Madeleine watched as Sébastien’s expression lightened and he smiled at the young boy. “I don’t mind if you pretend to strike up a new friendship but it is imperative that they think that Miss Madeleine is my woman and that I brought her on board from a tavern in New Orleans before we departed.” He flicked a glance her way. “Otherwise, she will be fair game. My men are good men but men of the sea have little regard for the rules of society. The journey ahead is fraught with danger—”
Madeleine could not help herself. “If we are to do as you say, surely we must know about you and your ship, Captain Leclerc?” Her voice was firm and she lifted her chin. “What is the purpose of this journey and why are we in such danger? Surely your crew knows, so we have a right to know as well?”
He stood up and looked down at her, placing his hands on his hips in a cocksure stance. Despite his arrogance, Madeleine would not give in. “How can we trust you not to harm us? Or even worse, to not sell us to a slave trader?” Holding herself still, she studied his profile.
“You are right, Madeleine. If I were to be trusted I would have been dead a long time ago.” He laughed and there was no mirth in the sound. “I will enter into a deal with you. I will tell you where we are going and the purpose of our voyage…if you tell me where you were going to get the money to pay me for your freedom.”
She stared at him without answering and he leaned over her, his warm breath grazing her cheek.
Closer than a man should be to an unmarried woman of good breeding.
“Will you tell me, Madeleine?” He straightened and the warmth of his thigh pressed against her shoulder almost burned her skin. A strange feeling ran through her nipples and a shaft of something sliced through her as a throbbing heat settled between her thighs. It was as though they were alone in the cabin and she swallowed as a reckless urge to press herself against him consumed her.
Swiftly, the heat ran into her neck and face and she stumbled over her words. “I…I will…I may consider it.”
“And so may I, “he replied. “Now we are about to anchor in Barataria Bay and stock the boat with food and water for the voyage ahead of us.” Sébastien crossed to the door. “Come with me, Jake.”
Madeleine smiled at the lad as he shot a sympathetic glance her way.
“Madeleine, once the boat is steady at anchor, I shall take you above deck for a short stroll and my crew will see I have a woman on board. A brief visit only, as bad weather is about to come in from the Gulf, and it will not be pleasant even though we are leeward of the Grande Isle.”
Madeleine inclined her head gracefully and feigned disinterest, even though she was keen to go above deck into the fresh sea air. But for the time being, she would do as Sébastien requested. He had frightened her with his talk of death and his wild crew.
Is he a pirate? Is that why he is so suddenly interested in my purpose in New Orleans? She would guard that secret closely and would speak to Jake at the first opportunity. She must ensure that Jake did not share the little information she had told him.
With no one. Neither Sébastien nor any of the crew.
Closing her eyes, she ran her hands down her dress. Strange and new feelings were coursing through her and she must not let that distract her from her quest. She had to trust that Sébastien would bring her safely back to New Orleans whenever his mission, or whatever he had to do, was done. How much to tell of her quest was something she was yet to decide. She could not risk that he would try to find Uncle Titus and return her to his care. She had managed to escape the clutches of one man who was determined to deny her independence and through unfortunate chance she now found herself in an identical situation with another man.
She stifled a groan. But now she had two secrets; the first was her quest to find Aunt Josephine’s necklace. The second secret she would also hold close to her breast. Sébastien would never know of the feelings that rioted through her traitorous body every time he stepped close to her. Pirate or not, she had never before experienced the pleasant sensations that invaded her whenever he was in her presence and she would fight to the death to hide them. She could not allow him any more power over her than he already held.
Chapter Ten
Sébastien watched as the small boat reached the shore and the crew pulled it up above the tide line on the white sand in the distance. He’d included a message for Jean-Luc but was not sure that his half-brother would be at the outpost. He’d also had a quiet word to Mr. Abrahams about Madeleine and the grizzled old mariner had shaken his head.
