by Christine Merrill/Marguerite Kaye/Annie Burrows/Barbara Monajem/Linda Skye
Captain Rawden Wood.
He had once been one of the wealthiest pirates in the Western seas, ravishing treasure-laden ships along the Mediterranean and African coastlines. His ship, the Golden Maiden, had been a shining example of marine engineering—a sleek and swift pirate vessel equipped with the latest cannons and the most cutthroat mercenaries. ‘Twas a shame for him that the illicit gold had all but dried up in Europe. It caused his ship to fall from the pinnacle of its past. It had his crew biting at the bit with restless greed. It made Captain Rawden Wood desperate for money.
And that made him perfect for her job, Juliana thought to herself with a sly smile. Just perfect.
Now, she just needed to find him again.
Her steps were light and sure as she skipped toward her destination. But when she rounded a corner, she almost stumbled to a stop.
A trio of shabbily dressed thugs was casually leaning against the walls, as if they had been expecting her. One of them was picking his teeth with the tip of a nasty-looking dagger. He turned to size her up, and a cruel grin lit his face. He took a menacing step toward her.
“Well, well, well,” he said in a voice as gritty as sand. “What do we have here?”
Juliana spun around, ready to run back the way she came. But another pair of goons emerged from the gloom, their grubby hands reaching for her. She ducked out of their reach and turned to face their leader, realising grimly that she’d been cornered. Her eyes darted from him to his cronies and back again. Their clothes were crusted with salt, their hair matted with dirt and their fingertips blackened with grime. She recognised the sort immediately. Swabbies. They were the grunts of a ship, spending most days mopping up the deck. Their leader—a heartless, soulless pirate, no doubt—was still grinning maniacally as he invaded her personal space, thrusting his face close to hers. His greasy, foul smell assaulted her nostrils, so she did the only thing she could think of.
She turned up her nose at him.
He laughed. “Is that any way to treat an old friend? Surely you remember me—good old first matey Clegg?”
“What do you want, you dirty sea dog?” she demanded, tinting her tone with arrogance.
“You know what I want, my little lassie.”
“I am not your little lassie,” Juliana hissed.
She suddenly felt very crowded as the small group of scallywags tightened their circle around her, cutting off her view of the end of the alley. Her hand slipped instinctively to her thigh and she hitched up the hem of her dress.
“Plan on giving us a show?” the pirate asked suggestively, waggling his bushy brows at her exposed leg.
“Not likely,” she snorted as her fingers found the hilt of her concealed dagger.
“Come on now,” Clegg chuckled. “Just hand it over.”
“Not on your life,” she bit out.
“My life?” Clegg asked with a false smile. “I don’t think it’s my life you should be worried about, lassie.”
Juliana did not answer. She kept her eyes trained on his every move, her hand tightening on her weapon.
“Just give us what’s ours, and we’ll be on our way,” the pirate said, his voice unnaturally coaxing.
“It’s not yours. And it never will be,” Juliana declared.
The pirate’s face turned ugly in rage. Before she could blink, he grabbed her by the upper arm and began to shake her violently.
“Stupid wench,” he shouted, spittle flying. “Give me what’s rightfully mine!”
“Oh? That’s an odd coincidence.” A deep booming voice echoed off the alley walls. “That’s what I want too.”
Her assailant’s hand slipped from her arm as the thugs turned to see who had spoken.
Well, well, well, Juliana thought sardonically, if it isn’t Captain Rawden Wood. What impeccable timing.
But this was not the way she had wanted to approach him, and she considered slinking off into the dark—except that the swabbies’ bodies formed a solid wall against her back. She tensed, waiting for whatever would happen next.
“Just be on your way, bucko,” Clegg sneered. “We have some unfinished business with this here lassie.”
“So do I.” Rawden paused and then added sarcastically, “Bucko.”
“You looking to get hurt, matey?” Clegg threatened.
