The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (28 page)

“Look at her, Adam. She climbs like a monkey and seems to know what she’s about. Maybe it’s wise to let her try. After all, she is much lighter than yourself.”

“But if she falls . . .” He faltered. “It’d kill her.” Adam teetered between concern and the impulse to wring her neck.

“Trust me, son.”

They stood watching as she made her way up the ropes to Andy.

“Where did you learn to climb like that?” Andy asked, the surprise evident in his voice.

“Oh, I had some very good teachers.”

“Miz Jewel, you shouldn’t have come up here,” Andy choked out from his precarious position. His face had turned red and his eyes were tinged with fear.

“Apparently, you’re the one who shouldn’t be up here, but I can always leave if you’d like,” she teased, wrapping her legs in the ropes for support.

“No, please don’t leave!” A slight panic touched Andy’s voice as his eyes widened in horror.

Laughing, she tried to ease his distress. “Listen to me. Put your hands in the riggings so that when I cut this rope you’ll not fall.”

Below, Derek said to Adam, “You’ve got quite a woman. And it’s quite apparent she has a good knowledge of ships.” Derek kept his voice low so only Adam could hear. “I wonder where she could have learned that.”

Adam wondered the same thing. Apparently, she knew quite a bit about ships. He watched her small frame move around the riggings. He had missed her, and that fact really didn’t please him when he’d no intention of making her a permanent part of his life—but the truth was he wanted Jewel. She was aggravating, mysterious, stubborn, beautiful, and soft. And seeing her, knowing he couldn’t touch her, was eating at his insides. Hadn’t Derek complained this morning that he was meaner than a bear? That hadn’t improved his disposition at all. The least little thing sent his temper flying.

Without warning the vessel swayed. Adam and the others struggled to keep their balance. Jewel’s gasp was the only one he heard.

“Damn!” Adam knew it was his fault for leaving the ship in inexperienced hands. “Derek, take the wheel!” Adam couldn’t take his eyes off Jewel while he waited for his friend to seize control of the ship.

Long minutes ticked by before the ship steadied herself. Then Jewel finished cutting the last shred of rope, and Andy’s legs fell. He grabbed the lines and slipped his feet onto the ropes to straighten himself, just as Jewel had instructed.

“Thank you.” Andy sighed in relief. “Let’s get down.”

“
You go ahead below while I tie off this loose rope.”

When she set foot on the deck again, the men cheered her. All but one. She looked around in surprise, smiling at their enthusiasm, but her smile died when her gaze met Adam’s.

Adam hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until Jewel stepped onto the deck. Tension coiled tight in his body. The damn woman could have been killed. He hadn’t noticed her skills as the others had, for his anger had blocked everything else out. He walked over and gripped her arm. “Come with me.”

The bright pink hue of Jewel’s cheeks told him that she knew he wasn’t pleased. She tossed her head back and tried to jerk free from his hand.

“It will be the last time you ever do anything that imprudent again,” he bit out through clenched teeth.

Jewel half-walked and Adam half-dragged her across the deck and down the short hallway to his cabin. He didn’t seem conscious of the painful grip he had on her arm, but she was getting ready to tell him in no uncertain terms.

After they reached his quarters, he shoved her inside. She whirled around to face him. Even in the dimness, she could see his cheek vibrate with rage as she stood rubbing the aching arm. Her anger steadily grew.

“You little fool, you could have easily broken your neck!”

“I grow tired of your insults today. I knew exactly what I was doing,” she snapped back. “And I’m damn good at it, too. But you probably didn’t bother to notice that, either.”

Adam took her by the shoulders. “I did notice. And now may I ask, where did you learn so much about ships, Jewel? Am I to think you’re withholding something from me?”

Terror struck her. How could she tell him about her horrible encounter with Lee? That she’d attacked an English ship. After all, Adam was British. He’d have her imprisoned.

“Where, Jewel?” He shook her in frustration.

