Mistress Below Deck

‘There is nothing I can do about that.’

He looked at her hard and then after a pause, he said, ‘You want me to do the impossible. You are asking me to go behind your father’s back and take my crew into a hornets’ nest, where there is every chance they might not survive.’

Fire sprang into her eyes. She clenched her hands tightly in the folds of her skirt. ‘I would not have thought the task so impossible for a man such as yourself. I have been told you know the coast and the sea around North Africa well, and that you are acquainted with some of the Barbarians personally. I have no wish to know the whys and wherefores of this—that is your business—but with all this to your favour you are better qualified to find my sister than anyone else.’

For a moment he looked at her in silence. There was a glint in his eyes. ‘I cannot believe you have come here to ask this mad, impossible thing.’

Rowena felt a wave of desperation as she strove for control. ‘Do you think I don’t know that? It is mad and perhaps it is impossible,’ she exploded, her eyes bright with anger, ‘but I have to try. If you will not help me, perhaps you can tell me someone who will, because I swear that if there is the slightest chance of finding Jane I will row all the way to North Africa myself.’ Behind her words lay the shadow of a struggle. When she had entered the cabin her objective had looked close within her reach; now it seemed as remote as ever.

‘Don’t be a fool, Rowena. Look at the facts before you do anything rash. The fanatical, tyrannical network of Islamic slave traders have declared war on the whole of Christendom, and the whole of Europe has been hit by repeated raids, including England’s coastal villages. Thousands have been snatched from their homes and taken to Algiers and Sale in chains. The corsairs are highly disciplined. They are ruthless and make a formidable fighting force. No one knows what happens to the captives seized by the corsairs. Once sold, many disappear without trace and are never heard of again. That is a fact, and cruel, as it may seem, you must accept it.’

‘Never. I will never accept it. What would you do, if it were your sister who had been captured? Would you not want to go after her, to get her back?’

Rubbing the back of his neck, he nodded slowly. ‘If I am honest, yes, I would.’

‘Then, please, I beg of you to give it some thought. If it were within my power, I would pay you anything you asked.’

Tobias cocked a brow. ‘Anything, Rowena? I cannot think of any amount of money that might tempt me.’

‘You have to help us, for without your help Jane is doomed. Will you please think it over?’ Her voice cracked painfully and she was looking at him with eyes that had turned a brilliant and quite incredible green in her despair.

‘I have no wish to think it over and no need. I am sorry for your loss, but I cannot help you.’

A great wave of disappointment and anger filled her heart. ‘So, you refuse,’ she said with a rush of emotion. ‘You really don’t care, do you? You don’t care for anyone but yourself. My sister can rot in some Arab prison and be murdered for all you care and you won’t lift a finger to help.’

‘Spare me your temper, Rowena,’ he said, his voice clipped. ‘No one can help her. It would be useless to try.’

‘But you must,’ she blurted out. ‘There is no one else.’

‘Rowena,’ he said, sighing deeply, ‘you never cease to amaze me.’

She bristled at his light, mocking tone.

‘The debt your father owes me stands between us. Does that not bother you?’

‘Of course it does, and I hate myself for having to come to you of all people for help, which must show you the extent of my desperation. I am quite helpless at going after my sister myself.’

‘The hell you are. Helpless be damned. A woman who can approach her father’s enemy and beg for favours, and still lift her head with fire in her eyes, is not helpless.’ He shook his head, his thick hair falling over his wide brow, unmistakable laughter bubbling in his chest, rich and infectious. ‘No helpless female would dare to board my ship alone and with nothing on her person for protection. You deserve a commendation for sheer guts, Rowena. I salute your courage and your boldness. You are undeniably brave—as well as beautiful. But your father is in debt to me up to his ears. Would you compound that debt by adding to it?’

‘There—there is something I could give in payment.’ With surprise she was conscious that he was now studying her with a different interest. She returned his look. His expression did not alter, and yet she felt the air between them charged with emotion.

‘Could you indeed? You mean that you and I could have—a very delightful arrangement?’

His voice was like silk and his eyes had become a warm and very appreciative blue, and Rowena knew immediately what price he was asking her to pay. She felt fury rise up inside her—not just with him, but with herself and the excitement that stirred at the very idea.

‘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?’