Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) (16 page)

Cherished.
He made her feel cherished and
protected. It had been many months since anyone had cared for her well-being,
but no one had ever cared for her like this. He was not the pirate who had
frightened her days ago. This was a man who was slowly and lovingly showing her
the magic of her body, and the magic that could be created between them. He
knew where to touch her and to kiss her softly so she craved more. He knew how
to make her quiver as she waited for him to take her. Her body was humming with
anticipation as Sébastien lifted her and her breath quickened.

A slight sting, a stretching
until she was gloriously full and a shaft of pleasure so intense struck her
that she forgot about the brief discomfort. She gasped and he took his mouth
with hers. Madeleine’s senses were heightened as each new feeling built on the
next exquisite wave of pleasure until she again reached the sweet crest his
gentle fingers had taken her to. This time the pleasure was more complete as he
filled her, and slowly withdrew, teasing her with his heat at her core. Her
body showed her how to move with him, move for move, kiss for kiss, and shared
looks that were as pleasurable as the sensations rocking her body.

Sébastien held her gaze as he
slipped deeper into her, all the while whispering endearments.

“You are so beautiful.”

His reverent whisper washed over
her and the throbbing between her thighs built almost unbearably as his hips
pushed against hers and instinctively she opened her legs wider. Light flashed
against her vision and she closed her eyes as the pleasure peaked and held as
he moved inside her.

With a guttural cry, he thrust
once more and Madeleine trembled as his brown eyes darkened with pleasure.
Sébastien dropped his head to her shoulder and she reached down and touched his
chest where she could feel the beating of his heart against her breast.

Rolling her, he took her in his
arms, and Madeleine rested her head on his shoulder. The last thing she was
aware of before she fell asleep was the feel of his hand gently stroking her
hair as he held her close.

“Tell me more about the islands.” Madeleine lifted her head from
Sébastien’s chest and he ran his fingers through her hair. They were only half
a day’s sailing from New Orleans and he had left the wheelhouse three hours ago
to come down and check on her. As they had done for the past four days and
nights, they had ended up in his bed. There had been no further problems with
the crew, and he and Mr. Abrahams had kept a close eye on the new men. They had
worked as hard as the rest of the crew and had given him no problem but he
would pay them off once they docked.

A shaft of sunlight shone thought the aperture in the hull and
bathed Madeleine’s head in a soft light. Her green eyes were wide and fixed on
him and as he watched, she trailed a finger down his chest, and would have
continued further down had he not captured her fingers in his.

“I must go up and let Mr. Abrahams have some rest. I have turned you
into a wanton, madam.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers.
She laughed softly and slid up in the bed alongside him until her soft breasts
pressed against his chest.

Sébastien groaned. “I must go above deck.”

“Just five more minutes…please? It is lonely down here without you.”
Madeleine had only gone above deck once a day on this return journey, to keep
her out of the sight of the suspect crewmen. And each time she had been in
Sébastien’s company. If the crew had previously doubted that she was his woman,
they had no doubt of it now. He had held her tightly as they watched the sun
set each night and she had clung to him.

“Tell me again about the island you are going to live on.” Her warm
lips nuzzled into his neck and he was lost.

Sébastien pushed her away gently and rolled over to the edge of the
bed. “I will tell you if you stay over there where you cannot tempt me, wench.”
He grinned at her as he propped himself up on one elbow, marveling at the
confidence she had discovered in her body since he had introduced her to the
world of pleasure between a man and a woman.

Was it only four days ago?
She had
bewitched him. Never before had he experienced the need for a woman such as she
had raised in him. Last night he had lain beside her, listening to her soft
breathing, her hand curled safely in his. He could not let Madeleine go. That
realization had hit him like a thunderbolt from the storm that had woken him as
it roared above the vessel. He would try to persuade her to come to the islands
with him. If he could not persuade her, he would accompany her back to
Bellerose, although the thought of delaying his trip to the Hawaiian Islands
was not attractive to him.

“There are many islands, but the last time I visited I chose the
land which I shall purchase. I will have the best sugar plantation in the
islands and it will be worked by free men.” His breath caught in his throat as
she lowered her hand enticingly and brushed it through the auburn curls nestled
between her thighs.