She jerked away from him. “Apparently I’ve been on a ship before!” she retorted. “I acted on instinct. Other than that, I don’t remember. Maybe I could be no better than a pirate,” she stormed to gauge his reaction.

“I doubt that. A mistress would be more like it.”

A loud crack echoed around the small room as she removed her stinging hand from the side of his arrogant face.

Infuriated with his high-handed attitude, she wondered how she could have ever wanted him. She’d wanted his attention. And she most definitely had it for the moment. Yet she hadn’t missed the revulsion on his face at the mention of pirates.

“If you’d let me finish . . .” He rubbed his cheek. “I know firsthand you were not a mistress. More likely your father is in the shipping industry. From now on you’ll take no more chances. Do you hear me, Jewel? No more. I’ll not have it!”

“How can I not hear you the way you’re shouting! Half the damn ship can probably hear you! You don’t own me, Adam. I’ll do as I damn well please!”

Adam pushed her back against the wall and placed his hands on either side of her. For just a brief moment she thought he might strike her. Yet she knew deep down he’d never really hurt her. The struggle to control his rage vibrated through his body. Never had she seen him so angry, not since that day at the mine.

“Let’s get one thing straight. I’m captain of this ship. Do you understand? Captain! I’m master and law on this vessel. Everything here is done by my order. Everything!” His mouth clenched tighter. “If you ever do anything that ridiculous again, I’ll have you locked in your room!”

He moved away before he gave in to his urge to shake some sense into her head. He could shut his eyes and see her strangling in the ropes. Just like at the mines, she had given no thought to her own safety. Massaging the back of his neck, he turned and poured himself a drink.

Jewel didn’t move. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. Tired and drained, she didn’t want to argue anymore. Besides, Adam refused to listen. While he had his back turned, she slipped quietly out the door.

Hearing the door click, Adam spun around. “Jewel, come here!” he shouted. He set his drink down and started to go after her, but thought better of it, knowing it probably would be better if he calmed down first.

For the next three days Adam didn’t see Jewel at all. His mood grew blacker. Everyone who crossed his path fell subject to his ill temper.

On the third night, Derek had had about all he could take from the moody captain. He watched the young buck sitting on his bunk, looking as if he could explode at any moment.

“Adam, you probably don’t want to hear this, but I’m going to have my say. Do you know what your problem is?”

“I don’t have a problem,” Adam growled.

“The hell you don’t! Son, you’re in love, and you’re very much in love, if you ask me. You’ve been acting like a stud locked up in one pen with his filly in another. Now, you can go on making all of us miserable, or you can admit the truth and ask Jewel to marry you.” Derek figured he would hear all kinds of protests, but Adam just sat on his bunk in a state of shock. Hell, the poor man hadn’t even realized he loved the girl, Derek thought with a chuckle.

Adam stared, not really seeing Derek. Jewel made his blood throb through his veins, and he found he couldn’t think straight because every time he shut his eyes, he could picture her lovely face. She affected him in ways he hadn’t thought possible. Once he learned about her past, he expected his obsession would end, but so far the only thing he knew about her was that she was alone. She seemed helpless, but she wasn’t—not when she could climb those damn ropes so well.

“So, son, what are you going to do? When you return to Four Oaks, you just can’t keep her. She’s not a pet.”

Adam knew Derek spoke the truth. How in the hell had he let himself get so involved? Adam wondered. He only wanted to help the girl. Marriage. The strange word tumbled around in his mind. Marriage changed a person. He’d seen it happen many times before.

“You’re going to give her up?”

“No!” Adam said, a little louder than he intended. The girl was his. “If I marry her at least I can get rid of you for a roommate.”

“That’s my boy. I’ll perform the services if you’ll marry Annie and myself, too.”

“You’re joking.”

“Nope. I asked her a few days ago.”

“Congratulations!” Adam stood and slapped Derek on the back. “Now it’s my turn, but first I’ll have to get the lady to speak to me. That might prove difficult.”

