Love's Abyss (St. John Series) (8 page)

“I am not one of
those
women!” she screamed at him, her emerald eyes glowing with rage as she walked closer to him and pointed her long delicate finger at him.

He stood up, his tall frame towering over her. He gently picked up a locket of her hair. “So how much do you charge?”

The words had barely cleared his lips before he felt the sting of her backhanded slap on his face. “How dare you,” she said through bared teeth. “I’ll have you know my father is a very important . . .”

She stopped and looked at him. A smart-aleck smile had cross his face. She had done exactly what he wanted her to. But it wasn’t what she said that made him realize who she was; it was her eyes, her mother’s eyes.

“St. John,” he stated. She was the daughter of his father’s best friend. Now he knew she definitely needed protecting, for her father. “Madison St. John, the daughter of the Earl and wealthy merchant, Lord Robert St. John.”

“Ooooo!” she huffed and stomped back over to the loveseat and plopped down, placing her still bound hands in her lap. To avoid his gaze, she turned sideways and she focused her eyes on the large table. Then she saw them, the scissors Kris had left on the table. Another idea crossed her mind. She glared at the pirate before her. “Ooooo! Quit looking at me!” she yelled again, in an attempt to look mad. She stood up and walked over to the table.  Placing her hands on it, she carefully slipped the scissors into her hands and cut the rope.

“What are you doing over there?” questioned Alex. He walked to the table, but before he reached her, she turned around. Her hands were now unbound, and she pointed the scissors at him.

“Get back!” she yelled.

He drew his brows together. “Where did you get those?” he sighed. “Kris left them on the table.”

About that time Max walked through the door “Alex I was thinking . . .” He looked at the scene before him. His laughter echoed throughout the large room. “Oh, this is too funny! As well as an interesting turn of events.”

Madison turned towards the dark man before her. His long, black hair was almost touching his shoulders. There was humor in his black eyes and a grin on his well-groomed bearded face. She looked at him strangely. He resembled her father. She shook the thought from her head and pointed the scissors directly between the two pirates. “Take me back!”

“Max, allow me to introduce you to the Commodore’s fiancée,” Alex told his friend.

“You’re kidding me, right?” Max asked seriously, the smile gone from his face, but the humor still evident in his eyes.

“Ah, I see you realize the danger of taking me. Now take me back!” Madison ordered.

“Max? Where are you? ” questioned the voice from the hall. “Oh, there you are,” Kris said as she bound into the room. “I’ve see you’ve met Madison,” she said with excitement in her voice. “We have become fast friends. Oh, Madison put down those scissors. This is my husband. He will not harm you.”

“Kris, stop,” Madison said. “I . . .”

A look of warning crossed Kris’s face as she slowly put her hand on the cutlass around her waist. “You’ll what?”

“I just want to go back to
The
Armada
.” Despite the Spanish lady being a pirate and her ceaseless talking, Madison liked her.

“It’s been a long trying day,” Kris said with exhaustion in her voice, “I’ve had to cook in a battle with
The Abyss
going up and down in the waves, visit with my new friend, mend the crew. Come, my lover,” she stated looking at Max thorough come-and-get-me eyes. “Alex and Madison can discuss this business while I take care of you,” she purred.

A look of shock crossed Madison’s face.
Is she serious? How can anyone change subjects so quickly
? Madison just stood there looking at Kris batting her eyes at the dark man before her. Alex took advantage of the distraction, quickly crossed the room, and wedged the scissors from Madison’s hands. He turned towards the two lovers. “Take it to the other room, please.”

A girlish radiance spanned Kris’s expression as she grabbed Max’s hand. “Okay . . . 
Adios,
” she said excitedly as she pulled Max out of the room. Max’s laughter echoed down the hall.

“Have fun, Alex,” he heard Max exclaim with sarcasm in his voice.

Alex opened a cabinet. It was full of weaponry of all sorts. He placed the scissors in the cabinet and locked it. He turned towards the door, slid a heavy bar down and locked it as well.

