Liam’s eyes widened, his brows lifted, but otherwise, his expression was quite bland. “Indeed?”
“Tell me but one thing. For there is one thing I fail to understand.”
Liam waited.
“How did you know that Katherine FitzGerald was upon the French trader when you seized it?”
Liam cocked one tawny brow. “What makes you think that I was aware that she traveled upon that ship, my lord?”
Cecil laughed. “Oh, come. No more pretense. You would not have seized that ship otherwise. You seized the ship knowing she was on it, beginning the game.”
Liam inclined his head. For a moment he did not speak. Then he said, softly, “Yes.”
Cecil was pleased. “I thought so. You were already determined to wed with her and restore FitzGerald.”
Liam met his gaze. It would not hurt for Cecil to know the truth. “I had already decided that Katherine was mine, but I did not decide to wed her and restore her father until shortly after capturing her.”
Cecil’s brows rose. “You captured her in order to amuse yourself?”
“Have you never wanted a woman so badly, my lord?”
“No,” Cecil answered flatly. “I would have never guessed. But how did you know of her movements? Her father was in contact with her?”
“No. Her father did not know that she was leaving the convent.”
Cecil waited.
Liam smiled. “The abbess alerted me to Katherine’s departure with Lady Juliet Stratheclyde. You see, for many years, I was Katherine’s anonymous benefactor.”
Liam awaited the queen in the antechamber of her private apartments, ignoring the flurrying of her ladies about him, ignoring their interested and seductive looks. Finally Elizabeth appeared, having made him wait almost an entire hour. He saw that she had dressed with great care, entirely in white. Even the jewelry she had chosen was virginal—she wore naught but pearls.
“Everyone, begone,” she ordered. And then she looked at Liam and beamed.
He wondered at her fashion choice. Did she think to remind him that she was untouched and innocent? Or did she wish to appear as one untouched and innocent? One thing was clear. She was too old to wear white, and this particular shade was unkind to her. Still, Liam moved to her, smiled, and bowed.
They were alone now and she said, “Please, Liam, rise.”
He straightened. “Hello, Bess.”
Her gaze flitted over his face, then down his body, very quickly—before returning to his eyes.
“Have I proved myself?” he asked quietly.
She smiled at him. “Yes. Yes, you have. Liam, you naughty rogue, to give me such a fright!” She took his arm and pressed close. “You are still my favorite pirate.” She gazed into his eyes.
“And I am still your loyal servant,” he murmured. “Always.”
“Then you do care for me,” she whispered, holding his gaze. Her small breast was pressed against his arm. Her invitation was clear.
Liam thought of Katherine. How carefully he must play this final match. He tucked her hand under his arm and then slid three fingers over one of her cheeks. Her skin was stiff from the cosmetics she used. “What passes, Bess?” he asked softly.
She started. Then, as honestly, trembling, “You have never kissed me, Liam.”
“Is it a kiss you wish from me, or something more?”
She flushed. “What do you mean?”
There was no avoiding her now and he knew it. He must hope that a single kiss would satisfy her lust for him. He bent his head, touched her rouged lips with his. Elizabeth softened instantly. He put his arms around her and plied her mouth gently. She gripped him desperately. Her mouth opened immediately. Responding as he must, Liam deepened the joining of their mouths. Elizabeth trembled, her entire body pressed up hard against his, her tongue seeking his. Sometime later he finally released her.
