Page 83 of The Pirate Lord
On Atlantis, however, she could really help people. Thanks partly to her, the women had begun to rely on themselves. The men had begun to show a newfound respect for the women, to ask what they wanted and to make little courtly gestures that endeared them to their sweethearts. Most of them truly were nice men.
Together the men and women were building something lasting. It did her heart good to watch people who’d been discarded by their countries regain their self-respect and find a useful purpose. Every day she woke up eager for the new day to begin, eager to explore more of the island and find new enjoyments to share with Gideon.
There was only one thing she felt guilty about—that she hadn’t pressed Gideon on the issue of the women. Afraid to tear the fragile thread of happiness joining them, they’d both avoided the subject of the marriages. But she’d have to bring it up soon. The month he’d given the women ended in two days, and though most of the women had chosen husbands, some still balked at marrying, particularly those who’d left devoted husbands or sweethearts in England.
Surely when she explained their reasons to Gideon, however, he would make an exception for them. She’d come to realize in the past weeks that Gideon was a rational man, capable of great generosity. For all his cynicism, he hoped for something better and was willing to strive to find it. He would see her side of it once she showed him it was the best thing for the colony.
She saw him settle the laughing children about him and begin to tell them a story about One-Eyed Jack, the ship’s parrot with a liking for salt beef. Trailing her hand idly in the sand, she watched him with her heart in her throat, lovingly memorizing his every feature . . . his scarred cheek, which she’d once thought looked ominous and now looked so dear . . . his blunt, capable fingers that had brought her to wild fulfillment several times in the past few days . . . his absurdly naked feet with the black hair sprinkled across his toes.
Oh, yes, she loved him top to bottom. And though he hadn’t yet said the words, she knew he would. He had to. She wouldn’t let him not love her.
He finished his story, and the children clamored for another, but he held up his hands as if in surrender. “I’m sorry, children, but I can’t. Not just now. Silas and the others are waiting for me. We’re going on a hunting expedition.”
When there was a chorus of discontent, he said, “You all like roast pork, don’t you?”
The children nodded.
“Well, then.” He stood and brushed the sand from his breeches. “We must get some for you. But we’ll return before nightfall, and then I’ll tell you another story, all right?”
“Yay!” the children shouted.
When he went to Sara’s side, Ann stood up, casting him and Sara an indulgent smile as she motioned to the children to gather around her. “Come, children, let’s go down the beach. I think I saw a turtle’s nest not far from here.”
Sara cast her friend a grateful smile as the children tripped off, leaving Gideon and her alone.
“You’ll be gone all day?” she asked as soon as the children were out of earshot, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice.
He grinned as he came up and drew her into his arms. “You sound like a wife, and we’re not even married yet.”
“Do you mind?”
“Not for one second.” He kissed her soundly, his hands roaming to places they certainly shouldn’t. Not on an open beach, at any rate.
When he drew back, she clung to him, feeling inexplicably reluctant to let him go. It wasn’t as if they normally spent every waking moment together. But for some reason, today she couldn’t bear to part from him. “I could go with you.”
He laughed. “And do what? Load our rifles? Butcher the meat and dress it? Carry it back for us? You’ve got better things to do than trail through the brush with a group of smelly men on the hunt.”
“You know that’s not the reason you don’t want me to go,” she grumbled. “You and the others just want to be free to grunt and scratch yourselves and swig grog without having to worry about what we women will think of you.”
“Now that you mention it?—”
“Oh, go on with you,” she said in a tone of mock disgust, pushing him away. “Just don’t expect to come to bed tonight stinking of grog and pig’s blood.”
“Don’t worry.” He caught her to him. “After half a day of ‘grunting and scratching myself and swigging grog,’ I’ll be more than ready for a bath.” He tugged her blouse out with one finger and peeked inside it wickedly. “And a few other pleasures I can think of.”
“Gideon!” she protested, a blush staining her cheeks. Would she ever get used to his bold behavior?
Probably not, she thought as his eyes darkened and his hand tightened on her waist. She was already trembling in anticipation of his kiss.
“Captain!” shouted a voice from inside the forest. “Are you comin’ or no?”
With a groan, he released her. “Yes, confound it. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” She reached up to kiss his cheek. “Go enjoy yourself. And bring us back a good, fat porker for the wedding feast.”
“That’s my intention, my love,” he said with a smile. Then he turned and strode up the beach toward the trees.
Her heart pounded as she watched him stop to wave, then disappear into the forest.My love.He’d called hermy love. It probably meant nothing, but it gave her hope. Soon he would say more than that. She was sure of it. She could hardly wait until then, so she could say the words back.
