A Pirate's Ransom (15 page)

“I’m sure you could find more interesting ways to pass your idle time until your next mission.” When I uttered the word ‘mission’ I painfully recalled Mister Smith’s words admonishing Edmund to remember the mission on that day we’d picnicked on the deserted island.

The deep, rich laughter that erupted from him shook me. He pulled me shamelessly close. “Do you recall the first time we danced to this song, Catherine?” he whispered against my ear.

All too aware of our spectators, I planted my hand against his chest and attempted to put more space between us. I had no doubt every available woman watched the most handsome man in the room dance with the Duke’s intended. “Have we danced to this song? Pity, but I cannot recall it.” I averted my gaze, focusing instead on the grand staircase before he adeptly swirled me to the beat of the music.

“You are not a convincing liar, Countess.”

“Oh, but you are, Lieutenant.”

“Edmund. Say my name.” He tightened his arms around me.

I could hardly breathe. “You take inappropriate liberties by holding me so closely. I am to be married to the Duke, as you well know, Lieutenant.”

A shadow crossed his face, but was quickly replaced by a look I had come to associate with desire. He lowered his lips to my ear. “I have held you closer. Perhaps you recall the day you soaked my clothes when I lifted you from your bath?”

My cheeks burned. How could I forget? I have relived that moment every night since, re-experiencing sensual sensations ... Wondering what it would have been like if we hadn’t been interrupted, if he could have done to me what I’d witnessed Blackbeard doing to the Contessa. The way that at one point Blackbeard had trailed kisses down the Contessa’s body, then did something I couldn’t see, but could only imagine. The room suddenly grew warm and I grew dizzy with emotion. “I-I have tried to forget it.”

“I cannot forget that or anything else about you.” Edmund’s gaze burned into me and my heart fluttered.
Dare I have a hope? Steel yourself ... you must not falter ... you are not free to think such thoughts.

“You cannot say such things, Lieutenant. Have you forgotten? I am to be married. You must forget me.”

“Nay, Milady, take pity on me for I have tried.”

He swung me toward the veranda door. “Would you care for some fresh air?” he asked, sweeping me out onto the terrace and into the darkness.

The strains of the waltz drifted out through the opened doors just as the light from the room spilled out onto the stone veranda. Taking my hand, he led me toward a darkened corner. Although it was nearly winter, and the night grew cold, a rush of heat flooded me when he drew me into his arms. My heart thundered and I felt my legs were about to give out beneath me. But, before I could react, he lowered his lips to mine.

Lady Catherine

Edmund’s lips covered mine in a possessiveness I didn’t know existed, a possessiveness I only hoped he would have for me. Despite myself, I responded to his kiss. My hand rested over his heart and my other entwined in his hair. His lips devoured mine, revealing a hunger, a need boiling just beneath the surface that seemed barely within control.
Was I dreaming or was this real?
I had wanted this for so long.

The smell of him, soap and leather and man, made me drunk with the same hunger, wanton with the same need. I leaned into him, unable to resist. He ran his hand down my back and drew me up against him. I felt the hardness of his body against mine and my heart skipped a beat. I wanted to be naked in arms once again, but at the back of my mind, I realized that the music had changed. The waltz had ended. The Duke would be looking for me and many eyes had followed us out here.

Drawing on a strength I did not know I possessed, I pulled away from Edmund.

“What are you thinking? You’ll get us both killed,” I whispered. Picking up the lush fabric of my gown, I hurried back into the great hall and made my way to stand beside the Duke.

“Is everything all right, my dear?” he asked, his feeble voice a hair above a whisper.

“Everything is fine, Your Grace. Why do you ask?”

“Your face is flushed and you seem breathless.”

“Please accept my apologies, Your Grace, but it is the dance. I am not accustomed to such lively frivolity.”

My heart stopped when he glanced at the door just in time to see Edmund’s return. “I understand completely, my dear,” the old man murmured.

