“What happens now?” Juliet finally asked.
“We are on the way to Cornwall, so that you may be returned home,” Katherine responded. “And then O’Neill shall escort me to Hugh Barry.”
Juliet took Katherine’s hand. “Why are you so grim?”
Her face pale, Katherine looked straight into her friend’s eyes. “Because I am afraid of what the pirate intends for me this night.”
Guy held open the door to his master’s cabin and Liam entered, carrying a heavy tray. It was well past twilight. Lanterns had been lit, and the cabin was warmly aglow. He set the tray down on the dining table, looking for the girls. His eyes widened, then narrowed, when he saw that Juliet lay on the bed, with Katherine attending her, sittingby her side. What game was this? Was this how Katherine thought to thwart him? He was too annoyed to be very amused.
“Anything else you be needing, sir?” Guy asked.
Liam turned, looking fondly at the orphan he’d found wandering about the harbor at Cherbourg two years ago. “No,” Liam said. “Get some rest, lad. You deserve it for a day well done.”
Guy suddenly smiled, unable to hide his pleasure at those simple words of praise, and it lit up his entire face. He turned to go.
“No dicing and no tables,” Liam called after him.
Guy threw Liam a glance, flushing. “No, sir, Captain.”
As Guy closed the cabin door, Liam faced the two girls. Juliet moaned.
He sighed. He should have known. That fate would intervene—or that Katherine would take it upon herself to forestall him.
Liam strolled over to the bed. He was aware of Katherine’s avoiding his eyes, of how she sat very still and very erect. He himself was somewhat erect as well. He had been cherishing his thoughts of the night to come. A night he had intended to spend in his bed with Katherine, seducing her, pleasuring her.
“I see Juliet is ill,” he remarked.
Katherine finally looked up. “’Tis her stomach. She has terrible pains. I am afraid to leave her.”
“Will she moan all night, I wonder?”
“I do not know,” Katherine said tersely.
Liam reached down and touched Juliet’s forehead. She did not open her eyes. Her cheeks were red—but that could be from the use of rouge. “She is not feverish.”
“No.”
“I suppose you wish to attend her?” Katherine nodded so eagerly he almost laughed. He sighed. “Katherine, tomorrow Juliet leaves this ship. And it will be just you and I for the remainder of our trip.”
She paled.
He bent closer, so that he could have easily kissed hersmall nose had he wished. “You merely delay the inevitable,” he said softly.
Katherine’s brows rose, but she remained mute.
Liam turned abruptly, deciding to give her a reprieve—just in case the dark-haired girl was really ill. He exited the cabin, leaving the tray of food.
The next morning, when he returned, every single morsel was gone.
Thurlstone Manor, Cornwall
“Juliet! Have you been harmed?”
Juliet’s uncle was not a particularly kind or caring man, but those were the first words he uttered upon seeing her. She managed to smile at him, somewhat tearfully, and her tears were from the joy she felt at finally being home. “I have had an adventure, Uncle,” she said rather timidly. He had always managed to intimidate her.
“’Tis hardly what I would call an adventure,” he said sternly. “But you are back, and you appear sound.” Hixley faced Liam O’Neill grimly. The pirate had brought Juliet home, and had calmly explained how he had seized her ship at sea, and then been instructed by the queen to return Juliet to Thurlstone immediately. “And I hope that you, Captain, shall understand why I will not invite you to dine with us.”
Liam shrugged, his face devoid of any expression. “I have no wish to dine with you, Sir Richard, for I have a ship to return to.” He bowed then at Juliet, the gesture grand and sweeping, as any courtier might. Then he spun on his heel and strode for the door.