Rawden paced calmly into the alley, his hands still lightly resting in his pockets. As he neared, Juliana saw just how intimidating he could be. He was tall and darkhaired with piercing green eyes. His gait was sure and measured, as deadly as that of a pacing lion. He stopped when he loomed over Clegg, who had to look up to meet his eyes.
“I hope you’re not mistaking me for a dashing young dandy out to save a damsel in distress,” he said, his voice pitched low. “Because that would be a fatal error.”
“No disrespect, matey—but why bother us?” Clegg said, unable to keep himself from stammering slightly. “She’s just one little wench.”
“That’s my business, not yours.”
“I’ve got men here—”
Rawden interrupted him with a deep sigh.
“Look here, you rapscallion,” Rawden said, tapping the gold pin adorning the lapel of his coat. “Do you know this crest?”
Clegg squinted at the gold pin; a winged woman resting on a thin circlet of gold. It was a well-known symbol. He paled and stepped backward.
“Captain Rawden Wood,” Clegg rasped.
“Aye, then,” Rawden replied, his voice hard and dangerous. “So you do know of me.”
Clegg didn’t bother to answer. Instead, he waved a hand at his swabbies and backed his way out of the alley as quickly as he could, disappearing with the sound of scurrying feet. Silence reigned in the nearly empty back street as Rawden watched their shadows disappear around the corner. Juliana regarded him warily, her fingers still tight around her dagger.
“You can let go of that knife, missy,” Rawden grunted, his eyes sliding to hers. “I’ve no plans to hurt you just yet.”
Juliana didn’t so much as twitch. Rawden sighed.
“You have my money, girl.” Rawden held out a hand expectantly. “That’s what I’m here for.”
She raised a thin brow, her eyes slowly trailing down his body. His eyes were the most uncanny shade of emerald green, and they gleamed in the half light, making him look even more devilish than before. He had a hardset, square jaw that was covered in light stubble, and his thick dark hair tumbled in messy curls around his temples. Though he wasn’t stocky by any means, he was tall and had sturdy, broad shoulders and a lean, muscular build. He was fairly well dressed for a down-and-out pirate, and his clothes were reasonably clean and neat. Yes, he would do. Juliana straightened, fixing him with a resolute stare.
“I will return your money,” she told him in a clear, unwavering voice. “If you will hear my request first.”
It was Rawden’s turn to arch a brow.
“Why should I?” he asked, curious.
“What have you got to lose?” Juliana countered.
“Time.”
“I will make it worth your while.”
“Do you think you are in any position to be bargaining with me?”
“Do you want your money back or not?”
“You realise that I can just take it from you, do you not?” he asked incredulously.
“You said you would not hurt me.”
“Yet,” he clarified pointedly. “I said I had no plans to hurt you yet.”
Juliana narrowed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips.
“You are an impoverished pirate at risk of losing your ship to decay. And any day, your gold-hungry gang of bandits will turn on you,” Juliana declared haughtily. “I think that you need to hear my offer.”
Rawden’s lips thinned as his patience waned.
“Not so innocent after all,” he muttered. “Well then, little lass, what is your offer?”
“I am looking for something,” Juliana began.
“What is it?”
/> “Not your concern,” she snapped before continuing. “I am looking for something of mine but I am also being pursued.”
“I can see that,” Rawden acknowledged. “And by some less than savoury characters, I assume.”
“So,” Juliana said with a quick nod of her head, “I need protection.”
“For how long?”
“Until I find what I am looking for.”
“Which is where?”
“I can’t tell you yet,” she said evasively. “But I require a ship to get there.”
“I see,” Rawden said curtly. “You’re looking for something—but you won’t tell me what. You are going somewhere along the coast—but you won’t tell me where. And you need me to be your personal bodyguard for an indefinite length of time?” He barked a laugh. “I think not, lassie. I’ll have my money and be on my way, thank you very much.”
Juliana remained impassive as she drew a small pouch of coins from her cloak. She tossed it in his direction, and he caught it deftly with one hand. Rawden chuckled as he dropped the pouch back into his pocket.
