Once a Mistress Read online

  Diana kicked away the henchman’s dagger as it clattered to the deck. She winced as the blade pricked her bare foot, but she never took her eyes from Scroggins.

  “Ye poxy slut! Ye cut me!”

  “And I’ll cut you again, so don’t test me.” She held the dagger at the ready just for emphasis.

  Scroggins narrowed his eyes. “Ye’re just a wench,” he sneered. “Ye need a man to show ye who yer master is!”

  He lunged at her and grabbed both her wrists. A cruel twist made her fingers spring open. She gave a small moan of denial as the knife tumbled to the deck.

  Scroggins laughed. Fear spiked up from her gut, and her pulse thundered in her ears. As she saw the triumph that glimmered in his squinty eyes, she knew Scroggins thought she was trapped. Something cold and unemotional settled into her soul. Not taking her gaze from his, she grabbed his sleeves for leverage and slammed her knee between his legs.

  His yowl of pain echoed like a dying thing as he released her and fell to his knees. She kicked him in the chest with her foot. With a pitiful cry, the seaman crashed to the deck. He curled into a ball, his hands cupped protectively at the juncture of his thighs.

  Diana stepped away from him and scooped up her dagger. Another glance revealed the sailor still where he fell, apparently stunned. She took a deep breath and silently thanked her father for teaching her how to defend herself. Remaining near the fallen man with dagger at the ready, she looked to Alex.

  A few feet away the two pirates continued their battle. Marcus fought like a madman, his slashing sword a weapon of fire as it reflected the hues of the rising sun. Alex parried each vicious blow, but every one cost him a step backward until his spine bumped the rail of the ship. Marcus surged forward. With a clang of steel, the two men grappled for the advantage.

  Diana put her hand to her throat as each strained to win, blades locked, Alex trapped against the side of the ship. She took a step toward them with the idea of helping Alex. Then Marcus stumbled backward, propelled by the force of Alex’s booted foot in his stomach. She could not help but smile as she saw how her rescuer had used the side of the ship for leverage in order to accomplish the maneuver. As Alex regained his footing he winked at her. Then Marcus’s roar of rage reclaimed his attention.

  Marcus rushed Alex. Seconds before Marcus’s sword would have pierced his flesh, Alex dodged to one side. Marcus slammed against the rail. Before the pirate could regain the breath that had whooshed from his lungs, Alex grabbed him by shirt and seat and shoved him over the side.

  A moment later a wail and a splash reached their ears. Alex turned from the rail, his black hair damp with sweat and falling in a tangled mass to his broad shoulders. He lowered his sword and approached her with a cocky grin.

  “Your taste in men has not improved. Must I ever rescue you from your bad judgment?” He sheathed his sword and nudged the fallen seaman with the toe of his boot. “Though this was very nicely done.”

  “Thank you so very much,” she retorted, his obnoxious comment redirecting all her fear and frustration onto his arrogant head. “I cannot tell you how much your praise means to me.”

  “How can you be so shrewish at so early an hour?” he asked with interest.

  “I have had a terrible night.”

  “Well, your morning will be much better. Come, let’s away.”

  She pulled her elbow from his guiding grasp. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  Folding his arms across his chest, he raised an eyebrow. “You are the most ungrateful female I have ever met. This is the second time I have rescued you, only to feel the bite of your tongue for my efforts.”

  “As before, sir, I was about to extricate myself before you appeared.”

  “Indeed.” Male indulgence underscored his words.

  Diana fumed at his patronizing tone. “You need not speak to me as if I were a child, Alex. Or shall I call you El Moreno?”

  “Call me what you wish. And give me that.” Before she could protest he took her dagger and tucked it into his own boot.

  “How dare you? I saved your miserable life, yet now I cannot be trusted with a blade?”

  “Your tongue is sharp enough. And any woman who would not leave Marcus’s ship is, indeed, a fool.”

  “I did not say I would not leave the ship. I only said I choose not to leave with you.”

