Chapter Eight
Aboard the Avenger
East India Docks
London
Evan came onto his ship the next morning around the eleven o’clock hour.
His mind was clearer than it had ever been, and that was entirely due to being with Hannah for the second night in a row.
Perhaps with her once more in his life, he might just have the wherewithal to take back his birthright from his half-brother.
Was there guilt for locking her into his cabin overnight?
Yes and no, for he hadn’t left her alone.
He’d spent the night in another officer’s cabin down a short and narrow corridor from where his was located.
If the man had heard them indulging in the carnal, he couldn’t help it.
And she hadn’t answered his question yet.
No matter, he would protect her for as long as she’d let him, for the secrets and sadness he’d spied in her eyes the night before had piqued his curiosity, and he wanted to know why on both counts.
As he manipulated the lock on one of the doors leading into his cabin, he couldn’t help his grin.
Never in his dreams did he think she would have willingly gone into the manacles.
Hell, it hadn’t been his plan to use them in such a way, but that had been one of the most powerful times he’d spent in his adult life.
Why had it been with her?
When he came into his cabin with a gown over his arm, he nearly expired from a stoppage of his heart when his gaze fell upon Hannah as she stood facing the bowed windows.
She’d opened the draperies so that the anemic sunlight trying to poke through the cloud cover shone into the room, but what captivated his attention was the fact that she wore the fine lawn shirt he’d removed last night.
The tails of which barely covered her arse cheeks.
Her red hair fell down her back in a shimmering auburn waterfall.
“Damn.”
Slowly, Hannah turned, and when their gazes met, he was pleased to see the shadows had cleared slightly from her gray eyes. “What?”
Did she truly not know how gorgeous she was, how attractive?
Even as a courtesan, why was she not making full use of her looks and talents?
“Just taken by surprise.” He rested the gown on the back of a wooden chair near the table.
It had been part of a trunk of goods he and his crew had “acquired” the last time they’d chased down a pirate vessel since such activity had been outlawed by England two years ago. “How do you fare this morning?”
“Well enough… for a prisoner.” One of her finely feathered eyebrows rose in challenge. “You seem refreshed, though.”
“Interesting, since I passed the night in the quarters directly next door to this cabin, and there was a crew member in residence as well.” When shock went through her expression, he nodded.
“Of course I wasn’t going to leave you here alone.
Anything could have happened. Did you make use of the supplies I brought? ”
“I fell asleep after you left last night, but I had some bits and bobs earlier this morning.” A sigh escaped her while a faint blush infused her cheeks.
“I was more exhausted than I’d anticipated, for my life has been interrupted by your unexpected return.
” Then she shrugged. “Tea wouldn’t be remiss.
Or rather hot tea, since I drank some of the cold tea provided in a bottle. ”
“We shall rectify that soon.” It pleased him to know that he’d discombobulated her.
She followed him with her gaze. “Why haven’t you visited a barber?”
“Probably for the same reason I haven’t gone to a tailor, or a perfumery, or any sort of merchant since I’ve been back. I simply haven’t had the time nor the inclination.” Did that mean he was already failing at his attempt to be a duke?
“Come.” With the tsk of her tongue, she pulled out one of the wooden chairs. “Sit. I’ll trim your hair if you can tell me where to find scissors.”
“There should be some just there, in one of the drawers.” He pointed to a tall bureau with narrow, shallow drawers all in a row like soldiers. “I neglected to take some my belongings when I left the ship, only what I would immediately need.”
When she padded over the floor to the piece of furniture and lifted on her toes to check the drawers—she was petite, after all—he unashamedly roved his gaze over her form as he sat in the chair.
Why the hell was he suddenly consumed by taking her as a plaything?
He wasn’t usually this demented or perverted.
Had he been away from polite society for too long?
If so, that didn’t bode well once he gained his title.
“Ah, here they are. And there’s a comb as well. In fact, you left a whole toiletry kit here. Does that mean you plan to sail again?”
“I haven’t decided; I told you that last night.”
“Mmm.” As she came away, she slid the scissors out of a leather sheath. “At least we can make you a bit more presentable. As a duke should look.”
