Page 23 of Scandalous

Martín made a mental note to tell Daniels to keep his trap shut around the nosy woman. He took a mouthful of coffee and paused to wipe his mouth with a linen napkin before leaning back, enjoying her look of impatience. He could see his state of undress was distracting her concentration from the object of her visit, which appeared to be bossing him about.

He smiled at her obvious irritation. He should have thanked Daniels for providing him with entertainment before he’d dismissed him.

“Yes, that is true.”

“But it can be no problem for you to deposit the captives at Ouidah. You said as much during our parley.” Her voice was at least an octave higher than usual.

“I said no such thing, mademoiselle.” He crossed his arms and made himself comfortable.

“When I told you Captain Graaf had turned back the ship, you said—” She stopped and searched her memory. Not finding what she was seeking, she tried a different tack. “You didn’t actually disagree. Freetown is a great distance from where most of the captives were taken. How will they ever make their way back to their people?”

“That, mademoiselle, is not my concern.” She opened her mouth and stared, looking very much like a fish gasping for air. Martín relented, but only slightly. “As I said last night, Freetown is a much safer place for them. If they return to their villages, they will be taken again. I have seen it happen over and over.”

Her jaw worked as if she wanted to argue but could not come up with anything persuasive. “What of me?” she finally asked.

Martín didn’t try to stop the evil smile that spread across his face. “What of you?” He paused to savor the moment. “As you are a British citizen, I will personally escort you to the British authorities so they can determine what to do with you. You can tell them whatever story you wish, but I would advise you not to hold them at gunpoint if they refuse to do as you like.”

She bit her lip, making him curious as to what devious plans were going through her clever mind. He did not have to wait long.

“You mentioned last night you might be willing to take me back to England.” Her face turned a dark red at the reference to the night before.

“Actually, I said Daniels thought you should return—not that you should do so on my ship. Besides, that was last night, before you stole my pistol and held me at gunpoint.”

She lowered her eyes to the table, which she was gripping with white-knuckled fingers. “I . . . I am very sorry for that, Captain.” The honest regret in her eyes made him feel like a bully.

“I accept your apology,” he said shortly, no longer interested in toying with her. “You must take my word when I tell you the authorities in Freetown will take better care of you than anyone else. They will know whom to contact on your behalf.” Martín realized he had no idea whether his assurance was true or not. That realization angered him. So what if he didn’t know? It was no concern of his—she was no concern of his.

She looked at him for a long moment before nodding. “Very well, Captain.”

Martín moved to the door, eager to get her out of his cabin. He felt uneasy, rather than pleased, now that he had triumphed over her. He opened the door and looked down at her, experiencing an odd shortness of breath when he met her clear-eyed gaze.

“Would it be possible to see Captain Graaf?”

Her reference to the slaver sent a jolt of annoyance through him and brought him back to his senses.

He sneered. “By all means, mademoiselle. Be sure to take Daniels with you—we wouldn’t want Graaf getting any ideas.” He nudged her out of the cabin and shut the door on her affronted expression. He stood with his back against the door, his hand still clasping the doorknob, as if she might try to force her way back inside.

What was it about this woman? Why did he suffer such bizarre thoughts while in her presence? Martín had bedded hundreds of women, and most of them were far more beautiful or desirable than she; all of them had certainly been less trouble. He shook his head in mute exasperation at his strange reaction to her. His problem could only be that he hadn’t had a woman in too long. After all, she had worked him into a passion last night, and he had had no release. And again this morning.

Martín knew the frustration that came from a lack of sexual release was detrimental to a man’s mental processes. His current state was proof of that.

He would drop off the woman, the sick captain, and the rest of them and then immediately find a whore, preferably more than one, and then he could begin to think sensibly again.

* * *

Sarah bit back her disappointment at the captain’s refusal to return the captives to Ouidah or her to England. She supposed she should be grateful he hadn’t thrown her in the hold after last night.

Daniels was waiting for her just down the corridor.

“Miss Fisher.” He sounded relieved and surprised in equal measures. Sarah wondered if he’d expected Bouchard to ravish her rather than kick her out of his cabin. Frankly, Sarah had been wondering the same thing. If she was honest with herself—which she strove to be, no matter how uncomfortable her thoughts might be—she’d have to admit that part of her had looked forward to a resumption of last night’s fascinating activities. The captain must not have found the experience as captivating. He’d barely tolerated her presence in his cabin and had all but shoved her out the door.

“Captain Bouchard said that I may see Captain Graaf, but that you should accompany me.”

“Very good, miss. Would you like to see him now?”

“If you think he will be awake.” She was in no hurry to find the Dutch captain in the same state of undress as Bouchard. She flushed again just thinking of his muscular, tanned chest.

“I’ll just nip into his room and speak to him first.” Daniels paused and looked at her, his expression tense. “Please, Miss Fisher, will you promise me that you won’t—”