A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey

Author:Johanna Lindsey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2011-06-13T16:00:00+00:00

“Bettina, you are even more beautiful than I remembered,” Pierre said when he came into the drawing room and closed the doors.

“You are very kind, monsieur,” she replied demurely. She felt a bit self-conscious.

“You must call me Pierre, little one, since we—”

“Don’t call me that!” Bettina interrupted harshly. “Tristan called me his little one, and I never want to hear it again.”

“I am sorry, Bettina.”

“Forgive me,” Bettina said quickly, feeling like a fool. “I did not mean to snap at you. It is just that the memory of that man is still vivid in my mind.”

“Who is this man you speak of?”

“Tristan is capitaine of the Spirited Lady, the ship that did battle with the Windsong.”

“He is a pirate, of course?” Pierre asked, his yellow-brown eyes studying Bettina’s face.

“He claims to be a privateer under the protection of England.”

“Pirate or privateer—it is the same thing more or less. Did he—ah—”

“Rape me? Yes—many times,” Bettina said without blushing. “He lied to me and tricked me as well. He told me he was bringing me here for ransom. But instead he took me and my servant to an island he claims as his own. He would have kept me there for months if I had not escaped.”

“This island, does it have a name?”

“I don’t know. From a ship it looks deserted. There are natives who live inland, and there is a large house away from the shore that the Spaniards built long ago.”

“And how did you manage to escape this Tristan?” Pierre inquired.

“I left the house while he slept, and was able to hail a passing ship at dawn. But we must go back to rescue my old nurse!”

“Your servant is still on this island?”

“Yes.”

“But she is probably dead by now, Bettina.”

“She is not! I only left her there because I thought you would rescue her. And I want revenge against Tristan. He must die.”

Pierre looked at her with startled eyes. “Bettina, this is absurd. The pirates that plunder these waters are ruthless. They would as soon cut a man’s throat as look at him. You do not know what you are asking.”

“I am asking for revenge and to have my servant rescued. If you cannot do this for me, I will find someone who will,” Bettina said, trying to control her anger.

“Very well,” Pierre said, shaking his head. “But I have no ships here at the moment. It will take some time.”

“Wasn’t that your ship you were unloading today?” Bettina asked.

“No. It belongs to a friend of mine. You will meet him tonight at dinner. I was merely seeing to the cargo of slaves that I purchased, but that does not concern you.” He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. “Will you be able to find this island again?”

“I have a map.” Bettina handed him the folded piece of cloth that Captain Rawlinsen had given her.

“Well, at least with this you will not have to go along,” said Pierre, putting the map in his pocket.

“But I wish to go with you,” Bettina said heatedly.

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