Christine Dorsey (43 page)

Staring down at her, Zeke admitted, to himself at least, that he didn’t know what to do. He’d thought to push her into an admission, but she insisted upon stubbornly standing by her story. Maybe he just hadn’t pushed hard enough.

“Very well.” Zeke let his hands slide off her shoulders, down her arms. “Let’s retire to the bedroom.”

“The bedroom?” The pleasant fog lifted from Fiona’s mind.

Zeke resisted the urge to gloat. Her face paled to a ghostly white. “Yes. I’m too tired to take you standing up, and the floor looks hellish hard.”

Fiona glanced down at the wide planks, and then back at the large, threatening man. She started to protest, but he paid no heed. Grabbing her hand, the colonel pulled her toward the door. “Wait,” she yelled, clutching the doorjamb with her free hand. “I’m not who you think I am.”

The colonel stopped immediately, glancing over his broad shoulder, his brow raised quizzically. Fiona knew a moment of regret for the admission she’d blurted out. Raised on her grandfather’s tales of Scottish heroism, long hoping herself cast from the same mold, she felt a coward indeed. But she couldn’t, just couldn’t, allow him to touch her again.

“Who are you?”

Sweat trickled between Fiona’s breasts, and her knees began to shake. What could she tell him? The truth? Would he believe she’d acted on her own, or would he blame Duncan, or her grandfather? Fiona opened her mouth to speak, not certain what she’d say. “I...”

“Come now, woman, I grow tired of these games.”

The colonel’s growl convinced Fiona that he’d never understand. “I came to the wrong room.”

Stubborn little wench, Zeke thought, shaking his head. His frustration was tempered by confidence that in a few more minutes she’d tell all. “I already told you, that matters naught.”

He had. How could she have forgotten? Desperation sent her voice aquiver. “But I...”

“Enough.” Zeke gave a yank, pulling her through the doorway, kicking the paneled door shut with a bang.

No candles burned here, but by now dawn pearled the sky outside the window, gilding the room’s interior. Fiona’s eyes swept the chamber, searching for some means of escape. Clothes draped the furnishings, littered the floor like windswept shrouds. Apparently the captain had undressed in a hurry, tossing his garments, caring not where they fell. A travel-dusted jacket hung from the washstand, a waistcoat from the bureau. A balled-tip shirt lay at the foot of the... bed.

Fiona tried to ignore that particular furnishing, but her gaze snagged on it and wouldn’t let go. It was high and four-postered; a blue-and-white blanket, partially thrown back, covered the mattress.

The colonel strode to the bed, casually leaned against the side, and began unbuttoning his breeches. “Let’s get on with it.” He looked up at Fiona and grinned.

She took flight. Grabbing the door handle, Fiona yanked it toward her only to feel the door slam shut. She closed her eyes, aware of the heat and smell of the colonel close behind her, his strong arm beside her head.

“That will be enough of that, Mary.” Zeke circled her shoulders, molding her to his side and dragging her with him to the bureau. He rummaged on the polished top, giving a grunt when he found the key. The brass caught the light as he held it up. “If you continue to insist you’re a lightskirt, you will act like one.” With that, he let go of her—so quickly that Fiona grasped the chest of drawers to keep from falling—and strode to the door.

He was locking her in—with him! She clutched the smooth wood, her hand knocking against a pewter candlestick. In that moment Fiona knew what she must do.

Glancing at her captor, seeing him bent over, twisting the key in the lock, Fiona seized the pewter and rushed toward him. He must have heard her for he started to look up, but Fiona brought the candlestick down across his head with all her strength.

The colonel crumpled at her feet. In a panic, Fiona dropped her weapon; it clanked on the wooden floor.

She’d done it! The colonel was unconscious—or dead.

“My God,” Fiona mumbled, leaning over his prostrate form. What if she’d killed him? She studied his broad back, looking for signs of life. He’d landed face down beside the door, blocking it. She was going to have to move him in order to leave, in order to see if he was still alive.

Tentatively, Fiona reached out her hand to touch him. His shoulder was hard and warm. Grasping his upper arm, she pulled. He didn’t budge. She bent over, shoving with both hands, and finally got him rolled over away from the door. Almost afraid to know the truth, fearing the worst, Fiona laid her palm on the hair-roughened skin over his heart.

She could feel it. The strong, steady beat vibrated through her hand. With a sigh of relief, Fiona sat back on her heels and studied Colonel Kincaid. Now that he lay immobile, he didn’t seem nearly so fierce. His nose was finely chiseled and his jaw squarish. Thick black lashes formed a crescent under his eyes—blue eyes, she remembered.

Fiona leaned over further, examining his head. Crimson blood matted the dark brown hair around the cut on his scalp caused by the sharp edge of the candlestick. Wringing her hands, Fiona wished she hadn’t had to hurt him. If only he’d let her go... Glancing over her shoulder, Fiona wondered if she should dampen a scrap of her petticoat in the pitcher and try to stop the bleeding. Maybe if she bandaged his...

He moaned, the sound coming from deep in his chest. With a start, Fiona stood. What was she doing? He’d be all right. A man as big as the colonel wasn’t going to be seriously hurt by a candlestick-wielding female like her.

