Page 22 of Devil of the High Seas
Gavin crossedthe deck to join Ronnie. The crew were gathered on the opposite end of the deck to meet him.
“What ship is this?” he asked Ronnie in a low voice so as not to be overheard.
“A good one, Cap’n, anewone.” Ronnie beamed proudly at him as he patted the nearest railing. “Some rich fool just had it made for his new merchant fleet. He didn’t have a master hired yet, just a waiting crew. I told the men you were their new cap’n.”
“What?” Gavin couldn’t believe his own luck. “What fool would leave a fully manned ship without a master in the harbor?”
“Some fool named Greyville,” Ronnie chuckled.
Gavin’s smile slipped. “NotDominicGreyville?”
“Er... I don’t rightly know. I only ever heard the name Greyville.”
The name hit him like a smithy’s hammer striking an anvil.
“Bloody hell, man! We’ve got to leave.Now!” Gavin raced toward the new crew, shouting orders and not bothering to introduce himself. They had to get the ship underway and out to sea as soon as possible.
Ronnie scrambled after him. “Why?”
“Why?” Gavin hissed as he whirled and grabbed his quartermaster by the shoulders. “Because I took another pirate’s ship and kidnapped his younger sister to be my mistress. Greyville isDominic Grey’strue name.” Gavin had known it was reckless enough to steal another pirate’s little sister, but he’d been willing to bet that Dominic wouldn’t guess that it was him. But a missing ship and a missing sister would be too much of a coincidence for Dominic to miss if Griffin told Dominic he'd returned. He would put the pieces together
Ronnie’s face drained of color. “NottheDom Grey...?”
“The very one.” Gavin and Dominic had been childhood friends, but as pirates they’d had mutual respect for one another. Ronnie had met Dominic in passing as their crews had met at the Black Isle for Brethren of the Coast gatherings. Dominic was a legend to all pirates in the West Indies. If he hadn’t been caught up in marriage to an admiral’s daughter, he likely would have become Admiral of the Black instead of Gavin.
Ronnie counted their sins numbly on his fingers. “We took his ship, his crew, and his sister... Oh, Cap’n., we’re dead men.”
“Only if we don’t get out of this bloody harbor!”
The ship sparked to life as the crew dashed to their stations to carry out the orders Gavin had given them. No one questioned the mad escape from the harbor, but even as they sailed out into the open sea, Gavin kept glancing back, fearing he would see a second ship chasing them at any moment.
No one could outrun Dominic Grey once he had his sights set on them... except Gavin... if he had the right ship. Dominic had retired from piracy a short time ago, but that didn’t change who he was.Once a pirate, always a pirate. Dominic would be furious enough to find Josephine gone, but at least he hadn’t known Gavin was involved. But if Griffin told Dominic that Gavin had come home and then discovered his ship and sister were missing, the two men could put their heads together, and...
“Blast!” Gavin cursed into the wind as the sails unfurled and the ship began to glide away from the coast of Cornwall. He prayed this vessel could fly like the wind, or else the Royal Navy prowling the waters hunting for pirates would be the least of his worries.
Once he was certain the ship was safely out to sea, he would make proper introductions as the new master of theCornish Pixie. He had to make sure the crew was satisfied that Dominic had hired him to be the master of this ship.
With Ronnie in charge of the ship, Gavin retired to the master’s cabin and unlocked the door. He braced himself for a female in fine fury after being locked in the cabin. As he stepped inside the room, he was surprised to see that his fierce captive lay on the bed in the midst of a waterfall of pale-blue silk, fast asleep, as sweet as a kitten.
He hovered by the bedside, drinking in the sight of her. She wore what was no doubt supposed to be her wedding dress. It was too exquisite for a day gown. He could tell by the pearls embedded in the bodice and sleeves and the fine lace at the elbows that this was the gown that Griffin should have seen her wearing for their wedding. A stab of jealousy mixed with smug arrogance tumbled within his chest. His brother would not have this woman. He would not see her like this now. She was to be Gavin’s and Gavin’s alone.
“Sorry, brother, but you took my woman. It is only fair I take yours.”
The pretty lass asleep in his bed did not stir, but he didn’t mind that she slept tonight. They had a long voyage ahead of them to chase down theLady Siren. There would be plenty of nights ahead to seduce his prize. With a wicked smile, Gavin sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his boots. He stripped off his trousers and lay down beside Josephine, pulling her back against his body. He buried his face in her hair. She smelled like a garden just after a rainstorm. Her scent of roses and lavender filled his head as he breathed her in.
“Yes, I think I shall keep you, my darling Josie,” he murmured in her ear.
Josephine let out a soft sigh, as though she'd heard him, and turned to burrow closer into him. Something tugged at his long-shattered heart, but he ignored it. He would never love anyone ever again. Not even this bewitching woman with fire upon her lips and her eyes full of dreams that sailed like ships in the clouds.
CHAPTER6
“What do you mean, she’sgone?” Griffin stood behind his desk in his study. The three men who faced him from the other side didn’t flinch at his tone. Josephine’s father, Lord Camden; her twin brother, Adrian; and her elder brother, Dominic, had arrived two hours before he’d planned to be at the church to marry Josephine.
He tried to calm the sudden fear in his chest for the woman he’d planned to tie his life to. “Where is she? Did she leave a letter?” After speaking with his brother, he could quite believe that Josephine might cry off and hide to avoid marrying him. While that stung his pride, he was more concerned that she was safe and unharmed than that she’d run out on him.
Lord Camden and his two sons exchanged worried glances before Camden spoke.
“I’m afraid we have no idea what’s happened to her. My daughter was being fitted for her wedding gown last night when my wife last saw her. She and Josephine’s lady’s maid left to prepare her bridal presents, which would be a surprise for her today after the ceremony. When the maid returned to her chamber, she found it empty and the bay window open.”
