The Duke's Lady (Historical Romance - The Ladies Series) (30 page)

“Sweetheart, you never cease to amaze me. What are you going to do with your winnings?” Adam asked while they walked toward his cabin.

“I’m going to give the money to Andy. That’s the reason I started playing. I was tired of seeing Billy boast. When he started teasing Andy, I thought he could use a good lesson.” They were standing at the door of Adam’s cabin. “That was good of you, but tell me, what other hidden talents am I going to discover?” A wicked smile touched his lips.

“Well, maybe one or two others,” she teased.

“Allow me.” Adam swung her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. Gently, he let her down; then he drew her against his body. The intensity of her feelings momentarily stopped her breathing while she anticipated his kiss. His arms closed around her, and she melted against him. His lips crushed her mouth. She felt as if she were drowning in sensual pleasure. He demanded more, and she gave it to him with a parting of her lips.

Her body flushed with a warmth that spread from head to toe and filled her with a longing she didn’t quite understand. When Adam turned her around and started unbuttoning the back of her dress, desire weakened her knees to jelly. Her dress slipped from her shoulders. She heard his shuddered breathing when she faced him again.

Adam watched the pupils of Jewel’s eyes grow wide, making her eyes black with desire, and he smiled lazily. He liked the fact that he was the cause of the passion that filled her. “I hope you enjoyed your wedding day, Mrs. Trent.”

“Mmm,” she murmured. “It was beautiful. I did have a hard time answering yes to that obedient part, though.”

“I imagined you would.” He chuckled. “Perhaps we can discuss that matter later.” Adam finished pulling off his shirt as desire poured through his veins. He was anxious to feel her nipples against his chest. “For now, I have other plans.”
Scooping Jewel up in his arms, he carried her over to the bed, where he finished removing his clothing.

He braced himself up on his elbows, then bent his head to kiss her. This was almost like their first time all over again, and he didn’t want to rush. He brushed a kiss along her jaw before he sought her mouth again. This time her tongue met his. As she skillfully kissed him back, he heard his heartbeat racing in his ears.

Lost in their turbulent feelings, they enjoyed touching and exploring each other’s bodies. Time seemed to stand still as they found pleasure with each caressing touch.

Adam pulled her hips next to him, making her feel his urgency. He felt her hands move across his chest as his kisses grew longer. Many women had been his before, but none had stirred his senses as this one did. He rubbed his hands ever so slowly down her velvety skin.

“You’re so soft,” he murmured in her ear.

A sigh escaped her lips. “Adam, I’ve never felt like this before.” She became dizzy as delicious sensations filled her body. She felt as if she were floating in a sea of emotions over which she lacked control. He rolled on top of her, covering her lips with his.

“So beautiful,” he breathed against her throat.

Lowering his head, he left a trail of kisses all the way to her breast. Jewel gasped as he took one peak into his mouth, teasing, sucking, nipping, making her moan with desire. His hand moved lower, and in a slow, circular motion he caressed the area between her legs, bringing her a desire of white-hot passion. The pressure of his fingertips increased as he ca
ressed her breasts, causing her to arch her hips.

Her fever reached a pitch. She wanted some kind of release to this pressure Adam invoked in her.

“Does this feel good, Jewel?”

“Oh, yes, Adam . . . please . . Her voice was thick. It didn’t sound normal. Her body trembled with need. “I want you.”

She pulled his head back to her waiting lips and thrust her tongue deep in his mouth, wanting to taste all of him. She knew she’d never get enough. Her hand drifted lower until her fingers wrapped around his firm shaft. Not knowing exactly what to do, but wanting to give Adam the same pleasure he gave her, she instinctively moved her hand up and down to stroke him.

“My God, Jewel,” Adam rasped, grabbing her hand. “I can’t wait any longer, sweetheart.”

