by Sara Orwig
His lips curved in a slight smile, an inscrutable expression crossed his face, and suddenly she wondered what was in his thoughts.
“There’ll be no bastard child. I promise.” Then, winding his fingers in the knotted cord that held her cape fastened, he drew it free while his green eyes flamed.
She didn’t want to respond to him. She wanted to protest, yet his seductive emerald gaze captivated her and invisible lightning charges sparked between them.
“Do you make promises you can’t keep?” she asked, her voice dropping to a lower pitch. He pushed the cape off her shoulders and it fell to her feet. “No, Lianna. I won’t go back on my word.” His fingers wound through her hair, sending the pins falling. Strong arms wrapped around her, molding her to his body while he kissed her until her head spun, until she slipped her arms around his neck and yielded to his touch.
His kisses destroyed reason, wiped out consciousness of all else except his hard, exciting body. For an instant she was befuddled when he released her, gazing down at her with parted lips, his chest rising and falling.
“I have to stand watch. Good night, Lianna.”
In seconds the key grated in the lock and she was alone. The captain standing watch? She didn’t believe him, yet why had he stopped kissing her? It wasn’t lack of desire; she had felt the swift surge of his manhood as he held her against him. Why had he gone so abruptly? Was it her talk about a bastard child? She found that unlikely. What was Captain Josh’s intention, and why could she not resist him? She burned with embarrassment when she thought about the past few minutes and how eagerly she had responded. Yet a deeper warmth fanned through her as she remembered how it had felt to be pressed to his hardness, to have his arms around her. And in all truth, she had to admit that Joshua Raven was an exciting man.
She gazed through the small porthole at the stars until the steady motion of the ship lulled her, and then she stretched on the bed to sleep.
14
Farther north, Edwin stood watch at night, looking at the stars high overhead and wondering about Lianna. They had pulled into port in Plymouth and sold the Dutch cargo and the ship, which Captain Turner deemed too cumbersome to sail with his Adrian.
They had been there long enough for Edwin to learn of Squire Melton’s death. No doubt a solicitor had sent word to Quita, yet Edwin didn’t think Quita would dare come back to England to claim the estate.
No, it would be waiting for Lianna, and his blood raced when he thought of the possibilities. Santiago, Chile—the same southern course the Adrian sailed!
When they had been in port he had asked many questions about why an Englishman would sail to Santiago. He discovered that there was unrest and some Englishmen intended to aid in overthrowing the Spanish. There was a group in London.
He leaned against the rail and looked at the water rushing swiftly below, the endless whitecaps and the expanse of dark seas. His future was unseeable, yet so many opportunities could be his! Soon he would get his own ship, for he was learning so fast that Captain Turner had remarked on it more than once and had given him more and more responsibilities. And he was learning to use the cutlass better, practicing belowdecks when no one was around. He learned the Dutch ship was a cargo ship, loaded with chests of indigo balls, vanilla beans, raw sugar from the islands, cowhides and beaver pelts from French Canada. What the crew dreamed about were Spanish ships loaded with gold from the colonies, treasure that wouldn’t be hauled into port and sold, but hoarded away, each man having his own secret uses for his share.
In port Edwin had found a comely wench, Lila, who was prettier and more lusty than Nan. Warmth filled him as he remembered their nights. He would go back to Plymouth, back to Lila.
And he had learned about Josh Raven—a man who filled women’s eyes with a longing that made Edwin’s insides knot. He wanted to slit Raven’s throat! He knew he would have to learn how to handle the cutlass better. It was one thing to attack a merchant ship and to use brute strength to hack his way to claim a prize; it was another to fight a man who stirred awe in other hard, experienced seamen. And adding flames to his anger, men were in awe of Raven. Edwin hoped he would have the chance and ability to run the man through! And if Lianna developed that look in her eyes at the mention of his name, if she had come to love him—
He abruptly snapped his thoughts away from that. He would hold her to her promise! He prayed Raven would not win her love, and if he did, little good it would do her if Raven were killed!