“Good luck finding someone,” he said as he turned away. “But I’m sure you couldn’t pay enough for anyone to—”
“A gold sovereign,” she cut in sharply.
He glanced at her over his shoulder.
“One gold sovereign is not nearly enough to—”
“One gold sovereign every day,” she announced, blankfaced. “Every day from today until the day I safely have what I am looking for.”
Rawden slowly turned on his heel, his eyes studying her serious expression.
“A gold sovereign every day,” he repeated carefully. His voice dropped to a deadly timbre. “That is quite the dangerous promise, young lady. How do I know you can deliver? After all, you did swindle me for just a few shillings.”
Her answer came in the form of a shining gold disc flying through the air, which he caught with a quick swipe of his hand. When he opened his fist, a single gold sovereign blinked up at him; he didn’t need to bite at it to know it was real.
“That’s for today,” she was saying as she flicked a second gold coin his way. “And this is an advance for tomorrow.” She paused before adding, “And I robbed you because it was the only way I knew to make you come find me.”
“And where is the rest of my payment?” Rawden asked slyly, still staring at the two shining pieces of gold in his palm.
“Hidden,” she answered sassily. “In spots along the way to what I’m after.”
“Clever girl,” Rawden mused aloud. He looked up, his eyes appraising. “One minute an innocent little aristocrat, the next a petty thief. And now,” he said, “a cunning little merchant.”
She wasn’t quite sure if he was praising or berating her tactics—but one thing was for sure. There was something in his intense green eyes that sent her heartbeat racing. There was an electric pull between them that she just couldn’t ignore. And if she played her cards right, their magnetic attraction might just work to her advantage—if she could keep her own jumbling emotions in check. Juliana tilted her head slightly, causing one perfect golden curl to fall over her porcelain cheek.
“Oh, I can be much more than just that,” she answered in a lilting voice.
“Is that right?” Rawden prompted, a feral grin spreading his lips.
With all the grace of a svelte cat, Juliana sashayed toward him. When she was so close that their misting clouds of breath mingled, she touched his cool cheek with a fingertip. Moistening her red lips with the tip of her tongue, she slid her fingers down the line of his jaw. He caught her wrist in an iron grip.
“Planning to rob me again?”
She smiled and pulled her wrist from his grasp.
“Not if you accept my offer.”
“It is quite a generous offer,” he said thoughtfully, his hands wandering instinctively to her waist.
“You have no idea,” Juliana purred seductively as she smoothed her hands up his arms and wound her arms around his neck. “Just imagine—a gold coin for every day you spend with me.”
“Protecting you, you mean,” Rawden corrected her, his voice a husky rasp.
Juliana felt him wind his arms more tightly around her as she stepped in even closer. She took a deep breath, inhaling his musky scent. He smelled of salt and oakwood, and his evening whiskers tickled her fair skin. She laid her cheek against his shoulder and pressed her lips to his neck.
“Yes,” she murmured against the skin of his neck. “Protecting me.”
Rawden’s hands fisted in the fabric of her thin shift as he pulled her even closer and buried his nose in her soft hair.
“And what is to stop me from taking your gold and whatever it is that you’re looking for?” he rasped.
“You couldn’t if you tried,” Juliana said with a short laugh punctuated by a soft moan as his hands slid to her bottom.
“Is that right? Won’t you need protection once you’ve found your treasure?”
“No one else will know I’ve found it.”
She twisted her hips against his and sighed when he thrust back.
“So how will I know when you have found this thing you are so keen on?”
“When I find what I want,” Juliana said in a seductive whisper, “I can assure you that you will be the first to know.” She laughed huskily. “Besides, I’m not so foolish as to keep paying a pirate for the pleasure of his company.”
She gently nudged the underside of his jaw with the bridge of her nose. Then she lifted her lips to graze his earlobe with her teeth. He groaned softly, lost in the sensations. He abruptly pulled her away to hold her at arm’s length.
“Fine,” he said, meeting her playful eyes with a stern stare. “But I have one condition.”