True to the prediction of the old Duke, I was indeed asked to dance by many a young swain. Not wanting to single Edmund out as my sole partner, I accepted each offer and graced each gentleman with my most brilliant of smiles. As expected, I lightly flirted, appearing to hang attentively on their every word, and when I chanced a glance toward Edmund, I found his dark gaze watching me through hooded eyes. He leaned lazily against the wall with a brooding expression, and I knew from experience his mood was dangerous. Although many attractive women stared hopefully in his direction, he ignored them.

A stab of fear caught in my throat. Did he not understand that if I could see he had eyes for no one else in the room that the gossips would take notice and so too, the Duke? But I had no manner in which to warn him.

After being swirled around the room by my latest devotee, who stepped on my toes at least three times, I was relieved when the music ended and I rejoined the Duke.

“I am delighted to see you having such a wonderful evening, but I grow tired, my dear, and fear I must take my leave.”

I peered closer, noting the lines of fatigue slating across his pale cheeks.

“I apologize, Your Grace, for keeping you so long. Let us get our wraps.”

“No, no, my dear. There is no need for you to miss out on the party. You may stay if you wish.”

“Your Grace, that would be terribly inappropriate. I could not remain here unescorted.”

“Sorry for the intrusion, Your Grace.” Edmund’s deep voice sent a spiral of dread along my spine. “I could not help but overhear your conversation. If you must depart, I would be honored to escort Lady Catherine and return her to her home. I am completely at your disposal.”

What was he thinking? The Duke was no fool.
I tried to warn Edmund with my eyes, but he seemed amused at my efforts. I forced a polite smile. “Thank you, Lieutenant. That’s very kind of you but that won’t be necessary. I shall be leaving together with His Grace.”

“Nonsense, my dear, you should remain here with the young people and enjoy yourself. I trust Lieutenant Drake will be quite the gentleman. Isn’t that correct, Lieutenant?”

Something I didn’t understand passed between the two men and Edmund nodded. “Of course.”

Edmund held out his hand. “Milady, as His Grace has so aptly pointed out, I am a gentleman and have promised to behave as such.”

“I arrived with the Duke, and it is only proper that I should now leave with him,” I answered.

The Duke raised his white bushy eyebrows.

“Lieutenant Drake, please escort Lady Catherine. See to it she has a wonderful and most memorable evening and that she gets home safely.”

“You may count on me, Your Grace,” Edmund replied.

Turning to his valet the Duke said, “Rockford, if you would kindly call for the coach.”

Placing his hand upon my arm, Edmund said, “Milady, I hear the strains of a waltz beginning. Come. Let us enjoy this dance.”

“I find I am tired,” I replied, easing my arm from his grasp.

Placing my hand upon the old Duke’s shoulder, I walked beside him as Rockford pushed the rickety wooden chair, hoping against hope the Duke would rescind his decree and allow me to slip away with him. As we approached the door, I felt Edmund’s warm hand upon my shoulder.

“Milady?” Edmund whispered.

I stood stone still, trying to will myself to move forward.

The Duke raised his eyes to me. His shoulders slumped and his thin skin had a gray pallor to it. He nodded. “Go, my dear. Have a lovely time. I must retire now.”

Once again, I had no choice. “Good evening, Your Grace. Thank you so much for allowing me the honor of accompanying you. I have had a delightful evening.” I bent down and placed a soft kiss upon his wrinkled cheek.

He took my hand into his gnarled grasp. “It is I who have been honored, my dear. Enjoy the remainder of the evening. Edmund, promise me you will take good care of Lady Catherine. She is a very special woman,” the old Duke said as he placed my hand into Edmund’s.

“I shall, Your Grace. You have my vow.”

I watched Rockford secure the heavy blanket over the Duke’s legs and push him out into the lightly falling snow to the waiting coach, leaving me alone with Edmund.

Lady Catherine

“Come, Milady, allow me to escort you back into the hall,” Edmund said, taking hold of my arm and leading me back into the party.

I stiffened my spine and my resolve, which I vowed not to allow him to weaken.

