Chapter 12: Made a Very Bad Bargain
Numbly, she obeyed, choking on the brandy. But it revived her and she handed the mug back, smiling a timorous thank you up at him. were his eyes really as full of concern as they assumed?
I am sure all this has not been easy for you, miss Winthrop. And you have worked very hard helping the wounded. I want to thank you for that.
I consider myself a doctor. I could do no less, she replied primly, trying not to let his smile warm her as much as the brandy.
"Nevertheless, I thank you," he said, refilling her mug with wine. He set it on the table next to her, making her heart leap at his nearness. " And I am sure Captain Van Doorn will have good reason to be grateful you were there.
There is still a risk of an infection, she cautioned, leaning back in her chair and putting a little more distance between them.
He filled his own mug and sat across from her.
"Eat something, miss Winthrop"
The tray Rodney left was filled with slices of ham, beef and cheeses. There were small rolls and fresh fruit. Very appraising after weeks of salted pork and hard biscuits aboard the Dutch ship. But she was not sure she could eat easily with him watching her closely over the rim of his mug.
She felt very much like a mouse about to be pounced upon by a cat. But he expected her to eat something so she took a slice of mango and nibbled at it.
You must keep up your strength, Doctor, your patients may need you at anytime. He cut open a roll, stuffed it with meat and held it out to her. She took it, startled as his fingers brushed hers, and forced herself to eat. She knew he was right. She had not eaten all day long and she needed to fortify herself for whatsoever that may come her way.
Captain Fortune ate with a heavy appetite that did justice to the delicious food served. Finally, he pushed his chair back, stretched out his legs and crossed his booted feet. She could not help noticing the long lithe form before her, the wide shoulders and lean corded muscle, the fine strong fingers he laced together over the red silk sash that lays flat across his belly.
He studied her anew, a half smile playing about his lips as his eyes travelled the length of her, warning on their way.
"Now, miss Winthrop, what shall I do with you.?"
Sudden fear clutched at her heart but she forced herself to hold her head up proudly and smile back at him in an exact imitation of his amused half smile.
" What do you usually do with women you paid three thousand pounds for?"
He smiled broadened at her spirit, and his eyes again touched her most intimately. " I have never paid that much amount of money for a woman before."
She shuddered inwardly, noting that he did not deny that he had never bought women before, only that he had not paid such a huge amount before. What then would he be expecting from her.?
Then why did you pay so much for me?
The smile left his face but was replaced by a grin line.
" I should think the answer to that question is quite obvious."
" Not to me" she replied. If you plan to sell me at the slave market, I fear you have made a bad bargain. You can hope for little profit after paying so much. And if ramson is your hope, I must also disabuse you of that notion, for there is no one who will pay it. There was one other possibility, that he had purchased her for his own use, as De Lessops had planned to use her. But that possibility she would not mention and tried not to think about it. Instead, she looked him square in the eyes, trying to retain the demeanor of one discussing the deposition of a piece of lace with a merchant.
" You are alone in this world.?" he asked.
She thought of her distant cousins in England, so very far away and who knew so little of her, and dismissed them immediately from her consideration. Her only close relative was Uncle Samuel in Barbados. But what hope would she have if she were to say, " Oh, yes, I am the niece of your former master. The man you crippled. The man you hate so much. The man you have sworn vengeance upon and are bent on destroying. And she was not entirely certain that Uncle Samuel would be willing to pay so much for the release of a niece he had seldom seen and who might be unmarried for life after an encounter with the pirates.
There was only my father, she answered at last. " He died on board ship."
I see, he said, and she thought there was a touch of sympathy in his voice.
Set me ashore on Barbados! she leaned forward and dared to lay a hand on his arm. I am a good doctor. I can set up a practice and earn money. I will pay my own ramson.
I think not, miss Winthrop. Suddenly he got up and paced about the cabin. Then, with one arm braced on a beam, he stood looking out the stern windows.
I know it is a lot of money and will take some time to earn so much. She got up and quickly came around the table to stand beside him, pleading with him. If she could just convince him to take her to Barbados, then when she was safe, she could ask Uncle Samuel for the money. "I give you my word. I will get the money to you. All of it. More if you want some profit. Just ..."
Suddenly he turned on her and for a brief moment she saw pain on his face. Pain and hurt and anger. And then it was gone and she was not sure she hadn't imagined it, for his smile was back.
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