Love Me With Fury (16 page)

“That’s another night you owe me before I sell you to them desert snakes, Miss High and Mighty,” he sneered, then strapped on his sword and left her alone and helpless.

Alex pulled on the ropes and twisted this way and that. She only managed to cut rope burns into her wrists until the blood ran down her arms. She clenched her teeth against the pain as she attempted to free herself once more. Tears eased down her cheeks as she realized how degrading her situation was. As the sounds of battle reached her ears, she prayed the pirate ship would sink them before Thackery could return to his cabin and complete his vile act.

Fatigued and terrified, she rested her forehead against the post as she awaited her impending fate. The ship shuddered as a cannonball made a direct hit on her starboard side. Alex laughed as she thought how
lucky she was this cabin was on the port side. Shrieks of pain and loud shouts could be heard from above her. The clattering of booted feet running back and forth alerted her to the desperation of this battle. A thunderous crash suggested a severed mast and possible defeat.

What would happen once this battle was over? Would Thackery return? Would he hopefully be slain? Would the pirates kill all on board and sink them? Never in her life had she experienced such soulshaking fear. No matter the outcome of this day, her fate was cloudy…

It took a few minutes for Alex to recognize the portentous silence which indicated the fierce conflict for power was over. She dreaded to guess the victor. She could hear the softened sounds of boots as they made contact with the wooden deck overhead. The voices were so low, she couldn’t make out what they were saying or who was talking. There was nothing she could do but wait and pray.

When she heard the door open behind her, she tensed in dread and suspense. She held her breath in anticipation of Thackery’s renewed assault. God forgive her, but she would try to kill him in any way possible! She refused to move. Her face remained between her bound arms, her tawny tresses falling forward to conceal her face as her forehead rested against the post. She could sense someone standing beside her and staring at her, but she couldn’t force herself to look into that evil face.

His sapphire eyes started at her bound hands whose bloody injuries bespoke her futile attempts at freedom. He noted her erratic respiration which announced her panic. Her figure was exceptional. Her skin and hair were those of a young female, a female who had unfortunately captured the eye of this stupid captain. Should he give her a lift to the nearest port? Did he have the time and patience? She was defenseless, but could he afford the danger of having a female on board his ship who might see or hear too much? No, he decided. The consequences were too grave.

“Hand over the papers, Thackery, and I’ll forget you challenged me,” the never-to-be-forgotten voice commanded in a smug tone.

“Not on your life, Captain Joshua Steele,” Thackery rashly declined, furious at the way Steele was eying the female tied to his bedpost.

Steele? Captain Joshua Steele? The notorious scourge of the sea? But that was Stephen’s voice! Her head jerked upwards and she stared at the man beside her whose face was concealed by a black mask. When he glanced at her, she couldn’t help but witness the shock which registered briefly in those entrancing blue eyes. The half-grin which claimed his sensual mouth was the same one she had viewed at the pond. Her gaze spontaneously slipped over his powerful physique from head to foot, the truth of his identity exposed there. She licked her suddenly dry lips as she stared at him.

His calm, mellow voice stated, “Take the good captain out for a few minutes. I have another matter to settle first.”

Confused, Andy quickly complied. Spencer placed his hands on his narrow hips and grinned at her. “You certainly have a way of getting into trouble, Angelique.” Hearty laughter filled her ears.

“You?” she whispered, all doubts cleared away. “No wonder I couldn’t find you,” she foolishly remarked, making it sound as if she had searched for him when she really meant she hadn’t known where to locate him.

Chuckles came forth again, but he allowed her words to pass unquestioned. As if noticing the mask for the first time, she recalled that no one knew what this infamous rogue looked like. Instantly, she realized she did. What would he do with her now that he knew she could identify him? Catching the irony of her predicament, she laughed aloud.

“What’s so funny?” he quickly demanded of her curious behavior.

“I take it your name isn’t Stephen,” she responded. “I should have guessed there was some reason your face and name weren’t known. I was just wondering which fate was worse: your revenge or Thackery’s.”

He laughed too. Funny they should meet again this way! “Looks as if he’s been giving you a difficult time,” he joked, nodding at her bonds.

