With a quick shake of her head, she released the tight hold of the desk and righted herself.
She’d take a stand and force the captain to let her go ashore as soon as the weather allowed.
Aye, a sound plan. He’d see the error of this venture. She wondered where he’d stumbled upon the idea the clan had money to spare. The clan did well, prosperous with cattle and crops, but no trunks of coin lay around Wild Thistle. And her worth must be a few trunksful, to say the least.
The door crashed open. A wave of seawater rushed into the room, slammed her against the wall. The man Dougal raced in and grabbed her.
“I’ll save ye, m’lady,” he yelled over the surge and howling wind.
Drenched with a wild gleam filling his eyes, the man secured her with his strong arms. She tried to shove out of his tight grip. The ship pitched and they were dragged to the bed. She kicked and screamed, clawed at his face.
“M’lady,” he said as he tried to secure her with his brute force. “Dinnae fight me, lass. I mean to tie ye for safety.”
More water rushed into the chamber.
Another voice shouted, “Bring her on deck.”
She saw the captain’s back as he quickly left.
“Ye heard the captain. To the deck with ye.”
She grabbed the bedpost. “Nay.” She nearly lost her grip as fear and water slicked her hands. Dear God, ’twas as if the battle against Clan Mungos had started again, the storm of that night just as fierce as the storm battering the ship.
Harsh memories flooded her mind once again as she fought Dougal. Lightning clashed. Thunder boomed. The sea churned as if it were about wrench the ship in two.
Her father’s blood crusted brow.
Tears blurred her vision as she pushed away from Dougal.
“Blast it, lass. Dinnae ye ken, ’tis safer on deck.”
Nay, she didn’t, she wanted to scream.
She stopped fighting him, praying he told the truth. Dougal nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder to guide her from the chamber.
She winced as they left the cabin. Water plummeted, spiking her skin. She clung to the sailing master as he moved toward the captain.
Even in the midst of the rain and waves, the treacherous wind, the captain commanded, competed with the thunder with his bellows of orders. His liene molded to his chest, highlighting every muscle. The wind tangled with his hair, blowing it from his face. A scowl pulled on his mouth as he watched her with unreadable eyes.
She stumbled beneath his scrutiny.
“Easy, m’lady.”
Dear God, this brute of a man treated her as if she were a wee lass. Was he the savage she assumed he was?
“Leave her with me,” Captain Ross commanded as he gripped the wheel and quickly turned it.
“Shall I tether her, Captain?”
A huge wave crested over the bulwark, crashing over them. Faith gripped the man holding her. The captain held onto her as well.
“Aye,” he growled.
Dougal grabbed a length of rope and tied it around Faith’s waist. He then secured the other part to Captain Ross’ waist.
“Nay,” she said as she tried to back away.
He spared her a quick glance, then said, “If you go overboard, darling, ’twill save your life.”
How she loathed depending on this man for her life. But as a clap of thunder roared, she jumped toward him.
Even in the storm, heat radiated off him. His jaw clenched as he spun the wheel in the opposite direction. Where should she look? Either she stared at him or at the storm intent on ripping the Blue Boy to sheds.
The storm forced too many memories of harsh events that had devastated her and her family. Her father nurtured her, treated her interests with respect, and taught her how to hunt. After the battle, during the raging storm, he’d lost his life.
As she watched Captain Ross, she wondered how he managed it. Navigating a ship with a crew culled from different parts of the world seemed chaotic. She wondered if one day the captain thought, "Aye, I better get a crew." And he accepted each man he passed that day.
Alec ran to the captain and yelled something she couldn’t understand. His mouth turned into a grim line.
She groaned, gaining his attention.
“Not to worry, m’lady.” He flashed a grin and Alec chuckled.
’Twas as if the man loved the challenge of the storm, the plight of navigating the ship along the rocky coast, and the waves that tried to push them back to where they came from.
He winked at her, his blue eyes glowing with excitement and the thrill of the quest to keep them safe.
There was something more to this man. More to his story and the need for the ragtag crew and her capture. Even though he’d ripped her from her lands, he protected her. He was like no one she’d ever encountered and she was intrigued.
And she was going to find out what made him so different, even if that meant playing the captive.
~ ~ ~
’Twas hard to concentrate with the lovely lass watching him as if her life depended on it.
Which it did, he through grimly.
A sight to behold, even with her hair plastered to her head. Not to mention how her clothing clung to her womanly figure like skin. Distracting and dangerous, to be sure.
He ripped his gaze from her and concentrated on guiding the ship and those aboard to safety.
Each member of the crew worked swiftly to ensure the ship stayed afloat. Wee Will had released the sheets in Amit’s absence. Blast, he risked a lot with Amit ashore. He prayed the rigger had made it to the mainland.
His ship concerned him. He prayed his skill ensured she wouldn’t meet with rocks or be pushed ashore. ’Twould be disastrous for all if he failed.
And he didn’t need any more disasters in his life.
