The Captain's Lady (17 page)

Eric could not help smiling at the fire in the deep blue eyes. Bending down, he ruffled the blonde mass of hair before ignoring the chair and sitting on the bed beside her. Her scent puffed up around him. Though the sheets and blanket had been washed in the ship's laundry with industrial strength detergent, they bore her faint scent of soft lilac. The aromas washed over him. He took her hand.

"Abby, there's nothing for you to worry about. I'll handle it. I didn't get to where I am, commanding my own ship, without encountering a few problems here and there.” Softening his tone, he leaned forward, meeting her steady gaze. “I'm touched by your concern, but it's nothing I can't handle. Now, no more questions about
what's her name
. Understood?” When she started to speak, he shook his head firmly, and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

Sighing in resignation, she nodded and said no more. Then the subtle tilt of her head as her eyes softened drew his attention. It was something about that motion. It agitated him. It was a reminder of his social worker, that tough, caring soul. She had the same eyes as Abby, though a different color. It mirrored some tribute inside. He hadn't thought of her in years. Edna, she was the woman responsible for his chosen career and for turning his life around. Conceding to the power of this invisible force that drew them together, he caved in and reached to pull her into his arms, stopped only by the sound of the door opening and the quick exchange between Larry and the guard at the door.

Carrying a blue plastic tray with several covered dishes, Larry walked over to the table by the bed and set the tray down. Eric rose and stood beside the bed, offering a quick nod as thanks. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Abby watching their exchange, felt her trying to read meaning into it. She crossed her arms, resting them on her protruding belly.

"I'll make sure she eats,” Eric said, implying that Larry should leave them alone.

Larry offered a quick smile to her before turning and leaving.

She met Eric's gaze. The look was so intense his knees almost buckled. To cover the weakness he cleared his throat and offered a tight smile. “Do you need help to sit up?"

He dragged the squeaky wheeled table close, careful to keep his tone light, businesslike. It would be so easy to bend to her charms. He watched her while she picked up the glass of apple juice and pried off the plastic lid with a broken fingernail. Sometimes she looked so childlike he wanted to hide her in a closet so nothing would ever again hurt her.

"I'm not really hungry right now."

He pointed a stern finger toward her plate and shook his head as though she were a disobedient child. “No, I want you to eat now."

Abby rolled her eyes in mock resignation. She was so innocent. Sure, she was a grown woman, with all the curves and hormones, and she may be pregnant, yet the air of vulnerability surrounding her was astounding.

"Have you eaten?” she asked.

Eric shook his head. “Don't worry about me, I'll grab something later."

Abby looked down at the roast chicken and vegetables on the plate. With some hesitancy, she picked up her fork and took a bite. She ate quickly. Neither of them spoke until the food was gone.

There was a dab of something at the corner of her mouth.

He considered whisking it away with his tongue, but there would be reprisals from the action. If not from Abby herself, then from himself later on—for bending to his own weakness.

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Chapter Twenty

When Abby was finished eating, he handed her a napkin. She took it with an expression of thanks and wiped her mouth. Then she burped. It was a delicate sound, hardly noticeable. Still her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened in horror. “Oh, excuse me."

Chuckling, Eric stood up and shoved the table over near the counter. “Relax Abby, I really like to see a healthy appetite. Nothing irritates me more than a woman who picks at her food."

Eric picked up the chair and moved it close to the bed, near her knees. He sat, leaned forward, and took her hand. “In case you don't know, you will be staying on this ship. We can't risk moving you right now.” He kept his tone matter of fact so she could read nothing into the words.

She nodded, with such trust in those eyes. He wanted to shout that he wasn't the person she thought he was. Not the perfect gentleman, not the ideal captain for whom everyone jumped to action. Well, they did, and he was a good captain, but nothing close to what he read in Abby's eyes. Pausing briefly, he cleared his throat, then softened the tone even more. “I need to talk to you about your nightmare last night."

