The Rogue’s Prize Read Online Free Page A

to go,”
    he said, an irritating grin spreading over
    his face.
    She was trapped. For the first time
    in her life, Constance wondered why she
    hadn’t married for money. In her
    stupidity, in her selfishness, she, the
    mouse, had escaped the buzzard only to
    get snatched by the hawk.
    Constance scanned the length of the
    rogue’s cock-sure stance, hands fisted at
    his hips, powerful legs braced apart as if
    he was one with the ship. He licked his
    lips. Against her will, she watched his
    tongue linger at the corner of his mouth.
    He was no gentleman, but neither was
    Lord Burton, a notable member of the
    ton, a man with a reputation built on
    false
    decency.
    Appearances,
    she
    reminded herself, could be deceiving. If
    that was true, could this man be anything
    different than what he appeared to be —
    her executioner?
    “Come now. You’re no mute.
    Speak up!”
    “Very well, then. What kind of man
    preys upon a defenseless woman?” she
    asked.
    “Defenseless? What do you call
    that tin pan you planted on Saracen’s
    head?” he mocked.
    “Evening the odds.” So the pirate
    they’d carried away was called Saracen.
    She mentally noted it. If she made it off
    the ship alive, she intended to have each
    and every one of these derelicts hunted
    down and prosecuted.
    Fire sparked in his eye. “You’re
    quick witted,” he said. “I’d laugh, if I
    didn’t know foolishness could get you
    killed.”
    Her lower lip trembled.
    “Nod if you understand. Tell me
    you will heed my advice.”
    “I’ll do no such thing,” she
    countered, “until you give me your word
    you won’t harm either of us.”
    “Why would I do that?”
    Her heart skipped a beat. His
    question could be taken two ways. Had
    he no intention of harming them or no
    intention to acquiesce to her request?
    Her voice quivered uncontrollably.
    “Only a disreputable man would ask that
    question.”
    “Disreputable?” Laughter bubbled
    up from his chest. “I’d be dead if I
    wasn’t.”
    Don’t trust a pirate, Constance.
    “What’s your name, blossom?” he
    asked, his voice taking on a more
    serious tone. “I must know who you are
    before I take you to my captain.”
    Captain? Yes, he’d mentioned his
    captain earlier. Her heart pounded with
    renewed fright. What would become of
    her if she had to face an even darker
    foe? The stakes had suddenly risen.
    He leaned closer, close enough to
    affect the nerve-endings on the surface of
    her skin with each breath. Close enough
    for her to see muscles twitch in his
    scruffy jaw. He angled his head and
    studied her. “Tell me your name. I
    cannot help you until I know the truth.”
    Constance straightened her spine
    and lied. “I am Elizabeth Duncan,
    Admiral Duncan’s daughter. If you lay a
    hand on me, the Royal Navy will see to
    it that you hang from an iron cage at
    Tilbury Point until you rot. How
    disreputable will you be with a noose
    around your neck?”
    The
    cocksure
    devil
    scowled.
    “Admiral Duncan’s daughter, eh?”
    She raised her chin a notch. “Yes.”
    A smirk drew up the corners of his
    mouth. His breath was amiable as he
    leaned in closer to speak. “Liar!
    Admiral Duncan is dead and his
    daughters are beyond their prime.”
    Shock raced through her system.
    He’d called her bluff. But how did a
    pirate know intimate details of Admiral
    Duncan’s
    life,
    or
    have
    personal
    information about his daughters? Unless
    …
    “Do I need to point out that lying to
    me or anyone else on this vessel will get
    you killed? Now,” he said between
    clenched teeth, “the truth. What are you
    doing on this ship?”
    He hovered over her lips. Her
    lungs fought for air. What was he
    capable of? She did not trust him. She
    could never trust a pirate!
    “I … I’m traveling to Spain,” she
    babbled uncontrollably when her nerves
    gave way.
    “Why?” he demanded.
    “To visit my aunt.”
    “For what purpose?” he pressed.
    A man like him would never
    understand. Constance took a