Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) (27 page)

In Charleston, when he’d feared her lost, he’d been staggered by the emptiness surrounding him. Now that he had her, he wasn’t about to be separated from her again.
 

Ever.

He needed her to stay with him. He needed her by his side. He needed
her
.

Tonight, this knowledge provided a calm sense of purpose rather than an intense desire to flee. But at the moment, he couldn’t think of a single word to say to sway her favor to him. His grip on her hair involuntarily tightened, and his lips were on hers before he knew it. She was a fresh spring breeze kissed by the salty sea air. Her body leaned into him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her closer and held her until their bodies blended together.

The pound of her heart against his, the whispers from her lips, the smell of the ocean in her hair, all combined into a heady spell, which left him powerless and exposed.

And he didn’t care.

Keelan’s heart pounded as Landon’s arms wrapped possessively around her. She inhaled as his hardened frame pressed against her belly. His tongue teased her mouth open, tasting. Within the swirling the mist, their passions twirled and melted together. Nothing existed except his lips, his touch, his scent. Where there was Landon, there was warmth, comfort, strength.

Fire.

She pressed against him in an uncontrollable attempt to ease the sudden ache which began to spread, first within her belly…then lower. If he wanted her, she would give herself to him and allow herself to be loved for whatever span of time he willed it. Yes, it made her weak, but she didn’t care. No man would ever match Landon’s passion and power. She’d savor this small slice of paradise for as long as she could.

 
His grip around her tightened, and his hand slid up to cup the firm roundness of her breast. She sighed as his mouth moved to her neck, leaving little, molten impressions in its wake. It was impossible to complete a single thought. A low moan escaped from her throat, and her fingers instinctively buried themselves in his hair. She heard his voice in her ear, low and husky with emotion.

“Keelan, I need you with me. I cannot stay locked on land, yet neither can I bear to be separated from you.” He cupped her face gently with his strong hands. “I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without you by my side.” He rested his forehead against hers and his voice dropped to a tortured tone. “However…I am a man of the sea, not the type of man to run plantations or city shops.”

She swallowed, but the lump in her throat stayed. It’s not as if his words surprised her. In fact, hadn’t she expected this? She’d been thinking the same thoughts seconds ago.
 

“Yes, I know,” she whispered, covering his hands with hers. “And I am not a woman who’d be content to stay home alone and await a man who is gone at sea. You know this as well.”

 
“Yes,” Landon’s voice lowered into an almost anguished whisper, as if he was both afraid to speak and afraid not to.
 

He’d asked her to sail with him once. Had he changed his mind? No matter. She would take tonight, and whatever amount of time they had until they dropped anchor in Harbour Town. She was a woman, and his crew believed a woman on a ship was bad luck. What more was there to say?

Landon took a quick breath and held it. “Keelan, I want you by my side…always. Will you sail
with
me, love? As my wife?”

Did Landon Hart just request her hand in marriage? This man? This untamable sea captain? Keelan’s joy was so powerful her heart seemed suddenly to pause in mid-beat, or maybe it simply exploded. Landon’s hands framed her face, and she could only stare at the midnight eyes which held hers prisoner. Her vision of Landon, the handsome dandy of a sea captain, with a beautiful woman in every port city, dissipated before her eyes. In his place was this handsome, strong-willed man ready to love and grow old with her.

Keelan responded the only way she could. Her slender fingers slid up and pulled his head down to her. This time, she captured his lips with hers, seeking the warmth and softness pressed against her mouth. His fingers traced the frame of her face, barely touching her skin, before cradling her jaw in his palms. He moved his lips from her mouth to her cheeks, kissing away the tears of joy, then moved up to her eyelids, brows and forehead. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest and she nuzzled her face against his shoulder, and hugged him back.

“There is something I must tell you first,” Landon murmured.

Keelan stilled. She tilted her head back and looked at him. She already knew his past. What else was there? He’d been married once before. His wife had died giving birth to another man’s child. “You already told me about your first marriage.”
 

He shook his head. “It’s not that.” He paused as if to contemplate his next words. “I think I already know, but I want you to tell me how you feel about slavery.”

