Once a Mistress (7 page)

“Or any other body parts,” Alex added dryly. He stretched and then hissed in pain as the slice in his side protested the movement. Rubbing the wound, he asked, “Is all well with the
Renegade
?”

“It is. I’ve six men aboard to sail her back to port. If we need more, we have them.”

“Excellent. And Marcus?”

“Locked in the hold with his own irons.”

“Good.” He paused, torn between the necessity of seeing to Diana’s welfare and the desire to ensure the security of his captured enemy. Necessity dictated he make a show of charming Diana, lest he be forced to punish one of the men for lusting after her. “I’ll attend to him later then. Those irons will keep him well enough.”

“Indeed,” McBride agreed.

“Set sail for Port Royal,” Alex said, his eyes on Diana. “I have a matter to oversee.”

“That ye do,” came the reply.

“I suppose I must play the pirate here,” Alex muttered under his breath, in no hurry to deal with the red-haired baggage. “The more afraid she is of El Moreno, the less trouble she will cause. Then we can return the girl to her father none the worse for wear.” He sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” With determined strides, he approached Diana.

Chapter Five

White sails bloomed as wind filled the sturdy canvas, guiding the
Vengeance
toward Port Royal with the
Renegade
trailing behind. On the horizon iron-gray clouds gathered in anticipation of the coming storm.

Alex, too, expected a storm as he came to stand beside Diana. Any other woman would have taken to her bed with the vapors by now, but not this termagant. No, her face reflected a fierce pride and determination that would wreak havoc aboard his ship if he did not take steps to stop her.

“So, you are captain of this vessel?” Her calm words belied the spark of challenge in her eyes.

“I am.”

“Then it is to you I should speak.” She clasped her hands, her aristocratic demeanor defying the ill-fitting pirate’s garb that adorned her slender frame. “I would know my fate, captain. I am certain you are aware that my father is a wealthy man. He would be more than happy to reward you handsomely for my safe return.”

“That prospect did occur to me.” He watched as she struggled to control her temper. Her flush deepened, and she twisted her fingers together. He smothered a laugh. Bloody hell, but he enjoyed baiting her. He could not seem to help himself. “I have not yet decided whether I will return you to your father. I am considering other alternatives.”

“Considering other alternatives?” Abandoning her pose of lady-like control, she propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Just what might those be?”

“I could sell you into slavery. In the East red hair is quite rare.” He stroked a lock with his finger. “You would fetch quite a price, far more than your father could ever pay.”

Her mouth fell open. “Sell me? You wouldn’t dare!”

He shrugged. “A pirate’s goal is profit.”

“You are beneath contempt.” Curling her lip in disgust she turned away from him to stare out at the ocean.

Alex allowed a small smile to escape, then pressed his lips together so she would not see how much she amused him. “I could always keep you for myself,” he suggested.

She whipped her head around so fast that the ends of her hair brushed his face. “What did you say?”

“You would make a fetching addition to my bed.”

“How dare you!” Anger sparked in her eyes like new steel reflecting the sun. He wondered if she would respond with such passion in his arms.

“I dare anything, my sweet.” When she turned her back on him again, he moved behind her and pressed his lips to the top of her head. “‘Twould be quite a simple matter to make you my mistress.”

“Never,” she whispered. Her breasts rose and fell rapidly in her agitation.

“The idea has merit,” he mused aloud, slipping an arm about her waist. He pulled her against him so that her buttocks pressed against his thighs. His new position gave him an interesting view of her semi-exposed bosom.

“No, it does not have merit.” She tried without success to remove his arm. “I demand you return me to my father.”

“With a temper like that, I doubt he would want you back.” He chuckled, holding her close against him as she struggled for freedom. Desire curled into his blood as she wriggled in his arms. “Mayhap he would pay me to keep you.”

“My father would relinquish his entire fleet before he would leave his only daughter to the mercy of a lying, low-born Spanish sea scum!”

Alex grinned, unable to contain himself any longer. “Then more the fool he. I see where you have inherited your bad judgment.”

