Her Gentleman Pirate (High Seas & High Stakes Book 2) (8 page)

S
tephen crossed
his arms over his chest and glared at the pompous Lord Montague, who stood on the deck of his own ship, similarly glaring. “So what do we owe the pleasure, my lord? I didn’t think the coastal communities of Cornwall would pull such a gentleman of the
ton
to its ports. You’ll find no Almacks here.”

His lordship snarled and Stephen laughed. He almost didn’t recognize Lord Montague. In the months since he’d seen him, he’d grown larger, more pompous and red-faced. “Where is Miss Hester? I’m here to take her home. We’re to be married next week.” His voice was high, too high for a man.

“Take a breath lad. You are allowed to breathe you know.” Stephen leaned against the railing and heard the footsteps of two of his crewmen come to stand behind him. Lord Montague for all his feminine characteristics had two very beefy crew members watching the proceedings from behind his lordship. It didn’t tax Stephen’s imagination to know the men were trouble. It was best to have his own protection in situations like these.

An older man he recognized as Arabella’s father appeared on deck and waddled over to where her betrothed stood. “Where is my daughter? I demand you release her at once.”

Lord Montague lifted his overly long nose in the air. “Do not assume I’m here to spar with you. I’m here for my betrothed and nothing more. Now, where is she?”

“Safe.” Stephen raised his brow. “Next question.”

“It’s not a question but a command. Bring her to me post haste and no further action will be taken against you. Not by me at least.”

Arabella’s father huffed out a breath. “I, on the other hand, will ensure you pay for this treachery.”

“I look forward to it, Sir Hester,” Stephen said. “But pray tell me, Lord Montague, why is it that a man of your ilk wishes to marry at all? I always thought your tastes veered in another direction entirely.”

His lordships face turned crimson. “You have one hour to produce Miss Hester or I’ll not be held responsible for what happens to you, your men or your ship.”

Stephen waved the man’s threats away. “An hour? But I have to say my goodbyes and we’re forgetting one very important factor in all this. The payment that is due to me.” Lord Montague nodded to one of his men who quickly ran off. The fact that the payment of two thousand pounds was only moments away should accelerate the blood pumping through Stephens veins. He should be happy, elated that his men would have the future they’d worked so hard to grasp.

It didn’t. If anything the thought of the payment was like the bemoaning sound of a church death knell. It meant the end of his time with Arabella. Panic mixed with pain coursed through his gut. He may never see her again. Kiss lips that bespoke of sin and felt like silk. Listen to the intelligent quick wit that had captured his attention from the very first.

He would miss her, and something deep within his mind whispered that he’d do a lot more than that. He’d be only half of himself without her.

I love her
.

The realization struck him like a sword to the throat. He loved her? The words that should frighten him didn’t. Instead they fit him like a new pair of leather boots.

The brute who ran off returned.

“Give Captain Blackmore the bag,” Lord Montague said without emotion.

Arabella’s father gestured at the bag as it was handed over. “I had the funds in Malta, should you have just asked, none of this would’ve been necessary against my daughter. But like the thieving, kidnapping scoundrel that you are, you couldn’t wait like any other patient man. No. Instead you kidnapped an innocent woman and tried to ruin her reputation.”

Stephen’s eyes narrowed as his temper started to spike. “I don’t take well to liars, and you Sir Hester, are one of those. I have waited a good twelve months for this payment, none of which was forthcoming until today and not until I had to take action totally against my better judgment or character.” He fought the ill ease that sat in his gut. Yes, he’d waited months for payment, but the action to kidnap Arabella couldn’t be laid at anyone’s door but his own. And sinner that he was, he’d enjoyed every damn moment with the lass.

Stephen’s second in command took the bag and rifled through it. “Looks to be all here, Captain.”

Stephen nodded. “Put it below decks.”

Lord Montague stepped forward. “Your time is running out Captain Blackmore. I want to see my betrothed. Now.” Stephen raised his brow at the man’s attempt to sound threatening. What a sad little specimen his lordship was.

“Go fetch Arabella and gather up anything she has at the inn and on the ship. She’s leaving forthwith,” Stephen barked out the order to a member of his crew and hated the way his voice strained over the word ‘leaving’.

His lordship smirked. “I’m so glad you’ve seen reason. Common sense is not something I would associate with a pirate, but in your case and in this instance you seem to have some.”

“I would shut up and rightly so, Lord Montague, before I’m tempted to step onto your ship and cut off the one appendage you love most. And as for you, Sir Hester. I’m not without connections also, with a few whispered words I could ruin you in London. Best you shut up as well.”

Both men paled and didn’t reply.

It took an hour or so for Arabella to be rowed out to the anchored ships. During the time the men on both ships stood about, patiently waiting, but always on alert. Stephen watched as she climbed up the rope latter and came to stand beside him on his deck. She had a small bag clasped in her hand and a becoming flush on her cheeks. Her hair curled about her shoulders, accentuating the lovely curve of her neck. His body tightened at the sight of her. Possibly his last.

His mind fought a war within itself. Could he ask her to leave all that she aspired to, had promised herself, to marry him instead? To live in Scotland, an isolated wilderness far from the polished delights of London for the rest of her days?

And what about the funds? Was it more important to him and his men than Arabella?

He inwardly swore at the crossroad he now found himself and having no idea on which direction to take.

* * *

T
he sound
of excited voices from the street below woke Arabella with a start. She scrambled out of bed and ran to the window to see what was happening. From the room’s view, she could see Stephen’s ship anchored off the bay, with another ship close beside it.

Trepidation clawed at her innards over who was docked beside him although she could probably guess. The distance not so very far, she could make out Stephen on his deck surrounded by his crewmen. The gentleman on the other ship remained unknown.