Adam decided to take the watch that night so he could think and let Charlie get some sleep. He knew with his restlessness he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. Pulling a stocking cap down over his head for extra warmth, he jerked his collar up around his neck as he headed for the bow.

The wind could be biting at night. Maybe it was just what he needed.

Jewel tossed and t
urned, but sleep eluded her. She had been miserable since her fight with Adam. The man was impossible, and damn arrogant, too. Perhaps a walk would help.

She liked this time of night. It was quiet and peaceful. A new moon rode a sky full of stars that twinkled like diamonds as she took a breath of fresh salt air.

Beneath a star-studded sky, she walked the deck boards, unable to name her mood. Spotting Charlie at the helm, Jewel decided to go and talk to him. A wistful sigh escaped her. “Good evening, Charlie.”

Adam froze at the sound of Jewel’s soft voice. At first he thought he’d imagined it; then a slow, lazy smile touched his lips. So she believed he was Charlie.

“Aye, the moon is full. A lover’s moon,” Adam said, disguising his voice.

He heard Jewel’s feet scrape as she sat down and leaned against some coiled ropes. “Charlie, have you ever been in love?”

“Aye.”

“Is it always so painful?”

Adam detected the sadness in her voice, and he felt a pang, knowing he’d been the cause. She couldn’t guess the torture she’d put him through. “Are you in love?” he asked softly.

“Yes. But I’m afraid he doesn’t love me,” she whispered.

“Come over here.” Adam bent down and lashed the wheel so he could have his hands free. Pulling off his cap, he turned to face Jewel. Her eyes shone soft and bright. He reached out, took her hand, and drew her near to him before she had a chance to run because he’d already seen her fleeting frown at being deceived.

Cupping the sides of her face, he tilted her chin upwards while he looked deep into her eyes.

Jewel’s eyes widened, and he hadn’t mistaken the panic as she realized it wasn’t Charlie she had confessed her love to. “Of all the contemptible tricks!” She started to jerk away, but he held her fast.

“Jewel, I care for you a great deal.” He placed a light kiss on her forehead. “When I scolded you like I did before, it was because I was frightened. I’m not used to feeling that way. I was afraid something would happen to you, and that I could not bear.
” He paused and took a breath, “I want to marry you.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her tenderly.

“Are you sure?” Jewel’s voice shook with emotion as tears trickled down her face.

Wrapping her in his strong arms, he laid his cheek on top of her hair. “It has taken me a long time to realize the truth, but yes, I’m sure. Will you marry me, Jewel?”

“Adam, you don’t know anything about me. What if something in my past turns up that is bad? Are you sure you’ll still want me?” Jewel murmured into his chest, afraid of all her secrets.

“Sweetheart, we’ll deal with that when the time comes. Your past can’t be all that bad. I want to marry you, Jewel. I want to keep you in my arms. I want to make love to you, and I don’t want to wait one minute longer . . . but it seems I’m forced to.” He kissed the top of her head.

“Sweetheart,” he told her, “tomorrow will be your wedding day.”

Chapter
Twenty

Sunshine streamed in through the porthole, bathing the room in shimmering light and waking Jewel from a blissful sleep. Had last night been real or had she dreamed it?

She touched her lips and found them still tender, proof that last night hadn’t been a dream. She trembled with excitement, and she couldn’t wait to tell Annie.

Slipping from her bunk, Jewel moved over to Annie’s bed and shook her. “Wake up I’ve got something to tell you.”

Annie stretched. “I feel every ounce of my fifty-plus years this morning. Yer up bright and early, lass.” She glanced at Jewel through sleepy eyes. “Why, yer positively glowing this morning. Did Adam ask ye to marry him?”

“You know . . . how did you know?” Jewel asked, puzzled.

“Derek be tellin’ me last night. He said the mon had finally come to his senses, and I can see by yer face that ye said yes.”