Within a Captain's Hold (8 page)

“I’ve seen her. I swear to ye.” Looking over his shoulder, he pointed a shaky finger toward the captain’s quarters.

Cookie rubbed the pained knot on the back of his skull. “What do ye think ye’ve seen?”

“’Tis just like ye said. A spirit, wailin’ like a banshee, wantin’ to steal me soul. I’ve seen her. She haunts the capt’n.”

“Ye’ve lost yer sense, Robbins. Calm yerself.”

He grabbed Cookie’s shirt. “I’ve not. I tell ye, I’ve seen what I’ve seen.”

“I was just in the capt’n’s cabin not thirty minutes past. There ain’t nothin’ amiss.”

“I’m swearin’ to ye on me own mother’s eyes. Hair like flamin’ fire and wet from the sea. Naked as a jaybird, tryin’ to lure me. Just like ye said she would.”

“Naked, ye say.” Cookie wriggled his eyebrows.

“Dammit, I’m serious. I’ve got te warn the capt’n and the rest.”

“Nay.” Cookie grabbed his arm. “Ye can’t go runnin’ on deck carryin’ on like a madman. Ye want ’em to toss ye over?” He lowered his voice. “Ye stay right here. Calm yerself. Catch yer breath. I’ll go take a look. If ye’re right, then we’ll both go tell the capt’n. Two stories will sound better than one, don’t ye think?”

Robbins bobbed his head in agreement, eyes wide. “Don’t be lookin’ her in the eye.”

“Right. Don’t want her stealin’ my rottin’ ole soul, do we?”

Cookie moved down the hall, glanced back at the panicked boy, shielded his eyes, and entered the cabin, shutting the door behind him.

“Don’t scream, miss. Are ye decent?”

“Cookie. A man…He saw me.” Annalise was wrapped in a blanket damp from her bath. The hot water he brought her earlier still steamed in the basin. He was quick to open a back window and toss it out. He gathered the clothes he’d given her and pushed them into her hands.

“Ye scared the hell out of the poor boy.”

“He scared the hell out of me. What do we do? He’s run off to tell the crew, I’m sure. They’ll hurt Jaxon.”

He raised an eyebrow.
Jaxon, is it now?
“Nay, he won’t be tellin’ a soul. Ye’re gonna hide yerself good, and I’m gonna bring him back in here and convince him ye weren’t ever here. Ye’re a figment. A spirit in his head.”

“Will that work?”

“He’s already believin’ the ship be haunted. I’ll just let him believe it a bit longer. He won’t be tellin’ no one, I promise ye.” Cookie slipped the basin under the desk. “Hide yerself.”

“All right.”

He went to the door. Annalise slipped into the corner behind the trunks. Cookie put a worried frown upon his face and shook his head as he walked back to meet Robbins.

“Son, I’m powerful worried about ye.”

“What? Did ye see her?”

“There ain’t nothin’ there.”

“Don’t ye be tellin’ me that. I know what I saw.” Robbins pushed past him and went to see for himself. When Cookie caught up to him, he stood in the middle of the captain’s cabin, as pale as the mainsail and pointing.”

“She be right there.”

“Are ye sure ye didn’t dream it?”

“Blast it all, Cookie, I’m not mad. I know…I think…” He turned pleading eyes to Cookie. “I could’ve sworn. She was right here.”

Cookie bobbed his head solemnly and put his arm around Robbins, steering him toward the door. “I believe ye, son. I’m sure ye thought ye saw somethin’, but that somethin’ may just be in yer head.”

“But…”

“I know. Ye get out on the water, and the sun can do strange things to ye.” He walked the boy toward the crew’s quarters. “Why don’t ye go have a lie down? Have yerself some rum and get some shut-eye. Ye look like ye haven’t slept in days.”

“I haven’t. The screams.” Robbins stared at him with wide eyes.

“I know. I know. Ye get some sleep, and I bet ye’ll be feelin’ yerself in no time.”

“Mayhap a bit of sleep.”

“That’s the way. Aye.” Cookie stopped and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “I’ll make a promise to ye. I won’t be tellin’ no one ’bout this. We’ll keep it between us. Ye’ve been gettin’ a rough time from yer mates this trip already. Don’t need to be addin’ to their jests.”

“And ye won’t tell the capt’n?” Robbins looked like he was about to cry.

“Nay. Just between us.”

“Yer a good mate, Cookie. I thank ye.”

