She moved to him, placing her hand on his chest. “A pirate who uses his treasure to support orphans. Who only attacks other pirates, frees slaves, and saves merchants. You are a fearsome blackguard, Captain,” she said tartly. “I know what Miss Anna did to you as well. Tell me, Jasper, what are you running from?”
He stood frozen, relishing the heat of her hand seeping through his shirt. The connection he shared with her was undeniably strong. When she was this close, it was all he could do to fight the pull he felt toward her. His annoyance dissipated in measures as he stared down at her, resisting the urge to take her lips with his. He could not allow himself the luxury. The stakes were far too high.
“You know nothing of which you speak.”
“On that score you are positively mistaken. I recognize bits of myself in you. I see the pain behind your gaze because I, too, have lost.” She placed one small hand on his cheek and stroked her thumb across it.
Emotion welled up in him at her delicate touch. He closed his eyes against the onslaught, fighting for control of his traitorous heart. The hoyden fought for him, for them. Something Anna had never done. How could he push her away?
“Jasper, I lov—”
“Don’t” His eyes flew open as he stepped out of her reach. “Let us not say such things.”
She moved toward him again. “You cannot undo what is done, Jasper. It is too late for me, and I believe for you as well. I love you.”
“Damn it, Prudence. Stop. I can’t do this.” He turned his back on her, desperately trying to regain his composure. Trying to scrub her words from his mind. A fool’s mission, for they would be forever branded in his memory. Still, he could not allow this to go any further.
She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist before resting her cheek on his back. “What are you so afraid of?”
He drew in a deep breath, not wanting to hurt her, but knowing he had to. “I fear nothing. As for love, it is a ridiculous notion. You no more love me than I do you.”
“She gave him a squeeze “Stop fighting our connection. There is something special between us. Do not cast me away.”
His heart hitched as he unwrapped her arms from around him and turned to face her. “What you feel for me is lust. An emotion that is often confused for love. With time it will fade until you no longer care for me at all.”
“You are wrong, Jasper. I love—”
“Enough. We are less than a day from the American coast line. Come dawn, I will row you ashore, after which we will never see each other again.”
A rogue tear slipped from her eye as she pleaded with him silently. She made no move to dash it away. Just stood there staring at him.
His arms twitched to comfort her as if they had a mind all their own. He bore the responsibility for her heartache. A deep ache formed in his chest. It had never been his intention to hurt her. None-the-less the damage was done and there was nothing he could do to sooth her. He clasped the hilt of his cutlass in one hand as he turned away from her once more. He would do what he must to protect them both no matter how much it taxed him. “I will take you to Hawkins. You are to tell him the location of your shipyard. That is where we will bring you ashore.”
“Please, Jasper.”
It took all of his resolve to ignore her breathy plea, keep his back to her as he led her to the galley way. Tomorrow this would all be over and his life would go back to the way it had been before she came into it. With time, he would forget all about her. He had no alternate choice.
Chapter 12
The day dawned in a blaze of pinks and oranges. Prudence watched the sun peek above the waves as night faded. Despite the beauty of the sunrise, the day would end in storms. Papa had always told her a pink dawn was a sure sign of bad weather just as a pink dusk would bring a fair day.
Bad weather was fitting, considering how she suffered at present. She’d sobbed until sleep took her the previous night. Her last thought then, as it had been this morning, was about Jasper. How would she ever get beyond her heartbreak?
She gazed out at the familiar coastline, part of her elated to be returning home, the other desperate to stay on the Marion. Hawkins spoke with her at length last night. She’d told him of a cove near her shipping company, as well as the location of her business. They would be reaching the cove before long, after which she would be taken in the skiff to her shipyard.
“It won’t be long now.” She glanced at Hawkins.
He rested his elbow on the ship’s rail. “Is there anything you wish to do before departing?”
Her throat tightened at the thought of all the things she wished to do but could not. She shook her head, unable to speak her mind.
“Very well. Here comes Payne.”
Prudence glanced around the ship; catching sight of Payne, she forced a smile. All would be well. She had to believe it would. Her heart would mend and she would carry on the family business. Papa would be proud of her. She straightened her posture and drew in a deep breath. “Thank you, Mr. Hawkins.”
“Thanks are not necessary.” He grinned as Payne stepped up to the rail.
“Seems we have found our hiding place.” Payne pointed at the coast.
Prudence followed his direction. “Indeed, that is the cove I spoke of.”
“Then I must be getting to the wheel. Someone has to anchor us within.” Hawkins winked before turning to go.
Prudence looked around the main deck, searching for Jasper. She’d yet to see him this morning. The deck was swarming with men carrying out their tasks, but he was not among them. She hoped to speak with him before leaving the ship. If nothing else, she wanted to say her good-bye in private. Somewhere deep inside she had a spark of hope that he would change his mind about them. Confess his love and hold her tight.
She supposed it was not to be, but where did that leave her? She could not simply return home and marry Mr. Stratford after all that had happened. She never wanted to wed him to begin with and she desired it even less now. Her heart belonged to Jasper whether he wanted it or not. Mayhap she would remain unwed for all of her days. Give all of herself to the shipping company and forget about a husband and family. In her experience, such things only brought sorrow. She’d had enough of that for a lifetime.
