They left soon after sunrise. The mild weather of the past few days had disappeared and the morning was damp and wet, a fine drizzle misting them. Hugh Barry did not see them off. He remained abed, apparently nursing his wounds, as well as his pride.
Katherine cantered alongside Liam, Macgregor on her right, trying to forget about all that Hugh had said and done—trying not to think of how Liam had rescued her. At times she wondered if she had dreamed most of the events of the past night. Not the near rape, which was so horrid and real that she knew she would never forget it, but Liam’s kind, gentle touch. He had been concerned for her. She had been certain of it then, and was almost certain of it now.
Except that this morn, he said not a word to her. Once, briefly, he had looked at her bruised face, but then he had turned away. Katherine knew she was a horrendous sight. A looking glass had told her that. The right side of her face was swollen and turning purple. Katherine found that she yearned for some sign from him that last night’s concern had been genuine, but she did not receive any.
They slowed their mounts to cross a stream. Katherine thought that this was as good a time as any to bring up the issue which haunted her—where she would now go. As their horses picked their way across the rocky bed, Katherine hesitated, unsure of how to address him after he had rescued her so gallantly last night. His given name was on the tip of her tongue, but it seemed far too intimate to use today. “O’Neill?”
Their horses lunged onto the opposite bank. Liam glanced at her. “Are we returning to theSea Dagger?” she asked nervously.
“Yes.”
Her pulse rioted. Did he think that she was his prisoner, now that Hugh had refused her? She was afraid to ask the next question, but had no choice. She must learn his intentions. “Where are you taking me?”
His gray gaze was piercing. For a moment, Katherine thought he would not respond. “We must speak, Katherine. But not now.” He no longer looked at her. “We will speak when we get back to my ship.”
But Katherine could not wait. “’Tis my future you wish to discuss?” she cried.
“Aye.”
“Then we must discuss it now!”
“There are starving outlaws everywhere, looking for prey such as ourselves. This is not the time.” Abruptly he spurred his mount into a canter. Katherine’s mare immediately followed. Filled with anxiety, she allowed the animal to have its head.
By noon they had reached the walled town and were admitted through the northern gate. They continued through the narrow streets at a brisk pace. Soon the harbor was in view, Cork Castle and the British garrison to the left. Many masted schooners and smaller barges and fishing vessels bobbed at anchor. TheSea Daggerrode the swells of the bay in its very midst, also at anchor, black and sleek, her many white sails puffing in the breeze, appearing every inch a pirate ship, appearing, too, as if she yearned to be set free to race the wind and ride the sea.
Katherine glanced at Liam, watching his face soften as he regarded his ship. She could not blame him for being proud of it. The ship might be a pirate’s weapon, but she was a beautiful and stirring sight. It occurred to Katherine that the ship and its owner somehow suited one another perfectly. “Will we be allowed to leave?”
They had stopped at the edge of a dock. Katherine saw that a rowboat was being lowered to fetch them. “No one would be able to stop me if they tried,” Liam said as one might state a fact.
“But—Sir John Perrot?”
He glanced at her. “I believe he will wish to converse with me before we go. However, as I have nothing to say to him, I do not think I will do him the courtesy of remaining here awaiting his permission to depart.” He smiled. “Such a rude man deserves rude behavior—does he not?”
Katherine could not smile back. She had little doubt that Perrot would be furious when he discovered theSeaDaggergone. “You like this,” she said suddenly. It was an accusation as well as a stunning comprehension.
He quirked a brow.
“You like danger. You like the challenge to leave before Perrot should know and order you to stay. You enjoy danger!”
He laughed. “I had never quite thought about it, but perhaps you are right.” He slid to his feet. “Boy!”
A dock rat came running.
Liam handed the small, ragged boy some pennies. “Take these horses back to the livery.”
The coins had disappeared. “Aye, aye, sir.” Then, “Be you the pirate captain?” The urchin was wide-eyed. In his dirty face those eyes were huge and blue.
“That I am,” Liam said, and then he scowled quite ferociously. “Now off with you before I decide to take your pretty little arse with me!”
The boy grabbed all three pairs of reins and began to run, the huge horses trotting after him.
Katherine looked at Liam archly. “Did you enjoy scaring him?”
Liam grinned. The effect was dazzling. “He was expecting a big, bad pirate. The least I could do was oblige him.”
Katherine smiled back.
His own smile faded and he stared at her before abruptly turning away to face the bay. Katherine gazed at his broad, cloaked shoulders. Last night he had been concerned about her—she was almost certain of it. But today, he was as careless of her as a stranger. Why? She could not comprehend it. She could not comprehend him.
