Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(30)

The eldest of the three, a giant of a man, well over six feet and full of muscle, stepped forward, a swagger in his step. One large forearm was covered with a tattoo of a naked woman and it flexed as he moved.

She backed away. These men did not look like sailors. They looked like hardened soldiers. Perhaps this had not been such a good idea, but she was still in view of the quarterdeck. She had not broken Alex’s rule.

“Now, where did you pop up from, my lovely? There is a woman under all those clothes. It’s our lucky day.”

She took a small step back toward the ladder.

The second sailor stepped around behind her, blocking her path to safety. He was smaller than the first and had a huge scar running down the left side of his face, making his mouth twist into a snarl. She fought down a shudder.

Hestia rallied. “Jacob sent me to help. He’ll be along in a minute—”

“Not likely. See that small dot up there?”

The first sailor spoke again. “She must be His Grace’s doxy. Perhaps His Grace wouldn’t mind sharing.” He moved closer. “Well, how about we pop in this here gun cupboard and I’ll introduce myself to you properly.” Then he laughed raucously.

“Leave her alone, Connor. His Grace will flog us all if you mess with her.” The third, younger and smaller, sailor stepped forward.

The man called Connor lifted a hand as if to strike him but thought better of it. “Shut up, you sniveling weasel. I’m just going to have a bit of fun.” He moved more determinedly toward her. “Patrick, you keep watch, this shouldn’t take long.” With that his hands snaked out to grab her. Hestia couldn’t get her feet to move, but just before his dirty fingers touched her, Patrick hissed, “It’s Foxhall.”

Hestia immediately moved to the edge of the poop deck and called down, “Mr. Foxhall, I’m up here looking for you. His Grace informs me you’ll show me around the ship.”

Mr. Foxhall’s eyes narrowed when he took in the three men circling her. He swung up the rope ladder and landed with a thump of his two huge feet on the deck. “Are you all right, my lady?” His size and manner quickly forced down the aggressive Connor.

She beamed prettily at him and crossed to his side. “I’m fine, thank you. These gentlemen were simply showing me the armaments.”

She hoped Mr. Foxhall couldn’t see her hands trembling; the last thing she needed was trouble. If Alex got wind of this threat she’d be locked in her room permanently, and that was the last thing she needed. But perhaps she’d be slightly more careful where and with whom she went on this ship.

He eyed the men suspiciously. “Well, men, get back to work. Stop staring or I’ll have the skin off your backs.”

Mr. Foxhall looked at her sternly. “I thought His Grace would have told you that this ship isn’t a safe place for a woman. Don’t you go wandering around without one of us by your side.” Looking directly at Connor he said, “Some men might forget their manners.”

As he turned to escort her below, Hestia caught the look of pure evil spreading across Connor’s face. His eyes darkened and he looked like he’d love to plunge a knife into Mr. Foxhall’s back. His fists were clenched at his side and veins in his neck stuck out. She shivered. She now understood she’d had a very lucky escape.

Once back on the main deck, Hestia turned all her charm on the man at her side. “I thought maybe you’d escort me about the ship; I required some fresh air.” She beamed prettily at him, clasping her hands behind her back. “Are you free to accompany me?”

Mr. Foxhall looked about to decline her request, but as her smile dimmed he nodded. “It’s a pleasant day for a stroll.”

Perhaps she could get Mr. Foxhall to reveal a bit about Alex’s past.

Slipping her hand onto his massive forearm, Hestia smiled and said, “I should really learn my way about the ship just in case. I’m sure you can explain her workings to me as we walk, and indicate any good hiding places should I ever need them.”

“That’s a good point. If we are boarded, there are a couple of places many would not think to look.”

With that they set out on a pleasant amble around the massive ship. He warmed to his task, filling her head with stories of the ship’s power and mastery of the sea. His awe for the ship was matched only by his regard for its owner, Alex.

“Alex was saying you have sailed with him before, Mr. Foxhall.”

“Please, call me David. It seems ridiculous to keep up such formality given our circumstances.”

“Only if you call me Hestia,” she replied.

“Hestia. Goddess of hearth and home. If I had such a lovely woman at home I’m sure I’d prefer to stay on land.”

His rakish smile made it seem as if he were flirting with her, and her self-esteem perked up. At least one handsome man found her engaging.

“I have heard the sea is a mistress many men find hard to give up.” She waited to hear his response.

“Not for me. I could easily give it up for a different kind of life. It wasn’t the sea that drew me. It was the adventure.” He looked out at the horizon. “I have loved visiting different countries and seeing the many different peoples of the world. It has only reinforced what is important universally: home and family. Every country I have visited, that is what people strive for—a good life for their families.”