Part 24 (2/2)
He thought for a moment, then murmured, ”Aye, I give you my bond.”
”Good. You can kiss me now.”
He chuckled, tugging at the collar of the robe, his mouth a mere fraction from hers. ”Dare I sense that I am forgiven?”
253.
”G.o.d, yes.” It was a plea for his ears alone. Dane smiled, then kissed her, his lips, warm and soft, slanting over hers. He caught her lower lip between his teeth, sipping there, then pushed his tongue inside, sweeping the dark haven. Tess melted against him, her hand smoothing over his bare chest.
Duncan cleared his throat, and they slowly pulled apart.
”Send me Mr. Thorpe and Finch, Duncan,” Dane said without taking his eyes from her. ”I want damage reports.”
”Aye-aye, Capt'n!”
Dane's pale gaze s.h.i.+fted beyond her to the servant. The old man's expression was cold and d.a.m.ning. Dane returned his attention to Tess. ”You have your orders, man.”
Tess didn't have to ask what that was about. ”Twenty minutes and that's it,” she reminded, slipping off the bed, making Dane acutely aware of her clothing, or rather, the lack of it.
She was picking up the tray when a knock sounded and Dane waved, still frowning at her attire.
The first and second mate entered cautiously, and Tess faced them. ”Exhaust him and I'll tan your hides-personally.” They nodded politely, and she turned once more to Dane. ”It's nearly dawn, Black-well. Give these men a break, huh?”
Dane glanced to the window, then the clock. All three men watched her sweep out of the cabin.
”I cannot believe I'm wis.h.i.+ng 'twas me that smashed into the mast, sir.” The first mate's eyes were on the empty doorway.
254.
”I'll shoot you in the foot if you believe 'twill help, Gaelan,” Aaron suggested cheekily.
”Most amusing, Mr. Finch,” Gaelan's tone was dry. ”Any man would-”
”Gentlemen!” Dane interrupted, annoyed at the turn of conversation, and they faced him. ”I believe my s.h.i.+p is the order of discussion?” He gestured curtly for them to be seated, and within minutes they were well into a discussion of the frigate's damage, the length of time it would be to repair, and the new courses to be set.
”How did you know 'twas a code, sir?” Aaron asked a while later as he made notes.
”I did not, *twas the lady who deciphered this mess.” Dane flipped through papers until he found the one he needed.
Gaelan and Aaron exchanged stunned looks. ”Truly a fine woman, if I may say so, sir?”
”You have and you may, Mr. Finch.” Dane didn't spare the man a glance.
”Sir?” Gaelan said. ”The rudders refer to an island three degrees south, but I don't recall one.” ”It must be incorrect,” Dane waved, ignoring the nudging of his memory. ”None that have sailed these waters has ever noted its existence. Get the map.” Gaelan rose, searching the bra.s.s cans.
”Even with the translation, Bennett's logs are a shambles,” Aaron complained as Gaelan returned with the curling parchment and spread it out, the second mate peering over his shoulder, studying them.
”Aye. Tis a wonder the man made it this far.” Dane rubbed the back of his neck, reading the pa- 255.
pers again.
”Ah-sir?” Gaelan began hesitantly. ”I beg your pardon, but you have already found it.” Dane's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing. ” Tis charted, sir.” Looking confused, the first mate held it out. ”And two others.”
Frowning, Dane grabbed the map, his features pulling taut as his gaze scanned the black markings. Tess. He recognized her handwriting and a memory surfaced. She'd said the maps were wrong when she'd first seen them. Before she deciphered the rudders! G.o.d, nay!
”Lady Renfrew. Lady Renfrew! Blast you, woman! Get in here!”
Tess popped around the doorframe. ”You bellowed, sire?”
Dane glared at his snickering officers, then at the woman leaning against the doorframe, a fresh tray in her hands. Gaelan and Aaron hesitantly followed the direction of his gaze.
”Time's up, guys. Out,” she said, nodding to the door as she moved to the unoccupied side of the bed and deposited the tray. She poured tea.
Dane folded his arms over his chest, studying her. ”You have been scribbling on my maps, la.s.s.”
Tess glanced up. ”Mad?”
”I have good cause.”
”My cartography that lousy, huh?” She leaned against the bedpost, nibbling on a crust of bread.
”How did you know of the islands' location?” Dane wanted to know.
She glanced meaningfully at the officers. ”You really want me to answer that?”
256.
”That will be all for now, gentlemen. You may tend to your duties,” Dane said in a dismissing tone, ”Aye-aye, sir,” the men said in unison, gathering up their ledgers and heading for the door. They both cast an envious glance at their captain, then slipped out.
”You were about to explain?”
”I've actually been on one of them,” she said easily.
His brows rose, his disbelief clear. ”Pray tell, when?”
”If that's the att.i.tude you're going to take, I'm not going to say another word.” They stared, Tess glaring, Dane looking rather unaffected.
But he wasn't. Her calculations were too accurate to be ignored.
”When?”
”A few days before I jumped off the Na.s.sau Queen.” Tess waited for him to call her a liar. He didn't. He was staring at the map resting on the mattress. Was he ready to believe her? ”That sc.u.mbag you're after is on one of those islands, isn't he?”
He s.h.i.+fted his gaze to her. ”Aye. What were you doing there?”
”Hiding.”
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