“How did you know of this place?” Payne asked, nodding toward the cove they now sailed toward.
Clearly no one had seen fit to inform him about her personal life. She turned her attention to him. Payne had become a friend, he could be trusted. How ironic that she now counted pirates among her friends. “My Papa owned Drake Shipping. We often sailed the coast and he was always happy to explore with me.”
“Now everything about you makes sense, Miss Prudence.” He chuckled.
“We are friends, Payne. You have no need of formalities where I am concerned. Honestly, they sound odd coming from you.” She gave a genuine smile.
“You will be missed, Prudence.”
“And you as well.” She reached for the rail as the ship came to a stop within the safety of the cove. Her pulse jumped when Jasper called out orders to drop the anchor. She turned her head, following his voice, her gaze locking on him.
She studied him, committing the sight of him to memory. He wore a white shirt with snug tan breeches and tall boots. His shirt lay open at the neck, showing off a sliver of his muscular chest while he stood with one foot propped up and his hand on the hilt of his cutlass. Blue eyes shone icy against his tanned face and his blond hair blew around in the morning breeze as he gave out his orders. A more handsome man could not exist.
Her eyes met his, a large smile spreading across her lips. He smiled for a brief moment before a frown tugged his full lips down and he broke their connection. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes again. She forced them back, hating how weak he made her, and turned her attention back to Payne. “How long before we leave the ship?”
“Not more than twenty minutes.”
She nodded. Her only hope of forgetting Jasper was
to get off the Marion and returning to what was left of her life. She steeled herself, determined not to let him destroy her. Life would go on. It had to. She could not force him to love her, and she’d not allow herself to be reduced to a simpering, lovesick fool. She could not change his mind. Her only course of action was to accept his decision. “I would like to say good-bye to Kipp.”
“I can take you to him if you’d like, but he will also be going ashore with us.” Payne drummed his fingers on the rail.
Prudence had not considered who would be taking her to the shipyard. Would Jasper be among them? Stop ruminating on the man. “Who is escorting me home?”
“Captain, Hawkins, Kipp, and myself.”
Her fool’s heart speed up as her stupid mind started calculating ways to get past Jasper’s fears and reach his heart before he left her. She was hopeless.
Styles approached, holding a bundle against his chest. “I ‘ave somethin’ for ye, Miss.”
She took in the sight, not believing her eyes as he shook the bundle out. A sapphire silk skirt cascaded out in front of him. “I made this for ye shortly after ye came aboard. Captain bid me te give it to ye now.” He smiled, his gaze holding hers. “Can’t have a fine lady leave Marion lookin’ like no pirate wench.”
“Styles.” Payne elbowed him in the side.
“Sorry, miss.” Styles gave a sheepish grin. “I’m not used te talking te ladies.”
Prudence could not stop the laughter that bubbled up in her. “It is quite all right.” She reached for the frock he still held, her heart swelling. “You made this for me?”
“Styles is a regular seamstress.” Payne chuckled.
“It is a fine skirt. I will be honored to wear it.” Prudence held it at her waist. “Thank you.”
“I was happy te make it for ye.” Styles glanced at Payne. “Mayhap I’ll stitch one for ye next. I hear you ‘ave great legs.” He returned the elbow he’d received from Payne earlier.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Payne scowled.
Prudence smiled as Styles burst into laughter, soon followed by Payne. She would surely miss these men, but not as much as she’d long for Jasper. A cursory glance revealed that he no longer stood on deck. Where had he gone?
“We are short on time. If you want to change, we need to go now.”
Prudence returned her attention to Payne with a nod. She looked back to Styles. “I will think of you every time I wear this. Thank you.”
He smiled then gave a wink before she turned away again. When they reached the captain’s cabin, Payne held the door for her to enter. As it clicked shut behind her, she could not stop herself from wondering what Jasper would think of her when he saw her dressed like a proper miss. Mayhap she was destined to make a cake of herself after all, for no matter what she tried she could not stop thinking about the man.
* * * *
Jasper sat at the front of the skiff doing his best not to look at Prudence as his men rowed them toward her shipyard. She was stunning in breeches with her hair cascading down her back, but something about her in a skirt with her honey hair swept up made him long even more to keep her. The frock made her appear more delicate, more feminine. He suspected she would take his breath away no matter what she had on.
He’d paced the deck well into the night pondering his life, her and Anna, his choices. More than once he started toward his cabin before stopping himself. “What are you afraid of?” Even now her words echoed in the recesses of his mind.
In short, he was afraid of everything. He left his life in England years ago, never intending to go back. Closed what was left of his heart off after Anna’s deception. He’d embraced his role as fearsome pirate and champion to the less fortunate. Prudence turned everything upside down when she blazed into his life, but she deserved better.