He mounted her, driving deep and possessing her in every sense of the word, body and soul. They soared like the waves in the sea. The swells grew bigger and bigger, and when they could swell no longer, they reached a peak and crested, crashing down until once again it was calm and peaceful, their energy spent.

They murmured words of love—no pretense, just raw emotions. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other, and twice more that night they made love, exploring each other’s body until they knew every inch. Adam taught Jewel the fine art of making love, and she taught him an intensity he had never known. Sometime in the early hours of morning, they fell into an exhausted sleep in each other’s arms.

The next weeks were so peaceful that Jewel knew true contentment.

It was almost too perfect, and that frightened her. She wanted nothing to shatter her happiness, so she would wait until later to tell Adam of her past. After all, what could it harm?

Their days were spent doing everyday tasks, and their nights were filled with passionate lovemaking. One night Adam informed Jewel that they would be in New Orleans in a few weeks. Many emotions filled her. She would be at home—well, almost. At least she would be closer to her uncles, but she wouldn’t be able to see them unless she told Adam.

Just what would the future bring at Four Oaks?

Early one morning, when Jewel went up to take the dog for a walk, she was surprised to be met by a chilling fog. The menace penetrated her clothes with ice-cold fingers and almost suffocated everything in its midst. The drifting mist muted everything. Even the sea. She could barely distinguish Adam at the helm, and he could not possibly see where he was going in this thick blanket of white.

Without warning, the shrouded outline of a ship appeared out of nowhere, a phantom ship that seemed to have been conjured up by the fog. She strained her eyes, trying to see if her imagination played tricks on her. Then she saw it. The deadly skull and crossbones flapping in the wind.

“Oh, God, I hope they’re not my relatives,” Jewel whispered as a sick feeling crept into the pit of her stomach.

It began slowly. The fog had hidden the pirate ship until it was upon them, too late to avoid a confrontation.

“Come about!” Adam called in command. “Man your guns, men!”

The first shot sailed over the
Wind Jammer's
bow, hitting harmlessly on the far side. More shots were fired.

Adam had his hands full as he fought the wheel. He looked up, and his gaze met hers. “Jewel, get below and don’t return until I come after you!” he bellowed. “Take Duke! I don’t want either of you hurt!”

For once she did as instructed.

The blast of the
Wind Jammer's
eighteen-pounders vibrated the air before they struck the enemy ship. Unfortunately, the damage was minor. The battle raged. As the ships drew closer, the pirate’s sloop tried to rake the
Wind Jammer
with her broadside, but Adam quickly outmaneuvered them.

“Come about!” Now he became the aggressor. His ship pivoted on the pirate’s fouled bowsprit, and they fell close alongside each other, starboard to starboard, bow to stem, gun muzzles touching.

The scrape of the grappling hooks as they caught the side of the ship made the hair stand on Adam’s neck. His sharpshooters quickly picked off the bloodthirsty pirates as they tried to board. But their numbers grew, and hand-to-hand combat could no longer be avoided.

Sword fights immediately broke out with the pirates that did make it across. The pirates were a scrubby lot clad in striped jerseys and stocking caps. The results of previous battles could be seen from the black patches over their eyes, and the scars on their faces and bodies.

The pirates began to outnumber the
Wind Jammer's
crew. Adam lashed the wheel. He drew his sword and prepared to do battle. Death drew near.

Two pirates, spotting the captain of the ship, approached Adam from behind. “I’ve got the son of a whore. Prepare to die, mate!”

Adam’s sixth sense took over, and he turned, sidestepping just in time to miss the thrust of the pirate’s sword. “Gentlemen, it takes two of you? You do not fight fair.” He laughed, mocking them. They were no match for his skills.

Below deck Jewel paced frantically about the room, listening for any sound that could tell them about the battle raging up top. “Annie, I can’t stand not knowing what’s happening.”

“Just pray, lass, that our men are successful. I’d die if anythin’ be happenin’ tae Derek or Adam.” She wrung her hands with worry. And Jewel could see the creases in Annie’s forehead.