“Nay, just watchin’ out for a young one is what I be doin’.” Cookie slapped him on the back. “Go. We be needin’ a powder monkey with a level head.”

“Aye. That’s what ye’ll be gettin’ I swear.”

“Good.”

The rumble of laughter within Cookie started low in his belly. By the time he hit the deck, he was laughing like a fool and slapping his stump. Lordy, this was turning out to be the best voyage of his life. His wounded crewmen survived the night. He found Jaxon spending more hours on deck. Man avoided his quarters like the plague. Never seen the captain fall so hard for a wee bit of skirt before. And the
skirt
turned out to be hotter than a two-bit pistol. Walking in on her holding the capt’n’s own blade on him. Blimey, that was great. Now she be callin’ him by his given name and worryin’ about his neck? And Robbins?

Cookie wiped the tears from his eyes. He caught Jaxon wandering the decks again and laughed some more. This was even better than the time he’d been locked up with three whores and five barrels of rum.

And just ye wait till you get an eyeful of yer red-haired beauty in her new clothes.

Quick to close the door behind him, Jaxon scanned his empty quarters.
Where is she?
His stomach plummeted into his boots. “Annalise?”

“Jaxon?” She shimmied out of her hiding place.

Bloody hell. When I see Cookie, I’m going to kill him.

“I’ve found a space where the bed meets the side of the ship. I can just squeeze behind.” She fiddled with the front of her shirt. Its low open collar barely covered the rich swell of her breasts.

He ran his gaze over the vision before him. Breeches, a size too small for the lass, fit her like black on a cannon. The top was as unattractive as they came. It was the color of mud, and would have fit loose on a man four times her size. Missing its lacing, the neckline opened to the girl’s waist, revealing a healthy amount of tender, rounded flesh. A strip of black cloth wrapped around the slimness of her waist, and stockings hugged her legs.

Behind her, the setting sun lit her hair, which she tamed into a thick braid draping one shoulder. She was utterly beguiling.

Cookie is a dead man.

Jaxon pulled the leather thong from his hair and handed it to her. “Lace your blouse.”

“Oh, thank you. I shouldn’t like to complain, as I am grateful for the clothing, but this shirt is far too large.”

Annalise started at the bottom and threaded the length of leather through each hole in turn. Transfixed, Jaxon watched her pull and tug at the ties.
Oh, to be that length of leather.

“The breeches feel strange on my legs, but I like not being hampered with skirts. Cookie said I would have to do without shoes, however. My feet are too small.” She turned away from him, bent to tug up the tops of her stockings, and smoothed her hands over her thighs.

His breeches tightened.

She turned back and held her hands out to her sides. “Better?”

“Aye.” His voice broke the word in two.

“I’m sorry about what happened this morning. Did Cookie tell you? I was afraid your man would come back with half your crew after he caught me bathing, but Cookie said he convinced--”

“I’ve been told. Now, thanks to you, I have a lad who thinks he’s lost his mind.” He hadn’t meant to snap, but the idea of Robbins seeing her naked brought a rush of jealousy and a sultry vision to his mind’s eye.
Blast it all.

She pushed a curl off her forehead and glared at him. “Are you saying it was my fault?”

“I’m saying.” He planted his hands on his hips. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. If you weren’t daft enough to hide yourself on my ship, I wouldn’t be standing here with a member of my crew thinking he’s mad.”

Annalise crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m beginning to think you’re all mad.”

Jaxon almost agreed with her. His thoughts were less than sane in concerns to her. He couldn’t decide which he wanted more at that moment, to toss her over the side, over his knee, or onto her back. A throbbing ache in his breeches gave him his answer. He plowed his fingers through his hair and moved to the desk. Pouring himself a drink, he glowered at her above its rim.

The chit had the nerve to notch her chin and stare him down.

He drained his glass. “From now on, unless I am present in these quarters, the door will be locked from the outside.”

“Do you mean I’m a prisoner?”

“It means there’ll be no more men on this ship who’ll see your naked arse.” His jaw felt like granite, as did other parts of his body. “It means you’ll do as I say, when I say, and how I say if you wish to end this voyage as naive and untouched as you began.”

“You needn’t yell at me as if I were a child.” She planted her hands on her hips.

His gaze ran hot over the tightness of her breeches. “Nay, you’re no child, but you act as if this is a nursery game of hide-and-seek. You’ve no notion of the danger.”

