Dane's powerful legs carried him swiftly to the side of the house. He paused in the dark, stepping back and glancing briefly around him before he removed the
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rope secured to his belt. The wind whipped at his shirt. He had only a moment to get to Tess before his men boarded. The guards began to move in his direction. Bloody hell! Why did they choose now to become devoted to duty? He made a swift wide circle over his head, the rope whining through the air, its sound blending with the wind. He snapped his wrist, and the iron grappling hook caught on the roof ledge. He jerked it once, then positioned his hands to climb. Thickly muscled arms lifted his body off the ground. One hand moved to overtake the rope when he heard the distinct click of pistol hammer, a second before he felt the cold barrel at the base
of his skull.
"Make your choice, mister."
Dane silenced a curse, his shoulders tense as he slowly released the rope.
Beyond the wall, planks taken from the hull of Phil-lip's ship were positioned vertically on the bank. At the signal, the wood slots simultaneously lowered until their ends met the wall's edge to bridge the moat. Feet familiar with the roll of the sea covered the dangerous distance as if born to the task. Pistols and muskets were drawn and primed, a deadly assortment of swords and knives winking in the moonlight as Continental Marines assaulted the stone prison to fight for their captain and his lady.
"What do you want?"
The dark-haired man extended his hand farther.
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"Merely to help you from the floor, madame. I assure
you."
Tess sent him a nasty look. "I've heard that before, thank you very much." She climbed to her feet on her own power, not ready to trust anyone in this house.
"I am not your foe, Mistress Blackwell." His smile was gentle, wrinkling the corners of his young eyes.
She frowned. "Do I know you?"
He eyed her into silence, then glanced meaningfully beyond her. Tess twisted to see Elizabeth staring at her mangled hand, oblivious to her surroundings.
"Elizabeth," she called softly.
No response. She looks catatonic, Tess thought.
"Look, Jeeves, I want out. If you want to join me,
fine, but-"
"He will not allow you to leave, Mistress Blackwell," Elizabeth muttered, her tone resolute.
"I don't give a era—"
A sharp blast drowned out her words, gunfire ringing through the massive house. Tess whirled about. White smoke drifted from the study. Phillip appeared, shoving a pistol into the band of his breeches along with its mate, that horrifyingly calm smile playing across his lips. He walked down the corridor, his step uneven as he blotted at blood splatters on his clothing and face.
"You see," Elizabeth whispered into the sudden quiet. "No one leaves Phillip."
"Your husband is prepared to bargain for your life, mistress." He held the diamond up for her to see, then dropped it into his pocket.
Tess pushed the butler aside when he tried to shield her. No one else would die for her, she vowed, stum-
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bling back as Phillip advanced on her.
"The gems, my dear."
Tess overturned a chair to block his path. "I-I don't know anything about — "
He shoved aside the furniture, moving forward. " Tis a shame you are such a terrible liar, madame." His hand darted out to grab her arm and haul her against his side. His skin was pasty white, and he licked his lips repeatedly. "I've no patience for lies this night, Mistress Blackwell." He raised the gun and, with the barrel, stroked his mutilated cheek, the blood congealed and thick. " Tis a small matter of a debt to be settled a'tween us."
Tess saw her death in those ice-blue eyes. Diamonds or no diamonds, he wanted her blood.
From all directions came gunshots, screams of pain and victory crowding the air. Phillip hissed, his lips twisting cruelly before he bellowed for his guards, dragging Tess along with him as he raced to the veranda doors. Nearly a hundred men advanced, dispatching his sentries like farmers chopping cane. Overturned torches ignited swiftly, burning dry palm grass.
Two guards suddenly burst through the pantry doors, dragging a lifeless man by his arms. Tess's heart clenched, immediately recognizing her husband.
"Found *im climbin* to the roof, sir." They dumped their prisoner at Phillip's feet.
"Oh, God!" Tess cried, tearing away from Phillip and sliding to her knees beside Dane. She checked his pulse. Thank God!
Phillip chuckled, the sound hollow as an empty well, making her skin prickle as Tess struggled to roll
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Dane over onto his back. His 'handsome face was marred with scrapes and his clothing was torn, but other than that, she couldn't find any injury that would render him unconscious.
