Tempting the Pirate by Tamara Hughes

Author:Tamara Hughes [Hughes, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance;category;tamara hughes;love on the high seas;Pirate;Stowaway;Doxy;Royal Navy;Runaway bride;Georgian Romance;Pirate’s Paradise;New Providence;Bahamas;georgian
ISBN: 9781507526484
Google: HmUXrgEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Desperate to get free from the brute gripping her arm, Charity dug in her heels and yanked back with all her strength. “You don’t understand. Let me explain.”

The cutthroat shook her hard and kept walking. Before her, two men hauled James across the deck, but all eyes of the crew were on her. Hungry looks raked over her person—her breasts of particular interest. Blast this red dress.

Their mutterings echoed around her. “A woman?” one murmured and stepped forward.

Another followed. “What’s she about?”

The men pressed in, some daring to touch her. Their stench filled her nostrils, and she tried to push their hands away only to have one grab her by the wrist. “No.” She pulled back. The hold on her remained firm. “Let go of me,” she cried out, twisting her arm in an attempt to break free.

The toothless one who dragged her forward merely chuckled and tugged harder on her arm, until she wondered if she’d be torn asunder. Fear lodged in her throat as another sailor grabbed her elbow.

“Let go,” she screamed.

James fought Thomas and the other sailor as they forced him down a flight of steps. “Leave her be!”

When he could no longer pull her forward, her captor growled low, yanking a blade from his belt. “Release her, or I’ll cleave you in two.”

With mumbled curses, all hands drew back.

Charity descended the stairs on shaking limbs. Her escort, the beast, jerked her down each step, his fingers biting into her arm.

The crew assembled around them, jostling each other for the best view.

“Tie him.” The Judge’s order sliced through her, and dread replaced her fear.

Thomas and his partner pushed James against the mast and tied his arms in front of him on the farside of the pole.

“Stop.” She lurched forward, but the guard held her.

“Fetch me the cat,” The Judge bellowed.

In short order, a sailor handed him a whip consisting of several leather strips with knots at their ends.

Dear God, no. Charity stomped on her captor’s instep and lunged forward, free for the moment. She raced to James and stood at his back. “Stop this! It’s not his fault. I stowed away. He had no idea.”

James struggled against his bonds. “Charity, stop.”

The Judge’s brows drew low, and he signaled to Thomas, who stepped forward.

“Don’t touch me.” She reared away from the man who’d insisted he was James’s friend. All lies.

Thomas seized both her arms and hauled her back against his chest. “Not another word,” he hissed into her ear. “You’ll only make the situation worse.”

Worse? “In what way could it get worse?”

“There’s nothing you can do for James now. You’re only calling attention to yourself. Believe me, you don’t want to do that,” Thomas replied in a harsh whisper.

“What goes?” a voice called from the upper deck. A bearded man in a red-and-gold coat peered down at the scene. A fine linen neck stock adorned his throat, and red, unkempt hair protruded from his hastily donned wig.

The Judge didn’t bother to look up. His stare drilled into Charity as Thomas dragged her away.

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