Lynna's Rogue, Page 2

  Surely the girl must be as overwrought by this situation as her father, being banished from the only home she had ever known without so much as a maidservant. After living such a secluded life, albeit a spoiled and pampered one, for so many years, she could hardly be expected to be a social butterfly, more likely a painfully shy wallflower. Already dreading the long, sleepless nights ahead spent calming the grief-stricken child, his consolation would be that he and his crew would certainly be well compensated for any disturbed sleep. Joshua breathed a deep sigh and tried to prepare himself for her caterwauling as he knocked softly and slowly opened the door.

  For the love of God!

  What charade was this!

  Had he been duped?

  The vision before him was certainly no homesick and grief-stricken child! He would bet his ship on that! What was the reason for this masquerade? His jaw dropped and he stood perfectly still, inhaling sharply as the exquisite creature before him beamed a radiant smile. Surely the ravishing beauty on his bed could not be Rhodes's reclusive daughter! She looked anything but upset at the thought of leaving her father, or her country, behind.

  Joshua had viewed beautiful women in ports all over the world, but Lynna Rhodes far surpassed them all. She had been blessed with smooth, creamy skin and breathtaking vivid blue eyes that sparkled up at him, enticing moist, pink lips, a dainty upturned nose, and waist-length, feathery golden curls that hugged her enchanting curves. And she was far from shedding the copious amounts of tears he had assumed would be flowing in earnest at the thought of putting an ocean between herself and her father.

  “Oh hello, you must be Captain Jordan, enchante’.” Her soft lilting voice startled him. “I am Lynna Rhodes. But I’m sure you must already know who is occupying your cabin in your stead.” She giggled, tumbling from the bed and standing to offer her hand. “I can hardly wait for us to set sail. Will it be very much longer?”

  Joshua closed his mouth and opened it again in a determined effort to reply, but no words fell from his lips. Instead, he accepted her smooth delicate hand as her sparkling azure gaze held him captive and he stood motionless. Then, as if she had read his mind and sought to fulfill his wildest fantasy, she moved into his arms, pressing her soft, full, very feminine curves against him and molding her body to his. “Thank you, Captain, for giving up the comforts of your four-poster. I was dreading the very thought of trying to find ease on one of the hard bunk beds. I hope your new quarters are suitable.”

  Joshua glanced toward his bed and thought yes, his quarters were quite suitable. Where had she gotten the erroneous notion that he was leaving his cabin? Her father had given him strict orders that he was to share the cabin with her, sleeping on a hard cot in the corner, of course, but always within sight of her. Certainly her father had not been remiss in sharing this knowledge with his daughter?

  Once again his eyes strayed toward the body of the woman, who seemed to possess the innocence of a child. This was a hazardous combination, to be sure. Her embrace was a cordial display of affection, nothing more. No coy flirtatious move designed to send a man's blood racing and have him drooling at her feet. (The first of which was presently happening with a vengeance, and the latter of which he was struggling desperately not to execute.) He would bet every coin Nathan Rhodes had deposited in his safe that she did not possess the slightest notion of how her affectionate hug had affected him. Her father's words repeated over and over in his mind. “If you find my daughter lacking in worldly ways, Captain Jordan…

  “Oh, Captain Jordan, I am terribly excited about this voyage.” Her blue eyes danced up at him. “But… but you are not at all what I expected.”

  “An understatement if ever there was one, my lady. But, pray tell, what did you expect?”

  “Um…someone much older, saltier perhaps. More rugged. Yes, that’s the word I was searching for. More rugged from the many years spent on the deck of a ship.”

  “I have spent many years on the deck of the Windjammer, to be sure. As for my age, I don’t believe I am ready to be put out to pasture just yet. Hopefully, I still have a few good years left in me.”

  “As I am sure you do. At any rate, all of my knowledge came from books. But, Captain, I have never been to your country, though I have read much about America. Our journey should be about an eight-week voyage if we have good wind. Is this correct? You will tell me what to expect when we arrive, oui?”