Bram tossed him a rope and then secured himself to the mast, the man’s footing too unpredictable to remain walking about the deck in the torrential rain.
“Tie this to your waist and the wheel stem. ’Twill provide extra security.”
Lady Faith stared at him as if he had lost his mind, then accepted the rope. He refocused on steering the ship.
His gaze slipped to her once again and he grunted. He took the rope from her, wrapped it around her waist and knotted it. He’d forgotten she wasn’t a woman used to life on a ship and her skill at knotting the rope proved as much.
“I could have done it,” she yelled. She stood next to him with her fist at her waist and a scowl upon her delectably, full mouth.
“Nay,” he yelled. She glared at him.
Spirit, he thought.
The wind raged around them, creating a tempest of rain and sea swells. Danger thrummed within him, pounding hard in his heart. The challenge of saving his crew, the lady, and his ship heated his blood with some primal instinct.
“Grand,” he called out as the Blue Boy rolled over a huge wave. He could conquer the world.
Lady Faith glared at him, but he didn’t miss the fear tightening the lines around her eyes. He tugged her toward him, tight against his chest. Her eyes widened and curiosity filled her gaze. He grinned and delved. God, she tasted like heaven. Her supple lips molded to his as he held her with one hand and steered with the other as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Even as her body softened toward him, she was hesitant and shy. His continued assault on her mouth prompted a sigh to slip from her and she leaned into him. Needing no more encouragement, he slipped his tongue between her lips and tasted.
Lady Faith gripped his shoulders, pressed hard against him. With their wet clothing, it felt as if they were skin to skin. The danger of the situation, the willing woman in his arms, infused his desire. Her full breasts crushed against him
drove him to let go of the wheel and embrace her with both arms.
How he wanted her. Now.
“Captain,” Dougal yelled.
Bollocks. He pulled from her and gripped the wheel.
She stared at him with those beguiling green eyes. She reached up to touch her swollen lips and he nearly moved toward her again.
“Captain,” Dougal yelled again.
He flashed a grin and turned toward the sailing master.
The man pointed.
A rocky shoal loomed before them.
He spun the wheel to steer the ship around the rocks jutting up from the sea. The ship listed, nearly upending. His men scrambled, yelled to each other.
Wee Will came to his side and with his herculean strength helped him hold the wheel as the sea tried to make them bow to her demands.
Lady Faith stayed close, just a breath behind him. But it mattered not that she called to him like a siren.
He must save the ship.
Chapter 5
Fear like she’d never known nearly choked her. She reached out to grab Captain Ross’ arm for something to hold onto. But quickly pulled back. The man tried to steer the ship around a huge mass of rocks.
Dear God, if they crashed, they’d all be lost at sea.
She ignored the heat of the man, the way his muscles tensed and bunched as he strained to hold the wheel. Even with Wee Will’s help, a hard feat.
The wind buffeted her as if trying to throw her overboard. She swallowed rising bile. She’d already lost her stomach all over the captain. She doubted he’d appreciate her doing so again.
She peeked around him and immediately hid behind the breadth of his brawn.
They were going to die—’twas no other way out of this storm.
At least he’d kissed her. ’Twould be a shame to go to the grave without ever having been kissed by a lad. Even in the cold, driving rain, heat burned over her cheeks at the thought of his lips upon hers and the way her blood had rushed through her body.
Mayhap her sister Hope knew what she was doing when she mooned over Aidan. If he kissed as Captain Ross did, ’twould be hard to stay away from the man.
Damn, she had to stay away. She’d never be foolish enough to tangle with the man who held her captive. A rogue who kissed whenever he saw fit. He most likely had a lass in every port.
She felt woefully ignorant as she clung to the idea of kisses and staying alive. Thunder cracked above them. Her mind raced from one thought to another as if she were reviewing her life in a flash.
Had her father felt this way as he lay dying? Did he think of his life in an array of images from birth until the battle that felled him? Tears welled at the thought of the sorrow he faced knowing he’d soon be gone.
She thought about all she hadn’t done and all she wanted to do. Aye, so much to do for the clan.
She’d never see her sisters, her clan again. Och, she’d never sleep beneath the canopy of stars while on a hunt. Gone would be solace of the forest.
Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule.
And she would never fulfill her father’s pledge.
A huge swell lapped over the ship, knocking her onto her backside as it crashed along the deck.
Wee Will looked down at her with a disgruntled look of irritation and motioned to stay down.
She clutched the rope tethering her to Captain Ross. If it broke and another swell swallowed the ship, she’d be swept overboard.
Terror filled her. The rain, the waves, the way the ship pitched and rolled—pure torture. She wanted to cover her ears and close her eyes, wishing to be elsewhere. Yet she wasn’t a coward.
Her father had deemed it so when he’d first taken her hunting and the fear nearly overwhelmed her.
“Breathe, Faith,” her father had said. “Yer hand is on the bow—hold ’er tight.”
She’d watch the animal come closer as if not sensing the fear that hung in the air like a rotten egg.
