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

him. She inched forward slowly, and he watched her eyes digest the mahogany-paneled bulkhead, large stern windows, glass-encased shelves, spyglass, cutlass, and dagger fixed to the wall. The swinging lantern hanging over his desk and two chairs kept time with the living ship breathing beneath their feet.
    “Impressive,” she said, unclasping the cloak Mrs. Denny had lent her. She folded the wool and laid it over the back of a chair, then walked toward the set of three windows. She knelt on the window seat and absentmindedly stroked the black damask curtains. The distracting action threatened to undo him. He wanted to heal her heart, comfort her soul, and feel her hands caress him the same way.
    “So this is where you’ve been for the past two years,” she said, her voice cutting and sharp.
    He removed his cloak and laid it on the desk. “When I was at sea . . . yes.” He unbuttoned his greatcoat.
    She nodded, refusing to meet his gaze. “Help me understand why you chose this ship over me, Tobias.” He’d earned her resentful voice and he didn’t like it.
    “I didn’t choose the Fury over you, Prudence. How I wish you’d understand. Someone has to stand up to Underwood, to come to the aid of the men he’s destroyed.”
    “And has your decision brought you joy?” She turned away from the windows. A rosy flush crept up her bosom and rose to her face. This confrontational woman was a stranger to him, a seductive siren waging war on his senses.
    “You have every right to be angry with me.”
    “I am.” She sighed heavily. “And I cannot quite figure out how to address my anger. I cannot ignore you. I cannot escape you.” Her honey-brown eyes glinted like daggers. “What can I do?”
    “We are alone now. Rail at me. Hit me some more if it will make you feel better.”
    Slowly, she rose from the window seat. She glided toward him. “I should hate you for everything you’ve done.”
    She placed her hands on his chest, then moved them up his shoulders and down his arms until she clasped his hands. He lowered his defenses, standing motionless, afraid to break the spell she wove over him. He deserved nothing but her disappointment, disdain, and wrath. He’d asked too much, more than one woman should have to sacrifice, and had given too little in return.
    She lifted her chin, meeting his eyes. Tears pooled in their depths. “How could you?” she asked on a ragged sob. “I gave you my heart, Tobias.” Unchecked tears spilled down her cheeks. “I loved you more than life itself.” He didn’t move as her tears fell, allowing her to grieve, to speak her heart. She splayed her fingers wide against his chest, lowering her head to touch her forehead to her hands. “You made me suffer so much.”
    He raised his hand and stroked her beautiful, silky blond hair. “Aye. You’ve suffered more than enough, love.”
    She sobbed silently, grabbing his lapels, twisting them in her hands. “Love? What do you know of love?” She raised her chin, craning her neck to look up at him.
    “I know love makes a man do crazy things.”
    She stared at him. “What things?”
    “Love makes a man think he can carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
    She shook her head. “You were never supposed to carry your burdens alone, Tobias. You didn’t have to.” She settled back into his embrace. He absorbed her warmth, the sensual friction of her torso against his.
    Curse and damn him, he couldn’t take much more. Holding her in his arms was driving him mad.
    “Tell me.” She raised her head and gazed at him with soulful eyes. She grabbed both sides of his face with her hands. “Show me. Make me believe that you aren’t a callous, heartless bastard.”
    “No more lies,” he promised, threading his hands through her hair. He closed his eyes and inhaled her lavender scent, imagining that she could trust him, love him again. The bittersweet moment was pure agony and ecstasy. He gently pulled her head back and lost