  Joshua watched as a tiny trickle of perspiration slid down her neck to the valley between her breasts. What he would not give to wipe it off with his... Stop! Why was he thinking such ludicrous thoughts? He had been hired to protect this girl as he would his own sister. But be damned! Nathan Rhodes should have warned him of what a truly exquisite creature his daughter truly was, instead of prattling on and on about her supposed lack of social graces. There was not a red-blooded man alive, French, American or any other breed, who would not be taken aback and caught completely off guard by Lynna Rhodes.

  “I am sorry, Captain Jordan. Whatever I did to cause you distress, I am truly sorry,” Lynna whispered guiltily as she witnessed his hurried rush to the exit. The Captain failed to answer her and seemed to be having great difficulty with the latch before he was able to fling the portal wide and make a mad dash out of his cabin.

  For the life of her, Lynna could not comprehend what she had done to upset him so. Why were men destined to be such an emotional lot, anyway? The least little thing sent them into a wild and uncontrollable tailspin. For was Captain Jordan not exhibiting the same discomposure she had witnessed on other men so often in the past? She had come to the conclusion long ago that men were the weaker gender. After all, the men at home, the bodyguards and bookish associates of her father, had always reacted in the same manner of agitation after having bestowed upon them one of her impetuous hugs. Why, on more than one occasion she had feared them to be on the verge of a fit of apoplexy as they had clenched their fists tightly at their sides and began to sweat rather profusely under her father's menacing glare.

  To be sure, her father had frequently chided her for being overly affectionate. Perhaps that was the problem. She was simply too friendly and the Captain seemed to lack the emotion entirely and be rather stoic to boot. But, she did so want him to like her, for he was such an attractive man. Tall, at least six feet two inches, with black wavy hair that fell carelessly across his forehead, and skin tanned golden from many hours spent in the sun. And his pearly white teeth, she was sure, would sparkle were he ever to attempt a smile.

  Her thoughts meandered back to the impulsive hug she had given the Captain. She had felt…what was it she had felt… exactly? It was… a funny feeling… in the pit of her stomach. But she could not name it. The feeling had seemed to rapidly expand to all parts of her body, leaving a noticeable sensitivity in her breasts. She brushed her hands across the front of her bodice, remembering the feelings that had awakened as she pressed against his broad chest. Lynna knew one thing for certain. Captain Jordan was of a different caliber than any other man she had met in the past seventeen years.

  Chapter Two

  Sam Bogan had been the ship's cook for as long as Joshua had been the captain and the two were as close as father and son. Joshua knew that over the years Sam had come to recognize the signs of when something was bothering him. Evidently those signs were too obvious to ignore at the moment. “What ails ye, lad?” Sam asked, continuing to peel the mound of potatoes before him.

  “An extraordinary problem to say the least,” Joshua answered in between huge bites of a raw potato, proving Sam’s assumption to be correct. Whenever Joshua was nervous, he ate vast quantities of whatever food was within reach.

  “Well, spit it out,” Sam said and chuckled at his own humor, “the problem, not the potato.”

  “You most likely will not consider it a problem at all. However there was an extremely fetching, and might I add extremely affectionate, young lady sprawled in the center of my bed.”

  “Ye would be correct in
your assumption, lad. I do not consider it much of a problem at all.”

  Ignoring his comment, Joshua glowered. “And when I entered my cabin, she propelled herself into my arms in a most provocative fashion.”

  “And?” Sam roared with laughter. “I still fail to see the problem.”

  “And I got the hell out of there! What did you expect me to do?” Damn! He sounded like a raving lunatic even to himself.

  “Anything, except that. I’ve not known ye to be resisting the amorous advances of comely females, quite the opposite. But wait, might this be the young lady ye are escorting to relatives in Georgia, and being paid quite handsomely to see her arrive there unmolested?”

  “The very same.”

  “I almost forgot about the bargain with her father.”

  “I wish I could.” Joshua sprinkled salt on another potato and mumbled around a mouth filled to overflowing, “But I have a penchant for living.”

