Page 86 of The Pirate Lord
“Condition?”
“That you leave with me.”
Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. She should have anticipated this. Jordan had always been willing to do whatever it took to protect her, even if it meant this sort of wretched blackmail.
“Keep in mind,” he added when he saw her expression, “that my men have orders to attack unless I return to theDefiantby noon. I’m not leaving until you leave with me, even if it means watching the destruction from here on the island.”
A chill shook her. “Jordan, don’t ask this of me. There are some women here who want to leave, and you should take them, to be sure, but as for me?—”
“You’re the only one I care about, Sara. I’m not leaving here without you.”
“I don’twantto leave! Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?”
“Yes. But I don’t think you mean what you say.” His voice turned placating. “Soldiers know of this phenomenon. It happens all the time to men in captivity. While they’re cut off from society, they lose their perspective and begin to understand and trust their captors. After they’re rescued, however, they realize they weren’t in their right minds at the time.”
Not in their right minds, indeed! “Oh, how can I make you see? Iamin my right mind. I know what I’m doing.”
“Then prove it to me. Come with me to England, Sara. Leave these scoundrels to their colony.” He planted his hands on his hips. “If after a few weeks, you feel the same way you do now, I’ll bring you back.”
“No, you won’t. I know you, Jordan. Even when you’ve been proven wrong, you don’t acknowledge it. You’ll take me from here and then make excuses about why you can’t bring me back.” She fixed him with a pleading gaze. “If you force me to leave here with you, it’ll destroy me, do you hear? I’ll hate you for it. I promise you that.”
Her words made him flinch, but only for a second. Then his face resumed its implacable expression. “Better you hate me now, than live to regret staying here. If you don’t come with me, I promise I’ll take every one of those pirates prisoner and bring them back to England, and the women with them. I have enough men and arms to do it.”
She shuddered at the thought of what havoc his men and arms might wreak on the island. How could she stop him, make him see that she knew what she was doing?
Suddenly, the sound of branches crunching underfoot made them both start. Petey approached them through the trees, tugging Ann along with him.
“There you are,” Jordan growled. “It’s about time. We have to leave.”
Petey glanced at Ann, then squared his shoulders. “We’re stayin’ here, Ann and me. We’re not goin’ back to England with you, guv’nor.”
Jordan clenched his fists. “Have you all gone mad? What did this pirate do, cast a spell over you?”
“I can’t go back to England, milord,” Ann whispered, looking a little in awe of Jordan. “They’ll just send me off to New South Wales again. Or else I’ll have to spend the rest of my days runnin’ from the magistrate. And Petey don’t want to risk it.” She cast her love a shy smile. “He’d rather stay here with me than go off to England without me.”
“Look here, Miss Morris,” Jordan said, “I’m sure I can speak to a few people and ensure you don’t have to suffer transportation again.”
“It ain’t just that, my lord,” Petey broke in. “It’s . . . well, this is a right nice place. I was only here a day the last time, but it was long enough to see that it would make a pleasant home. I got nothin’ waitin’ back in England for me. Tommy don’t need me. He’s got his own family. It would take me years of sailin’ to makeenough blunt to buy even a little cottage, and I’d be separated from Ann a good bit of the time. But here, if I don’t mind some hard work, I can have everythin’ I want.” He gazed adoringly down at Ann. “Everythin’.”
“And what do you think that pirate captain will do when he discovers you here after we’re gone?” Jordan bit out.
Petey’s eyes went round. “Truly, my lord, I don’t know. But he’s a man of reason. Once I explain as how I had to do my duty by Miss Willis an’ all, he’ll understand.”
Sara wasn’t so sure of that, but had no desire to dampen Petey’s enthusiasm. “You see what I mean?” she snapped at Jordan. “Even your servant doesn’t want to leave Atlantis.”
“Atlantis.” Jordan snorted. “What a name for a pirate’s den. The Greeks would turn over in their graves.” He glared at Petey. “Stay here then. I only hope you live past morning to enjoy it.”
He turned to his stepsister. “Butyou, my dear, are coming with me. Or I swear I’ll hunt that deuced pirate captain down and sever his charming head from his treacherous body!”
She studied her stepbrother’s face with a sinking heart. He really meant it. If she didn’t get him away from here, he’d kill Gideon or take him prisoner, which would be as good as killing him. Not to mention what Jordan’s men might do to the island and its inhabitants.
“If I go with you, will you swear to leave without harming anyone? And will you swear not to tell a soul about this place?” It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances. Bringing Petey here had been like opening Pandora’s box, and she couldn’t reverse the damage completely.
“I can’t prevent my men from revealing the location of the island,” he growled.
She glared at him. “If the Earl of Blackmore can’t do it, then I don’t know who can.”
“Sara, you try my patience?—”