Abby immediately stiffened and tried to pull her hand away. He held tight, clutching her warm fingers between his. Her skin was soft, uncalloused. So different from his own. He moved beside her on the bed, putting an arm around the trembling shoulder. “Abby, look at me."

She looked up. The corners of her mouth flickered seeing the seriousness of his manner. “You need to know that whatever happened had nothing to do with you. Your nightmare is what concerns us ... enough that we need to talk about it.” Something in his words got through to her. Her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She reached up and dabbed her knuckles at the pooled tears before they fell.

He pulled her securely to him, rubbing her back in a gentle motion. Feeling the baby's movement reminded him of Joe's words, where this baby came from, its father, and how he would look at this child when it was born. Would he hate it because of its beginnings? It worried him that she might figure out his thoughts, but he didn't at this moment know how to reconcile it; he didn't know how to make it right.

"I am so ashamed of what happened to me.” Her words were soft, buried in his shirt. She tried to pull away except Eric reached over to grasp her chin. He cupped it tenderly but firmly, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Don't ever hide from me. Believe it or not, I do have some idea what you've been through. But please, Abby, don't shut me out. Was the nightmare about something that happened to you? Just tell me, and for God's sake don't be ashamed!"

The force of the words must've startled her, if the way she jumped back was any indication. He dropped his hand, reminding himself to go slow around her. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if his questioning put her back into labor. “In case you have any doubt, I will protect you."

He watched her throat work as though she were swallowing a large wad of something. Finally she spoke. “I'm afraid you'll pity me ... even be ashamed of me."

Eric pulled her into his arms once again, whispering gentle words of encouragement. Kissing the top of the soft hair that smelled like talcum and lilac, he held her without saying a word until he felt the tension slowly begin to ebb away.

Pulling out his handkerchief and gently wiping the tears from her face, he relinquished the hold as she claimed the wet cloth to blow her nose. He continued to support her arms, rubbing them up and down in a soothing comforting motion.

Her eyes were red and swollen, yet still bright, intelligent. He wondered about her past, beyond the facts from the report he read. Had she ever been in a serious relationship with someone? What were her dreams for the future? Did she want to go to college? She'd been less than forthcoming about herself so far. Why? Then it dawned on him—the baby: how it was conceived, how she was treated at the hands of Seyed and his people. God, how did he feel about that? She was looking at him with wonder. Had she spoken? Asked him something? She shivered as he smoothed the damp hair back from her face.

He settled back in the chair to let her know he would make no judgments on her. She opened by rehashing the kidnapping. He'd vowed to remain calm, but as her story unfolded his horror increased incrementally. What this poor thing had endured. She told of wearing a blindfold for what seemed like weeks, but was probably only days. Of being transported from one place to another and the humiliation of being chained to the floor like a dog. The woman she'd met briefly, and the Australian man who had sold her. Then the most painful account, of the months with Seyed. By now, his horror was barely contained. He had to rise from the bed and walk away so she wouldn't feel the anxiety pulling at his every pore.

"I was reminded repeatedly that I was his possession,” Abby said. “He told me, ‘American women are all undisciplined.’ He told me he would bend me to his will, make me obey. I knew he was dangerous and...” she sucked in a ragged breath, “in the beginning he beat me almost every day. After I became pregnant he never touched me again ... until that night on the boat."

"How did you get to be on the boat?” Eric strove to keep his tone even.

"He came to the room where I was being held. He said I was going on a boat with him. It was dark when we left. I was shoved in the backseat of a car. We drove to a marina where there were many sailboats. There was another man in the car as well; I never understood what they were saying. I just remember the fear I felt, of not knowing what was going on and where we were going. Or why."

Eric stifled the urge to stop her and question her on the details. Instead, he prompted her to keep going, asking specific, detailed questions. “How long did it take you to get to the water from where you were?"

Frowning, Abby shook her head. “I don't know. It didn't seem very long. Maybe ten minutes.” She paused to take a stabilizing breath. “Why do you want to know all this?"

