Swept to Sea by Heather Manning Read Free Book Online Page B

and your son would come back here," she stammered, her hand hovering at her pale throat.
    Caspian could not help but notice the bruise there, marring her pretty skin. She took a step toward the trunk she had pointed to.
    He gripped her elbow, preventing her from turning her back to him. The moment she flinched, Caspian released her and took a step back, bumping into his desk. "Nay. ‘Tis… fine, Lady Trenton. I just… was startled to see you in it. And nay, milady, I simply came to go to bed." He explained, grabbing a pillow and a bundle of blankets from a nearby teak trunk.
    As soon as he finished his sentence, the young lady’s expression altered entirely. "And where, pray tell, shall I sleep?" She asked incredulously, resting her hands on her hips.
    "Why, you will have the bed, of course. I am not so much of a cad that I would make a lady sleep on the floor," he answered, lowering himself onto the deck next to the bed. He really did need some sleep. Upon her look of utter shock he continued, "I apologize, milady, but this is the only available cabin I have on board. You will just have to tolerate my company and my son’s. Unless, of course, you wish to sleep back in the hold with Kelton. That, I definitely would not recommend." He lifted a brow at her. He knew he was feeling far too mischievous.
    Lady Trenton huffed. She glanced around and then, her voice sharp, as if she were waiting for some way to condemn him said, “Where is your wife? Does she even know you are captaining a pirate ship, frightening poor, young women? What about Reed? He should be with his mother. A boy as young as him should not be away from his mother on a place as dangerous as a pirate ship.”
    Caspian froze. Of course a lady like her would wonder why he had a son but no wife. He had not talked about Isabelle to anyone but Reed or Gage for years. “My wife is… gone.” He gave her a piercing look.
    Lady Trenton took in a sharp breath and shifted her gaze down.
    Caspian ignored her and glanced over at his son, who was staring at Lady Trenton, wide-eyed. "Come along, Reed. It is bedtime. We are sleeping on the floor tonight, remember?"
    "Nay, Captain. The boy will sleep on the bed with me. I will not be the cause of depriving a child as young as Reed of comfort. You won't mind sleeping up here with me, will you, Reed?" She sank down on the bed.
    Reed nodded drowsily, grinning up at her through eyelids dragged down under the weight of sleep. "I like you, Lady Trenton. We shall be the best of friends. I am certain of it."
    She smiled back at Reed. The lady did have a gorgeous smile.
    Caspian felt a twinge of jealousy traipse into his heart without any form of invitation. Surely he did not feel it because… because the woman got along with his son so well while he — the child’s own father — could not. Nay, who could blame Reed? A lady was a rare treasure to uncover on the seas, and this one in particular was being especially kind to the boy. Caspian knew he felt no jealousy because of how sweetly the woman smiled at Reed while she glared so hatefully at Caspian. There was no reason for him to care if she liked his company or not.
    Caspian watched silently as his child curled up beside the woman on the bed. She turned to face the bulkhead, robbing from him the sight of her comely face. All he could see now was her back, shielded by the thin coverlet.
    How could his son automatically adore this woman whom he had never met, this stowaway? Reed baffled him. Besides, how could Lady Trenton be so kind to a shy little boy?
    Caspian tried to shake the woman from his thoughts. He failed. Her soft breathing washed over the cabin, tickling his ears.
    'Twould be a long night.
    ****
    No. No. Not again, Lord, please. Please do not force me to go through this torture again, I beg of you .
    Eden felt Lord Rutger's arms grip around her waist harshly. His lips crushed over hers, but she swatted him away.
    "Come, come, my little flower. We are to be married