Edward chuckled. “This is undoubtedly the first and only time I have ever heard Sharky referred to as dear, sweet or gentle. Are you sure we are discussing the same man?”
“I assure you, my Captain Shark has a softer side of him that only a woman would appreciate.”
“Your Captain Shark, hmm? Darling, if you really want to get married right away, sea captains can and do perform legal and binding wedding ceremonies, you know. In fact, I sort of promised Sharky he could if he helped me find you.”
“Really?” she asked, sitting up. The blanket fell down past her bare breasts and he smiled. “Is it actually legal to be married by a pirate?”
“He is a ship’s captain, which does indeed make it legal. At this point, love, what could be more fitting? Later when we get back to England and this whole mess is cleared up, we can still have Bertha give a large traditional wedding party.”
“I see,” she mused. Wiggling back down next to him, she lowered her hand to his groin. “Well, admit I am most anxious to snare you before some other ambitious debutante steals you away.” She grabbed his cock and wrapped her fingers around him.
Edward stopped breathing. “May I remind you that we are in open waters swarming with pirates, profiteers, and hostile French at the moment? I doubt you’ll find any other debutantes out here to be concerned about. It’s apparently rather damaging for their reputations.” His pulse raced. “Besides, who ever said I preferred such young innocent girls of society?”
She leered at him. “You’re not suggesting that I went through all that torture for nothing, are you?” He grew larger in her hand.
“Am I to understand that you considered your debut torturous?” He nibbled her neck. She was driving him mad —as usual.
She sensuously rubbed her thumb over his damp tip. Where did she learn to do that?
He looked at her and arched his brows. “If you recall, I did volunteer to let you slap me around. You’re still more than welcome to.” His voice caught with hoarseness. His breathing grew faster.
“I admit, all in all, my debut did turn out to be a smashing success, because I did end up snaring you that night. And if any debutante tries to steal you from me, I will skewer her.”
He would enjoy skewering her right now. “Careful, darling, behavior like that will sully your reputation.”
She adjusted her grip more firmly around his shaft.
He closed his eyes in exquisite torment. “For some reason, I think I should feel flattered even though I don’t precisely. But don’t worry, my love, there is no other debutante in the world for me but you.” His pulse pounded and he was starting to sweat.
“The other ones are much too ladylike and I’m willing to wager they don’t wear pistols under their gowns. No, once you pointed that gun in my face, I was truly yours.”
“Edward, dearest, you are a cad,” she said, giggling. She stroked his ballocks with her other hand. Then she had him gripped firmly with both hands. What was she doing? Bloody hell, he couldn’t move.
She looked at him with wide-eyed innocence and squeezed. He inhaled sharply.
“Did Bertha teach you that trick with the holster on your leg?” His voice cracked. Deuce take it, she had him pinned. She was holding him hostage.
“No, darling, but she did loan me a pistol. You know how fond I am of loaded guns,” she sweetly added, dramatically running her tongue over her lips. “I was starting to become desperate.”
“I know all about desperate,” he gasped.
Her mouth stretched into a wicked grin. “I warned you I’d make you suffer, darling.” She slid down his body and took him into her mouth.
“Uhh, Alexandra?” This was torture. Exquisite sweet torture. He sucked air in his lungs and squeezed his eyes shut.
Chapter 43
Early the next morning, there was a loud pounding on the cabin door.
“Captain, wake up!” Lieutenant McPhee shouted. “You are needed on deck!”
“I am on my way!” Edward called out. He shot out of bed and pulled on his clothes. With a grumble, he crossed to his wash basin and hastily splashed cold water on his face.
“What is it?” Alexandra asked, still half asleep.
“Trouble. McPhee only wakes me when something is wrong. “You’d better dress quickly, brat—in your breeches. And get your weapons.” He dashed out of the door.
Edward swiftly strode to the helm. “What is it, McPhee?”