“Name it,” she answered with a smirk.
“You are to obey me,” he stipulated firmly.
“Obey?” She arched an imperious brow.
He nodded and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger.
“I will not be bound to a wench who will not allow me to protect her in my own way.”
“Fair enough,” Juliana replied with a slight shrug.
“It’s settled then,” Rawden said as he released her and stepped back.
With a curt nod, he turned and stalked away toward the docks. She followed, one step behind him. Her sharp gaze trailed over his masculine form. She knew it was a dangerous game she was playing, stoking the flames of desire between them while trying not to get burnt.
But she had cast her lot—and she was determined to win.
CHAPTER THREE
“I DIDN’T EXPECT you to get us into trouble this soon,” Rawden muttered darkly.
“Apologies,” Juliana said tightly, her slight form hidden behind his. “I most certainly did not plan for this to happen.”
They stood at the edge of the docks, their backs to the channel. Nearly a dozen men brandishing pistols had them surrounded. Rawden’s eyes flicked from one man to the other, his mind racing. They were clearly pirates, probably sent after them by Clegg. He might have been able to escape had he not been hindered by two very important facts: first, he had the girl to worry about. And more importantly, he had no weapon.
He sighed deeply and slowly raised his hands, ignoring Juliana’s hiss of protest.
“Fine,” he conceded with a flippant grin. “You win.”
The pirates eyed him warily, their fingers tightening on their triggers.
“What?” Rawden said innocently. “You don’t trust me?”
“Throw your weapons into the channel!” one pirate shouted.
“I don’t have any on me,” Rawden said with a slight shrug. “You can check if you want.”
None of their attackers seemed to be inclined to get near the notorious captain. Instead, they began muttering softly amongst themselves.
“Look,” Rawden said impatiently, “why don’t you just take us to your fearless leader. It’s what you were supposed to do anyway, right? If you
don’t trust me, just keep pointing us in the right direction with those shiny pistols of yours. I can assure you that I won’t try to outrun your bullets.”
“We just want the girl,” one of them called out.
Rawden felt Juliana stiffen beside him. She dug her fingers into his sleeve, and he gently placed his hand over hers in what he hoped was a reassuring gesture. Really, did she think he would renege on their contract so soon? It hadn’t even been a quarter of an hour since he’d given her his word. Besides, he had only gotten two sovereigns out of her so far.
“Unfortunately, we’re on a two-for-one deal at the moment,” he called back unyieldingly. “And I’m sure you’d rather I tag along willingly rather than pick you off one at a time from behind.”
The pirates grumbled but reluctantly acquiesced, waving them toward the looming shadow of a ship moored a short way down. Rawden tucked Juliana’s arm in his and strode along, his gait relaxed but his hand firmly gripping hers. Though she was stone-faced, he could feel the faint tremor in her fingers. He cast her a meaningful look, hoping she would fulfill her end of The bargain to follow his lead.
Not very long after, Juliana and Rawden found themselves standing on the deck of a massive ship—and, yet again, completely surrounded. The first mate, Clegg, pushed his way to the front.
“Remember me, dearies?” he drawled, spinning a blade with his fingers. “You were quite rude that last time, so I won’t be so lenient now.”
“Hold your tongue, Clegg.”
The harsh voice rung out over the deck, and the whole crew quieted. As Rawden and Juliana watched, the captain of the ship slowly descended the wooden steps from the forecastle toward them. His eyes were sharp as he thoughtfully thumbed his greying beard.
“Greetings, Captain Wood,” he said to Rawden amicably with a toothy grin. “Welcome to my vessel, the Grey Gull.”
“What a pleasant surprise, Captain Elijah Hawkins,” Rawden said, bowing with a flourish. “You’re certainly looking well.”
“More than I can say for you,” Elijah replied lightly. “This is an awkward situation, isn’t it?”
“Yes, isn’t it?” Rawden echoed softly, his eyes never leaving Elijah’s wizened face.