She gave a frustrated growl and struggled harder to break his hold. Her elbow slammed into his midriff, whether by chance or design he did not know. He hissed a curse as his wound throbbed, and he tightened his grip. “As a matter of fact, you might be too difficult for the slave market. I suppose I have no choice but to keep you for myself.”

“I thought you said profit was a pirate’s goal.” She turned her head to glare at him, tendrils of fiery hair blowing across her face. “There is no profit in keeping me here. I
demand
you return me to my father.”

He burst out laughing. “This is my ship, my lady. No one makes demands but me. Should I choose to keep you, there is naught you could do about it.”

She bared her teeth, and he moved his hand just in time to avoid being bitten. “I will make your life miserable,” she vowed.
 

“Of that I have no doubt.” He turned her to face him. “I should let the slave traders teach you some manners. But even they do not deserve such punishment.”

“I would prefer slavery to lying with a jackal like you!”

He arched one dark brow. “Your judgment fails you once again, my sweet. ‘Tis an honor to share the captain’s bed.”

“Such honor would gain me naught but dishonor. Again, I reject your offer.”

“‘Twas not an offer but a command.” He traced one finger along her ear. “You are mine.”

“The devil I am!” She slapped his hand away.

He grabbed her hand and held it in a grip she could not break. “You have little choice, hellion. Marcus claimed before all and sundry that he took your innocence. Whether he lies or not, he will be believed. Unless you wish to whore for my men, you will do as you are told.”

“He lies, and well do you know it!” she spat.

“I know nothing of the sort.” He looked her up and down as if considering the matter. “And neither do my men.”

“What sort of captain cannot control his own men?”

 
He barely flinched at the barb, though it struck its mark. “I can control them…if you give yourself into my keeping.”

 
She gaped at him. “You are truly despicable.”

He mockingly bowed his head. “Thank you.”

“I see you do not deny it.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Never. However, I must add that I would not give you to the men, but did I let you roam this ship unprotected, it would not be long before one of them took what he wanted. At least as my woman you will have my protection.”

“I cannot fathom this. You would not stop them, should they attempt to…to…” She jerked her hand from his grasp, and he let her go. “This would never happen on one of my father’s ships. Any man who even looked at me wrong would be flogged within an inch of his life.”

Alex scowled. “Well your father is not here. And I am not in the habit of punishing my crew for acting like the men they are. The only protection I can offer you lies with the duties of a mistress.”

“I will not share your bed.”

“Oh, but you will.”

Considering the matter settled, he turned away. McBride lurked nearby, awaiting further orders. Alex was halfway across the deck when her voice rang out loudly enough for the whole ship to hear.

“‘Twill be a cold day in Hell before I share any man’s bed against my will, captain. Your commands mean naught to me.”

Alex halted and turned to face her. She stood with her hands on her hips, her hair whipping about her like a wild thing as the wind kicked up. A triumphant smiled played about her lips as she tilted her chin in defiance.

Disbelief at her foolishness quickly turned to anger. By challenging his authority, the little fool risked the very treasure she would guard. As captain he would keep her safe to the best of his ability, but he could not be everywhere. Without the protection afforded the captain’s woman, she would soon find herself on her back with some horny fool taking his pleasure between her thighs.

His temper rose like a hungry beast seeking prey. She had forced his hand. With a certain perverse pleasure he approached her, his strides measured, aware that all ears and eyes on the ship were focused on them. Her smug smile faltered as he drew even with her.

“So you will share no man’s bed against your will, eh, my sweet?” He stood close enough to see the frantic pulse beating in her neck. “Well then, I will simply have to make you willing.”

His seductive words stirred something primitive deep inside her. Part of her wanted to flee his presence, but the other half was drawn to the sensual spell he cast. She grew frightened at the strength of her own emotions and once again took shelter in that which had always protected her—anger.

“You will not succeed,” she answered with bravado, eyeing him as if he were a snake about to strike. “Better men than you have tried.”

“I will,” was his soft response. With a contemplative expression, he took a lock of her hair between his fingers as if to test its softness. She yanked her head back, but he held tightly to his prize. Tears formed in her eyes at the sting of her scalp. She reached up and snatched the hair from his hand.

