“What does?”
“That I fed you.”
She knew instantly that his thoughts had taken a sensual turn, though she couldn’t imagine why. She pointed to the tray and asked, “Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m starving,” he replied.
But he was still just standing there staring at her, and this time she blushed. He was talking about lovemaking again. How could he even think of that, as tired, and hungry as he must be?
She decided to pretend she didn’t understand his double entendre and turn the screw a little at the same time. “I enjoyed sleeping in your bed last night,” she said around a mouthful of fresh, warm bread dripping with sweet jam. “That was quite possibly the best sleep I’ve had in weeks. It was certainly the most comfortable. Thank you for thinking of it.”
His face actually flushed. She was, of course, just talking about the bed and he knew that, but, apparently, it didn’t stop him from thinking about what they’d done there.
•••
After a few moments in a mere conversational tone, he mentioned, “It’s long been my habit to celebrate after surviving a storm like that, so I’m having some guests to dinner tonight. Since you’re sharing my cabin, I suppose you’ll have to join us. I’ll have a dress delivered to you later today, after I get some sleep.”
She sighed. They were having a perfectly normal conversation and he had to throw in that “I suppose” remark to remind her that she was a prisoner, not a guest.
“Why?” she asked, her tone a little stiff now. “I have no one to impress.”
He shrugged. “Most of the women I know enjoy dressing up, I merely thought you might like to.”
He said no more, and after his exhausting night, he climbed into bed and was almost instantly asleep. Gabrielle spent most of the remainder of the day pacing about the room, mulling over her new plan to make Drew love her, and trying to ignore his presence.
She finally gave some attention to him again when she found herself inadvertently stopped next to his bed. He was snoring, not loudly and not steadily, just off and on. He really was exhausted. She could probably make all sorts of noise and he wouldn’t hear it. She could even touch him and he wouldn’t wake, so he wouldn’t know. Damned trusting of him, to leave himself locked in with her when she wasn’t restrained.
She could very easily leave the room right then. A little bash on the head with the chamber pot and she’d have the key out of Drew’s pocket within seconds. She’d seen him shove it there after his man dropped off the tray of food and left, and he’d relocked the door.
So simple. But the middle of the day wasn’t a good time for her to try to sneak down to the hold. Besides, every muscle in her body was resisting hitting Drew over the head. She just couldn’t bring herself to do that again. Which didn’t mean she was giving up on escaping. He could well sleep until dark. If she had the key…
She stared at the pocket where her freedom resided. Drew was lying on his side. He was twisted a bit, his bottom leg stretched out straight, the top one bent. The pocket with the key in it was the top one. If his pants weren’t so snug, she’d have no trouble slipping a couple fingers in there to extract the key. But the pants were snug. Very. They clung tightly to his derriere in that position, defining his back cheeks. A very nice arse Drew Anderson had.
She rolled her eyes over the thought and got back to her pacing.
Chapter 39
THERE WERE FOUR OF THEM DININGthat night in the captain’s cabin. Drew’s first mate had been invited, which was expected. Timothy had come for dinner the night before as well. But the fourth man bowled Gabrielle over when he entered with the first mate. Richard! She was so glad to see him she didn’t think how it might look when she threw herself at him and hugged him excitedly.
Gabrielle did get off two quick whispered questions before she noticed Drew staring at her. “All of you are all right?” she asked.
“As well as can be expected in our crowded accommodations,” he replied. “But our host kindly provided appropriate dinner attire.” Richard swept a hand over his freshly washed white shirt and black britches.
“But what the devil are you doinghere?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,chérie,” he whispered back at her. “I was told, warned was more like it, merely to act like I amnota prisoner.”
She glanced at Drew upon hearing that, but he just smiled and sat back to watch the reunion. Richard leaned toward her. “And may I say how lovely you look tonight, Gabrielle.” He eyed her simple pink ball gown with the dramatic décolletage. “I imagine our captain provided your attire as well. He wants to enjoy himself tonight.” Richard winked at her. Gabrielle blushed, but she didn’t try to speak to Richard privately again. Drew had to have some reason for including Richard other than she’d be glad to see him, and that reason worried her.
The food arrived soon after Richard’s arrival. It took four crewmen to carry in the assortment of platters, and one came in with an armful of wine bottles. Richard, glad to be out of the hold, started drinking more than he ought to. Gabrielle barely touched the wine herself.
Drew had ordered excellence from his cook, and by far it was not a meal one might expect to have at sea. Roast beef offered with two different gravies, glazed onions and carrots, three different rolls to choose from, Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, and even a salad topped with a creamy garlic dressing. Gabrielle was going tohaveto find out how Drew’s cook managed to keep lettuce fresh at sea, she really was.
The mood turned quite festive with such hearty food before them. It even began to feel like a real celebration. Richard relaxed and amused the group with his usual banter. Gabrielle stopped worrying that he’d been brought there for some ulterior reason. And even Drew seemed to be enjoying himself.
“By the way,” Timothy said to Drew during a lull in the conversation. “On one of those ships we spotted briefly right before the storm, the lookout swears he saw your sister and brother-in-law on its deck.”
Gabrielle blanched, hearing that. Drew, on the other hand, burst out laughing.
