An Inconvenient Mistress, page 11
Turner raised his hands in defeat. “I must’ve been mistaken,” he ground out.
Phillip waved it off. “Happens to us all,” he said cavalierly. The entire tavern let out a groan of disgust at the loss of a good brawl and returned to their drinks.
Pushing the pile of coins to Turner, he offered, “Consider this an advance for your services.”
Without awaiting Turner’s response, Phillip rose from his seat feeling satisfied with the evening’s progress. The feeling was short-lived, however, for when he looked up he met a pair of lovely, and all too familiar, coffee-colored eyes. Isabella North was watching the exchange from the shadows. She was dressed in her trousers and a long shirt, and thankfully her golden locks were hidden beneath a hat, yet if anyone bothered to give the small figure a second glance they’d realize there was something sweet and feminine about the sailor.
Her eyes widened upon being caught and she looked near to panicking. The fact that the little fool thought he was the biggest threat to her at the moment simply highlighted how deeply she underestimated the danger she was in. At least two nasty-looking men had taken notice and were watching Bella with keen interest.
She started moving toward the door—no doubt to flee his wrath—and the two men began tracking her. Phillip felt a surge of fear like he’d never known before. He tried to hide his reaction but Turner, ever cagey, noticed something awry. Phillip tried not to look at her, but the old pirate was sharp. He locked in on the lithe figure making way to the exit and gestured toward her.
“One of yours?” he asked Phillip. “He looks awfully young.”
“Sully’s apprentice,” Phillip muttered, praying his voice was even. “Foolish boy. He must’ve decided to sneak ashore for some merriment. Kolton, see that young Billy returns to the ship.”
Kolton caught sight of Bella and shook his head in disgust. “Always looking for trouble, that one,” he muttered but started after her.
Turner stopped the quartermaster. “Now, now, boys,” he said smoothly, gesturing to his shipmates to grab Bella. “If the lad’s looking for a little fun, there’s no harm in seeing that he gets some.”
Phillip’s mind raced. Before Turner could devise something, he said, “You’re absolutely right, Robert.” Turning to his paid companion, he said in a smoky voice, “My young friend over there looks a little lost. Perhaps you lovely ladies could give him proper direction, if you know what I mean.”
The woman pouted. “I don’t waste my time with green boys.”
Phillip brushed a kiss on her cheek. “I promise I’ll make it worth your efforts,” he said in velvety persuasion. “Tell him captain’s orders.”
The blonde woman tittered and pulled her friend in the direction of Isabella. They reached her before she got to the exit, effectively cutting off the two thieves who were trailing her. The ladies took her by the arm and said something in her ear that made Bella look over her shoulder at Phillip. His fingernails dug into his palms as he held his breath and waited to see what she would do. She touched the tip of her hat in agreement and let the two women lead her through the taproom and into the back rooms that presumably served as the tavern brothel.
Phillip inclined his head to Turner stated, “We sail first thing.”
Without awaiting a response, he and Kolton left the bar. The air was fresh and crisp and Phillip took a deep, steadying breath. He wiped the lipstick off his lips with his sleeve, wishing he hadn’t sworn off spirits. That damned stick of a woman very nearly stopped his heart with her recklessness. Kolton was muttering something along the same lines, which was oddly comforting.
“Round up the lads and meet us back at the launch,” Phillip ground out to Kolton. “I’ll fetch our little stowaway.”
He ducked into the shadows and made his way around the back of the building. As luck would have it there was a small door into the kitchen that appeared to be unlocked. He crept through the nearly empty kitchen and into a darkened hallway until he found several doors that must be for paying customers. He strained his ears, listening for any sound that might tell him which room Bella occupied. At last he heard a slap and a squeal, followed by a sharp bit of laughter from behind one of the thin wooden doors.
Phillip knocked softly and called, “Bella?”
Sure enough the door swung open and the well-endowed doxy greeted him, hand on hip. “I don’t know what your game is, handsome, but you’re playing at something. Your friend here may not be much of a woman, but she certainly ain’t no lad.”