“I was just planning how I was going to kill him when I got free,” she declared, then laughed
nervously again.

“What were you doing in America? You must have left England soon after our…meeting,” he suggested with a beguiling grin.

Her stare grew cold and angry at the recall of that portentous day. “Yes, I did. I was hoping to never see you again, but it seems I’ve fallen into your brutal hands once more. Captain Joshua Steele…” she murmured aloud, her eyes slipping over his stalwart frame a second time. “Should I say it’s an honor to meet you, sir?” she scornfully questioned.

“Perhaps the first time, but not today,” he answered in an inexplicable manner. “I asked what you were doing in America,” he repeated.

“How do you know I was in America?” she sneered disdainfully.

“Because that’s the origin of this voyage,” he casually stated, yet she could sense some irritation behind his words.

“I was returning home after visiting friends there, but the good Captain Thackery didn’t take kindly to my refusal of his attentions,” she scoffed bitterly.

“What friends? Where?” he demanded.

“None of your business, Captain Steele,” she saucily replied.

“Then I take it you would prefer I leave you to the discretion of Captain Thackery? You wouldn’t be interested in a ride to the nearest port?”

Her face and eyes brightened instantly. But her smile and hope both vanished as she noted his
taunting grin. “I doubt I would be any safer with you than I was with him,” she panted angrily.

“Safer? Perhaps not. But surely in gentler hands,” he devilishly teased.

“That’s a matter of opinion!” she flared at him in rising annoyance. Should she accept his offer? Was it genuine? Should she beg him to rescue her?

He gently seized her chin and forced her frantic gaze to meet his steady one. “And what is your honest opinion, Angelique?” he murmured huskily, his gaze causing her to tremble.

Alex quickly lowered her lashes to conceal the desirous look which she knew must be revealed there, too late to prevent him from seeing it. “My opinion is that you’re a black-hearted rogue who preys on innocent girls and weaker ships,” she stated in a strained voice.

“You know what will happen to you if I leave you here to face Thackery again,” he said, observing her closely.

Her emerald eyes came up to look at him. She suddenly looked so young, so vulnerable, so damn innocent and alluring! Besides, she could identify him. He had never confronted that danger before. If he left her here, she would have two reasons for revenge against him. That is, if she survived to reach England…

“Would you let me off at the nearest port?” she challenged.

“I’d grant you your freedom from Thackery in
exchange for your silence,” he cunningly offered.

For a moment, puzzlement filled her eyes. Astonishment replaced it. “Surely you must be teasing me! How could I possibly tell anyone about you without giving away how I know the truth?”

He grinned in pleasure. “You’re right, Angelique. To tell what you know, you would also be forced to tell how you learned such facts.”

She was watching him intently. He was still calling her Angelique. That could only mean one thing; he didn’t know her real name or identity. “I was visiting my uncle Silas Grimsley in Massachusetts when he decided I should return home. He thinks a war between England and America is coming soon. I was travelling disguised as a widow, but the wind played havoc with my ploy by lifting my veil on deck,” she deceitfully offered the tale. Recalling how coy females acted, Alex called upon all her feminine instincts to fool him. Tears began to ease down her cheeks as she added, “I was so afraid, Stephen. I remained in my cabin as much as possible. I kept my face hidden with that veil all the time,” she demurely stated like a wronged child, nodding to the hat on the floor.

Spencer glanced down at the hat and sighed. After all, she had been an innocent virgin when they met. She was apparently here in this cabin against her will. He’d never heard of this Grimsley, but he didn’t know everyone. Still, something imperceptible nagged at him. He scanned her up and down several times and he mused upon this pleasing enigma. To her bewilderment,
he started laughing.

She watched his manly chest vibrate with the mocking, heady sound. “Did I say something amusing, Stephen?”

“That provocative gown and your intoxicated breath seem a wee bit suspicious, love. Is this some lover’s spat or a plot to secure your safety from bloody pirates?” he merrily accused.

Practically calling her Thackery’s mistress, Alex inhaled in surprise and shrieked indignantly, “You vulgar beast! How dare you speak to me in such a crude manner! No man has ever laid his hands upon me except you! And if you ever do again, I’ll slit your throat!” Her eyes glittered with icy fire. “As for Thackery, I’ll do the same with him!” she breathlessly added.

