“Yes, I can sew.” Her quiet voice interrupted his musing.
“Good.” Sébastien took her hands in his and examined them. There was no doubt she was a gentlewoman. Her hands were soft and white, and he held them gently as he lifted his gaze. Her green eyes were fixed on his and a pulse fluttered in her slender, white neck.
“Being a lady, I would not expect you to have much knowledge of life aboard a vessel?”
She shook her head. “I have knowledge. Do not forget, Captain, I have just travelled across the ocean from my home.”
“On a British frigate with a chaplain on board? A very different proposition to a pirate vessel, my dear.”
A gasp escaped her lips and she pulled her hands from his grasp. “You lied. You said you were not a pirate.”
“I’m not…exactly. But there will be some…shall we say…action while we are at sea. That is why it is imperative that you must listen to me and do everything I say.”
He lifted his hand and trailed his fingers down the side of her soft cheek and her eyes widened.
“Everything,” he repeated softly.
Chapter Nine
Everything.
Madeleine took a deep breath as the blood drained from her face, and her ears began to buzz as the word brought her fear clawing to the surface.
I will not faint again.
She swallowed and held the gaze of the man who was crouched in front of her. His shirt was still open and he was so close she could see the fine hair covering the golden skin of his chest. Never before had she seen a man at such close quarters, especially one whose warmth was tempting her to lean closer and place her hands against his skin. She clenched her fingers together, resisting the strange temptation.
To lay my open palms on his chest and rest my head on his shoulder would be…would be…safe.
Confusion swirled through her. Rational thought told Madeleine she should be very frightened but she was not. Just a little exciting trickle of fear that sent goose bumps running down her arms. Waiting for him to explain what “everything” meant filled her with a dangerous sense of anticipation.
“It is most important that the crew believes you are my woman.” He lifted his hand and touched the stiff fabric of her dress. “What are you wearing beneath that?”
The heat began where his finger had brushed her shoulder and continued up to her neck. Robert, her dear brother, had taken great delight in tormenting her about her propensity to blush and she knew how much her fair skin betrayed her feelings.
“A chemise, a corset and a camisole.” Madeleine took a deep breath and willed her face to cool.
“Good Lord, woman. No wonder you were in a tangle when you awoke.” He grinned at her and now the warmth travelled down to her abdomen as well as up into her face. “But that is good. It will give you something to work with. I assume your undergarments are not black?”
She shook her head. Her undergarments were a pretty, lacy white and threaded with the colorful ribbons that Father had bought her from his visits to town. She had ensured that she had sewn them into her undergarments so there would be a constant reminder of her family, no matter what she encountered in this new, unknown world. Uncle Titus had frowned at any color on her black mourning garb so her ribbons had remained well hidden from his view. Perhaps now they would be visible?
Sébastien stood and crossed to an ornate chest which rested against the end of the high bed. She waited while he lifted the lid and grunted with satisfaction. An article of clothing such as she had never seen before dangled from his fingers. It was a brilliant red with black ribbons lacing the front together. He handed the soft silken fabric to her, the grin still on his face.
“Now, I must go above deck. You will be busy.” He gestured to the food on the table. “Eat, before you begin.”
“Ah, Sébastien?” It was strange to say his name but that was what he had said she was to call him.
He stood and tucked his shirt into his breeches, before swiftly lacing up the ties and drawing the white fabric together over his chest. “Yes?” He glanced across at her.
“Before I begin what?”
“Begin to do something about your appearance. The black dress must go, and you can put an outfit together. Something that befits a pirate’s woman. With that—” he pointed to the scrap of silk she held “— and your corset, you should be able to fashion something suitable.” He strode to the door and looked back at her before he opened it. “But be quick about it, we must talk to Jake before he gives away who you are. Once I speak to Mr. Abrahams, my first mate, I shall bring Jake down here. We will have to let him into my plan to keep you safe. I shall be back down within the hour.”
Madeleine sat at the table for a few minutes after the door closed behind him. She examined the flimsy piece of red silk that Sébastien had passed to her and pulled a face. It appeared to be a top garment of some sort that would go over a skirt.
Aware of the time passing, she dipped her finger into the porridge that had now congealed into a glutinous mess, tasted it and immediately spat it back into the bowl in a most unladylike manner. It was laden with salt and foul tasting; if this was the food on a pirate vessel she would not be partaking of any more. Reaching for the small purple fruit she had examined earlier, she took a tentative bite. An explosion of sweet juice filled her mouth and Madeleine closed her eyes; the soft flesh was as sweet as the spun sugar confections that Cook had made back home. She dropped her head into her hands and wondered what she was doing here on a pirate boat, about to transform her appearance to that of a pirate’s wench.
I should have hidden from Uncle Titus in Derbyshire until he left me behind, and never set out on this foolhardy adventure.
Madeleine allowed herself to wallow in self pity for only a moment before she shook her head, and brushed away the lone tear that rolled onto her cheek.
I am here and I will make the best of the circumstances I am in.
