Mistress Below Deck (6 page)

His eyes gleamed, an intense, speculative gleam that Rowena did not care for and she felt a
frisson
of alarm. His contemplation was steady, for he had already set the price in his mind and only waited the moment. ‘If your cause is so important, I will bargain with you, but the price will be high.'

‘Oh?'

‘I prefer payment of a different kind. In short, Rowena, you.'

Her breath came out in a rush and her eyes flared with anger. She gasped with stunning rage at the affront. Never had she been so insulted, felt such humiliation, she told herself, her temper whipping up her colour until her cheeks glowed a poppy red. Deep down she was outraged and if she hadn't been so desperate for his help she would have lashed out at that supercilious mouth and seen the flesh shatter. She despised him more than ever for this, but not so much as she despised herself, for she could not deny that she was deeply attracted by him.

‘What are you suggesting?'

He smiled slowly and raised a dark brow as he considered her flushed cheeks and the soft, trembling mouth. ‘Don't play the innocent, Rowena. You are a woman—a very beautiful woman any man would desire to have in his bed. You know exactly what I am saying.'

She stared at him, aware of the trap that closed slowly around her. There was a quiet alertness in his manner, like that of a wolf, its strength ready to explode, but docile for the moment. ‘Yes,' she said tersely, ‘I think I do, Mr Searle.'

‘Tobias. My name is Tobias. So, shall we strike a bargain?' His lips curved slightly, and then, with all the time in the world, he shoved himself away from the table and turned to consider the map.

‘And my future husband? How do you suggest I explain such an arrangement to him?'

A secretive gleam shone in his eyes. ‘That, my dear Rowena, is a matter for you and your conscience.'

Rowena looked at him hard, knowing that, if she wanted his help to get Jane back, she really had no choice but to do as he asked. ‘I came prepared to plead Jane's case, to pay in any way possible.' Her voice was low and husky. ‘I did not come to pay the price you ask—the highest price of all—but pay it I will, even though I shall despise you for it.'

Tobias looked amazed for barely an instant. He had not expected her to comply so easily. He was well satisfied. It would almost be worth sailing into North Africa's barbarian-infested waters in search of Rowena's sister. ‘So, is it a bargain?'

Convinced he had no morals if he could ask her into his bed, knowing she was promised to another, Rowena raised her chin haughtily. ‘Yes, we have a bargain—but it will be for one night only.'

He nodded slowly and his eyes glowed intently. ‘For one night you promise to belong to me?'

‘My need is great,' she said, never more aware of the truth of it as she was then, ‘so, yes, if you will help me find Jane?'

‘I will do my best. I will not rest until she is safe.'

‘And I shall insist on going with you.'

Tobias's eyebrows rose in unison and he stared at her for one long, incredible moment before shaking his head. He moved close to her to lend weight to his words. ‘I don't think so. It would not help your sister if you were killed in your impulse to rush after her.'

‘I am under no illusions about the nature of the Barbarians who have taken her.'

‘And this does not deter you?'

‘No,' she said, determined not to be outdone by Tobias Searle. Her eyes had turned from the usual soft velvety blue-green to the spark and fire of emerald. ‘It makes me even more determined.'

Tobias's expression warned her that her intention was not only ridiculous, laughingly so, but beset with more perils than she could possibly imagine. ‘If you don't mind, Rowena, you will abandon the idea.' He said it reasonably enough, but he was watching her, waiting for her response.

‘But I do mind,' she answered, her own voice quiet. Her temper was beginning to rise, for she had an aversion to being told what to do by anyone. ‘When Jane is found, she will need her sister. I can see no harm in sailing with you.'

‘Can you not?' Tobias's face was hard eyed and keen, and the atmosphere charged with tension. ‘The answer is still no. The
Cymbeline
is not a passenger ship and has no facilities for females—besides, the crew will refuse to sail with a woman on board. They're a superstitious lot and consider women on board a working ship unlucky.'

‘But I must.'

He heard the desperation behind her plea, but ignored it. ‘No, and unless you want me to call the whole thing off you will do as I say. Have you ever been to sea?'

