Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2) (10 page)

S
tephen strolled
across a paddock covered with heather and wildflowers which would, over the next few weeks, give way to a highland winter. And if the chilling wind from the north was any indication, this year may the coldest he’d had to live through in many years.

Sailing and living mostly in foreign places with sandy beaches and a warm sun on his back was a pleasant distant memory that haunted him. Well, it would haunt him until his body acclimatised to Scotland. He’d never known such a cold place and yet he would not wish to be anywhere else in the world.

In the distance rose the small castle he now called home. The brown and gold stone a beacon in the otherwise green landscape. It was all he had now. Having sold his ship to give his men the future they deserved, the funds that were left over were soon eaten up with the repairs he’d had to make to the leaking castle roof.

The home farms should start to make profit again and even though there wasn’t a lot of blunt left from his smuggling days, it was enough to keep him and his mother, who’d he’d moved up here as well, reasonably comfortable for a year or two until the estate was self-sufficient once more.

A distant rumble sounded in the south and he turned to peer at the only road that ran into his property. He frowned having not expected anyone of than the Duke of Dale, who wasn’t due to arrive for some weeks.

A carriage, covered with dust and mud from the unforgiving Scottish highland roads materialized after coming around the last curve in the road. The cattle looked well defined and expensive. Maybe Gabe had come early.

He made his way toward the house by following an old sheep track that wound its way down the hillside. The staff came out to greet the vehicle and to help the occupants to step down.

Stephen’s step faltered when a vision in an emerald green travelling gown alighted and looked about with interest. Instead of her long brown locks falling loose about her shoulders, they were coiled up into a coiffure on top of her head.

He continued walking on, watching her, taking his fill of the one woman he’d longed to see more than the highlands sunrise.

Arabella…

She followed his footman into the house and he lost sight of her. Stephen went around the back of the house, dropped the game birds he’d been able to kill in to the kitchens, and notified cook that he’d have a guest at dinner.

The jovial woman took the news with aplomb and busied herself with renewed vigour having someone other than his mother and himself to cook for.

Stephen headed for the front drawing room, once the castle’s old solar and entered without knocking. Arabella stood beside the bookcase that covered one whole wall, her attention riveted on the works of the greats. “Good afternoon, Lady Montague. I had not expected to see you again.” He shut the door, seating himself at the desk while trying to busy himself with the mail with little success. The thought she was here, married and no longer accessible to him drove him insane.

It was not to be borne. He closed his eyes for a moment, and fought for calm lest he throw his blotter against the wall or something even more ridiculous.

“Hello, Stephen.” She sat in the chair before his desk and smiled. “I’m sorry to intrude on you without notice, but I was afraid you wouldn’t see me if I wrote and notified you of my intention to call.”

“And what possibly could be your intention? I believe everything we’ve said to one another has left no stone unturned.” She paled a little at his words and he wanted to go to her, to hold her, comfort her in any way he could. Stephen gritted his teeth and didn’t move.

“You never told me about your lineage or about this ancestral home you’ve purchased since your grandfather lost it all at a game of cards.”

Stephen started. Not many knew that’s why. “I see you’ve been talking to the Duke of Dale.”

She gave a decisive nod. “I have. And what a tale of foe he told me.” A small frown line appeared between her perfect brows. “Why did you never tell me?”

Just the thought of how low the family had fallen left him hollow inside. “No one knows, and I don’t like talking about my family or their fall from grace. Life on the sea was the only option left for me and I made the most of it. I may no longer have a title, but I have my ancestral home back. I’m satisfied.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of your accomplishments. You have not had the easiest life, and yet you still achieved your goals. I too can only wish that should my situation ever be similar that I would act the same. Not settle for less than what I deserve.”

A lump formed in Stephen’s throat having not expected to hear such pride in her words. Nor that Arabella’s belief in him was so important. Yet, it was.

“Are you angry I came? I thought…” her voice trailed off and she fidgeted with the hem of her glove.

“What, Miss Hester?”

Arabella stood and went to the sideboard and after pouring herself a brandy, downed it in one swallow. She coughed before walking over to him, rolling back his chair and sitting before him on his desk.

Stephen’s body thrummed in anticipation. There was never any doubt Arabella could be a seductive minx when she wished, but he never thought she’d be so once married. Had she married him at least he’d never allow her out of his sight. Lord Montague was a fool who didn’t know a gem when he held one in his hand. “What are you doing?” He cleared his throat, his voice sounding even tight to his own ears.

“I want you. All of you.” She sat on his lap and pushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. “I never married Lord Montague. You are the man I want to marry and to spend the rest of my days with. It is you I love.” Stephen watched her a moment, read the sincerity in her gaze.
She never married Lord Montague?

He pulled back, startled by her words. “What happened?” Sadness clouded her eyes and he frowned. “Tell me what happened, Arabella.”