“I’ve got to peek out and see. We can’t just sit here!” Jewel stopped pacing and looked at Annie. “What if things aren’t going well? I only have my knife for protection.” She eased over to the door. “I’m just going to look out.”

“Be careful!” Annie warned. “Adam gave strict orders for ye to stay below.”

Slowly, Jewel opened the door. Just for a peek. However, that was the only invitation Duke needed. He bounced out the door in a flash.

“Duke!” Jewel called as she chased after her dog.

By the time she caught him it was too late. They were in the midst of the battle. Her gaze went to the quarterdeck. Smoke curled, mixing with the fog around several sprawled bodies. The clanging of swords sounded all around her. If only she had a sword. But armed with merely a knife, Jewel knew she had to get below. Grabbing Duke by his collar, she started to stand and go back to the cabin.

But she was stopped short by a crafty-eyed pirate. He grabbed her by the hair, jerking her up to face him.

She screamed from the pain that shot through her head, and soon found herself face-to-face with the scruffy enemy. And thank God, she didn’t recognize him. Duke barked and squirmed in her arms, and she finally had to let him go.

“Well, well, my pretty. What a tasty morsel you’d make.”

“I’d let go of me if I were you,” she calmly replied. Though calm wasn’t how she felt.

The bloke gave another hard yank of her hair. She smelled the gunpowder and fresh blood on his dirty body. “What say you to that, my pretty?” he asked.

She refused to answer. Instead, she eased out the dagger she had slipped in her sleeve. He gave another jerk of her hair, demanding an answer. She waited for his guard to let down. Finally, he loosened his grip. She twisted and stuck the knife deep in his gut. He immediately released her, falling to the deck, writhing in pain.

Picking up Duke, she held him firmly under her arm before glancing quickly about her. She spotted Adam fighting with two men about twenty feet from her. He looked her way for only a moment, but it was enough for the marauder to pierce Adam’s sword arm.

Jewel gasped. Adam never faltered as he switched sword hands, cutting the first man low, tumbling him to the ground.

He continued fighting the other buccaneer. Out of the comer of her eye, Jewel noticed a third pirate approaching Adam from behind.

Adam couldn’t see him.

She had to do something.

Jerking her knife out of her victim, she poised the bloody knife by its point, reared back, and threw. Her knife covered the distance, hitting the pirate in the chest.

Adam must have heard the thud as he quickly glanced behind him. But he didn’t turn until he’d finished the bloke in front of him. She saw his eyes widen as he realized that it had been Jewel who’d felled the sailor.

“Jewel, get below! Now!”

Blood soaked Adam’s sleeve, and she’d been the cause by breaking his concentration. She stood uncertain, her bloody hand covering her mouth. She longed to go to him. His harsh voice finally shook her out of her stupor. Hastily, she retrieved her knife. Then, picking up her skirt, she turned and fled to the cabin, uncertain which was more daunting, the thought of the pirates storming the cabin or the anger in Adam’s eyes when he’d seen her.

If the pirates came below, she would need some type of protection.

But a small knife wasn’t much.

Chapter
Twenty-one

Jewel could hear pistols firing, sword blades clashing, men shouting, but every time she heard the agonizing screams of men in pain—maybe dying—she had to close her eyes. Yet she couldn’t shut out the thoughts of Adam lying in a pool of blood. Then she remembered she’d just killed two men. She’d never taken a life before.

In the past, her fencing and knife-throwing had always been a game she played with Jean and his men. Even Jean’s journeys at sea had sounded like adventure—now she knew different.

When the
Lin Fa
had engaged the British ship, she’d realized a little too late that attacks meant life and death. Still, she’d fought—but even then she hadn’t taken anyone’s life.

Duke lay at her feet, as if sensing her distress. She bent down and stroked his floppy ears. Suddenly, she looked at Annie, who sat rubbing her hands together. The air froze in Jewel’s lungs.