Behind her Phillip snatched a crystal water pitcher from the,sideboard and moved to stand over Dane. "Well, Captain Blackwell," he said silkily, emptying it in his face. "How convenient of you to join us."
Dane's hand instantly shot out, latching onto Phil-lip's ankle and jerking hard, tumbling the man to the floor as he came upright. Phillip grunted, the pitcher shattered, and his gun slipped from his grip, spinning across the polished floor, A guard lunged at Dane, and the captain twisted around on one knee, his silver blade whizzing through the air and sinking into the man's chest. The guard fell, dead before he hit the floor. Dane turned; Phillip was climbing to his feet. The second guard raised his pistol. "Nooo!" Tess screamed; Dane was unarmed! Dane shoved her back and dove for the man's legs. At the impact, the gun went off. A peal of agony burned around them before the guard's back hit the parqueted floor. Then a second shot fired. For a breathless moment the house was silent. White smoke hovered around the butler, a flintlock in his hand.
Tess scrambled across the floor to where Dane lay sprawled on the guard's legs. "If you're hurt, Black-well, I swear, I'll kill you!" Her hands rubbed over his body, searching for the wound as he sat back on his haunches.
" Tis good to know such things, love," he offered, shaking his head to clear it. "Captain!" the butler shouted. Too late. The air
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abruptly left Tess's lungs when an arm clamped around
her waist, yanking her off the floor and away from her
husband. In one smooth motion, Dane leapt to his
feet. /•
Phillip shoved the gun barrel tightly beneath Tess's chin. "Another move, old boy, and your bride will simply lose her head." A grin, despite the blood gushing from a wound in his thigh. He'd taken the stray ball. Dane skewered the man with his pale eyes, his body coiled tight with reined fury. " 'Tis hopeless, Rothmere. This fortress is mine." To prove the point, Dane gestured to the entrances. Thorpe, Finch, and Cambert stood there, each flanked by more than a dozen armed Marines. **Yet your wife is mine, Blackwell." "I would kill her myself," he scoffed. "And I guarantee you will not survive to know of it." Pistol hammers clicked almost in unison. "We shall see this debt settled—regardless."
Phillip's bland expression faltered a bit: bloody cocksure bastard. "I owe you nothing!"
"But 'tis not so, Phillip." Elizabeth stared at a gilded box resting on the table. "I told you he would—"
"Do not interfere, Lizzie!" He blinked, trying to focus on Dane.
"But you always say that, Phillip. 'Do not question me, Lizzie.' 'You've angered me, Lizzie.* 'You shall suffer for that, Lizzie.' " Her fingertips caressed the edges of the box. " 'Tis really growing rather tiresome,
you know."
Dane's scowl darkened at her senseless prattling, but he didn't take his eyes off Phillip as the man slowly dragged the barrel down Tess's exposed throat.
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"What will you pay for this pretty face, Blackwell? More diamonds?"
Powerless to help his wife, Dane smashed down the violence churning inside him and dipped his fingers into his pocket, then tossed a packet on the table; diamonds slipped out, scattering across t
he polished surface. *
"You are your father's son, Phillip. Will you gamble everything for the speed of a ball?" "Oh, look, Phillip, diamonds!" Phillip's eyes widened a fraction, and his head turned slightly toward the sparkling gems.
Tess felt rather than saw her chance and brought her fist down on his wounded leg, twisting away. Phillip howled even as he reached again for his captive.
Dane lunged at him like a savage animal, knocking the gun from his hand, his powerful square fists singing into the man's thin body. Bone cracked beneath each solid punch. Skin split, blood splattering the walls. Dane never gave him a chance, his fist connecting beneath the man's chin. The crushing blow shifted Phillip's jaw and lifted him off the floor, sending him back against the wall. Even as his legs buckled, he scrambled wildly for his gun. Boiling with unsup-pressed fury, Dane grabbed him by the throat, strong fingers squeezing. Frantically Phillip clawed at his hands, his skin turning purple, blue eyes bulging in
their sockets.
