Prisoner of Desire (11 page)

It was a paradise from some novel. Palm trees stretched up into the sky.

The sand on the beaches was a brilliant white. Beyond the shore, there was dense greenery. Trees spread their branches out so all the leaves could face the sun. The sound of the waves crashing came in the windows. The sunlight sparkled off the water like a million diamonds. The water itself was a shade of blue she had never thought the ocean might be. Warm and inviting, it

seemed to call to her. The urge to walk on that beach, in bare feet, consumed her.

Lady Holly let out an excited chirp.

"Up." The parrot spoke the word clearly.

Lorena stared at her and Holly nodded her head up and down. "Up," she insisted.

Crossing the cabin, Lorena took careful steps because the ship was rocking more now that it was so close to the breaking waves. The chairs made for good handles as she made a path toward the bird. Holly flapped again, her yellow eyes trained on Lorena's progress. The bird lifted one talon and stretched it out toward her.

Holding her hand up, Lorena laughed when the bird grasped her finger. Holly purred happily

while sidestepping up her arm. The parrot stopped when she reached her shoulder and purred

once more. Lorena twisted her neck to look at the animal, slightly unsure as to how one

responded with a parrot perched on your shoulder. Holly seemed delighted and began to groom herself.

A quick rap on the door drew a squawk from the parrot and her talons tightened.

"Sorry to disturb you." Captain Rawlins actually had to duck under the doorframe. He spoke before really looking at her, and his expression turned to one of astonishment when he viewed the parrot.

"Is there a problem?" Her words sounded silly but it was better than asking if it was odd to see a parrot perched on her shoulder. Lorena enjoyed the strangeness of the moment. For once she

didn't really care if the man in front of her approved or not. Her entire journey aboard the Huntress was improper so there was no reason to critique herself.

The captain chuckled softly. "Well that figures."

"Excuse me?" She fought the urge to return his smile. It was insane because of course it was her duty to dislike the man. The principle of the matter made it necessary. He had abducted her after all. No lady could be anything but difficult in his company. Frigid would do quite well also.

Yet, he was one handsome brute when he grinned. He didn't cling to the rigid formality like Captain Connelly. That did not mean he was slovenly. He wore a good shirt that was buttoned at the collar but the cuffs were rolled back exposing his forearms. The skin was tan from exposure to the sun. Over the shirt he wore a vest but there was no overcoat on him, and she decided he was far more capable looking without all of the garments. There was an honest appearance about him and the turned-up cuffs showed her forearms that were cut with muscle. Heat spread across her cheeks and it even ran down her spine. Her eyelids fluttered several times before she stamped out the impulsive motion. Finding him attractive made it damned hard to look down her nose at him.

"Holly likes you."

"Since it appears we're sharing the same space, there is little point in being averse to one another." It was a perfectly spoken response. Polite and devoid of anything too personal, but her face heated even more. She suddenly missed her bonnet; the wide brim would have helped

disguise the scarlet stain bleeding across her face.

"That bird is averse by nature."

He grumbled the words while glaring at the parrot. Holly lowered her head and let out a short chirp.

Lorena smiled. She had to slap a hand over her lips to contain her amusement. The captain's blue gaze shot to her face, catching her. His eyes narrowed but his lips curved back into that

devastating grin. Another shiver went through her. This time it spread out over her skin, actually rippling over the delicate surface of her breasts until it reached her nipples. Her amusement died in a flash of shock. Never once had she been so aware of her breasts.

"Perhaps you should consider sharing your meals with her. She seems to enjoy that."

"She's a mastermind of getting food out of every person who dines in my cabin, madam."

His reference to ownership of the cabin actually sent more sensation flowing across her skin. It really hadn't impacted her, but she was sleeping in the man's bed.

"Yes, well, I suppose I should be thankful for the use of your private accommodations."

