Part 10 (1/2)

”I'm not like you, Captain.Icouldn't just stand by while you were murdered!”

”Is that it?” His eyes were beginning to take on a mocking glint. ”Or is it that you're-ah-growing fond of me?”

”Don't be more conceited than you can help!” Cathy snapped angrily. ”You're twice my age, and not at all my type! I infinitely prefer gentlemen to rampaging pirates!” His words had flicked her in a vulnerable spot, and Cathy was determined to hide it. ”Anyway,” she continued, bouncing the ball back into his court. ”Why did you come after me? After all, as you said, there were plenty of women in Cadiz who would have been happy to share your bed! So why not just let me go? Could it be that you're-ah-growing fond of me?”

Deliberately she aped his words, wanting to p.r.i.c.k him as he had her. Jon's eyes glinted at her.

”I have a very simple answer to that, my sharp-clawed little cat, and one that you would do well to take heed of: What is mine, I keep.”

”And am I yours?” she asked, her blue eyes sparkling up at him provocatively.

”For the moment, yes.”Then it was Jon who seemed anxious to drop the subject. He picked up the cards he had let fall and attempted to teach Cathy the intricacies of the game ofveinte -un. Cathy allowed the conversation to lapse, but kept it carefully in the back of her mind to ponder over at her leisure. Was it possible that her fierce pirate captain was beginning to fall just a little bit in love with her? The thought warmed and excited her in a way she hadn't thought possible. If Jon were to love her, she mused, she'd have him just where she wanted him-at her feet! And from time to time she might even relent and let him kiss her.But no more. Captain Hale still had much to learn about the correct way to woo a lady! She grinned at the thought of her l.u.s.ty pirate captain being forced to content himself with the chaste pecks grudgingly permitted in polite society. He wouldn't like that at all! Well, perhaps after he had suffered sufficiently she might relent. . . .

”You look like a very smug little catwho's just finished off a big bowl of cream,” Jon observed laconically, breaking her out of her reverie. ”Care to tell me what you were thinking about?”

”Veinte-un, of course,” Cathy replied pertly, wrinkling her nose at him. Her fantasy vision had restored her good humor. ”What else?”

”What else indeed?” he asked enigmatically, and then turned his attention back to the cards. The subject was finally allowed to drop.

Once restored to consciousness, Jon was a difficult patient. He was mocking and irritable by turns, chafing at his inability to get out of bed or perform any but the simplest ch.o.r.es for himself. He flatly refused to let Cathy feed him again after that first time, but he had to let her cut up his meat for him before he could fork it into his mouth. This annoyed him considerably and he took it out on Cathy, throwing barbed remarks at her like darts as she helped him. Cathy managed to stifle her natural impulse to tell him to go to the Devil, knowing that his helplessness grated on him like a sore tooth. Even though it occasionally costher an effort, she used sweet reason when she dealt with him, pointing out that if he wanted to be shaved and bathed, either herself orPetersham would have to do it for him. He submitted with bad grace to her ministrations, which he grudgingly preferred toPetersham's .

He was acting just like a spoiled child, as Cathy told him hotly when he sulkily refused to let her change the dressings on his wounds. His nostrils flared angrily at this description, and angry color seeped high into his cheekbones. He opened his mouth as if he would hurl abuse at her, but then with a wry grimace closed it again, and let her change his bandages and give him his pill. Later he kissed the inside of her elbow penitently. Cathy glared at him, sighed, and forgave him.

Under Dr. Sandoz's supervision, he had been just barely manageable, but once the ”Margarita” was back again on the high seas he was at his autocratic worst. In deference toPetersham's sensibilities, Cathy had persuaded him to allow himself to be attired in the nights.h.i.+rts he despised. He gave in to her grudgingly,then complained about how uncomfortable he was in the pesky things until Cathy longed to tell him to be naked and be d.a.m.ned. The only way she could handle him at all was to threaten to turn him over toPetersham's tender mercies. This he refused to hear of. He wanted Cathy at his side constantly, reading to him, playing cards or chess, talking, or even just sitting there. She was only able to get away for a scant fifteen minutes or so each day while he very reluctantly napped.

