He turned away. She stared after him, blinded by sudden tears. “Wait!” she cried to him, and he turned back to her, and she wasn’t even aware of what she did when she pitched herself into his arms.
He was stiff, cold. Then he held her more tightly and smoothed his fingers over her hair. A long, shuddering sigh escaped him and he kissed the top of her head. Then he freed himself from her hold and led her to the pile of her clothing. “Come, we must return before someone comes to look for us. No doubt, your fiancé is most eager to meet you.”
IX
“Milady, it is time.”
Skye stood quickly at Robert Arrowsmith’s words. She had been sitting restlessly in her room for what seemed like hours. It had not been so long, of course. At the lagoon the Hawk had helped her into her clothing—either the gentleman or the rogue until the very end—and then he had taken her into his arms one last time and cast upon her lips a kiss that would remain with her into eternity. She could still touch her mouth and feel the passion and pulse of it there now.
“You can stay,” he had told her.
She shook her head desperately. She longed to tell him about her father, that there was more. That she could not bear to wait for the day when they would come and tell her that the Hawk lay dead. Nor could she bear to awaken and discover that there were many more women in his life, that he took them when he chose, and that they fell too easily to his rogue’s smile and silver eyes, fell, just as she had done.…
“Youcan make me,” she had whispered.
His laugh was curt and bitter. “Can I? Ah, yes! Demand a sum of Lord Cameron that is so high that all the nobility and honor of his fine house cannot pay it! Is that what you wish?” He brought his fingers to her lips. “Once you promised me everything. I brought you from the darkness of your dreams, and you promised me everything. And that is what I would require.” They stared at one another, and he smiled wistfully and touched her cheek. “Perhaps we will meet again. I have never learned from you just what demon it is you fight in the darkness. I enjoyed slaying the dragons of your dreams, and I would have put them to rest forever, had I the power. Adieu, love.” He dropped her fingers to her side. He brushed her forehead with his lips.
Then he disappeared into the water and crossed the lagoon, and she didn’t think to turn away when he arose again, striking and noble in countenance and bearing. He had dressed with swift, deft movements and leaped upon the snow-white stallion. He looked her way and lifted a hand high.
Then he was gone, and she rode back alone.
“No hurry, milady!” Mr. Soames told her. Negotiation would take some time. That was well, she thought, for her hair was still sodden and dusted with sand as was her riding attire. A bath was in order and Mr. Soames did not mind at all; he suggested it.
And so it was, she thought when she was done, hair shampooed, her body newly attired in bone and elegant green muslin and brocade, that she would meet her betrothed in cleanliness of garb, even if she did not remain so pure in body or spirit.
She had no wish to meet this man! she thought. Reckless thoughts of breaking free upon his very deck filled her mind. Dreams of what went on below filled her thoughts. The Hawk would refuse to take ransom for her, claiming her for his own forever. And she might then protest this paradise, but remain in his arms nonetheless.…
It was a foolish dream. She could not bear not to see her father. He grew older with each passing year. He was precious to her, and he was surely worried and anxious beyond measure.
She stared down at her lace-gloved hands. They were trembling. A feeling of sickness surged in her stomach. She had to get out of here. She would forget. She was Lady Kinsdale, the very proud daughter of Lord Kinsdale, and she did not—by choice!—associate with pirates.
Aye, by choice, she had touched the Hawk, and been touched in turn.
By the time Robert came to the door, telling her, “Milady, it is time!” she felt as if they had come to take her to the executioner.
“It’s time?” she repeated.
“Lord Cameron awaits you aboard his ship, theLady Elena. He wishes to sail with the tide.”
She swallowed quickly, trying to betray no emotion. “Will I see your master again?”
“I do not know, milady. Come along, please. Men will come for your trunks.”
She left her room behind. Mr. Soames was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She thanked him for his services and felt more and more like a maiden walking to the headman’s block. She was being rescued, she reminded herself. Lord Cameron would expect her ardent thanks and appreciation.
Robert took her outside. Señor Rivas was waiting with a small pony trap to take her down to the dock. Robert helped her into the vehicle, then joined her. “I will see you safely to theLady Elena,” he said.
Skye looked back to the house. She stared up to the window at the master’s bedroom. She thought that she saw the drapes fall back into place. Was he watching her leave?
She turned away from the window, feeling the fool. He had amused himself with her, then accepted payment to rid himself of her! She should despise him so very fiercely.
Tears welled within her throat. She knew that she would not shed them. She stiffened her shoulders and reminded herself that she was her father’s daughter, and that she would not fail or falter now.
Before them lay the docks. She saw the two tall ships there, both tall and proud. TheLady Elena, and theSilver Hawk. She had never realized before that the pirate had drawn his name from his ship. She looked at the beautiful figurehead, a silent sentinel.
TheLady Elenalay with a woman’s figure upon her bow, too. It was an Indian, Skye thought. An Indian maiden with long flowing hair and buckskin dress. What a curious choice for Lord Cameron, she thought.
The docks were busy. Men loaded supplies aboard theLady Elena;seamen scrubbed deck and knotted rope. Skye saw all the hustle and bustle as the pony trap came to a halt and Robert Arrowsmith helped her down. Señor Rivas tipped his hat to her and Skye smiled, telling him good-bye. Then Robert led her along the broad plank that stretched from the dock to theLady Elena.