“Would you care for some refreshment, Lady Catherine?”

“No, thank you, Lieutenant.”

“Very well then, would you care to dance?”

“No, thank you.” I held myself rigid.

“Come, let us find a seat,” he said sternly. He held out his arm and, aware of all the envious stares, I accepted and allowed him to guide me toward a plush settee. The location offered a splendid view of the couples whirling around the dance floor. I took a good amount of time straightening my gown and purposely made no eye contact with him, nor did I utter a word. I made certain my skirts took up the entire seat to be sure there would not be sufficient room for him to sit beside me. He said nothing but took his place, standing behind the settee.

No sooner had I gotten comfortable when a young handsome gentleman approached. His honey-colored hair was neatly tied back and his dark eyes twinkled with a suppressed smile. The cut of his coat suggested he had wealth and perhaps even title.

“Good evening, Milady,” he said.

“Good evening,” I said, swallowing nervously as Edmund placed his hand possessively upon my shoulder.

“I am Sir Geoffrey Kent, and I wonder if you would honor me with this dance? That is, of course, if the Lieutenant would not mind.”

Ignoring his reference to Edmund and placing my hand in his, I replied, “It is I who would be honored, Sir Geoffrey.”

I rose and allowed him to whisk me out onto the dance floor. As we moved around the room, I dared a glance toward Edmund and when my eyes met his, I nearly gasped aloud. His green eyes had grown dark and fierce, his jaw tightened, and his hands fisted by his sides. When his gaze met mine, he appeared to relax, though I suspected he did so only for my benefit.

I turned my focus to conversation with Sir Geoffrey. Allowing him my full attention, I laughed at his humorous comments but all too soon the dance came to an end, and he escorted me back to my seat.

“It has been a pleasure to meet you, Sir Geoffrey, and thank you for the dance.”

“The pleasure has truly been mine, Milady. Perhaps you would allow me to dance with you again.”

“Perhaps,” I said in my sweetest voice and graced him with a brilliant smile.

After making brief conversation with Edmund and a few polite exchanges, Sir Geoffrey quickly slipped away.

The strains of another waltz began, and Edmund took my hand. Pulling me to my feet, he took me into his arms and whisked me onto the dance floor.

“Lieutenant, you presume far too much,” I said, fearful my body would betray me again. This wouldn’t do at all. How could others miss this, this energy that seemed to build whenever the two of us drew close?

“Milady?”

“I have no desire to dance with you.”

“Of course not.” He urged me closer into his embrace, and the heat of his strong body melted into mine. The scent of him disarmed my senses, and memories of his kisses flooded me with a rush of liquid lightening. A tingle ran down my spine at the feel of his hand upon my back. I wanted to feel his hands on my naked skin, to feel the tingle of his touch on my breasts, and in my most private places. Struggling, I drew myself out of my fantasy.

“Lieutenant, you hold me far too close and are sure to cause a scandal.”

“Milady, I care little for the gossip of dowagers and spinsters.”

“Aren’t you fearful for your life? The Duke could have you killed.”

“I wouldn’t blame him, either. When Sir Geoffrey held you, I wanted to rip him apart with my bare hands. Why should he get to hold you when I cannot?” He trailed a finger along the edge of my shoulder. “Touch you when I cannot?”

I could hardly breathe. “Lieutenant, you truly are a scoundrel.”

“Every Lady needs a scoundrel in her life.”

His gaze traveled over my bosom. My breasts swelled and the tips hardened under the heat of his stare. I tried to hold myself the proper distance from him, but my body betrayed me as I leaned into his embrace.

His breathing quickened, becoming shallow.

Two can play this game, Edmund.
“What is wrong, Lieutenant?”

“Not a thing, Milady,” he whispered. “Not a thing in the world.”

I ran my hand along the expanse of his shoulder, then brushed my breasts against his chest, drawing my already sensitive tips into peaks.

He seemed to be holding his breath and as he dipped me forward then back, I felt the length of his arousal pressing against his uniform.