  “You were not given a choice, my sweet.” Directing his attention to the decks behind her, he put two fingers in his mouth and gave a shrill whistle. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her with him to the rail of the quarterdeck.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Hush, woman.” His dark gaze touched on her lips before he raised his eyes to hers. “Lest I find a way to silence you.”

  His sensual promise awakened a tremor of response in her untried body. Well did she remember the power of his kiss. She did not think she could handle the confusing emotions he inspired on top of everything else that had happened. Out of self-preservation, she slowly nodded.

  He turned to face his crew.

  Alex looked out over the lower decks of the ship. His men had gathered in response to his signal, having incarcerated the surviving members of Marcus’s crew in the hold. They looked up at him in expectation.

  He stood silent for a long moment, then drew his sword and speared it into the air. “Well done, my friends! Marcus is ours!”

  A rousing cheer answered his words. John McBride, Alex’s first mate, pushed a seething, dripping Marcus to the front of the crowd.

  “Captain!” McBride called out. “We fished a little somethin’ out o’ the water. Even the sharks won’t eat it!”

  Roars of laughter echoed across the decks. With rope binding his wrists in front of him, Marcus glared as if he would strangle every man there. Alex smiled with deep satisfaction as he met the hate-filled gaze of his enemy.

  “Clap him in irons, McBride. Let him enjoy the hospitality of his own rats.”

  McBride tried to lead Marcus away, but the pirate shook off his hold. “This is not over yet, El Moreno!”

  Alex leaned over the rail. “It is for you.”

  Marcus once more resisted McBride’s determination to see him away. He looked at Diana. His lips curved in a slow, terrible smile. “We will meet again, my dear. Believe it.”

  Alex expected her to quail. To his amazement, Diana stepped forward and closed her hands over the rail. “If we do,” she said in a clear voice, “‘twill be at your hanging.”

  Marcus sketched a little bow, then looked at Alex. “Enjoy the whore, you Spanish bastard. Just remember—I had her first.”

  With a wave of his hand, McBride signaled two burly men, who grabbed the pirate and dragged him away. Marcus continued to glare at the two of them until he disappeared below deck.

  Alex glanced at Diana. “You are a brave woman,” he murmured.

  “I was terrified.”

  “An intelligent woman as well.” He grinned and shook his head. “But we really must do something about your affinity for such disagreeable companions.”

  “Absolutely.” She eyed him from head to toe and then turned away.

  He chuckled. “You must admit, I am a better choice than Marcus.”

  She shrugged. “One pirate is the same as another.”

  Her casual insult chafed like a splinter beneath his skin. He had saved her life, yet she treated him as if he were the one intent on harming her.

  Shoving his sword back into its scabbard, he reached for her. “Come with me.”

  She resisted as he tried to lead her to the ladder. “Where are we going?”

  “Must you plague me with questions?” Alex jerked her forward. She fell against his chest, grabbing his shirt for balance. The garment, slashed from his battle with Marcus, tore open to expose the bare skin of his midsection. Still clutching the strip of black cambric, Diana looked up into his face, her expression a picture of maidenly horror.

  “Ah, Diana,” he said with false innocence. “Yo
ur lusty appetites astound me. I would gladly have disrobed had you but asked.”

  “Oh!” Diana dropped the swatch of material as if it burned her. “As if I would ever ask such a thing!”

  “Perhaps you might. Someday.” He took her arm. “Now, you may walk with me to my ship like the lady you are, or you may share quarters with Marcus in the hold. ‘Tis your choice.”

  “You are vile.” Her nose raised in haughty disdain, she preceded him to the ladder. Chuckling, he followed.

  They descended to the lower decks. McBride awaited him in the waist.

  “Orders, captain?” The mate fell into step behind his captain as Alex led Diana across the deck.

  “Take a few men and secure the ship,” Alex replied. “Leave Fernandez in command here. I need you back on the Vengeance.”

  “Indeed I will, sir.”