  Joshua noticed Sam trying to hide a crooked smile. “It is true that I know nothing of the young girl's character. However, it would seem the lady in question be no lady at all if she throws herself on ye at first sight. I seem to recall many a fetching damsel trying to hook ye over the years. While thus far, through some grand stroke of luck, ye’ve managed to slip through their enchanting fingers without getting caught. Does the young lass perchance know that her own father has practically issued a death warrant for ye head if there be any…ah… mishaps on this voyage?”

  “How could she possibly know? I could not trust myself in her presence long enough to babble more than two words!”

  “Is it possible that her life in France was so isolated and lonely that she is willing to do whatever is necessary, including bedding the Captain of the Windjammer and forcing him into marriage, to prevent a return to it?”

  “I suppose it could be possible.”

  “As ye well know, most young ladies of good breeding are no more than eye-batting, simpering, parasol twirling, swooning flirts. Were ye to try anything more than a polite peck on the cheek, she would in all probability jump in the bed and cover her head, or run across the deck screaming for your head.”

  Joshua lips curved into a knowing smile. Of course! Sam was absolutely correct. The girl had given him a simple hug in greeting and what a juvenile reaction he had shown her in return, practically bolting from the room like a nervous schoolboy. She must be near rolling on the bed with mirth at this very moment given his adolescent reaction to her plentiful charms. With strong resolve, he left a grinning Sam, marched back to his cabin, and with only a moments pause, shoved open the door.

  Lynna stood beside the bed clad only in a scanty cream-colored chemise of the finest lace money could buy. His eyes feasted hungrily on the alluring view of long shapely legs now only inches from his own. His strong resolve deserted him immediately and his eyes near left their sockets as he reached for a shiny red apple on the desk and chomped down on it.

  “Oh, Captain Jordan!” Lynna cried snatching her dress to hastily cover herself, “You should have knocked, sir. I am not dressed to receive company. I certainly hope you do not make a habit of barging into a lady’s bedchamber unannounced! Now, please get out!”

  “Not as a general rule, no. Please, forgive me,” he mumbled, much chagrined as he hastily backed out the door. “I will wait outside until you are suitably attired.”

  Several minutes had passed before she called, “You may enter now, Captain. Will our meal be served soon?” she asked when he again entered the cabin. “I find myself quite famished.” When he failed to answer, though not from lack of trying, she moved to stand directly in front of him, holding her unfastened dress together at the bodice.

  “Um yes,” he stammered, decidedly ill at ease. “The meal should be delivered any moment now.”

  She smiled brilliantly, without an apparent care for her state of undress. “Captain Jordan, you seem a bit pale. Perhaps you have spent too much time in the sun today.” A worried frown creased her brow as she bent to slip on a shoe, causing her full breasts to come dangerously close to spilling over her chemise. “That is why I was never allowed outside overmuch,” she continued as she tugged the material over her breasts. “Father said too much sun was unhealthy.”

  Joshua's heart pounded painfully in his chest as he gazed at her satiny bosom rising above the lace of her chemise, beckoning him from not an arm’s length away. In one simple motion he could have her in his arms, have his mouth on those inviting pink, moist lips. No! He closed his eyes and issued a silent prayer for strength. That could not happen! Was he going stark raving mad? He was a gentleman! A gentleman who, not less than one hour ago, had sworn an oath to protect this vixen with his very life, and now ever fiber in his being yearned to seduce her. For the love of God! Would he survive this voyage?

  “Captain Jordan?” Lynna whispered with concern etched on her lovely features.

  “What?” He was finally able to force words around the tight knot that had formed in his throat and blurted, “Yes, I’m fine. No, it is not the sun. It is hunger. I have not taken sustenance since early this morning. Yes, our repast should be here soon. Now… I must go.” He knew he was rambling and was about to make a hasty retreat before he made an even bigger fool of himself. But before he was completely over the trauma of having her enchanting front side so near, she had presented her back to him and requested, “Before you go, Captain Jordan, will you fasten me, s’il vous plait? I fear I am rather lost without Gertrude.”

