Unexpected Treasure: A High Seas Adventure

by Tammy Andresen

  “I’m not.” He guided her movements. “You are more perfect than I could have ever imagined. We have a week before we reach London. I plan to spend many more nights watching you sleep.”

  She forced herself to focus despite the mind shattering sensations shooting through her body. She knew they had to return to face her uncle but it still filled her with dread, “Whatever happens, I want you to know--”“

  He rolled them over, so that he was on top of her. “I’ll keep you safe, I swear to you.”

  Sarah forgot to answer as her body took over. She held on tight to him as they came together in a perfect union.

  Slowly, Sarah drifted back to reality. Rex sat up, getting out of bed. “Where are you going?” she cried.

  He grinned back at her, taking her breath away all over again. “To get you some breakfast. You’ll need your energy.”

  Raising her eyebrows, she arranged her features into an innocent look. “Whatever for?”

  Now in his breeches, he climbed back onto the bed, pinning her down and giving her a long kiss. “You’ll find out after breakfast.” Jumping back up, he tossed on a shirt and his boots before heading out the door. “Now, don’t move, my angel. I’ll be right back.”

  As soon as he was gone, Sarah jumped out of bed. Washing up, she brushed her hair and checked her reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she returned to the bed. She pulled the covers up over herself and then slid them down. Shifting onto her side, Sarah brought the covers to just over her breasts. Looking down, she tried to assess how she looked.

  Last night had been the most amazing of her life. More than anything, she wanted Rex to feel the same way. She bit her lip. He was the son of a duke and a man of the world. He had probably been with many women and this was just one more time. But the things he had said about her being his angel and watching her sleep. Surely, she meant something to him.

  The door opened and Rex walked in with a tray full of food. Her stomach growled loudly at the sight and Sarah groaned. All her careful arranging had been for not.

  He chuckled. “I’m hungry too. It takes a lot of energy… we’ll have to keep you well fed.”

  He set the tray down and Sarah sat up, pulling the covers up as she went. Her thoughts had made her bashful. “Have you… have you done this with many women?” She looked at the piece of bread she pulled from the tray, picking at it. She couldn’t bring herself to look at Rex, afraid of what she might see. It was silent for so long, that finally, she lifted her head.

  His look was soft. “I won’t lie to you, Sarah. There have been others. But never like this and never again.”

  “Oh,” she muttered because she didn’t know quite what to say. Her feelings were a jumble. It somehow hurt to think of him with other women but that wound was salved by his promise to be with only her.

  “We are meant to be together, Sarah.” He sat next to her bringing his lips to hers. “I knew it even before I knew who you were. Everything about you fits me. And I think you felt it too. I know you were at ease with me even when you trusted almost no one.”

  “I did. Though I doubted it whenever we weren’t together.” She clutched the blankets tighter.

  His arms wrapped around her and Rex pulled her into lap. He grabbed a fig and held it before her. He raised his eyebrows in question and she nodded her ascent. His fingers gently placed the fig between her lips and she closed her lips around it. Its sweet flavor was only enhanced by the delivery into her mouth. Squeezing her, he gave the blankets a slight tug. “We’ll never be apart again.”

  She let him pull the blankets away, no longer feeling shy. “What shall I do when you sail the pirate ship to my uncle’s?”

  Popping another morsel of food into her mouth, he asked, “What do you want to do?”

  “I want to face him.” She sat straighter.

  Rex gave her the most beautiful grin she had ever seen. “We had better make some time for shooting lessons. If you’re going into that, you’re going to be armed.”

  “I agree. We can go out in just a little bit?” she squirmed in his lap and his made a soft growling sound, his hands began running down her back.

  “A little bit.” The tray of food was forgotten as Sarah lost herself in her husband’s arms.

  A few hours later they stood on the deck as Sarah fired round after round. “You’re getting much better.”

  Taking a final shot, she lowered the weapon and gave a satisfied nod. She was better and learning to fire the weapon made her feel more in control than she had in a long time. Maybe ever.

