Addicted to the Duke (Imperfect Lords #1)(73)

Alex swung on a rope across the sea between the two boats and onto the deck of the schooner, which was covered in fighting men. He stepped over one dead sailor making his way to the galley. Before he could step inside, Hestia appeared with Fredrick close behind her. He had a pistol pointed at the back of her skull.

“Well met, Cary. If you let her go I might let you live.”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to dictate terms.” Cary wrapped an arm around Hestia’s waist and pulled her back against his chest. “Did you honestly think your trick with her lady’s maid in England would work? It must be a surprise to see me here.”

“Not a surprise, merely a nuisance,” Alex bluffed.

Fredrick’s grip on Hestia’s arm tightened. “Now, why don’t you take all your men and get back on that large ship of yours, while I quietly sail away with my new bride?” He gave an evil smile. “Or I can simply shoot her.”

Hestia gave a small cry as she slowly nodded her head at the question in Alex’s eyes. They were married.

“That’s right, Bedford. The vicar was kind enough to marry us, and I have the papers to prove it.”

“I did not agree to this marriage, nor did the vicar marry us of his free will. Nor were there any witnesses.”

Frederick laughed. “Alex and I quite understand that once I get you with child no one is going to look too closely at the legalities of our wedding.”

Alex’s fury rose and his face paled. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Who says I haven’t taken her already?”

Alex gave a dangerous smile. “You haven’t had time. Although your reputation says otherwise, the necessity of your escape means even you wouldn’t have been quick enough.”

They were running out of time. Murad’s ship was inching closer by the second. All of them were in danger. Luckily, Jacob had boarded the schooner too and snuck up behind Fredrick. His evil smile vanished when Jacob hit him from behind with the butt of his pistol, knocking him out cold.

Alex raced and gathered Hestia into his arms. The men had placed a gangplank between the two ships, and Jacob ordered the men to lower the schooner’s anchor. That would slow Murad down by putting the schooner between his ship and the Angelica. Alex let out a piercing whistle and all his men left the schooner. Jacob then picked up the unconscious Fredrick and followed Alex back to his ship.

Alex carried Hestia down to his cabin and laid her gently on the bed. She looked exhausted and had a split lip where Frederick had obviously slapped her. “Other than your lip, are you physically hurt?” She shook her head. “Did he hurt you in any other way?”

“I know what you’re asking, but like you said, he didn’t really have time. He was more interested in getting to his ship so he could slip away. I was so scared you wouldn’t come in time.”

He watched as tears welled in her eyes, and he gently brushed them away. “Don’t cry, darling. I hate it when you cry.”

She gave a sob. “I didn’t know if you knew to look for me. I had no idea that David was going to kidnap me, and I was sure you’d never think he’d do such a thing.” She took his hand. “I’m so sorry. Fredrick shot David. I saw his body in the church. So sorry that you lost a friend because of me.”

He pressed a swift kiss to her lips as he wiped the tear from her cheek. “I’m not sure how much of a friend he truly was. I’d like to think he meant well. I honestly think he thought he was saving you from me.”

Her brow wrinkled as she frowned. “I don’t need saving from you. I love you. I would never have married David.”

Her warmth and love embraced him. He loved her too, but now was not the time to tell her. “Jacob is lowering a boat. He’s going to take you back to Costa.” He bit back the fear that if he didn’t win this battle against Murad, it would likely be the pirates attacking Costa next, and she would be in grave danger. If Murad learned she was on this island no one was safe. Best send her to her father.

“So you are going after Murad.” Her smile dimmed and she pulled her hands from where he held them. “I thought I might be enough for you. That you might have given up your need to seek revenge and chosen me and a life we could have together instead.”

“I wish that I could. But we don’t always get what we wish for.” He knew he should tell her the truth, that it was too late. Tell her that if he had this time again he would have chosen her over his thirst for revenge. She was right, revenge would not change anything about his years in captivity, nor would they bring Tulay back.

“I do choose you. I just wish I had understood that sooner. It seems all my life I have made the wrong decisions. Perhaps David was right, you would be better off without me.”

Hestia cupped his cheek in her palm. “If you choose me and stay with me, then turn this ship around and let’s sail back to England. We can send word to my father that we have captured Fredrick.”

Just then there was a knock on the door. Jacob poked his head in the room. “We have to go. I’ve organized Ned and two of the men to row her to shore.”

“I’m not going. I’m going to stay with you. I have every right to seek revenge against Murad as well. If you go, I go. When do we sail?”

“Sail? Lass, Murad and his cannons will be upon us in under twenty minutes.”