“Still…”
“Still nothing!” Sam’s limited patience had run out. “Turn around, woman, and let me tend your face. If you remove your mask, it will make the chore easier.”
The mask stayed in place but in an odd way, it allowed Sam to appreciate the lady’s features in isolation. Her eyes truly mirrored her soul. In their chocolate depths he discerned pain and hardship and still they mesmerized him. Her lips were full and pink but seemed unaccustomed to smiling and certainly not kissing. As he gazed at them he was drawn under her spell and had to pull away. Instead, he focused on her injury and gently dabbed the blood from the wound, then rested a cool square of cloth over it to ease the throbbing. She had her eyes closed now, her teeth biting into her bottom lip. Her forehead wrinkled and jaw clenched. It must hurt like hell.
“Here,” he said. “I mixed a pain powder. My men swear by it.” He held it out to her and she sniffed at it suspiciously, then drank it in one go.
Either she was beginning to trust him or she felt so bad that death was a good option if it turned out to be poison. From the pallor of her skin, Sam decided it was the latter.
“You need to lie down.” He stood and extended his hand. She gripped it, the calluses on her palm a reminder that she would not be easily dismissed. “You and Lady Star may take my cabin. She can stitch your wound there.”
Esta was sick to her toes. Nothing could take her mind from the pull of needle and cotton through her forehead.
“This is deep, sister,” Katrine said, her serious eyes focused on the wound. “Do you have any double vision or feel like retching?”
“I had double vision when I awoke.” Esta flinched as Katrine tugged the thread through. “There were two of that damned pirate. Surely one is enough?”
“We could have done with two of him back on Sea Sprite.”
A shudder ran through Esta’s body as she remembered the ship slipping below the water. “Would you mind not mentioning my ship?” she asked. “I can’t deal with that right now.”
“You’ll have to face it sooner or later,” Katrine said. “I lost everything too, you know. You don’t see me weeping over it.”
Esta glared up at her. “Do you think I care about my possessions? Sea Sprite was like an old friend to me. What will I do without her?”
“Purchase another one?”
“It won’t be the same, even if we could afford it.” Esta swore Katrine was less gentle than she had been. Surely it was not necessary to tug so on her skin. “Are you almost finished?”
“One more stitch,” Katrine said. “If you ask me, you should be more grateful to the pirate. He risked his own life to save you. I didn’t see anyone else lining up to go down and fetch you. And besides, he has the map and the key. It wouldn’t hurt for you to butter him up. He might cut you a share of the loot.”
“Are you suggesting I seduce the man?” Esta asked.
Katrine leaned closer to inspect her handiwork and gave the wound a last wipe. She fixed her bright blue gaze on Esta. “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s interested and he’s not hard to look at. If I were you, I’d do all I could to ensure he kept me close.”
“Well, it’s fortunate that I’m not you,” Esta said. “Honestly, how can you suggest such a thing? I am the high lady of house Aranati, not a whore who sells herself to the top bidder. I won’t lower myself for anyone or anything.”
Katrine shook her head. “And what do you call smuggling? You insist on telling me how poor we are and yet you stubbornly refuse any help.”
“Whose help?”
“Mine for starters,” Katrine said. “What I have suggested is perfectly sound advice and you have thrown it back in my face. Have some fun with this man. It won’t hurt and it could help a great deal.”
“You have fun with him if you’re so fond of him,” Esta snapped.
Katrine’s eyes narrowed. “I just might!” She walked to the door. “Get some rest. I’ll have one of our men guard the door.” And with that, Katrine swept from the cabin, boots clicking on the polished floor.
Esta shook her head. What rubbish that girl spoke at times. And Katrine wondered why she never took her seriously!
While Lady Moonlight slept, Sam endeavored to bring order to Silver Lady. Storm Chaser returned with the Lenweri and the rest of Sea Sprite’s crew. He put Nande in charge of the new ship and gave him adequate crew to sail the vessel. Sam made Nande’s aid, Landin, first mate on Silver Lady and asked him to see that everyone had somewhere to sleep and a job to do. It was crowded with the extra crew but Sam didn’t want the lady’s sailors out of his sight.
Sam knew there would be friction between Lenweri and humans aboard his ships. He didn’t even want to think about how awkward two captains on Silver Lady would be. Luckily the lady would have to take a step back. This was his ship and he was in charge. If she wanted to see her home again she would have to accept his command. Besides, she was his prisoner.
Lady Star stalked up to him and he took a moment to admire the sway of her hips. She was not so captivating as her sister but still …
“How is she?” Sam asked.
“Suffering more than she will admit to,” Lady Star said. “It hasn’t affected her stubbornness however.” She folded her arms across her chest and let out a long breath.
“Listen, lady,” Sam said. “I wondered if, with more mouths to feed, you might be able to help in the galley.”
Lady Star’s eyes narrowed. “Oh you did, did you? What do I look like, a serving girl? Find someone else to peel the spuds, pirate!”
With that, she stalked up to the main mast and began the climb to the top castle.