  “I suppose you teaching me how to shoot proves you’re motives are not nefarious. Who teaches a woman they are kidnapping how to defend herself?” She giggled but Rex did not appear to share her humor.

  He gave her a fierce scowl, “That is what proves to you that my intentions are honorable? Not marrying you? Protecting you from pirates or spending the night―”

  “Have you had honorable intentions for every woman you’ve spent the night with? Or saved from pirates? I suppose I am the only one you married…” Her grin deepened. The entire relationship, she had been insecure. It was nice to see the shoe on the other foot, though she wouldn’t make him squirm too long.

  His scowl went from dark to black. “Of course you are the only woman I have ever married. Sarah, how could you think otherwise?”

  “Rex, I am teasing you.” Her laugh was swallowed by the waves.

  By degrees, his expression softened until he joined her in the laughter. Then, in full view of the crew, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I like this side of you,” he whispered in her ear.

  She liked it too. Just days ago, her life had been comprised of fear and worry. Thanks to Rex, that had been replaced with laughter, love, and confidence. Giving her husband an alluring smile, she wrapped her arms around him too. “So what shall we do now?”

  “I think I know just the thing.” He swept her into his arms and headed for the hatch.

  UNEXPECTED TREASURE

  CHAPTER NINE

  Five days later, Sarah watched the sun set from the deck of The Ghost, One Eye’s pirate vessel. Standing in the bow of the ship, she had left her hair down, so that it would blow in the breeze. She had donned a pair of breeches and had guns tethered to both her hips. Today was the day that she broke free of her uncle forever.

  Rex stepped up behind her, placing a hand at the small of her back. “You’ll have to step out of sight in just a moment. We don’t want to give up the game before it has even begun.”

  Sarah’s insides clenched. She was ready for this fight. But nerves still fluttered in her chest. “Just another moment. It’s feels like a lifetime ago that I was home. I never thought I would see it again.”

  “Sweetheart,” his voice filled with compassion.

  “Thank you for bringing me back and showing me that I didn’t have to be afraid. No matter what happens, I am so grateful―“

  “Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it. I swear to you, I will keep you safe.” He pulled her into a fierce hug.

  “Rex, I love you. I think I knew it from the moment I met you. But I want you to know that. You’ve made my life better than I ever could have imagined.”

  “Sweet Sarah. My angel. I love you too. Now let’s get you out of sight.” Grabbing her hand, Rex began pulling her towards the hatch.

  Just before her she dropped down, she caught sight of three men standing below the bluffs of her home.

  ***

  Rex watched her blond head disappear and his own chest tightened. He meant every word. He would give his life to protect Sarah. He was hers to command and she belonged to him. While he meant to serve her uncle up for prosecution, Rex would kill him before he let him lay a finger on Sarah. That man would never hurt his beloved again.

  He turned to take up Sarah’s place. The sun had nearly set, and with it behind him, his adversaries would likely not notice that he wasn’t the pirate captain until they
had boarded the ship. A few of his men were dressed in rags. They would row the dingy out to pick up their guests.

  Watching from the bow, the three men boarded without incident and he allowed himself the tiniest trickle of satisfaction. While the game was far from over, the wheels were in motion now.

  The dingy bumped the side of the ship as the sound of ropes tying, signaled the men were about to come aboard. He pulled himself into the shadows.

  Wentworth came aboard first. Crossing his arms, Rex resisted the urge to pull out his gun and shoot the man here and now. The other two men climbed aboard and Wentworth started towards Rex. One of the other men was clearly a servant. But the other was a gentleman. Rex prayed this was not the man that had sent Sarah back to her uncle. She would be devastated to think a second man had betrayed her.

  “Did you get the loot?” Wentworth’s sharp voice carried over the rush of the waves.

  “Aye,” Rex answered. Too many words would give up the game.

  “And what about my niece? Did you dispose of her?”

