“Fantastic,” Edith muttered. “Love that for me.”
Mark climbed onto the boat first. Gerald guided Edith after him with one hand lightly against her back. She considered elbowing him directly into the sea… strongly.
The only thing stopping her was the very real possibility he’d simply drag her down with him.
Once aboard, Mark tied a rope loosely around the silver cuffs and secured her to the railing with practiced efficiency. Again, hedid it calmly, with no sense of urgency or panic. Acting as if this were entirely normal.
As if she weren’t a terrified woman being dragged back toward the life she had fled.
Edith glared murderously at him the entire time, and Mark avoided her eyes completely.
Coward.
“You could at least look guilty,” she snapped.
Mark’s jaw tightened faintly.
“You’ll survive this.”
Edith laughed harshly. “That’s what you’re telling yourself?”
Silence filled the boat. It rocked gently as the ghost pirate shoved away from the dock.
The mainland waited somewhere beyond the dark waters, it felt far too close already.
Gerald settled himself against the opposite railing like this was a leisurely morning excursion rather than an abduction. “Honestly,” he sighed pleasantly, “I expected considerably more screaming.”
“Would you prefer screaming?” Edith asked sweetly. “I can absolutely start.”
Gerald chuckled softly. Gods, she hated that sound, it grated on her nerves, worse than the buoys snoring.
“You’ve changed,” he observed, studying her carefully. “More confident than I remember.”
“I’d rather drown than marry you,” Edith replied flatly.
Gerald’s smile didn’t fade. “That attitude will fade once we’re home.”
The words curled coldly through her stomach. That was never her home. Gerald moved closer slowly, crouching slightly in front of where she sat tied to the railing.
Edith pressed herself backward instinctively. His gold eyes gleamed faintly in the growing dawn light, almost predatory, as his fingers brushed lightly along her jaw.
Edith froze in disgust.
“Still beautiful though,” he murmured.
Every muscle in her body tightened. “Don’t touch me.”
Gerald ignored that completely. His thumb traced lightly against her cheek, studying her with detached satisfaction.
“I’ll admit,” he said thoughtfully, “I was uncertain whether years hiding in some seaside town would ruin you.”
Edith’s stomach twisted violently.
“But this?” His gaze moved slowly over her. “No. This works nicely.”
Pure revulsion crawled through her. “You’re disgusting.”
Gerald smiled wider. “And yet,” he said softly, “you’ll still be my wife.”