”You're looking pale, Cathy,” Harry said to her with concern late one afternoon as she joined him on the quarterdeck. The ”Margarita” has been at sea again for over a week. Today the s.h.i.+p was moving briskly through gently rolling waves, a sharp sea breeze at her back. Cathy took a deep, invigorating breath of the salty air before replying.

”I must confess that I'm feeling a little pale.” She laughed, her blue eyes twinkling up at Harry roguishly. ”Jon's like a child. He demands constant attention.”

”You're not much more than a child yourself,” Harry answered sharply, his eyes cloudy with disapproval. ”If I'd known from the first how young and sweet and-and everything you were, I would never have let Jon have you. He was a brute to take advantage of your innocence!

Harry'sunaccustomed frankness took Cathy aback. Of course, she had realized that he was aware of the unorthodox nature of her relations.h.i.+p with his captain, as indeed every man aboard s.h.i.+p must be. Her constant presence in Jon's cabin was enough to make it plain. The captain was a l.u.s.ty man, and before he was wounded there was nothing in the world to stop him from taking her. Still, it was not a subject that was easily discussed. Cathyblushed a little, but her answer was wryly honest.

”You couldn't have kept him from-well, doing what he did. And as you see I've survived, and will continue to survive. One day, when I'mback home again, this will probably seem like a tremendous adventure.”

Cathy smiled whimsically as she spoke, thinking that it was not likely that she would be going home again for a very long time. Jon showed no disposition to rid himself of her at any time in the near future.

”The other hostages were freed in Cadiz,” Harry told her abruptly.

”I know.” Cathy's smile widened. ”I heard Jon tell you to see to it the day I ran away.”

”So, that's why you did it! I wondered, you know. By then, it was too late to. . . . Well, it was just too late.” Harry broke off, color suddenly staining his cheeks.

'Yes, it was too late,” Cathy agreed gently, her eyes on the distant horizon.

”I could kill him for what he's done to you!” Harry burst out, losing his control in the face of her placidity. ”He's one of my oldest friends, and I swear I could kill him!”

Several of the crew looked around, surprised at the unexpected loudness of Harry's voice,then grinned knowingly as they saw Cathy on the quarterdeck beside the young second officer. There was bound to be another explosion whenCap'n got wind of what was going on between those two. He wasn't a man to share his women!

Cathy saw the speculative looks that the men were casting their way, and felt suddenly annoyed at Harry. This infatuation he had for her was beginning to get out of hand! She prayed that Jon would remain in blissful ignorance of Harry's devotion. Like the crew, she had no illusions as to what Jon's reaction would be if he found out that Harry fancied himself in love with her. Jon was a violent, possessive man, and once returned to full strength could easily crush Harry like an insect beneath his heel. And if Harry made the slightest claim toherself , Jon would be very likely to do so!

”It's really none of your business, Harry,” Cathy rebuked quietly, hoping to dampen hisardour before Jon got wind of it.

Harry stared down at her disbelievingly.

”You're in love with him, aren't you?” he bit off viciously. ”G.o.d, I can't believe it! I thought you were too pure, too fine. . . . But all he had to do was get you into his bed, and you fell in love with the swine! Tell me something, Lady Catherine,” he emphasized her t.i.tle deliberately, leering down at her, ”would you have fallen in love with me if I'd bedded you first?”

Before she thought, Cathy's hand came out and slapped him hard across the face. Then, biting her lip as she listened to the hastily m.u.f.fled guffaws from the crew, she could have kicked herself for giving vent to such a display. Now it was just a matter of time before Jon heard that something was going on between herself and Harry! In a closed community like the ”Margarita,” talk spread like wildfire!

”Excuse me,” Cathy whispered, stricken, and hurried below to calmherself before Jon woke.

”Where have you been?” he demanded sharply as soon as she entered the cabin. Cathy fought the urge to press her cool hands against her hot cheeks, knowing that if Jon were to suspect something was amiss he wouldn't let her rest until she had told him everything.

