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In Deep

Page 9

by Chloe Harris


  “Very well, sir. He seems to be an able seaman.”

  “Good.” He turned to Mr. Matthews as they arrived. “I trust our cargo is secure and safe?”

  Jaidyn piped in before Winston had a chance to answer. “Yes, May Hem is well as can be aboard ship again after what she suffered the last time.”

  With a curt nod Connor dismissed both Mr. Matthews and Maxfield. “Back to work, gentlemen.” They both headed off to their duties.

  Jaidyn turned to watch the harbor as it grew smaller. Connor joined her, covering her hand on the railing with his own. “It must be hard for you too?”

  “I’ll be fine, truly.” She eased her hand from under his. “Thank you for bringing May Hem. I don’t know what to say. I had planned on trying to send for her as soon as I could.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  “It was a surprise to see Winston on board also.” She spoke hesitantly like she wasn’t sure if he’d object to her mentioning their friendship.

  But now that he knew that truth of how Winston had saved her, he only felt gratitude toward him. “It’s nothing, really. When I spoke to him at the Jolie Rouge last night to talk about your horse, I may have mentioned that my pilot had recently retired. And he may have mentioned he was available.” He shrugged his shoulders in a dismissive gesture.

  “Just as well. It’s nice to see another familiar face.” No matter what she said, Connor knew this couldn’t be easy for her.

  If she only knew just how hard their destination made it for him. But Connor knew just what he was going to do to distract them both from their worries. If they were sailing to his possible destruction, he was damn sure going to make sure they both enjoyed the ride. Those figure-eight coils of thin twisted rope and the set of unused leather straps he’d asked Maxfield to find him last night and that were now resting on the rolltop desk in his cabin would be just the beginning.

  The world shifted hard to one side, groaning in pain. Then the awful sound of splitting wood woke Jaidyn seconds before Annie burst into the room. Still groggy, Jaidyn couldn’t understand what the maid was screaming about or why she’d grabbed her and was shaking her with so much force.

  “They’ll take you! They’ll take you! We must do something!”

  There were shouts overhead Jaidyn couldn’t understand. And fireworks.

  Fireworks?

  “Please, miss, please! Wake up! We must do this quickly.”

  The ship lurched again. Jaidyn was on her feet but stumbled, falling hard into her trunk. Things were so loud and jumbled, she had to cover her ears.

  Forcing Jaidyn’s hands away from protecting herself, the maid dragged her back up on her feet. “Don’t you understand, we’ve been boarded by the French and they will take you if they know you’re a lady! You must put my spare dress on so they don’t know who you are. Quickly, now!”

  Jaidyn struggled to understand. Why wouldn’t the fog in her mind lift?

  “Damn the laudanum,” the maid cursed. “Please, miss, listen! Put this dress on and hurry!”

  The world spun in loud, crashing circles. The next thing she knew, Jaidyn was dressed as her maid and Annie pushed her out of her cabin into the blood-covered hands that grabbed her and dragged her on deck.

  She sat with some others, she didn’t know who, huddled against the biting wind on the aft deck. Her eyes fell on the captain. He lay there, not five feet in front of them. A growing bloodred blotch over his chest colored his pristine shirt. His eyes were staring, unblinking, empty. Dead. Jaidyn’s stomach lurched.

  A well-dressed woman appeared, looking regal and obscenely out of place. It took much longer than it should have for Jaidyn to recognize her own new emerald day dress and ermine-lined traveling cape. What was happening?

  “My lady.” A man bowed to place a slobbering kiss on the woman’s knuckles. “Rest assured you have nothing to fear from us. I will personally guarantee you safe passage to your father.” His thin lips split into a lecherous grin.

  Still petrified, Jaidyn shook her head. What was this? They were under the impression … mistaking Annie for her! Jaidyn stood on shaking legs, determined to right the wrong and to wipe that disgusting grin off the man’s face in the process. “Annie? What is this?”

