Free Samantha James by Gabriels Bride

though for the life of her she didn’t know why, she made no move to oblige him. Eyes the color of slate hardened ever so slightly.
    “If you please, madam, I’m hardly eager to remain here. I’d thought you felt the same.”
    Cassie flushed, then tentatively placed her hand in his and allowed him to assist her from the carriage. The instant she was out of the carriage, she quickly tugged her fingers free of his grasp. Gabriel’s lips tightened slightly, but he said nothing. While he paid the driver, Christopher retrieved their bags.
    Cassie remained where she was. Damp, moist air from a morning rain lay heavy and thick aroundher, and mingled with the tang of salt, strong and pungent in her nostrils. Although the fog had lifted, the sky remained a pale, depthless shade of gray.
    Beside her, Christopher cleared his throat. “The ship anchored there at the end—that’s Gabriel’s.”
    Cassie’s gaze trailed his. There, where the wharf jutted into the bay, a sleek, three-masted vessel bobbed gently in tempo with the current.
    She had no chance to reply. Gabriel was there again, a hand at her elbow, guiding her around numerous crates and barrels. Just ahead of them, a burly seaman heaved a square crate onto his shoulder, then marched up the gangplank onto the ship’s deck.
    Her heart sank. An awful feeling of dread wound its way around Cassie’s spine. Was this the only way onto the vessel? Silly fool , chided a voice inside. How else could you board? Seeking to waylay her fear, she glanced down.
    Below the gangplank, dark, choppy waters swirled in a furious eddy around and around the pilings supporting the dock.
    She stood there, paralyzed. As if in a dream, a vision loomed in her mind. She saw her body tumbling in a slow arc, the dark green waters yawning wide, as if to swallow her whole. Her breath came jerkily. Her lungs burned like fire, for she knew what it was like to gasp desperately for air when there was only foul, fetid water filling her mouth, her lungs…
    “Come, Yank. You may go first, and I will follow.”
    His words penetrated the haze surrounding her, widening her eyes. She shook her head and shuffled back a step. “No,” she said faintly. “I cannot…”
    “It’s too late to change your mind, girl. We’ve already begun the first leg of our journey and soon will begin the next.” His expression was as harshly forbidding as his tone.
    Cassie swallowed a sick feeling in the pit of her belly. “I’ve not changed my mind.” She faltered. “But I—I cannot swim, and if I should miss a step—”
    “You will not.”
    Oh, if only she were as certain! But her knees had begun to quaver, along with her voice. “Please—” she began.
    She got no further. Stifling an impatient oath, Gabriel swung her high in his arms. It was just as he’d said—they had come too far to turn back now.
    Cassie had no choice but to cling to his neck. She squeezed her eyes shut as he strode with surefooted ease up the gangplank and onto the deck. He did not stop, but carried her down the companionway to a cabin below.
    Only when she felt solid ground beneath her feet once again did Cassie open her eyes. For the space of a heartbeat, time was immeasurably still. Not until Gabriel cocked a brow did she realize her arms were still twined around his neck. She flushed furiously and withdrew them in all haste, anxious to put some distance between them.
    “I suggest you make yourself comfortable. We will be weighing anchor shortly.” He retreated, closing the door firmly behind him.
    With that, Cassie was left alone. She glancedaround, taking belated note of her surroundings. She was in a generous-sized cabin—her husband’s no doubt. The thought roused a shiver, but she willed her mind not to linger further on that troubling realization. Instead her gaze traveled slowly around the cabin.
    A sea chest and wooden cabinet crowded one wall, both of which were framed in rich mahogany. There was a table bolted to the