He strode back to the chair by the window and peered out at the setting sun. Kris was right. It had been a trying day. He looked back over at the dazed beauty standing by the table. What to do with her?

Chapter Nine

The Triton
cautiously approached the burning ship, guns ready to fire. The crew lined the deck with swords drawn and pistols readied. The Governor and his guests were below deck. Elizabeth was pacing the floor like a caged animal. “I can’t take it anymore!” she informed her husband and the Governor as she burst out the door and ran to the deck.

“Elizabeth!” Robert shouted and chased after her.

He found her, standing against the railing, her tiny hand over her mouth.

“Dear, God!” Robert exclaimed, as his eyes took in the smoldering masts of
The Armada
.

When
The
Triton
was close enough to
The
Armada,
the crew boarded her. They found the Commodore, still unconscious, his crew bound and gagged behind him. Robert and the Governor crossed to the damaged ship; Elizabeth watched from the safety of
The Triton
.

Robert walked hurriedly to the Commodore while
The
Triton’s
crew untied
The
Armada’s
crew. “Commodore?” he said while turning him over.

Andrew moaned slightly. His eyes gradually opened. Robert gazed at his soon-to-be son-in-law’s face. “Madison?” Andrew managed to muster.

“Where is she?” Robert questioned as he searched around the deck of ship. “Andrew, where is my daughter?!”

“They . . . they took her.”

A sense of rage came over the distinguished looking merchant. He clenched his jaw and a vessel in his head throbbed.

“Who?” questioned the Governor.

“Pirates . . . Al . . . Alex . . . Alexander Xavier,” the Commodore managed to say with difficulty.

Robert looked towards his wife. He had a look of horror on his face, and as soon as his wife saw his expression, she fainted.

The Governor stood up and walked slowly to the bow. He looked at the image of the ship sailing quickly off in the distance. With a worry only a parent could have, he whispered, “Oh, Nicholas, what have you done?”

Later that day, people gathered around the docks at Governor’s Harbour as
The
Triton
pulled into port towing
The
Armada
, her sails still smoldering. Rumors spread as rampant as the plague throughout the port city. Some said it was mutiny aboard
The
Armada
, others said it was a cooking fire, others said it was pirates. Whatever the reasons, people were still curious as to what actually happened to the passenger onboard. Lord St. John’s daughter left on the ship, but it returned without her.

In the Captain’s quarters aboard
The
Triton
, Elizabeth sat in a large leather chair, staring blankly out the window, still in shock. Robert paced the floor demanding immediate retaliation. The Governor said nothing.

The Governor watched as the crew removed the injured Commodore from
The
Triton
. He needed immediate medical attention from his injuries. He had a dislocated shoulder, multiple broken ribs, a broken nose, both eyes were swollen shut, the left side of his jaw had tripled in size and he was missing four teeth. Jonathan closed his eyes. Why had his son done this? What had the Commodore done to deserve such a horrific beating? Why had Nicholas taken Madison?

He looked at his friend and then to Elizabeth. Her mournful look and tears made his heart break. He wanted to tell them who had their daughter, and he was positive she was safe.  But he knew that would be disastrous for not only his son, but for his wife as well.

Robert’s fist hit the table with such force it jolted Jonathan from his thoughts. “We must go after Madison. NOW!” he insisted. “When I get my hands on that bloody pirate, I will kill him! We must take immediate action before he gets too far gone with my daughter!”

Jonathan looked at his friend. “Now, Robert, we must think logically— ”

“This is the time for action, not talking!”

“We need to investigate, find out where he’s heading. You can’t just patrol the seas without knowing where he might take her. That would waste valuable time and resources,” Jonathan insisted, hoping to persuade his friend not to go after his son.

Robert looked at his friend with anger in his black eyes, but he knew Jonathan was right.