“We may have an angry-lookin’ battle frigate off portside, thirty degrees south-southeast, Sir. It’s not close enough to be sure it’s French yet, but doesn’t look good.”
The early morning sun had just started to streak cherry red through the sky. Lifting his telescope to his eye, he saw what appeared to be a black spider resting on the pink horizon. “Aye, she appears to be French, but I can’t see her flag.”
Alexandra stepped on deck, but stayed back, silently observing Edward command his ship. His demeanor was serious and intense. He wore his usual white shirt, trousers and high boots, with his black cloak flapping in the wind. His ebony hair gave way to the stiff breeze. He was the man of her dreams and her heart swelled to know he was truly hers.
“Move the cannons in position,” he ordered. “And ready the guns.”
“Aye, sir!” McPhee said. He placed a whistle to his lips and blew, producing a shrill blast with two breaks.
The crew moved quickly around the ship. The cannons rumbled on their tracks below as they were pushed into firing positions. Other men adjusted the lines, preparing the sails for battle maneuvers.
The man in the crow’s nest shouted, “’Tis the tricolor, Captain!”
Edward’s face turned glacial. Alexandra had never before seen him look this way; she knew it was not a good sign. Then he said, “Reverse starboard, Lieutenant. I’ll be back shortly.” He swiftly strode away, back to his cabin.
Alexandra followed him. “What is happening, Edward?”
Edward crossed to his desk and flipped through the large charts he had already been studying. His fingers skimmed over a page and then stopped at one particular spot. “Yes. There is a small island we may be able to use. . .”
He looked up at her and his expression softened. “We have spotted a French warship on the horizon. If they see us, they will try to catch us. Fortunately, we have a good chance of outrunning them, since this sloop is better equipped for speed. There is a strong likelihood that they have seen us, since we can see them.” He dashed back out onto the deck. Alexandra followed after him, holding back out of the way.
“They’re heading straight fer us, Captain,” McPhee. “Do ye mean to outrun them?”
“Aye. But with a direct turn westerly.”
“Aye, sir!” McPhee whistled and called out a command. The booms swung around with a lurch and more sails were raised. The proud ship jolted, leaning sharply into a turn.
Alexandra peered up at the tall forward mast. Her brother was climbing the sails with the men. “Good lord, it’s Ian!” Her heart filled with pride and excitement as she watched him work the ropes.
The tension of the crew mounted and the pace picked up. The frigate had gained some distance on them. The dark sails of the Black Swan were filled with a strong headwind and Alexandra felt the sloop-of-war propel forward with increased speed.
Presently, a thundering boom echoed from the French frigate and Alexandra looked back in alarm. Edward and McPhee laughed.
Her hands clenched to tight fists. “What was that?”
“Oh, don’t be worrying about that, my lady,” said McPhee. “They’re just bellowing a little, trying to scare us.”
She saw Edward scan the horizon with his scope. Up ahead some coastline emerged. The Black Swan was heading straight toward it. The ship sliced through the water at full sail for the next hour, with the frigate trailing behind.
“How are we doing, Captain?” she asked.
His face softened. “I’m wagering I know these waters better than they do. We’
re off the English eastern coastline and the over-ambitious French Captain appears to be a bit careless by sailing too close to our shores. If he was smart, he’d have turned back already.”
Edward raised his scope to his eye again. “Upon my word, McPhee. . . Keep her steady. . .Now, Lieutenant!” Edward ordered.
McPhee blew an ear-piercing spurt of long and short whistles and called out some commands.
Some of the sails were let down and the ship slowed. “You’re letting them catch up to us!” Alexandra exclaimed incredulously.
Edward continued to watch through his scope. “Just a bit, my love, we’re teasing them.”
The frigate sailed directly toward them, gaining distance. As it got closer, Alexandra saw the huge ship more clearly with the bold tricolor flag flapping above various other flags.
“They’re signaling for us to halt, Captain!” McPhee called out.
“Halt, my arse,” Edward said.
