Cloud was about to answer when a voice drew his attention to the hatch. He turned to face the owner.
Alexis had carelessly thrown her clothes on the bed and quickly changed into a dress. She’d purposely chosen the one with the lowest neckline, determined to keep the officers’ minds on things other than the arsenal in theDiamond Maria’shold. She had unpinned her hair and unwound the braid, brushing it until it surrounded her shoulders and back like a golden cape. As she readied herself she’d felt the shifting of her ship, signaling theConcord’s arrival alongside. She’d put on stockings and shoes knowing men fromConcordwere probably already aboard. She cleared her mind of Travers and concentrated on the best way to divert the Americans. When she thought she had decided on a way, she went topside. Jordan was facing her but he gave no outward sign that he noticed her presence. He allowed her to make the first move.
There was something familiar in the stance of the turned American crew and as she cried out her suspicions became a horrifying reality.
“Kurt!” she called out. “Is it Lafitte? I’ll die if it’s that pirate!”
Jordan was ready to move toward her and offer her comfort as any husband would, but as the American sailors turned to face Alexis, he saw the forced terror on her face fade, only to be replaced by a twisted look of real pain and frustration. He stopped in his tracks as Captain Cloud moved forward.
Every man aboard both ships watched Cloud’s slow approach to Alexis. Every man had a hand at his side, fingering his cutlass lightly, waiting for a word from either captain that would place the weapon firmly in his grip.
Cloud could not take his eyes away from the piercing golden stare he was walking into. He could read anger, frustration, confusion. The hatred was not in her eyes. It was in the tight line of her mouth, the firm set of her shoulders, and in the hands that alternately clenched and unfolded at her side. When he was a few feet in front of her he stopped. His eyes dropped away from hers and they swept her tense form. If she was aware of his scrutiny, she gave no indication that it bothered her. He glanced at the swell of her breasts and followed the golden wave of her hair down her arm to where her hand was once more curled in a tight fist. Only two years, he thought, and she was more of a woman than his memory had done justice to. But she was also Captain Alex Danty, the target of his assignment, and he erased the image of the heroine from his mind, replacing it with the cold business at hand.
Alexis’s only thought as she watched Cloud’s approach was how could she have wanted to tell this man she loved him. Beyond the sea green eyes, beneath the subtly arrogant features, underneath the tailored uniform that proclaimed his commitment to another, was a man she loathed. Even as he studied her, she wanted to strike out at him, scream her contempt at the top of her lungs. She held herself back. She had to be sure he knew what he had done before she would grace him with her disgust. She stepped forward.
“Captain Danty,” said Cloud. His voice was icy, impersonal, and the crew of theDiamond Mariashivered, not only because of the way he said her name, but because he said it.
“Captain Cloud,” she answered clearly. She lifted her chin as she stepped still closer so she could maintain her gaze on him.
“I would like to explain…” He faltered. Her eyes would not let him continue.
As his words died, Alexis smiled. It was anything but a sign of friendship. She thought if he had been anyone but Tanner Frederick Cloud he would have shuddered at the insincere placement of her lips. Some part of her was glad to have him back. There was no other man like him. But she despised him for reminding her of it now.
“I only have one question, Captain Cloud,” she said evenly. “I would like the answer to it before we discuss the reason for your presence on my ship.”
Cloud nodded, bracing himself for the query he knew had to be answered.
“Were you aware of the presence of Captain Travers aboard theFollansbee?”
He met her quiet fury directly. “Yes, I knew.” There was no apology in his voice. He saw Alexis relax briefly only to gather all the anger she held in reserve. She raised her hand. He made no move to restrain her as her palm swept through the air and made contact with his cheek.
Alexis’s hand dropped to her side and she watched, fascinated, as the imprint of her hand on his face changed from white to red and then faded completely as his sun-bronzed color returned. She held her ground as his muscles tensed. Still, he made no move toward her. Instead his grin taunted her and his emerald eyes mocked her action.
Mike started to move toward Alexis. His hand held his blade tightly. No matter what she meant to him and the others he would not let her get away with striking his captain. If he had seen Cloud’s smile he would have known, as Alexis did, that she would pay for it later.
Alexis dropped her gaze from Cloud when she saw Mike’s threatening stance and subsequent movement. Cloud followed her glance and ordered Mike to hold. Alexis looked at her crew. They were prepared to fight if Cloud had not stopped the advance of his man. Tension hung all around them and both captains sensed it was on the verge of erupting into violence.
Alexis held up her hand and addressed her crew. “Men! This is Captain Cloud. His name is not familiar to most of you but his old ship is. Captain Cloud and his men are formerly of the USSHamilton.”Her men understood the significance of her statement. They all knew of theHamilton, but until now, they had never been given the name of her captain. “I do not understand the presence of theConcordany more than you, but we will hear the captain out before we take any action.” She turned to Cloud, signaling it was up to him now.
Cloud wanted to talk to Alexis in private, but there was a question of Jordan’s that had to be answered first. “Mr. Jordan asked me why we did not engage theFollansbee.The answer is the United States has yet to declare war.”
Ned Allison called out. “But you’ll make war on a private cargo ship!”
Alexis started to interrupt her man but Cloud motioned her to be quiet. “I am well aware of the sort of cargo this ship carries. Your Boston accent betrays you, sailor. It would seem a lot of you have been making war on the British without the sanction of your government.”
Jordan dropped his clipped accent and when he spoke it was his Charleston drawl that stilled the silence. “And where was my government when I was shackled and serving His Majesty?”
“Enough!” Alexis’s voice broke through the rousing voices of agreement that followed Jordan’s words. There was instant silence. “Captain Cloud and I will discuss the nature of his visit in my quarters. It would appear we were his objective all along. Mr. Jordan, see that all the captain’s men are extended our courtesy. This will not take long.”
She motioned to Cloud and walked toward her cabin. He followed without hesitation, watching her purposeful, angry strides. He remembered the things revealed in her eyes when she had first seen him. Anger, frustration, and confusion. All the emotions that would lead to hatred. How long before he had to see that in her eyes the way he had felt it in her palm?
Alexis opened the door and waited for Cloud to step through before she shut it. Instantly he had her pressed against the door, his face hovered over hers. Just as he had made no attempt to halt the slap she had delivered, she made no attempt to halt his kiss. His lips covered hers, bruising them with the same force her palm had exerted against his cheek. Just as he had given her no response on deck, she gave him no response now. When he removed his mouth she calmly pointed out a chair and told him to sit; her cool taunt was in the way she said it.
As she placed a crystal goblet before him and poured them both wine she said, “Someday, Captain Cloud, I will have the same control you do.” She sat down and sipped her drink. “I humiliated you in front of your men earlier. Thank you for waiting until we were in private before you humiliated me.”
Cloud lifted his glass in tribute. “You always understand, don’t you, Alex?”
“Not always. I am Captain Danty now and I understand none of this. I would like an explanation.” She turned her goblet in her hands and leaned back in her chair, waiting patiently for Cloud to begin.
