Samantha James by Gabriels Bride Page B

this! Perhaps it would have been better if he’d married a toad. Were she not so comely, he’d not be tempted to linger here and trade barbs with her…and perhaps a good deal more. He was vastly irritated that he had to remind himself he had more important things to do than wile away the morning with the wench he had taken to wife.
    “You are right,” he said coolly. “But I think neither of us would do well to dwell on that lamentable fact.” He tugged on his boots and strode toward the doorway. There he turned to face her once more. “I’d get dressed if I were you. Ian will be down shortly with your breakfast.”
    His curtness hurt. Try though she might, Cassie couldn’t banish the sensation she’d done something wrong…but what? Ian’s smile was wide and friendly, but after he’d withdrawn, she felt cold and deserted.
    She moved restlessly around the cabin, finally halting near a small bookcase behind the desk.She stared morosely at the bound leather volumes housed there, wistfully wishing she’d had some schooling, even a little. Oh, she could write her name, but that was all. If she were able to read, perhaps the time would not drag so, as it did already.
    Mid-afternoon, the cabin door was flung wide. Cassie looked up from where she was perched on the bed to find her husband’s tall form filling the doorway.
    “The seas are very calm this afternoon, Yank. I thought you might like to come topside for a while.”
    Topside? Oh, no. She much preferred her solitude to braving the watery world that existed all around them. Indeed, she thought with a shiver, she had tried hard throughout the day not to dwell on that very fact.
    “There’s no need to burden yourself on my account. I’m sure there are other more important matters demanding your attention.” She managed to summon a smile. “Perhaps later.”
    Cassie held her breath. Several seconds passed while he stared at her, kindling a faint alarm. She prayed he would not insist…luckily, he did not. Finally he shrugged. “As you wish then, Yank. Let Ian know if you need anything.” He turned and left her alone.
    Three days hence, he was not nearly so obliging. When she politely declined, he did not move, but regarded her through narrowed eyes.
    “You are remarkably stubborn, Yank.”
    “Hardly, sir.” She tried to pass it off with a light laugh. “It’s just as I told you, I’ve no wish to burden you further. And truly, there is no need—”
    “There is every need, Yank.” His countenance was grim and unsmiling. “You cannot stay below the entire journey. You need sunshine and fresh air, else you will sicken.”
    She drew herself up. “Of course I will not—”
    “I’ll not have you on my conscience, girl.”
    His approach was swift and unrepentant; the unyielding intent in his eyes promised little hope of refusal. There simply was no denying him. Clad wholly in black as he was, a long, dark cloak swirling about the tops of his boots, it passed through her mind that surely he resembled the devil himself.
    And likelier than not, it was hardly concern over her welfare that prompted his insistence. No, it was probably simply that he must have his way!
    But all her protests were to no avail. He pulled her to her feet, shackling her to his side with his hand about her waist.
    She wrenched herself free and glared at him. “I’ve managed without assistance for a goodly number of years,” she snapped.
    He gave a mocking bow. “As you wish.”
    And so with him following but a step behind, she had no choice but to mount the companionway stairs before him. Once they were on deck, her heart began to thud painfully in her chest. She prayed she could somehow control her fear, for she had no wish to let this man glimpse her weakness. No doubt he would think her silly and foolish, and his scorn was the one thing she could not bear.
    Her footsteps slowed; she halted, though she was scarcely aware of it. Though she tried not to look, she could not