Page 55 of The Pirate Lord
“But she deserves?—”
“That’s the bargain. Take it or leave it.”
“All right. I’ll not say anything to her.”
But that was one promise Petey didn’t intend to keep.
London was never like this, Sara thought as she looked out over the lagoon from the porthole in Barnaby’s cabin. A quiet that was so thick your thoughts were like shouts in the night … smells that tempted the senses instead of offending them … the sky a heavenly blanket of stars unsoiled by the black fog of a thousand households’ smoke.
Best of all, mankind’s influence was scarcely to be seen. How long had it been since she’d seen such a place? Even the countryside of England bore the marks of civilization. There were plenty of wild, unspoiled pockets in the British isles, to be sure, but she never got to see them. Any trip to such a spot would have taken her away from her work, and her work had inevitablycarried her to the filthiest, most cramped corners of London. Until she’d sailed with theChastity,she’d forgotten what it was like to breathe without having smoke or the fumes of horse leavings assault her lungs.
Taking in a deep, satisfying breath, she glanced across the prow. There she spotted the stalwart pirate who stood guard, and all her enjoyment of the island dimmed. The guard was one of several. Gideon hadn’t been foolish enough to let the women stay entirely alone on the ship. Though she doubted she and the others could have sailed theSatyr,they might have tried if given the chance, and Gideon had apparently guessed that.
With a sigh, she turned from the window to stare at the luxurious cabin that was now her prison. At least for the moment. There was no telling what would happen after Gideon made them choose husbands. She refused to choose Petey now that she knew about Ann. But if she didn’t?—
One will be chosen for you.She swallowed hard. What would Gideon do? Assign himself to her as husband? Or was that more of a tie to her than he wished? Sometimes she thought all he wanted was to bed her and be rid of her once it was over. At other times she thought he felt something more, like today when he was comforting her about the snake.
A shudder skittered through her body. That awful snake. And Gideon had faced it so bravely for her.
Now, Sara, you’re thinking of him as a knight errant who wishes to rescue you. He’s not. He’s a very wicked pirate with designs on you, and you must remember that.
A pity that all she could remember was the gentle way he’d cradled her as she’d cried, the warmth of his mouth on hers, the sweet, hot slide of his hand over her breasts…
Stop that!You must put that…that arrogant beast from your mind!
To her sorrow, she just couldn’t.
Then she heard a noise. It was soft, almost like a knock. Surely, she hadn’t heard right. The women were below, and none of the men would knock gently at her cabin. Except Gideon, of course.
She smiled at the absurdity of that notion. If Gideon were to come to her cabin, he’d be pounding on the door.
The sound came again. Curious now, she opened the door only to find Petey standing outside, glancing furtively around the now dark saloon her cabin opened onto.
Unfortunately, across from her cabin was Gideon’s. Jerking Petey inside, she eased the door shut. “Are you mad, Petey? If Gideon finds you here?—”
“He’s not on the ship. He’s in his hut. But I share your worry, miss, believe me. Especially now.”
“Especially now? What do you mean?”
Petey looked grim. “The pirate is payin’ me to leave Atlantis tomorrow with his men. He says I may go where I wish from there, long as I don’t return.” At her stunned look, he added, “I agreed to go, of course. ’Tis the only way to bring your brother back.”
Hope leapt in her breast. “That’s wonderful! You’re leaving! You can bring Jordan to rescue us all!” Then doubt assailed her. “Do you really think you can find your way back? This island has been isolated for centuries.”
“That’s only because it’s off the main trade route.” A fleeting grin touched his lips. “But I been watchin’ the compass and takin’ reckonings of our course ever since we left the Cape Verde Islands. I think I can find it again well enough. I’m sure he don’t expect that a low sailor like me would’ve paid attention, since I told him from the first that I jumped off theChastitybecause I didn’t want to go back to England. I know that’s why he’s lettin’ me go.”
Was it? She chewed on her lower lip worriedly. It didn’t seem right that Gideon would let Petey go so easily. “But this could be some awful trick. What if he has his men take you out somewhere and maroon you?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Or … or even murder you?”
Cocking his head, Petey stared at her with the solemn intensity characteristic of him. “D’ye truly think he would? D’ye think he’s that sort of man?”
The question took her off guard. Was Gideon a killer? Of course he was. He was a pirate, wasn’t he?
Still, her heart couldn’t believe it, not after today. “No, I guess not.” When Petey nodded, she clutched his arms. “But I could be wrong. And if I am?—”
“He won’t kill me. He told me he wouldn’t. And I don’t know why, but I believe him.” He scowled. “But that don’t mean he won’t do other things. Soon as I’m gone, he’ll try to take you for his woman, depend on it. ’Tis the only thing that worries me about leavin’ you.”
It was the only thing that worried Sara as well, but this was no time to think of it. If Petey didn’t go for help, they would all be forced into marriage, and she refused to see that happen. “You mustn’t worry. I can hold my own against Captain Horn. We still have a few days before we choose our husbands, and I may have bought us a few more days today. After all, it will take the pirates time to improve their homes, and perhaps if we continue to balk, Gideon will …”
She hesitated. She could tell from Petey’s expression he didn’t believe a word. “It doesn’t matter anyway. You must go. It’s our only chance.”