“I hope you have not made a mistake in continuing with this voyage, Sébastien.” The first mate knew this was the last mission on the governor’s orders and it was already agreed that he would take over the captaincy of the vessel when Sébastien moved on. He was privy to Sébastien’s plans to begin his own sugar plantation in the Hawaiian Islands, far from the seafaring world. Sébastien had shared with him the letter of marque from the governor authorizing him to free the slaves carried on the Ann Marie. How they went about it, and whether they removed any booty from the British trader was at his discretion. Jean-Luc would expect him to take the cargo, for distribution at his trading outpost, but Sébastien had little interest in that. His goal was purely to stop the Ann Marie from reaching port with the cargo of slaves. When that was achieved, he would receive his final payment from the Spanish governor and he could leave this life behind him. He had already formulated a plan for setting the slave trader Ann Marie on its voyage back to Africa and if all went to plan, there would be no bloodshed. Having the fifteen slaves on board his own boat already was fortuitous; he would broach his plan to their leader before they intercepted the Ann-Marie.
Now as he crossed to the ladder, his heart beat a little faster. He would watch Madeleine like a hawk when she was above deck. A reluctant smile tugged at his lips; she was certainly plucky. He had tried to frighten her into submission for her own safety but her demeanor and her reply that she would consider his deal, bespoke a brave and determined young woman. He knew she was still unsure of whether he was a pirate or a respectable captain and it would not hurt to keep her in doubt until their return. She might be more inclined to do as he said.
And as well as being brave and determined, she is also a very beautiful young woman. Now that she had shed the black mourning dress, her ripe beauty was far too tempting and Sébastien had to keep reminding himself of her innocence. He had already decided to take the night watch from Mr. Abrahams so he didn’t have to spend the nights in his cabin with Madeleine breathing softly beside him in the bed. He shook his head as he descended to the lower deck. It would be an utter waste if she ended up as a missionary’s wife in some godforsaken settlement. She would be more at home in an elegant drawing room in a wealthy man’s home. Greeting her guests with her bare white shoulders glowing softly in the candlelight, and her delightful auburn hair swept up and set with jewels.
A waste. He banished the thought as he opened the cabin door. Her future and where she may spend it had naught to do with him and he would leave off worrying about that until the Maiden was safely docked back in New Orleans.
Madeleine was still seated at the table, her fingers playing idly with some lengths of colored ribbon. She glanced up at him and the light caught a sheen of tears in her eyes. She dropped her gaze and folded the ribbons, and placed them on the table before lifting her head up.
Her eyes were clear and dry; the sheen must have been a trick of the light.
“Are you ready to come up on deck?”
Madeleine nodded and he stood back to let her precede him. He frowned as she stood in front of him at the cabin door and smoothed her hands nervously down the front of her skirt. There was something lacking. Her arms were bare and he hesitated before he reached past her for the door handle.
“Wait.” Sébastien crossed to the small chest and lifted the lid. He pulled out a handful of the gold bangles that had been there since Jean-Luc had captained the Maiden. Sébastien had taken over the vessel to
ply the river trade when his half-brother had decided to establish the trading outpost at Barataria Bay. Jean-Luc turned a blind eye to Sébastien’s occasional foray to sea as long as there was some cargo retrieved for him. It was fair, they owned the ship jointly, and he’d be more than happy to hand the vessel over to Jean-Luc when he left. Sébastien would have no need of such a large vessel when he reached the Hawaiian Islands.
Moving closer to Madeleine, he reached out and took her arm, ignoring the nervous jolt that shuddered through him when his fingers brushed against her warm skin. “It would not look right if the captain’s woman was not adorned with gold,” he said quietly.
Madeleine stifled a soft gasp as he touched her arm but she held still when he pushed the small circlets of gold up over both of her wrists, along her forearms all the way to her upper arms. Her skin was the color of alabaster and as soft as silk beneath his fingers.
“Yes, much better.” He stood back and looked at her; the thought of her parading in those scanty garments in front of his crew made his stomach roil, but it must be done. “You are ready to do this?”
