Captive of My Desires (24 page)

G
ABRIELLE WOKE TO FIND HERSELF ALONE
in the captain’s cabin. Not much light filtered into the room from the bank of windows. It was morning, but a glance outside showed the sun was covered by dark clouds, which suggested a storm sometime that day.

She dressed quickly in the clothes she’d carried in last night, her ship’s togs. It was the first time she’d ever had the room to herself, without Drew or one of her friends being present. She took advantage of that and went straight to Drew’s desk to rummage through it. She was disappointed to find nothing that she might use as a weapon. A woman’s garter, probably a memento of one of his “sweethearts in every port.” A miniature of Drew’s sister Georgina. Lots of invoices that were all ship or cargo related. No weapons, not even a letter opener.

The ship’s logbook was on top of the desk, though. It hadn’t been there while she’d occupied the cabin. She glanced through it now to see if he had updated it this morning, but the last entry had been made the morning he’d set sail from London. She hadn’t expected to find any personal thoughts in it anyway. These books served a purpose, were a record of their ships, not their captains.

She looked toward his trunks next, but since she had no idea how much time she was going to have alone, she moved quickly to test the door instead. And frowned to find it still locked. Why? Did he know the shackle didn’t fit her? Had he put it on her foot merely symbolically, a little revenge of his own? Blast it. She certainly wasn’t going to get out of the room this way.

She’d formulated a plan last night. But it had been based entirely on the assumption that she wouldn’t be locked in this room permanently. Now what? Wait until he was asleep, then bash him over the head again so she could get the key out of his pocket? Did he think she wouldn’t? Bash him over the head, that is. The chamber pot could be quite handy for that, being the heaviest item in the room other than the lantern hanging from one of the support posts. Or did he really not know that the shackle didn’t fit her?

She didn’t know what to think now, but she did know that she didn’t want to hurt him again, which left her with options that she didn’t like at all. The trouble was, she’d had hopes where he was concerned, so her emotions were still involved. If they weren’t, then she wouldn’t even give bashing him over the head again a second thought. But she’d actually moved him to the top of her list of men she’d like to spend the rest of her life with. He’d ruined that when he’d ruined her, but the anger she’d felt had only masked that disappointment. It was still there, lurking under the surface of her bitterness. But still, despite what he’d done to her, she wanted to leave him with a broken heart, not hurt him physically.

With a deep sigh, because she obviously wasn’t going to get anything accomplished for the moment, she moved back to her pile of bedding on the floor. She caught the aroma of food this time and found the plate that had been left for her. It had been covered with a large napkin nearly the same color as her blanket, which was probably why she hadn’t noticed it sooner. And it was immediately apparent to her, even before she tasted the breakfast, that Drew’s cook was definitely better in the galley than hers.

Gabrielle was quite bored by the time Drew showed up several hours later. She’d come to no further conclusions, though she did finish her search through the cabin—and his trunks. Which turned out to be at least interesting, if annoying. The annoying part even amazed her when she figured out that it was nothing other than old-fashioned jealousy on her part. But then, one of Drew’s trunks contained nothing but women’s belongings.

Everything in it looked new. A parasol, a silk purse, a gaudy fan, a pretty if cheap locket on a chain, and other assorted baubles. There were also at least half a dozen lacy scarves, but all identical, which made her realize that all the items were probably presents. For his many sweethearts? The thought made her want to burn the entire contents of that trunk, and she even glanced briefly at the lantern hooked to the post. If the smoke wouldn’t travel and cause an alarm, she probably would have done it.

When Drew finally walked in around noon, she was sitting on her pile of blankets, leaning back against the wall, her feet flat on the floor, her knees bent in front of her. She gave him a sultry look as he crossed the room, but she was so furious it probably looked more like a glare.

He
needed no practice for sultry looks. The one he turned on her made her catch her breath and scramble quickly for a distraction before that sensual stirring in her belly got the better of her.

“I’m bored,” she blurted out.