“I shall marry and I shall raise a family.” His mouth dried as he
watched her fingers move slowly in a circle before she slipped one finger
lower. “Perhaps I can find a suitable wife before I leave. Do you know of any
woman who may like to marry an old pirate, Madeleine?”

He lifted his gaze and her eyes were wide as she raised both of her
hands to her mouth.

“What are you asking, Sébastien?” Her voice was husky.

“What do you think?” He sat up and put his hands behind his head as
he watched her. If he did not restrain his hands, he would not be able to resist
touching her and he must go above deck sooner than later. “Give it some thought
as we wait for the tide to take us up the river.”

Madeleine was quiet and he wondered if he had spoken too soon.

“Before I can suggest a suitable woman for your needs”—she shot him
a sultry smile—“I would have to think more of my quest to find Great Aunt
Josephine’s necklace.”

“Josephine?” He narrowed his eyes as he realized what she had said.
“Was your great aunt was Josephine du Bois?”

Madeleine sat up and moved over beside him, her expression alight
with interest. “Yes, why do you ask? Did you know of her?”

“Yes, I knew her briefly.” He wondered how much Madeleine knew of
her great aunt’s story. There had been quite a scandal when she had taken up
with the Russian fur trader. Sébastien had not been long in New Orleans when he
had met Josephine at a soiree at the governor’s residence. After that he had
attended a few receptions at the du Bois house. He did not want to tell
Madeleine too much; he would have to give some thought to what he said.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he reached for his breeches.

Madeleine’s eyes were bright and she smiled. “I cannot believe that
you have met my Great Aunt Josephine. I met her once when I was a small child
when she and her husband, Uncle Francois visited us at Bellerose Hall. Her eyes
clouded as she mentioned her home. Sébastien had been pleased to see her laugh
and smile often over the past four days.

He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head. They would talk
of her great aunt later. “I will be above deck until we navigate the turn of
the tide and dock safely at the wharf. “Ensure you lock the door while I am
gone, and don’t open it to anybody.” He leaned over and put his hands either
side of her and satisfaction warmed his chest as she raised her lips to his.

“Stay safe. We shall be in New Orleans by nightfall.” Reluctantly
Sébastien left her and crossed to the door and waited. “Come and draw the bolt
while I am still outside the door. And ensure you open the door to no one.”

Madeleine slid from the bed and Sébastien shook his head as he
watched her walk across the carpeted floor. She was not self-conscious in her
nakedness and her thick red hair fell to her waist as she walked slowly toward
him. Her breasts bobbed gently as she crossed the room and his eyes were drawn
to the dusky pink nipples. He tried to put a stern look on his face but knew he
failed miserably as a grin tugged at his mouth.

“You are a wanton wench, my dear.” He pulled her into his arms and pressed
his mouth to hers. “But I still want you to give serious thought to my
question.” He lifted his head and stared at her. “Will you promise me you will
consider coming with me.”

“Why would you ask me to come with you?” Her eyes were wide and
despite her nakedness, they were guileless. She truly had no idea of what he
felt for her.

“Because, my love, I cannot imagine my life without you beside me.”
He stared at her. “I know it has not been a long time, but I have fallen in
love with you, Madeleine. Think about that while I am gone.”

A small gasp escaped her lips and as she pressed against him, her
mouth was warm against his neck. She stood there for a moment and her body
trembled against his. When she pulled away her face was wet with tears. “I will
give it some deep thought, I promise.”

Sébastien lifted his thumb and gently wiped her tears away. “Happy
tears, I hope?”

“Happy tears.” Madeleine nodded and smiled sweetly at him. “Now go
and see to your boat, Captain. I am going to have a wash and try to repair my
clothing so I can walk the streets of New Orleans as a lady.”

“As soon as we dock, I have to make a brief visit to the town. I
will only be gone a short while but I will come back down to dress before I go
ashore.” Sébastien wanted to get this task over quickly, collect his payment
from the governor and then focus on Madeleine. “Get some sleep. When I return
we shall leave the
Maiden
together and find some lodgings in the town.”

He looked around and spoke quietly. “And then I shall leave this
life behind. Shall we do it together? Think on that, Madeleine.”

Sébastien waited in the passageway until he heard the snick of the
bolt on the other side of the door.

