Lords of Desire by Virginia Henley, Victoria Dahl, Sally Mackenzie, Kristi Astor Page B

rope into the rocking boat. He held it steady until the four men who were climbing grappling ropes made it back down. “Man the oars!”Thank Christ I had the presence of mind to keep the Seacockhidden. They were expecting a ship and had the cannon ready to blow us out of the water. Our longboat surprised them as much as Drudge surprised me. “God rot the bastard!”
    “Go and rot, Falcon Hawkhurst!” Victoria paced the chamber. As she passed the mirror, she caught a glimpse of her worried face and knew that her anger paled beside her fear for Falcon’s safety.
    She went to the window, hoping against hope that she would see theSeacock moored in the river. The brigantine was gone and her heart filled with dread that Falcon was off marauding another vessel. She heard the echo of his words when they’d taken Pandora into the forest to hunt:Make no mistake; smuggling is a blood sport. Tory knew a pirate risked a hundredfold more danger than a smuggler.
    She wished she could take back the angry words she’d thrown at him. Her threats were empty; she would never leave Falcon of her own volition. The hours until he returned would drag endlessly and Tory knew she must do something to keep her imagination from running riot. She picked up a book and began to read, but when she reached the end of the chapter, she realized she had not comprehended one word. She forced her mind to think of something pleasant and thought of the upcoming party. Then she remembered that she hadn’t finished sewing her dress.
    She went to her own chamber to retrieve the material and the needles and thread that Mr.
    Burke had provided. She took them upstairs, knowing she would feel more comforted in Falcon’s tower room. Handling the exquisite jade silk brought a soothing sense of serenity. As she focused on the needle, sewing the hem with tiny stitches, a peaceful calm descended.
    Victoria finished the gown and couldn’t wait to try it on to gauge its effect. She heard footsteps on the tower stairs and her hope soared because Falcon had returned early. Her eyes widened with alarm as she watched him drag himself through the door. She quickly set aside the dress she’d been sewing and ran toward him.
    Mr. Burke hovered behind him, ready to catch him if he fell. The look of grave concern on his face told her that Falcon had been injured. Then she saw the blood on his cheek and saw him stagger. She dragged a chair forward and Falcon sank down on it. “Mr.
    Burke, fetch me hot water to cleanse his wound.”
    Burke hurried off to do her bidding and she dropped to her knees before Falcon to examine his face. The blood was welling from the slash wound and dripping onto his black shirt. When Tory helped him remove it, she became aware that the shirt was soaked with his blood. He had lost far more than she first realized.
    His mouth curved. “You’re still here.”
    “Of course I’m here. Where the hell else would I be?” Her heart hammered as she ran to the bed and grabbed a bolster case. She wiped his chest, which was dripping with blood.
    She was terrified that she would find another wound. “Press this to your face.”
    As the white cloth turned red, he assured her he had no other injuries. “It’s just a scratch, Tory. Don’t be upset.”
    Mr. Burke arrived with hot water and towels.
    “I’m thirsty. Get me some ale, Mr. Burke.”
    Tory washed the blood from Falcon’s neck and his ear, then she tenderly bathed the wound as he drained the tankard of ale. She sat back on her heels, alarm marring her delicate features. “It won’t stop on its own. I’m going to have to stitch it.”
    “I’m so glad you can sew, sweetheart.”
    “Pour him some brandy, Mr. Burke.” Victoria picked up a needle and, in spite of her shaking hands, managed to thread it. She came back and waited until he drained the glass.
    “Get him some more.”
    She handed Falcon a clean linen towel. “I’ll start at the top. Press this firmly to your cheek.” As she