Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(36)

Yes, Bedford would head straight for a woman. Bedford would be dead before he could get his cock out of his breeches. And the conversation he’d just overheard was exactly what they wanted to happen. It was Connor’s plan all along to get her confined to the ship. They didn’t want her on shore.

Connor stroked himself. He’d turn the tables on the teasing slut. He’d have her begging for it. Very soon he’d be driving her wild. He halted his hand; now was not the time to relieve himself, he’d save it all for her. His anger mounted with his frustration, and he turned; he had to find Patrick and go over their plan.





Chapter 11


Leaning on the ship’s rail, Hestia couldn’t contain her excitement as she observed the approaching island of Mallorca in the late-afternoon sunshine. A huge mountain towered in the distance, the foothills sweeping down onto a flat plain of lush green vegetation ending with a pristine white beach and turquoise water.

The Angelica sailed into the large bay of Port Palma. On each side of the ship she glanced at the beautiful sight she’d remembered from her last time here. Sunlight danced on the waves as they raced for the shore and pounded against sand, white from all the crushed shells. Several ships were anchored in the natural harbor just offshore, and Hestia could make out the whitewashed buildings of the small settlement, set close to the shoreline.

A large pier jutted out into the bay, covered with scampering children and men fishing. The screech of seagulls filled the air.

She sighed with contentment. It would be good to feel the earth under her feet once more. She couldn’t wait to walk barefoot in the fine sand and dip her feet into the crystal clear blue water.

“Brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Alex said in her ear.

He must have moved up behind her while she’d been hypnotized by the natural beauty before her.

Still filled with guilt at making him take this trip, she silently cursed his velvet voice’s ability to give her chills even in this humidity. If David helped her she could end this perilous journey today. But once back in England her time with Alex would end.

Banishing the selfish thought, Hestia nodded. “But it seems a lifetime ago now.”

She heard Alex’s sigh. “Does it? It seems like only yesterday to me.”

Sadness cloaked every sound she heard in his voice. “How long will we be in port?” she asked.

He turned to her then and flashed one of his rare smiles that never failed to turn her insides to mush.

“Long enough to reload supplies and for the men to get some time on shore to relax and unwind.”

She giggled excitedly. “I know just how they feel. I can’t wait to be back on dry land and go shopping.”

She felt Alex stiffen beside her. “Ah, I know I said earlier that you could, but that is no longer possible. Did Mr. Foxhall not inform you that you cannot go ashore?”

She swung to face him. “No, he did not. Why can’t I? I’ll take Jacob with me if you’re worried.”

“Jacob spotted a sloop that looks as if it’s trailing us. It is too dangerous for you to leave the ship in case they too have berthed at Palma. It would be too easy to snatch you.”

“Oh, how disappointing.”

He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to stare into her eyes. “Do I have to remind you that you agreed to obey me? Please be sensible about this, Hestia, I have urgent business on shore and I don’t want to have to worry about your safety.”

She shivered in the warm sun. “I shall stay on board. I have no desire to be snatched again.” There went her plan to try to hire a reputable person to find her father. She had been polishing up her Spanish for a week or more. Perhaps David could do it for her?

Before she could ask where Mr. Foxhall was, Alex turned and walked away muttering under his breath about having to do everything himself. He was calling for Jacob to get a move on.

Two sailors walked past sniggering. “Urgent business. Oh, aye, getting a willing female beneath me is very urgent business.” And they laughed raucously as they went on their way.

Surely not? Surely Alex had more important duties than…Jealousy sparked a deep cut in her chest, but she could hardly begrudge him. The journey they were on was dangerous and one never knew what tomorrow might bring.

She thought about her life. If something were to happen to her, what would she regret?

Nothing like facing your mortality to see clearly. She would regret never experiencing passion. She wanted to say experiencing passion with Alex, and she was sure that would be heaven. But quite frankly, why she would sit waiting for a man who obviously did not find her desirable, when she was sure a man like David did?

She wondered if David was going ashore. She hoped not. Perhaps she should take the opportunity to experience some passion, a few kisses at least. Innocent enough. It would at least tell her if she only wanted Alex or if she was brave enough to move on, stop wasting her life, and look for a man who did find her attractive.

She spied Jacob and called out, “Do you know where Mr. Foxhall is?”

He stopped and looked at her closely. “Mr. Foxhall is staying on board to go over his medicinal supplies and make a list of those he’ll need for the rest of the voyage.”

She nodded. He would be on board. “I’ll help him.”

“Help who?”