The woman gestured behind her and Phillip’s knees wobbled in relief at seeing Bella safe. He pressed two shillings into the woman’s hand. “I apologize for the deception but I needed your help,” he told her. He nodded to Isabella. “She may not look it, but I assure you she’s trouble.”
“Trouble costs extra,” the blonde harlot stated from Bella’s shoulder. “Even with your pretty manners.”
“Of course,” Phillip murmured, smoothly handing over several more coins. “This ought to express my gratitude.” He winked. “I’d be even more grateful if you ladies forgot all about this little misunderstanding.”
The woman with the ample bosom looked at the generous sum in her hand, then looked up at him and batted her eyes. “We got real bad memories, handsome. I reckon we’ll forget all about you two as soon as we close this door.
“‘’Course you and your friend are welcome to stick around a bit,” she offered as she stroked his chest. “Maybe she could use some...proper direction.” Bella harrumphed in outrage, which only made Phillip grin. He gestured for the little termagant to join him and made a leg to the prostitutes. “Regrettably, ladies, we must take our leave. Thank you for everything.”
He took Bella by the arm and turned to go back down the corridor to the kitchen. She looked about to open her mouth, so he raised a finger to stop her. “Not a word,” he warned her. She frowned but nodded, and they made their way down the back halls of the tavern, through the kitchen and out into the darkness.
They crept around the tavern until they found the path that led back to the beach where the launch was hidden. He dragged Bella along behind him down the narrow path, ignoring her silent attempts to pull away. Once they were a safe distance from the tavern and Phillip was assured they weren’t being followed, he dropped Bella’s arm and rounded on her. His nerves were frayed from dealing with Turner and his temper was just barely in check. She dared to stick her nose in the air, and Phillip saw red. Unable and unwilling to hold back any longer, he let loose the tight reins of his temper.
“Do you have any idea how foolish—how dangerous—your little escapade was? Any one of those tavern patrons would gladly slit your throat. Or mine,” he hissed viciously. “If Turner learns who you are, he’ll waste no time snatching you and the boy for his own profit.”
“Oh please,” Bella dismissed him and folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t think—”
Phillip mirrored her stance as he cut off her protest. “No, you don’t think. Ever!” he roared. “Once again your deception could have gotten us all killed. I can understand why you don’t trust me. Hell, I can understand why you don’t like me. But what I don’t understand, what I absolutely won’t accept, is your utter disregard for my life and the lives of my men.”
Bella’s brow furrowed at that, as though considering his words. Before she could respond, however, Phillip blustered on.
“I didn’t tell you to stay on the Intrepid to punish you. This wasn’t about you, Bella. If Turner caught sight of you, he’d know something bigger was at play and my crew would be in real danger.
“Do you even understand how irresponsible this was?” he continued to rail at her. “How stupid? I’ve lost good men over the years—enough to know that I won’t allow some smart-mouthed chit to jeopardize my crew simply because she’s too reckless and hotheaded to listen to reason. Dammit, Bella, you risked everything I care about!”
Phillip looked down into her big doe-eyes and ignored the hurt he saw in their depths. “If you ever willingly endanger us again,” he finished coldly, “I will gladly toss you overboard myself.”
He spun on his heel and stormed off down the path, too furious to care whether or not she followed. Behind him, he heard the soft crunch of gravel and vegetation that signaled her pursuit, but Phillip didn’t bother to slow his ground-eating strides. He was too angry. She finally managed to catch him, though his pace forced her to trot gracelessly in order to stay alongside him.
“Captain,” she panted.
He ignored her and kept walking. She called a second time, yet Phillip was not yet calm enough to deal with her. He didn’t know who annoyed him more—her for her recklessness or himself for giving a damn about what happened to her.
Bella sped up and pushed past him, blocking his route. Between gasps she managed to say, “Phillip, please stop. You’re right...and I’m sorry.”
