Moonlight on the Caribbean
Chapter Six
"It will all turn out right, Belle," Chloe soothed her still weeping friend. It seemed nothing would make Lady Black stop crying, and Chloe was quickly running out of words of comfort. The truth was she hadn't the slightest idea what to expect. Their whole lives had been turned upside down in one day. For Belle, it was calamitous and crushing; for Chloe, merely exciting. But she hardly thought Belle needed to hear that.
"You don't know that," Belle protested, as she lay prostrate on the captain's bed. She was exhausted and sick and horrified by all that had happened to them. She would give anything for the security of Shawn's arms at the moment, but he was God only knew how far away and had no idea that she was in danger. He wouldn't have until the Dolphin reached Port Royal, and there was no telling how long that would be. And her father, her only protector, was somewhere in the bowels of the ship, being held a prisoner himself. "We've been abducted by pirates, Chloe! They will probably kill us, at the very least! What if…what if they…?"
Chloe was almost glad that Belle's face was buried in the pillow. She couldn't see the heat the flooded into Chloe's cheeks at her extremely veiled reference. Somehow, she didn't think Belle even knew what the 'what if' she spoke of implied. Chloe herself barely had the vaguest notion, due to a strange, surreal conversation she'd had with her mother the day before they set sail. But Belle, as a properly brought up English lady of stature, knew that death was infinitely preferable to this unknown danger. Chloe wished she could say that her feelings on the subject were as pure. She had only to think of the dangerous Captain Blackheart to know that deep inside she was not the frigid, controlled ice queen she appeared to be.
Knowing that Belle wouldn't even begin to understand the emotions pulsating through her, Chloe quickly pulled her thoughts away from the masked man and focused them entirely on her terrified friend. With an older sister's care, she stroked back Belle's blonde hair, falling free from her chignon. "Nothing's going to happen to us, Belle. The captain promised your father that no one would touch us, remember? Any man would have to be crazy to go up against Lord Black, especially where you're concerned."
Belle finally pushed herself up with her hands, revealing a pale, though tear-stained face and red-rimmed eyes. Viciously wiping the last vestiges of her tears away, she took her best friend's hand in hers. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I know you must be as scared as I am. It's not like you know anymore about what's going to happen to us than I do. But you're acting so strong. How do you do that? I envy your strength." All her life it seemed Belle had been the frail, timid one. She melted in the sun; she took chill in the winter; she grew faint at the slightest terror.
Chloe's mouth tipped in wry amusement. "Brave? I'm not brave, Belle. If I were brave, I never would have…" She stopped mid-sentence, not wanting Belle to know about the true state of her engagement to Philip Kiriakis. It wasn't brave to marry someone you loathed simply for money. In fact, it was the most cowardly thing she could think of. But she wouldn't tell Belle any of this. Partly out of a desire to spare her friend from confronting yet another of the cold realities of life, partly out of not wanting to waver in her friend's esteem, she couldn't bring herself to tell Belle how very little she cared for Philip.
"Chloe?" Belle prompted, searching the distant look in her friend's sapphire eyes. "Is everything all right?" She wished Chloe would confide in her more. Over the past year it seemed that they'd been growing further and further apart. They still spent as much time as ever together, maybe even more so. But the intimacy that had once existed between them was gone. Theirs was a surface friendship only. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Chloe shook her head, waving her hand dismissively. "It's nothing, Belle. I think it's simply the strain of the day catching up to me. We really should retire for the evening." She yawned prettily for emphasis. "Perhaps everything will seem a little less bleak in the morning."
Belle knew that Chloe was hiding something from her, but she didn't have the energy to pursue the matter at the moment. The day's events had been severely detrimental to her already fragile state of health. She was exhausted, in more ways than one. She obediently nodded and followed Chloe's lead in preparing for bed. It was strange trying to undress by herself, without Mimi's help; but she lacked sufficient courage to walk even the short distance to the other cabin and request Mimi's assistance. Other women preformed such requisite tasks for themselves every day of their lives. Surely, she could learn.
Chloe and Belle helped each other shed the heavy material of their dresses, unbuttoning the long rows of small buttons. Belle groaned as she stepped out of her silk dress and lifted it up, seeing how much damage had been inflicted in this one day. No longer did it glow with angelic whiteness. Like the owner of the dress herself, the purity had been irredeemably harmed by the filth of the pirates. The dirt and oil smudges would never come out.
