My Lady Vixen Read Online Free PDF Page B

listened to his light footfall as he made his way to the door, and then paused. If only she could see his face, she thought. “You have no idea how I envy Adam Foxworth,” Fox rasped softly in parting.
    Alexa collapsed against the mattress, fighting the overwhelming feeling of deprivation. What was wrong with her? First she was inexplicably drawn to Adam by a strange magnetism, and now to the pirate, Fox. In their own way both were powerful men, sensual, passionate. Both instilled in her an inner excitement that took all her strength to combat. Yet Charles’s kisses left her cold and the thought of his lovemaking filled her with dread. Was there some flaw in her character that caused her towelcome the caresses of rogues while resisting good men like Charles? she wondered dully.
    No answer was forthcoming and Alexa finally fell asleep, the mysterious face of Fox and the magnetic gray eyes of Adam warring within her brain.

3
     
    The ship was underway! From somewhere below came the creakings of chains and from above Alexa heard the distinct sound of sails flapping in the breeze. Not only that but the gentle swaying motion reaffirmed her belief that
The Gray Ghost
had slipped its moorings and left London harbor. Glancing out the grimy porthole Alexa recognized the banks of the Thames gliding by at a respectable pace.
    Quickly pulling on her ruined ballgown Alexa raced to the door and was shocked to find it unlocked. She pulled it open and stepped into the dim passageway, heading unerringly toward the ladder leading to the deck above.
    Alexa stepped onto the deck and was lost amid a whirlwind of activity. If she had once thought the ship was deserted she now knew her assumption to be incorrect. Men of all sizes and descriptions were doing all the things it took to sail a ship the size of
The Gray Ghost
. Glancing upwards she grimaced ruefully at the Union Jack flying boldly from her mast. Evidently the crew hadtheir orders for not one of them glanced her way.
    “Have you had breakfast, milady?”
    Alexa whirled about to face a smiling Mac, brilliant sunlight setting his red hair and beard ablaze. “N-no.” she stammered, startled.
    “Come, I’ll escort you to the galley so cook can prepare something for you.” He gallantly offered her his arm.
    “You mean I am no longer confined to my cabin?”
    “It is no longer necessary, Lady Alexa.” Mac smiled. “As you can see we left London on the morning’s tide.”
    “Then Adam must be aboard,” Alexa mused aloud. Mac eyed her strangely but only nodded.
    “When did he return?”
    “At dawn.”
    “Where is he now?”
    “Still sleeping. I’m certain you’ll see him later.”
    Alexa sniffed disdainfully. “Who cares,” she declared hotly. “Both Adam and your captain are men of questionable morals.”
    “Fox? What do you know of him except that he’s a privateer?”
    “Believe me I know all I want to know,” replied Alexa cryptically.
    Before Mac could question her further they had reached the galley and he seated her at a table where the officers took their meals. Then he left her to her excellent breakfast prepared by a beaming elderly cook named Hayes.
    Afterwards Alexa roamed the deck, enjoying the fresh salt air after a long day and night confined to her tiny cabin. Standing at the rail, her dress plastered against her long legs and high breasts, ebony locks blowing freely in the breeze. Alexa breathed deeply. She had always longed for a sea voyage but certainly not under these circumstances.
    As she turned to continue her promenade she caught sight of Fox standing on the bridge, legs spread in typical seaman stance, looking more imposing than she remembered. His face was concealed by the inevitable mask but his powerful form, balanced on the balls of his feet had the appearance of a sleek tiger, coiled and ready to spring. His massive muscles rippling under his black silk shirt open at the neck quickened her pulse and she recalled vividly the feel of his