“I was so afraid, Katherine. But apparently these devils have some souls after all. The bald one, Macgregor, told me the captain does not, generally, allow mayhem or rape, and that we especially need not worry. In fact, the French ship was released. None of the crew, I’m told, were harmed.”
Katherine was contemptuous. “You mean he did not force everyone into the sea? I do not believe it!”
Juliet did not seem to hear. Lines of strain were etched onto her face. “What does he plan for us then? Ransoms?”
Katherine recalled all that Liam O’Neill had said. Her jaw tensed. “Juliet, my father has lost his lands and title and he is a prisoner of the queen.”
Juliet started. “Oh, Katherine!”
Katherine’s face crumbled. “I do not think he lied.” She tried to imagine her powerful father stripped of all he had and reconciled to an inglorious exile. She tried, and failed. Surely her father, her bold and clever father, had a plan for recovering all he had lost. It could not be exactly as the pirate had said. “I fear there will be no ransom for me.”
“But what will he do with you, then, if he does not wish to use you?” Juliet asked.
Katherine looked into her friend’s eyes. “You do not understand. He has every intention of using me.”
Juliet stared, her brow furrowed, clearly unable to comprehend Katherine.
Katherine had forgotten how naive and sheltered Juliet was. “He intends to seduce me, to make me a willing prisoner of his passion.”
Juliet gasped. Hot pink color flooded her cheeks. “What are you going to do?” Juliet cried.
“I do not know.” Katherine replied. Then, grimly added, “Fight.”
Both girls suddenly froze as they heard the bolt being moved aside. They stared at the door, watching it open slowly. But only a young boy of no more than ten or eleven entered the cabin, carrying a covered tray. Clearly he brought food. The aroma of succulent beef stew made both girls situp straighter. Their stomachs rumbled. They had last eaten a light supper in their cabin on the French ship the night before, and already darkness was falling on the day.
The boy glanced at them. “The captain ordered me to bring you something to eat.” His accent marked him as French. He set the tray down on the dining table, whipping off the linens covering it. “You need something, I am Guy.”
Katherine stared at the boy. It disgusted her that the pirate would take on a lad so young. In all likelihood he had been abducted from his home and then sold to the pirate. The boy was far too thin to be healthy. And from the look of him, she doubted he was happy. “Thank you, Master Guy.”
He scowled. “’Tis Guy, nothing more.”
“Guy,” Katherine called, before he could leave. “Where is this ship headed?”
“North.” He turned and started for the door.
Liam O’Neill launched himself off of it, startling Katherine. She had not heard him enter. Their glances held for a beat longer than necessary, as if they were intimate lovers, not strangers and enemies. Katherine colored, looking away.
Liam moved to the table but did not sit down. “Come, ladies. ’Tis hearty fare we have here. Boeuf bourguigon, vin rouge, Cook’s freshest baked bread and hot apple tart.”
Katherine wanted to refuse. Juliet glanced at her, also rebellious. But both girls were starving and as one they slid to their feet. Shoulders squared, Katherine crossed the cabin, Juliet following, careful to keep her eyes cast ahead and not on the pirate. She knew he regarded her—only her. She did not fool herself. She knew they were in the midst of a grave war, one she must absolutely win. The hairs at her nape tingled and prickled with unease. She sensed with a sinking heart that the war had hardly begun.
She slid into a chair. It was only after she and Juliet were seated that he took his own place at the table’s head. “Where are you taking us?” she asked.
His hesitation was barely discernible. “I am taking you north, to my island home.”
Katherine lost all interest in her food. She stared at him, hating him. He stared back.
“What about me?” Juliet whispered, breaking the silence which simmered between them.
The pirate did not even look at her. “You will be returned to Cornwall,” he said.
Katherine pushed her plate away. She was agonizingly aware that the sky had turned dusky blue, and that the first stars had emerged into view. Soon he would take her to his bed. Afterward he would take her to his island home.
She was going to have to escape.
When they finished eating and their plates were removed the cabin was uncomfortably silent. Katherine dared to look up. The pirate held a glass of brandy, sipping it, regarding her from under long, dark lashes. In the golden lantern light his eyes gleamed silver. Behind his head she could clearly see the four-poster bed.
Katherine glanced away, too late. He said, “I understand that you two ladies were traveling from a convent.”
