“Indeed? Then explain to me the fact of your passage, alone and without chaperone, aboard theAmericana?”
Her mind scrambled and raced. “I had to lie to Captain Horatio to get passage,” she said, and she thought her explanation brilliant. “Obviously he would not let a child travel to Britain alone. I told him I was eighteen—”
He cut her off, his eyes cold. “You did not look fourteen in your wet gown, Miss Hughes.”
She stiffened.
His smile was a mere twist of lips. “Do sit down. As interesting as this conversation is, I am here for a purpose. A storm threatens to catch us, and if so, a long night ensues.” He moved swiftly to the table and held out her chair.
Virginia found it hard to sit down. Oddly, she hated her deception now; she did not want him to really think of her as a child. But did he even believe her? She did not quite think so. And he wasn’t a pirate, oh no! Some of her anger at being duped—and pointlessly frightened—returned. “Why didn’t you tell me that you are a captain in the royal navy?”
He shrugged. “Do you care?”
“Of course I do!” she cried, facing him earnestly now. “Because I thought I was your prisoner, although I could not fathom why. Now I know differently, although I still do not understand why I am on your ship and not theAmericana.I know that the British navy thinks nothing of seizing American ships, as you have clearly done, for your country has no respect for our rights! But we are not at war with you, and you are not a pirate! In some ways, we are allies. Clearly you will release me in Portsmouth!” For this was the conclusion she had drawn upon finding his naval uniform in his closet. An officer in the British navy was not about to ransom an American citizen. But what was he about?
“We are not allies,” he said harshly.
This was not the reply she had expected and she did not like the look on his face or in his eyes.
“And I am not releasing you in Portsmouth.”
“What?”She was shocked. “But—”
“In fact, I am taking you to Askeaton. Have you ever been to Ireland, Miss Hughes?”
CHAPTER FIVE
VIRGINIA WAS DISBELIEVING.“Ireland? You think to take me toIreland?”
“I hardly think it,” he murmured, “I plan it. Now, do sit down, as I also intend to eat.” He held out her chair.
Confusion overcame her. “I am not sure that I understand.”
“Good God!” he shot. “What is there to understand? I am taking you to Ireland, Miss Hughes, as my guest.”
She was truly trying to comprehend him. “So I am yourprisoner,” she managed to say hoarsely.
“I prefer to think of you as a guest.” He became serious. “I will not harm you—not even if you are eighteen.”
“Why?”
“It doesn’t matter. Now, sit.”
Virginia had believed her terrible predicament over. She shook her head, refusing to take the offered chair. “I have no appetite. Is it a ransom that you seek?”
“How clever.” His smile was cold.
“I have no funds. My inheritance is being sold in bits and pieces as soon as possible, and the proceeds go to the repayment of my father’s debts.”
He shrugged as if he did not care.
Virginia became very alarmed, but managed to breathe slowly, evenly. “You let Mrs. Davis go. She was rather wealthy.”
“If you think to starve, so be it.” He sat down and began serving himself from the platter, where a hearty mutton stew was revealed.
Unfortunately, the sight and smell of the stew caused her stomach to growl loudly, but he did not seem to hear. He began to eat, and quickly, as if eating were a mission and he were in a rush to accomplish it.
Finally he took a sip of wine and saluted her with his glass. “Fine contraband, indeed.”