***

Madeleine leaned against the door and closed her eyes. Her life had
changed so much over the past weeks. Was it too soon to make a life changing
decision—forgo her quest and move to the islands that Sébastien spoke of? Was
it selfish to think of her needs…or had she been thinking of her needs all
along? The past four days in Sébastien’s bed had brought her truly to adulthood
and now she had to think of what she must do.

It was an impossible choice to make. In her heart, she knew it would
be very easy to follow this man to the ends of the earth. But what would she do
about Bellerose Hall and the necklace? She could not give up on her promise to
restore the estate.

When Sébastien had called her, ‘my love’, the emotion that had
filled her had been as satisfying as the heights to which he had taken her in
his bed over the past days. Madeleine shivered and hugged herself, looking down
at her breasts and bare legs in disbelief. She was naked in her pirate’s cabin
and she was smiling. Had she changed so much she could forgo her quest?

No, I must complete it.

Confusion filled her as she slipped into the curtained alcove and
poured the water from the pitcher to the bowl. The light was fading and
Madeleine squinted into the looking glass that was propped on the cupboard.
Never did she remember her lips being so red and plump and she brushed at a
small red mark on her neck where Sébastien’s beard had scraped her white skin.

She had experienced many new feelings in these few weeks on the
Maiden
.
Should I not let them take over my thoughts?
Perhaps Sébastien would
tire of her when he had satisfied himself in her body? The first glimmers of
doubt began to pierce her euphoria. She was inexperienced in the relationships
between a man and a woman.

Did he really mean what he said?
Am I his love?
Perhaps she
should take some time to consider her own feelings.
To get back to shore and
see if he stays true to me?
Madeleine had no doubt that her feelings for
Sébastien were steadfast but could she risk being left alone…once more in her
life?

Why would a man like Sébastien truly be interested in a young
inexperienced woman such as
I
?

She could not accept his proposal. She would seek Great Aunt
Josephine’s necklace, she would sell it and send the proceeds home to Bellerose
Hall so it could be restored. Mayhap then she could consider Sébastien’s
proposal…if it still stood.

She had promised she would find the necklace.
Although the
promise was more to myself than to anyone else.

Perhaps Sébastien would change his mind and help her? Once he
realized she was determined to find the necklace? He had not elaborated about
how he knew Josephine and another niggle of doubt snaked through Madeleine’s
mind. He had displayed scant interest in the necklace, yet when he had
recognized Aunt Josephine’s name he had not really been forthcoming about his
knowledge of her. Did he know more than he was telling?

Why, oh why, do I doubt him?

Dismissing the thoughts from her mind, Madeleine lifted a handful of
clothes from the chest and proceeded to look for something befitting a lady to
wear into New Orleans.

Some time later, a light tap at the door interrupted her as she
braided her hair. She had found a modest dress and was awaiting Sébastien’s
return. When he came back from the governor’s, she would put her slippers on.
Her meager possessions which had been in her reticule and sewn into her black
dress were now safely wrapped in a woolen shawl she had found at the bottom of
the chest. Crossing to the door, she went to unbolt the latch and then she
remembered his warning.

Do not open the door for anyone.

“Who’s there?” she called softly.

“It’s Cook. I have some food for you. The captain said you may be
hungry, miss.”

Madeleine reached for the latch and hesitated. The man’s voice
sounded different to the cook that Sébastien had called Crawford. “What do you
have for me?”

She wanted to hear him speak again so she could be sure. “Ah…there
is some—”

Goose bumps rose on Madeleine’s arms as she heard a scuffle and
whispering from the other side of the door.

“Some soup, miss.”

“Thank you, I’m not hungry. Perhaps you could take it up to the
captain?” Unease snaked through her.

“I will just bring it in for the captain when he comes down.”

“No, thank you.”

A loud curse reached her and she watched as the wooden handle
lowered until it reached the bolt she had drawn on the cabin side of the door.
Madeleine stepped back with her hands over her mouth, looking around for
somewhere to hide, before she realized they could not get in. She hurried over
to the table and picked up the heavy chair and dragged it across to the door to
be doubly sure.

She stood there for a few moments until all was quiet. Walking over
to the bed she sat down and put her hands over her face. The fear that had
filled her the other day when the man had hurt Jake and had grabbed her had
returned. Now that they were close to New Orleans, she was unsafe. She had the
knowledge of the necklace and where it perhaps was hidden be, but finding it
may not be an easy task.