That brought their reversed circumstances immediately back to his mind and had him smirking. “Too bad,” he said as he continued across the room to the table that had his charts spread out over it.

He studied the one on top for a few minutes, made some notations on it, then moved over to the desk and got comfortable in his chair, legs stretched out under the desk, fingers twined with his hands resting on his belly. He wasn’t planning on ignoring her. As soon as he was settled, his eyes came back to her.

She glanced away before she caught his look, but she could feel his dark eyes moving leisurely over her now. As long as she didn’t actually meet his gaze, she should be able to avoid getting flustered by him again. She could hope.

While he wasn’t there, she’d managed to avoid thinking about last night and the amazing pleasure he’d given her. It was much more difficult to push it out of her mind when he was present and stirring her senses with the attraction to him that she couldn’t seem to shake.

“Now, explain to me why I should make an effort to amuse you, when you didn’t exactly relieve my boredom when I was sitting where you are,” he reminded her.

“I don’t recall you mentioning it,” she said with a thoughtful frown, then raised a brow at him. “Still working on tit for tat, are we? If you want to get specific, I didn’t steal your virginity either, as it happens, but
you
certainly added that new wrinkle. You ruined me socially, stole my virginity. No decent man will want me now!”

“You’re a pirate!” He almost laughed. “No decent man would have married you anyway.”

She sucked in her breath. “What a rotten thing to say, and it’s not even true! A man who’d had a chance to fall in love with me might have overlooked my father’s occupation. But not now, after you stole my virginity.”

He coughed, sat forward, and no longer looked the least bit comfortable. But he did point out, “I didn’t steal it. Your cooperation was delightfully noted.”

“I thought you were a dream, you bloody sod!” she snarled at him.

“Did you really? Many ladies who share my bed say the same thing—that I’m a dream.”

He sounded too amused now. “That’s not what I meant!” she snapped angrily. “I really thought I was dreaming.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

“I wish to hell I had dreams like that.” He grinned. “But now that you mention it, I’ve always found lovemaking to be the perfect remedy for boredom. Care to while away the afternoon in my bed?”

“That
isn’t going to happen again!”

He shrugged. “I’m sure you mean that quite sincerely at the moment. But you’ve had a taste,” he said. Then, with complete confidence and a winsome smile, he assured her, “You’ll want more.”

“Possibly,” she allowed, then added with her own shrug, “Just not with you.”

His lips tightened just enough for her to notice. She was delighted to know she’d struck a chord at last. And now would be a good time to change the subject, before she got caught up in that same chord.

“What have you done with Margery?” she asked.

“I assume you mean your maid?”

“Housekeeper,” she corrected.

“Whatever,” he said with little interest. “I’ve allowed her to retain the cabin she was using. She’s fine. She slept through the commotion.”

“May I see her?”

“Want to start bargaining for favors?” he countered with a roguish grin.

She drew in her breath and glared at him. “What I want is to be put to work to occupy my time. There isn’t much that I don’t know how to do on a ship.”

He actually seemed to give it some thought, then said, “The decks need swabbing.”

She nodded, thinking he was serious. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tackled that job.”

“Are you joking?”

“No.” And then she sighed. “But I suppose you were?”

“Of course I was. You’re not leaving this cabin until we make port, sweetheart. Sorry, but I don’t trust you any further than I can see you.”

“I don’t have my crew at my back, so what are you worried about?”

“That you’ll try to get them at your back again. And this isn’t up for debate, so forget it.”

“But—”

“Want me to remember that I was gagged some of the time while I was your captive?” he cut in sharply.

She got the point and shut up—for now.

D
REW HAD THE THREE MISCREANTS
brought before him on the quarterdeck, the three he’d shared his cabin with after Gabby had taken the cowardly route and moved out of it. One of them had planted a fist in his face last week when he’d been sleeping. He’d never been able to guess which one had done it, nor had he asked, since he’d been in no position to retaliate or protect himself at the time. But that situation had changed nicely.

They each had their hands tied behind them. He made them wait nearly an hour before he approached them to get his answers.