Raising her chin, she sought the determination that usually filled her. A maybe-pirate and a pirate ship would not deter her from her planned course. She would continue with her quest and seek out the emerald and diamond necklace and then travel back to England to triumphantly restore the family estate. And if that meant spending some time masquerading as the doxy of a man who may be a pirate—or not—so be it.
Madeleine stood and reached around to the back of her dress and began to unlace the ties holding it together at her waist.
***
The wind was blowing stiffly from the south and it carried the smell of a squall not far off. The sails snapped sharply as Sébastien crossed the deck to the wheelhouse and took over the steering. He listened as Mr. Abrahams informed him of their bearings before the first mate went below deck to break his fast. They were close to Grande Terre and about to enter the narrow channel separating the island from the reed marshes of the delta country where Jean-Luc had his trading outpost, and they would reprovision the vessel. They must be quick. There was no time to lose. Sébastien observed the crew at work as he steered the boat through the rising waves. There was a big blow coming and he hoped they would be berthed safely in the shelter of Barataria Bay before it caught them. He would stay on board to ensure Madeleine’s safety and send only a small party to shore to get the provisions. He also had no desire to see his half-brother. He wanted Jean-Luc to have no inkling of his future plans. Sébastien cast his gaze around the vessel as he decided who to send to shore.
The sail maker and his idler were repairing a torn sail which was spread across the top deck. Young Jake was sitting on a barrel watching them; the swelling on his eye had gone down a little, and shades of purple and blue were high on his cheek. Sébastien slowly scanned the decks above and below his vantage point as the strong wind filled the sails and the vessel picked up speed. The boatswain was supervising the Africans as they scrubbed the lower deck. Sébastien allowed himself a brief smile; they were more energetic than any of his crew when deck washing was underway. The three new cre
wmen were nowhere to be seen and he narrowed his eyes. At this time of the morning all crew should be above deck and working at one duty or another. There were always tasks to be done to keep the vessel in good order. He was a hard, but fair taskmaster, and his crew was well used to his ways. For a moment, he considered putting the three new men ashore at Barataria Bay. He could not afford to have a less than committed crew, but then he realized that they would need a full contingent for this mission and there was no time to rouse up new crewmen. They would soon learn the ways of his vessel.
“Bear into the wind, Mr. Abrahams.” The first mate had come back up the ladder and had taken over the wheel from Sébastien. “There’s a squall coming from behind. Grande Isle is three miles off.” Sébastien pointed to the boiling clouds in the south.
“Aye, Captain.”
They had made good time and would navigate the narrow channel between the two large islands into the bay before the weather broke. Sébastien turned to the first mate before he headed to the upper deck to speak to the cabin boy. “Where are the new crewmen? I will send them to shore to help with the provisions when we anchor in the bay.”
Perhaps if he entrusted them with a measure of responsibility, they would feel more like part of the crew.
Mr. Abrahams gestured with a toss of his head toward the bowsprit. “All three are checking the stays of the foremast, sir. After the fouled rigging yesterday, I have set the crew to check every rope and every stay on the vessel.” He grinned. “I don’t think they are used to being so meticulous.”
“Well, if they are to stay on the Maiden they will soon learn they must be.” As he walked toward the upper deck, Sébastien glanced up to the rigging. All looked to be in order from below. “I am taking young Jake to my cabin to check on his eye.”
The first mate threw him a curious glance but did not question him.
“Oh, and Mr. Abrahams.” Sébastien allowed a slight smile to cross his face. “We have another passenger on board. There is a young woman in my cabin. I would not want you to be surprised when she comes on deck.”
The man looked back at Sébastien with a frown. “Pardon, sir. Is that wise considering the nature of our voyage?”
“It could not be helped. I shall explain when there are no ears to listen.” He gestured to a couple of the crew who were working close to the wheelhouse and Mr. Abrahams nodded.
“Later.” Sébastien nodded and climbed the stairs to the upper deck. Young Jake jumped to his feet.
“Captain.” He bowed his head respectfully and Sébastien ruffled his hair casually.
“How is your head today, boy?”
“Much improved, sir.”
Sébastien was pleased. The boy had much potential and would do well if he applied himself to learning the ways of his vessel. It was a shame he would not be here to take the boy into his care and watch him develop. He had no doubt the young lad would make a good seaman.
He gestured for Jake to follow him to the ladder and stepped back and let the lad precede him. When they reached the bottom, he turned and took the boy’s arm and Jake’s eyes widened.
“Don’t be scared, I have a surprise for you. But it is imperative that you can keep a secret.” He lowered his voice and stared at the lad. “Can you do that?”
The boy nodded his head up and down respectfully, his eyes still wide.
“Come then, follow me.” Sébastien tapped on the door and waited for a moment before he turned the handle and pushed open the door to his cabin. He stood back and let Jake enter before him.
Madeleine’s dress was in a pile on the end of the bed but the room was empty and Sébastien’s heart seemed to stall.
Surely she hasn’t left the cabin? There were two smaller cabins adjacent to his—the first mate’s and a small space used for sick and injured crew. The only other place she could be was in the crew’s general quarters at the other end of the lower deck, but surely she would not have gone there?