The rocky shores appeared more clearly. A huge land masse jutted out with tall rugged cliffs. The frigate was closing in. It fired another cannon. Alexandra felt a jolt as the Black Swan took a hit portside. She looked at Edward, in a panic. He gave her a reassuring nod. But he could devote no more attention to her at the moment, she realized.
“Damage is minimal, Captain!” shouted one of the men.
“Fire! Now!” Edward said.
McPhee again sounded a whistle, and the sails were hurled up with full force. The large booms of the sails swung around and the Black Swan sharply lurched to the starboard side as it turned to the south to give her cannons clear aim. McPhee’s whistle shrilled again and two cannons were fired at the advancing frigate.
“One hit, sir!” called the man from the crow’s nest.
“Fire two more balls,” Edward ordered, “just to keep them busy.”
The entire ship shuddered ominously as two more cannons were fired from her bays.
“Both hit, Captain!” shouted the man up above.
The frigate fired another ball toward them, but it flew past the stern.
“Full sail ahead, McPhee!” Edward called. He turned the helm over to the lieutenant, and picked up his telescope. After peering through it another moment, he glanced at Alexandra and nodded for her to come to him. “Look.”
She lifted the telescope to her eye and pointed it in the direction Edward had indicated. She gasped. “The frigate is heading straight for the rocks!”
He smiled down at her with a satisfied nod. “Yes, it appears to be so. And she is too sluggish of a cow to be able to turn in time to avoid them. The French captain will pay dearly for his reckless ambition this time. The British Fleet patrols these shores. They will discover a fine trophy upon their next passing.”
“Why did they chase you? You weren’t flying the Union Jack.”
“No. I was flying my own flag, which I usually do with this ship. It wouldn’t matter at any rate which flag I flew. You are not the only one wanted by the French, darling. This isn’t the first time I have run one of their ships aground. It would be quite a boon for them to capture me and my ship. Consider how they had planned to blow up the Dauntless.”
Alexandra rubbed her hand across her brow, brushing her hair off her face. “But why didn’t you just run away? We were easily sailing faster.”
“Because, my dear, I saw an opportunity to bait them. And this is part of my job, to destroy French ships.”
Her stomach lurched into a knot. “Damn it, Edward! You were both mad and brilliant just now, but this is far too dangerous. I almost lost you already. I don’t want to face that possibility ever again.”
He flashed a gloating smile. “Did you really think I was brilliant, my love?”
She bit her lip and sorted through her emotions, unable to share his exhilaration at this victory.
Edward caressed her cheek. “Don’t worry. Running the frigate aground was a simple maneuver. I never felt we were in danger, especially considering you were on board.”
Alexandra’s spine stiffened. “But something could have gone wrong! I don’t like you doing this sort of thing.” Her voice began to sound hysterical. Her breathing grew faster.
Edward gazed down at her and furrowed his brows. “Are you truly worried for me, sweetheart?”
She narrowed her eyes, refusing to cry. “What do you think, Edward? Of course I am! You cannot continue with this sort of activity. I want you around to help raise our children.”
“Children?” His voice croaked.
Alexandra folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot. “You do want children, do you not? A bunch of little bratlets and swanlets running around? And do not think for one minute I intend to rear them by myself. You are not going to be one of those truant fathers, running off to your gentlemen’s club or sneaking out to sail your sloop behind my back!”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “I do believe you are sounding bossy!”
She pulled her hand away. “Well, that is too damned bad. I won’t have it, I say! You are remaining with us!”
“By us, do you mean you, me, the bratlets and swanlets?”
“Of course, you idiot! Who else? And—.” She paused, looking up at him. “Good God, listen to me. I sound like a shrew.” She shuddered. “Poor Ashford. Now I understand why he says I gave him gray hair.”
“Well, for the record,” he said, pulling her close to him, “I hope we have several little bratlets and swanlets because I enjoy the endeavor of creating them so much.”
She felt her face redden.
