“Are you well?” he asked, twining a lock of her fallen hair behind her ear.
She shuddered in his arms. “Very well, indeed.”
He grinned and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Come, let us get clean and get some rest.”
The glassof brandy slid across the table as theAmericatilted, and Arnold Fitton, the Earl of Hanley, caught it before it knocked into the table’s short rail. They ought to do something about the dreadful to and fro of the ship. It had grown tiresome.
“It would appear that they’ve continued on to the Americas,” the captain was saying.
Arnold’s ears perked, his fury barely banked beneath the surface of his skin. “Are you certain?”
“The ship’s original direction?—”
“Never mind that,” Arnold interrupted, impatience riding him. “Do you knowwherein the Americas they aim to dock?”
The captain’s lips tightened. “There is a place in theGolfo Mexicanowhere our warships have found success finding pirates, but no raid has yet taken place. There is a good chance that thePandorahas gone?—”
“Then we shall follow,” Arnold interjected again. “I must have my bride returned.”
Indeed. She’d stolen something of great value to him, and he needed it back. He also needed the bitch to suffer.
The captain inclined his head. “As you’ve mentioned before, your lordship. We are doing all we can, and while ourAmericais a fast ship, thePandorahad several?—”
“I care not!” Arnold slammed his fist on the table, rattling the tableware and halting all other conversation in the wardroom. “They were no doubt slowed by repairs after the battle. Butweare on a fresh vessel. Wewillfind their ship—whether it’s moored, sailing, or sunken. And wewillretrieve my intended from thosegoddamned pirates!”
Pressure swelled in his cheeks and neck, as it always did when rage consumed him. But he continued to stare the fools down.
The captain of theAmerica—whose name Arnold couldn’t be bothered to remember—inclined his head. “Of course, your lordship.” He turned to one of his officers. “Inform the navigation officer and helmsman that we shall chart a course for theGolfo Mexicano.”
Arnold’s heart leapt in anticipation.
“Right away, Captain.” The officer slid his chair back and saluted before darting from the wardroom.
“There is much to be considered, of course, if we are to venture into pirate territory.” The captain dipped a fresh roll into the sauce on his plate, then took a large bite.
“Naturally,” Arnold drawled, an eyebrow lifted in challenge. “But we shall ready ourselves.”
“I’ve been informed,” said one of the officers, “that more rations have gone missing. I believe it’s time we address the crew…”
Arnold tuned him out, irritation swiftly clouding his anticipation. Hewouldsearch thisGolfo Mexicanofor Calluna. She would not be free of him so easily. And then, naturally, he would marry the wench, with his aged fool of a cousin as witness, procure the entailment, kill the bastard, and get his wife good and pregnant with his heir.
A sennightlater
“Excellent,”Percy said encouragingly. “Now strike your blows.”
With practised movements, Heather aimed at his nose, his groin, and his eyes, all of which Percy blocked in quick succession.
“Well done.” He grinned at her.
Her eyes lit with determination. “Again.”
He nodded. “I shall attack. You block me.”
To his chagrin, his body flared to life each time they made contact. And each time she clasped his wrist or brushed his hand, his pulse sped further. And not from the exertion.
He made for another attack, reaching for her throat with both hands, when she lifted her arms between his and spread them wide.Sodding hell, did it arouse him. She was learning so much, improving with every passing day.
“Yes,” he cheered. “That’s precisely how it’s done!”
