Adrian ran a finger along Archer’s jaw, tsk’d at the stubble.
“Not at all.” Ingenuous? That he’d worry about William? What was the bastard playing at? “I—I was under the impression that we had a bargain—”
“A gentlemen’s agreement?” Adrian seemed about to laugh.
“If you like.” Gentlemen? Hardly. “At any rate, an agreement that Mr. Marshall would come to no harm if I were to...” He swallowed, the bitterness rising like gall. Bad enough to contemplate, how to put it into words without sounding like a dockside whore? “... to... attend you in your cabin...”
“Willingly?”
He was smiling now, damn him. “No. That is not possible. But... without contention.”
“Do you really think you could contend against all my men?”
Archer quelled a flare of anger. “I have lived on His Majesty’s warships since I was 16,” he said carefully. “I have survived battles where men were slipping in the blood that ran along the deck. Surprising as it may seem to you, I do know how to fight.”
With a little shock he realized that was the truth, and it gave him strength enough to say the rest. “If you did not hold hostages, yes, I would fight you.” You condescending bastard. “I expect you’d kill me, but I would do my best to take at least some of you with me.”
His captor laughed aloud. “Ah, so there’s steel in the sheath. Even better.” He stroked Archer’s hair. “So much more rewarding to master a spirited creature. I don’t doubt you will do your best, laddie. In time.”
Was there anything he did not turn into a double entendre? Standing rigid, ignoring the touch, Archer tried to sound reasonable. “You see my point, I’m sure. I am only trying to determine whether I have an accurate understanding of our—agreement—and whether you intend to honor it.”
“Yes, I see.” Adrian’s hand closed around the tail of hair at the base of David’s neck, and Archer held very still, barely breathing. “But surely you realize that our agreement is not the only element in play here. I could scarcely overlook Captain Smith’s behavior and expect to maintain discipline, you know. I thought I was extremely generous in giving your friend a day’s respite.”
He let go, but leaned closer. “Allow me to ease your mind. At the moment, Mr. Marshall is facing only a spell of close confinement.” He patted Archer’s shoulder in false reassurance. “Don’t worry, laddie, you’ll get him back, safe and sound—when you’ve fulfilled your part of the bargain.”
Archer could think of no response, but it seemed none was expected. Adrian was speaking to hear himself speak.
“Think of it as an incentive. As to his situation in future... I am a gourmet, not a glutton. I appreciate Mr. Marshall’s considerable charms, but I shan’t concern myself with them until I have had my fill of yours. So his welfare rather depends upon you, don’t you think?”
So William would be, if not safe, at least a little removed from danger. For the moment. “I think....” Archer swallowed. “I think my actions really matter very little. You might prefer me to believe his safety rests in my hands, to hold me responsible should you decide to torment him further.”
Adrian laughed. “You are perceptive, laddie, but you underestimate your own appeal. I intend to enjoy you slowly and thoroughly. But since you mentioned fighting, let me warn you—your friend will indeed be punished for your transgressions. I insist upon your full cooperation. If you think to refuse me anything— anything, mind—he will be back at the gratings. Three strokes for every ‘no’ you utter. Do you understand?”
Archer nodded once, not really surprised.
“Good. I may as well inform you now, regarding other offenses, so you will not waste time considering them. If you kill any of my men, Mr. Marshall will lose a finger for each death or serious injury. An eye for an eye, so to speak.”
“You care so much for
“Not at all.” Ingenuous? That he’d worry about William? What was the bastard playing at? “I—I was under the impression that we had a bargain—”
“A gentlemen’s agreement?” Adrian seemed about to laugh.
“If you like.” Gentlemen? Hardly. “At any rate, an agreement that Mr. Marshall would come to no harm if I were to...” He swallowed, the bitterness rising like gall. Bad enough to contemplate, how to put it into words without sounding like a dockside whore? “... to... attend you in your cabin...”
“Willingly?”
He was smiling now, damn him. “No. That is not possible. But... without contention.”
“Do you really think you could contend against all my men?”
Archer quelled a flare of anger. “I have lived on His Majesty’s warships since I was 16,” he said carefully. “I have survived battles where men were slipping in the blood that ran along the deck. Surprising as it may seem to you, I do know how to fight.”
With a little shock he realized that was the truth, and it gave him strength enough to say the rest. “If you did not hold hostages, yes, I would fight you.” You condescending bastard. “I expect you’d kill me, but I would do my best to take at least some of you with me.”
His captor laughed aloud. “Ah, so there’s steel in the sheath. Even better.” He stroked Archer’s hair. “So much more rewarding to master a spirited creature. I don’t doubt you will do your best, laddie. In time.”
Was there anything he did not turn into a double entendre? Standing rigid, ignoring the touch, Archer tried to sound reasonable. “You see my point, I’m sure. I am only trying to determine whether I have an accurate understanding of our—agreement—and whether you intend to honor it.”
“Yes, I see.” Adrian’s hand closed around the tail of hair at the base of David’s neck, and Archer held very still, barely breathing. “But surely you realize that our agreement is not the only element in play here. I could scarcely overlook Captain Smith’s behavior and expect to maintain discipline, you know. I thought I was extremely generous in giving your friend a day’s respite.”
He let go, but leaned closer. “Allow me to ease your mind. At the moment, Mr. Marshall is facing only a spell of close confinement.” He patted Archer’s shoulder in false reassurance. “Don’t worry, laddie, you’ll get him back, safe and sound—when you’ve fulfilled your part of the bargain.”
Archer could think of no response, but it seemed none was expected. Adrian was speaking to hear himself speak.
“Think of it as an incentive. As to his situation in future... I am a gourmet, not a glutton. I appreciate Mr. Marshall’s considerable charms, but I shan’t concern myself with them until I have had my fill of yours. So his welfare rather depends upon you, don’t you think?”
So William would be, if not safe, at least a little removed from danger. For the moment. “I think....” Archer swallowed. “I think my actions really matter very little. You might prefer me to believe his safety rests in my hands, to hold me responsible should you decide to torment him further.”
Adrian laughed. “You are perceptive, laddie, but you underestimate your own appeal. I intend to enjoy you slowly and thoroughly. But since you mentioned fighting, let me warn you—your friend will indeed be punished for your transgressions. I insist upon your full cooperation. If you think to refuse me anything— anything, mind—he will be back at the gratings. Three strokes for every ‘no’ you utter. Do you understand?”
Archer nodded once, not really surprised.
“Good. I may as well inform you now, regarding other offenses, so you will not waste time considering them. If you kill any of my men, Mr. Marshall will lose a finger for each death or serious injury. An eye for an eye, so to speak.”
“You care so much for
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