She sighed. “The wedding went ahead as planned. I would do my duty for my father, but as I was walking down the aisle, no guests present to celebrate our wedding and my betrothed who looked like I was a noose about his neck I realized I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t put another person’s happiness before my own. I was tired of being ordered about by the men in my life.” She gave him a small smile. “I halted the ceremony and discussed my fears with Lord Montague. He was in agreement. It seems Father had been blackmailing him in relation to sexual trysts with men. I was horrified to find out Father had acted so low.” She paused, her lip wobbling. “My father passed away.”

Stephen swore, not believing what he was hearing. “Your father died! How?”

“He collapsed in the church, before Lord Montague and me. There was nothing we could do. A doctor said it was a heart seizure or possibly a problem within his brain.” A tear slid down her cheek and Stephen wrenched her into his arms, trying to comfort her in any way he could.

How had he not heard of this? “Why did you not write? I would’ve come for you.”

“I had to sell the London house as Father had placed it in my name to keep it from the debt collectors. There was so much to be done. The funeral, chasing down vowels and paying them in full. You were so right about what my father had been up to. I apologize for calling you a lying cad. You are not one.” She nuzzled against his neck and he held her tighter, never wishing her to be parted from him again.

He smiled and kissed her, lingered as her sweetness burst through his soul like light. “I’m a cad, there is no doubt, but I’ll never lie to you. I also want you to know these past weeks without you have been hellish. The thought of you belonging to another, and someone who would never treat you with reverence as I would drove me insane.” He paused, catching her attention. “I never kept the payment from your father.”

She started, her eyes wide with shock. “You didn’t?”

“I did not,” he said, shaking his head. “I sent it all back, every penny. You are worth more to me than any blunt that was owed, and the thought of taking payment in lieu of having you made me ill.” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “I love you Arabella.”

She hugged him about his neck and he could hear her smile in her words. “You love me? Is that all?”

“Greedy minx.” He raised his brow. “What else would you like for me to say? Maybe…” he paused, grinning. “Will you marry me?” A light blush stole over her cheeks and Stephen had never seen anyone more beautiful.

“Yes. I will marry you, my gentleman pirate. And I will love you forever.”

Stephen kissed her hard, reveled in the feel of her body against his chest, the only woman he ever wanted to feel again. He stood and lifted her onto the desk, quickly hiking up her travelling gown skirts. He had to have her. Here. Now. Later he would lay her down on his bed, pay homage to her delectable body, but right now, after weeks apart, his desire was too great.

She ripped at his frontfalls and Stephen gritted his teeth as her touch swept over his engorged cock. Damn it. He was so hard for her it hurt. He thrust into her waiting palm when she freed him and it was heaven on earth.

Cool air kissed his buttocks as his breeches fell to the floor. Stephen nibbled her chin as he slid her toward the edge of the desk. She laughed and wrapped her legs about his waist. “Damn, I want you. I don’t know how gentle I’ll be.”

She clasped his back, her nails scoring his skin as she held him close. “I don’t care. Do as you will.”

Stephen positioned himself at her core, her heat, her readiness for him beyond his imaginings. What a marvellous woman and now she was his. Possession took hold and he slid easily and fully into her. Her body clasped him tight, drawing him toward a blissful end that he was determined she too would reach. Today was just the beginning of many tomorrows.

How lucky he was.

* * *

A
rabella moaned
as Stephen finally claimed her. Their time a part felt like years. Had it really only been weeks? He thrust into her, his body a perfect fit. God she had missed him. Had missed the adventure he had wrapped around his soul.

And his love making was no different. Hot, hard and fulfilling seemed to be the man’s motto. How lucky was she to have been kidnapped by him.

She played with his buttocks and forced him to take her just as she liked. Stephen’s bed sport had always been exciting, but today it was different. There was an edge of possession mixed with desperation. A desperation born out of love and the thought that what one had and adored would never be theirs again. Arabella knew the emotion well, having lived the hell during their weeks apart. “Yes,” she gasped as with each stroke he pushed her toward a pinnacle she longed to reach. He clasped her leg and changed the pace of their lovemaking, going slower but deeper each time.

Arabella threw her head back, her body coiling tight with impending release. There was something arousing being dressed but taken in full daylight and on a desk. Memories of such an escapade on Stephen’s ship slipped through her mind and she smiled. What a fabulous life she was about to begin.

“Come for me, darling.” He continued to take her, his strong, capable hands biting in to her buttocks. “Let me feel you shatter around me.”

His dirty talk inflamed her more. She held onto him, urged him to take her harder, faster. He did and within moments, the sensation of absolute bliss thrummed throughout her body. Arabella screamed his name, pulled him to her until he too exclaimed an echoing release.

They collapsed on his desk, both breathing hard as if they had run a thousand miles. Arabella smiled. “I’m going to enjoy being your wife. I think I will enjoy it very much.” She met his gaze and read amusement in his blue eyes.

“That’s just as it should be. I wouldn’t have anything less for my bonny English lass,” he said, teasing her with his Scottish brogue.

“And that’s exactly why I’m yours. Forever.”

He nodded, his face becoming serious. “Yes. Forever, and then some.”

I
f you enjoyed
Her Gentleman Pirate, from the High Seas & High Stakes series, please consider leaving a review.

His Lady Smuggler, novella one in the High Seas & High Stakes series is now available.

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