Now her own well-being was a different matter. If the colonel awoke and found her here... Well, Fiona didn’t even want to think about what he might do. Gathering her borrowed skirts, she climbed over his long legs, turned the key, opened the door, and fled the room.

Downstairs the tavern was empty, a fact that gratified Fiona tremendously. She crept out of the establishment into the early morning sunshine. Taking a route through alleys and gardens back to her sister’s house on Cool Spring Street took longer, but at least no one saw her.

Fiona slipped into the back door and up the servants’ stairs, not stopping until she reached the security of her bedroom. Once inside, Fiona stripped off her borrowed clothes, stuffing them under the bed—Hester would find them after she’d gone—and began pulling her own clothes from her wardrobe. She’d planned to stay in Cross Creek until Elspeth’s baby was born, but she couldn’t now.

She had to leave today, before Colonel Kincaid had a chance to find her. This morning’s adventure had taught her several things. She wasn’t cut out to be a heroine. Intrigue and spying were not for her. And, she never, ever wanted to see Colonel Ezekiel Kincaid again.

The Captain’s Conquest

The Traitor’s Embrace

Wild Southern Nights

To Love a Rebel

The Captain’s Captive

The Rebel’s Kiss

Sea Fires

Sea of Desire

Sea of Temptation

Sea of Christmas Miracles
(novella)

My Savage Heart

My Seaswept Heart

My Heavenly Heart

Splendor

The Renegade

The Rebel

The Rogue

By the Book

Déjà Vu
(novella)

The Wedding Cake
(novella)

The Bride
(novella)

My Savage Heart

“
My Savage Heart
will leave readers breathless and eagerly anticipating the remaining novels in this new trilogy. Ms. Dorsey has created another incredible hero and a wonderful love story.”

~ Romantic Times

“As always, Christine Dorsey can be counted on to give us a tale full of adventure and romance.
My Savage Heart
is a poignantly written, emotion-packed read that will touch your heart. Her full-bodied characters and well-written storyline will have you engrossed from the first page to the very last.”

~ Affaire de Coeur

Sea of Temptation

“In
Sea of Temptation
, the sensational conclusion to her outstanding Charleston Trilogy, Christine Dorsey demonstrates why she is one of the most talented authors of the genre today: strong, unforgettable characters, rousing adventures, and history combine to create “keepers.”

~ Romantic Times

“Ms. Dorsey’s hero and heroine are both strong-willed individuals and their misunderstandings add some very funny situations to this action-packed historical. On the other hand, their fiery passion will send your temperature rising. An outstanding conclusion to a fascinating series on the Blackstones.”

~ Rendezvous

Sea of Desire

“Christine Dorsey has written a tale of passion, adventure, and love that is impossible to put down. Her heroine is feisty and her hero will leave you breathless.
Sea of Desire
is a book you shouldn’t miss and will need some space on your keeper shelf. It is marvelous!”

~ Affaire de Coeur

“Blazing passion, nonstop adventure, and a “be-still-my-beating-heart” hero are just a few of the highlights of this captivating second novel in Ms. Dorsey’s Charleston Trilogy.
Sea of Desire
is not to be missed!”

~ Romantic Times

Sea Fires

“From the instant Miranda and Jack meet, you know this is going to be a very special relationship and that
Sea Fires
is going to be a very special book. If this auspicious romance is any indication, the Charleston trilogy is destined to be an excellent series from Christine Dorsey’s sparkling pen. Be sure not to miss
Sea Fires
!”

~ Romantic Times

“
Sea Fires
is well plotted, sensual, and a pure delight!”

~ Affaire de Coeur

“There is an undercurrent of dry wit and many humorous incidents that make this swashbuckling romance a most enjoyable reading adventure. Ms. Dorsey spins quite a tale.”

~ Rendezvous

The Rebel’s Kiss

“... a tender, moving novel that touches the heart. Ms. Dorsey’s star shines brighter than ever.”

~ Romantic Times

The Captain’s Captive

“Make room on your “keeper” shelf for
The Captain’s Captive
. This mesmerizing novel has it all: rousing adventure, intriguing plot, and enchanting lovers sure to please lucky readers.”

~ Romantic Times

“From first page to last, the word for this book is captivating, it has all the ingredients for an excellent read. Adventure, verbal battles, sensuous love scenes, humor and above all, it’s well written. This one is a keeper.”

~ Rendezvous

Traitor’s Embrace

“A bang-up story full of adventure, humor, wonderful characters, and an interesting time period. This is one you shouldn’t miss.”

~ Rendezvous

Christine Dorsey lives in Richmond, Virginia with her proof that there are “happily ever afters”, her husband of forty-five years, Chip. She has three grown children, a son and daughter-in-law, and four of the most delightful grandchildren imaginable... just ask her. She also has a Springer Spaniel puppy, Stella, who keeps the household more than lively. Besides her family and friends, reading, writing and love of the sea are her passions. The author of seventeen books and four novellas with more to come, Christine loves to share the stories and characters that had
Romantic Times Magazine
calling her “one of the most talented authors in the genre.” You can follow her on
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and her website,
www.christinedorsey.com