  “Dear Lord,” Joshua silently implored, “if ever I needed your strength it would be now!” He was thankful her back was turned so she would not witness the trembling hands that moved at a slug’s pace toward her back, sorely afraid to touch the velvety skin.

  “Captain Jordan?” Lynna questioned, wondering at the delay after several long, fumbling minutes had passed. “Is there some difficulty?” As she waited, she fiddled with a tiny locket that hung from a fine gold chain around her neck. “I fear father sent me away grossly unprepared. I cannot possibly fasten and unfasten the stays at my back, nor do I feel comfortable asking you to do it morning and night. But what choice do I have? I have no other acquaintances onboard this ship.”

  Pity for the girl was strong inside Joshua. Had her father not been at his wits end at the thought of sending her away, the fact that she would need a maid to accomplish these menial tasks would never have slipped his mind. “No, no difficulty,” Joshua croaked the lie as he dropped the apple on his desk. Yet as his hands reached for the dress, his fingers made a powerful jolting contact with her bare skin and that was his undoing. He wondered if she felt the tremor that coursed through him, or the heat that leapt from her body to scorch his hands?

  From seemingly far, far away, Joshua was suddenly aware of a thumping inside his head, which grew louder and louder still until it at last broke through the pea soup fog of his brain.

  “Are ye in there, lad?” Sam shouted. “Yer meal is getting cold and I do not intend for my victuals to sit outside your door and be consumed by rodents. Open up!”

  Sam’s shout succeeding in gaining Lynna’s immediate attention. “Captain Jordan, will you please quit lollygagging and fasten my stays? I do not wish to be on display for every man on this ship. Oh, for heaven’s sakes, never mind.” Instead, she grabbed a nearby shawl, draped it over her shoulders, and tied it in front.

  Joshua shook his head to unloose the cobwebs, but Sam had called several more times before he made his way to the door. The impulse was strong to stuff a chicken leg in Sam's mouth and inform him that food was not what he hungered for! Instead he opened the door and allowed the grinning man to enter.

  Both men knew the menial chore of delivering trays fell to the cabin boy. Normally Sam would consider the task far beneath him and be greatly affronted if instructed to carry it out. And why in the hell did he lower his standards today? However, Joshua was aware that the older man's curiosity had overridden his pride and he wished to see first hand if the gossip maki
ng the rounds of the ship was true.

  “I am happy to see that for once the rumors have some merit. You are a bonny lass,” Sam commented, smiling broadly at Lynna as he marched into the cabin. “A winsome lass indeed.”

  “You are most kind, sir, and a welcome sight, as I find myself quite ravenous.”

  “At your service, milady.” Joshua knew that Sam was not one to waste time chatting, and having seen what he had come to see, was ready to depart. “Now if you will excuse me, I have about 40 more starving mouths to feed on this vessel. Enjoy your meal, lass.”

  After Sam’s departure, Joshua sat back and observed as Lynna ate heartily of the fine fare spread before her. She paused long enough to glimpse at him and ask in between bites of crispy fried chicken, “Will you not join me, Captain? I thought you were hungry?”

  Joshua poured another glass of wine and peered at her over the rim. “I find that I was more thirsty than hungry. Would you care for a glass of port?”

  “Um… no, I do not… um, yes. Thank you, Captain Jordan.”

  Joshua watched her sip the wine, make a small purr of pleasure, and down the entire glass. “How delicious!” He refilled her glass as she speared a potato and pushed in past her succulent lips. Minutes later she untied the shawl and tossed it on the bed. “It has gotten much warmer in here, has it not, Captain?” With the back of her hand she wiped beads of perspiration from her lovely brow.

  Joshua laughed at her flushed face. “Perhaps you have had enough port, my dear. You would not want to drink overmuch and miss leaving the docks.” He slid the bottle out of her reach and went to pour her a glass of water, but was interrupted by a tap on the door. Thinking it was Sam again he flung the portal wide only to find his first mate.

  “Captain, we are ready to set sail. Will you be wanting to steer us out of the harbor?”

  “Yes, of course.” Turning to Lynna he added, “I will return within the hour.”