  “And cut loose the grappling ropes as soon as you can,” Alex added. “A storm’s blowing up, and I don’t want the Vengeance dragged under by this barge if it hits.”

  “To be sure.” With a nod, the wiry, red-haired Irishman hurried across one of the planks balanced between the two ships. Alex made to follow, but Diana brought him up short.

  Her gray eyes widened with apprehension as she stared down at the sea below them.

  “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let you fall.”

  “I cannot tell you how much that reassures me,” she snapped.

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “There is always the alternative. I am certain Marcus would be glad of the company.” She gave him a look of disgust, and he laughed. “That is what I thought. Now come.” Tugging her behind him, he mounted the plank.

  Diana burned with chagrin as Alex led her about like a spaniel on a lead. She wanted to protest but dared not test him further. He won every challenge.

  She followed him across the plank with small steps. Her stomach rolled as she viewed the choppy water beneath them. She looked up with haste and fixed her gaze on his broad back. How could he stroll such a narrow board with such confidence? He seemed totally in control of his environment, certain that he could handle any problem that arose.

  So where did that leave her?

  It had not occurred to her to be afraid of him, since he had once before refused the opportunity to do her harm. But that had been in the garden of her home, where one cry from her would have brought armed men to her rescue. Fear trickled along her spine as a new concern grew in her mind. What was to prevent Alex from abusing her now? On his own ship, no one would stop him.

  The thud of his boots hitting his own deck jerked her from her musings. He took a moment to help her down from the plank, then he led her across the main deck and up the ladders to the quarterdeck. The man known as McBride already waited there.

  Alex gave her a hard look as he released her by the outside rail overlooking the ocean. “Stay here and cause no trouble. My men are not the sort of lily-livered buffoons you are used to. If they see a woman unattended, they will act according to their baser natures. Do you understand, or must I say it in less respectable terms?”

  “I comprehend you quite well. It is what I expected.”

  “No doubt.” With one last warning look, he crossed the deck to confer with the first mate. Even wounded, the man moved with the grace of a tiger.

  As Diana watched him, a fluttering sensation sprang to life in her stomach. This man had a wild, untamed side that both frightened her and intrigued her at the same time. He glanced up from his whispered conversation and met her eyes for an instant. The contact lasted only a brief moment, but its effect lingered in her trembling limbs. Then he returned his attention to the first mate.

  Disturbed by the intensity of her response, Diana turned her attention to the open sea. She had no interest in the low-voiced conversation going on a few feet away. Instead, she occupied herself with plans for escape.

  Alex glanced at Diana again and frowned. He didn’t like her contemplative expression as she stared out to sea. He would wager his ship that she was plotting something. From her fearless demeanor, one would think she was abducted by pirates every day.

  “Bloody hell,” he muttered.

  “Captain? Did ye say somethin’?”

  He frowned at McBride, who regarded him with a puzzled expression. “No.” With effort, he pulled his thoughts away from Diana Covington. “Did we profit well from the contents of Marcus’s hold?”

  McBride chuckled. “‘Tis true we lightened his load a bit.”

  “Excellent. Divide the shares then, but none for me. I claim the woman as captain’s share. That should keep the peace amongst the men.”

  “Agreed. They will not be missin’ a woman when their pockets are full o’ gold.”

  “That is my intention. I have no desire to punish any member of my crew whose lust might overwhelm his common sense. But if I have to, I will.”

  “I don’t think ‘twould come to that. There’s not a man aboard who would dare touch the captain’s woman. ‘Tis not worth the risk o’ losin’ a hand.”

  “Or any other body parts,” Alex added dryly. He stretched and then hissed in pain as the slice in his side protested the movement. Rubbing the wound, he asked, “Is all well with the Renegade?”

  “It is. I’ve six men aboard to sail her back to port. If we need more, we have them.”

  “Excellent. And Marcus?”

  “Locked in the hold with his own irons.”

