Devil’s Cove (Tortured Souls) by R.C. Matthews Read Free Book Online Page B

But there was nothing. Her tears flowed, falling off her chin and soaking into her nightgown. By the light of the fire, he must be able to see every curve of her body through the thin cloth. But the fear coursing through her was so great, she wouldn’t have cared if she were naked.
    His strong arms encircled her, and she folded into the pirate’s chest, weeping. He was warm, his embrace a protective cocoon. Settling back against the headboard, he pulled her onto his lap. She grabbed hold of his shirtfront and held on. Corded muscles covered his broad chest and added to her sense of safety. He smelled good, too. Her body melted against his, and she sighed. He ran his hand down the length of her hair until her tears subsided.
    “What is it, Grace?” His voice was rich and soothing.
    She turned her face up toward his. He was so close she could feel his breath on her lips. His finger wiped an errant tear from her cheek, and she shivered. Her belly quivered with the oddest sensation.
    “Did you have a nightmare? Should I call your maid, or can I get you a glass of wine?”
    Shaking her head, she sniffled and sat up, putting distance between them. Her screams had likely awakened the entire household. It wouldn’t do if she were found in his embrace.
    “There’s something in my room,” she said, gathering her wits. “I don’t know what, but I heard the click of the door latch, some … breathing … and … and something else.”
    He would believe the rumors that she was insane when she divulged the last part of her story, but there was no help for it. She wouldn’t find a moment’s rest in her bedroom until the culprit was captured.
    “And slithering.”
    “Slithering?”
    He didn’t mask the incredulity in his tone of voice.
    “Yes, you do know what slithering is, don’t you?” she snapped.
    “A snake slithers,” he said wryly.
    “Indeed. Please search my room so you can dispose of it.” She climbed off his lap, placing herself in the middle of the bed once again. “You didn’t warn me of the foul creatures roaming about your mansion. That’s cruel. I should have rather faced the asylum than snakes.”
    He snorted. “I’m paying you a goddamned fortune to fend off evil spirits, and you lose your mind over
slithering
?”
    “Evil spirits cannot bite,” she retorted. “Send a hundred vile ghosts in my path, and I promise I shall not flinch. But snakes … ”
    “There are no bloody snakes here, I assure you.” And though his words came out gruff, there was a hint of amusement in them as well.
    “Please look for me, Captain.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. It wounded her pride to be reduced to begging, but the prospect of a snake sharing her quarters was too horrible by far. She had discovered one too many snakes nestled in her bed at the priory as a child. “Please, I beg you.”
    “Very well,” he said with an exasperated sigh, and the bed bounced up when he lifted his weight off.
    She crawled to the edge of the bed and listened as he made his way about the room. His presence emboldened her, and she sprang onto the floor. “Well?”
    “Nothing,” he said.
    Her brow furrowed. How could that be true? She’d heard a distinct rattle only minutes earlier.
    “Are you searching carefully?” she asked.
    He snorted again. “Yes.”
    She planted her hands on her hips. “In the far corners?”
    “Yes.” He huffed, and she could imagine him rolling his eyes.
    “But you haven’t checked under the bed.”
    He grunted. This time the noise was a deep sound laden with disbelief. “How do you know?”
    She smiled and folded her arms over her chest. “I’m blind, not an idiot.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question.”
    “I’ve been blind a long time, Captain, and I rely heavily on my hearing,” she said, striding toward him to prove a point. “I’m quite adept at reasoning out what’s happening in my surroundings. Clothes make an inordinate amount of noise when a person bends