“I’ll speak with the lieutenant. Maybe he knows where to start looking. Don’t worry, Robert. I’m positive she’s fine. She’s an intelligent, resourceful young lady. She will be able to handle herself in any situation,” the Governor assured his worried friend, all the time hoping that he was right.

Chapter Ten

Madison awoke the next morning with a crick in her neck. She had fallen asleep on the loveseat. She refused to sleep on the pile of blankets in a corner like an animal. The sunrise was beginning to shine through the stained glass window in the Captain’s room. She heard the covers rustle in the bed and she gritted her teeth. He had the audacity to sleep naked with her in the room no less! As she sat up, her dress twisted tightly around her waist. She was terribly uncomfortable in the lovely mint dress. She lowered her long legs to the floor and sat the rest of the way up. As she glanced at the bed, she realized that he was still asleep.

She stood up and tiptoed towards the door. As her hand reached for the lock a deep voice came from the bed, “That wouldn’t be a wise decision on your part.”

She turned towards him. As he sat up, the covers fell to his waist, leaving his muscular chest exposed to her. He stretched sleepily, made a grimace, and placed his right hand on his injured shoulder.

“You might want to cover those up,” he informed her as he pointed towards her dress.

She looked down. Her breasts were barely covered by the pale green material of her dress. “Ooooo,” she growled, turned her back to him and pulled her dress up.

She heard his feet hit the floor. “You are so rude!” she informed the arrogant pirate.

“Me? I’m not the one walking around with my body parts exposed.”

“No?” she questioned. “You sleep unclothed. How much more rude can you be, especially in the presence of the opposite sex.”

A mischievous smile ran across his face. “What do you know of sex?”

She turned quickly towards him. “That’s not what I mean.” She quickly turned around again after she realized he was still naked. Her checks burned as they turned red. “Ooooo! Do you mind?”

“What?” he questioned with fake naiveté in his voice.

“You know
what
! Put some clothes on, you rude barbarian!”

“Barbarian? Hmm. I’ve never been called that one before,” he teased as he walked over to the wardrobe. She could hear the shuffling of clothing as he dressed. “You may now turn around, Angel.”

“Angel?”

“Ah, yes. I’ve come to the conclusion that you are the only . . . uhhh . . . pure soul upon this ship. Besides, I don’t remember your name,” he lied.

“It’s
Lady Madison St. John
to you!” she told him as she turned his direction. He was sitting on the loveseat pulling on his boots, his shirt unlaced.

There was a faint knock on the door. “Breakfast,” sang Kris.

Alex stood up and stretched again. He walked over to the door. His trousers were sitting low on his waist, allowing his hip bones to be exposed. His chest was well defined with muscles. A patch of dark blond hair ran from his chest and disappeared into the top of his trousers.  Madison watched him through narrowed eyes. He was a handsome specimen, even for a pirate.

He knew she was watching him.
Probably never seen a man unclothed before
. Out of spite, he winked at her. She let out a disgusted grunt and turned her back to him. “You’re standing in front of the door, Angel.”

“My name is Lady Madison St. John,” she reminded him.

“I know. Move,” he said as he placed his strong large hands around her tiny waist. He picked her up and placed her several feet from the door. “Be a good girl and don’t move, or try to kill me with something.” He unlocked the door keeping one eye upon her.

Kris burst into the room in her usually chipper form. “Breakfast,” she sang again. She held a tray above her head. She walked over to the table, took one hand and pushed the papers to the side, and placed the tray down. “Be careful, it’s hot,” she warned as she smiled.

She spied Madison standing to the side.

“Oh, Madison! You need some clothes. Please forgive me for not bringing any to you last night. I was . . . ahhh . . . slightly distracted,” she explained with an impish grin.

“Please spare us the details,” Alex replied grumpily.

“You’re in a testy mood this morning, Captain.”

Alex scratched the back of his head and rubbed his neck. “Do you have some place you need to be?”

“Oh, yes! I’ll bring you your clothes later this morning,” she shouted over her shoulder as she headed out the door. “We’ll talk later, Madison.”