  “Aye,” Rex near growled. He had actually plotted to kill his own niece. His finger twitched near the trigger of his gun. It took all of his energy not to shoot him.

  Several crewmen, dressed as pirates, brought out the crates. Wentworth’s eyes travelled to them, greed lighting them in the semi darkness. “You’ve got a lot of new crew. Did you run into some trouble?”

  “Aye,” Rex replied again. That was the truth. The pirates had been delivered to London to await their fate.

  The men began taking the lids off of the crates. Wentworth and the other gentlemen began pocketing goods. Military maps, stamps, bags of gold, and other assorted items went into their pockets. “The rest is for you, as agreed.”

  “Au contraire,” Rex pulled out his pistols and stepped out of the shadows. “You will empty your pockets and then you are all under arrest for stealing from the crown.”

  Wentworth drew a weapon and his crew followed suit.

  Rex’s crew, while still in disguise, rushed to his aid. Outgunned by several men, the other two gentlemen put their hands in the air. But Wentworth kept his gun trained on Rex. He needed the man to surrender his weapon before Sarah reappeared. He didn’t want her in any danger.

  “I remember you. You were at the club.” Wentworth spat the words.

  “Aye,” Rex quirked his eyebrows at the other man.

  “You weren’t there to bid.”

  “Nay,” Rex was slowly moving closer. He intended to take the weapon from the other man.

  “Where is Sarah now? She is my niece. I’ve a right to―“ Wentworth shouted before Rex cut him off.

  “You’ve no rights, whatsoever.” Rex’s blood pounded in his ears as he said the words. The audacity off Wentworth to think Rex would ever tell him anything about Sarah. But his anger dulled his reactions and too late, he saw Wentworth squeezing the trigger of his pistol.

  A gun roared, and then a brief second later, another let loose. He heard a shot go by and then a burning sensation pierced the top of his ear. Paying it no mind, he raced forward to grab Wentworth’s gun but the man had fallen to the ground. Grabbing the weapon, Rex scanned the other man’s body to see blood oozing from his upper thigh.

  Jerking his head to the side, his eyes landed on Sarah. Pistol still held in the air as a thin trail of smoke rose from the barrel. In an instant, he realized that Sarah had shot her uncle a mere second before Wentworth had shot at him. It had saved his life.

  Several of his men rushed forward and seized Wentworth.

  “You,” Wentworth gasped. “You little bitch. I should have―“

  Rex cuffed him hard across the face. “You’ll never speak to my wife again.”

  “Wife!” Wentworth’s eyes were spitting hatred as he looked from one to the other.

  “Uncle, may I introduce you to Lord Alexander Masters.”

  “You plotted against me with the crown. You don’t know what you’ve done you stupid―“

  Rex backhanded him a second time.

  “I know exactly what I’ve done. It’s you who didn’t properly think plans through.” She turned to the other gentleman. “Remy, it’s a pleasure to see you as well.” Sarah raised her pistol towards the smaller man.

  “Please Sarah. I had no idea he would try to auction…the audacity…I needed his help. I was failing.” The other man stuttered as she pointed the gun.

  “The Prince Regent will deal with you both.” She lowered her weapon and turned to Rex.

  As the sailors began lowering the prisoners into a dingy so that they could bring them to his ship, Sarah rushed into his arms. “Are you all right?” she sobbed as her hand touched his ear.

  “Fine, love. It is but a scratch. How are you?”

  “Better than I have been for a long time, I think.” Giving him a glorious smile, she waved towards the shore. “Will you have a doctor look at my uncle’s leg?”

  “Yes, I think I will. We want him nice and healthy for his trial.” His lips came down on hers, giving her a squeeze. “What are your thoughts on the staff?”

  “Most are loyal to me while a few others will need to be dealt with.” Her uncle’s most trusted servant had been with her uncle and was now under arrest but a few more had helped her uncle to make her life miserable. Several had gone out of their way to aid her when they could.

