Or two people so completely ignorant of that fact.
The coldness in the captain's heart wouldn't be able to withstand his unrelenting desire for Nicole. And he wouldn't try to diminish her passion and fire because he craved it. Nicole, so full of impulse and mischief, needed the reassurance of strength of a iron-willed man. She also needed his dark sensuality to sate her.
As she had thought, the man hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. That, coupled with Derek's behavior with Juliette, rendered her decision settled.
Backing toward the door, Maria smiled. "I think, my little amantes, that I will just leave you two in here and let you work it out for a bit."
She slammed and locked the heavy oaken door.
Chapter 12
Y es, sweet, she's left you unattended, and I assure you I'll take full advantage of that fact." His lips curled as he slowly moved closer to her. "Unlike you, I could not be happier with our circumstances," he said in a low voice.
She couldn't believe it. He'd just satisfied his lust with one of the women next door. He'd admitted that he'd come here to visit the brothel--not her. Just how many times could a man be with a woman in a single day?
She'd be damned if she would find out this way. She could just imagine him comparing her body and face to the beautiful courtesans inside the bordello. She would fall far short.
"Stay away from me. Let me pass to the door."
"Let you go? As easy as you please?" he scoffed. "I don't think so.... I've waited for a month to touch you again." He reached out and stroked a stray curl. "Do you know how much I've thought about our night together?"
Before she could stop herself, she stammered, "Y-you have?"
"Of course I have. I want you."
She came close to asking whether he'd just had a good enough substitute, but she did not want him to think she was jealous. "Why can't you leave me alone? I don't want this."
He surveyed her with hooded eyes. "You might think you don't want this, but your body is telling me something different." He ran his hand over her breast, just a swift, fleeting brush, and heat bloomed inside her. She jerked away from him, stifling a gasp.
"Damn you, Sutherland. Just leave me alone."
"I can't seem to do that," he said slowly, as if he surprised himself by his admission.
"Well, you'll have to. Even if I were attracted to you--which I'm not--I could never let down my guard with you. We're opponents. Although this race means nothing to you, it means everything to my father and me."
"I know the race is important." He ran his hand through his hair. "That ass, Tallywood, has the lead."
"What?"
"I found out this morning. I know I should leave and go catch him, but for some reason, where you're concerned..." He trailed off before grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him. He bent down to give her a light kiss on her neck, a bare flick of his tongue that made her tremble. "In fact, even though I know I should sail soon, I'm still spending the rest of the afternoon in bed with you."
She couldn't stand this. Thoughts of the race, of Tallywood leading, dissipated with each of Sutherland's slight touches. She imagined what they could do together for an entire afternoon.
What kind of wanton was she? The bastard had just finished making love with someone else; yet he was kissing her a few minutes later. Hadn't she learned the first time that she was merely one woman out of a long line of many? It infuriated her because she knew, she wasn't sure how, she simply knew that she wouldn't experience the same wonder and fire with another man. Whereas he probably enjoyed those feelings every night.
She made herself remember that if she won the race, if she defeated the man holding her now, she secured her future, as well as her father's and Chancey's. She needed to get that animosity growing between them again, because she couldn't trust herself to hold firm against him.
She backed away from him, glaring at his hand firm on her wrist. He scowled and released her.
"Are you navigating your ship?" she asked abruptly.
He looked nonplussed. "Of course."
She swallowed, then said arrogantly, "Excellent. It will be that much sweeter when I beat you."
"Are you insinuating that you're directing your ship?" He gave a quick, humorless laugh, then added snidely, "No wonder you lost your rudder."
Her blood boiled again, fortunately this time from fury. "I won't be there to clean up your careless calculations again," she taunted. "You'll be lucky to get out of the harbor."
"Those were rough..." His words lagged as his expression turned to realization, only to be replaced by one of annoyance. But his eyes never stopped showing hunger.
"Your ploy won't work with me, Nicole. The fact that you have to contrive a fight tells me you want me as much as I want you."
She shook her head in weak denial. His long arm shot out to secure her again.
No thought, she just reacted.
Grasping a chair beside her, she simultaneously leapt away from him and yanked the chair between them. The spindle of the chair back caught him squarely between the legs.
His jaw clenched as his eyes slid closed, and he stood motionless as if waiting for the pain to set in. When it did, his eyes opened to a murderous glare. Just before he dropped like a rock.
"Oh, my Lord!" she squealed as she sank down beside him. "I'm so sorry.... I only wanted to get away."
This only aggravated him even more. He groaned out with effort, "You...will...pay..."
Nicole did not have to linger to know what he was about to say. She whirled to the door and hammered it with open palms. Immediately, the key turned in the lock.
Just before she walked out, she turned back. He was right. She'd created a fight, but she hadn't intentionally hurt him. She wanted to apologize again, but convinced herself this was just as well. Finally she said, "I'm not unaware of the pain you're feeling.... I wouldn't have done it on purpose." She wanted to say more, but made her heart hard. "Good luck with the rest of the race, Captain. You will need it."
Derek winced as he took another swig of brandy. He couldn't draw deeply because of the ache in his groin, acute even after two hours. Nicole had definitely given him something to remember her by.
