Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl by Leigh Statham Page B

whim takes me. This time it’s on a suicide mission.”
    “Surely it’s not as dangerous as all that,” she insisted. “You have plenty of arms and support and bots. The armory on this dirigible alone could take down the Palace of Westminster.”
    “Yes, we will outnumber them, outgun them, and outmaneuver them. Hopefully, we will bring the shipments back safely and take a few pirates down with us, but that is not my only assignment. And don’t think that this mission won’t be pocked with casualties.”
    Marguerite took a deep breath. “So, you’re telling me that I am selfish for not marrying you and saving you from having to risk your life to fight pirates? And that I should forget all of my dreams, so I can settle down and have your babies? And that is not selfish?”
    “Marguerite!” He put both hands on his head and closed his eyes, a sure sign he was losing his temper. Then he took a deep breath and began to pace in the tiny space, turning tightly, obviously straining himself to come up with the next words. He stopped suddenly. “Do you know what the southern buccaneers do to women when they capture them? If you’re thinking they kill them, you are wrong. They never kill women. They take as many prisoners as possible, men and women. The men are given a choice—pledge allegiance to the pirate captain, or be marooned on an island or tortured, depending on the captain’s fancy that day. Women, on the other hand, are forced to serve the pirates, and I don’t mean in the galley, or being sold as a slave in the islands. I would rather you be stuck at home miserably caring for babies than ever have that fate be a possibility.”
    “You exaggerate to scare me. I’ve read nothing so heinous in the journals. ” Marguerite met him mid-stride and got as close to his face as she dared, just to make certain he knew exactly how she felt. “You have always wanted to control me. You say you love me, but you don’t. It is all about control, and that will never happen.”
    In one swift move he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a kiss. Marguerite pushed back, but he didn’t let her go. He put both arms around her and kissed her like his life depended on it. Then just as suddenly he let her go, keeping one hand on her waist.
    “That is very true. I will never be able to control you, and despite what you think, I never want to. I’m trying to tell you that I may not come home from this mission, but I’m going to make certain that you do. I do not have control over your choices, but I am still captain of the Renegade, and I have complete control over who serves on my ship.”

Chapter Eleven

     
     
    Jacques left no time for her to question him or disagree. He opened the door and pulled her by the hand back into the passageway, marching forward so quickly she had to jog to keep up. They came to a ladder midway down the hall that appeared to lead to the deck above. Jacques hit a button on the wall and a trap door atop the ladder slid open. Rain began to pour onto their heads and into their eyes. Marguerite was in such a state of shock the only words she could manage were, “Where are you taking me?”
    “Somewhere safe. Up you go.” He grabbed her waist from behind with both hands and practically threw her toward the opening. Marguerite squealed out loud and grabbed the top rung. It was slick with rain now, and she barely caught it. Her left foot found purchase on a rung a tad farther down but, at least, she didn’t fall. She had no choice now but to climb. Jacques was already climbing below her, his head nearly in her backside. She knew she couldn’t win a hand-to-hand fight with him. Not even a foot-to-face fight would come out in her favor.
    She pulled herself up grudgingly into the rain and wind. Two very small deck hands were there to help her up. She could see another aership hovering just above her head, a ladder dangling from the side. Its brown oval envelope was kissing the black