Free Sea Mistress by Candace McCarthy Page A

the voyage around Cape Horn?
    She got up from her bunk. “Very well,” she said. She had discarded the dark cap earlier. Now she gave it a thought and decided that it would be pointless to cover her head. By now everyone knew she was a woman.
    She patted her flaxen plaits, checking to see that they were still pinned up neatly. Mr. Kelley stood by the hatch, watching in grim silence, waiting for Bess to proceed him from the cabin.
    The captain’s quarters was directly across the passageway from where Bess was staying in the officers’ cabin. Bess had no intention of entering Seth’s room first, so she stood aside and gestured for Kelley to go before her.
    The door opened. The first mate blocked Bess’s view of the ship’s commander.
    â€œCaptain,” Kelley said. “Miss Metcalfe is here to see you.”
    There was a long tense silence. “Show her in, Mr. Kelley.”
    Bess’s breath caught in her throat at the deep, familiar timbre of Seth’s voice.
    Kelley moved and Bess met Seth’s fiery blue gaze.
    â€œThank you, Mr. Kelley,” Seth said, his eyes never moving from the woman’s face. “Please see that we’re not disturbed.”
    â€œAye, captain.” The first mate bowed to Bess and then left.
    She stood near the door and studied Seth, whose attention was no longer on her. He had his dark head bent over his chart table, and he was silent as he contemplated his map.
    Seth neither looked her way nor further acknowledged her presence, and Bess waited patiently for a time until her temper got the better of her. She used the time to study him, and saw the physical changes from the younger Seth she’d known . . . and loved. As she noted before, he was even more handsome, if it were possible.
    His hair was still the shade of midnight, like the sky on a cloudy night where neither moon nor stars alleviated the darkness. A wall lantern lit the interior of the cabin, and the golden glow of the burning oil highlighted the masculine lines of his nose and jaw. Age had given lines to his face . . . harsh but attractive lines. It looked as if his life’s experiences had become etched in his profile, as if he’d seen much of the world and what he’d seen had been mostly unpleasant.
    For the flash of an instant, she saw the young sailor who had come to her uncle’s home. His smile had been startling, giving his face a warm glow. His blue gaze had been tense and adoring when he’d declared his love for her.
    And she had believed him.
    Much to her misfortune.
    She’d never expected to feel a shock at seeing him again after so many years. She had thought she’d been better prepared . . .
    He glanced up and met her eyes, and the jolt of the impact was like lightning that shook her from head to toe. For a tension-filled moment, they simply stared at each other. Bess was horrified by a sudden surge of feeling, a spark of the burning passion that had consumed them so long ago. I feel nothing for this man. Nothing!
    Liar, an inner voice taunted.
    Seth’s face gave away none of his thoughts. And then his mouth twisted, and reality returned, hitting Bess hard.
    He straightened, his lips curved in sardonic amusement as if he sensed her discomfort and wallowed with pleasure in it. Bess wanted to strike out and hurt him. “You look horrible,” she lied. He looked dangerous and tough . . . and good—too good.
    Seth’s smile became a grin. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
    â€œAnd what’s that supposed to mean?”
    He moved from his chart table, and as he approached she felt the room fill with his commanding presence. The threatening energy emanating from him made Bess want to turn tail and run. But she didn’t. She straightened her spine and held his gaze squarely.
    â€œYears ago you were saucy and beautiful,” he said softly. “It appears your sauciness has become daring, but otherwise