Free His to Hold (Regency Scoundrels Book 1) by Marly Mathews Page B

safe, sir, if I were to knock on the door?” For a rugged seafaring man who touted many scars of battle, Seamus almost seemed afraid of encountering Elizabeth.
    “I think that she will be very delighted when she sees that you come bearing food.” Mallory grinned, reached for a cloth napkin, and walked up the steps to the deck.
    He could see that Ethan was keeping a furtive eye trained on the horizon. Just as he licked down the rest of the buns and swallowed the last sip of tea, he heard Ethan’s outraged curse.
    “Those aren’t Woodward’s ships,” Ethan muttered, staring through the spyglass while pointing in the offensive direction. “They belong to that bloody Spaniard, Antonio.”
    “Damnation!” Mallory cursed, wiping his sticky fingers. “What the hell is that infernal daogo doing is these waters?”
    “Well, hell, I’ll take a stab at this one,” Ethan began, groaning. “Perhaps, he’s looking for you. He really doesn’t like you, sir.”
    Mallory grunted, and nodded his agreement. “As always, Ethan, you are most assuredly correct.”
    Sometimes, it just didn’t pay to be in the business of looting and pillaging.
    *****
    Elizabeth’s heart quickened, at the loud rapping on her door. Why was someone knocking when she was locked in? Unless…squaring her shoulders, and sticking out her chest, she proudly walked to the door.
    She whipped it open, only to come face-to-face with the ship’s Irish Cook. He stared at her, and remained silent, yet he had crooked one eyebrow at her strange appearance.
    He balanced a tray heaped with delicious smelling food. Obviously, this Irish Cook knew his craft. Beckoning him inside, she stepped aside, to let him pass. He walked over to the table, and placed the tray down upon it.
    Turning back to her, he grinned, and glanced toward the tousled bed knowingly. If he said just one word, she’d scream like a bloody banshee.
    “Would you like me to tidy the covers for you?” he asked softly, his accent thick because of his excitement.
    “I shall manage quite well on my own, thank you.” She studied him as his eyes swept the full length of the cabin.
    “As you wish, miss.” He straightened up to his full height, glanced back down at the tray and cleared his throat. “Would you like me to serve you?”
    It took her a moment to grasp his meaning, since her mind was presently elsewhere. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get that rake and scoundrel of a pirate out of her head. “Thank you, but I think I’ll pass on that one as well.” Her lips twitched, as she attempted to keep them from forming into a smile.
    “Ah, well. I’ve prepared you some hot chocolate, but there is also some strong tea in the teapot, and some limes or lemons, depending on what you like with your tea. Americans aren’t big on milk with tea, are they? And besides, lemons with your tea on a sea voyage is a good idea. Hmm…perhaps I should have made you some coffee.” He gestured to each item, and then glanced back at her.
    “It looks and smells delicious. Thank you. You needn’t bother with the coffee. My father is the one that likes that. I do not care for it. I shall eat it happily,” she said. Her stomach enforced her words when it growled with hunger. Embarrassed, she pressed the flat palm of her hand on her stomach.
    “I’ll be taking my leave then, Miss Elizabeth,” he murmured, edging toward the door. “One more thing, miss, though I may be speaking out of turn.” His ruddy cheeks reddened even more, as he locked eyes on her.
    “Yes,” she said, turning around.
    “Take care of my lad. He might be an Englishman, but he’s the best man I’ve ever met. He has a heart of gold, that one.”
    “Yes, he certainly does have a heart that hankers for gold.”
    “Ah, miss, if you only knew the hell he’s been put through. I’m sure that you’d sympathize.”
    “You don’t even know me from boo yet, Seamus,” she murmured, taking a step backward.
    “Aye, but despite