“You should first be hauled over my lap.”
“You wouldn’t.”
Adam strode over to her, bent down, and hauled her to her feet. She struggled against him, but he dragged her to the cot and pulled her onto her stomach over his knees. The cambric shirt shifted upward, baring her legs.
“Rayna,” he said, “what you’ve done is unpardonable, and I’ve waited to do this until my anger cooled. God knows what Arabella is going through, and now I must concern myself with what to do with you. The captain will be sailing nowhere near a port where I may leave you. You will never, my girl, ever again disobey me.”
He jerked up the shirt and brought the flat of his hand down on her buttocks. “Do you understand me?”
“No!”
He brought his hand down again and she felt tears start in her eyes. She tried to rear up, but it was no use. “Do you understand me?” he repeated as his hand came down again.
“I will do what I believe is right,” she yelled.
He raised his hand, but froze at seeing the raised imprint of his fingers on her bottom. He lowered his hand and gently caressed the spot to ease away its sting. She lay perfectly still.
He turned her over and cradled her in his arms. “I love you,” he said. “But I will beat you again if you ever do something so stupid.”
“And what if you do something stupid?”
“Your sharp tongue will be punishment enough.”
“I doubt that.”
“How is your bottom?” he asked, resting his large hand lightly on her bare leg.
“It stings.”
“Ah. I will endeavor to find a remedy.” He unfastened the draw string on the cambric shirt and lifted it over her head.
He eased her down into the crook of his arm and laid his other hand gently down on her belly. “I shall probably have to duel with every one of your damned brothers.”
Chapter 18
Kamal slowly rolled the parchment into a tight ring, tied a black ribbon around it, and handed it to Hassan.
“You seem preoccupied, highness.”
“Yes, old friend. I just received word from a friend in Paris that the French and the English will shortly be at each other’s throats again. The Treaty of Amiens is no more.”
Hassan shrugged and gazed briefly at the parchment. “Did you write to the Dey of this?”
“Yes. Undoubtedly he will hold a celebration.”
“It does mean that the English will be distracted, protecting their puny island from the French emperor.”
Kamal looked up at Ali, who stood in the open doorway waiting to gain his master’s attention.
“What is it, Ali?”
“Raj approaches, highness, with the English girl.”
Kamal smiled at Hassan. “At least she should no longer offend the nose.”
He heard Hassan draw in his breath and turned slowly. Standing close to the huge eunuch was the most exquisite girl Kamal had ever seen, all golden and ivory with eyes so dark they appeared almost black.
Kamal stared at her, knowing full well who she was, but asking nonetheless, “Well, Raj, where is she?”