Free The Pirate's Duchess: A Regent's Revenge Novella by Katherine Bone

betrayal when the very truth of his existence brought her exceeding joy. But what of his secrets? Was there room in her heart to forgive those, too?
    Light gave way to a brilliant sunset as Tobias steered the small boat out of the Exe River and into the Lyme Sea where he—even with his strong, muscular body—struggled to row against the crashing surf. He toiled for what seemed like hours as they progressed toward imposing granite cliffs. The wind shouted. Gulls cawed, cutting through the air on shifting wings toward their nests. She’d never seen the coast from this angle before and she couldn’t resist a shiver of dread. Would they be smashed against the rocks as Tobias floated them through a narrowing, cave-like opening at the bottom of a rock face?
    “Oh!” she cried, clenching the hull tightly as the rocks grew closer, then veered away on each cresting tidal surge.
    “Have no fear. We are safe,” Tobias said softly.
    She tried desperately to believe him as she gazed up and down, surveying the growing expanse unveiled within the granite cathedral. “What is this place?”
    “A natural fortress.”
    “Are you not afraid it will collapse on our heads?”
    His laughter didn’t ease her nerves. “This cave has been carved out by the sea. It’s been here for hundreds of years, if not more. There’s no need to be afraid. I’ve navigated it countless times.”
    She gasped as they rounded a bend in the rock wall and glowing lights penetrated the darkness. With every stroke of the oars, more of the hidden lagoon was revealed. And to her amazement, a colossal black ship appeared, filling the space, its masts seeming to barely clear the cavern’s roof.
    The Fury !
    The ship was surrounded by a conclave of men, actively in motion, going about various tasks. Barrels, bundles, and bags lined the rock face, stacked one on top of the other. Crates were strewn about, either upended and opened or piled on the cave floor. The acoustics of the space were strong, carrying conversation as each man spoke cautiously to the other.
    Prudence covered her mouth and sat as still as she possibly could to keep from making a sound and giving away their presence. But she needn’t have bothered. A man standing ashore released a low whistle and reached out his hand. “Heva.”
    Tobias pulled the oars inside. “Bear a hand,” he replied, throwing out a rope.
    “Ready,” the pirate replied. He caught the twisted hemp and began mooring the vessel to its makeshift port while waiting for the current to assist him. Wood grated against rock, and Prudence grasped the hull to keep from flipping into the water.
    “Successful mission, Cap’n?” The seaman removed his cap. “No trouble reclaiming your missus?”
    “Everything went off exactly as we planned,” Tobias said, slowly hopping to solid ground, favoring his leg, then turning to reach out a hand to help her ashore.
    She cast a wary glance at the man, then inspected the spacious cavern. The Fury ’s imposing masts made her feel small and insignificant next to Tobias’s watchful crew. Likewise, the men stopped their duties to gawk at the newcomer.
    She suppressed a shiver, recalling every horrifying story she and Chloe had ever heard or read about pirates. The Black Regent’s crew looked exactly as she and Chloe had speculated, with their linen neckerchiefs, varieties of calico shirts, loose-fitting jackets, buff-toned trousers with sashes tied about their waists, leather belts and straps worn diagonally across their chests and decorated with weapons of various size and increment. They were a frightful, unkempt sight.
    Tobias cleared his throat. When she looked at him again, he smiled like a boy caught stealing cream. “My lady, may I introduce my first mate, Angus Pye?”
    The pirate bowed politely, drawing her gaze to his legs . . . er, leg. Wooden leg.
    She quickly dipped a curtsy, trying not to stare at his impediment.
    “Pye, behold my wife, the Duchess of