Unexpected Treasure: A High Seas Adventure (5 page)

It had been kept secret, of course. Though Prinny had discovered the plot and sent Rex to thwart it. But something happened to Lady Sarah during the event. She disappeared. He had arrived at the club, in disguise, moments after she was gone. Two days later, her uncle held a funeral for her, saying she’d been killed by thieves. He knew the truth but he had to prove it.

Rex had begged Prinny to allow him to investigate but the Prince Regent had sent him to sea to chase after One Eye. Her Uncle, Lord Wentworth, was not only behaving atrociously towards his kin but also towards the crown, using pirates like One Eye to steal the crown’s gold.

“We’ve got the ladies’ trunks,” Sanders called.

Rex turned to look at them. Each woman had a single trunk but he knew which one was Sarah’s. While nondescript, it was made of a fine leather. He stepped towards it. Did it hold the answers he was searching for? Would it tell him Sarah’s true identity? His hand reached for the latch. “What secrets do you think it holds?” Brushing the brass with his fingertips, he itched to flip the lid open.

“The kind, if you are wise, you will wait for the lady to share.” Sanders gave his hand a tap. “I’ve never seen you so interested in a woman. Be smart.”

“You’re a meddling old sea hag,” Rex grumbled at his friend.

Sanders laughed. “You’re snooping and I’m the old hag?” Sander’s scratched his chin. “Can’t say that I blame you for wanting to look. That chit is a beauty. I mean the sway of those hips and the hair--”

“Stop talking if you want to live,” Rex growled out grabbing his friend’s shirt.

“Like I said, you are more than a little interested. Earn her trust and she’ll show you what’s in the trunk.” With that his friend pushed his hand away, then grabbed the trunk, and loaded it on the dingy.

Rex glared at Sanders. He couldn’t tell if he was more annoyed that Sanders had stopped him or because his friend was right. Despite his curiosity, it would be a mistake to search her private things.

He gave the little boat one more sweeping glance before he too climbed into a dingy. It was time to start getting some answers.

***

Shading his eyes from the sun, Rex could see Sarah standing on the deck as they rowed back towards the ship. The wind softly blew strands of her hair around her face. Her hands were folded in front of her on the rail and she barely moved a muscle, but even from this distance Rex could see the tension in every line of her body.

As soon as the dingy pulled up to the larger vessel, Rex grabbed the rungs of the ladder to climb onto the deck. “You should get out of the sun. You don’t have a bonnet.”
Sarah barely moved in response, not acknowledging he had even spoken. “How fares the Anna Marie?”

He stepped up next to her. “Poorly, it will sink in a matter of hours. There is a gash in the keel that is too large for a sea repair.”

Her hands that were resting on the rail now gripped it tightly. She didn’t make eye contact. Instead she looked out at the water. “Were you able to find my trunk?”

“Yes, I believe we did.” He caught one strand of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers. It may be the softest thing he had ever felt and he was developing a habit of touching it.

Tension and fear filled her voice. “I can’t go back to England.”

Rex assessed her. He didn’t want to overly frighten her but he needed some method to get her to open up. “We have to return. We now have prisoners on board.”

“But we were halfway to America. You’re telling me that we must now go back and start over? That can’t happen. I have to keep going.” Desperation filled her voice.

He dropped his voice low, “The Prince Regent himself demands my return. But--”

Her face turned up to his, “I’ll do anything. Anything you ask. Please don’t make me go back.” Her eyes were wide, her voice trembling with fear. Her lips parted as she waited for his response, her look begging him for help.

She was tempting him and he was losing. Never had he wanted to kiss a woman as badly as he did her. “Why don’t you tell me what is happening…” He let his voice trail off as she shook her head violently. His hands reached out and held her waist.

“You know I can’t.” she whispered, fear making her voice thick.

“Then I can’t help you, Sarah, if I don’t know what is wrong.” He wanted to beg her to tell him, plead with her to trust him, shake her from frustration that she wouldn’t open up.

“You can help me by taking me to America, or any place other than England.” Her tone had taken on a wildness.

“You simply can’t mean that. How could England be that unsafe?” It was on the tip of his tongue to just ask her if she were Lady Wentworth but he refrained. The more he questioned her directly, the more suspicious she seemed to get. It had to come from her.

“Don’t you see?  I got away. I don’t want to--” Her hand touched his. Fire shot through him at the small touch.

“Come to my quarters in an hour and we can discuss this privately.”

She gave a terse nod and he turned and left to unload the cargo.

***

An hour later, Sarah stood just outside Rex’s door. She took a deep breath. Whatever tools she had, she would utilize now.  She had spent the last hour running her mind over every possible option. She could immediately book passage another ship. But she was nearly out of money and would have to work on board. She wouldn’t mind the work but it would put in contact with the crew and passengers. That could be problematic for a woman like her when travelling alone.

She could attempt to hide in London but again, she was nearly out of money and uncertain of what she might be able to do to earn more. A lady’s companion? Would Rex provide her a reference? And how could she guarantee that she wouldn’t see her uncle in the salons of London society?

Perhaps Rex would loan her money for passage? Her aunt may be able to help repay him.

Her final option was the one Mrs. Flannery had hinted at. Strike a bargain to use a relationship with Rex to secure a future in America. A thrill of excitement thrummed through her.

“Come in,” Rex called.

