He faced the large black man.
Moses looked lovingly at Omphile.“When I was searchin’ for Omphile in dat governor’s mansion, I came into what must ’ave been Allard’s chamber an’ I saw parchment wit’ writin’ on it.”
“Writing?”Cadan cocked his head.“But you can’t read.”
Moses smiled and gripped Omphile’s hand in his.“Omphile’s been teachin’ me, Cap’n.”
“Indeed.”Cadan didn’t know whether to hug the woman or chastise her for her secrecy.But what did it matter now?“Out with it, then.”
“It was jist a name, but it caught my eye.It said Saint-Domingue.”
Gabrielle gasped, drawing all eyes her way.
Her breath grew fast.“I remember Damien mentioned that place.Once, well in his cups, he told me he had an estate there.”
Grinning, Cadan raked back his wet hair.“Then that is where we are heading.”
Soot finally looked up from his rabbit.“But that be a well-armed French post, Cap’n.”
“Which is why we must find Allard before he gets there.”
???
Would the man please put on a shirt!Gabrielle shifted her gaze away from Cadanyet againas he ordered Moses to lock up Durwin and dismissed his crew with their orders.Pell smiled at her as he left.Was she imagining things, or was there a new light in the preacher’s eyes that had not been there before?
Cadan reached for his bottle of rum, but she quickly moved to stay his hand.Their eyes met.“Perhaps you’ve had enough?”And when defiance began to fill them, she added, “I need you sober, Cadan.We must find Matthew.”Tears burned her eyes, and she turned away.
He grabbed her arm and brought her back.“You’re right.I’m sorry.I miss him too.”
“You do?”She gazed at him curiously as Zada scrambled over his desk and perched at the end, one dark eye fixed upon her.
Cadan laughed.“Seems Zada’s been doing some missing too.But aye, who do you think cared for the babe when you were Allard’s captive?”
Honestly, she’d assumed it had been Moses, but now that she studied Cadan, she could see affection for the babe in his eyes.“I never…” she huffed.“I guess I never thought.”
Muscles rolled across his chest and rounded his arms.Breeches hanging low on his hips clung to his thick thighs.His right eye swelled and darkened with a bruise, and cuts sliced across his waist and arms.Even devoid of belts, baldric, and blades, he exuded a power and confidence that made her knees wobble.
He lifted her hand for a kiss.Damp strands of his hair fell across his stubbled jaw as his masculine scent rose to taunt her with memories of their kiss in the cave.Like none other.Yet…
Were his declarations of love merely a result of their impending deaths?Doubts suddenly assailed her.She’d been horribly betrayed by two men she thought loved her.In truth, she had more than proven herself a complete fool when it came to men.Perhaps she was so desperate for marriage and children, she clung to any promises of affection tossed her way.
And this man before her, this handsome, enigmatic man, who made every inch of her feel things she’d never felt before…this man was a pirate, and hence a thief and liar.Hadn’t he made his goals quite plain?Revenge and treasure.Marriage and children were not a part of his future.In fact, he had expressed his loathing of both.
Withdrawing her hand, she backed away from him.She would not be played a fool.Neither would she allow her heart to be crushed again.Especially not from this man, for her feelings for him far surpassed all others.
Uncertainty, along with pain, filled his eyes as he followed her movements across the cabin, where she began picking up discarded shirts, belts and breeches, hoping to annoy him, but also to settle her nerves.She must tread lightly, for her son’s life depended on this man.
“Stay your fussing, my lady.”He moved toward her.
She picked up one of his shirts and handed it to him.
A slow smile lifted one side of his lips.“Does my bare chest offend you, my lady?”
She gave him a curt look.“Don’t be a dolt.You surely know your effect on women.”
“I only care for my effect on you.”He tossed the shirt over his head and studied her.“We said much to each other in that cave.”He ran a gentle thumb down her cheek.
Ignoring the sensations swirling through her, she turned away, unable to look at him.“’Twas merely the stress of our impending deaths that brought forth such silly declarations.”
