Page 33 of Devil of the High Seas
He shouldn’t have any feelings toward his betrothed’s maid, but he simply couldn’t stay away from this woman. She pulled him in with a quiet but intense gravity that was unique to her, like the way the earth pulled at the moon.
“If you’ve heard what happened to my father, then you shouldn’t be speaking to me, my lord.” She suddenly sniffled and returned her focus to Josephine’s gowns.
Unwilling to see Vesper upset because of something he had said, Griffin came over and gently placed a hand on her arm. The moment his fingers touched her, it seemed to send a whisper of lightning up his skin. She straightened and looked up into his eyes.
“Your father’s actions hurt you, but they are not yours to carry. You must leave such burdens behind you,” he said.
A flash of fury lit her green eyes, which startled him. “How can I leave them behind? He’s forced my entire family to work, to be brought low among those we once called friends. I am not ashamed of working, but I am ashamed that others have judged me for it.”
Griffin caught her chin, gently turning her face to look at him. “You will find no judgment here.”
She bit her bottom lip in frustration, and that proved too much for him to resist. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, but an instant later, a fire sparked to life between them. He cupped the back of her neck and deepened the kiss, savoring her mouth as he plunged his tongue between her lips. For the first time since he’d lost his wife and son, he felt like he could breathe, and Vesper was the very air his lungs needed.
She moaned against his lips and her hand curled around his neck, and she kissed him back. His soul burst from his chest and seemed to soar above him until he grew almost dizzy with the delightful feel of it.
The ship pitched and rolled through a wave, causing them both to stumble. He caught hold of her by the waist, pulling her against his body as he braced himself against the wall of her cabin. They gazed at each other a long moment, their bodies pressed together.
“Oh dear,” Vesper said, her eyes luminous.
“Bloody hell,” he echoed in grim agreement.
CHAPTER8
Josephine jolted awake to the sounds of men shouting. She blinked away the sleep from her eyes and peered over the edge of the lookout platform on the topmast. She expected to see Gavin having theCornish Pixie’s crew scour the ship for her, but what she saw instead filled her with dread. A naval frigate floated about two hundred yards to the port side of thePixie, and a crew in a small boat was rowing toward them.
She squinted at the boat and thought she glimpsed at least one officer in uniform aboard. On thePixie’s decks, the crew stood at attention while Gavin and Ronnie leaned over the railing facing the frigate, watching the progress of the boat coming toward them.
Josephine had to act quickly. She started to move but found a rope had been tied around her chest, tethering her safely to the lookout spot. Had old Bartholomew come up here and secured her to the crossbeams? He must have, the old dear. She made a mental reminder to thank him later. She abandoned her hiding spot from the lookout post on the topmast and hastily descended the rigging. She could hear the voices of the navy men growing louder as they climbed aboard.
Someone hissed, and Josephine glanced around. The older sailor stood at the back of thePixie’s assembled crew and pointed to a spot beside him.
“Come here,” the man whispered.
Understanding what he was about, she quickly crossed the deck and took her place next to him. She gave him a questioning look when she reached him. The old man looked down, and she followed his gaze to where he was waving a lowbrow brimmed hat at her.
She grabbed the hat he held out and promptly pulled it down on her head. The brim dipped, hiding her face. Though she was wearing her hair tied back in a queue, it was still too long for most men, but hopefully no one would look at her too closely right now.
“Good, lassie,” the old man said. “Now don’t move.”
A British officer stepped over the side of the ship and onto thePixie. Several other men followed suit, quickly getting into formation as they faced thePixie’s crew.
“I am First Lieutenant Landers of the HMSTorrington. I wish to speak to the master of this ship.” He was a tall fellow with a white wig and a fairly muscular body. He was clearly a seasoned officer, not a young midshipman.
“I am Gavin Castleton, master of theCornish Pixie. We welcome you aboard, Lieutenant.”
“Thank you, Captain Castleton.” The lieutenant’s cool gaze explored the ship, and Josephine stared down at her feet, praying he wouldn’t look at her.
“Look up a little,” the old sailor said in a harsh whisper. “Or else he’ll suspect something is going on with you.”
Josephine raised her head again, but now she was too afraid to breathe lest that action draw attention to her unbound breasts.
“You don’t mind if we inspect your hold?” the lieutenant inquired of Gavin.
“Not at all. Please look wherever you wish, Lieutenant.”
Gavin kept pace with the naval officer while the lieutenant strode about the deck with his hands clasped behind his back. Gavin casually conversed with the officer, and Josephine occasionally overheard bits of their discussion.
“My apologies. Must do this with every vessel, you understand,” Landers explained.