His question took her by surprise. Her mind went back to the Whistling Pig, and the suspicion she’d had about the Schoen’s, Simon’s warning, and advice to seek the couple out at the tavern if she needed help fleeing Charleston.

 
There was also the runaway family trio who had escaped from Pratt’s plantation and sought refuge in the cellar of an abandoned cabin where she and Landon had sheltered from a storm a few weeks ago. She had tended their wounds and Landon had left them the provisions he had in his saddle bags.
 

Suddenly she understood.

“You help them escape, don’t you?” she whispered.

He nodded, watching her every movement. “Fynn had started aiding runaways years ago, after he himself had escaped his pirate captors. The Schoens, Simon, from Twin Pines, and the Ahern Merchant Fleet are all part of a small clandestine group of coastal residents and merchants who help slave families flee by transporting them north, to Philadelphia, then on to Canada.” He pulled away and took her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. “It’s more dangerous aiding families than it is individual runaways. The three slaves we found in the cabin cellar a few weeks ago hid in the
Desire’s
hold
for several days. Because of repairs and stolen cargo, I was unable to leave on time for Philadelphia. Then, when Gampo put a price on your head, I had to send my ship to Harbour Town as a decoy. I must still take the
Desire
back up the coast to Philadelphia, where Fynn’s family and friends will move them, and the others northward.”

He stood silent and tense, waiting.

Keelan brought his fingers to her lips and kissed them. “I’m glad you help them.”

A shadow floated away from Landon’s face. The tense worry lines around his eyes softened. He pulled her into his arms and held her. No words were spoken. They stood together for a moment or two, and then he took her hand.
 

“Come with me,” he whispered.

He led her to his cabin and opened the door. Conal and Daniel were already inside and turned toward them as the door clicked shut. She paused, confused. Before she could ask, Landon knelt before her. Keelan’s heart stuttered at the intensity of his gaze and even more at the humility in his countenance. Where was the cocky grin? The seductive perusal?

He opened his mouth, closed it, and swallowed before taking a gulp of air. Heaven’s breath, he was terrified. His eyes turned a deep shade of blue, like a midnight sea.

“Keelan Grey, I give my oath before the eyes of God and these witnesses to bind myself to you until death parts us. Before the eyes of God and these witnesses and upon my honor, I pledge my love, loyalty, and fidelity to thee for the rest of my living days. When we arrive in port, I pledge to seek out a priest to bless our marriage and confirm it is legally binding. If you will consent to have me as your husband for the rest of your life, place your hand in mine and join with me in a handfast, to bind you to me, and bind me to you.”
 

Without breaking his gaze, he lifted his hand and offered it to her.

Kneeling at her feet, proud, guarded Landon Hart, now raw and exposed, offered his heart to her in the presence of he half-brother. Landon Hart, the man who’d said marriage didn’t suit him. When had he decided to risk his heart again? It didn’t matter. He trusted her to love him, and love him she would. Landon’s eyes shone with an indigo light that warmed her as only the truest love can.

Her legs trembled and wordlessly, she sank to her knees and placed her hand on his palm. His fingers closed over hers and he placed his other hand on top. Her eyes welled and she fought to contain the tears. The emotion seeping into her chest made it almost impossible to utter a single word.

“Landon Hart,” she said, her voice catching. “I place my hand in yours before the eyes of God and these witnesses and bind myself to you as your wife. I pledge my love, loyalty, and fidelity to thee until death takes me from your side.”

Landon’s long, lean fingers gently uncovered her hand. He slipped a sapphire and diamond crusted ring on her finger. “My grandmother’s.”

 
Keelan stared into those hypnotic, blue eyes, which glittered like the sapphires on the ring.

“My Keelan. My love. My wife.” Landon brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingertips. Her heart skipped as he cupped her face in his hands.

“Congratulations, my friend!” Conal clapped Landon on the back, sending him tipping forward against Keelan. So, of course, he took the opportunity to kiss her.
 

