Page 37 of Scourge of the Shores
“I should be helpin’ the villagers with the tar and pitch and buryin’ our dead.” Her voice sounded too defensive.
“You should be regainin’ your strength,” Robert countered. “You nearly lost that leg, Danna. Testing it might be wise.”
Danna clenched her jaw. She hated when he made sense.
“And besides, Ervin already saw to the dead,” Robert continued. “It won’t matter if you’re gone for a little while. The tar and pitch’ll be boilin’ for months before the ships are seaworthy.”
Ma interjected. “The island won’t crumble if you take a few hours for yourself.” Her voice turned cold. “But Robert Jaymes, if this was all a ruse, you’ll answer to me if you hurt my girl. I still know how to shoot a pistol.”
Robert peered over his shoulder at Ma and tipped his hat to her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
His gaze slid back to Danna with his dark cobalt blues penetrating her defenses. “It’s up to you, Captain.” His voice dipped lower, quieter. “I ain’t rushin’.”
Danna forced her knees to work. She needed to be in control of her own body, her own choices. A short walk was nothing.
And yet—the idea of being alone with him, of what that meant—made her hesitate.
The moment stretched between them before Lucas entered the hut—and froze.
He said nothing. Didn’t move.
His gaze locked on Danna in Robert’s arms, then flicked to Robert’s hand at her waist.
The room grew smaller. Tighter.
But Robert’s gaze didn’t leave Danna. “The enchantment left her legs weak, Ervin,” he said. “If she wants to, she could test ‘em out and take a short walk with me. I’m waitin’ for her answer.”
Her gaze shifted to Lucas. “Won’t take long. Always been good at adjustin’.”
Lucas pulled his flintlock and laid it across the crook of his arm. “I can’t join ye, but Captain Jaymes, if ye hurt her in any way?—”
Robert laughed. “Captain Ervin, you’ve earned my respect for being the best protector on this island. I assure you and give you my word on my father’s name, I’ll not harm Captain Chadwick or let her be harmed by any of the island’s pirate guests.”
Lucas grunted approval as Danna stumbled again to get around the table, but Robert’s firm hand kept her up. Lucas followed them out and handed Danna his flintlock and her grandfather’s horn. “Blow this if ye need me.”
The unspoken words weighed heavy in the air: If he steps outta line, ye’ll have me bullet to back ye up.
She turned her face to Robert, flintlock in one hand, horn in the other.
“Fair trade,” she said, more of a question than a statement.
Robert chuckled. “Aye, Captain. Fair trade.”
But Lucas only glared at him.
CHAPTER 8
The Growing Attraction
The flintlock and horn sat in their holders on her belt. Robert’s arm was around her waist, her hand in his, as he helped her along the sandy western path to the north shore. Her legs grew stronger with each step, but the closer she was to Robert and the longer his touch endured, the more her desire to stay in his embrace hardened. It made her sick to her stomach.
“I thought ye wouldn’t give me enchantments even if ye had them?” Danna asked again, not satisfied with his earlier response.
Robert looked off toward the western sea. “Seein’ a beautiful, capable woman nearing Tophet can change a man’s mind, as I said,” he answered, turning his attention to her.
“But why’d a pirate waste an enchantment on me?" Danna asked, eyes narrowing, still not believing him. "Men like ye don’t give nothin’ without takin’ somethin’.”
Her leg gave way, but before he could catch her fully, she jerked away, forcing herself upright. Her balance wavered, but she gritted her teeth and steadied herself.