Alex walked to the table and lifted the lid off the plates on the tray. Kris had outdone herself with breakfast this morning he realized as he gazed at the feast before him. He looked at the redhead before him. She must be hungry. She didn’t eat anything last night. As if on cue her stomached growled. He raised one brow. “Hungry?”

“No,” she said and turned a cold shoulder to him.

“Good, more for me.”

Truth be told she was starving. She hadn’t eaten anything since her crumpet yesterday morning. She had been saving her appetite for a romantic dinner with Andrew. Her stomach growled again. She was beginning to get weak from the lack of nourishment. The smell of bacon and tea invaded her senses and her mouth watered. Her stomach growled again. Alex looked at her, took a slow breath, and slid a plate her way. “Eat.”

She sat down cautiously at the table and picked up a slice of bacon. She dare not let him see how hungry she was; it would show weakness. They ate in silence, neither talking to each other. He pretended to ignore her by picking up a letter to read. His eyes rolled as he watched her, keeping up the proper appearance by using restraint in eating. He didn’t understand why the wealthy acted like eating was a chore, instead of enjoying the delightful tastes of the food presented to them. He watched her fingers slowly pick up each slice, inching closer to the butter knife. As her fingers wrapped around the handle, his hand slammed down on top of hers. The electrifying feel of his hand on hers was a feeling he had never experienced before. They both paused for a moment.

“Caught ya,” he said.

She quickly jerked her hand back and glared at him. He gathered the eating utensils and tossed them out the door. He then turned towards her wondering if she felt it too.
Clear your head, Alex. You’ve been at sea too long. You’re just craving the warmth of a woman’s body right now, that’s all.
He quickly tucked his shirt down into his trousers and headed towards the door. “Behave yourself,” he warned Madison as he headed out the door and locked it.

She studied him, trying to figure him out. Where did he come from? His accent was something she hadn’t heard before. There was a slight British tone to it. It was very refined and eloquent, but it wasn’t British. He spoke too articulately for a barbarous pirate. Was he a mutinous member of European nobility? She couldn’t quite place his origins.

As she walked around the room, her gaze went to the large table. She picked up various sheets of paper studying each, not paying attention to what each one had on them, trying to figure out how to escape. The last page she picked up had the familiar seal of the Governor’s. She quickly started looking at the sheets on the table. It was shipping records of her father and the Governor’s vessels. He must be planning on attacking them, she realized, why else would he be in possession of these? But how did he get them? The Governor’s son took care of this business.

A thought crossed her mind.
He attacked the Governor’s son and stole these
. Her eyes grew wide. She must tell her father and the Governor. But how? She needed to escape. The pirate ship must dock to gather supplies; she’d escape then, find the authorities, and notify them of what he has done. Feeling rather smug with her detective work, she picked up a book, walked over to the large leather chair at the window, and began to read.

“Patience,” she said aloud to herself. “That’s all I need. I’ll be back in Andrew’s arms before you know it.”

As Madison sat in the chair, she realized how truly uncomfortable this dress was. It never felt this way before, probably because she had never worn it overnight. She put her hands behind her and loosened the pink sash, but that didn’t help. As she was contemplating on what to do, the door opened.

“Madison. Madison? Oh, there you are,” Kris said. “Here, a present for my new friend.”

Madison looked down at the gift presented to her. “Oh, Kris, I couldn’t.”

“Think nothing of it. Besides I’m too short to wear them anyway.”

Madison picked up the articles of clothing presented to her. She looked slowly up at Kris “It’s trousers,” she stated bluntly.

“Well, of course, I thought I explained it to you yesterday.” She took a deep breath and spoke in Spanish. “The dress wraps around your head and you look like a big burrito!”

Madison laughed. It was the first time she’d truly laughed since the beginning of this encounter. “A burrito?”

“Yes, a giant green burrito . . . hey wait . . . you understand me . . . Spanish, I mean?”

