Captured by Beverly Jenkins Read Free Book Online Page A

back in place and she was looking up into his eyes. Who are you, Clare Sullivan? he wanted to ask. What would you have your life be were you not a captive? “Your trunks are there if you wish to change out of your dress.”
    She went to her trunk and found it empty. All her clothing, which consisted of nothing more than two day dresses and her unmentionables, had been in the armoire when the frigate came under attack, and was apparently still there. Violet or whoever had directed Gaspar to her trunk hadn’t looked inside.
    She turned back to the captain. “All of my things are still on the frigate, so this dress is all I have to wear. It belongs to Violet and I’m certain she’ll want it returned in good condition, but it won’t be if I have to sleep in it.”
    “I have a nightshirt you may borrow, if you’d like.”
    “That might be best.”
    Dominic opened another trunk and withdrew a clean nightshirt. Since he preferred to sleep naked as Poseidon, the garment was clean. “It’ll probably cover you to your toes.”
    She took it from his hand. “Thank you.”
    “You can use the screen over there. I’ll step outside. Call me when you’re decent.”
    She nodded and he made his exit.
    Behind the screen, Clare hastily removed her gown. Leaving on her shift and stays, she pulled on the large cotton nightshirt. The captain’s assessment had been correct, it did indeed cover her to her toes, and its long sleeves hung past her fingertips and warmed her wonderfully. It had a slight smell of mildew as was to be expected on a seafaring vessel, she supposed, but the well-worn fabric felt good against her skin. The knowledge that she’d be going back to Savannah felt good as well, and the faces of her children filled her mind. She couldn’t wait to see them. Buoyed by her happiness, she covered herself with the cloak again and left the screen. After laying her gown over one of the chairs, she crossed the floor and climbed into the big four-poster bed. The quilts were fat and heavy, the mattress beneath her firm yet soft. Removing her cloak, she hung it on the bedpost. Pulling the quilts up to her chin, she called out for the captain to return.
    When Dominic entered, the sight of her sitting up in his bed set off a physical reaction common to all men attracted to a beautiful woman. His formfitting breeches left little to the imagination, so he stuck to the shadows and took a seat at his desk so as not to embarrass her with the proof of his arousal. “Warm enough now?”
    “Yes.”
    “Go ahead and lie down. I’ll douse the candles. Good night, Clare.”
    “Good night, Captain.”
    The dousing of the candles left the glow from the hearth the only light in the room. After the tumultuous day, the now warm Clare was quickly asleep once again.
    Dominic placed his head down on the table, intending to let some of the long day drain away before moving to the pallet, but moments later he was asleep.

Chapter 3
     
    P

owder monkey Richmond Spelling also served as the captain’s aide, so when he entered the captain’s quarters at dawn to bring breakfast, he expected to find the captain in bed with the lady. The lady was in the bed, but to his surprise Captain LeVeq was fully dressed and asleep with his head on the table. Bets had been flying all over the ship that she’d be bedded before sunrise but those who’d put their money on the captain appeared to be losers. “Ahem,” he called loudly, clearing his throat just as Gaspar entered the cabin, too. The quartermaster took in his captain and then the woman asleep in the bed and grinned. “Who’d you place your money on, Spelling?”
    “Her, sir.”
    “As did I,” Gaspar replied with great satisfaction.
    Clare stirred awake and upon seeing the men, hastily dragged the quilts to her chin.
    “Good morning, miss,” Richmond said politely, averting his eyes. “Sorry to wake you, but I brought you and the captain breakfast.”
    Dominic raised his head and stared around