He knew them by name now, after sharing the cabin with all three of them. Bixley looked wary about why Drew had had them brought up from the hold, but then Bixley was the last one he would suspect of having a reason to assault him when he wasn’t looking, as it were.

Richard was wearing a cocky grin as usual. The Frenchman, if he even was French, which Drew suspected he wasn’t, appeared not to have a serious bone in his body. He was always joking about something with his friends, including Gabby. That might have annoyed Drew; hell, it did annoy him.

Ohr was the enigma among them. He seemed to be close to Gabby, but he wasn’t demonstrative. The man kept his emotions, whatever they were, strictly to himself.

Of the two, Drew suspected Ohr was the one who’d hit him. Richard was too happy-go-lucky. Nothing appeared to bother him; in fact, he reminded Drew a lot of himself. But Ohr was too serious. There was no telling what emotions simmered beneath his quiet demeanor. Drew intended to find out, though.

“What’s this about, Captain?” Bixley asked in a nervous tone when Drew moved over to stand in front of them.

He didn’t answer immediately. Suspense could make the men uneasy, which would benefit him. Besides, having the upper hand with these particular fellows was distinctly satisfying, so he was in no hurry to rush through the interrogation.

“Relax,” he finally said. “I just have some questions for you. I merely have to determine which of you will have the answers.”

“Sounds puzzling,” Richard remarked.

“Probably just needs some sails fixed,” Bixley put in. “And I’m the man for that.”

“My sails are fine,” Drew disagreed.

“Not fine enough for that storm that’s a-brewing. I can smell it in the air.”

“He’s got eyes, Bix. He can see there is a storm heading this way.”

“But he hasn’t fixed those sails yet,” Bixley countered. “They’ll be ripped to shreds if—”

“Are you actually telling me how to run my ship?” Drew cut in incredulously. He’d wanted these three nervous about why he’d summoned them, but all they wanted to do was talk about the ship!

“We’re sailors, Captain, same as you,” Richard said with a grin. “If we see something wrong with a ship, we’re not going to keep it to ourselves.”

“I’ll fix the damn sails,” Drew replied. “Now answer me this. Which one of you planted your fist in my cheek last week while I was sleeping?”

Bixley started to laugh. “So that’s what that bruise was from? Wondered about it. And here I’d been thinking ye tripped over yer blankets in the dark.”

Drew wasn’t the least bit amused. He moved to stand in front of the Irishman and said, “Shall we start with you, then, Bixley?”

“Start?” The man blinked and, his expression turned wary again.

“Why not?” Drew said. “It’s called process of elimination. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”

“Ain’t heard of it, and don’t care to be in the front of the line to be experiencing it, either. It weren’t me that punched ye in the dark.”

“No?” Drew said calmly, then glanced at Ohr, then Richard, but those two were both wearing blank looks now. So he added with a sigh, “As I thought, we will have to find out the hard way, then.”

The punch knocked Bixley down. Sprawled on the deck, he made no move to get back up for more.

Richard spoke up. “There’s no need for that. If you want a fight, untie me. I’m the one you’re looking for.”

Drew nodded and signaled the men he had standing by to take Ohr and Bixley back to the hold. He was somewhat surprised. Perhaps there was more between Gabby and the supposed Frenchman than he’d thought.

Bixley grumbled at Richard as he was helped to his feet, “Speak up sooner next time, eh.”

Richard winced and mumbled, “Sorry, Bix.”

Drew studied Richard’s handsome face as the other two men were led off. He felt anger rising up for what he was starting to suspect. What would stir up fighting emotions in the Frenchman? Drew had done nothing more to Gabby than kiss her a few times in England before he sailed. He’d
wanted
to do more, but she hadn’t cooperated.

Richard grew uncomfortable under the extended scrutiny and finally said in a sharp tone, “What? It was just one bloody punch.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed you,” Drew said now that he and Richard were alone.

Richard grinned. “Neither would I, if you must know. It was an impulse, quite unplanned.”