When he'd been able to walk steadily again, he'd searched for her in Maria's home. He approached the bordello, but learned that Nicole had never been allowed inside. Word must have spread about him, because the women in the brothel became openly antagonistic when he demanded to know where she was. A pack of wolves wouldn't defend its cub that fiercely.
So the little chit was navigating. Before, it'd been important only to see her and finally take her as she'd wanted him to in London. Now, with her arrogant taunts, he had to best her.
With halting steps, he walked across the deck to meet the Recife port official, who'd just completed inspecting the ship for any exports. The rough-edged but prospering little port of Recife was unswerving in searching for and taxing goods. Derek had heard once that Maria Delgado was responsible for the port's aggressive taxing and collection initiative. Knowing her business acumen, he didn't doubt it.
When the man finished the record of the Southern Cross's docking and inspection, Derek said, "That was quick, senhor. Not that I'm complaining of course," he added jovially. He'd already decided to garner some information about Lassiter's crew from the self-important little man.
"Yes, I know you are in the Great Race, so I thought I might hurry you along," he said in a magnanimous manner as he handed the papers to Derek.
"My thanks." Derek paused before asking, "Have you already checked the Bella Nicola?"
"Not yet." Twirling his perky mustache, he leaned closer to add conspiratorially, "I also hurry to go see Captain Lassiter's daughter."
Derek forced a benign look onto his face even though he wanted to throttle the man simply for his interest. Apparently, Miss Lassiter had admirers everywhere she traveled. He schooled his features as a thought occurred to him. "She is beautiful, isn't she?"
/> After listening to the inspector's enthusiastic agreement, Derek remarked, "You know...you might want to be extra kind to Miss Lassiter."
At the man's quickening interest, Derek shook his head sadly. "Yes, it appears that the girl developed quite a tendre for me. But when she made her interest known, I had to set her down. Pretty girl, but with my being an earl--well, of course, men of my title and status can't go around marrying commoners, you understand." The man nodded as if he completely understood the myriad trials of being an earl.
Derek had a hard time keeping a sober face. "She was very distraught. So much so that she swore to me she wouldn't wait but would marry the next man who proposed to her."
"Truly?" the official asked in a voice gone higher with excitement.
"Truly. I think she might play hard to get because of her experience with me. But the fact is, the girl greatly desires to be married. And as her father is desperate to get her off his hands, I know he would be only too happy to speak at length about her substantial dowry."
"Thank you, Capitao. Thank you," the official said fervently. He took Derek's hand and shook it with irritating zeal.
After Derek had finally extracted his hand from the man's grip, he added, "And, senhor...Miss Lassiter greatly admires strong, I daresay, domineering men--men who aren't afraid of charting a course and following it unwaveringly. Be warned, the clever girl might try to test your dedication."
"Many thanks. I go now to see Miss Lassiter!" He confidently saluted Derek.
As the man marched away, Derek could swear he heard the official chanting to himself, "Forte, bravo, dominante!"
Derek took satisfaction in the thought that Nicole had no idea the hounds of hell had just been unleashed, and merrily sent panting in her direction.
"The nerve, the utter arrogance of that man! He wanted to make love to me, Maria. As if I would ever. I wanted to slap him. I will win this race, just so he will lose--"
"Nicole! If you could stop cursing the captain for just one moment," Maria began over Nicole's tirade, "I would like to tell you something."
Nicole shut her mouth, frowned, and poured tea. "Very well..." she mumbled.
Maria took the offered cup. "I've been trying to tell you all the way from the house that Captain Sutherland did not touch Juliette. After only a brief kiss, he told her he couldn't be with her."
Reaction exploded in Nicole's heart; thoughts roiled in her head. He hadn't made love to Juliette? Why couldn't she tell he hadn't just been with another woman?
She'd been comfortable as an adversary to the rake, especially when she thought of him with Juliette. But now that Maria had told her the truth, her emotions catapulted to the other extreme. She replayed that last ill-fated meeting between them, imagining that she'd done everything differently. Hadn't wounded him so badly.
How could she wait until after the race to tell him how sorry she was?
"Oh, God, Maria! I have feelings for the captain!"
"Muito bem. Very good." She smiled. "I'll give you my professional opinion. The captain behaved as he did because he is already in love with you."
Nicole absently swished the end of her braid against her mouth. "No, it can't be love on his part."
"Trust me. There is something very strong between you. You two would do well together. It won't be easy, but love seldom is."
Love from the captain? Nicole shook her head. "He probably hates me now. Did you forget I assaulted him this afternoon?"
"He'll recover. You could help him with that when you next see him," she said, and chuckled.
Nicole's eyes went wide. "Maria, I need to talk to you about...all that. You have to tell me everything, so I won't make a fool of myself with him next time."
"Ah, bella, it's simple."
Nicole leaned forward in her seat.
"There's one rule. All you have to do is--"
A knock interrupted her. Nicole scowled. "What is it?" she called out.
Chancey ambled in. "Ye got a message, and the port official's here to sign off."
She rose in a huff, took the message, and tossed it on her desk. "Maria, I'll be right back. Make some more tea--I have so many questions for you."
