Pearls of Fire, page 12
“Jacob was right about you,” she said with a little harrumph.
“He’s all right then? And what about Lucifer? He went into the water with me.” Hugh realized his memory was hazy about everything after he and Lucifer had set those charges under the Sea Snake. “And my crew? Exactly how long have I been delirious?” He tried to lean forward once more, but Thor’s hammer slammed into his head, the impact coursing through his body with unrelenting force.
“Do behave, Hugh.” Emma rolled her eyes. “They’re all fine, thanks to you. But you gave us a good scare. You’ve had a fever ever since that day we encountered the Sea Snake, so please don’t try to get out of bed yet. You’ll break something new and then I’ll just have to wrap you up in more bandages.”
He grumbled, but obeyed.
As she fussed over him, he watched her curls shimmer in the sunlight. It had felt dark and dreary only moment ago. The sun must have finally come out and was now shining in through the open doorway. “Am I by a waterfall? I keep hearing the rush of water.”
“The waterfall is a good distance away. What you’ve been hearing is rain hitting the thatch roof. It rains in Wamsisi all day. Every day.”
“Have you seen the rest of the island?”
“Not yet. Jacob will take a scouting party around Buru once the rains pass. I’ll go with them, but only if you’re well enough to be left on your own.”
He frowned. “I don’t want you going anywhere without me. I… damn…” He rolled onto his side, suddenly nauseated.
She grabbed a basin and set it beside him. “It’s all right, Hugh. I won’t go.”
He eased back as the moment of nausea passed. Was she agreeing to wait for him to regain his strength merely to calm him down? Did she mean it? He tried to study her expression, but the sun was too bright and painfully glaring in his eyes.
He turned away from the door. “What time is it?”
“About two in the afternoon. What else do you wish to know?”
“Everything.”
She nodded. “You are resting in a makeshift infirmary. We’ve had lots of rain, as I said. But I think the worst of it has passed and today will be a beautiful day. Let’s enjoy it while we can.”
She opened the thatched shutters to allow in a warm breeze.
“I heard you reading to me while I was unconscious.”
“You did? I’m so glad. I… I wasn’t sure…” She turned to the trove of books piled in the corner. “I’ll read to you this evening, if you like.”
“Sure.” He wanted her to stay close to him now that they’d reached Wamsisi. Not only because he still had lots of questions, but because he had yet to meet the village chieftain and determine whether Emma was in any danger. “Where’s that braxy, Jacob? Now that I’m awake, I’d like to talk to him.”
She laughed, another caressing laugh that caught on the light breeze cooling the hut. “He called you the same thing. I gather braxy is a term of affection. He called you that and said you were too stubborn to be done in by such a little thing a mizzen mast cracking open your skull.”
He touched his head and groaned.
“I remember swimming to Nikko’s ship to blow it up. The rest is still a little hazy.” He took her hand and held it gently in his. “Is your father here, Emma?”
She paled and let out a soft rush of air. “No, he never arrived.”
“I’m sorry, my sweet.” He meant it. She’d been so certain they would find him here. Learning that he’d never reached Wamsisi must have been a crushing blow.
She gave a curt nod. “We’ll speak of it later. When you have your strength back.”
A knock at the rickety door distracted them both. It wasn’t much of a door, no more than a few wooden slats held together by hemp ropes. “Ah, Jacob. Come in,” Hugh called to his friend.
The rest of his crew had gathered by the doorway as well.
He’d talk to Emma later.
Right now, he had to find out all he could about their battle with the Sea Snake. “All of you, come in.” A visit from his men would do more good than any medicine. Although a quick tumble with Emma, his beautiful angel of mercy, would be the best medicine of all. That truly would be the best healing tonic a man could ever ask for.
Emma rose and began to fuss around him. “I’ll tidy a space for your visitors.”
“But you’ll stay, too?”
“No, I’ll come back later. I need to put myself together.”