”On deck,” she answered equally sharply,then ignored him as she crossed to where her brush and comb set were kept on a shelf of the wardrobe. Still not looking at him, she took the pins out of her hair and shook it until it hung in a coppery cloud around her face. Picking up the brush, she attacked the s.h.i.+ning ma.s.s vigorously, feeling the need for physical activity no matter how slight. Jon watched, captivated by the length and glorious brightness of her tresses, but gradually, as Cathy continued to ignore him, a frown puckered his brow.

”I'm thirsty,” he said at last, his voice plaintive. He had found that if he wanted her attention, pleading some physical need was the best way of getting it.

”There's fresh water in the pitcher by the bed. Pour it yourself,” she snapped. Jon did as she suggested, eyeing her with some puzzlement.A spreading warmth began to grow in his loins as he watched her. Her face, reflected in the wardrobe mirror, was as smooth and delicately tinted as a peach. His eyes moved lower, lingering on the swelling curves of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and then slid to caress her tiny waist and rounded hips. She was so lovely that just looking at her could set him aflame, he thought hall-humorously, enjoying the rush of physical desire that sent blood flowing through his muscles. He decided that if he was strong enough to want her, he was strong enough to take her, and smiled broadly in antic.i.p.ation of the pleasurable event.

”Come here,” Jon said, leaning his head back against his pillows and feeling pleased with himself.

”I'm not your slave,” she retorted, throwing him a sharp glance over her shoulder. Jon began to feel annoyedhimself , able to find no reason for her shrewish mood.

”No, you're not,” he conceded, nettled. The little witch was getting above herself, and needed to be reminded of her place. ”You're my mistress, and I intend to take advantage of the fact. Come here.”

”What-did-you-say?!” she cried, whirling on him, her eyes flas.h.i.+ng fire and her arms akimbo. Jon instinctively lifted his good arm to protect his head from attack. Her reaction both amused and angered him. Little vixen, did she think to rule him now that he was confined to bed?

”I said you're my mistress and I want you,” he repeated boldly, keeping a wary eye out for unexpected missiles.

”I am not your mistress!” Cathy spat through taut Lips, and suddenly the humiliating events of the past several weeks seemed to all crowd in on her at once. Her soft lips began toquiver, tears s.h.i.+mmered in her eyes, and then overflowed in s.h.i.+ning rivers down her cheeks. Jon stared, amazed that his words, meant half in jest,should cause such an outpouring of grief.

”I - am - not - your - mistress!” she repeated with shaky composure, then broke down completely, turning her back and covering her face with her hands as shuddering sobs racked her slender form.

”Cathy!Cathy, love!” Her tears wrenched at him. He hadn't meant to cause her pain, G.o.d knew. ”Cathy, listen to me. I was only teasing you. I take it back. I'm sorry!

She continued to cry as if her heart would break. Jon swore succinctly and profanely,then tried to haul himself out of the bunk. He managed to get to his feet by using the headboard as a lever, but when he tried to take a step toward her his legs refused to support him. His knees buckled and he collapsed onto the floor, cracking his head on a corner of the table as he went down. The air in the cabin turned blue with his curses.

”You b.l.o.o.d.y stupid fool!” Cathy railed, running to kneel beside him. ”Go on, kill yourself! Do you think I care?”

Tears still poured from her eyes like rain. Jon, wincing with pain, caught her by the wrist.

”Let me go, you ungrateful oaf!” she cried, trying to pull away from him. Jon was weak from loss of blood and his long confinement to bed, but even so he was stronger than Cathy. He held on to her grimly, not even able to raise his other arm to protect his head from her blows because of the half-healed knife wound in his shoulder. Finally she stopped struggling and crouched limply beside him, doing her best to gulp back the sobs that shook her.

”Cathy.” Jon's leg ached from its rude contact with the floor and his head throbbed where he had cracked it on the table, but he scarcely noticed the pain. His attention was concentrated on the keening girl beside him.

”Cathy, love, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.” His voice was soft, coaxing, his fingers caressing her wrist even as they refused to release her.

”You're despicable,” she got out between gulps. ”Your mind is as filthy as a gutter. I wish I'd let them kill you! I wish I'd killed you myself!”

”I'm sorry,” he murmured again contritely, lifting her resisting hand to his lips to kiss the slender fingers. ”I didn't mean it the way it sounded.” He pulled her fingers into his mouth one at a time to suck at them gently.