She almost choked on the polite words. Although they were every bit as polished as she'd been raised to deliver, they felt out of place. The cabin felt strangely intimate, confusing her, because the only man present was one she was duty bound to remain detached from. It was proving

impossible, so she turned toward the cage, but Holly dug her talons into the fabric of her dress.

There was a faint tearing sound.

"Oh fie, Holly, you mustn't shred my dress, it is all I have."

A moment later Lorena felt him behind her, his body solid and hard, just like the night he'd strong-armed her into the boat.

A startled gasp passed her lips. Holly flapped, but the captain had her scooped up between his two large hands. The parrot let out an annoyed squawk but was placed back on her perch in

moments. Something flared through Lorena that was more excitement than dread, and she kept

her face toward the wall until she concealed it. She could feel that blue gaze on her.

"You hide your fear well."

Forcing her chin up, she stared at him. "I assure you, sir, I am not intimidated by you."

Something flickered in his eyes that looked dark and inviting. Her breasts tingled again, liking what she saw. It unleashed a sensation in her belly that was hot and needy.

"I actually believe you, Lorena, even if it isn't the wisest thing for either of us."

"Civilized people do not discuss such topics." Even if she was thinking about them. But her belly fluttered in the oddest manner and her gaze settled on his lips.

Regret crossed his face but it died quickly. "Maybe not. But your very civilized groom-to- be doesn't entice me to act like he does. If that's civilized behavior, I'll happily cling to my uncouth ways."

They suit him well...

Lorena chided herself but couldn't change how she truly felt. He was many things she'd been trained to deplore. But those same traits excited her. The lack of overcoat struck her as attractive because she could see his true form,

unhindered by the latest cut in men's coats. His cream vest was neat and outlined a powerful torso.

"I came to keep my promise to you. In my own uncivilized way, I tend to keep my word. If you'd like to go ashore, I will allow it."

Authority rang in his last few words. Her pride bristled but he surprised her by not taking offense.

Instead he stared at her, confident in his command of the Huntress.

"I would like to go ashore." She disliked admitting it to him. A strange need to stand up for herself burned through her when she looked at this man. It defied her understanding as well as any ability to control it. Appearing meek felt like surrender.

That was something she rebelled against.

"There's fresh water on St. Martin, plenty of it. I'll arrange a bath for you."

Her face colored. His keen stare touched on the stain, his lips curving slightly. This time there was a wicked slant to his eyes which made her palm itch.

"You are quite forward, sir." Men did not discuss such personal chores with ladies.

He offered her a half bow. Polished and executed perfectly, all he lacked was a tailed coat and top hat to look the part of a gentleman. The sleeves of his shirt billowed slightly in the breeze, making him appear rakish. Lorena discovered herself battling to keep from smiling again.

"I am a captain, madam. A position requiring me to maintain balance between the world you know on land and the one I find myself navigating on the open water. Your countrymen will

happily send my ship to the bottom in spite of their tradition and discipline." His stare hardened.

"Besides, the chance to bathe is infrequent, and since I stole you aboard without a maid, we shall have to suffer through the topic. Out here, it is often every man for himself."

Or woman...

"I shall remember that."

His expression tightened. He reached around behind him and pulled something from his wide

leather belt. There was the chink of metal against metal.

"I will take you ashore, Lorena, but I promise you, I will bring you back too. However you decide it needs to be done."

He held up a pair of hand chains. She noticed the lack of filth on them. Instead of rusty red orange, they were shiny.

"I believe I told you quite clearly, Captain Rawlins." She actually stepped closer, uncaring of how much larger he was. "I am not frightened of you. Your threats gain you nothing."

"It's a promise." His voice was edged with hard determination. "What I gain is the knowledge that I have done everything in my power to help the ninety men under my and my brothers'

command live to see their families again."

"Then why allow me on shore? I should think it would give you good peace of mind to keep me right here." She was so angry she shook with it. Disappointment lashed through the excitement that had been brewing inside her since seeing land that morning.

