At that, a licentious grin raised one side of his lips as his eyes traveled over her in delight.
She took a step back. “If you intend to ravish me, Sir, Iwillput up a fight.”
He chuckled. “As terrifying as that threat may be, that is not my intention.”
“You are pleased to taunt me, Sir.”
“Captain. Captain Blake Keene at your service.” He gave a mock bow. “The Ring is all I want. As to the ravishing, I have no need to take from you what so many freely offer.”
’Twas true. The man surely had no trouble acquiring female attention. A brief wave of relief swept over her.
Until he stormed toward her. “Enough of this! The Ring.”
Oddly, a vision of an ancient Ring hiding in her pocket appeared in her mind for but a second, and then it was gone. “I don’t know what you are—”
Grabbing her skirts, he groped through them, taking no care to be virtuous.
“How dare you! Do you know who my father is?” She pounded fists on his back, but he seemed not to notice.
“Be still, wild cat.” He uttered a curse but continued. “And aye, I know full well who your father is.”
Terror seized her. If the man knew who Alexander Hyde was, then he must be more than mad to kidnap his daughter. Shoving him as hard as she could, she started away, but he yanked her skirts and wrenched her back. Fabric tore. Did the fiend intend to rip off her gown?
“Ah ha!” He withdrew his hand and held something up to the light, immediately releasing her.
Breath heaving, Emeline retreated. ’Twas a Ring. Just like the one she saw in her vision. But where? How? Memories returned of him rescuing her in the market square and oddly shifting her skirts around.
“You put that in my pocket!”
He grinned, walked back to his desk, and picked up a magnifying glass to examine it.
The monkey scampered over to his master. “This is no toy, Bandit,” the captain said, slapping the animal’s paw away.
For the first time, Emeline allowed herself a deep breath. Perhaps ’twas only the silly jewel that this pirate wanted. Perhaps now he would release her back to her family.
Oh, Lord. Please!
“Why would you do that?” she asked.
He glanced at her before returning his gaze to the jewel. “Let’s just say I needed a hiding place, for there were others after it as well.”
Emeline swallowed, eyeing the door. She could slip out while the scoundrel was absorbed with his Ring. But where would she go?
“Others?” she asked, replaying the scene in her mind. Ah, the men dressed in black! That’s why they were after her. “You steal me from my family and drag me aboard your ship for a silly Ring? Why did you not ask me for it? I would have gladly given it to you.”
One eyebrow rose. He snorted. “There was hardly any time. Kidnapping you was not the plan. It merely became unavoidable. Butsilly? This”—he held it up to the lantern light again—“is the Ring of King Solomon.”
“King Solomon. From the Bible?” Now she knew he was utterly and completely mad.
b
Blake studied the lady.Strands of chestnut-colored hair had fallen from her pins and tumbled over her shoulders and down her back. A modest blue gown molded nicely around her feminine curves. Eyes as golden as the sunset sparked with both fear and fury as they glared at him. Yet there was strength in them. A strong jaw, slender nose, and full lips completed a lovely face. Here was a true genteel lady, and he suddenly regretted causing her so much torment. “Is there any other?” he retorted.
Her delicate forehead crinkled. “You expect me to believe that Ring was worn by King Solomon from the Holy Scriptures.”
He smiled. “I have no expectations of you, my lady.”
Frowning, she hugged herself and looked away, and he found himself staring at her, studying this delicate flower, who by all attempts, pretended to be a warrior.