He wrapped her inside his cloak and molded her body to his. “If it will make you feel any better, my love, I am resigning my commission. I have lost my edge. I do not want to press my luck any further, especially after that last ball I took to my shoulder.”
Edward looked down at her tenderly. “If it were not for you, I’d be rotting away in a hole outside of Calais. Before, I looked death straight in the eye, and I didn’t care. It was a thrilling game for me. But now I do care, and I know I’ve tempted fate quite to the limit.” He smiled softly, caressing her cheek. “Soldiers who fear dying too much are no longer the best soldiers.”
“Now I desperately want to live. I told you once that night in Paris if you were mine, I would never let you out of my sight, and I meant it. I don’t want to be parted from you, my darling brat.” Tenderly, he kissed her forehead. “This last debacle with your abduction nearly killed me. I’ll still sail as The Black Swan. But it will be only with you, my love, on our own agenda.”
Alexandra frowned. “But you just said the French are still after you. What if we meet up with another hostile ship?”
“Then we will do exactly as you suggested. We will simply outrun it, and if all else fails, I shall let you bound and gag the whole crew again,” he teased.
She gloated shamelessly with a broad grin. “So, I surprised you quite well the day you found me, didn’t I? I do serve to protect!”
“But who, brat, will protect me now from you?” he asked, lowering his lips to hers.
“Does this mean you’ll no longer be Captain?”
He flashed a wicked pirate’s smile and her heart flipped. “I shall no longer be a captain in the Royal Navy; but I am still Captain of the Black Swan, and you, my dear, shall be the lady of the Black Swan!”
She smirked. “Are you giving me a new name, relinquishing me as the brat?”
He gazed into her face and his voice softened. “You will first and foremost always be my wonderful brat. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
At that moment, Winston strolled on deck, yawning and rubbing his eyes. His clothes were rumpled and his beard was stubble on his face. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun while trying to look around. Finally he saw them. “I say, Edward! What is all this commotion and rumbling about? I was just awakened from a very nice sleep! I can’t locate my valet, and is anybody around here going to serve breakfast?”
Alexandra chuckled, look
ing back up at Edward. “I don’t think Winston is planning to look death in the eye any time soon, either.”
Chapter 44
The Dover harbor buzzed with activity as the Black Swan glided into the port. The ship dropped anchor just off shore and the crew lowered the dinghies. Edward and Ian climbed down the ladder and into one of the small craft, and rowed to the quay.
The Tin Penny was a run-down two-story tavern three blocks away. Edward and Ian entered the dreary tap room. A long bar stretched along the far wall. Several tables were scattered about the room, many occupied by weather-worn seafaring men already deep in their cups for late morning.
The barkeep was a tall thin balding man with small eyes and a large bulbous nose. A dirty apron covered his shabby brown shirt, and he was wiping mugs with his apron before he filled them with ale.
“What’s yer fancy, gov’nors?” he asked when Edward and Ian approached the bar.
“Brandy,” Edward answered, hoping the glasses would be cleaner than the mugs.
The barkeep popped two glasses onto the bar and halfway filled them with a dark amber liquid.
“I’m looking for someone about some jewels,” Edward murmured, leering at the barkeep. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
The barkeep shifted his eyes and let out an abrupt snort. “Sorry, Gov’ner. Don’t know nothin’ about no jewels.” He began wiping the counter. “…But in case I should be hearin’somethin’, where can ye be reached?”
Edward knew the message would be relayed immediately.
“My ship is in the harbor for the rest of the day. We’re pulling up anchor at dusk.”
“And which ship would that be, govn’r?”
“The Black Swan.”
The barkeep paused and looked up; his filmy eyes widened. “You be the Black Swan?”
“Aye,” Edward said. His expression was glacial.
“Sorry, Capt’n, didn’t recognize ye.”
“We’re loading cargo this afternoon. My men are at the quay. Leave word with them.” He dropped a coin on the bar, tossed the rest of the brandy down his throat, and left with Ian.
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