“Why?”

Richard shrugged. “Felt you deserved it and more.”

Since Drew felt nothing of the kind, he snarled, “You want a piece of me? Let’s hear the reason.”

“Are you joking, man? After what you did?”

That took Drew by surprise and brought forth a thoughtful frown. “I know what I’ve done recently, but we’re talking about last week when I was a prisoner in chains unable to
do
anything other than stew.”

“I told you, it was just an impulse.”

Drew didn’t buy that, but he gave Richard a thoughtful look. “Why do you pretend to be French?”

The man just grinned wider. “Why do you assume I’m not just because my speech might change a bit occasionally? Maybe I’m a Frenchman who grew up in London.”

“Maybe you’re a liar.”

Richard shrugged. “What difference does it make, eh? We all pretend to be something we’re not.”

“Even Gabby?”

“Gabby is whatever she wants you to think she is,” Richard replied cryptically.

Drew snorted. “Which means?”

“That if you want to know about her, you should be asking her, not me.”

“Then let’s get back to you and your blasted reason for attacking me.”

“Sorry, can’t oblige you, Captain. I’ve been sworn to secrecy. How about you just accept my apology and leave it go at that?”

“How about you satisfy my curiosity before I beat it out of you?”

“Have at me, then. I don’t betray my friends.”

“You’re saying she’s just a friend?”

“You thought otherwise when she was thinking about marrying you?”

That word “marrying” in reference to him actually had Drew taking a step back. The very thought of marriage made him shudder. But he was finding it hard to believe that Gabby had entertained those thoughts. And, in fact, Richard could be feeding him a pack of lies just to throw him off track.

But he was still curious enough to ask, “Did she tell you that?”

“I’ve said too much already,” Richard rejoined. “I’m saying no more.”

“So it wasn’t jealousy that had you attacking me?” Drew persisted.

Richard snorted. “You don’t listen too well, Captain. She’s my best friend. Whoever she ends up marrying will be fine with me, well, as long as it’s not you.”

“Then you
are
jealous!”

“No, I just don’t like what you did to her. I tried to give her some excuses for it, but I didn’t really believe any of them m’self.”

Drew ground his teeth together. He was so frustrated at the moment, it was a wonder he hadn’t knocked the pirate on his ass yet. But then it occurred to him…

“I got her drunk to try and seduce her, but my blasted brother interrupted us, so I didn’t get very far. Is that what this is all about? Did she think something else happened while she was tipsy?”

Richard shrugged. “She never mentioned that, so I’ve no idea.”

“What
did
she mention?”

“Nice try, Captain, but that secret is going with me to the grave. So have at me or send me back to the hold, because this conversation ends now either way.”

Richard was taking it for granted that Drew wouldn’t lay a hand on him. His confident tone said as much. Drew should have disappointed him, if for no other reason than to get rid of the frustration he was currently feeling over learning next to nothing from this futile exercise. But he let him go. He was going to have to take this subject up with Gabby instead, obviously. But she wasn’t exactly in an appeasing frame of mind either, so she would probably just make his frustration a lot worse.

He should have just put her in the hold with her crew. It was no more than she deserved for trying to steal his ship. But she’d given him more pleasure than he’d expected when he found her sleeping in her cabin that night, an experience he couldn’t get out of his mind.

God, that had been sweet, but making love to her had its drawbacks, too—in particular, that that one time with her should have been enough for him, but it wasn’t. With every other woman, once was just fine. He revisited his many sweethearts merely for convenience, not because he was eager to see them again. But with Gabby, he wanted more. Despite his guilt.

And that was another thing that perplexed him. Who would have thought a damned pirate would turn out to be virginal. That still amazed him. But it was kind of sweet, too, that he was the first man for her. Another new experience for him, though, because it certainly wasn’t something he looked for in his women. Just the opposite. He preferred women with a good deal of experience. They knew the game, and that marriage wasn’t one of the prizes.

Had Gabby really thought about him for a husband? He smiled and shook his head. He was going to find out.