“I am.” Her voice was soft and steady and, although her expression was calm, Sébastien’s eyes were drawn to a pulse beating in her slender neck.
“It will be good to take a breath of fresh air,” she said.
Sébastien let out a grim laugh. “And remember you will have to look at me not as though you wish to bite my lip, or stamp on my foot. You must look at me as though you are looking forward to pleasuring me tonight and reaping the rewards in more gold jewelry.”
He took her arm and gave into a grin as her cheeks filled with color and she glared up at him.
“You have until we climb the ladder to the deck to change your expression to one of lust and sensuality,” he said.
“I will look the part but never in your wildest dreams should you think that I will be your strumpet.” Her voice was cold but Sébastien was sure his dreams would be filled with her when he finally got some sleep.
***
Madeleine was conscious of Sébastien behind her as she climbed the ladder and his laughter followed as she hurried up ahead of him. Her soft shoe slipped on the last rung and she stumbled, landing in a most unstrumpet-like heap on the deck. He stepped out behind her and held out his hand and when he pulled her to her feet he held her close and dipped his head to whisper solicitously in her ear.
“Are you all right, my sweet?”
“Yes.” Her anger had dissipated with the clumsy fall and Madeleine couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up from her chest. She looked down—at her very exposed chest. “Just my pride is bruised.” Damping down her mirth, she switched her expression to the most adoring look she could muster, and ran her fingers lightly down his jaw before pausing, and then brushing her fingers across his firm lips. His chin was as rough as she’d imagined and she took a little satisfaction in the nervous tic pulsing his cheek as her fingers traced along his mouth.
The pirate did not speak again but held her close and looked down at her as her fingers played on his face. Warm shivers radiated from where his hands held her firm and close to his hard body. Madeleine held her breath; she had never realized that a man’s muscles were so firm. Finally, he loosened his hold and stepped back. She took in a deep draught of salt-laden air. Her head was spinning and the cool breeze was welcome on her overheated skin. Sébastien took her arm and walked her across to the bow, pointing out the features of the vessel as they slowly crossed the deck. She knew he was ostensibly bragging about his vessel to his woman, and wanted it to be seen as such.
And it is a fine vessel. She had not taken much note of the Maiden when it had sailed past the frigate in the Mississippi, but now her wide–eyed admiration was not feigned. The oiled timber gleamed and nothing was out of place on deck. Barrels were stacked neatly alongside the hull and tucked into the spaces between the decks. Ropes were coiled in neat, thick circles along the side of the hull. If it had not been so dark when she had come aboard, she may have found a hiding place on the deck and gotten off the vessel when she had seen it was going to leave. As they strolled along with her hand tucked into the crook of Sébastien’s arm, the sun broke though the heavy cloud above and the wind eased back. The sun burned hot on the bare skin of Madeleine’s shoulders and she looked around for some shade. A nervous flutter began in her stomach as Sébastien lifted his arm up to her shoulder and his fingers played on her bare skin. Everywhere she looked, they were being watched. Sailors were up the rigging, on the upper deck, and she felt her eyes widen as she noticed a group of men with the darkest skin she had ever seen. Sébastien’s hand pressed into her back with a pleasant warmth.
“Come, I shall take you to the wheelhouse to meet Mr. Abrahams, my first mate. There is some shade there. Your delicate skin is burning.” Madeleine froze as he dropped his head and pressed a kiss to her shoulder and a raucous ahoy sounded from the rigging above. She should have hated it but the warmth of his lips on her bare skin made her happier than she had been for many months.
As they moved to the center of the lower deck, Sébastien called a friendly greeting to each crew member and gained a respectful reply. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes. He was a natural born leader and seemed to have the respect of his men. She just had to figure out what his leadership entailed. The vessel did not look as though it belonged to a pirate and his crew, and the men were certainly polite, yet she would heed his warning about the danger until she had made up her own mind and was more secure in her own safety.