Phillip stopped and narrowed his eyes at her, not quite sure what to think. He certainly didn’t believe her. Still, her concession left him feeling somewhat appeased. He folded his arms across his chest and prompted, “Go on.”
Bella blew out a huge breath. “I thought you might be making a deal—”
She stopped talking and gestured weakly.
“You thought I was selling you out to Witt,” he whispered hoarsely. The thought stung.
“Yes. It’s nothing personal.”
Phillip rounded on her angrily. “The hell it isn’t!”
“Fine. But you are a pirate. If the situation were reversed, would you trust me?”
He wanted to deny it, yet they both knew it would be a lie. “Probably not,” he confessed. “And I’m not a pirate.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. It’s just...I don’t tend to trust people. I’ve had to take care of myself for a long time,” she explained. “In my experience, very few people have good intentions. When I thought you might be betraying Charles—”
Phillip sighed. “You wanted to protect him.”
“Yes,” she said. “Keeping him safe is my only priority. In hindsight I realize that coming ashore was stupid and dangerous. For all of us. I’m sorry.”
Phillip stood firm. “When I give an order I expect you to obey it.”
It clearly frustrated her, but she bit her lip and nodded. “Agreed.”
“I’m still angry,” he said, wrestling with his temper. Yet he knew it would do little good to hold a grudge. “But I understand.”
She actually looked relieved, and Phillip decided it was best not to tarry. He gestured for her to follow him to the gig. They walked side-by-side, though by her heavy silence he sensed something was eating at her. He cast a sideways glance and noticed her knitted brow. Without thinking, he asked, “What’s going on in that head of yours, sweetheart?”
Bella considered him briefly then blushed. Staring straight ahead she asked softly, “I was wondering...do you kiss every woman you meet?”
Whatever he’d expected it certainly wasn’t that. It stopped him in his tracks. “What? I don’t—why would you ask that?” he stammered.
She stopped walking but didn’t meet his eye. In the dim moonlight he could see her cheeks darkening. “Well,” she reasoned carefully. “You kissed me. And tonight you kissed that...lady at the tavern. I thought maybe it was a habit for you.”
“No!” he exclaimed. “I don’t claim to be an angel, but I’m certainly no lecher.”
Bella nodded tightly. “It would just explain—” She didn’t finish her thought. Instead she resumed walking, her pace almost a sprint.
Phillip reached her in a few strides. He grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. When she wouldn’t meet his eye, he gently pushed her chin up with his fingers. Her warm brown eyes were huge. “What would it explain?”
Bella looked embarrassed. “Why you kissed me,” she said bluntly. She gave a small half shrug. “When I saw you kissing that woman tonight I thought perhaps you made it a point to seduce anything female within arm’s reach.”
Phillip wasn’t sure how to respond. She almost—almost—sounded jealous. He discovered he quite liked the idea of Isabella North jealous over his attentions to another woman. Knowing that couldn’t be the case, he decided it was best to be direct.
“She kissed me,” he clarified, “which, I might add, was part of a plan to deceive Turner. I was simply the unwilling recipient of her enthusiasm.”
“You didn’t seem put out by her enthusiasm,” Bella complained. “I hope you at least consumed enough spirits to kill whatever pox she gave you.”
He searched her face and realized she was jealous. The thought made him slightly giddy. “As for kissing you, Miss North...” He considered his answer carefully, since he’d asked himself the same thing at least a dozen times. “I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you,” he said honestly. “And because you wanted me to kiss you.”
Bella made a little sound of protest, though he felt the little shiver that coursed through her. Phillip’s body responded instantly with an intensity that bordered on painful. He allowed his hand to trace the smooth expanse of her cheek. Her skin was flawless—as perfect as alabaster. He let his fingertips trace her lush bottom lip, wanting to sink his teeth into its fullness.
The space between them sizzled with heat that rivaled the heavy Caribbean air. Phillip felt exposed, like a raw nerve. Unwilling to admit he was completely enthralled by her, he forced himself to murmur, “But it was a kiss, Bella, nothing more. One small kiss is a far cry from a seduction.”
