Her father sat down on the edge of his seat, though he would just get up in seconds anyway. The contact I met last night wouldnt give me names, but he made it sound as if the leader was a man of some importance. Possibly a peer. He also assured me that I am a prime target. Chancey and I have narrowed the suspects down to a handful of men, but I never expected violence like this out of any of them.
She looked up as a thought occurred to her. What happened to the guards?
They were knocked out. Believe it or not, they look worse than you do. Lassiter sprang out of his seat and began pacing again. They feel horrible about what happened.
She nodded absently, becoming lost in her own thoughts.
Nicole, youre not thinking about Sutherland?
She jerked her head up, her face heating in a guilty flush.
He sat down again, heavily this time, as he opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. He ran a hand over his face before explaining in halting tones, Sutherland is the worst sort of man. I understand you were scaredyou had a hell of a nightbut from now on you have to stay away from men like that. Youre not a little girl anymore.
Of course, Father.
Lassiter took a deep breath and rose to walk over to her. He placed his hand on her head and spoke in a tone others might think was calm, but really was only camouflaging his emotions. Now, get some sleep. Ive got half the crew guarding your cabin, including Chancey, so dont worry that those men will come back.
Because he didnt have any viable leads into whod hired the thugs, she didnt doubt hed go and deal with Sutherland soon. She rose and faced him, trying to keep the concern out of her eyes. What will you do to him?
Her father acted as though he didnt understand what she meant, but when she frowned up at him, his expression changed until he smiled benignly down at her. Nic, Ill simply talk to him and make sure he understands he shouldnt bring young ladies like yourself to his ship. The smile vanished as if never there. And that there will be repercussions if he ever comes near you again.
As he stormed out of the cabin, she thought of all hed said. She wasnt stupid. Her fathers idea of talking with Sutherland meant insulting him between punches. He was a hotheaded man, her father, and she fretted that Sutherland would hurt him. Whether anyone wanted to admit it or not, hed saved her life last night, and she didnt want him hurt either. Unfortunately for her father, Nicole didnt believe that to be the likeliest scenario.
Thered be no rest today, she thought as Chancey got up to cluck over her, to convince himself that she was all right. His concern was so obvious, the creases in his leathery face deepening, that she attempted a reassuring smile. He knew her well enough to know it was forced, but she was nervous now and would remain so until her father returned. Her mind drifted as she pictured what might happenuntil she became aware of Chancey staring at her feet, at the huge socks spilling out of her stuffed boots.
Good God, Nic! Whose socks have ye?
Chapter 5
Derek stepped across the threshold of the Mermaid and, as he had hundreds of times before in places just like this, made his way up to the bar.
The barmaid didnt have to ask what he wanted. Well, ow do, luv? she said with an aggressive wink before setting a mug and a corked bottle of whiskey in front of him. He pushed down a nagging irritation that not only had the woman recognized him and his drink, even though he could swear hed never seen her in his life, shed also easily assumed he would get falling-down drunk. Hell, why shouldnt she?
He looked over his shoulder around the lively room. For the past four years, when not at sea, hed usually end up in one of these waterfront holes impotently railing against fate.
Turning to give the barmaid a wilting look, he slapped down some coin. He grabbed the dully clinking bottle and mug and made his way through the crowd. As was his habit, he found a corner table where he had an unblocked view of the door, and poured a drink. Once again, he thought of his prostitute.
This morning hed awakened to a feeling that something was not right. But he was hung over, it was daylight, and he was alone in his own bed. Everything was as usual. Then the events of the night had rushed into his foggy brain.
The girl had slept with him the whole night. He was sure of it. When he woke, he could smell her sweet scent and see the indentation shed made in his pillow. But shed disappeared. He told himself he should be glad that thered been no difficulty in getting rid of her.
Most of his crew had been on deck when a party of sailors retrieved her. A few thought they recognized the men as Lassiters. The thought of him ordering a search for her was too much. And she really shouldnt have left without a word to him. Admitting that hed done the same for all of his adult life didnt make him feel any better.
Of course, he had yet to bed her, and hed never found out whod chased her. Hed had a good idea that she would only lie, which would have infuriated him. So hed decided to let it go until after hed had her. Now he struggled with the idea of who would want to hurt her.
And just how involved was she with Lassiter?
Worse, he didnt know how to find her again. He hoped shed return here tonight.
Derek looked down at his drink and shook his head. There was one other thing he couldnt get over, one thing that baffled him more than all the other questions swirling around her. Hed woken up to find that shed crossed out his navigation numbers and replaced them with her own calculations. Correct calculations.
He pictured the graceful, feminine script, and winced when he remembered the patronizing tone hed taken with her the night before. How the hell had she mastered navigation? It was a coveted knowledge that not just any sailor learned, and captains guarded it like a secret handshake. When the crew no longer depended on their captain to guide the ship, they could mutiny and dispose of him. Knowing this elite skill meant power, and hed never met a woman whod garnered it.
He pondered this question and poured another generous draught from the bottle. Hed wait here until she returned. It was the best he could come up with. Faces changed throughout the night before blending all together as one bottle became two.
Grant Sutherlands hope that his brother would not be among the patrons of the Mermaid, for bloody sakes, died when he found Derek ensconced at a corner table. Derek saw him immediately and glowered. Grant pushed through a crowd of doxies, his eyes widening when a couple pinched him, and joined him anyway.
I was hoping I wouldnt find you here.
Likewise.
Grant gave him a sardonic smile. I wouldnt have come here, but somethings come up.