"Dane! No!" Tess screamed. He didn't cease. Gurgles spilled from Phillip's lips, then foaming blood. Tess latched on to Dane's arm, yanking. "Don't do it! Please!" Dane immediately released his hold, his powerful arms wrapping around his wife as Phillip
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slumped to the floor, coughing red mist.
"Naayy! Kill him!" Elizabeth shrieked, wide panicked eyes shifting from Dane to Phillip. "Kill him now!"
Phillip wheezed and choked. *"
When no one made to oblige her, Elizabeth quickly scooped up the fallen pistol and leveled it at Phillip. "Your bastard seed shall never know such madness!"
She fired.
Dane turned Tess's face into the bend of his shoulder as blood fountained from Phillip's throat. She clung to her husband. "Oh, God. Take me away from here. Please," she whispered into his shirt, and he immediately lifted her in his arms, quickly stepping over dead men as he carried her toward the corridor.
Elizabeth sank to her knees on the floor. "See what happens when you anger me, Phillip."
Dane halted at that, twisting to see her tenderly stroking Phillip's hand. "Dear Lord, he's made her as crazy as ,he," Tess sympathized, and Dane started to turn away when Elizabeth called his name, not taking her eyes from the pale lifeless hand.
" Tis yours.'* She waved toward the gilded box resting on the table.
Dane's eyes shifted from the box to his wife. Slowly, he set Tess to her feet. He didn't have to say it; Tess knew his family's fortune lay in that small chest.
"I'll wait here," she told him.
"The fire, sir," Gaelan said urgently. " 'Tis spreading!" Smoke circled their legs as the first mate gestured with his pistol for the crewmen to vacate quickly. "I shall retrieve it, Capt'n," he assured with a quirky smile when Dane went for the chest.
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Dane nodded once, then ushered Tess to where the butler stood in the hallway, motioning to them. He pressed a hand to a wood panel and it sprang open. "To the ship, sir." With a bow he gestured toward the stone tunnel.
Tess eyed Dane, inclining her head to the butler.
"You know Jeeves here?"
Dane smiled at her saucy look. "He is Ramsey's boatswain, love. Jamie Wilcox. Though I was unaware, Ram had stationed men inside."
Tess playfully socked Jamie in the chest. "You coulda told me."
Jamie rubbed the tender spot. "A fine thanks," he mumbled, then grinned, following them into the damp narrow passage.
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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
"I can walk, you know."
Dane ignored her, his legs carrying them swiftly toward the cabin, his crew grinning at their captain's haste. He hadn't said a word since they'd left the island and had refused to allow her from his side even as the long boat took them to the Sea Witch. His expression was tight with a frown, and Tess could see a muscle clenching in his jaw.
He strode into the cabin and kicked the door shut behind him, releasing her legs and letting her slide down the length Of him. The thought of that whoreson's hands on his wife made him crazy, and the coolly stored anger and fear for her life released itself. His mouth was suddenly on hers, savage and hot, before her feet touched ground. Her arms wound around his neck, and she clung to him, answering the power, reveling in the swift burn that raced through her body. His thigh pushed between hers, his hands, warm and large, rubbed the length of her, molding her breasts, stroking her slender waist, sliding down to cup her buttocks and drag
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her across the surface of his leg. She whimpered against his lips, the intensity of his touch leaving her trembling and breathless. She'd never seen him like this. So impatient, so desperate! She pulled her mouth away, but he didn't cease, devouring the skin at her throat, then moving lower.
"Dane." Her breath came in urgent gasps. The gown peeled away from her shoulders.
"Do not deny me, Tess." His voice was rough. "I beg you." He lifted her so he had perfect access to her breasts. "Ann, God, I need to banish his touch from your memory."
Tess melted, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her backward to the bed, tumbling her to the feather mattress. His ravenous mouth never left hers as he tore at the constricting garments. He immediately covered her with his long body, entering her swiftly, deeply, cupping her buttocks to bring her closer to his heat. He moved, loving her wildly, hungry with tender greed. Together they clung, reaching the summit with a hoarse cry, descending slowly, the aftershocks still rippling through them as she whispered, "I love you, pirate," in a watery voice.