Spencer stepped to within inches of her, staring down into her defiant expression. “You’re saying no man warms that fiery blood of yours except me?” he mercilessly teased her as his hand slid down her cheek and his fingers passed over her lips.

When she attempted to bite him, he jerked his hand away and chuckled wickedly. “Such sharp teeth for a mermaid,” he added roguishly.

“You blasted demon! Just wait until my father learns of these outrageous insults! He’ll see both you and Thackery hanged!”

“And what about all your brothers?” he mocked her bravery.

Before thinking, she shouted back, “I don’t have
any brothers; I’m an only child!” She instantly grimaced as she recalled her tale by the pond and groaned.

“No doubt a father could handle only one child such as you.” Spencer playfully carried on this delightful game to provoke her into saying more.

“How would you know? I doubt you even have a father or a mother! I venture you’re the spawn of the devil himself!” she charged haughtily.

“Such a temper!” he laughingly asserted. “Perhaps you and Thackery deserve each other.”

That insinuation sobered her. Tears welled in her eyes. Her chin trembled. “Please, Stephen, don’t leave me here with that monster,” she pleaded. “You do owe me something,” she reminded him. “Please release me; my arms ache.”

His mood altered drastically at that statement. “Look at me, Angelique,” he commanded. “Swear you’re not here of your own free will.”

Her teary gaze met his as she honestly vowed, “I swear it, Stephen. I swear I was returning home dressed as a widow. Sink this miserable ship or kill me, but don’t leave me here like this.”

He withdrew his knife, then instantly replaced it. He paced the floor in uncertainty.

“What did I do to make you hate me so much?” she asked dejectedly. “You can’t do this to me!”

He whirled to glare at her. “Are you conveniently forgetting how we parted last time, my sweet and innocent Angelique?”
The color drained from her face. “But you left me no choice! You tricked me! You lied to me! Isn’t silly revenge beneath the dignity of the infamous Joshua Steele? I thought your reputation boasted of leniency and mercy to helpless victims,” she sarcastically sneered.

“Helpless? You, Angelique? The day’ll never come when a woman like you doesn’t have some weapon to use on a man,” he charged. “The only way you’ll come along with me is to pay your way.”

Alex naively misconstrued his meaning. “I have money and jewels in my cabin. You can have all of them. When we reach England, my father will also reward you for saving my life,” she promised sincerely.

Spencer laughed and shook his head. “Still feigning the innocent lass, love? Don’t you think that a wee bit absurd considering our previous relationship?” he cruelly hinted, vexed by the powerful pull of this girl.

“I haven’t been innocent since you brutally ravished me, Captain Steele! But neither have I been wanton since that despicable day. Do not judge me by your standards!”

He pushed a straying lock of hair from her flushed face. She pulled back from his disturbing touch. “You are surely heartless, Steele. How I wish I had never known you,” she declared softly, but her gaze told a much different story.

“And I, you, Angelique; for you have plagued my mind day and night since our meeting,” he huskily
confessed before leaning over to imprison her mouth with his.

Alex’s head was spinning wildly as his mouth seared hers time and time again. Capturing her head between his hands, he explored the inviting recess of her mouth and sampled the sweet hunger within her. All thoughts and worries cast aside, she eagerly responded to this moment which had filled her dreams for weeks. As his lips moved over her cheeks to allow his teeth to nibble at her ear, she moaned softly and whispered his name. His lips possessively claimed hers once more, burning away all reality but him.

How she yearned to slip her arms around him and to nestle against that hard chest! Such raging fires and urgent needs consumed her. She could not resist the stirrings of passion which he so easily brought to life after their separation. When Spencer leaned back to gaze down at her with his igneous blue eyes, she weakly gazed back at him with eyes of sparkling green fire.

“You are surely a dangerous enchantress, Angelique, for you tempt a man to dare much to possess you,” he huskily murmured.

“Then possess me, Stephen,” she carelessly and wantonly entreated. “For you have haunted me each hour since that day at the pond. Be you devil or man, God, how I want you,” she confessed in a fiery moment of total weakness and overpowering desire.