Baffled, Gabrielle made her way to the basin of water.Nary a speck of jealousy appeared on the sweet woman’s face.In truth, she’d been more than helpful these past days, bringing food, grog, cleaning soiled linens and clothing, even showing Gabrielle how to nurse.“I don’t know what I would do without you, Omphile.”Gabrielle poured water into a basin and splashed it over her face.
“Oh, go on… I’s jist doin’ de Laud’s work.”
How anyone could do the Lord’s work on a pirate ship was beyond her.
Still, an hour later, Gabrielle, babe in her arms, knocked on Captain Beast’s door.At his “enter,” Moses nodded and strode away, leaving her to walk alone into the lion’s den.
More like pigsty as she glanced around the cluttered chaos he called a cabin.Zada sat on the stern window seat, enjoying the warm rays of sunlight spearing through the window—rays that rippled over the rest of the cabin, landing on the captain’s bed.Torn sheets and a crumpled blanket appeared to have fought a war during the night.
Cadan looked up from staring at the map spread across his desk and gave her the oddest look.She drew Matthew close, sudden fear rising that he meant him harm.
He must have noticed, for he said.“I have no intention of harming you or your child, Lady Fox.”
“Merely offer us up as a sacrifice,” she retorted.
He huffed and touched his nicked earlobe.“I will do anything to defeat Allard, ’tis true, but I will do all in my power to keep you and the babe safe in the process.”
Gabrielle stared at him, incredulous.“And what, pray, has brought this change of heart?”
“No change.’Tis always been my goal.Just not one I’ve put a voice to.”
“It would have been nice to know, Captain.”
He grinned, studying her.“I rarely disclose my plans to my enemy.”
She raised her brows playfully.“Am I no longer your enemy, then?”
At this, he merely stared at her, as if searching her eyes for the answer.
“Sit, Lady Fox.”He gestured toward a chair once again covered with a cross-staff, leather belt, a half-filled decanter of some sort of spirits, and a Gunter’s scale.“Ah.”Circling the desk, he swept the items into his arms and tossed them onto a pile littering another chair, then gestured toward the seat.
Gabrielle moved past him—far too close—and lowered to sit.
He smelled better than he had the last time she’d seen him after the battle.For once, the sting of rum was not on his breath.Instead, the scent of the sea covered him like a blanket, along with a spice—a pleasant nutmeggy smell.
Her breath caught in her throat, and she tried to focus on the silken rustle of the sea against the hull, which always soothed her.
He stood back, examining her, his gaze taking in the flatness of her belly.Wild, dark shoulder-length hair dangled over an open-collared white Holland shirt.Leather breeches that clung to every muscle in his legs were tucked into boots of black Cordovan leather.A baldric was slung across his chest, hooked onto his belt where a cutlass rested idly upon his hip.
His gaze remained upon her.She swallowed at the intensityandat her body’s reaction.He was a force, a rather handsome force, a leader of men, and yet a deep sorrow encased him like a tomb.
“How ever can you function in this mayhem?”she said nervously, hoping to break the spell between them.“Why not bring your wife aboard?Surely, she could make some sense of this chaos.”
No sooner did the words slide off her tongue than she realized her error, for he immediately stiffened and headed for the nearest bottle of rum.Why had she mentioned the wife?Hadn’t he implied she’d betrayed him?She supposed she was curious whether the woman was still in his life and, more importantly, how was Allard mixed up in all this.
Uncorking the bottle, he took a long draught.“My wife is dead.”
A lump formed in Gabrielle’s throat.“I’m sorry.”
Matthew began to fuss, and she gently rocked him back and forth.
The ship lurched over a wave, its timbers creaking and groaning as theResoluteflew through the waters with all sails set to the breeze.Obviously the captain was in a hurry to get to Nevis for his illusive treasure clue.
Slamming down the bottle, Cadan leaned back against his desk and gripped the edges.“Tell me, my lady, how do you know so much about sailing?”
“I’ve been on ships my entire life.In truth, I was born on one.”She slammed her lips together.She must not say any more lest she give away the identity of her parents.This man, who was as greedy for wealth as he was for revenge, would think nothing of demanding ransom from her family for her safe return.
He cocked his head, his eyes narrowing.“A noble lady, educated, mannerly and raised on a ship?I can hardly credit it.”
