“Oh, what has he done now?” Her friend grasped her shoulders, her frown fierce. “Tell me, and I’ll slay him for you.”
“He told me he now intends on marrying the Emperor of Austria’s daughter, the stupid lout. I also guessed the truth about the secret you two share. I promise to never speak a word about it to anyone else. Of course, Violet also knows, but she’d never repeat it either.” She crossed her heart. “I give you my word.”
“I know you’d never speak of it. Good grief, but he cannot marry Clementina.” Adrestia released a torrent of Italian before muttering, “My brother has many faults, but never would I have believed him capable of choosing to surrender to Father’s wishes. We have retrieved you safely. That is all that matters.”
“He has made his decision, which apparently, I must simply abide by.” Wracking pain tore through her. She gripped the railing, the choppy swell splashing the side of the ship, the waters as turbulent as her current emotions. “He fears for my life. I understand that, but still, I need to change his mind, only I’ve no idea how.”
“When Bruno first kidnapped you, he told me what Shira warned him about.” Adrestia laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, her voice lowering as two rescued passengers strolled past. “The seer proclaimed that his angel would be both the intervention and the prevention of his death, that he must keep you at his side, at all times, day and night, whether he is on English soil or sailing the dangerous waters he knows so well. If he chooses the Austrian girl, then he’ll be ignoring that warning. Not a wise decision.”
“Shira. Perhaps if I speak to her too, she might be able to offer me some much-needed advice.” Hope bloomed in her heart. “I wish for her to read my future. Is that possible?”
“Hmm, well Algiers is only a half day’s sail away.” Adrestia motioned to the south across the glittering blue waters of the Mediterranean, her brow wrinkling in clear consideration of her request.
“Please, you must take me to see her. I’m not sure what else I can do. You know how stubborn your brother can be.” She also couldn’t get to Algiers without Adrestia’s aid. “I love him. I can’t lose him.”
“He’s in love with you as well, not that he’ll admit it.” Her friend rubbed her arm. “Algiers isn’t exactly a safe place for us to visit. Father has spies there, men who will report back to him about our comings and goings.”
“Adrestia is right.” Giovani stepped in beside them, while over his shoulder on the upper deck Anteros now stood at the helm, his gaze narrowed on her, the wind rushing through his shoulder length black hair and blowing it about.
“It is Shira who first told Anteros that he would meet me, his angel. I wish to hear what she now says about my future.” If she had both Adrestia and Giovani agreeing to her request, then Anteros couldn’t argue against all three of them quite so easily. Or at least she hoped that was the case. “Can’t we sneak in while it’s dark?”
Adrestia tapped her chin, her gaze thoughtful. “We could drop anchor at the very edge of the Bay of Algiers and then have Shira brought to you.” She glanced at Giovani. “It’s worth the risk if we can get further guidance for Olivia. I want my brother to be happy, and he’ll never be happy with Clementina.”
“Only under the complete fall of night, and only if Olivia remains below deck.” Giovani eyed her. “If the spies reported back about seeing you, then Ferdinand would know Bruno had failed in his attempt to bring you to him.”
“I promise to remain below deck.” Giddily, she kissed Giovani and Adrestia’s cheeks. “Thank you, both of you. I’m forever grateful for your aid.”
“Giovani and I would do anything for you. You are family, Sorella. You always have been, and always will be.” Adrestia caught her flapping dressing robe belt and added, “I also should have considered you would need clothing this morning. Violet too. Come on board my ship. I have plenty of garments you can choose from in my cabin. You certainly cannot continue to wear my brother’s robe about the ship.”
“I will take you up on your kind offer.”
“Good morning, everyone.” Violet skipped in beside her wearing lad’s clothing, fawn breeches and a loose pale blue tunic, her glossy brown curls fluttering free. “I borrowed some of Wills’ clothing. Did you sleep well, my friend?”
“Very well.” She embraced Violet, squeezing her a little too tight before releasing her. “We’re both free again.”
