Captive Pride (3 page)

“Polly…”

“I was just wondering if there was anything more I could do for you before I left for the night….” she said boldly as her gaze roamed hungrily over his tall, broad-shouldered form. The knowing, sensual smile he gave her excited her.

“Come in.” Noah's deep voice caressed her senses, and she felt hypnotized by his very presence.

“I was hoping you'd still be awake….” Polly smiled widely as he stepped back to allow her entry into his room. Striding forward, she made certain to brush suggestively against him, and the contact sent chills of expectation through her.

“Would you care for a bit of port, my dear?” He indicated the near-empty bottle.

“Wine was not what I had in mind,” she told him archly.

“Nor I.”

Noah knew that a night of unbridled sensual passion, free and clear of any involvement save the cost of her favors, was just what he needed. Following the sordid death of his relationship with Andrea, he had been far too involved with his other problems to give female companionship a thought. Now, his mood enlightened by the discovery that his instincts had once again proven accurate, he felt the need for a celebration of sorts, and Polly seemed just the thing. Closing the door, he turned to the serving wench and dragged her into his arms.

Polly needed no encouragement as she looped her arms about his neck and pulled him down for a long, passionate kiss. The feel of her lush, soft curves pressed so tightly to him stirred his long-denied desires, and Noah wasted no time in sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her to the bed. She was a willing female and he wanted her, and that was all that mattered. He released her long enough to shed his own clothing and he watched with hidden amusement as she eagerly began to strip off her own garments.

Polly finished undressing first and was ready and waiting for Noah in the center of his bed when he came to her. Her eyes rounded as she stared greedily at the magnificence of his broad chest and long, strongly muscled limbs. She thought him the most perfect man she'd ever encountered and she went into his arms without pause when he stretched out on the bed beside her.

Their animal passions flared hotly as they came together in a blaze of lusty need. Noah caressed her silken flesh with learned expertise until she was mindless in her craving for him, needing the satisfaction only he could give. Overwhelmed by his sensuality, Polly cried out for him to take her and he moved over her, parting her thighs and seeking out the hot depths of her aroused body.

They crested the peak of physical gratification quickly, and Polly held tightly to him as the pulsing waves of her pleasure surged through her. She was no innocent miss, having worked at the inn for several years now, yet she knew that this man was special. Never before had a lover excited her so much. He had seemed to anticipate her body's every craving and had not hesitated to please her. She was still quivering as she lay passively in his arms, the ultimate joy he'd just given her having rocked her to the very center of her being.

Noah lay silently savoring the deliciousness of his release.

“You're wonderful,” Polly sighed, gazing into his eyes when at last she was able to speak.

“So were you,” he countered with a smile that twisted her heart, and when he ran his hands down her back to cup her rounded buttocks and draw her closer, she gasped.

“Ooooh!” she exclaimed as she felt the heat of his hunger building again. She had never known a man to be so virile, and she wriggled against him already eager for more.

Noah needed no encouragement as he thrust avidly into her, seeking again the momentary thrill of physical forgetfulness. His rhythm was hard and steady as he strove for the pinnacle, and it was only the sound of the knock at the door that brought him crashing back to reality. Noah stopped, frowning at the interruption.

“Who is it?” he demanded curtly, his body still aching with unsated desire.

“It's Lyle, Noah.”

“Just a minute,” he called out as he quickly extricated himself from Polly's possessive arms.

Polly watched and pouted as he moved from the bed and began to pull on his clothing, for the evidence of his desire was still proud and full. “What about me?”

“This is business, wench,” he told her abruptly. “Get your clothes and be gone.”

“But I don't mind waiting….” she cooed sweetly, not at all anxious to leave his bed.

“I mind.” He fixed a frosty silver glare upon her.

Experiencing Lord Noah Kincade's displeasure for the first time, she scurried without further arguments to get her clothing.

“Shall I come back later?” she asked huskily as she adjusted her full, heavy breasts more comfortably in the confines of her gown. Her body was still alive with the need for completion, and she hoped he would want her to return.

“Not tonight.” Noah's answer was brusque as he tossed her several coins. “Here.”

Polly stared down at the generous amount he'd given her with disbelieving eyes. “Thank you.” She gave him a wide smile as she started from the room.

Noah finished buttoning his shirt and strode forward to open the door for her, ushering her out.

Captain Lyle Russell, master of the
Lorelei,
was standing respectfully in the hall as Noah opened the portal, and he eyed the disheveled Polly with a seagoing man's avid interest as she hurried off.

“Lyle.” Noah was both happy and relieved to see him, and his tone reflected his emotions. “Come in.”

“Pretty wench.” He nodded in Polly's direction.

“Perfect to ease a man's needs,” he answered with a quick grin as he ushered the captain into his room.

“Indeed.” Lyle smiled wryly as he saw the rumpled bed and he gave a hearty chuckle. “Sorry to interrupt.”

“You have news?” Noah asked, quickly changing the subject. He closed the door to ensure their privacy, and then crossed the room to light a candle, the flickering yellow light adding a shadowy intensity to their meeting.

“Yes, and I think you'll be pleased. I made the inquiries, as you instructed. It wasn't easy, but I finally was able to make contact with Joshua Smith,” Lyle supplied.

“Go on.” He was anxious to hear it all.

“Smith was reluctant to speak openly at first, but once I showed him that note and explained to him your reason for wanting to make contact, he agreed to try to gain you admittance to the next meeting of the dissenters.”

“When is it?”

“He didn't say, and I don't believe he really knew himself,” he answered truthfully. “Evidently, these men are very serious about their cause, for everything is carried out with the utmost secrecy.”

“I see. Do you have any idea how soon we'll be hearing from him?”

