April Moon Read Online Free PDF Page B

was cut low enough to set a man’s juices to running. But Richard had bedded his share of obliging whores and saucy wenches. A few more than his share, if the truth be told. Sarah Stanton didn’t kiss like a woman well used to being handled by men. The question was whether she would bed like one.
    “According to the boy who serves the captain’s table,” Jenkins continued, “Lowell’s been paradin’ his lady half-naked before his officers. They’re layin’ bets as to which one he’ll finally let have her.”
    “The devil you say!”
    “It’s true, I swear. He’s the kind as gets more pleasure from makin’ others dance to his tune than doin’ the jig himself, or so they say. Has a tendency to put his eye to the peephole, too.”
    Well, that explained a great deal. Lowell wouldn’t have his eye to a peephole this time, but Richard didn’t doubt he would demand a full report of the night’s activities from his intended.
    “Come with me,” he instructed Jenkins. “I’ve another sort of guard duty for you to perform.”
    The carpenter’s mate trailing, Richard informed Lieutenant McDougal he’d be below.
    “I’ve unfinished business to attend to with Lady Stanton. Send word when the rest of the frigate’s crew begins to come to their senses.”
     
    S ARAH STOOD at her dressing table once more and stared through the thick, wavy glass at the moon. It rode high in the night sky now, a round, gleaming ball that mocked her with its brightness.
    How long since she’d last stood here? Two hours? Less? What a turn her life had taken in such a short time.
    She knew now her marriage to James would be one long, unending series of humiliations. Had she only herself to consider, she’d book passage back to England the same day the Linx reached anchorage in the West Indies. She’d rather be hauled before a London magistrate and serve time in debtors’ prison than tie herself to a man who would use her as James wanted to.
    There was the rub, though. She couldn’t consider only herself. James, damn him, still held the notes he’d collected on her father and brother. He’d promised to pay them off, but hadn’t. For all her faults, Sarah loved her father and brother with the deep, uncritical affection of one who shared their reckless nature and hopeless irresponsibility when it came to financial matters.
    Now she was well and truly snared in a trap of her own making. Try as she would, she saw no way out except to do as James had directed and seduce the American—despite the sick feeling the mere idea left in her stomach. Not to mention Maude’svociferous protests. The maid hadn’t ceased haranguing Sarah since they’d returned to the cabin.
    “You can’t do it,” she protested once again. “For all you loved to thumb yer nose at those London biddies what tried to tell you how to go on, you’ve not a treacherous bone in yer body.”
    “It’s not treachery to assist in quelling a mutiny aboard one of his majesty’s ship,” Sarah returned, trying to convince herself as much as her maid.
    “Ha! I’ll wager Salome said something of the same sort when they talked her into luring John the Baptist into her bed. And that’s another thing.”
    Planting her fists on her ample hips, the maid directed a fierce glare at the mistress.
    “I’ve been tending to you since we was both in pinafores. I know you went to Sir Cedric a virgin and held true to yer marriage vows whilst he lived. I know, too, you’ve taken no man into yer bed since he died. It was just yer high spirits—and stubborn pride—that set tongues to wagging and rumors to flying about you the way they did.”
    “There’s no need to list my many failings. I’m well aware of them.”
    “Then ye know you cannot do this!”
    “I can and I must. No! No more arguments.”
    Sarah pressed the heel of her hand to her forehead in a futile attempt to relieve the pounding ache that had begun just above her brows. She had to think, had to prepare