by Connie Mason
A cheer rose from the crew clinging to the rail of the Susan Bell, which was keeping steady pace with the Sea Wolf.
But Nick didn’t look anywhere but into the terrified eyes of the man whose life he held at his blade’s end.
“Go ahead,” Rathbun said, ripping his shirt’s buttons off to bear his chest. “But hear this, one and all. I die a loyal subject of the Crown and this man still lives a traitor.”
Damn the man, he was right.
“Bostock,” Nicholas shouted. “If I spare this man’s life, will you hold him till I return to the Susan B with Miss Upshall and Miss Smythe?”
“If that’s what you want, Nicholas,” Bostock said. “But I had a dog once with that same look in its eye and the damn thing near bit my hand off. I’d advise you to kill him.”
“The day I take your advice, Adam, is the day I turn up my toes.”
Eve drew a shuddering breath. Her heart was beginning to slow. It was over and Nick was safe.
“I won’t kill you, Rathbun. Not so long as I never see you again.” Nicholas pulled back his sword’s tip and turned to walk away from death and toward life with her.
Then suddenly, Eve watched in horror as Rathbun reached for his boot knife and launched himself at Nick’s unprotected back with a snarl.
She screamed his name.
Nick whipped around and plunged his sword into Rathbun’s gut till the hilt nearly disappeared. Rathbun’s mouth gaped and he blinked several times before his knees crumpled beneath him and he fell to the deck writhing.
Eve ran to Nicholas and threw her arms around him.
“Oh, Nick, I thought he had you.”
“A little faith, woman.” He kissed her hard. “You’re the only one who has me.”
“Guess you saw him again rather sooner than you expected, Nick. Take this man below,” Bostock ordered, pointing to Rathbun. “The surgeon can’t save a man with a belly wound like that, but at least he won’t bleed out on my deck.”
“We’ll be needing the use of your pinnace,” Nick said. “I can’t ask the ladies to transfer to the Susan B the same way I came aboard your vessel.”
“No indeed,” Bostock said. “Prepare to lower the boat.”
“Adam, I’m in your debt,” Nick said after he handed Penny and Eve into the small craft to be lowered over the Sea Wolf’s side. Eve watched as he extended his hand to his old enemy. “I’m glad I didn’t have to kill you today.”
“And I you.” Bostock signaled for the boat to be lowered. “Next time you raid a magazine, call on me for help. I’m sympathetic to the Americans’ cause.”
“I didn’t do it for the Americans,” Nick said as he shook his head. “I did it for Devil Isle.”
Once they reached the deck of the Susan B, Peregrine Higgs left the wheel to Mr. Tatem and ran to snatch Penny up in his arms.
“Penny, I thought I’d lost you.”
“Never,” she said.
He whirled her around a couple times before setting her down and covering her mouth with a kiss that had the crew laying odds on which of them would pass out from lack of air first.
Both Penny and Peregrine were still on their feet when Pere released her mouth, but they were listing on each other heavily.
“Captain, will you marry us?” It was as if Higgs feared Penny would disappear if he looked away from her.
“Don’t you think you ought to ask the lady first?” Nick asked with a laugh.
“No need, Captain,” Penny said. “Peregrine knows my heart already.”
“Aye, Higgs, I’ll marry the pair of you.”
“No, you won’t,” Eve said. “You won’t be marrying anybody until I see to your hurts. You’re bleeding from a dozen cuts and you’re dripping all over the—”
He silenced her with a kiss. “Aye, lass, I’ll be pleased to let you tend me.”
She led him back to his cabin amid sounds of rejoicing. The Susan B canted sharply and Eve knew she was coming about. Mr. Higgs was pointing her bowsprit toward home.
“Let me help you take that shirt off,” she said as soon as Nicholas closed the door behind her.
“Aye, wench, there’ll be time for that and you’ll get your way as you always seem to, but not until I’ve had my say.”
Nick lowered himself to one knee.
“I love you, Eve,” he said simply.
Her hand shot to her heart.
“I tried hard not to. You deserve so much more.”
“No, I—”
“Can you not let me finish? I’ve planned the whole piece out, you see.”
She swallowed her smile. Her heart nearly leaped from her chest with love for this man. “Oh, and when did you have time to do that?”
“Last night, while I was chasing you across the sea,” he said. “But just hold a moment till I finish, then you can say what you will.”
“All right.”
He shot her a cock-browed look. “Where was I?”
“I think you were saying I deserve so much more.”
“Oh, right. You deserve so much more. I can’t promise I’ll always be on the right side of the law. And I can’t promise I won’t be at sea more than I’m home. And we both know I’ve no talent at being a husband at all.”
“You make it sound so inviting, how can a girl resist?” she said with a roll of her eyes.
