Silver Tears Read Free Page B

over the ship’s rail to wage hand-to-hand combat with Hargrave’s men. Only moments before she had threatened that Jonathan Hargrave might be struck dead by some magic she didn’t even believe in. Now here he lay, gravely wounded. Her blood ran cold, and it seemed that through the fog and gun-smoke and shouts filling the air she could hear the creak of gallows far off in the distance.
    She rocked back and forth, eyes dry, but with a keening moan swelling in her throat. “What have I done? Oh, Mummie, what have I done?”
    Rough hands gripped her shoulders, dragging her up from the deck. “Well, bless my bones, what have we here?” a gruff voice asked.
    Alice fought against the burly, blond pirate, struggling to escape his grasp, but she was no match for the powerful Dutchman. He held her securely with one arm while his other hand roamed inside her cloak, exploring first the soft fur lining of her cape and then the tight velvet of her bodice. Alice caught her breath as his fingers tugged at the fabric. A moment later, his hand still at her breast, he pulled her to his chest, seeking a kiss in the midst of the battle.
    Forcing a calm she didn’t feel, Alice pretended to comply with his wishes. At the last instant before his lips covered hers, she turned quickly away and sank her teeth into his earlobe. With a howl of pain the man released her. When he did, she brought her knee up sharply, doubling him over, making him forget all about his injured ear.
    “I wish I were a witch!” she shrieked at him. “I’d turn you into the rutting swine you are.”
    Out of the fog and smoke and smell of blood came a low, rumbling laugh. Alice glanced about. Another of them was approaching. This pirate was a giant of a man with a fierce, mahogany-colored beard and long hair of the same hue and disarray. He was dressed in tight leggings and a mantle of animal skins draped his shoulders. A bloodied saber swung from the wide belt about his waist.
    Alice’s heart all but stopped at the sight of him. Gathering her wits about her, she grabbed a belaying pin and crouched for attack. “Don’t you come near me,” she warned. “I’ll… I’ll…”
    Quick as a striking snake, the man’s huge hand shot out, wresting the club from her trembling fingers.
    Alice’s shrill scream of terror echoed in her own ears. “Leave me be, you bloody bastard!”
    “That weapon’s of no use to you now,” her would-be attacker said quietly. “The battle’s over. Those murdering Flemish dogs are running for shelter in New Amsterdam’s harbor with their tails between their legs.”
    She stared up at the man, trying to make herself believe that he was not one of the pirates, but a friend instead. The truth took several moments to sink in.
    “They killed Captain Hargrave.” Still uppermost in Alice’s mind was her casual threat and the coincidence of the poor man’s death. Or was it coincidence?
    “Along with several others, I’m sorry to say,” the fearsome stranger added. “You’re still alive, though, and safe for the moment. Come along now. There’s a fire astern. Time we were both getting to steadier ground.”
    When he grasped her arm to hurry her to the ladder at the ship’s midsection, Alice shook off his grip.
    “No, I won’t go!” she cried. “My maid, Pegeen—she’s still in our cabin. She’ll guard my belongings with her life, refusing to save herself. I won’t leave without her.”
    She turned to dash toward her cabin, but the big man caught her about the waist to stop her flight. For a moment he held her at arm’s length as she struggled against him. Alice saw a flash of anger and amusement mingle in his deep-set green eyes. His full lips curved in a malevolent smile.
    “My men can take care of your Pegeen and Hargrave here, too. Regardless of your wishes, I don’t plan to go down with this sinking tub.”
    Before Alice could react, he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. She gasped