“Of course,” she declared cavalierly, though Phillip thought he heard a thread of wistfulness in her voice. She pushed him away, however, and said, “I know that.”
Phillip nodded, amused and aroused that she was piqued by their kiss. “If I wanted to seduce you, you’d know.”
“Right,” she said with a falsely bright tone. “But you don’t.”
“I don’t,” he agreed. His statement was more of a reminder to himself rather than an assurance to her.
“Good,” she prattled. “Then we can agree there’ll be no more kissing.”
“Right,” he said. “No more kissing.”
They stared at each other in uncomfortable silence, and Phillip suddenly had the overwhelming urge to kiss her. For the space of a heartbeat, Bella seemed to sway closer to him, her lips slightly parted. He actually felt a bit light-headed at the thought that she might hope for his kisses. For all his experience, he’d never before felt so off kilter with a woman. The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Shaking off the impulse he finally managed to mumble, “We should get back before Kolton sends the troops.”
She nodded and hurried forth as though trying to outrun their conversation. Phillip let her go ahead of him, needing to clear his head. He chastised himself for letting her blindside him so efficiently. With a single question, Isabella North had once again outmaneuvered him.
Chapter Seven
One Week Later
Bella padded restlessly about her tiny cabin. Try as she might, she couldn’t block the memory of that embarrassingly awkward encounter on the beach where—in what could only be described as a moment of insanity—she’d actually hoped Phillip would kiss her. Such a strange hope, especially in light of their agreement to stop that particular activity. It had been her request, for heaven’s sake. In spite of her newly issued no-kissing rule, something about the way he’d looked at her made her certain he wanted to do exactly that. Stranger still, she had no doubt she’d oblige him if he tried.
Phillip had been scarce since they left Nassau. They had only played chess twice in the last week, for which Bella was unaccountably grateful. Sitting across from him in his small cabin, trying to concentrate on the chessboard, proved uncomfortable. Compounding her discomfort was the fact that Phillip was unerringly polite but...detached. He rarely looked up from the board and he spoke only when she tried to engage him.
Arguing with him was infinitely more appealing than this stony detachment.
Bella sighed in disgust. Enough of worrying over the insufferable captain. She had wasted far too much time daydreaming about Phillip Ashford and his kiss—he’d quite plainly told her that he had no interest in seducing her.
Determined to put him out of her thoughts, she looked around for a distraction. Her eyes rested on the boy snoring peacefully in the small bunk on the wall next to hers. Not wishing to disturb him, she rummaged quietly through her meager belongings, knowing there was little to find. Everything she’d owned, including her beloved books and sketch pads, had been abandoned long ago. She no longer possessed even needle and thread. Unwilling to reflect on the circumstances that had transpired to bring her to her current situation she tried instead to imagine what life would be like once they reached England.
She had no idea what would happen to her. There were few opportunities for a young unmarried woman who was both overeducated and underprivileged. She had no references, no connections, no prospects. Even if Pembroke acknowledged Charles, he certainly wouldn’t want the boy’s family sniffing about. Bella was not one to take a handout anyway. She could never bring herself to accept something from the old man—not after the shoddy way the Duke had treated her sister upon hearing news of Lolly and Michael’s nuptials.
Charles was all that mattered, Bella reminded herself. She could worry over her own fate once her beloved nephew was safely delivered to the Duke. Charles would be safe in Pembroke’s care and his future would be secured. That was all that mattered.
She chewed her lip, trying to distract herself from her own thoughts. Kissing Phillip crossed her mind again and a little thrill ran up her spine. Rather than shoving it away immediately, which obviously wasn’t working, Bella closed her eyes and allowed herself to remember every delicious detail. His mouth had been so sweet, so gentle. She traced the outline of her mouth with her fingertip and the memory of his soft lips brushing lightly against hers came flooding back so vividly that she felt her breath hitch.
