CHAPTER SIX
JACKHARVEY CLIMBED THEthree steps to the quarterdeck. Although his semblance remained cheerful, as was characteristic for him, he was still stunned that Devlin had abused his hostage—stunned and disturbed. But he’d given up trying to understand his captain. He’d served under O’Neill long enough to know that he would never understand him.
Devlin was at the helm and he turned at the familiar sound of the surgeon’s short, surprisingly light footsteps. “How is she?” he asked.
“The gash could have used a stitch or two last night, but it’s healing nicely now. She hasn’t had a headache since she received the blow, which, according to Miss Hughes, was during the storm last night.”
Devlin nodded at his first mate. “Take the helm,” he said. He stepped away and he and Harvey moved to the deck’s larboard side. “You are eyeing me oddly,” he remarked coolly.
Harvey no longer smiled. “Damn it, Devlin, I hope she got that blow as she claimed, by falling, and not from some other means.”
He stared, instantly comprehending Harvey’s meaning. “By God, you think I hit her?” He was genuinely surprised. He had never hit a woman in his life.
“I don’t know what to think,” Harvey grimaced. “Not now.”
Oh, ho, he had a very dark inkling, indeed. “Really?” He gripped Harvey’s arm and they stepped down to the main deck, away from prying eyes and listening ears. “You are a fool, Jack, to allow a clever vixen like Miss Hughes to so sweetly tie you up and wrap you with a pretty bow.”
Harvey appeared flustered. “What does that mean?”
“That means,” Devlin said tightly, “that she has enticed you into disobeying me, has she not?”
Harvey blinked, paling. “Devlin…” he faltered.
“What do the two of you intend? And tell me, how can you justify thwarting me, defying me, when I am your captain?”
Harvey stiffened. “Damn it, you seduced her.”
For one moment, he felt as if Harvey had spoken a foreign language, one he had never before heard. “Iwhat?”
Harvey blinked another time, now looking worried and uncomfortable. “You seduced her,” he said less certainly.
He stared as red-hot fury swept over him. Damn that woman with her clever machinations, her foul lies! “So that is what she told you?” he asked, as if completely calm.
“Er.” Harvey hesitated. “Yes.”
“You know, it is good luck for you that we are, for the most part, on good terms. Otherwise you would not be wearing such a straight nose. I don’t seduce virgins. Innocence does not tempt me.” And as he spoke, he was aware of that having changed.
Harvey paled. “Oh, dear,” he said.
“You have always been taken in by a pretty face,” Devlin said.
Harvey grimaced. “Devlin, I beg your pardon, I am so sorry!”
Devlin didn’t know whom he felt the most umbrage at—Jack Harvey or Virginia Hughes. He certainly felt like throttling the latter. “What did the two of you plan?”
Harvey remained white. He shook his head. “I was to bring her a sailor’s clothes from one of the boys below decks. Then, when we made port, I was to distract and preoccupy you and she would simply walk off the boat with the others.”
“Very clever,” Devlin said, and he meant it. The plan would have undoubtedly worked if he had not sensed the conspiracy between his ship’s surgeon and his little captive.
“Devlin, I am sorry, terribly sorry. I knew it was not in character for you! But then, this entire affair makes no sense—you’ve never ransomed a woman before. Please forgive me. She was so convincing! She wept, for God’s sake,” Harvey cried, his gaze filled with anxiety.
There would be no forgiveness for anyone. Devlin said, “When we reach Limerick, you will have to find another ship. As of this moment, you are relieved of your duties.”
Harvey’s mouth opened, as if to protest.
Devlin stared, silently daring him to utter a single sound.
Harvey decided the better of it—then amended that decision. “I am sorry,” he said.