“Thank you, Emma. I’m glad you stayed with me.” He followed her graceful movements, watched the gentle sway of her hips as she put away medicine bottles and bandages. Her fichu was coming loose again. He eyed the delicate fabric that clung precariously to her bosom and silently vowed to kill any man who did the same.
She caught him looking at her and blushed.
He shrugged and let out a slow, lazy smile.
The door slammed shut behind her, rattling the hut and everything in it, especially his aching bones. He sat up against his pillows, determined to concentrate on his crew and what needed to be done to repair his vessel.
Word would soon reach Edward Montvey about his return.
Hugh knew that it was only a matter of days, perhaps a week before his sniveling cousin came after him. He’d overheard one of the native girls say that he was due back at the end of the month to open the government offices on Buru. He would come sooner once he learned The Persephone was here.
Nikko would do the same, assuming the Sea Snake had survived their confrontation.
His temples began to throb. He’d also promised Emma that he’d help find her missing father.
With all that was going on, was there any chance for him and Emma to regain what they’d had on the night of Lord Jameson’s ball?
“Jacob, you gaw on my buttocks,” Hugh said impatiently once his crew had departed, leaving him alone with his first mate. “I don’t need a lecture from you.”
His friend glowered back, showing every bit of his quick Scots temper. “Here I am worried sick that we’d lost ye, and all ye can think of is cr-r-rawlin’ into that lassie’s bed. Weel, I’ll have you know she’s a lady in every sense of the word. I won’t let ye break her heart!”
“Who says I would? I was once ready to propose to her,” he grumbled, furious that they were having this conversation when they ought to have been talking about the Pearls of Fire.
“And make her yer wife? Why you booby-headed lummox, you’re hardly fit to tie the knot with that angel of mercy, that–”
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with her.” Hugh emitted a laugh that was quickly followed by a tortured groan, for every sudden movement still caused him pain. “What happened? Are you bored with Martine already?”
“Do ye think I’m trifling with Martine?” His face was red and he raised his fist.
“Stop, Jacob. Since when do we fight over women?” Besides, he was too weak to avoid his blow that would surely knock out several of his teeth.
Jacob sighed. “Ye looby. I’m too old for this nonsense. The point is, Lady Emma nursed ye back to life. She worried over you day and night without rest. Ye owe her better than to treat her as though she’s a common doxy.”
Hugh held back his anger. In truth, he was angrier with himself for desiring Emma, for wanting Emma to be his forever when he could offer her nothing in return but his craven heart. But it was hard to think logically while nursing a lump the size of a cannonball on his head. “You’re right, old friend. I’ll try to be on my best behavior.”
“Dinna just try,” Jacob said, once more revealing his annoyance by the thickening of his Scottish brogue. “Do it. Ye know all about chivalry. After all, ye’re the son of the Earl of Stratton.”
Hugh winced at the unpleasant reminder of his status. “The disgraced son. But not for long. I’ll have my revenge on Montvey.”
“Ye’re a fine looby, indeed. Will ye kill the one man who can exonerate you?”
“He’ll never confess. So I’m going to kill him. Then I’ll find the Pearls of Fire. No one will care about my past crimes once I return with that priceless necklace and gift it to the queen.”
“You’d take it from Emma and her family?”
He shrugged. “She said I could.”
Jacob looked like he was truly about to hit him, not that Hugh would blame him. He knew what he was doing was reprehensible. But how else was he to save his own family?
“You promised to find Emma’s father.”
“I will.” Hugh grunted. “But he isn’t here. Montvey will be here soon. I’ll deal with that bastard first and then search for her father afterward.”
“And the pearls?”
“Let me worry about those. Why are you still scowling at me? I’m not breaking any promises to Emma. We’ll both profit.” But he knew that if he took those pearls, he’d lose Emma forever. He shook out of the thought. Bah! He’d worry about that when the time came.
Loving each other, making that love work, was a hopeless dream anyway.
Emma was a lady, born and bred.
