The Raider by Jude Deveraux

in the rigging of the boat’s tallest sail, trying her best to patch rotten and broken ropes. “Been courting?”
    A couple of sailors behind him laughed as they looked Alex up and down.
    â€œAnd who have you been courting?” Alex called back, referring to her male garments. He was pleased to hear the sailors laugh even harder before they moved on.
    Jessica grinned and clambered down the rigging. “Come on board,” she called, “but mind your pretty clothes, there’s tar and nails about.”
    The boat Jess owned was even more derelict when seen at close view than from afar. It was a tiny thing with only two sails, but even at that, he wondered how she sailed it alone. The anchor must weigh two hundred pounds at least.
    Below, down the narrow stairs and corridor and into the single cabin, he smelled every fish the boat had ever taken on. For the first time, he used his scented handkerchief for real.
    â€œToo much for you?” Jessica asked, grinning.
    He tested one of the two chairs for sturdiness, then sat in it. “How do you stand this tub?”
    Some of the light went out of her eyes. “I’m a Taggert, remember?”
    â€œTrue, and no doubt that means you can’t smell anything.”
    Jessica laughed. “Maybe it is a little difficult to take. I have some rum. Would you like a tot?”
    â€œAfter an afternoon with Mistress Abigail, I need a hogshead.”
    â€œThe town’s prettiest girl? The love of the Raider’s life?”
    Alex groaned. “Don’t mention that man to me. After all Abby had to say, I hope I never hear of him again.”
    Jessica poured two wooden mugs half full of rum. “Don’t tell Eleanor,” she said, smiling.
    Alex took a drink and then grimaced. “I see why the smell doesn’t bother you. A few swigs of this and your nose falls off.”
    Jess sat down, one foot in the chair, the other propped on the knob of a cabinet door. It was a masculine stance, but Jessica’s body made it very unmasculine. Her breasts were outlined by the full shirt, and the pants wrapped themselves about her thighs—just exactly what Alex imagined his hands doing. He leaned back in his chair.
    â€œSo what is Pitman up to?” Jess asked, cradling her mug of rum, letting the liquid seep into her bones. A moment of rest like this and someone to share her precious rum with was pure pleasure. None of the women would have anything to do with her, and the men either treated her like a disease or they thought she lacked virtue and attacked her. Sitting with Alex who had no physical interest in her was a rare treat, rather like having a special friend.
    â€œJess, how would you get in touch with this Raider?”
    â€œWhy do you want to know?”
    â€œI have some information he might be interested in.” He proceeded to tell her of the money arriving for Pitman. If the Raider appeared with this knowledge that could only have been obtained by searching Pitman’s private papers, Alex was afraid Jessica might guess who had found that information.
    â€œI guess you could always tell Abigail,” Jessica said, smiling maliciously. “I’m sure the Raider slips into her bedchamber at night.”
    â€œAre you jealous?” Alex raised one eyebrow.
    â€œOf a sneak thief? The Raider is no better than a highwayman. If he had any courage, he’d stand up and denounce Pitman.”
    And hang for it, Alex thought. “So you have no idea how the Raider heard of Ben Sampson’s smuggling tea in?”
    â€œEveryone in town knew about Ben and the tea. Even Abigail had heard of it.” She put her mug down and leaned forward. Her eyes were bright and the color in her cheeks heightened.
    Alex began to sweat again.
    â€œWhat if we start passing this information around? What if we tell a few people that the Golden Hind is delivering money to Pitman from the sale of Josiah’s ship? If the rumor