Duke by Day, Rogue by Night Read Free Page B

shake as if reading her thoughts — again. Time stilled as she waited for him to tell her where she fit into his plans. Finally, he frowned. His demonical gaze brought an unwelcome flush to her cheeks as he moved forward. She flinched, instinctively backing away.
    His laughter ricocheted off the ceiling as he tossed her a wrap. “No harm will come to you as long as you do as I say,” he said.
    Constance placed her arms through the linen sleeves and pulled the wrap closed, thankful for some measure of modesty. Two men entered the cabin, spoke quietly with the tyrant, looked at her, smirked, and then left. Concerned for their safety, Constance drew Mrs. Mortimer close, making sure to shield the woman who’d mothered her to adulthood. But as they clung together in earnest, praying silently, a short-legged pirate walked forward and snatched the woman from her arms.
    â€œNo!” she cried, daring not to let go of Mrs. Mortimer’s hand.
    Morty whimpered. “God be with you, child.” And then she was gone, spirited out the door without a backward glance.
    Constance stood quietly listening to Morty’s ranting curses as the woman was carried through the passageway and up the stairs to the deck. Left the primary focus of the wicked devil, she didn’t know how to react. Lord Burton paled in comparison to the confident killer standing before her.
    A lean man with rotting teeth seized her by the arm at that moment, nearly pulling her off her feet. She screamed.
    â€œShe stays!” the one-eyed man commanded.
    â€œThe captain wants this chit topside,” the foul man challenged.
    â€œTell him I’ll bring her myself.” His voice brokered no argument. Constance shrank back, afraid of what the combustive atmosphere would yield.
    Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who felt threatened. The smaller man let her go, mumbled something obscene, and moved quickly out of the room.
    The devil stared at her for an inestimable time. “I’ve an eye for beauty and,” he paused, “I never forget a face.”
    â€œBeauty is in the eye of the beholder,” she snapped.
    First and foremost in her thoughts was the way the other men had raked her flesh with their beady eyes. To be alone with this dangerous man now surely meant he intended to ruin her. After all, he was no different from the others. How could he be? As the truth settled in Constance’s mind, she wondered if this was what her mother had had to endure, fear, uncertainty, and desperation. Would she be as courageous? Swallowing hard, she hoped to survive the hours ahead without resorting to begging for death.
    Remember, there can be no bargaining with pirates. Her mother’s final words cut her to the quick. Some lessons weren’t meant to be learned.
    The demon moved. He stood face to face with her now, though he was a head taller. His height posed a strategic problem. Should she try to resist, there would be no way to get around him.
    â€œYou’re a beauty,” he admitted.
    â€œPerhaps a physician should check your good eye,” she snapped.
    He tossed his head back with laughter, then moved back toward the center of the room and quirked his brow. “Do you intend to slay your enemy with wit or a bed warmer?”
    Censored by his amusement of her predicament, Constance sheathed her arms about her like a protective cocoon. He was but a few steps away. She was not safe by any means. He could attack at any time. Fearing that possibility, she watched him closely as he leaned on one of her trunks, his thigh straining against the dark fabric of his breeches. She closed her eyes, revolted that she’d been caught staring. But he was incredibly big, large enough to kill her with one tap of his hand. The fact that he could overpower her in seconds toppled any hopes she had of knocking him senseless.
    â€œWhat is your name?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts.
    â€œWho is doing the