Devil's Embrace (Devil 1)

Cassandra was standing now, and the wind flattened her skirt, outlining her hips and thighs. It was just as well that the weather was so mild, he thought, for she held all his attention. He felt a growing ache in his loins and turned away. Tonight he would possess her body, just as she would possess his. He did not believe that she would fight him, for he had unleashed the woman in her, and their four nights of abstinence had likely made her physical need as great as his. He suspected that she desired him, despite her monthly cycle, but he had not pushed her. He wanted her to accept him as her companion as well as her lover. They had passed hours on deck in the evenings, gazing at the brilliant constellations, and he had spoken softly of the past that he had known with her.

“Captain.”

The earl wiped the placid smile from his mouth and brought his attention to his first mate. “Yes, Mr. Donnetti?”

“There is a ship closing off port. She’s likely Spanish.”

He handed the earl a spyglass.

“It’s a Spanish frigate, two gun decks. Keep us windward, Mr. Donnetti. The Spanish captain is a fool if he thinks to engage us.”

“Aye, captain. The frigate is riding low in the water, heavily loaded, and cannot elevate her guns.”

The earl lowered the spyglass. “Command the men to battle stations. If the Spanish captain is unwise enough to engage us, we will fire broadside as a lasting lesson and outrun her. Needless to say, our cargo is far too precious to risk full battle.”

Cassie raised her head, startled at the sound of a beating drum.

“Beat to quarters!”

“Get below-deck to the captain’s cabin, madonna,” Joseph said sharply, and wheeled away from her, toward the gun deck.

“What is happening, Joseph?” she cried over the beating drum.

She whipped about at the sound of the earl’s voice. “It’s a Spanish frigate, Cassandra, and as yet, we do not know her intentions. Do as Joseph said and go to the cabin.” She hesitated, and he roared at her, “Now! I will come to you when there is no more danger.”

“But I would like to see—”

The earl grabbed her shoulders in an iron grip. “Dammit, do as I tell you. I do not want to have to worry about your safety when the ship must be my first concern.”

“You needn’t shout at me.”

“Then obey me. That is an order.” He pushed her away and strode toward the quarterdeck without a backward glance.

Cassie felt a surge of excitement, and her step lagged as she neared the companionway. Crisp orders boomed about her and purposeful sailors ran past her, oblivious of her presence. A Spanish frigate. She had never seen such a ship. Stealthily she made her way to the mainmast and crossed quickly, crouched over, to the railing. She saw the three-masted vessel bearing toward them, its hull massive even in the distance. She heard the earl’s booming voice and felt the deck beneath her shift slightly as the port guns were hauled into the gunports, and the sailors shifted their iron mouths toward the approaching frigate. She felt gooseflesh rise on her arms. She guessed that the frigate was now only a mile distant.

“Damn,” the earl cursed under his breath. “It appears that the fools want to test our strength. Order the first ranging shot, Mr. Donnetti. Perhaps that will be enough for them.”

Cassie was thrown back on her heels as the four guns, in unison, belched forth their iron balls. She saw great explosions of white smoke, then veils of spewing water. In an instant, it cleared, and to her disappointment, the frigate emerged unscathed. She watched, her heart pounding in her chest, as it veered off.

Mr. Donnetti chuckled. “Cowards, the whole mess of them. One round from our guns and they scurry away, like rabbits.”

“Don’t underestimate them,” the earl said softly. “My guess is that they are bound for bigger game and do not wish to risk any damage. Full into the wind, Mr. Donnetti, I have no desire to tempt fate if the Spanish captain happens to change his mind.”

“Aye, captain,” Mr. Donnetti said. The earl remained on deck until the frigate became but a distant white speck. Satisfied that there would be no more danger from that quarter, he made his way quickly toward the cabin. His eyes caught a flash of blue muslin at the base of the mainmast. He whirled about to see Cassandra gesticulating with great excitement to Joseph.

His stomach knotted in sudden fear for her, and then in anger. She had disobeyed him. If the frigate had engaged them, she could have been hurt, even killed.

“Cassandra.”

She continued speaking to Joseph some moments more before turning reluctantly to face him.

“Come here.”

Joseph’s head jerked up at the deadly tone in the captain’s voice, and he whispered urgently to Cassie, “Go quickly, madonna.”

Because she had never seen the earl in a rage, Cassie shrugged her shoulders indifferently and took her time reaching him.

“What a paltry encounter, my lord,” she said, clearly disappointed. “At least I have seen a Spanish frigate. Are they always so cowardly?”