Bracing his feet on the heaving quarterdeck, he followed her movements to the larboard railing, Omphile on her heels.It wasn’t simply her natural beauty.He’d known women just as lovely.But ’twas the way she held herself like a princess, her courage, her kindness, her wit.Nay, this was not some doxy to be cast from man to man.This woman fit no mold he was aware of.She surprised him, intrigued him.And he wasn’t sure he liked that one bit.
If what she’d told him was true, if she’d been ravished, then she had suffered more than most.Yet she was no weak flower to fade at the first strong wind.She possessed more fortitude and courage than most of his crew.All bundled up in a rather alluring package.
“See something you like, Captain?”Pell smiled from the tiller.
Cadan shifted his gaze to the sails above.“Unfurl tops and gallants!”he shouted to Durwin on the main deck, who repeated his orders, sending men leaping into the ratlines.
Blocks creaked and sails rattled as theResoluteslung a-weather, her snowy canvas catching the wind in a hearty snap.Close hauled and running northwest on the trade winds, she crested a wave.White foam exploded over her bow and showered the deck with spray.
Cadan gripped the quarterdeck railing and thrust his face into the wind.The scent of salt, sodden wood, and freedom blasted over him as he gazed over the turquoise sea, rippling gold beneath the noon sun.Freedom.Freedom and power, two things he had lacked most of his life.But no more.
Feminine laughter sprinkled the air, and his gaze unavoidably landed again on Lady Fox.Wind blew her flaxen hair behind her as she stared over the waves, not the least bit bothered by the heave of the ship.Oddly, Soot ambled over to speak to her.What could be the master gunner’s purpose?
“Where are we heading again, Captain?”Pell asked.
“Nevis.There’s something I need to retrieve there, and we need supplies.”Shielding his eyes, he shouted aloft, “Haul taut!Sheet home to weather.Hoist away the topsail.”
But his eyes were on the lady.
???
Gabrielle was not immune to the salacious glances of lusty pirates.She’d grown accustomed to them on Allard’s ship, even endured a few on her father’s.But for some reason when she stepped onto the main deck of theResolute, she felt like a thousand arrows pierced her from all directions.Surely these men must be starved of female affection to be so interested in a woman with a belly as large as a whale.
“Jist ignore dem,” Omphile said as she gripped the railing beside her.“Dey’ll do nothin’ against de Captain’s orders.”
Sunlight glinted white over the mulatto’s teeth and glittered over her ebony skin.
“Is that why you feel safe?”The ship rolled over a wave, and Gabrielle tightened her grip on the railing.
Omphile’s gaze wandered across the deck to Moses.She smiled.“Yes.An’ I have a protector.”
“Ah, Moses.”Gabrielle nodded.“He’s sweet on you, eh?”
“I dunno ’bout dat, Miss, but seems de crew thinks so, an’ dat be enuf to keep ’em at bay.”
Gabrielle smiled and shifted her gaze to the sparkling turquoise waters.Would that she had a champion on board.Would that she’d had one on Allard’s ship.Would that God had not abandoned her so quickly.She drew a deep breath of the salty sea air, so familiar to her.In truth, she knew naught else but the smell of the sea and the heave of the deck beneath her, having been born and raised aboard theRedemption.
Deep sorrow threatened to flood her eyes with tears.She missed her father and mother, her sister and brother.What were they doing?Where were they sailing?Were they safe?Did they think of her at all?
The babe kicked—hard!Gabrielle pressed a hand over her belly, struggling to breathe.He was a strong one, a real fighter.He’d need to be in order to survive this world.
Wind blasted over her, spinning her hair and cooling the perspiration on her neck and chest.She closed her eyes for a moment, pretending she was standing on theRedemption, safe in her father’s arms.
“’Ello, Miss.”
The scratchy voice snapped Gabrielle from her fantasy, and she opened her eyes to see the man the captain called Soot standing beside her.
“Good day to you, Mr.Soot,” she responded, gauging the man for any nefarious intent.
But he wore a kind expression beneath his mass of red, stringy hair.
“I want t’ thank ye agin fer savin’ me rabbit, Hellfire, on the island.Not like ’er t’ run off like that.”
“My pleasure.She’s quite friendly.Nor skittish like most rabbits.”
“Naw, she’s been on a pirate ship ’er whole life.”Soot placed arms on the railing and gazed over the sea.
The man was not much taller than she, but wide as a barrel.He smelled of gunpowder and sweat, but there was a kindness in his blue eyes.Still, all manner of weapons were stuffed in his baldric and hooked on belts strapped about him.She’d learned long ago never to trust a man who made his living thieving on the seas.She glanced over at Omphile, but the woman was whispering with Moses, who had joined her.