Laughing, Conal hauled her to her feet, and then offered his hand to Landon and pulled him up as well.

 
“And, as ship’s captain, I pronounce you wed! Best wishes, Mrs. Hart, for a lifetime of happiness.” Her half brother grinned and kissed her hand.

“Thank you, Conal, for agreeing to bear witness,” Landon replied, clapping Conal’s shoulder.

 
Keelan had been unsure if Conal would treat her differently after hearing about her mother and his father. She understood his anger and resentment toward both of them. However, she wanted to maintain her friendship if possible, thus his presence here was reassuring.

Conal gave her a small bow before he turned to open a bottle of wine. Daniel took her hand and bowed over it. “I wish you a long and fruitful marriage, Mrs. Hart.”

“Thank you, Daniel.” Keelan looked up into her husband’s sparkling blue eyes. He gave her a slow smile before his lips dipped to briefly capture hers.

“A toast!” Conal pressed glasses into everyone’s hands. He raised his glass and the others followed. “May the seas of marriage be calm, the winds be swift, and the current amiable!”
 

Keelan laughed and raised her glass with Landon’s in salute.
 

Conal pressed a hand to his chest. “And, on behalf of the O'Brien family, I welcome Landon as me brother by marriage, as well.”

“It is an honor.” Landon stepped forward, clasped Conal’s outstretched hand and shook it.

“And, therefore, I give my consent,” Conal continued with a grin, “for you to name your firstborn son after me.”

They all laughed. Keelan threw her arms around Conal’s neck and kissed him on the cheek, gaining a surprised smile from her half brother. “It would be the very least we could do,” she said.

“I believe,” Daniel broke in, “our part in this grand affair is complete.” He stepped to the door before giving Keelan a brief bow. “My lady, best wishes to you and Captain Hart.”

“Aye to that!” Conal said, as he plucked the bottle of wine from the table. “Come, let us celebrate the day’s events beneath the shelter of yonder mizzen mast with this bottle of fine wine and a deck of cards. By the way this bank of fog is acting, we won’t be doing much else for at least a day or so.”
 

Daniel opened the door and Conal stepped outside, giving the valet an exaggerated nod of thanks as he passed. The door closed.

They were alone.

Landon raised his glass and she raised hers. Together they finished their wine. He plucked the stem from her fingers, and placed it on the table before taking her into his arms.
 

 
The world floated away as his lips leisurely played upon hers. She joyfully returned the kiss and he tightened his arms about her waist, pulling her closer. Their kiss deepened, fanning the fire kindled weeks ago in a garden in Charleston, on a fine spring morning in June. He broke the kiss and touched his forehead to hers.

“Since the day I gazed upon you floating on the lake, a beautiful, naked water nymph,” Landon’s voice sounded hoarse, “I have wanted to touch you in all the places my eyes admired. I’m like man starved. I crave your touch, I crave your heart. I crave the energy from your presence.”

They were drawn to each other, the two of them…like a bead of water seeks a dry edge of linen. “I’m yours forever,” she finally whispered. “I can’t imagine living another day without you.”

Landon leisurely removed her shirt and breeches, taking his time to place kisses on her shoulders, her ankles, her knees, until she stood naked. Keelan’s senses erupted as the warmth of his hand found the firm rounded swell of her breast, his thumb stroking until her nipple grew hard and aroused.

His other hand caressed her hip.

Keelan’s heart had been pounding a staccato rhythm in her chest, but now it lurched erratically. Landon was about to make her his wife in body as well as spirit. It was expected. It was the nature of things after all. It was what a husband and wife normally did on their wedding night.

She longed for it and feared it at the same time.

“Keelan, my love, your image has haunted me, even in my daydreams, plucking at my thoughts, drawing my attention away from every task. For so long, I have wanted to have you near me…to hear my name fall from your lips, knowing I was forever in your heart.”

“You’ve been in my heart longer than you realize, Captain.” She could hardly take a breath as his hand pressed her hips against his. Her lips tried to form the words whirling through her head, but it was impossible. She could only breathe his name and curl her fingers into his hair, pulling, urging him closer.