She hurried out the door to meet the official. He was a stout little man, trollish and brimming with condescension. Even after she'd signed the papers, he lingered, hovering about her.
"Yes?" she sniffed in her haughtiest tone. She was dying to get back to her cabin and hear the one rule.
"Miss Lassiter--I wish to speak with you about your recent unfortunate affair."
"My what?" She froze.
"Your heartbreak. I know of it, as well as your plans to marry. I have come to offer myself."
"Sir, I have no wish to marry anyone." She strove for calm. "I'm sorry, but you should leave now."
Unaffected, he twirled his moustache. "Ah, yes, now you play hard to get. But I will overcome you."
The man was insane. Utterly insane.
Behind the official, Maria stood in the doorway and gave her a questioning look. Nicole could only shake her head. The man was now assuring her with his tubby chest puffed with pride that although he was an official of some standing, he would overlook Nicole's basebornness and marry her regardless.
She turned on him in a flash. "If you think I will marry you--"
The man interrupted her, "You have continued your games long enough." He was becoming piqued, and his hands, before resting on his belly, gestured heatedly. "I wish to speak to your father about your dowry."
"My father," she bit out, "isn't receiving visitors."
He demanded a meeting. At once. When she continued to deny him, he grew suspicious that Captain Lassiter hadn't appeared on deck at the high tide.
How could she explain why they sailed her father's ship without him--or any captain with papers? He could make trouble for them just out of spite.
"He can't see you because he's at Madam Delgado's," she lied. Most in Recife knew of his close friendship with Maria, so it was believable. "He won't be back until the morning."
As soon as Maria heard, she blew Nicole a kiss and then crept off the ship and back to her home to cover for her.
It seemed like hours in hell before she'd gotten rid of the man. She returned to her cabin, hating that she hadn't been able to say good-bye to Maria, hating that she hadn't learned the one simple rule. She sank down in her chair, weary and feeling grimy from her encounter with the troll. It was then that her eyes trailed to the message folded on her desk.
Eyebrows knitted, she picked it up and ripped it open. In harshly scratched ink, it read, I think you two would suit.
Sutherland, that bastard! He'd signed it in large letters, boldly, sure she could do nothing. He was laughing at her even now, she knew it.
His prank ended up costing them the better part of a day. Scared that the official was watching them, they waited for the sun to go down and then escaped in the dark. Embarking was a celebration in its own, and sneaking away was demoralizing.
He would pay for that.
She wouldn't have thought the ignominy of being towed by a guano freighter could be matched on this trip. But it had been, and all because Sutherland had a fiendish humor.
That night, as Nicole stood on deck impatient to get to open sea, she recalled she'd wanted to apologize to him. And the entire time, the black-hearted swine was siccing a lovesick port official on her.
All apologies were forgotten.
"Ye think we'll catch the rest of the ships?" Chancey asked from behind her, silencing her thoughts.
Her face grew hard. "We'll catch them." Especially Sutherland.
Hours later, when the sun broke over the water, they spotted several masts just on the horizon. It had to be the first cluster of ships. As usually happened, several were matched in speed and crew, and none could break away. Even over a thirteen-thousand-mile voyage, many would stay within a few miles of each other.
At Chancey's command, the crew raised nearly all sail,
and they began to gain.
Nicole bent over the rock-weighted map on the deck's chart table, pencil tucked behind her ear. "Head south-southwest," she advised after rechecking.
"The ships are southwest."
She raised her eyebrows at him, and he complied; their course was marked even farther south of the other ships.
Nicole felt the need to explain. "They'll cover all air. We'd have to follow them for miles before we could steal a chance to break through."
Chancey thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Never bothered us before. Now ye've got us going extra distance."
"It'll be faster--"
"And harder on the crew."
She stayed silent and lifted her spyglass again, hoping to ignore him.
"This wouldn't have to do with Sutherland? Look at ye," he said with a chuckle, "it's eatin' ye alive that he got the best o' us."
She turned narrowed eyes on him. "That was a mean trick back there."
Chancey grinned and said, "It were wily, if ye ask me. And it's not as if yer father wouldn't o' done the same."
She opened her mouth to protest. But Chancey was probably right.
"And yerself. Did ye forget that ye stole his course?"
"I didn't steal it, I--"
"Put it to memory and copied it down when ye got home."
She glared at him.
"All right, I'll follow yer course," he said, relenting. "Just tell me where to go."
And then it began. The ordered chaos of activity on deck, the sound of tamed wind sieving the sails, and the crew's cheers when they passed yet another ship--she loved it all. Loved the way they all worked as one, the way they could only just control the volatile vessel, making it lurch and rocket past competitor after competitor. She had little time to speak to Chancey, except to order course alterations or speed checks, the entire frenzied time they continued to gain on Tallywood.
During a lull in the wind, the watch called out "No sign o' Tallywood." Trailing Tallywood was a slap in the face to her crew, who hated the man. Sensing the change in the men, she called out resolutely, "We can't worry about Tallywood yet. If he's anything like he was when I saw him last, he'll botch his lead somewhere on the way. We've got a closer rival to best."
Then to herself she added, "Now we sprint for Sutherland."