“I’ve an apple for ye, Lady Olivia.” Wills arrived with a cherry whistle. He pulled a red-skinned apple from his coat pocket, polished it against one woolen sleeve and handed it to her. “I pinched this from the cook’s galley. The cap’n has arranged a meal for him and ye to be served on the upper deck shortly, but this will tide ye over until then.”
“Thank you, Wills, although please inform the captain I’ve no desire to eat with him. You may take my place, if you please.” She bit into the sweet apple and chewed. Another bite, then she hooked an arm through Violet’s arm. “Adrestia has offered to share some clothing from her wardrobe. Are you attached to those breeches, or would you like a gown?”
“A gown please.”
“Giovani, aid the ladies to my ship. They have gowns to choose.” Adrestia bounded onto the plank, effortlessly and gracefully. “Who shall be first?”
Violet raised a hand and Giovani boosted her up and guided her across the thick plank, then once he had Violet settled on Adrestia’s deck, he strolled back to her and extended a hand. She finished off her apple, tossed the core into the sea and holding Wills’ shoulder for support, clambered up onto the railing in a rather undignified way, her robe swishing open to her knees, the trailing ends of it snagging on the plank. She wobbled and Anteros was suddenly there, right behind her on the plank, his hands on her hips as he held her steady.
She ignored him as best as she could, her anger at him still thrumming strongly. She reached for Giovani who gallantly steered her across. Adrestia and Violet had already disappeared below deck, so she hurried to catch up with them.
“Wait one moment, Lady Olivia!” Anteros called from the plank where he stood, his booted feet set wide and one hand curled around the hilt of his belted saber. The breeze puffed out his white tunic, billowing the sleeves and plastering the front against his muscled chest. He appeared every inch the captain he was, a man born to lead, a man also born a prince.
How had she not seen the truth until now? What with his regal bearing and plethora of men who jumped to carry out his bidding. Such loyal friends and a loyal crew. No doubt everyone around her knew the truth. As he touched his reddened cheek holding her palm print, a spasm of guilt washed through her. “I apologize for striking you.”
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing, not you.” Remorse lined his face. “I never should have spoken to you the way I did, and I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness.”
Two of his crew scaling the rigging behind him halted their climb. It would have been impossible for them not to have heard their captain’s apology, although they quickly continued on.
“You’re forgiven.” Papa had always taught her to forgive another when they were truly remorseful, and she’d always done so. Forgiving him though didn’t mean forgetting.
“Please, change your mind and join me at the helm to break your fast.” A clear plea in his tone. “The cook is preparing a few Sicilian treats for us. Have you ever eaten arancine? They’re Sicilian rice balls filled with ham and cheese. The cook deep fries them, then serves them with his flavorsome pesto sauce. It is delizioso. Will you join me?”
“No, I must sadly decline.” Not the answer she wanted to give him, but perhaps he needed a taste of what life might be like without her. “You’re soon to marry another lady and it wouldn’t be right if I commandeered your attention when it now clearly belongs to another. Good day, Captain Bourbon.”
He released a plethora of Italian then growling low under his breath, bounded down from the plank and stormed toward her. When he halted in front, he growled some mo
re. “I need you within my sight,” he muttered.
“Why would that be?” She offered him her politest smile, her arms crossed and one bare foot tapping the deck.
“Because it feels damn wrong when you’re not.”
“Are you saying you hold feelings for me?”
“Yes. No.” Another growl.
“Which answer is it to be?”
“We are friends. We’ve been friends for a long time.”
“Anteros, I can’t be your friend anymore, not after our affair, and quite honestly, I don’t wish to be enticed back to your ship. I think it would be best if I stayed right here with Adrestia until we reach Paradiso. When we part, it’ll be far easier for us both. Don’t you agree?”
“No, I don’t agree. Your reasoning is completely unrealistic.”
“Then are you saying that you’ve allowed your fears for me to rise and in doing so, now condemned yourself to a future with a lady you don’t wish to wed? Tell me that’s the truth, that you’ll set her aside and choose me instead. If you do, I’ll join you.”