Belle suddenly laughed, in a hysterical, self-deprecating way. It was foolish to obsess over something as unimportant as a dress. But she felt if she thought any longer about the problems they were facing, she would go stark raving mad. She shed her petticoat, and then Chloe released her friend's stays. Belle breathed her first deep breath since that morning, as the pressure on her ribs was finally removed. Belle was clad only in her light chemise and felt infinitely cooler and by extension, better, than she had since the daily ritual of putting on all the layers of clothing required to be a proper English lady.
Belle had barely been able to mumble a "Good night" to Chloe, before her head hit the pillow, and she gave in to her fatigue. It wasn't long before the deep, even sounds of Belle's breathing filled the cabin. Chloe was not so lucky. She lay beside her friend in bed, feeling the gentle motion of the ship's rocking and trying to quiet the hundreds of thoughts flowing through her mind every second.
The lady wished she could put a name to the things she was feeling, but it was hard enough trying to separate her emotions, let alone diagnose them. Chloe knew that she should be reacting the same way Belle was, with horror, shock, and fear. That was the way they had both been brought up. They were to be only the fairer sex, emotional and completely dependent on men for their very survival. Stripped away from the security of all they knew, it was proper that they be hysterical and afraid. But Chloe wasn't afraid. At least, not of the things she should have been. Not like Belle, afraid of death and other fates at the hands of these men.
She had heard the pirate's promise to Lord Black that they would reach their destination unharmed; and for some strange reason, she believed him. Captain Blackheart was well known as the most blood thirsty pirate on the Caribbean, and yet she had faith that he would honor his word. No, it wasn't fear of death or injury that kept Lady Chloe Wesley sleepless that night. It was apprehension of the immediate effect that captain had had on her. It wasn't right to feel the things he made her feel every time he touched her or even looked at her. She didn't even know the word for what that emotion was, but it was like pure fire running through her veins. And she knew that it was nothing a proper lady should ever feel in her lifetime. Belle certainly never would, even for Shawn, who she loved with all her soul. But this wasn't love. This was something base and vile, sinful. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rid herself of that heat.
Sudden light invaded the cabin, and Chloe turned to see that the moon had come out from behind a cloud and was streaming its ethereal rays in through the small porthole. Something about its unearthly light called to Chloe's soul. She wanted to feel bathed in that glow, with the smell of the sea in her nostrils and the wind blowing through her hair. There was something wild at work inside of her tonight, and she couldn't stay still any longer.
Silently, so as not to wake Belle, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed to the place where her dress was hanging. Too impatient to bother with all the layers of clothing, and unable to tie her own corset in any case, Chloe put on only the dress over the chemise. It was remarkable how wonderful the silk felt against her skin. She slipped into her satin slippers, so unsuited to walking on a ship's deck. With one last glance at her dreaming friend, Chloe unlocked the door and made her way to the deck of the Vengeance to fill her lungs with the sea air.
~~*~~
Mimi couldn't help but wonder what heinous crime she had committed that she was paying penance for. Occupying one small room with Jan Spears was a foreshadowing of what hell must be like, and it was only their first night. As Mimi sat silently listening to Jan fume against the failure of Lord Black to protect them, she found herself constantly surveying the room for any sharp object within reach. Not by nature a violent person, Mimi was more than willing to make an exception in Jan's case.
"Those men simply stood by and let us be carried off like this!" Jan continued to rail. "Not one of them tried to stop it, not even John. He simply stood there like the moronic buffoon he is and allowed these filthy pirates to tie him up and abduct us all."
Mimi had finally had enough. Perhaps if this had simply been a momentary outburst, she could have overlooked it; but Jan had been going on like this for hours. The last straw was when she showed Lord Black such little respect. What right had she, or any servant, to speak so disreputably of their employer? "What else was he supposed to do? In case you failed to notice, that pirate captain had a gun to Lady Wesley's throat. Was he supposed to simply let her be murdered?"
"Yes!" Jan hissed, her dark eyes narrowing to dangerous slits. In that one moment, Mimi knew that Jan's disrespect of Chloe was pure, unadulterated hatred. "If it meant giving the rest of us a chance to still be free, by all means, yes! As it is now, we're all going to die."
"No, we're not," Mimi returned forcefully, standing and approaching the other girl with menacing steps. "And if I hear you say one word like that in front of Lady Isabelle or Lady Chloe, I will personally make sure that you're the only one of us who doesn't live to see the shores of Jamaica. Do you understand me?"