It would be wrong of him to declare his love and sweep her away. She deserved so much more than he had to offer. A life at sea, pirating. He could never give her a home and children. Not without returning to his old life. And what of his heart? True, she had proven he still possessed one, but would she be happy having a damaged one? Would he spend the rest of his days holding her tight while comparing her to Anna and waiting for her to break him? She deserved to be loved without reservation. He could not be so selfish as to hang onto her.
“It seems you have been spotted, Miss Prudence.” Kipp pointed at the harbor.
Jasper followed his direction to where several men stood waving and jumping around. Reality slammed into him, knocking the air from his lungs. This was it. She was home and would be forever out of his reach before the sun set again. He turned his gaze on her and for the first time in a fortnight she did not look back at him. Her attention was trained on the shore as she waved back, a smile stretching her lips.
The men rowed faster as Jasper drank in the vision of her, desperate to remember her features—those warm hazel eye, the slant of her smile, her beautiful continence. Before long, they reached a dock. Payne, Kipp and Hawkins, climbed out of the skiff. Jasper followed their lead, then turned to assist Prudence from the boat. He wanted to feel her touch one last time.
She stood, taking his offered hand. The heat between them seared his soul as he assisted her onto the dock. Before he could say anything, the men who’d been watching swarmed them. His chest hollow, he stepped back to allow her space.
“You are a sight for sore eyes,” one man said, before embracing her.
“The news reported your ship gone. We were told no one survived,” another added.
“What of your Father? The crew? Are they alive?” Yet another man looked at her, hope etched in his features.
Jasper watched as the men asked questions, gave condolences, and offered comforting touches. Jealousy turned his stomach, but he held his ground and his tongue. He had no right to interfere.
Hawkins rested a hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure you wish to leave her here?”
“There is no other choice.” Jasper did not take his gaze from Prudence.
His interest peaked when a well-dressed man approached her with a large smile, taking both of her hands in his.
“Tell me I am not dreaming?” The man pulled her closer.
“You are quite awake, Mr. Stratford.” She glanced back at Jasper.
The man released her hands and pulled her into his embrace. “Thank God.” He stroked her hair as he rocked her side to side. “I cannot imagine what you have suffered.”
Prudence’s shoulders shook as if she were sobbing. Jasper took a step toward her before halting. Who was the man holding her?
“You are safe now, pet. Let us wed at once, and I will shelter you for the rest of your days.”
Prudence pushed back from the man’s embrace and looked at Jasper, her eyes pleading.
He gave a nod before jumping back into the skiff. “Come men,” he ordered, not able to continue watching the scene before him. Whoever that man was, he would be better suited for her. Clearly, he cared for her. Jasper had to get back to the Marion before he allowed his jealousy to get the better of him. He had to leave Prudence to her future.
Chapter 13
The burn of the rum did nothing to sooth Jasper. He’d been at it for hours, alone in his cabin, drowning his feelings—or attempting to at any rate. When Hawkins dared to disturb him, Jasper had pushed him from the room, barring the door behind him. Through the alcohol haze, in the full light of day, he could not stop from wondering why he was torturing himself. None of his reasons for pushing Prudence away seemed legitimate now.
Sailing ran in her blood. How had he not realized it before? She’d not stay off the ocean for long no matter who she wed. How would a landlubber in a suit protect her the next time she slipped out of the rigging or tumbled down a ladderway? He couldn’t. That man wouldn’t know the first thing about ships. He probably didn’t even know the bow from the stern. How could Jasper trust Prudence to him?
He tipped his jug of rum, draining the last of it before moving to pull the cabin d
oor open. “Kipp, fetch Hawkins to me straight away. Bring me cold water and coffee too.”
Closing the door behind him, he moved to open his trunk and started pulling out clothing. If he were going after her, he’d need to be dressed like a gentleman. A pirate could not scurry unnoticed through the American streets.
What if he was too late? Maybe she’d already married the man in the suit. “No.” He shook the musings away and began removing his boots.
By the time Kipp and Hawkins entered the cabin, Jasper had dressed himself in proper clothing complete with a crisp, white cravat and Hessians.
“What is this about?” Hawkins raised a brow.
“I cannot go after her dressed as a pirate, nor can you.” Jasper tossed garments at his cousin. “Dress while I sober up a hair.”
“Are you mad?”
“No. For the first time since purchasing the Marion, my mind is clear.” Jasper took the coffee from Kipp and moved to his wash stand. “You were correct. I need her.”
“Then let us rescue her before it is too late.” Hawkins jerked his cutlass belt free.
Jasper smiled then turned to splash the cold water Kipp had brought on his face. By the time he had finished washing and drank the coffee, Hawkins was dressed.
“The pair of you look exactly as lords should.” Kipp chuckled. “I’ve not seen the likes of it in years.”
“Enough jesting. Go ready the skiff,” Jasper said.
Kipp left to do his bidding.
“How do you intend to locate her?” Hawkins asked as he sat down to tug on his Hessians.
Jasper moved to the door. “The day is early yet. We will go ashore and ask everyone we encounter until someone points us in the right direction. Now stop dallying. You’re worse than my sister. Let us be on our way.”
Captivated by the Captain (Fabled Love Book 2) Page 8
