Free The Price of Pleasure by Kresley Cole Page A

she’s lived away from people for nearly a decade. A soft touch might work on this one.”
    Grant waved his cousin away and said, “The queen is alive and well.” The woman gave him a blank look as if she didn’t know what he was talking about. “Now, about Victoria. We need to find her and convince her we’re here to rescue you both.”
    â€œI’m sure a rescue was the last thing we would have thought. More likely pirates or some kind of military operation.” She gave him an arch look, then said crisply, “Plus, you are abysmally late.”
    Grant felt apologetic, as though he were somehow tardy. “I’m leading the eighth voyage that Victoria’s grandfather, the earl of Belmont, commissioned. Obviously none ventured this far out.”
    â€œSo we’re no longer dead to the world. Astonishing,” she said in voice that sounded not the least astonished. Her eyes narrowed. “If Belmont sent you, then describe his home.”
    He shook his head, then reluctantly began, “The manor house is an old graystone, shaped like a squared figure eight with two courts inside. The land is vast and filled with downlands, parklands, rolling hills dotted with sheep.” He exhaled. “Now that my facts match up—”
    â€œOh, I don’t know about that. Never been there myself,” she said airily. “I just wanted to know what kind of place I’ll be traveling to.”
    He gnashed his teeth in frustration. Ian laughed. The winds outside strengthened. “We leave today,” Grant snapped. “Tell me where I can find her.”
    â€œI couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. She’s been known to range over the entire island in one day. All I know is that she was looking for the handsome captain.”
    Damn it, it was no use with this woman. Wait…Handsome? Did Victoria say that? Grant stifled an unwelcome flush of pleasure. “Ian, take Miss Scott to the ship. Tell Dooley to use his best judgment with the storm.”
    She shrank back. “My first time back on a ship is going to be during a storm.” Her face was expressionless. “Can’t wait.”
    â€œIt won’t be so bad,” Ian said, as he gently took her hand.
    She swung her gaze back to Grant. “I don’t suppose I have a choice in the matter?”
    â€œI can be more certain of your safety on the ship.”
    â€œIf Tori returns to find me gone, you’ll have hell to pay.”
    He straightened. “Thank you, but I think I can handle a slip of a girl.”
    She gave him a pitying look. “That would be your first mistake.”
    Â 
    â€œCammy, you’ll never believe the weather—” Victoria froze when she saw Grant sitting by the fire. A visible tension thrummed through her. “Where is she?”
    â€œShe’s with my cousin and the crew aboard the Keveral,” Grant answered slowly.
    Swooping down, she snatched up a bamboo cane. Her voice was shaking with fury. “Why did you take her?”
    He rose by degrees, standing low, trying not to appear threatening. “I meant what I said before. I was sent here to rescue you. We need to get you both on the ship and out of the area.”
    She shook her head, refusing his answer, and asked again, “Why did you take her?”
    â€œBecause I know you’ll follow.”
    Her face tightened. She wanted to strike him—he could feel her anger, raw and radiating from her. Her fingers whitened on the cane. Just when he was convinced she might, she dashed from the cave.
    He snatched his pack and shot to his feet to follow her outside, immediately raising his hand to shield his eyes. The rain fell, not merely spilling from the clouds, but pitched down to beat the earth. Broad leaves of the multitude of banana trees thundered from the force. He almost longed for the puling rain of England instead of this assault.
    Lightning split the sky,