His lips twitched. “That is rather more difficult to explain.”
“Yes, I can imagine it would be.” She narrowed her eyes. “Not that it truly matters.”
“No?”
“I will simply request that the captain offer me a different cabin.”
“You believe there are an endless number of rooms aboard such a small vessel?” he taunted.
A dull flush stained her cheeks. “Of course not, but there must be one passenger who will be willing to exchange cabins.”
He smiled wryly at her naiveté. “I would not be so certain.”
“Your arrogance is truly astonishing, Dimitri Tipova,” she snapped, her hands pressing against his chest. “You might be in command of St. Petersburg, but you have no authority aboard this ship.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her close, swallowing a groan as he accepted just how perfectly she fit against him.
“You should learn never to underestimate me, moya dusha.”
She stiffened, a frown marring her brow. “And what is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that any pleas to the captain will fall on deaf ears.”
“You cannot be that certain, unless…”
“Unless, what?” he softly prompted.
“Unless you have already bribed him?”
“There were no bribes, but considering the fact that I do pay his wages I should hope his loyalty would be to me.” His gaze slowly roamed over her upturned face. “Of course, he has always possessed a weakness for beautiful women so perhaps we should not put him in such an uncomfortable position.”
In the distance the sound of the rough shouts and boots pounding against the deck echoed through the air, but within the narrow cabin Dimitri was aware of nothing beyond the play of emotions that rippled across Emma’s face.
“You pay his wages?”
“I pay the wages of the entire crew.”
She licked her lips. “Why would you do that?”
“You know why, Emma.”
The color leeched from her cheeks as she slowly began to realize she was completely and utterly in his power.
“This is your ship.”
There was an uncomfortable tug on his heart as he gazed down at her pale, vulnerable face and the wide hazel eyes that were dark with apprehension. His jaw clenched with regret. Dammit, did she fear him? And why did the thought trouble him? Surely the stubborn female needed to be taught the dangers of her reckless behavior?
He shoved aside his momentary weakness and hardened his determination.
“It is.”
She shook her head. “This is madness.”
“My father is not the only man capable of owning a private fleet, although mine is considerably larger and far superior in design.” A grim smile curved his lips. “With any luck at all we should reach London before the Katherine Marie docks.”
“If you expect me to be impressed, then you are far off the mark.”
Dimitri swallowed a sigh at her tart tone. How many women had fallen to their knees and tearfully praised him for his assistance? How many had offered whatever he desired in payment of his services?