Page 28 of Devil of the High Seas
“Sorry about that, Cap’n. I thought it best they didn’t think you were the wenching sort. Might give ’em ideas.”
Gavin chuckled at the words “wenching sort.” He had never been the type to go wenching when in port. He had sampled the favors of a few women in his time, it was true, but he had never run to the brothels like most. He’d found he preferred the capable company of women like Brianna Holland. She had been both a pirate and a captain of her own ship. He had enjoyed the camaraderie of sharing a bed with someone who understood life at sea and knew her way around a ship. But alas, she had slipped from his grasp and married a naval officer.
He wished Brianna and her new husband well, but he was alone again. Perhaps that was what had sparked his mad scheme to take Josephine from his brother? He had suffered too many losses—his ship, his loyal crew—and now he needed something that he could claim for himself, even if it was only for a short while.
Gavin left Ronnie in charge and went down a few decks to the galley, where Mrs. O’Malley, the cook, was bustling about. She was a spry woman with dark hair streaked with hints of gray. Her strong hands gripped a rolling pin as she set about making bread. That surprised him. Most cooks couldn’t handle any sort of bread while on board. She also had fresh lemons in a box, and it looked as though she’d been squeezing them into a glass bottle for juice. A chicken, freshly roasted, rested on a metal plate, the aroma making his stomach grumble. When the cook realized she was under observation, she set the rolling pin aside.
“You must be the master?” she said, sweeping a critical eye over him.
He couldn’t resist flashing her a charming grin. “I am.” A happy cook meant better food. “The name is Gavin Castleton. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Well, aren’t you a charmer,” she chuckled. “I’m Olive O’Malley, then.” She retrieved one of the lemons from the box, cut it, and gave him a slice.
“Is there aMr. O’Malley?” Gavin teased before he savored the taste of the tart lemon. Some sailors believed that lemons helped keep scurvy at bay. He was glad to see the cook had the good sense to juice the fruit, since he was one of those who believed lemons helped a man’s health while at sea.
“Oh, be away with you!” The woman waved a rag at him. “I’ll have you know he’s the ship’s carpenter.”
“He’s a lucky man,” Gavin said and then leaned over the chicken on the plate to inhale the scent, his stomach growling. “May I take this divine looking chicken for myself?”
“And share with your lady friend, I hope?” she asked, arching a brow in challenge.
“Aye, Josephine, my wife,” he said, still silently cursing his quartermaster for the charade, even if it had been the wisest course of action.
“Yes, take it and share it with her. And take this.” She gave him a bottle of red wine and two glasses. “I haven’t had the chance to put them in your cabin yet, but I was told that you would want them there.”
Gavin glanced at the bottle, noting it was a fine wine. He grinned. It was yet more evidence that Dominic had planned to captain the maiden voyage of this ship and take Roberta with him.
More’s the pity for Dom to miss this,Gavin thought with a smug grin. He and Josephine would reap the benefits of Dominic’s careful planning instead.
“Thank you, Mrs. O’Malley.” He winked at her and collected the tray she prepared and headed toward the captain’s cabin. As he returned to his cabin, thinking of Josephine waiting there for him, he had a sudden idea.
They were likely to be at sea for forty days or longer, and he didn’t want to rush his seduction. He could easily have what he wanted. Josephine was wild and responsive to his kisses, but why rush the experience? He always enjoyed a challenge. So perhaps he would wait and slowly build Josephine’s desires until she was begging for him to claim her. Their joining would be all the sweeter for the hunger having built up between them. Yes, that would give him something to amuse himself on this crossing. How long could a pirate go without taking that which he wanted?
With a grin, he unlocked the captain’s cabin and stepped inside.
“I have food, my lady,” he said as his gaze swept the room. The veryemptyroom.
What the devil?He walked deeper into the room, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Josephine wasn’t there. Her silvery-blue dress lay on the bed, but she was no longer in it.
“Josie?”
He felt the caress of wind behind him, and he whirled around in time to see the cabin door slam shut and hear the lock click into place. Josephine had ducked past him, and he’d only glimpsed her out of the corner of his eye. Had that even been Josephine? He slammed the tray down on the table and stalked back toward the closed door.
“Let me out,now!”
“Rather a silly feeling to be locked in, isn’t it?” Josephine shouted through the door, obviously trying to stifle a laugh.
“Open itnow,” Gavin growled.
“Or what,Captain?” she asked sweetly. “I think you should take some time to think about how to properly treat your guests, and I shall take a tour of the ship while you do so.”
He rattled the door latch furiously, knowing it would not open.
“Josie!” he bellowed, but her steps faded away. He kicked the door with a growl, but the wood was sturdy. He let out another shout, but no one came to his aid.
When he got his hands on her, he was going to redden her backside. With a snarl, he stalked over to the table and flung himself into a chair and began to pick at the roasted chicken, planning a thousand wicked ways he was going to punish his “guest” once he got free.
CHAPTER7