More than that, she was an angel. His angel.
But angels and pirates were not a good fit. Pirates took what they wanted. He wanted Emma and the pearls. He’d have them both, whether angels and pirates were a good fit or not. No one, not even Emma, would stop him. “Tell me what’s happened since we landed on this island. Emma seems to have developed a friendship with the native girls.”
Jacob nodded. “All the natives treat her as though she’s been among them for years. It’s uncanny the way they’ve warmed to her.”
“She’s a beautiful woman. Who wouldn’t admire her?”
“It’s more than that.” Jacob chewed on his lip in thought for a moment. “Lucifer noticed it too.”
Hugh struggled to sit up, now concerned. “Do you think she’s in any danger? Let’s get her out of here as soon as possible. I’ll hide her somewhere safe and then come back for Edward Montvey. He’ll come sooner than the end of the month once he learns I’m here.”
“If he’s the one who framed ye for Sir Richard’s murder, who bribed Nikko to testify falsely against ye, then I would think he’d want to stay as far away from here as possible. He knows what ye’ll do to him and ought to be shivering in his boots.”
“No, he’s the Lord Governor and thinks his office will protect him. That and the scum like Nikko he has working for him.” Hugh burned to seek revenge. “We could leave Emma here and sail to him now.”
“We can’t go anywhere until The Persephone is repaired. Her rigging was damaged in the skirmish with Nikko, and then we were caught in a sudden squall that tore the mainsail. The blasted weather’s still stopping us from getting near to repair her.”
“How badly did we damage Nikko’s vessel?”
“Bad. If we didn’t sink her, we put her out of commission for a good long while. We didn’t stay around to watch the Sea Snake break apart. But you should have seen the look on Nikko’s face when he realized what we’d done. I don’t think he realized you’d escaped and were on board until that moment. He thought I now owned The Persephone and was trying to convince me to work for him. As if I’d ever work for that scurvy bastard.”
Hugh knew that Emma would never approve of what he’d done. But this was not the pleasant English countryside. Out here, it was kill or be killed. He wasn’t sorry that he’d taken his revenge, only sorry that he hadn’t waited around to make certain the deed was properly done. He wasn’t going to apologize for doing what he had to do to protect Emma, his crew and family. “Montvey’s next. I’ll need a few more days to regain my strength. But I’m going after him if he doesn’t bother to come after me.”
“And put Emma at risk?”
“Hell, no. She’s safe with me. You know she is, Jacob. So stop fussing like an old woman and let me do what I know must be done. She’ll be safer once Montvey is out of the way. Then I’ll keep to my word and search for her father.” He stared at the doorway, hoping Emma would glide through it.
To his regret, she didn’t.
Perhaps it was for the best.
He didn’t like the way she overwhelmed his heart.
Jacob slapped his hands on his thighs and rose with a grunt. “I’ll leave ye now, lad.”
Hugh nodded. “I need to know that you are with me, you old braxy.”
Jacob nodded. “Always, lad. But will Lady Emma always be? That’s the more important question, and one I cannot answer.”
Nor could he. “It’s her choice.”
But would he survive losing her now that he’d found her again?
He wasn’t certain.
And he didn’t like that one bit.
Chapter Twelve
Emma tried very hard not to succumb to Hugh’s good humor, but quickly saw it was a losing battle. The man had an irrepressible charm and a quick wit that could not be dampened by the now subsiding lump on his head, or his numerous cuts, bruises or sprains. Indeed, nothing, not even fighting off death, could keep him down.
She strove mightily to hide her smile as she sat on the edge of his bed, ladling broth into his mouth and wishing he wasn’t the handsomest man she had ever set eyes upon.
She’d sobbed against his chest all night long that first night, fearing he wouldn’t survive to the morning. Though she’d never admit it to him, the possibility of losing him had devastated her. He should have meant nothing to her, but it seemed that her fate had been sealed on the night of Lord Jameson’s ball.
