Read Online Romancing the Pirate 01 - Blood and Treasure by Jennifer Bray-Weber - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jennifer Bray-Weber
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against the rail with her elbows up, alongside Blade.
“’Tis true that I don’t spend many lonely evenings but alas ’tis not usually in the company of such a breathtaking woman as you.”
“Don’t waste such blandishments on your prisoner.”
“Ah, but you are not my prisoner. I don’t hold claim to you.” He leaned in close. “Unless you would like me to.”
Lianna shifted her weight to her right arm to close the gap between them. “If I should, then ’tis I who lay claim to you, sir.”
Blade gave a throaty laugh. “True. Very true, I’m afraid. It seems you are quite good at snaring a man’s affections.”
“Oh?”
“Aye. My interest is not the sole interest on this ship.”
She shuddered to think of the greasy, smelly scoundrels laying a hand upon her. She crinkled her nose in a disgusted frown.
Blade laughed at her mental gagging. He clarified. “Captain Fox has taken a liking to you as well.”
“No doubt to venture on what is not his,” she reproached.
“Come, madam. You cannot say he has not treated you with the utmost respect and dignity. He has provided you with a nice cabin, clean dresses, and warm dinners. That is far more than what anyone could expect in your position. ’Tis no secret your caste does not deserve such. Thus, you haven’t the right to carp.”
“Be that as it may. I am still his captive. My safety is only ensured by his word. Pardon me for not being enthusiastic about a pirate and his word.”
“Zane is not what he appears, Miss Whitney. Careful you do not fail to appreciate his good intentions.”
“You mean his intentions to bed me?” Inflamed, she faced Blade with defiance. “I have no use for him or any other man.” She squared her shoulders. “I have control over my own destiny. Not some arrogant arse. I am not a possession to twist on the whim of a besotted beast who values me only as long as his stomach is empty or his prick is hard.”
Blade smirked at her assertive language. “You have formed an ill-conceived opinion about the male sex. In our defense, I must say that it is a damned shame, for we are not all worthless cads. Above all, Zane.”
“And what makes him different?”
“He has an infallible conviction. He’s honorable. He has compassion.”
“Not traits found among pirates.” She crossed her arms.
“No. But traits which prove Zane’s leadership and gain him steadfast loyalty, even among the roughest fiends.” Blade’s gaze trailed out across the ship to the men toiling around. “Most of those bastards have committed some sort of the most heinous sins of mankind, ravaging homes, destroying livelihoods, violent rape or senseless murder. But every one of those hapless monsters respects their captain.” He paused, seemingly singling out a tar among the buccaneers. “Well, almost everyone, anyway.” Blade returned his sights to her. She caught the darkness in his eyes before they softened with his shrug.
Lianna turned back to the open sea and gazed down at the breaking waves left by the ship’s wake. She had already known Captain Fox capable of compassion. After all, an immoral rogue would not save a beggar boy’s life or see to a serving wench’s safety. Or even bring her a book to stave off tedium. He made her head spin. Lianna didn’t want to talk about him anymore. She spent far too much time thinking about the enticing rogue as it was. No good could come from fantasies involving a pirate captain. She sought to change the subject.
“What about you, Mr. Tyburn? Are you honorable and compassionate?” Trifling. You’re trifling. With the devil’s advocate at that. You’re sure to end up in a compromising position. You should be throttled. Yes, throttled.
She warmed at the thought. Blade in her bed surrounded by thick, smooth pillows, getting intimate.
Wait, with Zane, in his bed, getting intimate.
Oh, good grief. These errant thoughts were getting the better of her. She may abhor men but she was still a
“’Tis true that I don’t spend many lonely evenings but alas ’tis not usually in the company of such a breathtaking woman as you.”
“Don’t waste such blandishments on your prisoner.”
“Ah, but you are not my prisoner. I don’t hold claim to you.” He leaned in close. “Unless you would like me to.”
Lianna shifted her weight to her right arm to close the gap between them. “If I should, then ’tis I who lay claim to you, sir.”
Blade gave a throaty laugh. “True. Very true, I’m afraid. It seems you are quite good at snaring a man’s affections.”
“Oh?”
“Aye. My interest is not the sole interest on this ship.”
She shuddered to think of the greasy, smelly scoundrels laying a hand upon her. She crinkled her nose in a disgusted frown.
Blade laughed at her mental gagging. He clarified. “Captain Fox has taken a liking to you as well.”
“No doubt to venture on what is not his,” she reproached.
“Come, madam. You cannot say he has not treated you with the utmost respect and dignity. He has provided you with a nice cabin, clean dresses, and warm dinners. That is far more than what anyone could expect in your position. ’Tis no secret your caste does not deserve such. Thus, you haven’t the right to carp.”
“Be that as it may. I am still his captive. My safety is only ensured by his word. Pardon me for not being enthusiastic about a pirate and his word.”
“Zane is not what he appears, Miss Whitney. Careful you do not fail to appreciate his good intentions.”
“You mean his intentions to bed me?” Inflamed, she faced Blade with defiance. “I have no use for him or any other man.” She squared her shoulders. “I have control over my own destiny. Not some arrogant arse. I am not a possession to twist on the whim of a besotted beast who values me only as long as his stomach is empty or his prick is hard.”
Blade smirked at her assertive language. “You have formed an ill-conceived opinion about the male sex. In our defense, I must say that it is a damned shame, for we are not all worthless cads. Above all, Zane.”
“And what makes him different?”
“He has an infallible conviction. He’s honorable. He has compassion.”
“Not traits found among pirates.” She crossed her arms.
“No. But traits which prove Zane’s leadership and gain him steadfast loyalty, even among the roughest fiends.” Blade’s gaze trailed out across the ship to the men toiling around. “Most of those bastards have committed some sort of the most heinous sins of mankind, ravaging homes, destroying livelihoods, violent rape or senseless murder. But every one of those hapless monsters respects their captain.” He paused, seemingly singling out a tar among the buccaneers. “Well, almost everyone, anyway.” Blade returned his sights to her. She caught the darkness in his eyes before they softened with his shrug.
Lianna turned back to the open sea and gazed down at the breaking waves left by the ship’s wake. She had already known Captain Fox capable of compassion. After all, an immoral rogue would not save a beggar boy’s life or see to a serving wench’s safety. Or even bring her a book to stave off tedium. He made her head spin. Lianna didn’t want to talk about him anymore. She spent far too much time thinking about the enticing rogue as it was. No good could come from fantasies involving a pirate captain. She sought to change the subject.
“What about you, Mr. Tyburn? Are you honorable and compassionate?” Trifling. You’re trifling. With the devil’s advocate at that. You’re sure to end up in a compromising position. You should be throttled. Yes, throttled.
She warmed at the thought. Blade in her bed surrounded by thick, smooth pillows, getting intimate.
Wait, with Zane, in his bed, getting intimate.
Oh, good grief. These errant thoughts were getting the better of her. She may abhor men but she was still a
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