Jan rolled her eyes and tossed her black curls defiantly. Mimi Lockhart had no clue who she was dealing with. She glowered at the common maid who seemed determined to interfere in something that was none of her business. "I understand that it's better if the two of us avoid each other from now on. So stay the hell out of my business, Lockhart, and I'll make sure to stay clear of you. Oh, and word to the wise, I wouldn't threaten me again, sweetheart. Because I don't warn people when I'm coming. I'm just there." Jan spoke slowly, every word laced with poison.
Mimi couldn't help laughing at Jan's cryptic statement. "What exactly is that supposed to mean? If you think I'm scared of you, you have got a lot to learn." She sized up Jan Spears with one swift glance and her expression showed her derision. "There's nothing about you I can't handle."
Jan's mouth turned up in a cold smirk. "We'll see about that, won't we?" Turning on her heel, she marched to the doorway. "I'm going out for some air."
"We're not supposed to leave the cabins," Mimi warned, though without much force. Nothing seemed quite as wonderful as a few minutes devoid of Jan's irksome presence. Maybe she'd even get lucky, and Jan would take a dive right over the ship's rail.
Jan shrugged carelessly as she turned the bolt and opened the door. "I never was much good at following the rules." That said, she slipped out into the ship's passageway and disappeared.
Mimi shut and locked the door behind her, a grin automatically appearing on her face. She was free of the witch, if only for a few moments. Finally feeling at ease, she took a moment to examine the room. Jason's room. The mere thought caused a blush to rise in her cheeks. She was going to be living in Jason's room, sleeping in his bed…She shut down that line of thought immediately. Thoughts like those only got a girl like her into trouble. How many times had she seen one of the girls she had grown up with throw their lives away on a blackguard who quickly grew bored and moved on? Only too often. She was not about to let that happen to her.
She considered going to check on Belle, but Mimi knew that Chloe would have come for her if Belle needed her. Most likely, the poor dear was already fast asleep. Mimi frowned, realizing that Belle might have trouble surviving an experience like this. She was still weak from her long bout with seasickness. Now, she had the added problem of terror and stress. Mimi and Jan would be able to deal with this. They were women of the world and knew how to take care of themselves; and Chloe, though lacking in experience, had a strong constitution and a will of iron. But Belle was like a porcelain doll. She needed to be protected from the elements, lest she shatter and break.
A rapping on the door caused Mimi to jump. Even knowing the door was locked wasn't much comfort considering the group of cutthroats on this ship. "Who is it?" she demanded, thanking God that her voice didn't shake.
"It's Jase," came the welcome reply in the already familiar voice. Without another worry for her safety, Mimi quickly unlocked the door to let him in. She might not want to encourage any romantic feelings towards him, but he was still her greatest security on board. Opening the door wide to let him in, she was greeted by the arrogant smirk she acknowledged as distinctively his. He presented a tray to her with exaggerated flourish. "Miss Lockhart, your dinner is served."
Mimi hadn't realized until that moment how hungry she was. They hadn't eaten since breakfast that morning, but the circumstances of the day had clouded all thought of food from her mind. Suddenly faced with a heaping tray of bread, cheese, and tropical fruits was a wake up call for her stomach. "Oh, thank you," she breathed out gratefully, taking the tray from him and setting in on the small table in one corner of the room.
"I knocked on the other door first, but the lamp was out and no one answered, so I assume they're asleep," Jason informed her. He frowned as he noticed Mimi's solitary state. "Where's Jan?"
Mimi let out an exasperated breath, as she sat down on the sole chair in the room. "Who knows? She said she needed air. Maybe if God is good, she'll find herself swimming with the sharks before the night is out." Immediately apprehending how that must have sounded to a virtual stranger, she covered her mouth a red glow rising to her cheeks. "I'm sorry. You must think I'm horrible."
Jason grinned, as he shut the door and leaned indolently against the doorframe, arms crossed, stance deliberately casual. "Not at all, Mimi. I'm simply wondering what it is about this girl that makes you hate her so. Who exactly is she?"
Mimi's eyes took in the plate of food hungrily. Her appetite was stronger than her manners. "Would you mind if we eat while we talk? I'm starving!"