‘I've been out—in a fishing boat.'

‘That was not what I meant. You are a woman, and too delicate to sail aboard a sailing ship with no one but men for company.'

Taking his remark as an affront, she stared at him. ‘Me? Delicate? Do you really believe that?'

‘Of course.'

‘If you let me sail with you, I will prove you wrong.'

‘No. You would be seasick and beg me to put you ashore at the nearest port.'

Antagonistic and angry, Rowena scowled at him. ‘I would not.' Seeing that he would not relent, she was about to turn away in frustration, when she casually glanced down at the chart he had been studying with such intensity earlier, giving particular interest to the place where his finger had been.

‘Where is that?' she asked curiously. When he didn't reply she looked at him sharply. ‘Tell me.'

‘Algiers.'

‘I see, and so that must be the North African coast.' In the space of seconds she comprehended, bringing her whirling around on him in a tempestuous fury. ‘Why, you intend going after the
Petrel
, don't you? When I came in, that was what you were discussing.'

‘It was,' he confirmed with a grim smile.

‘Why, of all the despicable, underhand…And you let
me beg—plead with you to help me. No doubt you enjoyed that you—you…'

He chuckled low. ‘Every minute. I did know about the attack on the
Petrel
, but I was not aware your sister was on it until you told me.'

‘Why were you studying the chart?'

‘Studying charts is something I do all the time. I know the corsair who attacked the
Petrel
. Let's just say we had a run-in once, and he owes me.'

‘So my father isn't the only one,' she retorted, not without a hint of bitterness. ‘And you thought you'd go after him?'

He nodded. ‘Such is the reputation of this particular corsair that many a determined attempt has been made to send both him and his ship to the bottom of the sea.'

‘Not while he has my sister on board, I hope.'

‘No, I wouldn't wish that.'

‘So, you have your own reasons for going after the corsair captain. Who is he, this man who commands your attention?'

Tobias fixed her with a steady gaze. ‘He's an English turncoat who now sails as a Muslim. His name is Jack Mason.'

A coldness shivered down Rowena's spine. ‘Not the same Jack Mason who set fire to your ship—the same Jack Mason employed by my father?'

He nodded. ‘The same. Mason is a seafarer with piratical habits, who has turned out to be an unusually successful corsair. The
Dolphin
was intercepted by Barbary pirates when it was returning to England from Antigua.
The crew and Mason were taken as captives to Morocco, but Mason found a soulmate in the captain and it didn't take him long to take the turban and join him on his nefarious ventures, stealing a vessel he plundered and making it his own.'

‘What does it mean, “to take the turban”?'

‘Some call it “turning Turk”—which means converting to Islam. Mason then became known as Hassan Kasem. He is calculating, ruthless, self-seeking and dangerous, and will do anything to wrest what he wants from life. It was unfortunate for the
Petrel
to be in his path. I am sure your father will be interested to learn that his former captain has turned his hand to the unsavoury business of slavery.'

‘Yes, he will, extremely interested. When do you sail?'

‘Tomorrow. With the tide.'

‘And what of my father—and his debt?'

‘It can wait for now.'

‘Since you were already prepared to track down those who attacked the
Petrel,
I don't know why I bothered to visit you.'

A dazzling smile creased his face. ‘Perhaps because I am a confusing and fascinating character,' he murmured disarmingly, his eyes teasing. ‘And because I seem some kind of gift to sort out trouble with a rare understanding, as you have rightly been told, of the corsairs.'

There was enough truth behind his words to cause a flush to creep up her neck and tinge her cheeks. ‘You do not fascinate me in the slightest—although I do find
you somewhat confusing.' Tobias led the way out of the cabin and on to the deck. ‘Will I see you again?'

‘No. I promise I'll do my best to have your sister brought home—and if you should see the lad who I'm expecting aboard—I believe he's called Tom Ashton—hurry him along.'

‘And what does this cabin boy look like?'

He shrugged, turning to Mr Dexter who had come to stand beside him. ‘You hired the lad, Mark. Tell Miss Golding what he looks like.'

