Page 111 of The Moonstone Pirate
He caressed her cheek. “And you think this is worth putting your life at risk?”
His face was close to hers, and she could feel the warmth of his breath as it mingled with hers. “The risk to my life is greatly exaggerated,” she insisted. “They want you, not me. You are just being overly protective of me. You are the one at risk, and I will do everything I can to protectyou. When are you due to meet the Irishman?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Will you stay up here with me until then?” Her mind was already wandering down an improper path, thinking of how they might occupy their time. After all, she was ruined, and he was going to marry her. Were they not as good as betrothed? It seemed a terrible waste to keep his big, rough hands and beautifully shaped lips idle.
“No, but I’ll be back.” He kissed her on the forehead, rose, stuffed the book into a bureau drawer, then marched to the door. “Parrot, guard her. Imogen, latch the door behind me. When I return, I will knock four times in rapid succession, then count to five and do the same again. Do not respond to any other knock. If someone breaks down the door, let Parrot fight him off.”
Her eyes widened. Why was he being such a prophet of doom?
She began to sputter questions, but he ignored her and strode out.
Parrot growled softly when she attempted to follow him out. He grabbed hold of the hem of her gown. “You are contributing to my ruination, Parrot. I hope you feel some remorse for this,” she said, securing the door as Draco had instructed.
The dog merely turned his head in that parrot way of his.
“Fine, be stubborn.” She sank back down on the stool, but took note of the hearth irons that could be used to defend herself should things go wrong and Parrot could not protect her. “I was sure he was going to seduce me,” she muttered. “Parrot, would you think less of me if I surrendered to his charms?”
Parrot squawked as he stretched out across her feet.
“He really could have kissed me before he took himself off. One scorching kiss. Is that too much to ask? He did not even allow his hands to roam. He has the nicest hands, don’t you think?”
Parrot covered his ears with his paws.
“Fine, I will not speak of him. I am angry with him anyway. I could have been halfway home by now if he hadn’t tossed me up here.”
But her complaint was quite halfhearted, especially now that she heard voices beneath her window and suddenly heard Draco’s name mentioned.
She tiptoed to the window that Draco had opened a crack to allow some air into the cramped quarters. She peered out, careful not to be seen.
Three men had taken seats at one of the long tables outdoors. This guest chamber overlooked the tavern’s back garden and gave her a clear view of these unsavory rogues. The outhouse was tucked in a corner of the garden just beyond the tables.
She watched with growing concern as these grizzled men settled in with their ales. She recognized them as sailors from the Irishman’s ship, the very ones who had rowed to shore along with McTavish that day at the pirate caves. She had seen them through Draco’s spyglass and would never forget their faces.
One of them drew out his knife.
“Put it away, ye arse,” another of them said. “Captain don’t want no killing here. We’re to wait until payment is received before we slit anyone’s throat. Don’t go bein’ a hothead, Lemuel, and ruinin’ it for all of us.”
“I don’t care,” the man called Lemuel said. “I don’t trust that Draco. He’s up to no good, and I’m not waiting around to be caught in a trap and hanged.”
“Ye think he’s setting us up?” the first man said. “Captain trusts him, and that’s good enough for me.”
Lemuel growled. “Then ye’re a fool, Jake. He’s a bloody earl now. What would he want with the likes of us unless it was to turn us in?”
The third man spoke up. “I’m with Jake. If the captain trusts him, then so do I. He was one of us for years. A fancy title ain’t going to change him.”
“He was never one of us,” Lemuel said. “Aye, he was a privateer. But did he ever maraud on behalf of anyone but the Crown? He’s loyal to England. So what’s he doin’ involved in a scheme to overthrow the monarchy?”
“Hush, ye fool!” Jake said, glancing around furtively. Fortunately, he did not think to look up, or he might have noticed the curtains flutter as Imogen hastily backed away. “Anyone might hear ye. Ye’ve already had too much to drink. Shut up and don’t say another word.”
Lemuel cursed at his companion. “No one’s around to hear us.” He took another swig of his ale. “Captain thinks he’s so smart, but I just heard Eldridge’s prime stud was stolen rightout from under his nose, and he’s on his way here to claim him. What I think is Draco’s set a trap to snare us all right here in Moonstone Landing. The Crown agents are onto us, and Draco is working with them to catch us all in one big net, I’m telling ye.”
“Ye’re crazy, Lemuel. Captain’s about to meet with Draco. We ain’t done nothing wrong, and no one’s going to arrest us. Even if they were suspicious, we don’t have the cargo yet. They’ll find an empty hold and have to let us go…unless ye open yer big mouth and give them the proof they need.”
By this time, the three of them had finished their ales and shouted for William to bring another round. When he did, Lemuel tossed him several coins. “Get back inside and mind yer business.”
“I always do,” William said, his voice calm as he took the coins and empty mugs, then stepped back inside.
