While he would grant that the women of Bow Street were unlike others of thehaut ton, Heather was still a lady. For all he knew, she might well desire children—which he wouldneverwish to provide. She was above his station—which was entirely unavoidable, as he was the bastard son of a pirate—and…sod it, she deserved better than him. He had no intention of saddling any woman with the burden of his name, and he most certainly had no desire to do so to a woman that he actually?—
He cursed.Why, damn it?He was so sodding attracted to the woman, with her melodious voice, sunny hair and disposition, and fiery determination. Hell, but she was braver than most men he knew. And every bit of her, every new facet of her personality that he discovered, all tugged at him, drawing him closer to her when he damned well ought to leave her to her assignment.
Shaking himself, he called to his second helmsman, “Direction?”
“Southwest.”
Percy stayed the wheel and barked orders at the crew, while Donovan appeared beside him.
“Shift change, Captain,” he said.
Percy nodded. “Report?”
“One man injured—fell getting out of his hammock and landed on the table—and three seasick. One member of the crew from theSapphirewas stabbed and bears a blade wound. No complaints from your woman.”
My woman.
“Wait.” Percy frowned. “Someone was stabbed?”
Donovan nodded. “He and others approached your woman with lewd intentions. I’m told she defended herself admirably.”
Hot fury shot through Percy’s veins, and he bit back a dark curse. “Noted. We are travelling to San Luis and are currently directed southwest.”
The man’s eyes lit at the mention of the pirate port—and the prospect of drink, gambling, and women.
“Aye, Captain!” he replied enthusiastically, taking the helm.
Percy bid the man good night and, with a wave, withdrew down the companionway and slipped into his dark cabin.
At last,the storm had eased, and Heather was able to curl herself between the bedclothes, her mother’s journal clutched tightly to her chest as the ship gently rocked and rain splattered the wall of windows. Exhaustion pulled at her, but her mind wouldn’t quiet enough for her to slip into sleep. She was grateful, though, that her seasickness hadn’t returned.
Compassion filled her at the sound of the animals’ distress. There hadn’t been animals on theSapphire, but it made sense why they would bring them aboard, particularly for long journeys.
She sighed.
She’d spent the majority of the storm saving her plants from tipping over, guarding her mother’s journal—and, within it, the earl’s documents—or clinging to the bed as it swung wildly back and forth. But so much had happened in just one day, it was as though her brain was determined to analyse every action she’d taken.
A tremor of trepidation and revulsion shook her from head to foot as she recalled the encounter on the mess deck…and the battle of that morn. She’d intentionally injured those men. And she would do so again. The shock of that truth rippled throughher every time it crossed her mind. Yes, she’d been trained in such combat, but she’d not truly considered what that mightmean.
The cabin’s door slid open on silent hinges, and Heather pulled her dirk from its sheath and held it at the ready, poised to attack. It was only when she heard a thump and Percy’s muted curse that she relaxed and put the weapon away. She’d intended to lock the door, but didn’t know if Percy would be able to enter if she fell asleep.
His boots sloshed, and his clothes made wet slapping sounds as he moved about the space. He cursed softly again, and a smile quirked her lips, the awful wobble in her abdomen being gradually replaced by the warmth of familiarity and affection.
Snick.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
Snick.
“Fuck,” he repeated.
Heather’s chest seized, all pleasant feelings fleeing at once.Fire. With her heart and mind still veritably besieged with worry and fear, she could not countenance yet another added atop it.
“No,” she breathed, sitting up abruptly.
“Hell’s tits, Heather!”
His dark, shadowy figure stood frozen near the chest of drawers, dim moonlight glinting off the glass enclosure of the lantern he’d been attempting to light.