Sarah grabbed the knob to push the door open. Abruptly, she stopped. Rex’s first mate, Sanders, stood in her path holding her trunk.

“Sarah, you remember Sanders.” Rex’s voice drifted from the other side of the room.

“Yes, of course. Nice to see you again.” Sarah tried to give him a genuine smile as she stepped into the room. Sander seemed like an affable fellow but she could not focus on anything but Rex. He stood behind his desk, but somehow he dominated the entire room.

“How is Anne?” Sanders leaned forward as he spoke, a deep line of concern marking his brow.

“She is well. I am sure she would enjoy a visit, if you would like to ask her yourself. She is tired of Mrs. Flannery’s and my company.”

“I doubt that,” Rex called drily.

“I just might do that, Miss Sarah. Thank you kindly.” He smiled as he set down the trunk.

“Thank you for bringing the trunk in, Sanders. Sarah and I have a few thing to discuss, would you excuse us?” Rex came around the other side of the desk.

Sanders gave a single nod before he slipped out the door.

Sarah clasped her hands. She didn’t know how to begin.

Rex approached her, “Are you going to tell me wat is happening to you? I am trying to be patient but I can help you if just tell me.”

“That doesn’t matter n-n-now.” She caught her breath on the last word, he was so close now she could reach her hand out and touch his chest.

“It matters to me.” His hand brushed a wisp of her hair. “Would I do anything to hurt you?”

“No, I trust…” she was about to say that she trusted him. And she did. Shockingly, she had come to trust him. The words bubbled up onto her lips, desperate to come out. But she had trusted others, in the past, and that had proven what a fool she was.

“Then you can tell me.” His breath whispered over her ear and she leaned in even closer.

“I tried to tell my father’s childhood friend. He, he turned me out, sent me back to my uncle.” Her voice rose with every word, fear strangling her.

“I will not send you back to your…” Rex stopped talking and Sarah realized that she was shaking her head back and forth. His hands reached out and grasped her around the waist. Then he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. She tensed for a moment but it had been so long since anyone had comforted her that she relaxed into his arms and against his body. It was hard muscle against her softer curves. Her head rested on his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist. His warm masculine scent filled her nostrils and, combined with the feel of his body, a vibrating started deep within her.

“What if the Prince Regent himself told you that you must?” Her voice was muffled against his chest but she didn’t want to lift up her head.

One of his hands travelled from her waist and up her back. Gently, his fingers skimmed up her neck, cupping her cheek and chin. Tilting her chin back, their eyes met. His were warm and soft as they gazed into hers. A soft smile touched his lips, “Now why would the Prince-Regent concern himself with a woman who isn’t even a lady?”

A small laugh bubbled from her chest replacing some of her fear. She pressed a little closer, drawing strength from him.

Dipping his head, his lips touched hers. She let out a gasp but held him closer and he smiled against her lips. His lips pressed down on hers again and this time she met their demand.

Every so slowly, he teased her lips with his tongue and, by instinct, she opened her mouth. When his tongue touched hers, she whimpered with need. It felt as though she was losing control of her body and it was divine.

Sarah lost track of time as his mouth plundered hers but her body was acutely aware of every touch from his hands and lips. As he skimmed his fingers over her body, his lips travelled down her jaw and over her neck. She tipped her head back to give him more access.

As he reached the neckline of her gown, his fingertips replaced his lips to trace the path along the seam of the fabric. “You can tell me who you really are.”

Her eyes cleared and she blinked a few times. “No, I cannot.”

He straightened then. “You want me, you want my protection. Why can’t you tell me--” he took a deep breath, “You’d be surprised what I know already.”

She moved as far away as the circle of his arms would allow. She wanted to trust him, but once she told him everything, she couldn’t go back.  What if she was wrong? The person, she no longer trusted was herself.

UNEXPECTED TREASURE

CHAPTER SIX

Rex blinked at
her, unable to understand. She wasn’t pretending, she had responded to his advances. That much was clear. And she wanted his help. Also crystal clear. So how could she deny him the knowledge that would assuredly help him to protect her? “You are being ridiculous. The best way for me to help you is tell me what is happening.”

She yanked out of his arms then. Her hands landed on her hips and she gave him a level stare. “I do not need to tell you anything.”

Rex crossed his arms over his chest. He had to, to keep from pulling her back into his arms. While she was angelic when afraid, standing defiantly in front him set him on fire. Coupled with the kiss they had just shared, he had the sudden urge to drag her to his bed and not consider the consequences. But that would not earn her trust. Still, it was so tempting.

“You are being ridiculous,” he growled out.

One of her fingers poked him in the chest, “Mayhap, I am. But I can always tell you. Once it is out, I cannot take it back.”“

He stopped, she was correct and so if Sarah needed time, he would give it to her. Their eyes met and he was intent upon apologizing, but her chest heaved with her emotion and the finger that had been poking him had stilled. Instead, she slid her palm flat against the opening in his shirt.  Her lips were parted, still swollen from his kisses. Without thinking, he dipped his head again for a searing kiss. She returned it eagerly.

Her hands came into his hair and she yanked his head closer. His angel might actually be a little devil. It was intoxicating. He cupped her buttocks, pressing their pelvises closer and she groaned. Without even realizing it, he was gathering her skirts in his hands, pulling them up to her hips.