His arms tightened about her as if to bring her into himself. He squeezed his eyes shut, placing a kiss to her damp shoulder, not wanting her to see the fear he could no longer hide.
Dane settled back against the bowsprit, pulling his wife firmly against the length of him. "I should blister your lovely bottom for sneaking
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out," he said, even as he rubbed the mentioned posterior.
"Dane! The crew."
He grinned wickedly, the wind tossing black curls. "They've orders to venture no farther than midship."
"In that case—" She wiggled between his thighs, nibbling the bronze skin at his throat.
He groaned as her hands molded over his chest, small fingers slipping beneath the fabric of his shirt. "Are you trying to gain my forgiveness?"
Her smile was impish. "Is it working?"
"Ahh, love. Aye."
"Duncan asked me to deliver this."
Tess and Dane pulled slowly apart at the sound of Ramsey's voice. He held out a folded paper, its edges brown with age. She glanced at Ram, her eyes questioning its existence as she accepted it.
"He said it fell out of the diamond pouch when he was tidying the cabin."
Ramsey's lips twitched, and Tess flushed, remembering the sensual debris of clothing she and Dane left scattered around the spacious cabin. She wore breeches and Dane's shirt now, and Ramsey's roving eyes told her he liked what he saw. But his easy manner didn't last long, fading quickly to an inner turmoil that she could see beyond his weak smile. The Witch was attempting to catch up with the Triton, and Tess wished they'd hurry. Maybe he would be his old self when he was on his ship again? Ramsey was acting strange, quiet and almost sulking. No teasing, no carefree chitchat. It was like he'd lost his favorite toy. Or woman. Tess grinned to
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herself: likely the latter.
She focused her attention on the envelope. How come I never noticed this before? she wondered, turning it over in her hands. Breaking the wax seal that had obviously been replaced several times, she
unfolded the crackling paper, reading quickly.
*
Mistress Tess Blackwell,
Tis my wish that you understand the past, mayhaps to know the future and prevent the death I have witnessed.
It was from Elizabeth! Tess looked up, squinting. The island was a speck on the horizon, the smoke merely a tiny gray flag against clear skies. Tess hoped
she'd escaped, then quickly amended the thought. She had to have; the Rothmere clan lived in the twentieth century, and she recalled the mention of Phillip's bastard. Tess continued reading.
Shall I begin with Phillip's mother, Wilhelmina? A rather common woman, really, who believed power came with money and gems. Devlin provided well for them both, yet she desired more. Like Phillip, 'twas never enough. She was wrong, you know. Phillip had wealth, other than what he'd stolen from Gray-son, yet never had power, merely greedy servants. I am not so addlepated to let it drive me to take my own life as Wilhelmina had. / will make the name Rothmere mean something again. Oh, dear, I really am getting ahead of myself, aren't I? Devlin and my mama were
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lovers. I am the product of that union. I am a Rothmere.
Tess blinked. Elizabeth? His half sister? Oh, Jesus! The baby! She glanced over the remaining words: details of his sexual abuse of her, the torture, allowing men to —she couldn't read any more.
"Tess?"
Dane's puzzled gaze shifted from the letter to her.
Tess took a deep cleansing breath before she said, "It's from Elizabeth. When she wrote it, I don't know. She tells everything, about the diamonds, what Phillip did, everything." She held it out for him, but he didn't even read it, folding the letter and tucking it in her pocket.
" Tis over, my sweet. History."
She smiled widely. "Well, we know how that can change."
"Aye, thank God." He placed a soft kiss to her lips. "I love you, Tess."
"Me you too," she sighed against his mouth. "Wanna go back to the cabin?"
"Bloody newlyweds," Ramsey snorted, his forearms braced on the port rail. He glanced to the side to glare at the pair, then straightened abruptly, his attention riveted somewhere beyond them. "Sweet Mother of God! What the ruddy hell is that?" he demanded.
Tess twisted around. "Jesus H—no!"
"Capt'n, 'tis the bloody wall again!" a crewman bellowed, fear sharp in his voice.
The black wall shifted, undulating, tentacles of mist following them across the sea.
My Timeswept Heart Page 31