He remained stubbornly quiet, his eyes darkening to a turbulent blue.
“You’ve nothing to say?” Another tap of her foot.
“I am the dark, and you are the light. That is the truth between us, the only truth that matters.”
“Well, here’s some more truth then. Adrestia has promised to take me to Algiers. I intend on asking Shira to read my future. I will then follow her advice, whatever that advice happens to be. I’ve certainly had enough of being stepped on by you. It isn’t as if I can’t find myself a husband who will appreciate me for who I am. I’ve received a number of proposals in the past year and a half since we first met, but each one I’ve turned down because of my feelings for you. I shan’t do so again with the next proposal I receive, no matter who it comes from.” She motioned to Giovani who coiled a rope on board The Cobra. “If Giovani proposed to me right now, I would accept his offer. That is how serious I am about the issue.”
“Giovani will lose his tongue if dares to utter a proposal to you.”
“I will even accept Baron Herbarth’s offer of marriage. In fact, I will seek him out on my return to England and beg him to marry me. Handsome Lord Herbarth.” She sighed with great exaggeration. “Have I mentioned he has an entrancing singing voice? So easy to listen to.”
“Like hell you’ll marry him.” An angry scowl, his voice echoing across the deck. “You truly wish to marry a greedy, pompous ass simply to prove a point to me?”
“Mind your language, sir. You are speaking of my soon-to-be future husband.” She turned and walked away, but not without one last parting shot over her shoulder. “At least he has been more honest with me than you have to date.”
Goodness, that felt good to let her emotions out. It also felt far too good watching him squirm and fume. With a jaunty step, she walked down the companionway and once below deck, followed the excited chatter of Adrestia and Violet’s voices up ahead. She entered a spacious cabin with a large bed covered in burgundy and gold covers, a wingchair upholstered in the same richly-appointed fabric gracing one corner. Violet twirled about in a forest-green day gown with long sleeves and full skirts.
Adrestia clapped. “Oh Violet, that color suits your completion to perfection.”
“You have my immense thanks for the loan of this gown.” Violet dropped onto the end of the bed with a puff of her skirts, matching forest-green slippers adorning her twiddling toes as she kicked her feet up. “It is so wonderful to be free again.”
“Come in, come in. Don’t linger in the doorway, Sorella.” Adrestia grasped her hand and tugged her toward her tall-standing wardrobe fixed against one wall. Rustling through the selection of gowns hanging within, her friend murmured, “Let’s see. For you I would choose a snowy-white velvet since you are my brother’s angelo. Here we are, the perfect choice. This day gown is a match to that color and has a short train at the back with dainty yellow flowers embroidered along the hem. Do you like it?”
“It is beautiful. Thank you.” She accepted the gown then hugged it to her chest, the fabric soft and smooth as she stroked the plush velvet, the sleeves short and puffy.
“The cabin directly across the passageway from mine is yours. Once you’ve changed, join us out on the deck. Violet and I will be at the helm.” Adrestia handed her a clean chemise and a pair of white silk slippers. “We will leave for Algiers shortly.”
“That sounds perfect.” She left them and opened the door to her new room for the night, her friends stepping into the passageway and wandering toward the stairs, their chatter ringing back to her. She closed the door to her new accommodations and leaned back against it. A large bed with yellow and white striped bedcovers dominated the room, a canopy of sheer yellow netting that could be pulled down at night, lay draped over the top. A basin and jug sat on a corner stand, the window opened a notch and fresh sea air wafting through.
She wandered about, tracing a finger along the windowsill. Out the window, Anteros’s ship bobbed in the waters, while a seagull squawked overhead then flew down and landed on the edge of The Cobra’s crows’ nest. Beady-eyed, the bird surveyed the deck for any forgotten crumbs left by the crew. She was much like that seagull, a bird holding onto a perch and awaiting whatever crumbs Anteros might throw to her. Well, not anymore. If he couldn’t understand that they were far stronger together than they’d ever be apart, then he’d soon be losing her. Such an obstinate man.