In lightning quick reaction, he took her chin in his hand and tilted her face, studying her features with careful scrutiny as if inspecting horseflesh. She pulled herself loose of his grasp, only to have him wrap his arm around her waist.

“What are you doing?” she spat, squirming to escape his embrace. She strained away from him as he cupped her cheek.

“You’re a hot-tempered morsel,” he commented. Then he pried open her mouth and made a show of looking at her teeth.

A strangled sound of fury escaped her throat. What was the rogue doing? She was no slave to be picked at and pawed! She snapped her teeth, hoping to catch his finger, but he was too fast for her and escaped unscathed.

“Good teeth,” he announced, as if she had not just tried to relieve him of a finger. Ignoring her growl of outrage, he continued, “Nice skin. No pock marks. Soft hair, but that blinding color…” He shook his head.

“You lily-livered excuse for a—”

Alex clamped a hand over her mouth and sent an amused look across the deck. Diana followed his gaze and realized that every crewman aboard watched the entertainment.

“She has a sharp tongue,” he announced, his voice carrying easily to the leering audience. “But even the sharpest tongue can be put to good use!”

Shouts of laughter answered his bawdy comment. Diana stiffened. Rage rose up and flooded her body. Though she did not know the exact meaning of Alex’s remark, she did understand that he mocked her. Without thought to the consequences, she kicked her captor hard in the shin.

“Bloody hell!” Alex inhaled sharply and released her to grab his leg.

“Who gave you leave to touch me?” she demanded. “I am no slave to be—”

“Silence.” Fury dripped from the word. Straightening, he gripped the back of her neck and forced her gaze to his. “You are whatever I say you are, you bloodthirsty wench! And from this moment forth I say you are mine, God damn me for a fool.”

Despite her growing fear at the anger that blazed in his eyes, Diana responded, “You are mad. I belong to no man.”

“On that we disagree, my sweet.” He took a step back and swept his gaze over her body, from her bare feet curling into the deck, over her borrowed clothing and torn shirt and up to her face. “You are a beautiful woman.
My
woman.”

Before she could protest he whirled her around and pulled her back against his body, as if displaying her for the crew’s enjoyment. Stunned, she stood frozen as he slid his hand from her shoulder and past the side of her breast to rest warmly on her hip. His long fingers splayed over her sensitive belly, the heat of his caress making her tremble even through the soft, velvet breeches.

Alex enjoyed the surge of heat that sliced through him as he staked his claim on her. It had been too long since he had been with a woman, he thought, but this one fit against him as if she had been made for him. Boldly, intimately, he ran one hand possessively down her curves while he anchored the other around her waist to hold her against him. Ignoring her struggles to avoid his touch, he cast a commanding look across the ship. Every man on board understood his actions, but he spoke to reinforce his authority.

“Captain’s share, lads! Which leaves more gold for the rest of you!” A boisterous shout went up at his words. Alex allowed himself a slight smile. Now that he had claimed Diana as his share of the booty, no man would dare trespass on what was his.

Diana was horrified. Captain’s share? Was this her fate? Doxy to a pirate? She jerked from Alex’s relaxed hold and came around swinging. Her fist connected with his jaw with such force that his head snapped hard to the side. He stood frozen like that for a moment, as if he could not believe that she had actually struck him. Diana rubbed her stinging knuckles against her thigh as he slowly turned his head back to face her. She dared not move when she saw the look in his eyes.

The laughter of the watching crew faded to silence as they all waited to see what their captain’s reaction would be.

“McBride!”

His voice cracked out like the lash of a whip. She flinched at the sound of it.

The first mate appeared at his elbow as if from the air itself. “Captain?”

“Set the course we discussed.” Alex grasped Diana’s wrist. “I’ll be in my cabin.”

“Very well, captain.”

Alex turned toward the hatch, intending to haul Diana along with him, but she dug in her heels and refused to be led. With a shrug he reached out and seized her up, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. Her shriek of outrage incited snickers from the watching crew. Lewd suggestions flew after them as he stalked across the deck.