina, we’ll still have the map.”

  Gavina’s head snapped up at hearing that remark. Fear coursed through her. “What’s goin’ to happen to me?”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you as long as you listen to me,” said Tristan. “Ramble, go get a few bottles of whisky for the men to help them relax. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Whisky? Dinna ye mean ale?” asked Ramble. “After all, ye always stress that the good stuff should be saved for nighttime or even special occasions. Ye always say –”

  “Forget what I said in the past and listen to me now,” snapped Tristan. “The men are pretty upset and I can’t say I blame them.”

  “Aye, Cap’n. I’ll do it right away,” said Ramble, rushing out the door.

  “I’ll head the ship for the Crooked Crow so we can drop off the girl before she’s . . . enjoyed . . . by the men,” Mardon told him.

  “Aye, even the three of us aren’t going to be able to hold them off now that they know there’s a wench on board,” said Aaron.

  “Ye’re takin’ me back to the Crooked Crow?” asked Gavina. The thought of being left there all alone was just as frightening as staying around all these lusty men. Visions of her father lying dead in a pool of blood filled her thoughts and made her shiver. Birk’s men were still there and could not be trusted. She might be the one to end up dead in a puddle of blood next.

  “Nay, we’re not taking her back after all,” Tristan told his brothers, opening up a trunk and digging through it as if he were looking for something important.

  “Well, we can’t bring her with us when we search for the treasure,” said Mardon. “That would be absurd.”

  “Why no’?” she asked. “I want to come with ye to find the treasure.”

  “Och, lass, what are ye sayin’?” asked Nairnie. “If ye ken what’s guid for ye, ye’ll go home and get away from these men as fast as ye can.”

  “Nay! I have no home, Nairnie. I’m goin’ with ye all to find the treasure, and ye canna stop me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, of course we can stop you.” Tristan spoke with his head down in the trunk.

  “If ye dinna take me along, then I . . . then I . . . I willna give ye the map.” She spied a jug of water sitting in a basin atop a box. Hurrying over, she picked it up.

  “Gavina, do you know how silly you sound right now?” mumbled Tristan, no
t seeming at all concerned. “Oh, good, here it is.” Tristan stood up with a book in his hand.

  “I mean it,” she threatened, pulling her tunic off one shoulder and exposing part of her back. “If ye dinna let me come with ye to find the treasure, I swear I’ll dump this water over me and wash the map away before ye can ever use it.”

  “Nay, you won’t.” Aaron laughed. “You can’t do that.”

  “Nay?” she asked in challenge.

  The smile disappeared from Aaron’s face. “Can she, Tristan? The map is tattooed on to her back and can’t come off. Right?”

  “Are ye willin’ to bet on that?” Some of the water dribbled from the spout of the jug, landing on Gavina’s shoulder.

  “Tristan?” Mardon looked his way.

  “I’m afraid she might not be bluffing,” said Tristan. “It didn’t look like the ink was etched into her skin, but was just on the surface. However, I’ve already seen the map. She hasn’t. Gavina, are you sure to want to wash it away when this treasure seems to be so important to you for some reason?”

  “Are ye sure ye got a guid enough look at the map to remember the details?” she asked in return, still holding up the water, ready to throw it over her back.

  “Damn,” spat Mardon, clenching his fists. “Tristan do something about this wench, or I will.”

  “I guess there’s only one thing to do. We’re taking her with us,” answered Tristan.

  “Guid.” Gavina smiled and handed the jug to Nairnie.

  “Ye canna think ye can protect her against this ship full of bluidy curs,” spat Nairnie, shaking her head in disgust. “The lass isna safe here, Tristan, and ye ken it.”

  “Nay, she’s not. I agree,” Tristan told her. “However, I have a plan to make her safe. After it’s carried out, I promise, not a single man here will try to touch her again.”

  “What plan?” asked Gavina, wondering what he could possibly do to keep the men away from her.

  “Mardon, as my quartermaster, I give you the honors.” Tristan handed Mardon the book.