  “Well, let’s go deal with the staff, shall we?” He wrapped his arm around waist. She looked uncertain as her eyes met his. Something was bothering her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Rex, I don’t mean to stir trouble, but would we still be married if my estate had been entailed? Would you have still wanted me?”

  His hand came to her face. She was his soulmate. How did she not know that? “My love, from the first moment I saw you, I wanted you more than I could imagine. Fate has brought us together because we were meant to be. I would have married you no matter what, but the very fact that you were the woman promised to me says that we are destined.” His lips came down on hers. “Have I thanked you yet for saving my life?”

  “No, as a matter of fact, you haven’t.” Her eyes shown and he knew that she returned his love. “I can think of a few ways you can thank me.”

  His lips came down on hers again in a lingering kiss. “Let’s go set your estate to right. We’re going to be busy tonight.”

  UNEXPECTED TREASURE

  EPILOGUE

  Sarah sat with her feet up on a stool as she glanced out her windows, to watch the water lap at the shore. Around her, Rex, his father, and several staff bustled about. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”

  “Don’t move a muscle, my love. You will be busy enough over the next few weeks.” Rex grimaced as walked over to her chair, placing his hand on her belly. “The Prince Regent will have many social gatherings planned and you will need your strength.” His lips grazed her temple.

  “I will be fine, honestly. I’ve never felt better in my life.” She made to get up but Rex’s father joined his son and wagged his finger at her.

  “I’m not so sure. You are very far along, perhaps we should cancel this trip. Prinny will understand.”

  “Nonsense! I have another month at least.”

  “My dear, Rex is right. You carry the first Master’s heir and the next earl or countess. We must keep you in good health.”

  Sarah gave them a brief nod. While she would be completely fine, years of being treated harshly made their pampering all the more sweeter, so she indulged them. A little exercise always made her feel good, but they were right. She would be busy over the next few weeks as they made their second visit to see their ruler.

  On the last visit, Rex had been bequeathed a title of his own for his service to the crown. He had been given lands that bordered her own estate, though they would continue to live in her home. Rex said he couldn’t want anything more.

  Rex’s family, being in the bordering county, visited often, which delighted Sarah to no end. They had taken her
in as family and she had never been happier.

  “Mayhap, we could take a short walk. I feel restless. A little exercise may do me good before we board.”

  Rex gave his father an anxious glance but nodded his approval. “I really must insist on cancelling this trip, Sarah, I want you in the best health for the birth.”

  “I am fine… oh.” Her hands went to her belly as it tightened, sending cramping pains throughout her mid-section. She reached for her husband and his one hand grasped hers and the other came around her back. “Perhaps you are right,” she said breathlessly.

  “Call for the doctor and the midwife. Fetch me ink and parchment, I must write to Prinny.”

  “Get Anne and Mrs. Flannery. I need them,” she huffed out.

  “Of course, my love.” He began walking her towards the bed.

  “I don’t want to lay in the bed yet, keep moving.” Gritting her teeth, she clasped Rex’s hand harder.

  After two more laps around the room, Mrs. Flannery bustled in. “Why isn’t she in bed?”

  “She doesn’t want to.” Rex raised his eyebrows as if the question were silly.

  Sarah smiled despite the situation. She wondered if Rex missed the meeker her. “I feel better walking. I’ll move until I can’t.”

  “You should save your strength and you should leave.” Mrs. Flannery pointed at Rex.

  “I’m staying.” His jaw stuck out.

  “And I’m walking. All I’ve done is save my bloody strength. I want to move.” She squeezed Rex’s hand to signal him to start walking her again. He obliged.

  “Since becoming a countess, you’ve grown quite stubborn.” Mrs. Flannery crossed her arms.

  Sarah raised her eyebrows. Mrs. Flannery had joined her household as a companion but her role was really more of a mother. Anne had also stayed with little Thomas and Captain Sanders was making regular visits. Sarah imagined a wedding was coming soon.

  Her stomach tightened again she leaned more heavily into Rex but kept moving her feet.

  “You really should―“ Mrs. Flannery started.