Free To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker Page A

stance.
    Nathaniel did the same. “Ready?”
    She nodded.
    When he swung his sword around, she deflected the blow, as always surprised by the force of the impact and the way her arm shook. They both pulled back. She struck. His sword met hers.
    She jumped back. Circled slowly, watching him, watching his sword.
    Then she became aware of the laughter. It started as a low rumble of amusement and grew louder. She turned to glare at Sterling.
    “You find this amusing?” she asked.
    “I do. You fight as though you’re standing in a parlor.”
    “I’m still learning.”
    “The problem isn’t you, m’lady. It’s your tutor.”
    “I suppose you think you could do a better job,” Nathaniel said.
    “Have you any experience fighting pirates?” Sterling asked.
    “Of course. I fought several when you attacked the Horizon .”
    “Ah, that explains your immense dislike of me.” He stepped forward, held his hand out to Anna. “Give me your sword. I’ll demonstrate what you can truly expect when you come up against pirates.”
    “You’ll never carry a weapon on this ship, Sterling,” Nathaniel said.
    Sterling moved swiftly, snatching Anna’s sword from her fingers before she knew what he was about. He arced it over his head and brought it down on Nathaniel —
    Annalisa gasped in horror.
    Dropping to a knee, Nathaniel raised his sword to deflect the blow. The clash of steel echoed over the deck.
    “A pirate will never ask if you’re ready,” Sterling said.
    Nathaniel shoved him, sending him back, but his balance hardly seemed affected. Nathaniel jumped to his feet.
    Sterling struck again and again, but Nathaniel skillfully met each rapid-fire thrust and parry, backing up until he was pressed against the railing with nowhere to go.
    “A pirate will attack quickly,” Sterling said.
    He leaped away, grabbed Annalisa, snaked his arm around her, holding her close against his chest, the fine edge of the sword hovering beneath her chin.
    Her heart was pounding so loudly, she was certain all could hear it.
    “A pirate will not fight fairly,” Sterling said near her ear, his warm breath skimming over her cheek. “Do you really want to be taught how to fight pirates by a man with so little experience at defending himself against them?”
    She lifted her foot and slammed it down on his toe. Yelping, he loosened his hold, and it was enough for her to slip beyond his reach. “Kane!” she yelled, holding out her hand, and the man who was supposed to be guarding Sterling tossed her his cutlass. She caught it by the hilt, swung it around.
    Sterling met her steel with his. The vibration nearly stunned her.
    He struck, she struck back. They continued, dancing over the deck, their feet moving quickly, each blow coming faster than the next. All the while she was vaguely aware of Nathaniel calling for the men, the sound of rushing footsteps.
    While she concentrated on each move, tried to anticipate where he’d strike, Sterling did little more than smile.
    “That’s right, m’lady —”
    Clash!
    “As fast and hard as you can —”
    Clang!
    “Attack. With no thought to wound, only to kill. The first blow makes a man your enemy.”
    Clash!
    “The final blow must ensure he never comes after you.”
    Clash! Clang! Clank! Clink!
    Over and over he swung his sword. Over and over she met each thrust.
    Then she stumbled, found herself pressed against the mast, with the sword again at her throat.
    “And never, ever let a pirate corner you,” Sterling said in a low, dangerous voice.
    “Step away from her, Sterling,” Nathaniel ordered.
    “It seems our lesson has come to an end,” Sterling said.
    She nodded, breathless from the exertion, from his nearness. “Until tomorrow, anyway.”
    Something danced in his eyes: a challenge, a bit of pleasure, some mischief. He was enjoying this much too much.
    To her immense shame, so was she.
    “Sterling —”
    “It’s all right, Nathaniel,” Annalisa said.
    She felt Sterling ease the