This young woman is going to cause me much grief on this voyage. I know it.
Walking across to the curtain dividing the privy from the cabin, he kept his voice low. “Madeleine, are you in there.”
The curtain lifted slowly and Sébastien slowly let out his breath as relief filled him. He waited for her to step out from behind the curtain. A slender white hand was the first of her to appear as the curtain rose inch by inch, and then his heart kicked up a beat as Madeleine stepped from the alcove.
A sensual woman, her auburn curls cascading over smooth white shoulders stood before him. One stray curl brushed a hint of cleavage barely covered by the ribbons and lace on the top of her red silken chemise.
Sébastien’s mouth dried.
Holy Mother of Christ. He would not allow Madeleine anywhere near the crew dressed like that.
“Damnation,” he muttered as he remembered he had instructed her to look just like that. But she had done a much better job of creating an outfit than he had ever imagined she would. His gaze traveled from her bare neck down to her waist. The chemise he had found in the chest was cut low and his eyes dropped further down. She had done something with that ghastly black dress and it now covered most of her legs. The problem was the fabric that now covered her lower half clung to her and molded more curves than he’d ever imagined she had.
Two white shapely calves held his attention for a moment, and he reluctantly lifted his head.
Closing his mouth he managed a husky “Madeleine,” at the same time that Jake recognized her.
“Miss Madeleine. What in heaven’s name has he done to you?” The small boy pushed past him and took Madeleine’s hand with both of his. “If he’s hurt you, I’ll…I’ll—”
“It’s all right, Jake. Seb—I mean the captain—is taking care of me.”
Sébastien grabbed the boy’s shoulders as he clung to Madeleine’s fingers. “’Tis all good, Jake. Your loyalty is admirable.” His instincts had been right. This boy was of good stock. “But you must help me keep Miss Madeleine safe. Can you do that? There is good reason for her to be dressed like this.” His lips twitched and he fought the smile that finally tugged at his mouth as he appreciated her skill in transforming herself into a pirate’s wench. “You are certainly a skilled dressmaker, Madeleine.”
Sébastien forced himself to look away as Madeleine bent down to the young lad and put her arms around his shoulders as she hugged him in welcome. From where he was standing, he looked down the front of her loose chemise, to the tops of her rounded, creamy breasts, and the blood rushed straight to his groin. With a muttered oath, he turned and strode across to the table, pulling out two chairs, angry at the reaction of his body. It was as though they were two children play-acting, and had no idea of the danger that was ahead.
“Both of you sit here. Now.” A feeling of doom set in his bones which did not bode well for the mission ahead. “I don’t have time for this.”
There was no way he would allow these two young and innocent passengers on his vessel to interfere with the success of his mission. His future depended on it being successful. If needs be, he would imprison them both down here for the entire voyage and they could put up with being below deck for as long as it took to follow the governor’s instructions.
The burden of keeping Madeleine safe was not going to take away from the success of this, his final mission. That was his quandary.
***
Madeleine looked across at Sébastien and a shiver ran down her back as her gaze settled on his face. His expression was thunderous and the kind expression she had become used to had left his eyes dark and glittering. Two hard lines were etched on either side of his mouth. Forcing herself to look away from his strong, handsome face, she stepped over to the table and sat on the chair he indicated, and Jake was not far behind her. Turning her head, she studied Sébastien’s profile. His dark eyes were framed by long lashes, and his tanned skin gave him a rakish look. She was tempted to run her fingers over his chin, to feel the roughness of his chin, to see if the
danger he emanated was real.
But they sat there quietly, and it was almost as though they were two naughty children in the school room about to be chastised by the schoolmaster. Madeleine stifled a grin. She was well used to that. Father had allowed her to attend the village school and her determination, and her sense of justice, had seen her in trouble on more than one occasion. She lifted her chin and held Sébastien’s steely gaze. She would not allow him to intimidate her. No one would tell her what to do. She had had enough of that from Uncle Titus. She would be independent and make her own decisions from this time on.
The cabin was quiet and only the loud drumming of his fingers on the wooden table broke the silence. He observed them for a long moment before he finally spoke. Despite his silence and his fierce expression, Madeleine did not look away.
“Not doing exactly what I say could result in your death.” His voice was cold and hard. “Do you understand what I am saying?”
Madeleine wet her lips and noticed Sébastien’s eyes follow the movement of her tongue. Somehow being dressed in these clothes—if they could even be called clothes—bolstered her courage and an unfamiliar loose feeling ran through her limbs. It was as though the removal of her constraining corset and dress had freed her modesty as well.
“Well, Madame?” He stared her down and she lowered her gaze to look at him beneath her lids. “What say you?”
“Yes…Captain.” She kept her voice firm and steady. It was not the time to call him by his name.
“Listen carefully to me and remember every word I say.” He settled back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Every word. Burn that into your memory. Your lives may well depend on it.”
Jake sat there unmoving as Sébastien turned to him. “Lad, as far as the crew will know, you have never seen this young woman before today. It is essential that they do not know she is the young woman they saw on the frigate yesterday. Understood?”
Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) Page 8
