Mistress Below Deck

‘When I spoke of payment, I was talking about the Rowena Jane.’

‘And why would I want another ship? I have any amount of vessels and no need of another.’ He frowned. ‘The Rowena Jane belongs to your father. What right have you to offer it to me?’

‘Father—is quite beside himself with worry about Jane. He would do anything to have her home safely.’

His eyes gleamed, an intense, speculative gleam that Rowena did not care for and she felt a frisson of alarm. His contemplation was steady, for he had already set the price in his mind and only waited the moment. ‘If your cause is so important, I will bargain with you, but the price will be high.’

‘Oh?’

‘I prefer payment of a different kind. In short, Rowena, you.’

Her breath came out in a rush and her eyes flared with anger. She gasped with stunning rage at the affront. Never had she been so insulted, felt such humiliation, she told herself, her temper whipping up her colour until her cheeks glowed a poppy red. Deep down she was outraged and if she hadn’t been so desperate for his help she would have lashed out at that supercilious mouth and seen the flesh shatter. She despised him more than ever for this, but not so much as she despised herself, for she could not deny that she was deeply attracted by him.

‘What are you suggesting?’

He smiled slowly and raised a dark brow as he considered her flushed cheeks and the soft, trembling mouth. ‘Don’t play the innocent, Rowena. You are a woman—a very beautiful woman any man would desire to have in his bed. You know exactly what I am saying.’

She stared at him, aware of the trap that closed slowly around her. There was a quiet alertness in his manner, like that of a wolf, its strength ready to explode, but docile for the moment. ‘Yes,’ she said tersely, ‘I think I do, Mr Searle.’

‘Tobias. My name is Tobias. So, shall we strike a bargain?’ His lips curved slightly, and then, with all the time in the world, he shoved himself away from the table and turned to consider the map.

‘And my future husband? How do you suggest I explain such an arrangement to him?’

A secretive gleam shone in his eyes. ‘That, my dear Rowena, is a matter for you and your conscience.’

Rowena looked at him hard, knowing that, if she wanted his help to get Jane back, she really had no choice but to do as he asked. ‘I came prepared to plead Jane’s case, to pay in any way possible.’ Her voice was low and husky. ‘I did not come to pay the price you ask—the highest price of all—but pay it I will, even though I shall despise you for it.’

Tobias looked amazed for barely an instant. He had not expected her to comply so easily. He was well satisfied. It would almost be worth sailing into North Africa’s barbarian-infested waters in search of Rowena’s sister. ‘So, is it a bargain?’

Convinced he had no morals if he could ask her into his bed, knowing she was promised to another, Rowena raised her chin haughtily. ‘Yes, we have a bargain—but it will be for one night only.’

He nodded slowly and his eyes glowed intently. ‘For one night you promise to belong to me?’

‘My need is great,’ she said, never more aware of the truth of it as she was then, ‘so, yes, if you will help me find Jane?’

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