Madison looked sheepish. “Yes.”

“
Hurra
! Now I have someone to speak with when I want to talk about Max and not have him understand me. Tell me, do you know other languages?”

Madison was reluctant to let her know, but the pleading in the pretty Spanish lady’s eyes could not be resisted. “Spanish and French.”

“French? Why would you want to speak French? But on the upside you can understand Pierre. No one understands him,” Kris informed her with a flip of her wrist. “Now, put these on.” She snatched the clothing out of Madison’s hands and held it up to her.

“I’m grateful for the gift, but it’s not proper to wear trousers.”

“Fooey! Propriety has no use on a ship. Practicality is what is needed. Dresses aren’t practical, trousers are.” Kris tossed the crisp white shirt over her shoulder and darted behind Madison. “Stand still.”

“Stop,” Madison said as she turned away from Kris.

“Hold still,” Kris declared as they turned in circles, untying Madison’s dress.

Before Madison knew it, her dress fell to the floor, and she was standing in the middle of the room wearing nothing but her silk undergarments.

Kris turned her head to the side. “Those have got to go, too,” she said, pointing to the leggings Madison was wearing.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” Madison protested as she turned to face Kris. She pointed her long delicate finger at her. “I’ll keep these on, thank you very much.”

“Practicality,” Kris reminded the proper Madison.

“I don’t care.”

“You will when you’re bound up. Those fluffy leggings will never go down the legs of these trousers. Besides,” she said with a twinkle in her voice, “you’re practically naked in those sheer things anyway.”

“I don’t care,” Madison repeated adamantly.

Just then Alex entered his quarters to retrieve his spyglass. The sight in his room even shocked him. There stood Kris pointing her finger, and Madison standing in her sheer silk undergarments. “Did I interrupt something?” he asked, as he took in Madison. Nothing was left to the imagination. He could see every outline, every curve, and every aspect of her young body.

“Get out! I’m not dressed!” Madison screamed as she took her hands and tried to cover her body.

“I believe you’re in my quarters, so I will only leave when I’m damned well ready.” He couldn’t remove his eyes from her luscious figure. She was breathtaking.

Madison quickly ripped the shirt off Kris’s shoulders and wrapped it around her, “Do you mind, you uncouth pig!”

“No, I don’t mind at all.”

“Go to hell!” she yelled at him.

Kris giggled.

“What are you doing in here, Kris?” questioned the Captain.

“I was helping her change.”

“Make it quick and then get back to work.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” she answered with sarcasm in her voice. His eyes shot daggers at her. Kris just smiled and stuck her tongue out at him. She only teased him in private. She would never disrespect him in public, and they both knew it.

“Hurry up,” he told the sassy cook and left.

“That man is irritating,” Madison fumed at Kris.

“The Captain? Oh, he’s a big ole pussycat, just like Max. If you rub them the right way, you can get away with anything.” Madison looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “Trust me, I know—well with Max anyway—the Captain, not so sure, but since he and Max are friends, I’ll assume the same of him, too.”

“You’re not right,” Madison stated boldly.

“Never said I was, did I?” Kris replied, with a big toothy grin on her face. She held up the trousers by the waist. “I suggest you put these on before he comes back. Not that it matters, he’s basically seen you naked anyway. Those things you have on are pointless. I mean you can see right through them. Look, I can see your nipples. They’re perfect for a honeymoon,” the cook babbled on with a mischievous expression. “Give him a tease through the sheerness, slowly taking off your clothing, getting your man all excited . . . mmmmm.” a dreamy expression came over her face.

Madison raised her brows at the rather vivacious cook. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be having this discussion with me. It’s not proper.”

Kris drew her brows together. “You know, you speak an awful lot about being proper. Yet here you are, on board a pirate ship, slept all night in a room
alone
with the Captain, and now here you stand practically naked in the middle of his bedroom. Kind of hypocritical, isn’t it?”