The fear of losing him had burst open the dam surrounding her heart, unleashing a torrent of feelings she could no longer deny. He was the reason she’d never married. No other man could ever live up to him. No other man could ever rouse her passion. No other man could ever break her heart so easily.
She touched a finger to her lips, running it lightly over the curve of her lips.
She and Hugh had shared several kisses.
Each time, she’d felt kissed by a man in love.
What was wrong with her? She ought to be able to tell the difference between seduction and love by now.
“Did Jacob tell you how I valiantly swam through shark-infested waters to plant explosives under that pirate ship?” he asked, casting her a devilish grin.
She rolled her eyes. “He told me, and you’ve now told me three times already.”
Did the man have to be so shamelessly arrogant?
She had removed the bandages around his head earlier this morning and replaced them with a small square patch on his forehead where the swelling had localized. “I believe the word Jacob used was foolhardy, not valiant,” she said, trying to concentrate on his bruise, rather than on his captivating tawny-green eyes. They weren’t a pure green, but were flecked with golds and browns that enchanted her and lured her into their sylvan depths.
“Foolhardy?” He chuckled as he carefully shook his head. “You hurt me, my sweet.”
“I believe that ship’s mast did more damage to you than I ever could.”
“I don’t know about that,” he muttered, frowning lightly. The hot look he cast her turned her insides to warm pudding.
“Your lip is healing nicely.” She set the soup bowl on a nearby table, then reached out to gently touch his mouth.
He kissed her fingers.
“Stop that.” She was immediately irritated with herself for her weakness in touching him. But she needed to assure herself that he was alive and healing.
It did not change the fact that he was still arrogant and insufferable. Nor could she ever forget that he was a dangerous man. Although that pirate, Nikko, had surely deserved punishment, she did not like that Hugh had been so bloodthirsty about it. The man had killed Hugh’s friend, Sir Richard Harlan. Possibly all those aboard Sir Richard’s vessel had met a similar fate.
But was it right for Hugh to take the law into his own hands?
She frowned lightly, not certain she could reconcile herself to that side of Hugh. Yet, the law had obviously failed him. He was now going after the villains responsible with the merciless determination of a shark.
She wasn’t afraid of that side of him, for he’d never been ruthless with her or his own crewmen. In truth, he was quite protective of her. He had good qualities, too. He knew how to be charming when he wanted to be. He was loyal to his friends. He commanded the respect and admiration of his men, and had fought fiercely to defend all of them when he thought they were in danger.
The village girls adored him. He was a rakehell who knew how to charm and cajole women. All women. How soon before he bedded half the females in this village? Or was she being unfair? He’d spent his time during this voyage with her. Despite the occasional kiss… those were lovely… he’d behaved like a gentleman toward her.
And he hadn’t once gone off to seek his carnal pleasures elsewhere.
“Do that again, Emma. It felt nice,” he said, his voice husky.
She cleared her throat. “And so are your ribs, healing nicely, that is. You’ll have those bandages off by the end of the week.”
“What about my leg?” He motioned to the muscular limb and the bandage surrounding it.
“Oh, that will take a little longer. You’ll have to keep your weight off it for another few days. Perhaps a week.”
“I can’t wait that long. I need to be up and about to repair my ship.”
“Your men will tend to it as soon as the weather permits.” She studied his tawny hair, the way it lay in a flat, matted mess. He looked wonderful even with his hair in that sorry state. She sighed, deciding to wash it for him tomorrow unless Nandy, or Suba, or one of the other village girls attended to it first.
She pursed her lips. She’d have to warn the girls not to climb into bed with him, which was something they were shockingly eager to do, and certainly would do now that he was awake and on the mend. Their casual attitudes about male and female bodies had startled her at first, but there was such a natural innocence about these villagers, she could not condescend or chide them. Indeed, she was beginning to think they had the right of it.
In return, they found her very proper English moral code excessively ridiculous.
