Free A Lady at Last by Brenda Joyce Page B

not, it’s my children’s bedtime and I need to go upstairs.”
    She took a breath for courage, refusing to think about what would happen after he accepted her deal. Instead, she saw herself standing on the deck of the Fair Lady in heavy seas filled with white horses. She’d be at the bow; he’d be on the quarterdeck with his officers. They’d press on with a mass of canvas that no sensible seaman would ever attempt in such foul weather. He wouldn’t care; he’d be laughing, and so would she. She smiled.
    â€œAmanda?”
    She came back to her senses, her smile vanishing. She bit her lip, hesitating.
    His gaze veered to her mouth and then back to her eyes. “What is it that you wish to ask me?”
    There was no choice now but to plunge forward. Amanda stood up. “I’ll do anything— anything —if you will take me to England.”
    He simply stared.
    Amanda had no idea what that fixed gaze meant. He was very smart, so he had to catch her meaning. Didn’t he? She smiled brightly at him. “I can’t pay for a passage, not with coin, anyway. But there are other ways I could pay.” And she waited.
    He began to shake his head. The odd motion seemed to be a “no,” and his expression seemed to be tinged with disbelief. “I see.”
    Amanda stood, starting to panic. She had to get to England! She had promised. “I said I’d do anything. You know what I mean, don’t you?”
    Now he had that flush on his high cheekbones as he sometimes did, the color of anger. But why would he be mad? Didn’t he understand what she was saying? “De Warenne, I am offering you my body. It’s the only way I can pay for—”
    â€œCease!” His tone was a command.
    She cringed in disbelief. “I know I’m not fancy enough for you—” she began, about to tell him that she was a virgin.
    He grasped her arm and their bodies collided. “Is this what you do when you need something? Offer your body in exchange for some goods or service?” he demanded. Instantly he released her, stepping away from her. “I may chase pirates, but I am a gentleman, and a de Warenne,” he ground out, his eyes blazing.
    She was trembling and her heart raced with fear. She couldn’t understand his anger. “I have to get to England. Papa said I should go with you. I just want to pay you!”
    He held up both hands. “Enough! Is your mother there?”
    Amanda nodded, incapable of looking away. Was he refusing her because she wasn’t a fancy, fat beauty? And why wasn’t she relieved?
    He inhaled. “I had already planned to take you to London, assuming you did have family there.”
    He had? She was stunned. “Why would you do that?”
    â€œBecause you need to go to family,” he said harshly.
    â€œBut how will I pay for my fare? I am not a beggar, to be tossed a crumb!”
    â€œYou won’t pay!” He was abrupt. “And I have never once indicated that I think you a beggar. The truth is, I was leaving at the end of the month, but considering all that has happened, we’ll leave tomorrow.”
    â€œTomorrow?” She started backing up. All dismay was gone—there was only gut-curdling fear. “That’s too soon! And what about Papa’s burial?” How could they leave tomorrow? “The end of the month is better.” She had just lost Papa, she wasn’t ready to meet her mother.
    â€œWe will bury your father at sea after we set sail. We leave tomorrow,” de Warenne snapped. He pointed at her. “And you will not be dressed like that. I prefer you in a boy’s clothing.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    S LEEP ELUDED HIM .
    Huge, almond-shaped green eyes held his. Masses of pale, almost silvery hair framed an equally exotic and beautiful face. Long wild strands twirled past her full breasts, clearly visible beneath the fine cotton nightgown. How could she