“Ah. Young Jake.” Sébastien paused and dropped his hand from Madeleine’s shoulder. “This is Miss Madeleine, my…friend…from New Orleans. I would like you to keep her company when she comes up on deck in the day time, while I am occupied. It will be your main job, lad.” He turned to Madeleine and spoke loudly for the benefit of anyone listening. “This is Jake’s first voyage on the Maiden, my love, and he will be at your disposal.”
My love. She knew it was a ruse but for a moment, she indulged in a wicked daydream that it was true before she stepped away from Sébastien’s hold and smiled at Jake.
Jake dropped his chin and mumbled. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Madeleine.”
Madeleine inclined her head and smiled at him but unease churned in her stomach. As soon as she was able to, she must tell Jake to hold her secret close. It appeared he too had fallen under Sébastien’s spell. The man was too charismatic and it did not bode well for the safety of her quest. Her opportunity followed immediately.
“Would you like to stay above deck for a while and take in some fresh air?” Sébastien gestured to a covered area behind the wheelhouse. “Jake, you can check that those ropes are clear of knots while Miss Madeleine sits with you and you may fetch anything she requires.”
Jake’s chest puffed with importance at the task he had been given and Madeleine watched from beneath her lashes as Sébastien took her arm once more and escorted her across to the shaded area on the lower deck. The heat travelling down her arm was from the hot sun. It was not from his warm fingers touching her bare skin.
It was not. She silently chastised herself for even noticing the pressure of his touch and tried to ignore the feeling that lingered even after he had lifted his hand away.
Sébastien nodded at her once she was settled on an upturned barrel and she reached down, tugging at her skirts, trying to cover her bare ankles with the short fabric, but to no avail. As he walked away she was sure there was an expression of mirth on his face. She watched as he walked across to where the dark-skinned men were folding sails at the front of the bow. He was taller than most of the crew and his stance was powerful. Broad shoulders and strong arms swung as he strode across the wooden deck. Her gaze dropped to the snug fitting breeches that molded his long, muscular legs.
“So what are you scheming, Miss Madeleine.” Jake’s lips were pursed in disapproval. “You are dressed as a doxy and on a pirate’s boat and you are no closer to finding your hidden treas
ure.”
“Ssh.” She looked around with her fingers to her lips and hushed Jake but they were alone. The closest crewman was a long way above them on the rigging. “I must beseech you to keep my secret. If this is indeed a pirate vessel, there must be no hint of me knowing of any treasure.”
“What do you mean, if it is a pirate vessel? I told you about Sébastien Leclerc days ago…long before we even knew his ship would be in port, let alone that we would both end up on it. It may be a good thing for me, but certainly not for you.” A frown crossed Jake’s brow and he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “As soon as the boat is provisioned we have at least two weeks’ sailing ahead before we are back in port, and I know what is going to happen.”
“How can you know?” Madeleine was concerned by the foreboding in Jake’s voice. “And what is going to happen?”
“One of the sail makers told me. We are going to meet up with a ship called the Ann Marie and take her cargo.”
Madeleine’s blood ran cold. So it was true; because she had chosen this boat to hide on, her future was in the hands of Sébastien Leclerc, a pirate of the high seas. Why did he lie to her? So she would feel safe?
A man with no regard for honesty. What sort of position had she put herself in?
He must never, never, know about the heirloom. She would have no chance of returning to England and she would be lucky to leave his ship alive.
“Jake.” She reached out and touched his arm and he looked at her earnestly. “You
must promise me you won’t tell anybody about my aunt’s necklace back in New Orleans. You must not tell. I cannot risk anyone else knowing about it. Can I trust you?”
“Of course you can.” He smiled and held her gaze steadily before looking over her shoulder and jumping to his feet. “Look, the provision boat is returning. We will be underway soon.”
Before she could stand and look to the direction in which he was pointing over the water, Sébastien was walking toward them with his hand held out.
Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) Page 9