When his eyes swept the horizon, he thought he saw a speck. He peered up at the lubber’s hole but decided if sails were in sight, they would have been spotted. Relaxing, he leaned his elbows on the rail. Lianna had inherited everything. A captain’s mistress. It made his stomach churn, yet it was done now. And it made it easier for him. Even if she returned to England long before he did, men would be reluctant to marry her. She was no longer innocent, but had no man’s good name. She was too sheltered to have the kind of social contacts that would help her overcome ostracism. No, she would wait for him. And if he could, he might sail on another ship for this faraway Chile.
His gaze swept the horizon, and this time the speck was a dot, dark but real. He straightened to watch, then found a telescope and had a look.
“Sails sighted!” he bellowed, his pulse jumping because he relished another encounter, and the sighting might earn him extra pay. The last battle had furnished him with more wealth than a year of farmwork would have brought.
Men sprang to life, and in seconds Captain Turner appeared, coming up from his cabin below.
“Sails sighted, sir. I’m sure that’s what I see.”
“You sounded the call?”
“Aye, sir.”
“What the devil is Betters doing?” Turner grumbled, looking up at the lubber’s hole. He snatched the telescope from Edwin’s hands.
Edwin stared at the dot so far in the distance. He would attack anything if it would make him richer and move him closer to Lianna. He lifted his chin. “The north wind has come up.”
“Aye, and the ship runs northwesterly. We’ll give them a merry chase!”
The ship was faster than the Dutch, a trim bark that went swiftly, but the Adrian soon came within firing range. Edwin worked beside his cannon, but he continually questioned the gunner about their position. As Dunsten levered a handspike against a carriage step to heave up the barrel breech and aim the gun higher, Edwin asked, “We’ll have to board to leeward, won’t we?”
Dunsten squinted at him over the barrel. “You learn fast. Yes, we will.”
“How’ll we do it?” Edwin persisted, wanting to be everywhere at once so he could learn.
“When our forecastle is abreast of their mainmast, we’ll luff sails and put helm hard alee to close in.”
“Won’t she blast us out of the sea?”
“Not if we pass her lee quarter close enough. Haul on the left training tackle to get this into position.”
In a short time when they were ready to board, Edwin spotted the yellow-and-red flag of Spain. “Spanish!” he exclaimed, and then he was boarding his second ship, swinging the cutlass with a cold determination, thinking of Joshua Raven and wishing each man he fought were the captain of El Feroz.
This time, they found what the crew had talked and dreamed about since Edwin met them for the first time at the Boar’s Head. Gold from the New World! Edwin didn’t think he could ever stop staring at his share, as he ran the cold, hard coins through his fingers. The bark had been so badly damaged by cannon that it went down, but not before they had time to unload most of the cargo. Three sailors had begged to be taken on as crew members, and Captain Turner had agreed—something Edwin would not have done. There would be no loyalty from those men, he thought, rubbing two gold coins between his fingers.
“Still dreaming, Stafford?” Dunsten said as he sat down on a hammock.
“It’s beautiful! And so easy!”
“Don’t be fooled. We’ve had two easy encounters and lucky shots
. The old Dutch ship was on its last legs. Tonight we were lucky. It’s not always so easy.”
“Easy or not, ’tis the best way I know to make a living!”
“You’re a bloodthirsty one. I’ve seen you fight. You fight like a madman.”
“Perhaps I am,” he said quietly and saw two men who were mending clothes turn to look at him while Dunsten frowned.
“It won’t always be so easy, and you’ve gone without a scratch. Wait until you get your first wound. It will seem a different matter then.”
Edwin stood up abruptly and walked away as another sailor called to him, “Captain wants you.”
Edwin dropped the gold into the sea chest and locked it, pocketing the key. He’d bought his own new chest at Plymouth and he kept his things locked now.
In the captain’s cabin he was motioned to a chair. It was a tiny cabin with a bunk along one bulkhead, a desk bolted to another bulkhead, and a chair bolted to the floor. Captain Turner looked up from the ledger on the desk and pushed a drawstring purse toward Edwin. “Take this.”