“Mm,” Sam said. “That went well. I guess the answer is ‘no’.” He could have sworn he was captain around here. Looked like that didn’t apply to the women.
When Esta went up on deck, she found the pirate captain studying the map- her map. She watched him, Katrine’s words playing on her mind. He was handsome enough but he was a pirate—no matter that she owed him her life, he had stolen from her and she had to find a way to gain the upper hand again. She looked up in the top castles and spied Katrine. Typical that her sister would isolate herself after their argument. They rarely saw eye to eye but suggesting she prostitute herself was going too far. Still…
She studied the pirate captain, her head tilted to the side. It wouldn’t hurt to be friendly. She could appear to be helpful and watch for a chance to seize the upper hand.
Esta wandered over to him. He stood as she approached and gave her a bow. She was surprised by his manners.
“Lady Moonlight,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“Like a coach has run over my head.” She touched the stitches near her hairline.
“You’re lucky it wasn’t worse. Please sit. I have questions for you.”
He waited until she was comfortable and then sat beside her.
“You’ve narrowed the search to the island just ahead of us?” he asked.
She quirked an eyebrow. “Certainly. It’s the right shape and has the same features. I am almost certain this is the island I seek.”
“Almost?”
“One can never be sure, Captain. What is your name? I cannot call you ‘captain’ forever.”
Sam shrugged. “Most do.”
“Is it a secret?”
“I don’t throw my name about.” He paused, frowning. “I don’t know your real name.”
“And you will not,” she said. “However, I would like to have a name to call you.”
He looked down at his hands. “Delacost,” he said. “Samael Delacost.”
“Do the Lenweri know your name?”
“They do but I trust them implicitly.”
“Why did you decide to trust me?” Esta asked.
“So many questions this afternoon, Moonlight,” Delacost said, looking back at the map. “We’re on the wrong side. It appears there’s a small river that allows access
to the interior of the island. Silver Lady has a shallow hull, ideal for traversing small rivers. I think we should make our way around to the other side of the island, enter the river and weigh anchor. Storm Chaser can follow us and remain at the mouth of the river as a guard. I’ll leave some of your men with her.”
Esta raised her chin. “It’s a fair plan,” she said.
“We shall have a celebration tonight and set off in the morning in search of the treasure,” Delacost said, studying her. “You seem to have accepted your fate.”
“I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation, Delacost.”
“I hope that’s all you’re trying to do. I warn you, if you defy me, you’ll be sorry.” He stood and walked down the deck. Esta watched as he tucked the map back in his shirt.
“I will defeat you if it’s the last thing I do, Samael Delacost,” she said to herself.
Chapter 6
The mood was buoyant on Silver Lady that evening but Esta couldn’t share in the happiness. She may be safe and well with a full belly but her future and those she loved was tied up with Sea Sprite. The pirate would have to forgive her if she appeared less than joyful. She sat on a thick coil of line and watched Katrine dance with Samael. He moved mighty well and when he smiled, her stomach squirmed like a giant electric eel. If that look was directed at her, she would have difficulty breathing let alone dancing. The knock to her head must have done more damage than she had thought. It wasn’t like her to lose her head over a man.
Katrine on the other hand seemed immune to him. She swayed her hips and stamped her feet but she was her usual aloof self. Esta had never seen Katrine take interest in any man. Perhaps she was one to fancy women? Then again witches were bound to have strange fetishes. Esta studied Delacost, struck again by a nagging familiarity when his face turned to the light.
The dance ended and Katrine moved off toward the bow. Delacost picked up his lute and sat beside Esta, his thigh pressed against hers. Her heart danced a fancy rhythm but she clawed her feelings back under control, where they belonged. There was no point in allowing herself to be swept away by his handsome face and devilish attitude. Far better she should put her mind to the future and how she would make ends meet without a ship.
He strummed a few bars on the lute and Esta was surprised at his skill. “Father played the lute,” she said, “but I never learned. I still remember the nights we gathered after dinner to sing. He had a wonderful voice.”
Sam began humming along with the notes. She remembered the tune and opened her mouth. The song poured from her, taking her back to her childhood. When the last note died, her cheeks were wet.
Sam offered her a handkerchief. It was crisp and white, hardly what she would have expected from a pirate. She sniffed. “Thank you.”
“You have a beautiful voice too, Moonlight,” Sam said. “Is your father dead?”
The question hurt. “There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t miss him.” She gazed up at the stars and the clouds that raced across them. “Are your parents alive?”
She looked over at him in time to see a tortured look flit across his face. It was gone in a moment and she decided she had been mistaken.
“My parents are very much still with me though I don’t see them often. It’s difficult in my profession.”
“Clandestine meetings with them, I imagine.” Esta dried her eyes and blew her nose, breathing in the spicy scent of the cloth that was all Samael. Her heart thumped again. “They must miss you.”
“Mother especially,” Sam said. “She has no other children. Most of the time they don’t know if I’m alive or dead.”
“That would be truly awful,” Esta said.
He frowned and fell into a brooding silence.
“You play well,” she said. “Please, play a happy tune?”
