A Lady at Last

Someone seized her from behind. “What are you doing in here?”

Amanda reacted on instinct but the moment she drew her blade and pressed it against his chest, she realized her mistake. De Warenne’s eyes went wide. She froze, her heart hammering madly, as she was in his arms.

“What is that?” he asked very calmly.

His thighs were thick, bulging muscle, she realized inanely as he held her body completely against his. “It’s a dagger,” she breathed. “I am sorry…I’ll put it down, but you must let me go.”

Their gazes were locked. As he released her, she felt him stirring and she gasped, her gaze shooting back to his.

He blushed. His daughter was right, she thought, stunned. Or was she now as mad as the child?

He stepped back, grim. “No one enters this cabin without permission.” He half turned, striding to the porthole, where he breathed deeply.

It was too late. Amanda could clearly see that he had been aroused. She slipped the dagger slowly into its sheath in her boot. He wanted her. She wasn’t really certain why. Was it the brief act of violence? Every sailor she knew enjoyed sex after a bloody battle.

“Papa? It’s my fault. I wanted to come inside,” Ariella whispered from the bed.

De Warenne turned and smiled at his daughter. The expression, however, was strained. “Even you must ask my permission to enter here.”

The child nodded, eyes wide, looking back and forth between Amanda and her father.

Amanda tried to breathe more naturally. “I’m sorry.” She took a careful glance at him and wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed that he seemed to be in control of his amorous nature once more.

His jaw flexed. He gestured for them both to precede him out of the door. When they had done so, he barked, “Miss Carre. A moment, please.”

She did not like his tone but she nodded, hoping he wasn’t going to discipline her for her trespass. That was what Papa would do. He’d deliver a quick cuff to the head, at least. Her stomach churned with some fear. Papa had been a big man, but de Warenne was taller, more muscular and far younger. Well, if he hit her she wouldn’t flinch. He’d see that she was strong and brave—she’d make Papa proud.

“Ariella, if you are feeling better, I am pleased. But going below is still not a good idea. I have summoned Anahid. The two of you can read together on that bench.”

“Yes, Papa,” she whispered.

“Go.” But he smiled now and stooped to kiss her cheek.

Ariella beamed at him and rushed off to Anahid, who was waiting a discreet distance away.

Amanda tensed in anticipation of her punishment, watching his shoulders stiffen before he turned. He gestured. “Would you care—”

Amanda ducked.

He froze, his hand in the air, poised between them. “What are you doing?”

She flushed. She had broken his rules, and she should stand firm. “Nothing. I mean, I won’t dodge the blow.”

His eyes popped. “What?”

“Go ahead, just do it. I disobeyed your orders.”

“You think I mean to strike you?” He dropped his hand.

She became wary. “That’s what a hand is for, isn’t it?”

He took a step toward her and she forgot her resolve, backing up. He halted, and so did she. “Miss Carre! I do not strike women,” he said, aghast. “I have never struck a woman in my life, and I never will.”

She wasn’t sure she should believe him. “Is this a trick?”

He was incredulous, so much so that it was a moment before he spoke. When he did, she saw pity in his eyes. “I am trying to invite you to dine with me tonight,” he said.

“You want to sup with me?” This had to be trickery, didn’t it?

He nodded. “I thought we might converse.”

Amanda was suspicious. Men had one use for women—and it wasn’t for conversation. Her heart slammed hard. He had changed his mind. He had decided to take her to his bed after all.

“Will you accept my invitation?”

She didn’t know what to think. Was he now going to allow her to pay for her passage in his bed? Her mind filled with hazy but heated images of her golden dream lover, and suddenly, that lover wasn’t faceless anymore. Instead it was de Warenne stroking her body, causing her skin to tingle and throb. Maybe she wouldn’t mind being in his bed. Everyone said he was a superb lover. She’d heard the island ladies talking about him more times than she could remember. Some of them, the ones who’d shared his bed, had bragged about it to their friends. Somehow, she knew the rumors were true.

Her skin was tingling now, as if she was in one of her secret dreams, but this time, the aching was more intense. She breathed and nodded. “We can sup…and converse.”

His gaze narrowed. “My intentions are honorable.”

She didn’t believe him, not for a moment.

CHAPTER FIVE

AMANDA STAYED by the railing at the ship’s stern, standing tall and proud, trying to remain utterly composed. It was very hard to do. Six seamen had carried the teakwood coffin with her father’s corpse to the deck, where it now sat, gleaming in the Caribbean sun. The Fair Lady had a crew of close to three hundred men, and every available sailor stood on deck, respectfully silent. DeWarenne was speaking. He held a Bible in his hands and she knew he was reading from it, but Amanda couldn’t comprehend a word he was saying.

The grief had risen out of nowhere, paralyzing her. A few hours ago, when they had made sail, she had been filled with joy. She had forgotten Papa’s terrible fate. Now she fought to hold the pain of his loss at bay. It seemed a monumental, impossible task. She was overcome by wave after wave of grief.

She did not want to lose her composure in front of de Warenne, his family and his crew.

I can’t do this, she thought, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks. I can’t live without Papa. It hurts too much.

He had been her life. Her mother was a complete stranger and she was never going to take her papa’s place.

Her knees were weak, her body was trembling, and the tears kept crawling down her face.

Please make this dream end, she thought in anguish. Please!

Then she realized that the ship was silent. All that could be heard was the groaning of the masts, the flap of sails, the lapping of water, the sea spray. De Warenne had stopped speaking.

She didn’t dare look at him. If she did, she’d start shrieking in pain and rage.

He appeared before her. Speaking low, his tone unbearably kind, he said, “Do you wish to say a few words?”

How could she say anything when she couldn’t breathe, much less speak? The silence on the ship was simply awful.

“Do you wish to say goodbye, at least?” he asked softly, clasping her shoulder.