I swallowed hard, knowing we were playing a dangerous game, one I couldn’t seem to compel myself to end, but I must. But how when all I could think of was lying naked in his arms, spreading myself as the Contessa had, allowing Edmund to thrust his hardness into me the way ... As another rush of heat washed over me, I knew I had to stop lest we start the place on fire. But I did not want to stop. I wanted to feel the fire burn between us. One glance around the room confirmed my guess that every eye was upon me. I had to get control of this situation. I must say something to distract Edmund and lead him into a conversation.

“L-lovely evening, isn’t it, Lieutenant? You know I just now realized I never had the opportunity to thank you for rescuing me from the auction.” I offered him my most charming smile.

“You are certainly welcome, Milady.” His gaze softened. “Did the black heart ...”

I watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down in swift, sharp motion.

“... hurt you?”

I shook my head. “No. I never feared Captain Teach. He was kind to me.”

A look of relief passed across his face before his features hardened again. “You consider being auctioned off to the highest bidder to be an act of kindness?”

“Certainly not. What I meant to say is that he never ... compromised me in any way.”

“You were lucky, Milady. Rumor has it he passed his wife around among his crew, after which, she mysteriously disappeared.”

The music ended and we stopped, waiting for the next song to begin, both of us oblivious to those around us.

“I spent most of my time with the Contessa and I wonder now what has become of her.”

“She’s quite safe, I assure you.”

“You know, she instructed me”—I leaned slightly closer and whispered against his neck, right below his ear—“in the art of pleasuring a man.” My warm breath sailed along his neck, and goose flesh rose on his skin in its wake.

“Instructed? How?”

I forced back a grin at the hoarse quality of his voice.

“She taught me many, many things,” I cooed. “She actually had me watch her and Captain Teach make love. Have you ever ... watched, Lieutenant?” I asked, soft and slow, just as the Contessa had taught me.

He held me tightly in his arms and seemed to be holding his breath. “Nay,” he replied, his voice a husky whisper.

“She also taught me how to do some amazing things to a man’s body ... with my tongue.” My breath caressed his ear. “You must allow me to tell you of them sometime.”

I was behaving scandalously, but I couldn’t help myself. His body stiffened, and I knew my words were having the effect I desired.

He smiled then and whispered against my ear, “Milady, I must warn you, should you continue along this path, I may ravish you right here on this dance floor.”

“Whatever are you talking about, Lieutenant?” I whispered. The band started playing another waltz, and the hand he had rested upon my waist slid slightly upward, where his knuckles brushed the edge of my breast. I couldn’t hold in the gasp of unexpected pleasure.

“Lieutenant, need I remind you of your vow to the Duke that you would behave as a gentleman?” I whispered.

He said nothing, but only smiled.

Before I realized it, he swirled us toward an archway, then grasped my hand and strode purposefully down a dimly lit hallway away from the crowded ballroom. Many oak doors lined the hallway and shoving one of them open, he dragged me into a darkened room and closed the door behind us. Without a word, he planted my back against the heavy wooden door. His lips found mine in a desperate, urgent kiss. Leaning his body against mine, he held me there as one of his hands cupped my breast. My heart thundered and damp heat rushed to my core. My blood pounded in my ears, and I was breathless from the passion in his kiss. My arms wound around his neck, and I clung to him as his urgency also became mine. Lifting my skirts, he ran his hand up my thigh. He moved aside my undergarments and his fingers found the center of my womanhood. I gasped when he slid one into me. I felt my body clamp around him, felt my moisture on his finger as he withdrew, then entered me again. Although I had seen this when watching the Contessa, I had no idea how wonderful it would feel. And I wanted more. I moved my hips to draw his fingers deeper into my aching wetness. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to feel the length of him inside me and I was ablaze with desire for him.

My hands burned to touch his flesh and with frantic fingers I unbuttoned first his coat and then his shirt.

Pushing the material of my bodice aside, he freed my breast. I thought I would burst when he teased my nipple with his fingers. Dragging his lips from mine, he bent his head and drew my erect nipple slowly into his mouth as he continued to torment me beneath my skirt.