“Is there a rule that a duke should appear a certain way?” He’d been out of society for a long time; perhaps there was.
“No, of course not. If it were my opinion, I’d say this dashing, scruffy man with the dangerous edge was a breath of fresh air within the beau monde.”
“I’ll have you know that being scruffy is easier to maintain than some puffed up, pampered, perfumed and powdered prick.”
“Come out of the boughs, Captain. I was teasing you.”
For the next several moments, silence reigned between them, broken only by the occasional snip from the scissors.
She combed his hair then trimmed the ends.
While she worked, he escaped into his thoughts.
Clearly, she wasn’t open to discussing her personal life, so he was at a loss.
Not that he was fully honest with her, either, and neither of them had wanted to talk about the past. Whenever their prior relationship was mentioned, one or the other of them changed the subject.
Why are we afraid of what happened? Or are we afraid of what could have happened?
If he began a personal conversation and shared, would she follow suit? Oddly, he wanted to tell her about everything that he’d gone through in the years they’d been apart. He didn’t care what society thought of him, but he might care about what she did.
Where the hell had those thoughts come from?
“You don’t seem as if you are in this room with me.”
The dulcet sound of her voice wrenched him out of his head. “I apologize. There is much on my mind.”
When she blew on his nape, presumably to remove clippings of hair, he nearly vaulted off the chair. Since he woke two nights ago to find her on his shaft, he’d been in various stages of arousal around her.
Get hold of yourself, Buckthorne. You’ve had women in your life before and haven’t acted this green.
“I must admit I’m having difficulties acclimating to being away from the sea. After ten years, it became like a close friend of sorts, and now that it’s gone, I’m at sixes and sevens.” Why he’d decided to admit that, he didn’t know, but perhaps it would lead to a deeper conversation.
Hannah set the comb and scissors on the table. “I can understand how it would prove different. And then knowing that you’d face the trials set by your brother upon your arrival? I admire your strength.”
“Well, stiff upper lip and ramrod straight backs were ingrained from childhood.” A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“My father was adamant that a titled gentleman should never show emotion, should never feel inferior to anyone, should never keep company with those of lesser rank.” He shook his head, for the need to share weighed heavily on him.
“I hated him, Anna. He made my life miserable, wouldn’t entertain the thought that I might have differing dreams, which was no doubt why he decided to pit James against me, to see which one of us would be the stronger duke. ”
“You were raised quite differently than my brother and I were.” As she spoke, she massaged the muscles in his shoulders.
It was something she’d done for him when they were last together, for he had always been tense.
“My parents coddled and supported us, encouraged us to explore our world and discover what we wished to do when we were grown.”
“Yet they forced you into Seasons that you didn’t want,” he couldn’t help but point out.
“True. If I’d had my way, I would have stayed in the country, riding horses or painting landscapes, but my mother wished for me to marry.”
He frowned. “But you didn’t.”
“I’ll carry that failure with me forever, for I disappointed her, and she died knowing I wasn’t matched.” A half-stifled cry escaped her. “I am only glad she didn’t know I eventually became a mistress.”
The unexpected vulnerability tugged at his chest. “If she did, I would like to think that she didn’t mind overly much, for you enjoyed yourself.”
“Perhaps.” The word was low and slightly tearful.
To distract her, he decided to share something else from his past. “Life of my ship was difficult at times, of course, because we’re constantly moving, and my crew is like a small village with everyone having a task and a vital position.”
“Mmm, I can just imagine.” And she continued to work out the knots from his shoulders.
“It kept me busy, but there were disputes I needed to settle. But while I had free time, it was glorious to watch the sea. How the sun and the moon glittered on the constantly moving waves.” The pressure and release of her fingers on his muscles worked to lull him into a sense of relaxation.
“At night, my first mate would play his flute and there was dancing or even singing. Sometimes we would play cards or tell stories. It made such a difference and felt like having a family.”
“I’m glad you had that.” Her fingers paused on his shoulders near his neck. “My brother was constantly around. Though my brother hasn’t married, I felt as if I was left behind by everyone I’ve ever known.”