He stepped closer, the look on his face telling her not many people challenged his command. Her skin rippled once more, and she had to force back the urge to physically shove him away.

"I'm taking you on shore because I am not Mordaunt." His voice was quiet and she struggled to hear him because of the blood roaring in her ears. "I know what it is like to sail for weeks on end and be denied shore leave. In spite of how much simpler it might be to imprison you here, I meant what I said when I brought you aboard."

He drew a stiff breath. "I do regret the necessity of keeping you. Come on deck if you want to go ashore, I'm leaving as soon as the boat is ready."

The man was a puzzle.

Lorena paced around the table, her temper still burning hot. Organizing her thoughts eluded her.

It frustrated her horribly because she had always been the strong, stable one. The one her sisters might look to for calm guidance. Now, this single man had set her to pacing like a dancing girl with no decorum whatsoever.

He'd taken to using her first name.

That was quite forward, but once again completely in keeping with what she knew of his

character.

There was a creak and groan from the deck above. Men shouted and more groaning. A loud

splash announced that one of the smaller lifeboats had hit the water.

"Oh damn your promises, Captain Rawlins."

Swiping her gloves off the small side table, she cast a hard glare at her bonnet. It was well into the afternoon, the heat almost suffocating. But she would not suffer the wide brim of the thing.

No, Captain Rawlins was a man she wanted to keep her sight on.

She eagerly climbed up onto the deck, looking forward to going ashore. Warren Rawlins was

sadly mistaken if he believed showing her a pair of wrist chains was going to make her cower.

One good thing about Godford's method of raising her was that her mind was sharp. She was not completely helpless. A small locket with her father's picture hung around her neck by a fine gold chain. That should be worth passage. Gold was gold, after all.

"Afternoon, ma'am."

"Good day, miss."

Men touched their hats the moment she stepped up onto the main deck. A few smiled good—

naturedly at her before casting their gazes away. These men lacked the frightened nature Captain Connelly's crew had. They seemed to be respecting her by not staring, a few of the older ones reminding the younger ones with a sharp gesture of their hands. One younger lad earned himself a tug on his ear when he failed to notice the fingers warning him to stop gaping at her.

"Warren tells me Holly has taken a shine to you."

Lorena looked up to find a dark-haired man watching her. His features were similar to Warren's and he towered over her as well.

"That's fine praise. Holly doesn't like many people. I'm Garrick Rawlins."

"I'd like her much better stewed with rum." Another man touched his hat before striding closer.

"That bird is more foul tempered than a butcher during lent."

Garrick only raised an eyebrow. "This scrap is my younger brother, Harrison."

"I can understand why Holly doesn't care for you, sir. I do believe I would avoid anyone who wanted to add me to the stew pot."

Another splash drew her attention. Two boats were already on the water, men working the oars.

"All ashore for those going ashore."

Warren's voice rang across the deck with firm authority. He looked straight at her, a challenge on his face. Lorena stepped forward. The urge to shove him returned. Now it was even more

tempting with the aqua water behind him. She closed her fingers into fists to contain the impulse.

Warren threw one leg right over the rail, the second one following. A rope ladder hung down the side of the ship. Two men were already in the boat. They grasped rope lines to keep the smaller boat alongside the Huntress.

"I'll lower you down." Garrick appeared beside her with the same twin loops she'd been hoisted on board with. A tiny snarl passed her lips.

"That ladder shall serve quite nicely."

Warren eyed her, an amused look on his face. The man was halfway over the side of his ship, only his upper body visible. "You'll have to hike your skirts to your knees."

"I shall do no such thing." Indeed she would not.

Victory showed plainly on Warren's face. It needled her until her resolve burst. "Very well then.. .if that is the way of it aboard ships, I shall adapt."

Men froze at their tasks but she ignored them. Grasping a handful of her skirt and petticoat, she pulled the fabric above her ankles. The smirk on the captain's face melted. He climbed down the ladder, clearing the top of it for her.