A Pirate's Ransom Read Online Free PDF Page A

the drying cloth was spread before me, heat burned in me from head to toe as his hooded gaze assaulted me.
    “I beg your pardon, Milady,” he uttered in a hoarse whisper, “I did not realize you were ...” Following the line of his gaze, I realized he was not looking at my face, but beyond me, over my shoulder. He swallowed hard, and seemed frozen in place, making no move to leave the cabin. The room grew silent but for the sound of my thundering heart and that of his rapid breathing. I turned slowly, anxious to discover what sight had so captured his attention. The loud slamming of the door followed by his footsteps rapidly retreating from the cabin resounded in the room as I stood staring at the sight of my naked body reflected in the full-length mirror behind the tub.

Chapter 5
    I didn’t know it was possible to blush from head to toe, but the heat that accompanied the flush of embarrassment caused me to lower myself back into the cool water in the tub.
    “Come now, Miss. Ye must get yerself out of that cold water and be getting yerself dressed.”
    “Oh Mary, how will I ever be able to face him again after he has seen my scrawny body?” Just the thought of him having seen me naked brought the sting of heat back to my cheeks.
    “Don’t ye be thinkin’ on it now, Miss. Ye ain’t scrawny so don’t ye lets me hear ye sayin’ that.”
    “But father always said I was and he feared he would never make a decent match for me because I was too thin.”
    “Ye give that no never mind. Ye be a fine an beautiful woman. Ye be a Countess. Need I remind ye of yer station. And that cad o’ a Captain dare not be sayin’ a word on it either,” she replied, helping me step out of the tub to dry off.
    “Now, me Lady, we best be gettin’ ye dressed.”
    “I truly wish I had a change of clothes,” I said in an attempt to draw my mind away from the look on the Captain’s face, which was burned into my memory. Just the thought of it embarrassed me so much it made me wish I could crawl into the nearest hole and die.
    “But ye do, Miss. Do ye not be knowin’ the Captain had our trunks brought along?”
    “He did? I had no idea. Where are they?”
    “I believe he had ’em put in the hold.”
    “I wonder if your Mister Smith would be willing to fetch them for me. Perhaps he would, if you were to ask him.”
    “Aye, Miss. Let us get ye dressed and presentable and I shall wander out on deck to search for Tobias ... er ... I mean, Mister Smith.” Color flushed the maid’s cheeks.
    “Thank you, Mary,” I said, suppressing a grin.
    After Tobias Smith had the trunks delivered to the cabin, I selected a fresh gown. The deep blue one was one of my favorites, and Mary said this gown accented the best features of my figure and gave a sparkle to my deep blue eyes. Fidgeting in my seat at the dressing table, I watched in the mirror as Mary put my hair up and threaded matching blue ribbon through the curls.
    “You seem a bit vexed, Miss,” Mary said causally, never taking her hands or eyes from my hair.
    “Whatever are you talking about?” Our eyes met in the mirror.
    “I don’t be meanin’ to overstep me place, Miss, but ye be a fidgetin’ in this chair like ye did when ye was a mere slip of a girl.”
    “I’m sorry, Mary. It’s just that I-I don’t know if I will be able to bring myself to face him.”
    “A course ye can. Hold yer head up high and ...”
    A sharp rapping on the door interrupted her. She took a step to answer it, but I grabbed her arm.
    “No, Mary. Please do not open that door.”
    “But, Miss.”
    An impatient knock sounded again, and Mary took another step closer.
    “Mary, please,” I begged, “I’m not ready.”
    “Aye, ye be ready, Miss.” Turning, she walked the few steps to the door and opened it. Mister Smith hurried in carrying a large tray, which appeared to weigh more than he did. He placed it down on the table, and I stood to face him.
    “Thank you, Mister Smith.”
    “The