  Turning around, the maid stared down her aquiline nose at Jaidyn. The look in her eyes was unlike anything Jaidyn had ever seen before on her. It was foaming with icy contempt. Loathing so strong it felt like a physical punch to Jaidyn’s stomach.

  “Why are you wearing–” Sudden agony numbed Jaidyn’s mind, crimson dots scuttling around blindingly white stars. She fell to the deck. The whole side of her face exploded in pain as her own mother’s ruby ring broke her skin.

  “You bitch,” her maid hissed, small droplets of spittle showering Jaidyn’s face. “What a lousy maid you are to see to your own safety and leave your mistress behind.” Pivoting on her heel, she stomped away but not without one last snarl. “Set her adrift with the rest.”

  The disgusting man wearing that awful tricorn stepped up to her, his dirty hands cupping Jaidyn’s chin, turning her head from side to side for closer inspection. His face was pockmarked, his breath foul, his touch revolting. Jaidyn slapped his hand away.

  “Feisty little thing. Pretty, too. We’ll find a better use for you.” Jaidyn fought not to gag. He let her hear his nasty cackle then looked up at his minions. “Take her and what other belongings we might use.”

  Fighting with all her might against those hands coming at her from all sides, Jaidyn tried to fill her lungs with enough air to let out an ear-splitting scream. But to no avail. Those hands made it impossible for her to move, to breathe, to–

  With a start, Jaidyn woke. Her limbs were entangled in the blanket, her body covered with a sheen of cold sweat. She was back on the Brightstar, her mind howled, her instincts screeching for her to get up and take flight.

  Finally, she woke enough to realize where she was. She was vastly grateful she hadn’t found her voice and screamed. It wouldn’t do for anyone to come running, thinking she was hurt. It would be too hard to explain.

  Jaidyn rubbed her face to help her weary mind scatter that appalling memory.

  Connor had insisted she take the time to rest and refresh herself. But she hadn’t wanted to leave the deck. Somehow she’d felt calmer above where she could see everything that was happening and scan the horizon for other ships.

  It was silly, really. She was so much wiser now than she’d been on her first journey.

  Connor had nearly dragged her down here earlier. She’d sat on the bed only to appease him, but when he was gone, her lids became heavier by the minute. Rising so early that morning coupled with the emotional whirlwind of late, Jaidyn hadn’t realized how tired she’d really been.

  Sitting up on Connor’s bed now, Jaidyn stared out of the large bank of windows at the ship’s stern. She was on board the Coraal and she was safe. Connor wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

  Well, not anything that he didn’t do himself, but that was a whole different set of worries.

  Rising, Jaidyn went to the washstand. She splashed her face with water to dilute the last remains of that recurring nightmare. When reaching for a towel, her gaze fell on the tiny knob in the wall right next to her.

  It wasn’t just a knob, it was attached to a door. She’d nearly missed it because it was almost completely hidden by Connor’s coat hanging from a hook. Jaidyn couldn’t help but give in to the urge to see what that door hid. When she turned the doorknob, a small alcove opened, and to her surprise she saw that tiny space set into the wall boasted a small copper bathtub.

  Well, she might not have more to wear than those three old-fashioned dresses Madame Poivre had kindly provided her with, but now she knew she could at least take a bath whenever she wanted to. Like now.

  The tub wasn’t very big, so Jaidyn used what water she had in the washstand pitcher. She shed her garments and took a quick sponge bath that left her feeling refreshed and more i
n command of her senses. After donning a fresh chemise and a pale green gown with lace the color of salmon around the neck and petticoats, she set out to brush her hair until it was shiny.

  Leaving the recess of the captain’s dormitory through the opening in the folding doors, which Connor had drawn to give her some privacy, she now stood in the middle of the captain’s cabin.

  It might not be huge, but that was understandable. The Coraal wasn’t a huge, cumbersome ship either. To her left she saw a rolltop desk and wondered if that was where all his sailing instruments were kept. To her right was a table with nautical charts neatly rolled and secured.

  Jaidyn sat down, tracing the outlines of islands and other strange markings on the open sea map in front of her with one finger.