"Of course. That's what it's here for," Jason agreed immediately. He couldn't believe it had taken him this long to think of their hunger. No doubt Lady Black and Lady Wesley would be ravenous by the time they awoke. But he couldn't deny that he felt some satisfaction in getting this time alone with the pretty little maid. Something about her intrigued him and made him want to know more of her.
They ate together without speech for several minutes, Mimi trying to fill the suddenly fierce emptiness of her belly. And no meal had ever tasted better. The simple bread and cheese were nothing compared to the juicy fruits, most of which had names she'd never heard of, like papaya, guava, and coconut. They were so delicious and succulent, she felt she'd died and gone to heaven. Jason noticed her delight with the native fruits and lost no time in informing her about all the tastes the West Indies had to offer.
Mimi listened quietly, becoming more taken with the man by the moment, though she didn't realize it. The deep, rich sound of his voice was intoxicating; and she was amazed by how intelligent and educated he seemed. How could a common pirate be so refined, polite, and knowledgeable? She found her head racing with dozens of questions, and few of them had anything to do with the flora and fauna of the Caribbean. She wanted to know more about him. She wanted to know everything about him.
But just as she was working up the courage to ask, his small talk suddenly ceased, and he returned to the question he had first asked, the question she had almost forgotten. "So, Mimi, tell me now, why do you despise Jan Spears so much?"
Sighing, Mimi realized she'd missed her opportunity, a chance that might not come again. "It's hard to explain. I've been Lady Black's attendant for several years, ever since she went away to finishing school. My lady and Lady Wesley have been the closest of friends for that long, so I've had plenty of time to observe and get to know them. I…well, it may sound strange given the difference in our status, but I consider myself their friend. I care about them, and try to look out for them, like an older sister would."
Jason nodded encouragement. He had picked up on that much from the short time he'd had to observe the group earlier that day. It only confirmed for him that Mimi Lockhart was a wise woman with a loving heart. "Go on."
"Well, Jan hasn't been Lady Chloe's maid for very long, and she doesn't even truly work for her. Lady Wesley's fiancé Philip Kiriakis hired Jan to accompany her on the journey. But something's been off from the very first day. She doesn't carry herself like a servant, doesn't behave like she owes any loyalty towards Lady Chloe at all. She keeps to herself, except when I've found her lurking around, spying on her mistress. It's not right. My personal feeling is that she was employed my Mr. Kiriakis to keep track of his betrothed's movements and report them."
"That's good to know." Jason's face reflected his disgust with such an arrangement. Of course, judging by what he knew of Philip, the idea seemed not only logical but probable. In addition to being arrogant and selfish, Philip had a sort of insecurity about him that would feel the need to have complete control over all belonging to him, including his woman. Not all the money in the world could make Philip the gentleman he pretended to be.
"Why?" Mimi asked, confused. "Why should any of it matter to you?" She was suddenly aware that she had spoken out of turn and shared information with this pirate which ought perhaps to be kept quiet.
"It doesn't. But it might have been important. I like to know all about the people I'm dealing with. Gives me an advantage, you see. I detected from the beginning the tension between Jan and the rest of you, and I needed to know the cause of it. If there had been more to it than that, if she had perhaps been a more formidable enemy, what you told me would have been of immense importance. Now, I know that she's nothing but a common sneak, a threat to no one, except perhaps Lady Wesley."
Mimi frowned, trying to decipher the enigma that was Jason Masters. "Well, who did you think she might be? You must have thought she was someone dangerous, or you never would have asked me about her."
Jason ignored her question, instead picking up another slice of fruit and popping it into his mouth. "I told you, I like to know who I'm surrounded by. Now that I know who Jan Spears is, I can forget about her." His eyes locked on the bewildered frown hovering around her full lips. Jan was easily forgotten when faced with Mimi Lockhart. "So, why don't you tell me about you now?"
There was a quiet, husky note to his voice which sent shivers down Mimi's spine. She was only too aware of the intensity of his gaze upon her face and quickly averted it, following his example and picking up another piece of fruit. "There's little to tell," she demurred, hoping her voice remained cool and even. "I was born in an English harbor town, raised there for several years, until I was considered old enough to work, and then found employ in the household of Lord Black. I was very fortunate in that he made sure I received a good education as well as a comfortable home. He wanted Belle to have someone who could be both servant and companion, so we grew up together." Before he could ask any more questions, Mimi decided to turn it around on him. "What about you, Jason? You know all about Jan, all about me; but I know nothing about you."
