Page 34 of Devil of the High Seas
“Of course,” Gavin replied.
“Pirates about, you know. Trade routes. Have to keep watch...” The rest of his words were lost upon the breeze.
Twenty minutes passed in tense silence for Josephine and the crew of thePixieuntil the officer and Gavin returned above deck.
“I imagine you are in a hurry to be off, but if you are interested, our captain would be delighted to have you and your wife dine with him.”
Josephine flinched as she heard the wordwife. Had Gavin told the man he had a woman on board?
“Er...” Gavin hesitated.
“Please accept.. It isn’t often we find company while out at sea and less often that we have female company.” The officer looked so earnest that it would have been poor form to refuse.
“Very well. How soon should we come to you?” Gavin asked.
“The sun will be setting in a few hours, but our captain dines early. Say, a half hour?”
“Thank you.” Gavin shook the lieutenant’s hand and helped the man over the side and down to his waiting boat.
The moment the naval officer was out of sight, the crew let out a breath of relief and returned to their stations. Josephine followed the older sailor across the deck, but Gavin passed by her as he headed in the opposite direction and grasped her arm, swiftly turning her around to escort her belowdecks with him.
“Wait, I can’t move so fast!” she gasped as she stumbled down the gangway behind him. He was taking such long strides that she couldn’t keep up.
Only when they were out of sight from the other ship did he let her go.
“How the devil did you know it was me?”
“I would know the curve of those breasts anywhere,” Gavin cut in. “Lass, we have a dinner with those officers on theTorrington. You must dress quickly and come with me.”
“As your wife?” she added dryly as she removed the floppy old hat she wore.
“Aye, my loving, devoted wife. This is our honeymoon voyage, and we are celebrating my new position as the master of theCornish Pixie.”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “So I shouldn’t mention that you are a pirate who kidnapped me on the eve of my wedding?” She was teasing him, but he didn’t seem to realize that.
He moved to press her against the nearest bulkhead with his body, and he cupped her cheek. Their faces were close and his eyes dark as he gazed at her seriously.
“If you mention pirates, then Ronnie and I are dead men, and the crew would likely end up in prison and possibly hanged.”
“Gavin, I was only teasing,” she said more seriously.
“’Tis not something to joke about, lass. Do I have your word that you will keep silent?”
“Of course,” she promised. “I won’t breathe a word.”
“Good.” He relaxed and smiled at her. “We’ll discuss your punishment for locking me in my cabin later tonight.”
“Punishment?” she fired back, her temper flaring. “You locked me in there first.”
Gavin dismissed the argument. “I think a spanking is what your bottom needs. After that, we’ll see.” He leaned down the last few inches and kissed her. It was raw and wicked. He cupped her buttocks with one hand and gave her a light smack. She jolted and then moaned as a flood of unexpected heat followed in its wake.
He stepped back. “Put on one of the gowns in that chest and I will join you shortly.” He strode away and climbed back up the companionway, and soon she could hear him hollering orders to the men.
With a heavy sigh, she returned to the captain’s cabin and abandoned her sailor’s togs. From the chest, she selected a peach gown with blue underskirts. She managed to tighten her corset up nearly all the way, but cursed because she could not finish the rest without help. As if answering her silent prayer, the door opened. She was actually relieved to see Gavin enter.
“Do you require assistance?” he asked, his eyes skating over her dress.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
