until pirates and the merchants who bought from them started being
hanged from the docks on a regular basis.”
“It’s not as simple as selling
pirate contraband under the guise of a legitimate charter anymore. King
George’s edicts aren’t all we have to contend with. Someone calling himself El
Diablo is killing people associated with our venture.” He tried to make his
voice deadly serious. “You might be willing to take responsibility for your
part in our plan, but what about Felicity? She’s involved now. It’s clear I
must leave.”
Ben cut his gaze to the deep
shadows in the foliage. Drew suspected Ben knew he was right but was too good a
friend to send him out on his own—which was more than Drew deserved.
“But what about you? You won’t be
safe on the open sea. I didn’t save your life to watch you throw it away,” Ben
said. But the conviction in his voice was clearly gone.
“That’s the last thing I’m doing.
Now that there’s a king’s ransom on El Diablo’s head, I’m no safer on
Barbados than at sea. Besides, I want to find the bastard who is ruining my
life.”
“Just send word that you’re
safe.”
“No contact. I’ll leave on the Sea
Mistress tonight and you won’t see me again until I find Marley and
Beatrice’s killer.”
Drew extended his hand. Ben
ignored it, opting to hug him instead. With little choice, Drew accepted the
embrace, not really minding at all.
As they walked back to the black
coach perched atop red wheels, Ben hung his head and sighed. The man did a poor
job of hiding his emotions. Drew never should have suggested he involve himself
in this illicit profession. The irony was, at the time Drew thought he was
doing Ben a favor, neatly paying off a debt.
Drew stopped his friend before he
opened the carriage door. Through the window, in the confines of the dark
interior, Felicity’s pale face glowed like the moon. The way she stared
straight ahead, ignoring their approach, warned she’d been straining to hear
their conversation. He’d been a fool to think her taking his arm and allowing
him to guide her down the Linleys’ front steps had been some sort of truce. No
doubt she’d considered the fact that dew had gathered on the marble, and she’d
needed something to cushion her fall if she slipped.
Drew, leaning on the window’s
edge, saw a secret smile play on the young woman’s full lips. If Ben hadn’t
been hovering nearby, he might risk stealing a kiss good-bye. The resounding
slap he’d no doubt earn for his efforts would surely be worth it.
“Miss Kendall, I’ll bid you
goodnight. It’s always a pleasure,” he said.
She turned to him, her gaze
smoldering with satisfaction. He’d love to see that look on her face for
reasons other than his imminent departure.
“I’m glad you’re so easily
amused,” she said. “Personally, I find talk of murderous pirates anything but pleasant.
But I suppose therein lies our difference.”
Drew straightened. Lord, but her
thorns were sharp. She’d surely make a man bleed before he reached her soft
petals. “As always, you’re absolutely right. What would I do without your
guidance?”
“Burn in hell, which I’m sure
you’ll do with or without my assistance.”
Drew cleared his throat. His
usually thick charm evaporated on his tongue. The truth of her words—something
he’d always known and sometimes prided himself on—suddenly raised a chill on
his hot skin. He turned away. Perhaps Felicity was a challenge he’d not be able
to overcome. He hoped it wasn’t a sign that there’d soon be others.
“Keep an eye on that daughter of
yours,” he said to Ben. “You have enough to worry about with her underfoot.”
His friend nodded, then slipped
into the carriage. He settled across from Felicity, and Drew tried not to
notice the grooves that marred the man’s face. Ben had aged ten years since
Marley’s death. Drew feared his own demise might add another ten. But better that
than Ben dying
hanged from the docks on a regular basis.”
“It’s not as simple as selling
pirate contraband under the guise of a legitimate charter anymore. King
George’s edicts aren’t all we have to contend with. Someone calling himself El
Diablo is killing people associated with our venture.” He tried to make his
voice deadly serious. “You might be willing to take responsibility for your
part in our plan, but what about Felicity? She’s involved now. It’s clear I
must leave.”
Ben cut his gaze to the deep
shadows in the foliage. Drew suspected Ben knew he was right but was too good a
friend to send him out on his own—which was more than Drew deserved.
“But what about you? You won’t be
safe on the open sea. I didn’t save your life to watch you throw it away,” Ben
said. But the conviction in his voice was clearly gone.
“That’s the last thing I’m doing.
Now that there’s a king’s ransom on El Diablo’s head, I’m no safer on
Barbados than at sea. Besides, I want to find the bastard who is ruining my
life.”
“Just send word that you’re
safe.”
“No contact. I’ll leave on the Sea
Mistress tonight and you won’t see me again until I find Marley and
Beatrice’s killer.”
Drew extended his hand. Ben
ignored it, opting to hug him instead. With little choice, Drew accepted the
embrace, not really minding at all.
As they walked back to the black
coach perched atop red wheels, Ben hung his head and sighed. The man did a poor
job of hiding his emotions. Drew never should have suggested he involve himself
in this illicit profession. The irony was, at the time Drew thought he was
doing Ben a favor, neatly paying off a debt.
Drew stopped his friend before he
opened the carriage door. Through the window, in the confines of the dark
interior, Felicity’s pale face glowed like the moon. The way she stared
straight ahead, ignoring their approach, warned she’d been straining to hear
their conversation. He’d been a fool to think her taking his arm and allowing
him to guide her down the Linleys’ front steps had been some sort of truce. No
doubt she’d considered the fact that dew had gathered on the marble, and she’d
needed something to cushion her fall if she slipped.
Drew, leaning on the window’s
edge, saw a secret smile play on the young woman’s full lips. If Ben hadn’t
been hovering nearby, he might risk stealing a kiss good-bye. The resounding
slap he’d no doubt earn for his efforts would surely be worth it.
“Miss Kendall, I’ll bid you
goodnight. It’s always a pleasure,” he said.
She turned to him, her gaze
smoldering with satisfaction. He’d love to see that look on her face for
reasons other than his imminent departure.
“I’m glad you’re so easily
amused,” she said. “Personally, I find talk of murderous pirates anything but pleasant.
But I suppose therein lies our difference.”
Drew straightened. Lord, but her
thorns were sharp. She’d surely make a man bleed before he reached her soft
petals. “As always, you’re absolutely right. What would I do without your
guidance?”
“Burn in hell, which I’m sure
you’ll do with or without my assistance.”
Drew cleared his throat. His
usually thick charm evaporated on his tongue. The truth of her words—something
he’d always known and sometimes prided himself on—suddenly raised a chill on
his hot skin. He turned away. Perhaps Felicity was a challenge he’d not be able
to overcome. He hoped it wasn’t a sign that there’d soon be others.
“Keep an eye on that daughter of
yours,” he said to Ben. “You have enough to worry about with her underfoot.”
His friend nodded, then slipped
into the carriage. He settled across from Felicity, and Drew tried not to
notice the grooves that marred the man’s face. Ben had aged ten years since
Marley’s death. Drew feared his own demise might add another ten. But better that
than Ben dying
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