Edwin picked it up and felt the heaviness and heard the clink of coins. His brows arched inquiringly.
“It’s your share for sighting the sails first and for saving my life when a man came at me with his sword. You killed him as I reached for my pistol, and I want to reward you.”
“I don’t remember. Thank you, but you don’t need to pay me.”
“Take it. You’re a mean fighter, Edwin Stafford. I thought a farmer would be a poor fighter.” He shrugged. “Perhaps I don’t know everything about men.”
“I’m barely aware of what I’m doing.”
“Well, you do damned fine! I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t. You like sailing, don’t you?”
“It’s the thing I know best.”
Captain Turner laughed. “Best? I heard about you and the tavern wench.”
Edwin laughed in turn. “Very well, second best.”
The captain’s smile faded. “Well, take care in battle.”
15
In the captain’s cabin Josh stood bare-chested in front of the washstand. Fletcher eyed him as he entered and closed the door behind him.
“You sent for me, sir?”
Josh ran a washcloth across his jaw and waved the long razor. “Fletcher, sit down.”
“Aye, sir.” Fletcher dropped into one of the wooden chairs, stretched his long legs in front of him, and glanced at Josh lathering his jaw.
“Are you fully awake?” Josh asked.
“Aye, ready to sail into La Coruña. I shall be heartily glad to see the Spaniards ashore and us at sea, safely away from there.”
“We’ll stay a few nights before we sail.”
Fletcher’s head whipped around. “Why in hell take the risk? If the Marcheno family or the soldiers learn your identity, you know what they’ll do. There’s a price on your head, on each of us, still.”
Josh cut a swath through the leather. “I intend to take Miss Melton ashore and wed her.”
“Damn! She consented swiftly enough!”
Josh paused. “She doesn’t know about my offer yet.”
“In the name of heaven then, why will you offer for her?”
Joshua laughed softly. “It’s time I had a wife. She’s beautiful—”
“And already yours as long as you please. Why bind yourself to a woman who doesn’t love you?”
Josh turned slowly and faced Fletcher. “I want a wife, and I want to have a family.”
“You’ll regret this alliance!”
Josh clamped his jaw tightly. “You’re soured on women.”
“No, I just keep a level head because I’ve learned a bitter lesson. I think you know as well as anyone that I find the fair ones delightful—in their place.”
“We’ll go ashore to be wed in church, and then return to the ship. I want the men given leave so I may have the ship to myself tomorrow night with my bride.”
“Damn!” Fletcher jumped to his feet and walked closer. “You’d put these men ashore and risk their getting foxed and revealing who we are?”
Joshua met angry gray eyes. “Watch your tongue, Fletcher. Their lives are at stake as much as mine. They’ll keep their mouths shut and they’ll welcome two or three nights ashore.”
“Aye, sir!” Fletcher flushed and whirled to a porthole and gazed outside. “Sir, there is more than a bond of blood between us. You could have left me to fend for myself. Instead, you’ve treated me as you treated Phillip. You saved my life when I was injured in battle. I wouldn’t be here this moment if you hadn’t risked your own life for mine. Don’t—”
Josh turned, dropping a towel over his bare shoulder. His voice was firm. “Fletcher, I want Lianna always.”
“Zounds! You sound foxed. Sir, you educated me, allowed me to move in a society that had turned its back on you. I know women like Miss Melton better than you. If you tell her you love her—this cold English maiden—you’ll create your own hell.”
“That’s enough!”
Fletcher stiffened. “Aye, sir.”
“I’ll be up to take the wheel shortly. We’ll summon the men, tell them about leave, and sail into La Coruña.”
“Aye, sir.”
“That’s all,” Josh said softly, and watched the first mate leave in long angry strides.