  “Good.” He paused, torn between the necessity of seeing to Diana’s welfare and the desire to ensure the security of his captured enemy. Necessity dictated he make a show of charming Diana, lest he be forced to punish one of the men for lusting after her. “I’ll attend to him later then. Those irons will keep him well enough.”

  “Indeed,” McBride agreed.

  “Set sail for Port Royal,” Alex said, his eyes on Diana. “I have a matter to oversee.”

  “That ye do,” came the reply.

  “I suppose I must play the pirate here,” Alex muttered under his breath, in no hurry to deal with the red-haired baggage. “The more afraid she is of El Moreno, the less trouble she will cause. Then we can return the girl to her father none the worse for wear.” He sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” With determined strides, he approached Diana.

  Chapter Five

  White sails bloomed as wind filled the sturdy canvas, guiding the Vengeance toward Port Royal with the Renegade trailing behind. On the horizon iron-gray clouds gathered in anticipation of the coming storm.

  Alex, too, expected a storm as he came to stand beside Diana. Any other woman would have taken to her bed with the vapors by now, but not this termagant. No, her face reflected a fierce pride and determination that would wreak havoc aboard his ship if he did not take steps to stop her.

  “So, you are captain of this vessel?” Her calm words belied the spark of challenge in her eyes.

  “I am.”

  “Then it is to you I should speak.” She clasped her hands, her aristocratic demeanor defying the ill-fitting pirate’s garb that adorned her slender frame. “I would know my fate, captain. I am certain you are aware that my father is a wealthy man. He would be more than happy to reward you handsomely for my safe return.”

  “That prospect did occur to me.” He watched as she struggled to control her temper. Her flush deepened, and she twisted her fingers together. He smothered a laugh. Bloody hell, but he enjoyed baiting her. He could not seem to help himself. “I have not yet decided whether I will return you to your father. I am considering other alternatives.”

  “Considering other alternatives?” Abandoning her pose of lady-like control, she propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Just what might those be?”

  “I could sell you into slavery. In the East red hair is quite rare.” He stroked a lock with his finger. “You would fetch quite a price, far more than your father could ever pay.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Sell me? You wouldn’t dare!”

  He shrugged. “A pirate’
s goal is profit.”

  “You are beneath contempt.” Curling her lip in disgust she turned away from him to stare out at the ocean.

  Alex allowed a small smile to escape, then pressed his lips together so she would not see how much she amused him. “I could always keep you for myself,” he suggested.

  She whipped her head around so fast that the ends of her hair brushed his face. “What did you say?”

  “You would make a fetching addition to my bed.”

  “How dare you!” Anger sparked in her eyes like new steel reflecting the sun. He wondered if she would respond with such passion in his arms.

  “I dare anything, my sweet.” When she turned her back on him again, he moved behind her and pressed his lips to the top of her head. “‘Twould be quite a simple matter to make you my mistress.”

  “Never,” she whispered. Her breasts rose and fell rapidly in her agitation.

  “The idea has merit,” he mused aloud, slipping an arm about her waist. He pulled her against him so that her buttocks pressed against his thighs. His new position gave him an interesting view of her semi-exposed bosom.

  “No, it does not have merit.” She tried without success to remove his arm. “I demand you return me to my father.”

  “With a temper like that, I doubt he would want you back.” He chuckled, holding her close against him as she struggled for freedom. Desire curled into his blood as she wriggled in his arms. “Mayhap he would pay me to keep you.”

  “My father would relinquish his entire fleet before he would leave his only daughter to the mercy of a lying, low-born Spanish sea scum!”

  Alex grinned, unable to contain himself any longer. “Then more the fool he. I see where you have inherited your bad judgment.”

  She gave a frustrated growl and struggled harder to break his hold. Her elbow slammed into his midriff, whether by chance or design he did not know. He hissed a curse as his wound throbbed, and he tightened his grip. “As a matter of fact, you might be too difficult for the slave market. I suppose I have no choice but to keep you for myself.”