“I told him where you were staying, and Smith said he'd get in contact with you directly when he had an answer, one way or the other.”

“How will I recognize him?”

“He's about fifty, I guess, tall and thin. His hair was gray, he didn't bother with a wig, and the most prominent feature about him was his arm….”

“What about it?”

“He's lost use of his left arm,” Lyle explained.

Noah nodded and reached for the warm bottle of wine. “You've done well, Lyle, and I only wish I had something more suitable to celebrate your success.” He offered the bottle to Russell, and the captain took a deep swig, emptying the contents.

“Thanks.” He handed the empty bottle back.

“Matt and I dined here at the inn. Judging from the general tone of the conversation we managed to overhear, there is definitely unrest stirring in Boston.”

“If that's the case,” Lyle said thoughtfully, “I think your timing in this matter may prove impeccable, just as you'd originally hoped.”

“We shall see,” he said quietly. “As you know, my meeting with Demorest is set for late tomorrow afternoon, so I'll be getting in touch with you regarding the
Lorelei
's shipment as soon as I've completed dealings with him.”

“Good.” The captain would be glad to get at least that much settled. “I think I'll be heading back to the ship now. If you need anything before tomorrow, just send word.”

“I will.” Noah saw the captain out.

He felt most pleased with himself as he locked the door behind Lyle. Things were progressing nicely. After his meeting with Demorest the following day, during which he planned to close the sale of the
Lorelei
's goods, he hoped to have a tidy sum that would keep both Matthew and him in the style to which they were accustomed well into the new year. That would take care of all the more pressing matters. Then he could devote himself entirely to his concerns with the radicals, so that by the time the slower-paced
Pride
arrived, he would have everything under control.

Noah was about to prepare for bed when another knock sounded at his door. Giving a rueful shake of his head, he answered it quickly, for he was certain it was Polly returning to pick up where they'd left off. He was amazed to find Matthew standing there, fully dressed.

“Noah? What's going on?” Matt's expression was worried as he moved into his brother's room.

“What do you mean?” Noah tried to play the innocent, not wanting to involve Matt in the seamier side of his wheelings and dealings.

“I mean”—Matt flashed him a strained look—“what was Russell doing here in the middle of the night? It's well after midnight.”

“Just a business matter, that's all,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Business at after one in the morning? Surely it was something out of the ordinary or he would have waited until morning. Besides…I heard…” As he started to confess to overhearing a bit of their conversation, Noah turned on him.

“Just exactly what did you hear, little brother?” His tone was deadly serious. “And why were you eavesdropping?”

His reaction honestly startled Matt, and he stared at Noah as if seeing him for the first time.

“I wasn't eavesdropping!” he denied heatedly. “I woke up when I heard Lyle's knock. I thought he might have important news of some kind, so I got dressed and started over to see what the problem was.”

“Go on.”

“I was about to knock when I heard him mention something about a Joshua Smith and secret meetings. It was then I realized that you had no intention of coming for me, so I went back to my room,” he finished angrily. “I want to know what's going on, and don't try to hedge.”

“It's a business matter. Nothing to concern yourself with.” Noah tried to pass over his inquiries, but Matthew was not about to let the matter slide.

“On the contrary, I think there is every reason to concern myself. I told you how I felt about your excluding me. Obviously you're planning something, and I want to know what it is.” He was greatly irritated by the fact that, again, his brother had not consulted with him.

“The only thing I'm planning is the fastest way for us to make money,” Noah bit out, finding his younger sibling's growing habit of challenging him most annoying. “In detail, if you must know, when we made port I instructed Lyle to try to make contact with Joshua Smith in hopes that the group he represents might be interested in purchasing the
Sea Pride
's arms shipment.”

“I see. And what group is it this Smith represents that you have to conduct your business with him in secrecy meetings?”

Noah answered coolly, “I was given Smith's name by a contact in London.”

“What contact?”

“I don't know. It was all done very furtively. He did not give me his name, nor did I ask for it. It seems Smith is a middleman for a very active rebel group here in the colonies, and that his group is definitely interested in purchasing the
Pride
's arms shipment.”

Matthew's expression was aghast. “You're not serious?”

“I am most serious. I have the goods that, hopefully, these people want, and I intend to get the best possible price for them. As I said, it's a simple business matter,” Noah dismissed easily.

“There's nothing simple about betraying your own country!” Matt was suddenly outraged.

“Matthew”—Noah's voice was icy—“weren't you the one who earlier today was ready to forsake our dear old homeland and settle here?”

“There's nothing treacherous about my wanting to remain here and begin life anew. These colonies are a part of the Empire. But, Noah…” His confusion over the changes in his brother's personality was very real. “I don't understand what's happened to you. You've become so cold-blooded…so mercenary. It started with the damned duel, and now…”

At the mention of the duel, Noah's piercing silver gaze glittered dangerously, but he didn't speak as Matt continued.

“How can you even consider selling the weapons to the highest bidder regardless of affiliation? Where is your conscience? If you sell those arms to the men who are advocating independence for the colonies, they might be used against soldiers of the Crown. You already heard that merchant in the taproom saying how dangerous things have become.”

Noah shrugged coolly. “It's not my concern who uses the weapons or for what cause they're used. All that matters is that we get the best price for our merchandise. Whoever pays the top price will get the goods.” The steely edge to his tone left no doubt in Matt's mind that he was very serious.

“It seems to me that you're selling your soul,” Matthew disparaged.

“I have been forced by circumstances to become a businessman. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“There's more to this than business.”

Noah's stance was rigid. “I'm sure I don't know what you mean.”

“Making money has become your obsession! Damn the cost! You won't be satisfied until you've made enough to return to England and resume our previous social status!” Matthew had never before spoken so openly or so critically to his older brother, and he surprised even himself by his outburst.