Page 34 of To Claim His Highland Bride

A pang of tenderness shot through him. She had initiated their lovemaking last night. He’d thought that finally satiating what he’d wanted and had denied himself for so long would ease his desire. The rigidness of his manhood told him otherwise. He wanted Rowena every bit as much in the light of day as he had last night.

Marcus wrinkled his brows. He’d always thought that if this moment would come, he’d be able to take his pleasure and walk away. Yet he’d been the one to raise the subject of a possible pregnancy last night. A bairn would bind them together for a lifetime. Is that what he wanted? He had a duty to his men that he would move heaven and earth to fulfil, but what came after that?

The task might take months, years even. He’d claimed that he didn’t want to tie Rowena to him when his future was still so uncertain. And still he had not only wedded her, he’d bedded her, tying her to him in ways that would be difficult to unravel. Even so, when he’d mentioned a child, after the shock had worn off, she had started planning how she could live a life with her child. A life that did not include him.

All her life Rowena had been forced to trust only herself. She’d had no one else to rely on. In some outlandish way he felt as though the bairn of which they spoke was already a reality and that she was stealing both it and herself from him. With a harsh groan, Marcus got out of bed.

God’s blood! What did he want? To pay his debts? Learn to dream with Rowena? Bring a child into this world? He couldn’t have all three. Somehow he had to find a solution. He slipped his arms into his shirt and his legs into his breeches. He would never find those answers here, staring down at the woman he wanted to pull into his arms more than he wanted to draw his next breath.

Marcus slid into his boots and opened the door of his chamber even as he tucked in his shirt. His expression tight and grim, he shut the door. He needed to find Gordon and discover why he’d threatened Rowena’s life. Perhaps if Marcus took out some of his frustration on the young lad, he might get the answers he needed more easily. He would never harm a member of his crew, but that didn’t mean the man couldn’t use a bit of intimidation.

On deck, Marcus searched the main deck and forecastle for Gordon as he was a part of the morning watch. The young man was nowhere to be found.

“Good morrow, Captain,” Eck said from his position at the tiller. “We should reach our destination within the hour.”

Marcus frowned at the knowing smile on his first mate’s lips. “What are you smiling about?”

“Why should I not be smiling? It’s a bright, clear morning, and I’ve had a restful night’s sleep. You should be smiling too even though I doubt you can say the same about sleep, but then again I’m certain you enjoyed some compensations I did not last night.”

“My sleeping habits are not up for discussion.”

Eck’s smile increased. “Very well, then I’m pleased to inform you the crew are excited to finally arrive at our destination.”

“I’m not certain all of them are.” Marcus looked about the ship once more. “Where is Gordon?”

Eck tipped his head back, looking skyward. “I sent him aloft to watch for any approaching hazards.”

Marcus followed his gaze. “The crow’s nest is as good a place to discuss his attempts on Rowena’s life as any.”

Eck’s smile faded. “You think he’s responsible for the damage to the sail and locking Rowena in the treasury?”

“Rowena believes so.”

“Then approach him cautiously. It’s dangerous up there.”

Marcus gave a quick nod then moved down the stairs towards the main sail. He gripped the first rope that would take him high above the ship’s deck and started climbing. He’d taught his crew to never let go of one rope until you had a hold of another. As he climbed towards the platform atop the main mast, Marcus took his own advice.

When he climbed onto the platform, Gordon startled. “Captain. What brings you up here?”

“We need to discuss why you tried to harm my wife.”

Gordon’s eyes went wide as he looked about him, knowing he was essentially trapped. “I didn’t—”

“Do not lie to me.” Marcus’s words were harsh and despite the wind they settled between the two of them as thick as any fog.

Gordon’s eyes were suddenly blazing. “I dinna think ye remembered such. Yer actions of late say otherwise.”

“Because I got married?” Marcus asked in exasperation.

The boat crested a large wave, forcing Gordon to reach for one of the safety lines. “Because yer attention is on her instead of the men who died fer ye, and their families.” Steel layered the youthfulness of Gordon’s face.

Marcus kept his hands free but widened his stance, riding out the wave. “My commitments have not changed. In fact, by coming to the Cave of Gold, it is my intention to provide the lost crewmen’s families with even more compensation.” Marcus narrowed his gaze. “Why is what I do for these men’s families so important to you?”

“What does it matter?”

Marcus stepped closer. “It matters to me. Why?”

Gordon’s fists clenched about the ropes. “Because my brithers, Caley and Mack, both drowned while recoverin’ the treasure of Sandwood Bay. I’m all my ma has left.”