She could see him shut down immediately. His jaw clenched, the green eyes turned distant and hard; and he abruptly stood up rigidly straight. "You know all you need to know, Miss Lockhart. I'm a common pirate. A murderer, who's destined to swing on Execution Dock, assuming the Spanish don't kill me first."
There was something about the way he tensed that let Mimi know she was right to think there was more to him than the surface appearance. She stood and backed away from the table, coming closer to the self-admitted murderer, yet feeling no fear. She paused a scant four feet from him, staring up at him with pity-filled eyes. "You're lying. You may be a pirate, a murderer, and God knows what else. But you're not common. I've seen those other men. Most of them are uneducated, filthy, disgusting vermin. Born in misery and raised in it. You're different. You're educated and intelligent, and you have an air about you that can't be learned. So who are you really, Jase Masters? And what brought you to this place?"
Jason felt the impact of each of her softly-spoken words with all the force of a cannon ball. Somehow, she was managing to see through a wall he'd spent years building around him. What no one knew, not even Brady, she was already starting to guess at. And he'd known her for less than a day. He could no longer pretend that this could be simply an everyday flirtation. Mimi Lockhart wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than knowing him completely, and that was something Jase simply couldn't have. He couldn't even look to closely at his memories or at what he had become because of them. He certainly couldn't burden the innocent girl before him with such atrocities.
"That's none of your damn business," he gritted out, as his hands gripped her shoulders with unnecessary force. He saw her wince, but she refused to back away or even look away from his anger. Frustrated with her persistence and even more so by her effect on him, Jason let her go as if she burned him and stepped back quickly. "Good night, Mimi."
Mimi watched as Jason stormed out of the cabin and down the passageway, not even bothering to shut the door behind him. She couldn't explain why she had felt the need to press so hard, but he had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. She shrugged, as she moved to close the door again. If Jason Masters didn't want her help, she certainly wasn't going to put herself forward like that again. She didn't need him or anyone else. She did just fine taking care of herself.
~~*~~
It was midnight by the time Kevin came to relieve him. By then, Brady had already found his grudging respect for his father growing into full admiration. Lord John Black was an honorable man, who seemed willing to do anything to ensure the safety of his daughter and her friends. Which only gave Brady more cause to wonder why his father had never come to rescue him and his mother. Maybe he had thought they were dead. Isabella had always believed that her husband died in the shipwreck. Maybe he held the same true for his wife and son.
But something kept Brady from revealing the truth. He wanted a chance to know his family, without them knowing him. He wanted to be able to prove himself worthy of them. And so far, his life had been less than admirable. He winced as he thought of what his mother would have said if she had lived to see him come to this. Of course, her death was the very reason he was here. Isabella's loving heart and forgiving nature had spared her nothing when the Inquisitors got their hands on her. All the Spaniards had cared about was torturing another heretic. His mother's screams still echoed in Brady's ears.
He refused to allow himself to think about it any longer. He needed to clear his head before he'd be able to sleep. With a quick, firm stride he made his way along the pitch black corridors below deck. This was his ship, and he knew every nook and cranny of it. He needed no light to guide him, as he made his way up to the deck. He felt better the moment the first blast of fresh sea air met his lungs. It was only here that he could find some measure of peace, some momentary liberty from the thoughts and memories that were his constant torment.
Trained to be always on alert, Brady's eyes caught a slight movement by the rail. It only took him a moment to recognize the profile of the goddess in blue he had abducted that day. Still as stone, he watched her, drinking in the pleasing sight. Her dark hair was no longer styled but hung in a flowing river down to the middle of her back. Her face was lifted to the sky, as if the moon was speaking to her. The silvery beams shining down upon her gave her an even more ethereal look. Brady felt like he could simply stand there looking at her forever, soaking in the peace she seemed to bring him.
Chloe sensed rather than saw him watching her. She could feel the power of his gaze all the way under her skin. That terrifyingly heady emotion she'd come out here to escape was back in full force. Her breathing quickened almost without her knowledge as she turned to face him. He was still wearing that black mask, which covered the upper half of his face, all except the eyes which glowed with even more blue fire in the moonlight. The flowing white shirt with the drawstring collar and the tan breeches only further enhanced his aura of strength and control. He exuded masculine virility in a way Chloe had never confronted before.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke as their eyes met and locked in a battle of extremes, pride versus desire, control versus passion. Brady finally broke the spell by taking a step towards her. Chloe jumped back, even though there was still more than twenty feet between them. Brady's mouth turned up in a slight smirk at her fearful reaction. Did she actually think he would hurt her? His smile quickly turned into a frown, as he realized that had it been a member of his crew, her fear might be justified. "You were told not to leave the cabin," he spoke sharply, the words cutting through the silence with all the force of a rapier.
