Free Sea Mistress by Candace McCarthy

to stifle a small smile. “That’s utter nonsense. Captain Garret barely knows you—how can he hate you?” He chuckled as if to laugh off her fears. “He’s simply angry because he’s been duped. He’ll get over it.”
    That’s what you think, Reeves, Bess mused, but then you’re unaware that the dear captain and I have a history . . .

Five
    â€œHow long are you going to keep her waiting?” Reeves demanded.
    Seth looked at him without expression. “As long as I wish, Mr. Reeves. I’ll send for her when I’m good and ready.”
    The captain scowled darkly as the door slammed shut behind the man’s retreating back. Damn, but this was a fine turn of events! Elisabeth Metcalfe on board ship!
    Something wrenched in his gut as he thought of her. Only hours before he’d been haunted by her image. And now she was here . . . even in her mannish clothing, more bewitching, more beautiful than the last time he’d seen her, years before.
    What is she doing on my ship? Why had George Metcalfe, Edward Metcalfe’s heir and the new owner of E. Metcalfe Co., sent a woman on this dangerous voyage about Cape Horn?
    He stared at his charts until they blurred beneath his gaze. It just didn’t make sense, and when he’d questioned Reeves, the man’s answers had been anything but satisfying.
    And now he, as the captain, was left with a decision. His instincts told him to turn the Sea Mistress around and take the woman back to Wilmington where she belonged. The consequences of having her on board ship would be dire. He’d be forever trying to protect her from his men—that is, once they’d gotten over their horror of having a woman on the voyage— if they ever got over their horror. All sailors believed it was bad luck to have a female on board, and on the journey about Cape Horn . . .
    Seth stood, grinding his teeth in frustration. There was nothing to do but summon Bess and find out exactly what had possessed her cousin to send her on this trip. Did she truly believe she could pretend to be Robert Marlton for the entire journey? That she could come topside whenever the mood struck her?
    The second mate’s reaction at finding her in their midst was just a sample of what she’d have to contend with. Hadn’t it occurred to either her or her cousin that she’d be placing herself in peril by traveling with a group of cutthroat men?
    He paced his cabin, his fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides. Elisabeth Mary Metcalfe. Or was it Mrs.—?
    She’d caused him more pain and heartache than any other person on the face of God’s earth. A wicked smile curved Seth’s mouth. He could pay her back for her betrayal . . . make her life uncomfortable beyond imagining. If he kept her on board.
    He thought of those luminous dark eyes of hers and felt his heart lurch. Cursing himself for his response, he strode to the hatch and bellowed for his first mate. A decision about the woman must be made quickly, while there was still the option of turning back.
    Mr. Kelley appeared within seconds of Seth’s call. “Captain?”
    â€œBring Miss Metcalfe to my cabin.”
    â€œAye, sir.” Kelley left to do his captain’s bidding. Seth closed the cabin door . . . and waited.
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    The knock came as Bess was sitting on her bunk, fuming about the captain’s behavior.
    â€œCome in,” she said, believing it to be Reeves.
    â€œMiss Metcalfe.”
    She glanced up and saw that it was Seth’s first mate, a young man with bronzed skin and kind eyes. “Yes, Mr. Kelley?”
    â€œCaptain Garret will see you now.”
    Bess stiffened at the mention of Seth. It was on the tip of her tongue to refuse to go, but what good would it do? The last thing she wanted was to spend another day below deck without knowing the captain’s plans for her. Would he take her back to Wilmington or on through