Free A Pirate's Ransom by Gerri Brousseau

strong and warm and the scent of his skin made my head spin. He moved slowly to the music, leading me across the deck with masterful ease. It became a struggled to hear the strains of the waltz over the sound of my heart thundering in my ears when he nuzzled my hair.
    “You smell delightful, Milady,” he said as he placed a soft kiss upon my temple.
    My legs felt like jelly, and I was thankful he held me so tightly lest I fall.
    “Captain, you have been aboard this ship for far too long if you find the scent of me delightful, yet you flatter me.”
    “I find much about you to be delightful, Milady.”
    “You do not find me to be scrawny and too thin?”
    “No. You are quite beautiful. What makes you think you are too thin?”
    “My father always told me I was scrawny and that because of it, he would never make a suitable match for me.”
    “And you believe him?”
    “Yes, Captain, I do.”
    “Well, let me assure you, you are one of the loveliest women I have ever met, and I believe I have asked you to call me Edmund.”
    “Yes. That you did. Then it is only fitting, Edmund, that you call me Catherine.”
    “Yes, Milady.”
    “You waltz divinely for a man of the sea.”
    “Now it is you who flatters me, Lady Catherine.”
    He swirled me around with such zest that he lifted me off my feet and held my body pressed tightly against his. His gaze turned dark and smoldering and he stood motionless upon the deck, holding me to him. I clung to his broad shoulders, my heart hammering against his chest. Caught in the spell that seemed to swirl around us, he lowered his head. Just when I thought he was about to kiss me, the music came to an end and drew us from our trance.
    Slowly he released me until I felt my feet upon the deck, then taking my hand he brought it to his lips. Placing a soft kiss upon my fingers, he said, “Thank you for the dance, Milady, it was truly a pleasure.” He turned away and quickly walked into the shadows.
    He left me standing there among his crew with my legs shaking. I was breathless from the closeness of him and from his kiss upon my temple and my fingers. Warmth spread through me, and I felt lightheaded from the feelings this pirate stirred in me.
    The music started up again, but this time not the slow strains of a waltz, but rather much livelier sounds. Standing on trembling legs in the center of the crowd, I watched as men swirled around me, passing Mary among them from arm to arm. Everyone wrapped up in the music once again. My thought lingered with the man whose waltz took my breath away.
    That night as I readied myself for bed, I thought of being in Edmund’s arms, and a warm feeling rushed through me. I couldn’t help but grin. But when I approached the bed and saw a note and small box upon my pillow, the grin turned to a brilliant smile.
    My name was scrawled across the folded paper in his masculine handwriting. I held the note close to my thundering heart for a moment. Butterflies danced in my stomach with the anticipation of what his message would say. I took a deep breath and unfolded the parchment.
    Milady,
    Thank you for the delightful dinner and an even more delightful dance. It is my fervent wish and deepest desire that you accept this gift as a small token of my gratitude. It would give me great pleasure to see it upon your wrist when next we meet.
    Edmund
    Heart skittering in anticipation, I opened the box to find a lovely silver bracelet. Threads of delicate silver were woven together into a band and there, hanging from the lovely and delicate threads of silver, was a brilliant red gem carved into the perfect shape of a heart and surrounded in silver to secure it.
    Hurriedly I donned the delicate bracelet and fingered the heart-shaped stone. Dare I hope I stir the same feelings in him as he does in me?

Chapter 13
    Lady Catherine
    The next morning I was eager to get up on deck to see Edmund. I donned my light blue gown as Mary said no man could resist me in it because it