Chloe raised her chin defiantly. She was in the wrong, and she knew it, which only made her more defensive. "I do what I please," she returned haughtily. "It's inhuman of you to expect us to spend all our time in that little cabin. People need fresh air and exercise, you know. And as you insist we're not prisoners, than I insist on the right to free movement aboard ship."
Brady raised an unseen eyebrow at her regal tone. His hands rested loosely on his hips as he took a few more steps towards the lady. She looked like she wanted nothing more than to retreat but couldn't lest she put herself in a position of weakness. "As I'm sure Jase explained to you, the instruction to stay below is for your own safety, my lady."
Chloe rolled her eyes. Why did men always insist on believing that women were incapable of taking care of themselves? "Nonsense. As you already promised Lord Black, no one is going to harm me or any of the other girls. I'm perfectly safe here, just as safe as I would be in the cabin."
"Are you so sure about that?" His voice was deep and mesmerizing as he closed the distance between them. Chloe found herself leaning back against the rail as his body trapped her there. Determined to teach her a lesson, Brady let his finger gently trail down her cheek, jaw, and throat. He could feel her immediately tense at his touch, but he also felt the rapid beating of her pulse and the hot flush of her skin. "Don't count too heavily on the word of a pirate, lady."
Her head told her to pull away from his touch, to call his bluff; but her body refused to obey. From the moment his skin came in contact with hers, she felt herself grow weak, surrendering utterly to his influence. His fingers quit moving, as he cupped her neck with the whole of his hand. Against her own will, her eyes locked on his full lips, as she began to wonder what it would feel like to have them take control of hers. She moistened her lips expectantly. If ever he wanted to kiss her, he wouldn't ask permission. He wouldn't be like Philip. Philip. Thoughts of her fiancé gave her the power, if not of movement, at least of speech. "Please, don't."
The words came out as little more than a whisper, but they had the force of bringing Brady back to reality. What had begun as an attempt to show the lady the dangers of disobeying his instructions had instead showed him how dangerous she was to him, to his promise, to the whole purpose of this mission. The feel of her skin had robbed him of his wits; and if she had not spoken up when she did, he would no doubt have surrendered to the moment and kissed her. But the soft words made him immediately drop his hand from her.
He was suddenly aware of how young and vulnerable she looked. The bodice of her dress rose and fell with every anxious breath she took, and her eyes were wide with mingled fear and desire. He wanted to put her back at her ease with him; wanted, for some reason he chose not to analyze, her to trust him, to feel safe with him. To that end, he took a step away from her and spoke gently. "What's your name, my lady?"
Chloe's tongue felt like cotton in her mouth. She tried to push away the vague feeling of disappointment that the pirate captain hadn't kissed her. She should be feeling relieved, not frustrated. "Chloe," she told him leadenly. "Chloe Wesley."
Brady smiled kindly down at her, before taking her hand and raising it to his lips. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Wesley." Even the light brush of a kiss against her hand had him wanting more of her. Her skin was as smooth as the silk of her dress, and much softer. He frowned, quickly dropping her hand.
Chloe pulled back, shocked at the waves of heat that had flooded her body through his lips, his touch. She cradled her hand against her chest, trying to slow her heart rate. "May I go now, Captain?" she inquired softly, afraid to stay under his influence any longer, lest she be completely corrupted. And love every minute of it.
Brady nodded silently, not trusting himself to speak. He took another step back, allowing her a free path back to the cabin. He watched as she slowly, sedately, made her way across the deck, carrying that incomparable dignity with her. She was halfway to her destination, before his words brought her up short. "By the way, your request is granted. You will have free movement aboard ship."
Chloe didn't turn around, afraid he'd see the gleeful smile that overcame her at his words. "Thank you, sir. Good night." She spoke the words softly, almost hoping he wouldn't hear her. But the slight smile on his lips as she disappeared below deck proved otherwise. Brady waited until he lost sight of her, before turning back to look at the moon.
He was so lost in his thought that he didn't see the figure watching him from behind the wheelhouse. He didn't see the cruel smile that adorned her lips as she found the scandal she'd been looking for.
