Free Smuggler's Lair by Virginia Henley

the River Rother until they reached the Seacock. He held her hand tightly as they traversed the narrow gangplank, then he lifted her over the rail.
    Tory’s face lit with eager curiosity as her gaze swept from the brigantine’s rigging to its well-scrubbed deck. Her eyes purposely avoided the rows of cannon. Below, she took in the cabin’s rich mahogany and polished brass. Falcon lit a lantern and took her into the hold. It smelled of tar and tea and piquant spices she could not name. He removed a false panel and led her into a space that held a cabinet and some trunks.
    Falcon unlocked the cabinet doors and pulled out a drawer. Gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earbobs, many set with precious jewels, glittered in the lamplight. As Tory gazed with appreciation, he lifted a trunk lid and revealed its contents. She drew in her breath and reached out to touch the bolts of exquisite silk, shot through with shining threads.
    â€œThe choice is yours, Victoria.”
    Without hesitation her fingers sought the pale green silk with silver threads. “I’ve never seen anything as lovely in my life.”
    He handed her the bolt of silk. “Its loveliness pales beside yours.” He closed the lid and moved to the cabinet. He took out a pair of carved jade earrings. “You must have these, too. They match perfectly. Both your beauty and your taste are exotic.”
    â€œThank you, Falcon, for the gifts and the compliment.” She looked down at the exquisite objects and a bubble of joyous laughter escaped. “And they say the wages of sin are death!”
    He led the way back up on deck. “You promised to swim for me. The warm afternoons of August will soon give way to the cool autumn days of September.”
    â€œWill you swim with me, milord?”
    â€œI will, milady.” He immediately began to throw off his clothes.
    Tory set down her presents, removed her dress and petticoat, and draped them to protect the delicate gifts of silk and jade. By this time, Falcon was naked and, not to be outdone, Tory stripped off her drawers and stays. She followed him as he strode to the bridge. He raised his arms and launched himself into the air, diving down to the water like a sea hawk. He surfaced laughing and flung the wet hair from his eyes. “Your turn!”
    Tory, rooted to the spot, was overwhelmed by the height. “I can’t. I don’t know how to dive.... I’m afraid!”
    â€œDarling . . . don’t be afraid. If you can’t dive, then jump.... I’m here to catch you.”
    She stared down, striving to banish her apprehension. She wasn’t afraid of the water, only the height. She gathered her courage, focused her attention on Falcon, and made her decision to place her trust in him. She shut her eyes and jumped.
    The water closed over her head as her body plunged deep. As she started to come up, she felt a moment’s panic as the river’s current threatened to carry her away. She surfaced like a cork, bobbing on the water. To her great relief, Falcon’s powerful arms were there, keeping her safe as he had promised. Together they swam in a wide arc around the Seacock. He has taught me to take risks. It makes life so much sweeter.

C HAPTER 6
    â€œWhen are you hosting your next entertainment? I need time to finish my new gown.” Pandora lay at Victoria’s feet, demonstrating that the pair of females had grown quite used to each other.
    â€œYou can actually sew? Is there no end to your accomplishments, my beauty?” Falcon asked with amusement as he sat at his desk, marking symbols against the names in his journal.
    â€œYour guests will be agog when they see me in the green silk. I shall set the fashion with my risqué Grecian design.”
    â€œThe jade earrings you’re wearing and the silk are from China.”
    She shook her head to make the jade earbobs swing. “Since I haven’t the faintest notion how