“I do not believe you.” Leicester pulled her close. Katherine stiffened but did not resist, and was acutely aware of his manhood against her hip. “You are a woman of passion. I knew it from the first. But the proof is that O’Neill did not tire of you, that he kept you on that islandfor almost an entire year. I imagine he has taught you many interesting ways to please a man.” Leicester’s mouth brushed hers. “But he has been imprisoned now for several weeks. Your body must be hot. I intend to take his place, Katherine.”
Katherine twisted to remove her mouth from further contact with his. She was short of breath. “Stop. Please.”
“But you summoned me,” he said too lightly. Then his gaze pierced hers. “What do you want of me, Katherine?”
Her hands pressed against his chest, a futile effort to put some small distance between their bodies. “I need your help.”
“I know. And I can guess in what manner you wish me to help you.”
Katherine stared at him.
He smiled at her. “The queen told me you begged quite prettily, quite capably, for your pirate lover’s life. Katherine, you are right to come to me. I alone can help you gain what you seek. The queen cannot refuse me.”
“Then you will convince her to spare Liam his life?” Katherine managed hoarsely.
“Are you prepared to pay the price I will demand?”
She nodded, her heart sinking with dread.
He smiled and rocked against her. “Tonight?”
“No!” She pushed away from him, consumed with panic.
He let her go, watching with interest. He was cool and confident, a predator stalking easy prey.
Panting, Katherine faced him. “First you must succeed in gaining Liam’s release. Afterward I will come to you. After my child is born.”
He laughed. “I don’t know. I must wait to have you until after the pirate is freed? And then have you but once? The stakes are so high, Katherine. The queen would be furious with me if she ever learned of our affair. And we talk about your lover’s life. I do not think one time is enough.”
Katherine shook her head, telling herself not to cry, to remain strong. “After Liam is released, I will come to you but once.” She was firm. She hugged herself to tryto stop her body from trembling. She hesitated. “Before the baby is born then, if that is what you truly wish.”
He eyed her. “And if I refuse?”
“Then you shall never have me,” Katherine said far more calmly than she felt.
He did not laugh. “I could take you now, and you would never dare complain, would you?”
Katherine gasped. “Then you shall not have me willingly,” she cried, frightened now. “I am offering you an endless night of pleasure, Dudley. I will show you each and every one of my temptress’s tricks.” Her voice broke. Tears streaked her cheeks.
He stared at her. “Done.”
Katherine hardly felt any relief. “There is one other thing.”
His brow rose.
“I want to see Liam, one single time, in case you fail to arrange his release.”
“I see.” His jaw flexed, and his tone was harsh.
“If you do not arrange a visit for me, in the next two days, then we have no pact,” Katherine cried, bluffing.
Dudley’s smile was dangerous. “And when you visit him, will you give him what you have just denied me?”
Katherine looked at him. “’Tis not your affair.”
He stared. “Two deeds require two prices, Katherine,” he finally said.
Katherine understood. She nodded and turned to leave.
