Page 139 of Debtor’s Daughter

“Odious creature,” she scolded, smothering a laugh as she reassured herself that the wound was neither too deep nor grave. “Oh, thank goodness. We should get a doctor to look at it, but the bleeding seems to have stopped. How’s your arm?”

“Damn my arm,” he growled, and she looked up to see an altogether different light in his eyes. He pulled her to him and tumbled her onto the bed, kissing her with desperation, and she clung to him only too willingly until he pulled back and regarded her, his blue eyes troubled.

“You see what life with me will entail, Henri? I can never guarantee that this won’t happen again. I will always be a target while the price on my head is waving over me like a damned red flag.”

She nodded and put her hand to his cheek. “Yes, I know, darling, and that’s why you really must teach me to shoot properly.”

“Henri!” he exclaimed. “That should not have to be the answer to our problems. I don’t want you to have to kill men on a regular basis! Though you do seem to have an aptitude for it,” he added, with a rueful sigh.

She smiled up at him and then grew still as an idea began to form in her mind.

“Oh, Lord, what the devil is going on in that tangled brain of yours now?” he demanded.

Henri blinked up at him, all innocence, and pouted. “Well, really, Lawrence, I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do,” he grumbled, shaking his head. “That look means trouble. I have no doubt in my mind that was the exact same expression you wore when you decided to head out into the night alone and blackmail a pirate!” She flushed a little and he nodded. “I thought so. What are you plotting now, madam?”

Huffing at him she rolled her eyes. “That particular scheme worked out rather well didn’t it?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

He snorted and leaned down to kiss her again. “Well,” he murmured against her lips. “I guess you have me there.”

She wriggled underneath him and giggled. “I believe I have you everywhere,” she said, biting her lip as his hands began to explore.

“Now hold on,” he said, stopping abruptly. “Stop trying to distract me. You are far too good at it. What are you scheming and tell me the truth, or I shan’t kiss you.” He sat up, albeit with a wince of pain, and then crossed his arms.

Henri sighed.

“That is indeed a threat to be taken seriously,” she replied with a grave expression. “So, I shall have to tell you everything.”

She looked down and realised with disgust she was still wearing the blood-soaked dress, so she stood and began to wriggle out of it, enjoying the warmth in her pirate’s eyes as he followed her every move.

“Well, Lawrence,” she continued as the filthy dress fell to the floor. “It was only that I was thinking about our situation, and as you say, the dilemma of the price on your head and really, I think it would be best for everyone if Captain Savage … was dead.”