Free Kiss From a Rogue by Shirley Karr Page B

leaned over with the intention of dropping a chaste but loving kiss on her cheek, strictly for the benefit of their audience. But she turned at the same time, so his kiss landed directly on her mouth. They both froze for an instant.
    Remembering their audience, Tony brought his hand up to cup her cheek, still kissing her. She leaned into his touch. Under other circumstances, he would have taken it further, tasted her. The captain loudly cleared his throat.
    Tony pulled back. He had to grasp Sylvia’s elbow to steady her. He took pride in the fact it took her several seconds to open her eyes again. Tony suddenly realized the sailors had slowed down in their unloading of the boats, and Sylvia’s men were staring at him. Only when she flashed a look of reassurance at them did they resume their movements.
    “I see you were serious about interrupting your honeymoon.” The captain spat again. “I would be just as anxious to be getting beneath her skirts. Shall we get to business, then?”
    Tony took a half-step forward, putting Sylvia half behind him. How dare this piece of scum even look upon her? He felt pressure against the small of his back. He reached around, and felt a weighted cloth thrust into his hand. The purse.
    “Yes, Captain, let’s finish as quickly as possible, shall we? I’ve much more important business to attend to once we get home.” Tony dropped the purse into Ruford’s outstretched hand.
    “Them government lads continue to dog me,” Ruford said, hefting the purse. “I’ll need more—”
    “We’ve had our own problems,” Tony interrupted before Ruford could get going. “The Revenue agents have been sniffing around the village. We aren’t going to give you any more than the original agreed-upon price, for the original number of casks. If anything, we should be paying you less to cover our increased expenses.”
    By now the men had finished unloading the boats, and Sylvia’s watchdogs had gathered at the base of the cliff. Ruford’s men stood between them and the boats. The redheaded lad pushed his way to the front of the group until he stood on the other side of Sylvia. Except for the slap of waves on the shore, silence reigned for a moment.
    Tony saw one of the sailors and two of the watchdogs reach for weapons at their waist. The hair on the back of his neck prickled.
    “I am feeling generous,” Ruford said at last. “Consider it a wedding gift.” He waved to his men, and they began piling into the boats and heading back out to the bay.
    Tony almost allowed himself to relax. A few more minutes, and this charade would be at an end. Sylvia’s men would let him go, and she’d be eager to show her appreciation for his help. He was about to become much better acquainted with Sylvia and her eminently kissable lips.
    “It appears you chose your champion well, my lady.” Ruford gave her another bow, then turned his attention back to Tony. “As enjoyable as transactions with her ladyship have been, I’m relieved to be dealing with a man again. It will be much easier to conduct business with you. We understand each other, I think.”
    Tony found himself calmly nodding in agreement, though he felt anything but.
    Ruford leaned closer. Tony barely heard him over the stench. “Don’t know how much longer I would have continued. Can’t do business with a chit or a cub. Just ain’t right.”
    Tony heard the outraged inhale from the redheaded lad at Sylvia’s other side. She forestalled his protest with an elbow to his ribs.
    “Until next time, Sinclair,” Ruford said, and strode off to the waiting boat.
    “But Captain—”
    Ruford ignored Sylvia’s call. “Enjoy your honeymoon!” As they rowed out to the bay, the men in his boat joined in with crude suggestions of how to pass the night.
    Tony wished he could cover her ears. Though he had designs on her person, a lady shouldn’t be subjected to such coarse comments.
    When the darkness had swallowed up the last boat, she turned to her