“Edmund,” I whispered in a hoarse voice I didn’t even recognize.

He did not answer me, but moved his mouth back to mine, and my tongue danced with his. I ran my hand down his hard chest, down along his flat stomach, until my fingers caressed the hardness of him.

A moan escaped him as I rubbed him through the material of his trousers.

“Catherine, my love,” he whispered, pulling his lips away from mine, “I want you right here, right now.”

My lips found his chest, and I circled my tongue around his nipple even as my fingers continued to caress his hard shaft. A groaned came from deep within him as I sucked his nipple into my mouth ... slowly.

His fingers moved faster as they rubbed against my wetness, and my hips moved in time with his touch. I pressed myself wantonly against his palm as an unfamiliar pressure built inside of me. I became frantic with a need ... a need to feel him fill me ... to end the sweet torment.

My breathing grew as rapid as his, but when I was finally able to unfasten his trousers, freeing his swollen manhood and taking it into my hand, a fierce growl rumbled from his chest.

He went rigid and stilled his fingers, and I knew he was struggling for control. Not wanting him to find it, I stroked his erection. The Contessa’s instructions raced through my mind, and I drew my lips down from his nipple and allowed my tongue to leave a wet trail down to his navel. I delighted in the exploration of his taut, muscular body. But when my wet tongue ran up the length of his erect shaft, his breath caught in his throat.

I slowly drew the tip of his hardness into my warm, wet mouth, sucking slowly as my hand continued to massage the length of him.

“Good God, woman,” he whispered.

His body trembled as I continued to run my tongue slowly over the head. Letting the tip of my tongue slip over the opening, I flirted with the first salty taste of his essence that appeared in a tiny shimmering drop. A fierce growl erupted from him as he grabbed me and lifted, forcing me to release his throbbing shaft, he pinned me against the door and brought his lips to mine. With one hand under my bum, he lifted me and held me to him. I drew my legs up around his waist and prepared to receive his manhood.

“Edmund, please,” I whispered, trembling with need as I clung to his shoulders.

With his other hand, he guided his hard shaft toward me and rubbed up against my slick wetness. When he deliberately ran it across my throbbing pearl, I nearly exploded.

“Catherine, my love. I fear I cannot stop,” he whispered into his kiss.

“Edmund, I do not want you to stop.”

“Are you certain?”

I moved my hips, causing my soft wet womanhood to glide over the tip of his hardness.

He growled through gritted teeth and guided his shaft into me.

I clung to his shoulders, drunk with the sensation of my nipples rubbing against his hard, naked chest, his tongue dancing with mine, his warm hand upon my bottom, the thickness of his hard manhood easing into me.

After a brief stab of pain, I drove my hips forward to meet his. I reveled in the sensation of the length of him filling me. He moved slowly, and I met his every thrust. I thought I would burst in a flood of release when his fingers found my tender and throbbing bud.

Nothing existed for me at that moment ... nothing but Edmund and the fire burning between us. His pace quickened as did the pressure of his fingers against my swollen pearl. Panting for breath, my heart thundering, my body shaking, he drove himself deep in one final thrust and I felt his release explode deep inside of me, pushing me over the edge. I could hold back no longer. I came crashing down into the pool of my own release. And I cried out when that release came. Waves of sheer ecstasy washed over me, and I was drowning in a flood of pleasure I never wanted to be rescued from.

He clutched me to him. “Catherine, I ...”

I gazed up at him through hooded eyes, lazy with the afterglow of being ravished.

“Yes, Edmund?”

“I ... I didn’t want the first time between us to be like this. I wanted it to be perfect.”

“It was perfect.”

“I promise you, the next time it shall be. I want to taste every inch of your glorious body. Catherine, I-”

“Lieutenant Drake?” a man’s voice called from somewhere down the hallway, followed by the faint sound of a knock, and footsteps drawing closer to the door indicated his approach.