We need to talk. Alone. And we may not have the chance once we’re aboard the Kestrel. I’ll be busy.”
“Then I’ll thank you now.”
“For what?”
“For Captain Mallory.”
“For hitting him, you mean?” He shook his head, looking off toward the horizon. “Save your thanks. I felt like hitting someone. He was convenient.”
“Oh.” Sophia searched the opposite horizon. Tears welled in her eyes again, much to her frustration.
“Jesus.” He pulled hard on the oars. “I never hit people. Look what you’ve done to me. This was supposed to be the voyage I go respectable. Instead, I’m throwing fists, seizing ships, defiling virgins…”
Wincing at his harsh tone, Sophia sniffed and shifted sideways on the plank. Abruptly, he dropped the oars and began to wrestle with his coat.
“Why are you doing this?” Despite her bruised feelings, she caught the edge of one coat sleeve and held it as his arm slid loose.
“Easier to row with no coat.” He wriggled free of the other sleeve.
“Gray.” She waited for him to meet her eyes. “You know that’s how what I mean.”
He folded the coat and handed it to her. “Here.”
She stared at the bundle of wool. “What am I to do with it?”
“Sit on it,” he said, thrusting it toward her. “You must be…tender.” His gaze dropped briefly to her lap.
Sophia’s face burned. She was indeed tender, and the wooden plank was torture beneath her thin skirts, but the presumptive manner of his gesture piqued her pride. She crossed her arms and glared at the proferred coat. “I might have been a virgin, Gray, but I’ve never been a fool. I knew it would hurt, but I wanted it anyway.” She lifted her chin. “I knew you would hurt me.”
Hus face hardened to stone. “Did you now?” He dropped the coat and reached for the oars, “Tell me,” he asked in a vigorous pull, “did you pause to consider those you would hurt?

Author: Tessa Dare