‘I arranged it with his mother, a decent enough sort. Her lad was out looking for work so I didn't get to speak to him, but several could vouch for him. I expect he'll be glad of the work and will be along shortly.'

Tobias watched Rowena trip down the gang plank. Resting his hands on the rail, he smiled his appreciation as his eyes caressed her trim back, leisurely enjoying watching her. Ever since he had met her he had been for ever conscious of her closeness. The memory of her scent lingered in his mind. She was a fire glowing in his blood, and no other woman but Rowena could quench it.

Rowena did see the youth Tobias was expecting on board as his new cabin boy. He stood on the quay with his bundle of clothes at his feet, staring at the
Cymbeline
. His eyes were large in his pale face and he looked thoroughly apprehensive, clearly reluctant to board the ship. He had no taste for adventure or the sea, but with too many mouths to feed and unable to find work locally, he had been pushed into becoming Mr Searle's cabin boy by his mother.

Rowena smiled her understanding and in no time at all came up with a perfect solution to his dilemma and her own.

Tom Ashton couldn't believe his good fortune, and as he hurried home Rowena turned and looked back at the ship, a smug smile curving her lips.

‘So, Tobias Searle, you didn't want to take me along. Well, we shall see about that.'

With a floppy brimmed hat on her newly shorn head and carrying her bundle, Rowena quietly left the house, excited, her stomach feeling as though it were tied in knots. After spending a night agonising over her decision about her course of action and trying to bolster the courage to carry out the wild plan she had conceived, as she hurried to the ship she now had no qualms about what she was doing, or about its success.

It was just breaking daylight as she reached the quayside. A number of the
Cymbeline's
crew were hard at work as the ship was got ready to put to sea. Mr Dexter stood on the quayside, concisely and with clarity giving orders as last-minute provisions were being taken on board.

Trying not to appear nervous, she strode confidently to the gangway, but before she had time to place a foot on it she was halted by Mr Dexter. Keeping her head down, when he had ascertained her business, she was allowed on board. Halfway up the gang way she froze when he called out,

‘Boy! Wait a minute.'

Slowly she turned. A light swinging aloft touched on her face. He squinted a curious eye at her.

‘Your face seems familiar, lad. Don't I know you from somewhere?'

She shook her head, deliberately lowering her voice when she answered him. ‘Nowhere I can think of.'

He looked at her a moment longer. ‘Aye, well, maybe not. Go below. You'll be bunking next to Mr Searle's cabin.' Turning away, he dismissed her with a shake of his head.

Rowena breathed a sigh of relief. Despite her disguise, had he taken a closer look at her face he might have recognised her and taken her directly to Tobias, who would have put her ashore. Somehow she would have to make herself scarce until the ship was well out to sea, and then, if Tobias recognised her, she would have to face the consequences.

Tobias stood at the port rail. She could not help but admire the fine figure he made in his coat of claret velvet, his dark hair drawn back and bound in a queue. He was standing with his hands behind his back, legs a little apart, relaxed and at ease, but Rowena sensed that he was aware of everything that transpired around him. His handsome profile was bold and there was a lean, rangy look about him. Even his hands emerging from the broad, gold-braided wide cuffs of his coat were long and slender, and she felt a strong thrill of excitement when she remembered how unnervingly blue and intense his eyes were.

Thankfully everyone was so preoccupied with getting ready to sail that no one paid her any attention. She paused to stand beneath what appeared to be a seemingly confusion of ropes and cables and spars, while far above the great masts swayed.

Tobias's cabin was filled with a golden glow shining through the large stern window. Entering the one next to it, she saw it was small and cramped, but having her own cabin would make her deception possible. She heard commands being issued for the sails to be unfurled and the anchor raised. The cable rattled in the hawser and there was a grinding of the capstan. Gradually the ship began to move and there was the creak of timber and the snapping of sails.

When Falmouth was a distant speck and Mr Dexter banged on her door, instructing her to fetch some coffee for Mr Searle, solemnly she left her cabin and prepared to take up her duties.