“You’re not waiting.” He pulled her down to sit on his upraised knee and put a finger to her lips. “But I’ll always treat you like the lady you are. And I promise I will love you till the day I die. Marry me, Eve Upshall.”
She palmed his cheeks and kissed him, long and deep.
“Can I say something now?”
He nodded.
“Yes,” she said simply.
Eve kissed him deeply and then pulled back, searching his face.
“That’s all you have to say?” he asked.
“Were you hoping for a different answer?”
“No, but—”
She covered his lips with her fingertips. “Then hear me now. I love you, Nicholas Scott. And whatever the future may bring, I’ll never know a greater joy than being loved by you. My husband. My life. My Lord of Devil Isle.”
Acknowledgments
I’d like to acknowledge Emily Bryan for her invaluable help in writing this book. Without her assistance this book would not have been written.
RT Book Reviews Raves About New York Times Bestselling Author Connie Mason!
VIKING WARRIOR
“This tale of a Danish vixen and a Viking warrior is full of action, heightened sexual tension and enough twists to keep readers glued to their chairs.”
THE PRICE OF PLEASURE
“She delivers what longtime romance readers want: remarkable characters and a story that sweeps them away.”
A TASTE OF PARADISE
“This deep-sigh love story is ideal for whiling away an afternoon.”
A KNIGHT’S HONOR
“This is classic Mason. Her fans will put this on the top of their to-read lists.”
GYPSY LOVER
“Mason’s romances are always a feast for readers seeking a passionate, exciting story peopled with larger-than-life heroes who take your breath away.”
THE PIRATE PRINCE
“A legend of the genre, Mason delivers a tried-and-true romance with a classic plot and highly engaging characters.”
SEDUCED BY A ROGUE
“Another wonderful story filled with adventure, witty repartee and hot sex.”
THE ROGUE AND THE HELLION
“Ms. Mason has written another winner to delight her fans who want sexual tension that leads to hot explosion, memorable characters and a fast-paced story.”
THE LAIRD OF STONEHAVEN
“[Ms. Mason] crafts with excellence and creativity…[and] the added attraction of mystery and magic.”
LIONHEART
“…Upholds the author’s reputation for creating memorable stories and remarkable characters.”
THE DRA
GON LORD
“This is a real keeper, filled with historical fact, sizzling love scenes and wonderful characters.”
THE BLACK KNIGHT
“Ms. Mason has written a rich medieval romance filled with tournaments, chivalry, lust and love.”
THE OUTLAWS: SAM
“Ms. Mason always provides the reader with a hot romance, filled with plot twists and wonderful characters. She’s a marvelous storyteller.”
THE OUTLAWS: RAFE
“Ms. Mason begins this new trilogy with wonderful characters…steamy romance…excellent dialogue…[and an] exciting plot!”
GUNSLINGER
“Ms. Mason has created memorable characters and a plot that made this reader rush to turn the pages…Gunslinger is an enduring story.”
BEYOND THE HORIZON
“Connie Mason at her best! She draws readers into this fast-paced, tender and emotional historical romance that proves love really does conquer all!”
BRAVE LAND, BRAVE LOVE
“An utter delight from first page to last—funny, tender, adventurous, and highly romantic!”
Other Books by Connie Mason:
TEMPT THE DEVIL
A TOUCH SO WICKED
VIKING WARRIOR
THE PRICE OF PLEASURE
HIGHLAND WARRIOR
A TASTE OF PARADISE
A KNIGHT’S HONOR
GYPSY LOVER
THE PIRATE PRINCE
THE LAST ROGUE
THE LAIRD OF STONEHAVEN
TO LOVE A STRANGER
SEDUCED BY A ROGUE
TO TAME A RENEGADE
LIONHEART
A LOVE TO CHERISH
THE ROGUE AND THE HELLION
THE DRAGON LORD
THE OUTLAWS: SAM
THE OUTLAWS: JESS
THE OUTLAWS: RAFE
THE BLACK KNIGHT
GUNSLINGER
BEYOND THE HORIZON
PIRATE
BRAVE LAND, BRAVE LOVE
WILD LAND, WILD LOVE
BOLD LAND, BOLD LOVE
VIKING!
SURRENDER TO THE FURY
FOR HONOR’S SAKE
LORD OF THE NIGHT
PROMISE ME FOREVER
SHEIK
ICE & RAPTURE
LOVE ME WITH FURY
SHADOW WALKER
FLAME
TENDER FURY
DESERT ECSTASY
A PROMISE OF THUNDER
PURE TEMPTATION
WIND RIDER
TEARS LIKE RAIN
THE LION’S BRIDE
SIERRA
TREASURES OF THE HEART
CARESS & CONQUER
PROMISED SPLENDOR
WILD IS MY HEART
MY LADY VIXEN
Copyright
A LEISURE BOOK®
May 2010
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Copyright © 2010 by Novel Ideas, Inc.
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