Saved by My Blackguard (Linked Across Time Book 1) (3 page)

“Keep moving,” Abby urged.

A blast hit the hull of the ship lurching her forward. Her knees hit the deck hard and took the brunt of her fall. She would have bruises all over her body before this day was done. She scrambled back to her feet feeling her way toward the entrance to get below deck and the safety of her cabin. The cannons fired again and another explosion rocked the hull. Vibrations rolled across her fingers as she moved against the side of the ship.

“Hurry. For the love of God, make haste. We’re going to die at this slow pace.” Her maid’s voice was filled with terror. “Why did I let the earl talk me into joining you on this voyage back to England? I’d be safe in my bed on the island if not for you.”

A part of Evelyn knew Abby didn’t like her. This was all the confirmation she needed. “If I am such a burden you can leave me alone.”

She’d probably be better off without her maid tagging along behind her, spying on her. She didn’t doubt Abby would report her every move back to her father. Soon he would have no control over her life. A new man would have that honor. She had only met the duke once when she was a small girl. He’d seemed so foreboding then, but not unkind. Evelyn hoped her original assessment wasn’t wrong. It was easy to fool a girl, but as a woman she would see through any façade he presented her. Under her father’s tutelage she’d been trained for any possibility. She’d had to grow strong and able to withstand anything because of his unruly temper and exact expectations.

Abby stuck her chin in the air defiantly. “Good riddance too. I’m sure the pirates will find you lovely.”

She scooted past Evelyn and headed down to the cabin. It took every bit of strength she had to fight back the tears threatening to fall. Abby had the right of it. Good riddance to her spy and task master. Her life would be inherently easier without having to deal with the maid dictating to her in her father’s absence. Maybe the pirates would be a better choice.

“Prepare to be boarded,” a pirate called out.

The pounding of feet on the deck filled her ears. Shouts and screams joined the bombardment of noise. Strange men shifted from one side of the ship to the other as they fought for control. The pirates filled the ship and before long they seized power of the vessel. Evelyn wanted to crawl into a hole and seek cover, but the time for hiding had passed.

“What do we have here?”

A husky voice as rich as the Scottish whisky her father preferred filled her ears. Something she shouldn’t know much about, but out of curiosity she’d sneaked a taste or two of the amber liquor. Evelyn looked up and stared straight into eyes the exact shade of the Caribbean Sea. The pirate’s golden-blond hair shimmered in the sunlight. He was perhaps one of the most beautiful men she’d ever gazed upon. She’d heard pirates were a dirty lot, but this one was surely a different breed altogether.

“Who are you?”

He studied her for a moment and then his lips tilted into a wicked smile. It made him intrinsically more appealing. The sexy beast was too gorgeous for his own good. He would be devastating to the female population if he were unleashed upon them.

“Captain Jack Morgan at your service.” He bowed to her. “Percy, come help the Lady board the Siren Song. She’s going to join our crew as my mistress.”

“But Capt…” The pirate stammered.

“Are you refusing to follow a direct order?” Captain Morgan glared at him.

“No, Captain.” He bowed his head in submission. He leaned in and said with a loud whisper, “Women are a curse on board a ship.”

“I don’t bow down to superstition. This woman is mine and I intend to keep her.” The captain waved a hand dismissing the other pirate. “Now, do what I ordered.”

Evelyn turned her head back and forth between the two. Did the pirate captain say she was going to be his mistress? Over her dead body… She was meant to be a duchess and she’d be damned if she let that man lay a hand on her. He might be astoundingly striking, but her father hadn’t raised a fool.

“I am no man’s mistress,” she spat out, finally finding her voice, and the spine she’d grown dealing with her father’s tyranny.

“Of course not, you’re Captain Morgan’s and he’s no mere man.”

Evelyn’s gaze flew toward the pirate who’d cowed before his captain. “I don’t recognize him as someone in need of worship. He might be a god to you, but he’s nothing to me.”

Captain Morgan laughed. “Let her be for now. She’ll come around in time. They all do.”

A cocky smile filled his dazzling visage. Evelyn wanted to wipe it permanently off his face. He was so damned sure of himself. How many women had fallen at his feet? She would not be among them. “You can wait till the end of time. I will not be changing my mind.”

“We’ll see, love.” His grin widened and he traced her jaw with the tip of his finger. “I’ve been told I have a magic touch.”

She shivered involuntarily. Why did he have to be so bloody handsome? “I wouldn’t know. You do nothing for me.”

He chuckled lightly. “I like this one. She has spirit. We’re going to have a lot of fun together.” He turned toward the other pirate. “Take her aboard the ship now.” He gestured his arms toward the ship Evelyn had been sailing on before they attacked. “As for this one, scuttle it.”

Percy yanked her toward the gangway and hauled her across it toward their ship.

“What did the captain mean by scuttle it?”

