Free Lost Honor by Loreen Augeri Page B

had been able to corral his emotions until she crashed into his life. “Bloody hell!” That damn pirate better attack soon. He wanted her off this ship and out of his life.
    He pushed away from the door and hurried to the main deck. The smell of fresh, salt air and the sight of the calm, blue ocean soothed him and blew away his troubles. He wished a gale would sweep her away.
    He scanned the deck. All seemed in order. His mind was another matter.
    “Morgan, did Arianna change into dry clothes?”
    Andrew knew of the incident. Maybe he could relate the specifics since the virago below would not. “Yes, and since she doesn’t own a dress, only those damn pants, she won’t return to her duties until the outfit I gave her is dry.”
    “It is just as well.”
    “What happened tonight?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t know. Only that Briggs was involved. I found them together, but they both insisted there was no problem.”
    Morgan rubbed the back of his neck. “I couldn’t get anything out of her, except it was a personal matter.” He slammed his hand down on the rail. “Bloody hell! I don’t want her near Briggs. He is mean and three times her size.”
    “Morgan,” Andrew said in his thoughtful voice. “Maybe she should remain in your cabin for the rest of the voyage.”
    Morgan lifted one side of his mouth in a parody of a smile. “Somehow, I don’t think she would stay there. She doesn’t follow orders well.”
    “As I found out tonight.” Andrew rubbed his hands together. “It’s getting chilly. I had to order her to go below a few times before she actually went. She tried to return without changing, but when she noticed me waiting, she decided against it.” His short laugh echoed in the night. “She can be a handful. I don’t envy you.”
    At least, Andrew knew a bit of what he dealt with, but he couldn’t reveal all to him. Especially the kiss. Susan was his sister. He wouldn’t take it kindly if he learned the man his sister was to wed kissed another woman.
    He gazed up at the stars sparkling in the night sky but discovered no answers to his quandary there. He would have to keep a short leash on his emotions, even if her kiss was the sweetest, most sensual he ever experienced. She enjoyed it and was as lost in the sensations as he was. And he would bet his kiss on those softly curved lips was the first she experienced, or close to it. He was pleased to find her willing to follow his lead. Her hot, trim body pressed against his and the feel of her rear beneath his hand…
    Stop it . He angled his bulging erection away from Andrew and struggled to banish memories of her. That is what they would remain. Memories. And he refused to add to those. He glanced at Andrew, who watched him with that look that spied too much. “Keep an eye on Briggs. I don’t want him anywhere near Arianna.”
    When Morgan finally dug up the nerve to return to his cabin, he discovered Arianna sound asleep in her hammock where he prayed she would be. His heart constricted at the way he had treated her. She was so exhausted she collapsed into the hammock without removing her clothes. A purple tinge shaded the area beneath her eyes. And even though she had been doused with water, dirt smudged her face and the backs of her hands and muted the shine of her lovely hair.
    His boot nudged something soft, and he dropped his gaze to the floor where her few possessions spilled out of her open bag. He shook his head. Did she ever put anything in its proper place? He folded a pair of pants and a shirt and placed them neatly inside. Picking up what he thought was another garment, he discovered a rag doll. Only it wasn’t shaped like a person but like a cat. His brows lowered as he turned it over in his hands. Why would she have this? With no answer forthcoming, he stuffed it in the sack, closed the bag, and placed it in the corner by her hammock.
    Snatching a soft, wool blanket off his berth, he gently laid it over her. She had been wet