  It was a strange feeling to be finally on her way to Georgetown. She could almost sense her new home getting closer with each passing minute. Jaidyn understood now more than ever that she mustn’t let her feelings for Connor grow. They were too deep already as it was.

  She felt protected–something she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Jaidyn also felt … treasured, she supposed was the word that fit best, in a way. Somehow Connor had discerned her secret wish and had brought May Hem here. Before that she’d learned he’d hired Winston away from those thuggish buccaneers. His actions …

  Yes, well, perhaps he was a good man, but that didn’t change anything. She had wrongs to right and obligations to fulfill once they landed. If circumstances were different, maybe–

  There were too many ifs in that thought. Things were as they were. The situation guaranteed there was no future for them after that. Feelings would only hurt them both. Her guilty conscience wouldn’t allow her to view their relationship as anything but a business agreement, regardless of any affectionate emotion she might develop or already have for him.

  A quiet rap on the door tore her out of her musings. Once the door opened, Jaidyn saw a young lad enter, scrawny, pimpled, and blushing when he saw her. He looked down and shuffled his feet. “I’m supposed to get the table ready, miss. Dinner is on its way here.”

  Jaidyn jolted, immediately turning in her seat to look out the huge windows. Good Lord, how long had she been sitting here? The boy scurried to light a few lanterns and Jaidyn grimaced. She’d been so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t noticed dusk settle.

  Now she remembered Connor mentioning something about their first dinner aboard the Coraal as he’d reached for those leather straps on the desk. He’d said Mr. Parrish would join them. She was glad the first mate would be there with them; it meant she wouldn’t yet be alone with Connor.

  Mr. Parrish seemed to be a pleasant enough young gentleman. He was slightly shorter than Connor, and his brown hair was lightened to blond in places by the sun. She liked the way the small bend in his nose from what she assumed had been wild younger days took him from boyish good looks to a more mature attractiveness.

  She was looking forward to getting to know him better. There had been something a little hesitant in his soft hazel eyes when they’d met, but Jaidyn couldn’t blame him for being a little wary of the captain’s sudden change in plans.

  Plastering a smile on her face, Jaidyn rose to let the boy set the table.

  8

  _____________________________

  After dinner, Connor was impatient to be alone with Jaidyn. Maxfield wasn’t welcome here in the captain’s cabin now or in the next few hours.

  The first mate turned in the doorway, throwing one last glance at Connor. “Shall I help pull the folding doors, sir?”

  Connor shook his head. “Thank you, Mr. Parrish, but that’ll be all.”

  Jaidyn rose from her chair with a genuine smile. “Thank you for having joined us for dinner, Mr. Parrish. I enjoyed our lively conversation very much.”

  Maxfield returned the friendly gesture, bowing to her. “My pleasure, Miss Donnelly. Good night.”

  The quiet click of the door’s lock told Connor they were finally alone. He unlatched the folding doors while Jaidyn stood by the cushioned chests under the windows.

  She seemed to freeze in place as he pulled back the door to reveal the dormitory. He didn’t miss the sudden stiffness in her shoulders or the bobbing of her throat when she swallowed hard. If Connor didn’t know better, Jaidyn wanted to be anywhere but here with him.

  Was she scared of her own wants?

  Walking toward the coat hooks, he carefully hung his frock. Maybe he should stop thinking so much and just seduce her.

  Except that pushing her skittishness aside wasn’t an option. For the games he had in mind, he needed her trust, which meant he first had to earn it and then ease her into his favorite brand of depravity, show her there was nothing wrong with it despite it being … nontraditional.

  With a few quick flicks of his fingers the necktie came undone. He let it fall on the bed. It might come in handy later. Then he tugged at his shirt while kicking his shoes off. Sitting on the bed, he rid himself of his silk stockings before pulling the shirt over his head. When that was done, he slid back on the bed just far enough for his shoulders and head to be braced against the timbers.

  A strange stillness spread through him again. He exhaled slowly. It was like a steady glow, or more like an unwavering hum in his body. He became attuned to her every move and each nuance of her body that would clue him in on her feelings.