“No notion of the danger?” She shook her head. “Do you believe I did this on a whim? Do you think I sat about one day and said to myself, ‘Whatever shall I do on the morrow? I know, I think I’ll see what it’s like to take a sail.’” She shook her head again. “I don’t know the type of women you’re used to,
Captain
. They must be as dull-witted as seagulls.

“Believe me when I tell you, I know the danger I’m in. I wouldn’t be standing here listening to an insufferable lout like you if I weren’t running for my life. You have no notion of the danger that surrounded me in London. So, before you sit behind your fancy desk and judge me as if I haven’t a brain in my head, perhaps you should stand in my shoes for a moment. Oh wait, I
have
no shoes.
You
threw them into the sea.”

She swiped at a tear. “I’ve lost everything. My home, my family, my only friend.” She straightened her spine and crossed her arms. “I may be naive about certain things, but don’t you think for one minute I didn’t know the risks I am taking.” She turned her back on him and moved to the window. Shoulders bunched, her anger radiated back at him.

He followed her stare over those angry shoulders. The sun had slipped into the sea, leaving the sky a swath of reds and pinks. Another day finished, yet another long night to face. His nerves stretched to their limit. He welcomed her temper. It was safer. This growing attraction for her would undermine all he worked so hard to achieve. His body he could deny, but his heart--he had little experience with that particular organ, none pleasant. Jaxon couldn’t afford to lose sight of his course. He was nothing if not a man of action. The sooner he returned her to England and put an ocean between them, the better. As far as he could see, there was only one thing stopping him.

“Tell me more about the Duke of Wentworth. You believe he killed your uncle?”

“Uncle Herbert. He was the dearest, sweetest man. And he’s dead because of me. We knew the duke was vicious. There were rumors. But I never imagined.”

“You said his name is Wolfsan?”

She placed a hand to her throat and nodded. “Benedict Wolfsan.”

Giselle’s BW?
“What of these rumors?”

“That he killed his wife. She’s been missing more than a year, with no trace. Some say he has an unnatural appetite for women.” She looked at the floor. “There are horrible stories of his cruelty and vileness. I met him shortly after I came to live with my uncle in London. Uncle Herbert was my guardian after my parents…after my family died.

“The duke knew my uncle from the gaming tables. Uncle was indebted to him for quite a large sum. But he paid him. The inheritance from my father’s title was considerable, so he was no longer under the duke’s thumb. Then Wolfsan developed an interest in me. Uncle Herbert refused his offer for my hand. I refused his offer, as well, but he wouldn’t hear the word no.”Annalise looked back out onto the changing sky.

“For weeks he sent flowers and tokens to the house. Sometimes four and five in a single day. I sent each one back.” She turned to face Jaxon. “And then one evening, Uncle Herbert did not return for dinner. I thought perhaps he’d fallen into his cups again or lost track of time at the tables, but his valet told me he’d given up all his vices the day I came into his life. He loved my father dearly. Uncle Herbert wanted to honor him by taking care of me the best he could. He was doing everything possible to live up to his new title and responsibilities.

“I was frantic with worry. Then I got one more token. Wrapped just like the rest, but this one had no card. It didn’t need one. I knew whom it was from, and I started to send it away, but a queer feeling in my stomach stopped me. When I opened it…” She put a hand to her mouth and shook her head.

“Did you contact the authorities?” Jaxon asked.

“Of course, but as soon as I said the name Wolfsan, they stared at their boots and were useless. He wields great power in the city. His reach is long and swift. He’s untouchable. My friend Alice and I knew he’d stop at nothing to get what he wanted.”

“You.” The word turned sour on his tongue, imaging Annalise at the hands of this man.

She met his gaze. “Yes. Me. I wanted to run back to Weatherington. It’s a small township up north. I grew up there. My father’s solicitor is there, but we knew it would be the first place Wolfsan would search. I feared he’d kill anyone who stood between him and me, including Alice. We learned about the Scarlet Night and made a plan to switch clothing and head in opposite directions. I would leave on your ship, and she’d join me in Port St. Maria on the next passenger ship traveling there. Wolfsan would be searching for two women traveling together, you see. And one can hide easier than two.”

“You switched clothing with Alice? You’re friends with a servant?”

Two bright spots stained her cheeks. “Alice Tupper has
never
been a servant in my mind. Yes, she served in my father’s household, but we’ve known each other since we were infants. We’ve been to hell and back together. She’s my best friend, and I love her like a sister. I’m responsible for her situation, and it makes my heartsick with worry to think of her out there without me.”