After divesting herself of Anteros’s sapphire robe and tunic, she slid a wonderfully clean chemise over her head then wriggled into the glorious gown she’d borrowed, the high waist lifting her breasts and the skirts flaring to her ankles. She tugged on the matching white slippers and swished from the cabin.
She emerged on deck and—
“Angelo?” Anteros leaned against the wall she’d passed, his gaze dipping to her low neckline where the upper swells of her breasts rose.
“You gave me a fright.” She patted her racing heartbeat. “I thought you would have returned to your ship.”
“You seem to have already wound Giovani and Adrestia around your finger. I have passengers to deliver to Sicily. Diverting to Algiers first will mean a longer trip for them.”
“Not by much.” She stepped up to him and he lurched forward, clutched her hips and gave a tug. She lost her balance, got plastered against him, then the annoying man nuzzled her neck, nipped her skin. “There are passengers who might see us.” A few strolled the deck.
“You’re right. I’ve already commandeered a secluded spot at the stern where we can eat without interruption, in complete privacy. No passengers or crew about.” He scooped her into his arms and stalked toward the rear of the ship.
“Put me down, Anteros. I’m not eating with you.” She crossed her arms, one elbow jabbing into his chest.
“Since you declined eating on board my ship, I’ve brought the food to you. There’s hot chocolate, which I know you adore.” He was ignoring every single word she said. Up a short flight of stairs, he jogged, then into an alcove set with a table and two chairs. A cozy arrangement offering complete privacy. “If you eat with me, we will sail to Algiers and I will collect Shira myself and bring her to your cabin.”
“Put me down.”
“As you wish.” He settled her on her feet, pulled out a chair. “Sit.”
“You are being overbearing and obnoxious.” Since her belly rumbled, giving away her need for food, she eased into the seat and he tucked her in closer to the table before pulling out the second chair and seating himself.
“I’ve never professed to having manners, remember?”
“I’m looking forward to meeting Shira.” She ignored his last comment.
“The last time Shira and I spoke, she told me to bring you to her. She wishes to meet you.” Grinning like a wolf who’d gotten his way, he scooped a fried rice ball with his fingers, smeared it through the pesto sauce and held it to her lips. “I cannot wait to share some food f
rom my homeland with you. These delicate morsels are eaten from one’s fingers. Open your mouth, Amore. Let me feed you.”
She gave in a little, opened her mouth.
He popped the succulent rice ball between her lips and she closed her mouth on his fingers and swiped the sauce from his fingertips with her tongue. She chewed, while he stared at her mouth in complete fascination.
“I’m an idiot for letting you go,” he mumbled. “I know I am, but that is how it must be.”
“You terrify me sometimes.” With her heart in her throat, her voice barely above a whisper, she continued, “You pull me toward you, push me away, then pull me back again.”
“I do no such thing.” He popped a rice ball into his mouth, the air fairly crackling with tension between them.
“Anteros, I’ve never experienced this kind of bond with anyone else. Only with you. What we have goes beyond friendship, beyond passion, and dare I say it, even beyond destiny. No matter where you sail, I want to stand beside you, but if you’re not willing to accept what I’m offering then we’re both going to end up adrift on the sea, always wishing we could have had what we’re about to lose.” She looked deep into his eyes and caught the flare of pain etched in his own. “You detest fighting with me, the same way I detest fighting with you.”
“Baciami?” He pushed his chair back, held out one hand.
She rose from her chair and stepped in between his thighs. Gently, she pushed her fingers deep into his silky black hair and when she met his gaze, she couldn’t miss the intense emotions swirling within his eyes. Loneliness. Need. Want. “Anteros, you need a wife who will be your companion, who will sail these seas with you. Of course you have your sister and Giovani, but they are not enough. You need a family of your own, children who will clamber up the masts and swing about the sails. You need me.”
“I don’t want children.” Yet that loneliness intensified. He caught her hips and buried his face against the flatness of her belly, then slowly he kneaded her hips through the snowy-white velvet of her gown. “I don’t want a wife either.”
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