Page 72 of The Pirate Lord
“Barnaby will be in charge of making assignments concerning the rebuilding, and Silas will oversee the unloading of the sloop. As for the women, I’ll consult with Miss Willis on how they can help. That’s all. You’re dismissed.”
As he climbed down the steps to the deck, he looked for Sara, but she was surrounded by women asking her questions. Then he spotted Barnaby making for him, a scowl on his face. Gideon waited for his first mate to reach him.
“What in bloody hell is going on with you?” Barnaby said, with more than his usual impertinence. “First you agree to send half the men off for supplies, and now you postpone the weddings. I say we just marry the women and get the bloody thing over with, then think about building houses!”
“Yes, and we both know the extent of your experience with women,” Gideon retorted. “You bed them and toss them aside. Well, you can treat mistresses that way, Barnaby, but you can’t do that with wives.”
“And since when do you know how to treat a wife? When was the last time you had even a mistress for more than a month?”
“It’s true, I know.” Gideon looked past Barnaby to where Sara stood, her hair shining in the morning sun like ribbons of fire. “But that’s something I intend to remedy.”
Barnaby followed his gaze with a scowl. “I knew it. It’s that woman again. She’s gotten to you.” When Gideon didn’t answer,Barnaby added, “Is that who you plan to marry? Do you truly think that stiff-necked prude will choose you?”
Gideon suppressed a smile at Barnaby’s none-too-apt description of Sara. “Given time, she’ll choose me. You can be certain of that.”
“Ah, so that’s what this is all about. You’re giving yourself time to court ‘milady.’ I suppose that means the rest of us can forget about her.”
He shot Barnaby an assessing glance. “Didn’t you just dismiss her as a ‘stiff-necked prude’?”
“Some menlikeprudes, you know.”
Gideon saw red. “Not if I can help it. You let the men know that Sara Willis is mine. None of them are allowed to even kiss her cheek, understand?”
Barnaby held up his hands in surrender. “Of course, captain. Don’t worry. Nobody is fool enough to try to steal your woman.”
Your woman.He liked the sound of that. “Good. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I wish to have a word with ‘my woman.’”
With that, he left Barnaby’s side and strolled over to where Sara stood speaking with Louisa.
“Louisa, would you leave us, please?” he said when the two women turned to look at him. “I need to speak to Sara alone.”
“Certainly,” Louisa muttered, though he noticed she kept her eyes on him as she moved out of earshot.
He scowled at her until she hastened off down the deck. Then he turned his attention to Sara. “That woman never lets you out of her sight. What is she, your protector?”
“She just worries about me, that’s all.”
“Well, she needn’t worry about you anymore. I’m looking out for you now.”
A soft smile transformed Sara’s face. “Yes, I can see that. Truly, Gideon, it was so kind of you to give us more time. You won’t regret it. It will be better for everyone. You’ll see.”
He stared at her intently. “For you, too?”
She blushed. “Yes, of course.” She glanced away, touching her fingers to the locket she always wore. “There’s something I must discuss with you, Gideon. I . . . that is . . . what happened last night . . . I don’t think it should be repeated.”
“You mean, the fire?” he asked, deliberately being obtuse. He couldn’t believe she was saying this to him, especially after his grand gesture!
Her gaze shot back to his. “You know quite well I’m not talking about the fire. I mean, us sharing a bed. It’s not proper for?—”
“It’s a little late to be concerned about proprieties, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps. But I still think we shouldn’t . . . repeat last night.” When he cast her a look of complete incredulity, she hastened to add, “If we’re to consider marrying, then we need to know each other better, and I don’t mean in bed. I can’t think straight when you’re making love to me?—”
“Good.”
“It’snotgood. Marriage is a lifetime decision. I want to make it with a clear mind.”
“I can clear your mind,” he growled and reached for her.