“He means to sink the ship.” Percy didn’t even bother to look at her. He kept pulling her toward a cabin on the ship. He shoved her inside and locked it from the outside.

“You can’t murder everyone on the ship.” She banged on the door.

The last thing she thought she heard him say was, “Not your call to make.”

Then there was nothing but silence, leaving Evelyn alone with her own dreary thoughts. There was no saving her from the fate she found herself in. She had only herself to rely on. Jack Morgan believed she’d willingly fall into his arms. He didn’t know her or her resolve. As long as he didn’t force her she could withstand his advances. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax. She would need her strength for the upcoming battle.

SAVED BY MY BLACKGUARD

CHAPTER THREE

Out at Sea

August 28, 1722

Evelyn had somehow
managed to avoid Captain Jack Morgan’s advances for a week. It was by sheer will she’d been able to tell him no when he turned on the charm. He was overwhelming every one of her senses. His very presence was a lure of seduction that was proving almost irresistible. She had to get off the Siren Song before she willingly gave herself to the handsome devil.

Why, oh why does he have to be so charismatic and fun?
It was a question she asked herself several times every day she’d been forced to be in his company. She let out a relieved breath every time he left the cabin. He, at least, refused to take her as long as she was unwilling. For that alone he earned her respect. Most men in his situation would have taken her and not bothered to seek permission. It was a horrible fate to suffer and she was thankful for that small favor. Still, he let his wishes known to her at every meeting.

Soon he would seek a kiss and she’d be at a loss to stop him. A part of her wanted him to. The part that knew she deserved better prevented her from giving in to him. She had a future to protect and it wasn’t with a too handsome pirate. Besides, while he refused to be with her without her consent he still gave the orders to murder everyone on the ship she’d been sailing on. Ironic that Abby had wanted to be separated from her to obtain her own safety and she still ended up finding her death at the bottom of the sea. She should feel sadness, and a part of her did, but a larger part of her didn’t. Abby had made it clear how she felt about her. Evelyn had never wanted her maid to die though. She’d never wish that on any person.

“How is the lovely Lady Evelyn this afternoon?”

She looked up and almost got lost in his beautiful sea-green eyes. He wasn’t for her. The Duke of Southington would not marry a woman with a sullied reputation. He still might not once he realized she’d been kidnapped by pirates. As long as she remained true to herself, it would all work out as it was supposed to. She had faith in her destiny. Jack Morgan was not her future.

“I would be better if I could leave this cabin.”

He smiled. “I can arrange that. But you would owe me a boon.”

She tilted her head and studied him. This was a trick, she was sure of it. She’d gotten to know him over the last week. Instead of falling headfirst into his scheme she decided to change the subject.

“Where are you taking me?”

He laughed and folded his arms across his burly chest. She pushed her heathen thoughts out of her head and stared him in the eyes. It wouldn’t do to get caught ogling him like a prize.

“We’re headed to the pirates’ den.” He raised an eyebrow mockingly. “Why, are you hoping you’ll get a better offer at Port Royal?”

She snorted and then covered her mouth and nose with her hand. It was a reflex. Snorting was unladylike and her father would have slapped her for such a rude gesture. Evelyn shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t want anything another scalawag has to offer. I’d rather you took me to England. My betrothed is expecting me.”

The captain frowned and shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t accommodate you. If I get anywhere near England it would be the hangman’s noose for me. I rather enjoy breathing and having an intact neck.”

She’d been afraid that would be his answer. How was she ever going to get back to England and marry the duke? “There must be a way for you to send me home.”

He shrugged. “I rather like having you around. In time you won’t mind the pirate life. It has its benefits.” Captain Jack wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Oh, he was so stubborn. Why couldn’t he see reason? She stomped her foot with frustration. “I don’t want to live this life. Did you ever once stop to think what this would do to me? My reputation is in tatters. No respectable man will have anything to do with me. I’m impure just by being alone with you.”

His smile widened as he gazed at her. Wickedness poured out of him as he glanced over her. “Then I don’t understand why you’re fighting what is between us. Surely you feel what I do.”

“Lust?” She raised an eyebrow. “There is more to life than giving into your baser instincts. I will not lay with you no matter how prettily you wrap up the package. It is not something I want or will condone.”

“Then we’re at an impasse, love.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “But you should know pleasure beyond your wildest imagination, and I can give that to you.”

She sucked in a breath. His promises were so tempting, if she wanted that from him. He was gorgeous but she didn’t want to be anything more than friends with him. Evelyn mentally counted to ten to regain control. Dealing with Jack was akin to reasoning with a small child.

He took a step back and smiled down at her. “I have decided to give you something you want without compensation.”

What game was he playing now? She scrunched her eyebrows together with disbelief. “What are you after?”

“Oh, what I want has been clear all along, love.” His grin grew wider on his face. “I want every inch of you naked and spread out willingly for me on my bed. I plan to feast on. Say the word and I’ll make it happen.”