"I just wanted to picture where you were being held."

The urgency in her voice set his adrenaline flowing. “Do you think you'd be able to find out?"

Cupping the tender, round cheek in his palm, he tried to distract her. “Abby, listen to me. Right now I need you to understand that you're safe. I'll protect you.” He pointed to the door, stabbing his finger for emphasis. “There's a guard posted at that door, as you well know, so no one comes in without my authorization. This is my ship, so no one will be slipping onto it without our knowledge. He can't get to you!"

Her eyes widened in alarm at the force of his words and he immediately eased back.

"Seyed's trying to get me back, isn't he? That's why you've been so secretive. Saying all those things.” She was up now, leaning forward as if to stand. Eric leaped up and eased her back onto the mattress. “No. No. Listen to me."

She was becoming hysterical. “The baby ... he wants the baby. He can't have it; it's mine! This is my child."

God, he had to calm her down.

"No, Abby, please don't be afraid, he won't get you back. We don't know anything for sure about him, but we're investigating. We want to know all we can, that's why I need you to stay calm. Give us a chance. Abby, as soon as the doctor says you can get up and move around, I'll take you around the ship and show you, and then you'll know how secure you really are."

She pulled in one breath, then another, obviously performing her own calming exercises. After a moment, she offered a shy smile and leaned in as he tightened his arms around her. Eric gazed down into those worshipful blue eyes. They were red rimmed and swollen from crying, but her innocence and honesty gave her a beauty that went far past the physical. He'd seen his share of beautiful women, but there was something about this one. Leaning forward he kissed her forehead, helping her to settle in and adjust the warm blankets. Then he stood up.

She reached out and grabbed his arm. “You never really answered me. Is there some reason I should be worried about Seyed? Is there any news of him, did you hear something? Or maybe you found him?"

Eric realized the only way to appease her was to tell her some of the information they already knew. “Our sources have confirmed that someone fitting his description returned to Kish Island a few days ago."

The color drained from her face as she turned her head in dismay. He cupped her soft cheek with his hand, then subtly guided her face back to meet his tentative gaze. “I will protect you. He will never get his hands on you again.” Her tears spilled down her cheeks and her shoulders began to tremble. Eric held her tight, patient. A soft hiccup escaped and he smiled. More and more she was like a small child. Those swollen eyes met his and Eric was lost. This woman needed him and, for the first time ever, he realized he liked it.

"Sorry.” She muttered shaking her head, wiping her eyes with her shaky fingers. “I didn't mean to lose control. I promised myself I'd stay calm no matter how bad the news.” Eric released his hold on her as she pulled back and attempted to smile past quivering lips.

"Abby, don't worry. There's no way this guy will ever come close to you again. Don't forget where you are."

"Eric, what's going to happen? I mean, afterward. I have no home to go to. I sold pretty much everything and what I didn't sell I put into storage.” She shrugged. “But that was just some personal stuff, mostly things that belonged to my grandmother.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, how could I forget? I left all my things at my hotel in Paris, I need to get them back. Do you think they'll still be there?"

"I'm afraid they've already disposed of everything. I'm sorry.” The painful loss that dimmed those remarkable blue eyes filled him with such fury that right now he wanted to seriously hurt the person who caused her all this grief, though at the moment there were so many people. “Listen, there's nothing I can do. I tried, but after a certain length of time unclaimed items are given to charity.” Watching the lost look in her eyes as she bravely acknowledged what he had to say, she looked up and nodded.

"I understand.” There was a hint of a smile, only the light from it did not reach her eyes.

Eric once again wanted to bash some heads together, particularly this Seyed Hossein, but someone at the hotel in Paris would do just nicely. Reining in his anger, he reached up and cupped her cheek with his free hand.

"What's going to happen to me?"

"Abby, I don't want you to worry; I'm going to make sure you're taken care of. Now I want you to get some rest.” He helped her slide back into bed and positioned the pillows firmly behind her back. “That's a good girl."