Arabella dressed and went to leave, only to find her room door locked. Concern for Stephen warred with annoyance at his high-handedness at locking her in again.

Going back to the window she watched as the two men traded words to one another. She narrowed her eyes trying to focus better, and swore when the other gentleman turned and she recognised Lord Montague.

Blast and the devil he was here and if the tubby gentleman coming to stand beside him was any indication, so was her father!

The thought of his lordship organizing a rescue almost made her laugh. Lord Montague was a man who loathed anything remotely distasteful. No doubt a rescue where his coattails could become sullied was classed as such.

Their appearance could only mean one thing. She was leaving. And did she even wish to any longer? Being with Stephen had been an exciting journey she’d never thought possible. It may not have started out too well, but the nights of pleasure and days of adventure had soon brought them together and for her at least, made her see him in a different perspective.

He was everything to her. Meant the world to her.

I love him…

One of Stephen’s men broke away and started down the rope ladder, getting into the small wooden craft tied to the ship before rowing toward shore. Arabella fumbled about for her meagre belongings just in case Stephen wished her to come aboard.

She stopped what she was doing and realized where her thoughts had taken her. She loved him, that she was certain, but to leave with him? Embark on a life that was as uncertain as the weather was another thing entirely.

Could she do it? Really? Could she choose love and adventure, losing all that she’d been brought up to be, a respectable, steady lady with morals for Stephen?

A knock sounded at her door just as she slipped on a pair of boots.

“The captain wishes you to join him on the ship, Miss Hester,” a firm male voice said from behind the wood.

He unlocked the door and Arabella followed the deckhand. The trip out to the ship was reasonably quick and the closer they came, the easier it was to hear the two men and their war of words. Curses that were new to her, even after all the months on board a pirate’s ship, volleyed from one boat to another. She shook her head at the absurdness.

Really. Men could be so immature at times.

“Gentleman, stop. Enough of this madness.” Arabella climbed up the rope ladder and turned to Lord Montague as she made the deck. She smiled in welcome to her father. “What are you doing here? It never occurred to me that you would chase us down.”

“You speak, daughter, as if you’ve enjoyed the company of the blasted rogue.” Her father threw a disgusted look at Stephen. “Come aboard and quickly. The sooner we have you away from this man the better.”

She didn’t move as an abundance of thoughts, feelings and questions bombarded her mind. Not the least of them being how unwelcome Lord Montague’s presence was now that he’d actually appeared. He was a sickly color, as if the rocking motion of the boat didn’t mesh well with his stomach.

“Miss Hester, we’re to return to London forthwith where with any luck, notice of your prolonged stay with Captain Blackmore will be washed away like the tide. We’re to marry next week.”

Stephen scoffed. “I can’t help but think Arabella’s fall from grace would suit you well. Admit it man, you don’t want to marry her. And you know damn well as to why.”

Arabella started at his words. She frowned. “Why wouldn’t his lordship wish to marry me? I’m not abhorrent.”

He looked from her to Lord Montague, his face more thunderous than the day she’d thrown the mop overboard. “Please enlighten us, my lord.”

Her betrothed pulled at his neckcloth, sweat forming on his brow. “Don’t be absurd. I love Miss Hester.” His lordship gestured for her to come aboard. “Join me, my dear. We’ll leave directly. Now that Captain Blackmore has been paid in full there is no more reason for you to stay.”

Arabella raised her brow. Stephen already had the funds? So his use of her was at an end unless…

Stephen closed the short distance between them and clasped her hands. “You don’t have to go. Stay with me. Be with me.” His voice was low, desperate almost.

Hope bloomed in her chest. The image of a future with him was tempting. She doubted there would be a moment of boredom. He excited her, discussed things with her as an equal. Didn’t treat her as some silly nitwit girl so many men seemed to do. And he was her lover…

Her father jumped from one ship to the other and strode toward her. Arabella shut her mouth with a snap not knowing her father could be so agile when so large. “Daughter, a word in private if you will.” He took her arm and pulled her a good distance away from Stephen. “What is this madness? You cannot possibly be thinking of staying with this pirate.” He spat the word out like salty seawater. “Your life is with me and your future husband. I command you to leave with us at once.”

She stepped back and crossed her arms. “Why must I? What I feel for the captain far outweighs what I’ve ever felt for Lord Montague. And you’re wealthy, there is no reason for me to marry his lordship. We could make up some sort of excuse as to my disappearance from society. Say I stayed in Malta due to some sickly ailment or some such.”

“Don’t be absurd child. You cannot just disappear!” Her father waved his hands about in agitation. “I think it’s time to tell you as to why you must leave.” He sighed. “My pockets are to let. Other than the house in London, which I transferred into your name two years ago, nothing we own will remain ours unless you marry Lord Montague.” Her father pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his brow, his face a deep ruddy color. “I’ve gambled us into a vicious debt that I cannot pay. Your betrothed has promised all vowels will be paid in full should you marry him. I owe a lot of men a lot of blunt.”

So it was true. Her father was a liar and a gambler and they were poor. Despair washed over her knowing she couldn’t let her father become ruined. “Why would Lord Montague do this for us? I certainly don’t believe it’s because he’s in love with me.” Her father licked his lips in agitation. “Answer me, Father?”

He sighed. “The reasons behind Lord Montague wishing to marry you are his and only his. He has not shared them with me. When the contracts were signed, let me assure you, both of us were pleased with the outcome. You will have a good life with him.”

“I still don’t see why I should go. So we’re not as wealthy as we used to be, but there are worse prospects for people I’m sure. You can live with me and Captain Blackmore,” she pleaded, wanting to hold onto her dream of marrying Stephen, if he’d have her.