Devi's Paradise by Roxane Beaufort Page A

indecent.’
    ‘And lovely, look.’ Sabrina made her stand at the looking glass while she fastened a circlet of flowers around her unbound hair. The silk of Romilly’s robe was so fine that the candlelight shone through it, haloing her limbs, and its lines flowed to her bare feet, hiding nothing. It was embarrassing and her cheeks flamed at the thought of Armand seeing her like that, and would there be others?
    ‘He’ll be alone?’ she asked, her voice shaking.
    Sabrina shrugged. ‘Feasting with his men, I expect, and maybe your companions. Don’t fret; I’ll be there and Lady Alvina. Who knows that may happen? That’s what makes it exciting, isn’t it?’
    It was with fear, trepidation and a sickening sense of excitement that Romilly followed Sabrina from the bedchamber, down the central staircase and through double doors into the Great Hall. She was aware that Alvina was on one side of her and Sabrina on the other. Johnson and Marcus brought up the rear.
    It was the same large room to which she’d been brought earlier, but now crowded with men lounging around the long central table, servants on the trot, lovely slave girls ready to perform their every desire. The air was hazy with tobacco smoke, and their loud voices drowned out the two violinists and a man seated at a spinet who were supplying the music from a small platform near a window. Romilly’s heart was racing and she saw one man only. Armand lounged elegantly in the magnificent carver that dominated the table, clad in crimson brocade trimmed with the finest Mechlin lace, smooth-shaven with his hair curling around his shoulders and across his chest, a nobleman not a pirate, who could have graced the French king’s court.
    He stood as the ladies entered and so did his companions, for it seemed he had surrounded himself with his officers that night, and they had retained a semblance of good manners. Romilly was surprised and delighted to see Jamie and George, both wearing smart clothing. Joshua Willard was there too, and Lieutenant Clive Morrison, whom she had last seen being sodomised by George. They bowed, hand on heart, and Joshua said, ‘Well met, your ladyships.’
    ‘Indeed, sir,’ they both replied, and dropped into curtsies.
    ‘Be seated,’ said Armand, every inch the host. ‘It is some time since I have entertained such distinguished company.’
    ‘There was Maria Gomez, the Governor of Cuba’s daughter,’ Sabrina reminded with a sultry smile.
    ‘Ah yes, but we returned her to her father,’ Armand pointed out.
    ‘For a ransom?’ Jamie said, and Romilly felt safer now that he and Joshua were present. Even sitting beside Armand at the head of the board no longer seemed quite so intimidating.
    He shot Jamie a smouldering glance, his fingers playing with the stem of his wineglass. ‘We came to an agreement,’ he replied.
    Jamie leaned forward eagerly, his elbows resting on the table. ‘And we can do the same?’
    ‘It is possible,’ Armand said noncommittally. ‘But tonight is not the time for serious discussion. Eat, drink and enjoy the moment, mon ami . Meet my officers; the doctor, the surgeon, the accountant.’
    ‘You keep a tight rein, sir,’ Joshua commented while he looked across at Romilly, his eyes speaking volumes in which she read admiration and concern.
    ‘One has to, don’t you agree, captain?’ and Armand ignored Romilly after that first greeting, going into seamanship in great depths.
    Alvina was on his other side, happy to be surrounded by so many men. The pirate leaders were personable and appeared to be educated. Even Johnson became less belligerent, as if the company of genteel ladies was rubbing off on him. But Romilly was still all too conscious of her immodest attire. Although Armand didn’t appear to be impressed by it she could feel the tension stretching between them, like a wet hempen rope that grows tighter and tighter. Although the food was temping she could eat nothing, but Armand handed her a