“Respect the animal—the sacrifice. And always give thanks to God.”
She’d inhaled, clutched the bow, pulled back the arrow, and breathed through her nose as the sinew snapped and the arrow raced toward the prey.
The deer, startled, had jerked its head upward. Wide brown eyes peered at her as the arrow met its mark and the animal crumpled to the ground.
The hunting group had yelled in triumph. Her hands shook at what she’d just done and tears swam in her eyes.
Her father had lifted a dram in celebration of her first kill. She’d long suspected one of his men had actually done the deed; with her so young, her accuracy wouldn’t have been so true. But he’d insisted she’d accomplished the feat. When he’d given her a small knife and told her to dress the animal, uncertainty resurfaced.
“Go on, lass. Ye’ve seen it done many a time.”
Aye, she had.
So she’d swallowed, stepped forward, then set her hand on the shoulder of the deer, warm and beautiful; she nearly cried. Such a graceful animal with fur so soft. She remembered wanting to take it all back, pull the arrow, and forget she was the cause of the deer’s death. Tears had blurred her vision as she began to gut the animal.
“Give thanks, lass.”
“Aye.” She searched her mind on how to give thanks when she’d just taken life. Even at such a young age, she’d been mindful of the needs of a clan and how much her father had to do to provide for them. They needed to hunt to survive. But it didn’t soften the blow.
She had petted the deer, felt the life she’d just taken. “Thank you,” she’d whispered. “Thank you for providing for my family.” She quickly prayed, thanking God for giving her father and herself the skill of the hunter and a way to secure food.
She now breathed the way her father had taught her as she tried to calm her nerves and survive the storm.
She thought back on the map on Captain Ross’ desk. The path he’d taken, the adventures he'd experienced. Not that she wanted it in this manner, but it appeared as if this would now be her adventure, a way to force the fear away and live in the moment.
Even if it were her last.
~ ~ ~
The morning sun settled above the ship as if it were any other day and not the morn after a treacherous storm. Waves lapped along the hull, a sweet sound that posed no threat.
He looked down at his feet and chuckled.
There she lay, curled in a little ball, sleeping as if she hadn’t a care in the world.
He gripped the wheel, still suspicious of the weather. He stretched his arms, trying to ease the soreness. Bram came forward with a tumbler of ale, some bread, and cheese.
Thank God. He needed sustenance. Sleep would have to wait for later when the ship was inspected and Amit safely on board. But for now, he’d break his fast.
“Dougal, drop anchor.”
Faith jolted awake and backed away from him.
“Easy, darling,” he said as he handed her a piece of bread. “We’re still tethered.”
She squinted at the sun. “The storm is over?” she asked with a husky voice.
“Aye.” He emptied the tumbler of ale and grabbed a hunk of cheese for himself.
Lady Faith rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
He watched her as she stretched. Her clothing pulled against her curves and he had to turn away to keep his wits about him. “Go and rest.” He quickly untied the rope and gave her a grin.
She nodded, not quite awake. She nibbled on the bread as she walked with nary a hitch to her step.
Bollocks, the lass had her sea legs. Quite the triumph since her time on the ship consisted of tumultuous waves accompanied by a sea storm.
Time to make plans in case Amit was delayed. The lass would grow increasingly restless. A woman of h
er spirit would not take kindly to being kidnapped. And a woman who ventured alone in the forest several days from her keep would be even less likely to bend to his demands. Not that he had another option, but he’d have to keep her occupied to give her laird, or lairds as he’d gleaned from their spying, time to bring the ransom.
Amit’s skill and speed on foot would have him back to the ship before evening tide. Unless he crossed any Highlanders. If they saw him, ’twould make for a messy situation. He cursed at the thought of his mate being injured. Yet the knowledge of his rigger’s skills gave him confidence the man survived.
Lady Faith walked toward his cabin, turned to look at him as she gripped the stairs leading up to the quarterdeck. She nodded, a hint of trust in her stance and gaze, he thanked God he’d been able to steer the ship through the night. Kept them safe, kept her safe.
Now he’d be able to barter Lady Faith and receive the ransom.
Chapter 6
She paced in the cabin, unable to rest or keep her mind from the storm or Captain Ross. She flexed her hands, keeping them limber and ready to grip her bow. One had to be firm, yet gentle when handling a bow and clutching the grip.
The windows offered a clear view of the sea, now docile as if they had conjured the storm using their imagination. She shivered, still untrusting of the water.
To ease her stiff muscles, she began practicing. Without the bow and arrows, ’twas an odd practice.
She pretended to pluck an arrow from her quiver, nocked it. After she drew, pulling the imaginary sinew taut, she let it sail through the chamber.
No prey filled the room, more’s the pity.
“What are you about?”
She spun toward the doorway. Captain Ross stood watching with a bemused grin on his face. How the man seemed to fill the room with his brawn. Scruff covered his jaw and his eyes were rimmed with red. And still her stomach fluttered when she peered at him.
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