Josh let out his breath and looked at his reflection in the mirror. Was he committing the greatest folly of his life? Instead of his own green eyes and brown hair, another image swam before him. He saw wide blue eyes the color of the sky on a clear day, midnight tresses that floated over pale shoulders. He felt a quickening in his loins. Lianna was in his blood. Damn, how he wanted her! He thought how responsive she was, how quickly she lost her reluctance and her inhibitions. If one gained her love…
His blood pounded and he blinked, seeing himself again. He laughed at the image. “You besotted fool! Taken in by big blue eyes.” Should he follow Fletcher’s advice? He owned Lianna’s body. He shook his head, his smile fading. Her body wasn’t the ultimate prize he was after—it was her heart.
He dropped the towel and turned from the mirror without questioning his motives any deeper.
Abovedeck, Fletcher stood in the early light of dawn and spotted land in the distance. Trying to curb his anger, he gave orders to the helmsman as they approached La Coruña. A brisk wind drove them swiftly toward their destination. By the time Josh appeared to take charge, they were approaching the dock.
Near Marcheno Castle the wind whipped against Quita’s cheeks and she smiled, feeling exhilarated as she watched Armando riding ahead of her. She thought she would never tire of looking at him. Beneath a warm morning sun, he wore a broad-brimmed cap on his head, his long dark hair curling over his wide shoulders. He turned in the saddle to flash a grin at her, and she felt a skip in her heartbeat.
Suddenly a rabbit dashed from the woods and a hound glimpsed it. He turned, baying as he ran, and the other hounds ran after him.
The rabbit ran in a zigzag pattern as the riders changed direction to follow the hounds. There were two noblemen and their wives riding in the hunting party. Quita turned her horse, loving the feel of the beautiful gray animal beneath her. He had been a gift from Armando, and she treasured the horse as something very special.
She watched as the rabbit dashed desperately ahead of the hounds. It was small and brown; once it looked back as the dogs began to narrow the distance, and suddenly Quita hated the chase. She had ridden with Armando before to hunt, but this was different. The rabbit was soft and it looked small and helpless with the dogs barking and galloping headlong after it. As she watched, her dislike mushroomed, because she could clearly imagine what it would be like to be the rabbit. It reminded her of the nightmare she’d had several times since her arrival in Spain, a dream of running from faceless, men who chased her. Her mouth became dry and she tugged on the reins, wanting to avoid seeing the kill as the dogs closed in on the helpless hare.
She turned her horse, letting it
walk into the pines. She would catch up after they had ridden ahead. She heard a high squeal and realized the rabbit must have been caught. In the cool shadows of the pines, she shuddered and stared at the riders, now slowing and milling around.
Suddenly Armando separated from the group and rode in her direction. Her heart beat swiftly, because she always wanted to avoid displeasing him. She urged her horse forward to meet him.
As he reined beside her, she forced a smile.
“What happened to you?” he asked, a quizzical smile on his face.
“Sorry, I stopped to cool in the shade.”
His brows came together and he stared at her intently for a moment. Her heart began to pound, because he looked at her in a cold manner like never before. He turned in the saddle to wave to the others. “Go ahead. We’ll catch you.”
Her breath stopped and she wondered if she had angered him by staying behind.
He turned his horse toward the trees and she followed. They rode quietly into the cool shade until they came to a stream. She began to relax, deciding he had wanted to water the horses—or perhaps kiss her. She had learned by now that she had married a lusty man.
He dismounted and reached up to pull her down, resting his hands lightly on her waist. His features were stern as he said quietly, “Why did you turn back?”
She felt a shock, realizing he had known so easily that she had lied to him. Her heart thudded in sudden fear because of his fierce expression. “I didn’t mean to displease you,” she whispered.
“Lianna, don’t ever lie to me.” Her fear grew larger, and she nodded, unable to answer him, wondering how he had known. “I will tolerate many things, but be truthful with me.”
She trembled, thinking what a monumental lie their marriage was! Her name, her lineage—she hadn’t been truthful to him in the most elemental and important way.
“Why did you turn back?”
“I couldn’t bear to see that tiny rabbit chased down and torn apart by the dogs,” she whispered, barely able to get out the words beneath dark eyes that seemed to see every thought. For a moment she felt like Quita Bencaria, a peasant girl.