Samael roused himself and began a merry sea shanty that had Esta clapping along and Lonso pulling Katrine up for a dance.
By the time Samael stopped playing, Esta knew it was time for sleep. The music was bittersweet—the joyful notes reminded her that she had no reason to be happy. And her head had begun to pound in time with the deck-stomping sailors. Her vision blurred and she closed her eyes.
As she nodded off, strong arms lifted her and she was enveloped in Samael’s unique scent. She was immediately wide awake, panic surging through her. His simple touch had so much power over her—too much.
“I can walk,” she said, kicking her feet around.
He lowered her slowly, and the brush of his body against hers did nothing to calm her racing pulse. He kept his arm around her as her feet touched the deck and as her traitorous body sagged against him for support, her common sense bade her take a step away. She fussed with her tunic so she wouldn’t have to look into his eyes. When she did finally meet Sam’s gaze, its intensity stole her breath. Her head began to spin and she staggered to the side but he was there again, both arms enfolding her in a manner that was too familiar. I can’t get away from him! Esta stiffened and pushed at him, trying to locate her sister.
“Lady Star!” she said, hating the distress which laced her words. Hating to admit she needed her sister.
Katrine appeared, took one look and guided Esta toward the hatch. “I can manage from here, Captain,” she said.
It seemed a long walk to their quarters. Katrine kept up a soothing monologue and her voice lulled Esta’s distress. Once in the cabin, her sister removed her boots and put her to bed. Esta’s last thought was the hope she would wake on the morrow and find this day had been but a bad dream.
Samael found an old bed roll and made his rest in the bow of the ship. It was cool but the inky black sky, broken by thousands of stars and a yellow crescent moon, soothed him. The celestial bodies seemed like old friends who had guided him his entire life.
As he watched the clouds scoot across the sky, he mused on the prickly woman who was his guest. She had displayed a fragile beauty under the moonlight this evening. He had seen a softer side, far more tender than her sister. Sam suspected she had grown a tough shell over the years as protection. It was clear she was used to fending for herself as well as those under her care and that she didn’t appreciate being vulnerable.
But vulnerable she was and he sensed she had been so even before her ship went down. Something told him that the beautiful lady had been walking on the edge of a precipice for some time and not only financially. It was none of his business, of course. She was naught to do with him. He mistrusted the way his heart wanted to shield her. Since when could he protect a woman? He was a pirate and a pirate he would stay. The sooner he found this treasure and set himself free of this woman, the better.
Chapter 7
Esta glared at Katrine’s back as they hacked their way through the dense bush of the island. Following the map had led them up a narrow river to a waterfall and they had weighed anchor at the base of the falls. It was an idyllic spot if Esta had been able to appreciate it. The falls threw up a fine mist and the area was sheltered from wind. Bird calls echoed and an exotic perfume hung on the air. If only she could find the origin of that fragrance, she would make a fortune back in the cities of the kingdom.
Samael had ordered half her crew to remain with the ship and half of the Lenweri.
He is fond of half measures, that one.
But the reason for the glare directed to her sister was the difficulty of the terrain and the ease with which Katrine sliced her way through the persistent branches that sprang into their path. It had to be her magic and simply wasn’t fair.
They followed a game trail beside a creek that trickled down from the hills above. The map showed their destination as the crest of one of those hills—the tallest, of course. Samael led the group with a handful of the strongest Lenweri to blaze the trail and clear the brush. Then came herself and Katrine, her sailors and another handful of Lenweri. Esta had not had much to do with the elves but had heard the kingdom was under threat from them. She wondered what part these elves had to play in t
he unrest in the kingdom. Samael appeared to enjoy their company and she couldn’t fault their competence at tasks but they avoided her when they could. Perhaps Samael had asked them to stay away?
They were nearly halfway to their destination when they stopped for luncheon. Esta collapsed on the ground beside the stream and splashed water on her face then took a long drink. The taste was glorious after the stale cask water they had been consuming. Most of the time she preferred to drink watered wine.
Samael stopped beside her. “How do you fare, ladies? Coping?”
“Yes, Captain,” Katrine snapped.
“Some of us are doing it tougher than others,” Esta said, glaring at Katrine.
Katrine looked down her nose. “Just using the gifts at my disposal.”
Esta didn’t like the smirk Samael had on his face. “I’m the one who nearly died yesterday and you insisted I come on this trek, Captain.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. “I insisted? I asked you to remain behind as I suspected how tough this would be. It was you who insisted on coming, though I don’t know why when it no longer has anything to do with you.”
Esta frowned so hard that Sam stepped back. “Perhaps I still hope that you will change your mind and give me the treasure. It’s the right thing to do.”
Samael’s eyes turned cold. “I told you I wasn’t concerned with what you thought was right. This treasure is mine by virtue of the fact that I vanquished your foe and saved your life. If you had any nobility, you would see that!”
Esta froze. Does he know about my title? Was the use of the word nobility an accident or had he worked out who she really was? “We will have to agree to disagree on that, Captain. If you were a chivalrous man you would have saved me and expected nothing but gratitude.”
The Lady and the Pirate Page 4
