Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) by Annie Seaton Page A

from below. “I am taking young Jake to my
cabin to check on his eye.”
    The first mate threw him a curious glance but did not question him.
    “Oh, and Mr. Abrahams.” Sébastien allowed a slight smile to cross his
face. “We have another passenger on board. There is a young woman in my cabin.
I would not want you to be surprised when she comes on deck.”
    The man looked back at Sébastien with a frown. “Pardon, sir. Is that
wise considering the nature of our voyage?”
    “It could not be helped. I shall explain when there are no ears to
listen.” He gestured to a couple of the crew who were working close to the
wheelhouse and Mr. Abrahams nodded.
    “Later.” Sébastien nodded and climbed the stairs to the upper deck.
Young Jake jumped to his feet.
    “Captain.” He bowed his head respectfully and Sébastien ruffled his
hair casually.
    “How is your head today, boy?”
    “Much improved, sir.”
    Sébastien was pleased. The boy had much potential and would do well
if he applied himself to learning the ways of his vessel. It was a shame he
would not be here to take the boy into his care and watch him develop. He had
no doubt the young lad would make a good seaman.
    He gestured for Jake to follow him to the ladder and stepped back and
let the lad precede him. When they reached the bottom, he turned and took the
boy’s arm and Jake’s eyes widened.
    “Don’t be scared, I have a surprise for you. But it is imperative
that you can keep a secret.” He lowered his voice and stared at the lad. “Can
you do that?”
    The boy nodded his head up and down respectfully, his eyes still
wide.
    “Come then, follow me.” Sébastien tapped on the door and waited for
a moment before he turned the handle and pushed open the door to his cabin. He stood
back and let Jake enter before him.
    Madeleine’s dress was in a pile on the end of the bed but the room
was empty and Sébastien’s heart seemed to stall.
    Surely she hasn’t left the cabin? There
were two smaller cabins adjacent to his—the first mate’s and a small space used
for sick and injured crew. The only other place she could be was in the crew’s
general quarters at the other end of the lower deck, but surely she would not
have gone there?
    This young woman is going to cause me much grief on this voyage. I
know it.
    Walking across to the curtain dividing the privy from the cabin, he
kept his voice low. “Madeleine, are you in there.”
    The curtain lifted slowly and Sébastien slowly let out his breath as
relief filled him. He waited for her to step out from behind the curtain. A
slender white hand was the first of her to appear as the curtain rose inch by
inch, and then his heart kicked up a beat as Madeleine stepped from the alcove.
    A sensual woman, her auburn curls cascading over smooth white
shoulders stood before him. One stray curl brushed a hint of cleavage barely
covered by the ribbons and lace on the top of her red silken chemise.
    Sébastien’s mouth dried.
    Holy Mother of Christ . He would not
allow Madeleine anywhere near the crew dressed like that.
    “Damnation,” he muttered as he remembered he had instructed her to
look just like that. But she had done a much better job of creating an outfit
than he had ever imagined she would. His gaze traveled from her bare neck down
to her waist. The chemise he had found in the chest was cut low and his eyes
dropped further down. She had done something with that ghastly black dress and
it now covered most of her legs. The problem was the fabric that now
covered her lower half clung to her and molded more curves than he’d ever
imagined she had.
    Two white shapely calves held his attention for a moment, and he
reluctantly lifted his head.
    Closing his mouth he managed a husky “Madeleine,” at the same time
that Jake recognized her.
    “Miss Madeleine. What in heaven’s name has he done to you?” The
small boy pushed past him and took Madeleine’s hand with both of his. “If he’s
hurt you,