Free Too Dangerous to Desire by Alexandra Benedict Page B

beach.
    “Evening, Capt’n.”
    Lieutenant Eric Faraday limped across the sandy turf.
    “Good evening, Lieutenant.”
    Adam rose to his feet and dusted the sand from his clothes.
    “It’s a beautiful night for a pirate raid, isn’t it, sir?”
    Adam glanced back at the cottage, a short dis tance away. Lamplight flickered in the window; a shadow moved inside the house. “Yes, a beautiful night for a raid.”
    “Is something the matter, Capt’n?”
    Yes. Evelyn. Adam had sworn to shelter the young woman. But what if something happened to him tonight? Who would protect her?
    A morbid thought came to mind. Adam imag ined Evelyn brutalized, suffering under Vadik’s hand. The savage vision burned his blood. He de sired to crush the villain’s throat. But he would settle for keeping Evelyn far from his reach instead.
    And yet Adam had also vowed to apprehend Black Hawk. It was a rotten truth, but to honor one duty he had to be remiss in another.
    Adam stalked away. He was very much aware of the obligation upon his shoulders. He had made a sacred promise to capture the brigand in memory of Tess. And he loathed to break his vow. To fail Tess. To disappoint the loyal men who had served him so faithfully.
    But what about Evelyn? What about the vow he had made to her ?
    Adam circled a small spot on the beach, mull ing over the situation. At length, he wondered, “Is the crew ready?”
    “Armed and ready, Capt’n.”
    A well-prepared crew. A loyal lieutenant. Adam need not fear failing his “ward” by getting hurt and leaving her without a guardian. And he need not neglect his duty to Teresa, either. He would capture the pirate captain and return to safeguard Evelyn.
    He was adamant.
    “Then tonight we apprehend Black Hawk, Lieu tenant . . . but there’s something I must do first.”
    A knock at the door.
    The needle was poised to poke through the fabric when Evelyn stilled.
    Another rap. “Evie?”
    She let out a short sigh. For just a moment, she’d thought . . .
    No, she would not reflect on him anymore. Not tonight. She would think about more pleasant things instead, like her sister.
    And Adam.
    Flustered, she said, “Come in.”
    Adam popped his head inside. “Still working on the drapes?”
    He was rugged and handsome, and her heart thumped with more vigor at the sight of him. The low timbre of his voice made her shiver with plea sure, too. “I’ve one panel complete. I’ll have the other ready shortly.”
    Adam stepped inside the cottage. In the dim ness he seemed to fill the small space, his burly figure awash in lamplight.
    Again she admired him. But only for a moment before she wondered: Why is he here so late?
    A shiver of trepidation. “Is something the matter, Adam?”
    “I have to leave.”
    She dropped the stitching in her lap. She was breathless. “You’re leaving me?”
    “It’s only for a short time: a matter of business.”
    Her thoughts quieted to hear he was not aban doning her. “What sort of business?”
    “Captain’s business.” After a short pause he of fered: “I made a vow a long time ago . . . to my late wife. And tonight I have the opportunity to fulfill my vow.”
    To honor one’s wife? She was unfamiliar with the sentiment. It should please her to hear Adam’s assertion, though; it proved he was not like the cruel Vadik.
    And yet it did not please her. Not entirely. To realize the promise to his late wife, Adam would have to leave her . . . alone.
    “Will you be all right for a few hours, Evie?”
    She gripped the stitching tight. Without Adam nearby, she was by herself in the world. He might jump from the shadows and steal her away.
    But she was not Adam’s keeper. She had no right to meddle in his affairs. He had been kind enough to let her stay in his home. She could not implore him to remain with her, however much she wanted to, and forsake the pledge he had made to his late wife. She had trespassed on his kindness enough.
    “Yes, I’ll be fine,” she said, voice