  She was fussing with a fold in her skirts, trying to avoid eye contact. Connor assumed it wasn’t shyness but something else entirely. Something she didn’t tell him. He’d known from the start she was a woman with secrets, but some obviously weighed heavier on her mind than others. Whatever those secrets were, he’d get them out of her eventually. At least for the moment, time was on his side.

  Time was actually the only thing on his side.

  And if he really thought about it, even time wasn’t on his side. He had just about a week with her–and then some very hard decisions would have to be made.

  But until then he’d stick to his course. If this was the trip to his personal doom, he’d make it as wickedly pleasurable as his green-eyed goddess could make it. And what he’d shown her so far was just the tip of the iceberg. There were many more pleasurable things he’d introduce her to step by step in the days to come.

  Jaidyn appeared to be absolutely fascinated by the tips of her shoes peeking out from under the hem of her moss green day dress.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and he half expected her to announce once again that she’d been instructed on what he expected and to ask him what he’d have her do, like she did when he first met her. She’d been temptingly innocent then, and in a way, she still was.

  Hitching back her shoulders, Jaidyn threw her head up and plodded toward him. Her steps were hesitant, but she put one foot in front of the other until the folds of her skirts brushed against his kneecaps.

  Connor let his eyes explore her, leisurely traveling up and down those wrappings that hid her delicious body. His fingers itched to take off each layer, revealing the gift that was her. Jaidyn must have seen the desire in his eyes, because the pulse in her throat leapt.

  “You’re staring at me.”

  Leaning his head to the side a little, he looked his fill before answering, “I’m staring, Jaidyn, because you’re ravishing.”

  Slowly he lifted his upper body off the bed, like a predator ready to pounce. “I’m staring because …” Connor heard his own voice had become low and husky. “I’m thinking of the wickedest ways to make you come again and again once you’re out of those garments. In fact, I haven’t thought of much else all day.”

  His gaze latched onto hers and locked her in place. Her breath caught and her eyes widened. Then, as the air left her lungs slowly, she nervously chewed on her lower lip.

  “Why don’t you pin up your hair?” His suggestion apparently took her by surprise, because she furrowed those elegant ginger eyebrows.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Pin up your hair, Jaid
yn. There–” He indicated with his chin that she should sit at the rolltop desk.

  Half turning there, she halted. “I … I don’t want to.”

  “You don’t want to? Or you can’t?”

  Anger flared in her eyes for an instant.

  “Well,” he said and stood, reaching for the brush on the washstand. “Just sit down and I’ll do it for you.”

  “You?” she sputtered, looking down to his hands wide-eyed.

  “Yes.”

  In spite of wrinkling her nose, she padded toward the desk. Once seated, she turned on the stool. Connor felt her gaze tickling the skin on his back as he walked toward one of the heavy chests by the windows. He promptly found the small box with pins and a few small leather bands.

  Setting the box down on the top of the desk in front of her, he began to brush her hair in long, deliberate strokes until he felt her melt into the seat.

  “I–” Her voice croaked as she began, so she cleared her throat and started again. “It seems like ages since I’ve had my hair put up properly. I’ve hardly gone out since I arrived in the Caribbean. And then it’s too much effort and I’m not very good at doing it right on my own, I’m afraid. Most of the time it only comes down again as soon as I move my head.”

  Connor hummed, totally absorbed with brushing those beautiful, straight copper strands. He’d need to plait it tightly so it would hold.

  “Why do you want my hair up anyway?” Tilting her head back, she looked up at him.

  Parting her hair, he began plaiting the first thick wisp of hair.

  “I want to have an unobstructed view of your body …” He stopped to lock his eyes with hers. “When you strip for me.”

  For a moment Connor saw her pupils dilate, nearly swallowing all of her amazing emerald green irises.

  “Hand me that leather band, will you?” He reached for it and when Jaidyn held it up for him, he wrapped his fingers around it. A visible shiver started at the contact point and skittered down her body.

 

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