“Find her,” he told Chante. “Now.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ashley was actually relieved to have been discovered. She had been hiding in the hold and was not certain how much time had passed. They’d found her on the lowest tier of the hold, near the large puncheons of water. She’d been brought, squinting and stumbling, into the bright sunlight and she’d all but fell into Nick. He stood with arms crossed, and she was glad she caught herself because he did not appear as though he meant to.
Behind him, Rissa peeked out, and Ashley sighed with relief at seeing the little girl was well.
“You are smiling, madam,” Nick said, his voice low with menace.
She glanced up at him. The sun was behind him, making him look even taller, his hair even blacker, than usual. In his black boots, tight breeches, and loose lawn shirt, he looked as handsome as she could remember. Of course, she looked a complete fright. She wondered how soon she could ask for a bath. Poor Mr. Fellowes would be stuck with her again. “You would be smiling too, if you’d been stuck in that smelly hold for...” She looked about, but there was no way to gauge the day. “How long have we been sailing?”
“A day and a night,” Nick said.
For a moment she worried it was not long enough, and Nick would turn the ship and bring them back. “A word, madam,” he said. “Alone.” He gestured and walked away. She watched his back and realized he expected her to follow. She wondered what he would do if she refused, but her rebellion would have to come later. Right now, she was hungry and tired and wanted to lie down on something besides the hard wooden planks that had been her only option. At least she’d had the foresight to hide by the water. She was not thirsty.
Once in his cabin, he closed the door behind her. Before she could move inside, he put a hand on the door just above her head, effectively trapping her against it.
“Are you going to lecture me?” she asked.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you. Yet.” His tone was ominous.
“You could feed me,” she suggested. “I’m rather hungry.”
He slammed his fist on the door, which rattled and made her head pound. “Of all the impulsive, reckless, ridiculous things you’ve done, this has to be the worst.”
“I think my mother would disagree with you there.”
“You, I can understand,” he said, ignoring her quips. She did not mind if he paid no heed to her jests, but she did rather wish he would feed her. “But how could you allow Rissa to come on board?”
“Should I have left her behind? For what? You are all she has left. If you don’t come back for her, what will happen to her? A young girl with no one in the world to care for her?”
She saw a muscle in his jaw clench.
“Besides she was the one who had the idea to stowaway in the trunk. I only refined the idea.”
“And included yourself.”
“Of course.” She pointed to the trunk, which she’d glimpsed when she entered, before Nick had trapped her against the door. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a navy hero? You have medals. Do not deny it.”
“I’m no hero anymore.”
“I saw the paper,” she protested. “You were decorated for bravery. You’re not a pirate.”
He lowered his forehead until it touched hers. “I assure you, I am.”
Ashley pushed past him, afraid if she continued to stand so close to him, she might kiss him. Instead, she moved toward the trunk. “I saw the letter from Ralph’s mother as well.” She turned to face him. “That is why you want revenge on Yussef, isn’t it? To avenge Ralph’s death.”
“I do not wish to speak of this.”
“Neither do I, but I think it’s time I finally knew the truth. Are we all risking our lives because years ago Yussef killed your friend?”
“You saw the island. Yussef deserves to die.”
“Yes, but would he have attacked the island if you hadn’t pursued him all this time?” She shook her head when he didn’t answer. “I didn’t know Ralph, Nick, but I do not think he would have wanted this for you.”
“No, you didn’t know him.” His voice was hard and his expression dark.
Ashley refused to give in, to back down. “Then tell me. What was he like?”
