Free A Distant Magic by Mary Jo Putney Page B

damned to you, Jean Macrae!" He whirled and slammed his way out of the cabin.
    So Jean was a prisoner on a ship named
Justice,
and the captain wanted her to pay for the perceived sins of her father. She folded, shaking, onto her bunk.
    May God have mercy on her soul.

Chapter

NINE
    N ikolai's heart pounded as he locked the cabin door and stalked away. The damned female had the ability to drive him mad. He should have realized that a Guardian would not be an ordinary British girl, no matter how prim she looked. Perhaps he should have confronted her the day of her capture, before she'd had a chance to gather that intimidating cloak of self-possession around her. And before she'd had time to rummage through his mind and memories.
    He climbed the ladder to the main deck, hoping the stiff breeze would clear his thoughts. What was he to do with her? As she had recognized, he wouldn't sell her into slavery even though that would be perfect justice. Perhaps he could have condemned James Macrae to such a fate, but the daughter had not harmed him directly, even though she carried her family's blood guilt.
    How much had the Scottish witch known about Ulindi? Too much, since she'd realized that because of Ulindi, he could not assault a defenseless woman.
    Swearing again, he raised his spyglass and scanned the horizon. Instinct said that somewhere out there was a ship ripe for his taking, and by God, he would find it.
     
    After the captain stormed out, Jean locked her arms around herself and rocked back and forth, shaking. She was in the hands of the most dangerous and unpredictable man she'd ever met, and he despised her. Today, at least, he hadn't released his violence, but there were no guarantees for tomorrow. Anger might overcome his distaste for rape.
    Given time, the Guardians could find her, but she didn't have time and her family was a thousand miles away. If she was to survive and return home, it must be through her own wits and resourcefulness.
    She jumped like a nervous hare when a key grated in the lock, but this time it was only the crewman carrying her supper, along with his usual guard. Since she'd had no luck getting information on previous days, today she asked for hot water to wash herself. She asked in French and repeated the request in English, but again, the sailors ignored her. They withdrew, locking the door firmly behind them.
    As she finished eating, the door opened again and a sailor she hadn't seen before delivered a large bucket of water. He was carefully guarded, of course.
    "Merci,"
she said politely as she handed over the tray with her empty bowl and spoon. She hadn't finished the wine, so she kept that. She added the smile that had been called charming in some of London's best ballrooms.
    At her thanks, the sailor dropped his eyes bashfully as he left. He was just a boy, probably under twenty. Young enough to be embarrassed by the mere presence of a woman. Possibly he might become an ally.
    Under the circumstances, she was reluctant to disrobe for a really thorough bath, but with a corner of one of the towels she'd found below the washbasin, she could clean herself well enough. Then she washed her hair, getting as much powder out as possible. If she was to face the unknown, she'd do it looking like herself.
    Like a damned redheaded Scot.
     
    She woke from a sound sleep when an almighty boom shuddered through the ship, knocking her from her bunk. Swearing, she scrambled to her feet. Had the ship struck a reef or rock? No, she heard shouts, then another ragged volley of explosions that rocked the vessel. They were being fired on by cannon.
    More cannon shots, this time deafeningly close as the
Justice
fired back. Her blood ran cold. If the ship was damaged badly enough to sink, she could die here, trapped like a rat in a cage.
    Hell, no!
She slid into her lightweight shoes, then set to work on the door lock with a hairpin, creating a small mage light so she could see what she was doing. She hadn't the