Nicole Jordan - The Passion

She saw Nicholas go totally still, but the other two gentlemen rose to their feet.

"I do believe I've won our wager after all," Clune said in an amused drawl.

"So you have, Dare," Lucian replied. "But this is one wager I don't mind losing. Welcome, my lady. We were just bidding our American friend farewell."

Nicholas turned slowly, as if not daring to let himself hope. His gaze riveted on her face, his eyes dark and intense as he searched hers.

Aurora took a step inside the small cabin and halted, suddenly at a loss for words. How could she say all the things she wanted, needed, to say to Nicholas in front of an audience?

When she remained mute, his gaze dropped to her traveling suit, then moved beyond her to Geoffrey. Nicholas froze, his expression turning bleak.

"So you have come to say good-bye," he said tonelessly.

"No," she replied, her own voice hoarse.

Geoffrey intervened then.

"I don't believe we have met," he said, entering the cabin and taking a step past Aurora. "I am March." He offered his good arm to shake hands, but Nicholas made no attempt to accept.

"I understand why you would not welcome me," Geoffrey remarked lightly, not taking offense. "But you needn't be concerned. I am not your rival any longer. Aurora and I have reached an understanding."

"An understanding?" Nicholas replied warily, his face still shuttered.

"Yes. I believe your wife has something to tell you."

His gaze shifted again to Aurora, intense, questioning.

"I am not here to say good-bye," she said, returning his gaze steadily. "I am going with you."

For an instant she saw a blazing flash of what might be joy. Then suddenly his expression darkened with anger. He was looking beyond her at the doorway, Aurora realized.

Behind her she heard a voice she dreaded. "So, I wasn't wrong," Captain Gerrod said tersely. "You are Nicholas Sabine after all."

Her heart faltering, Aurora glanced over her shoulder. Gerrod stood in the doorway, a deadly pistol trained directly at Nicholas's heart.

Only now do I understand: Bonds of love are stronger than the mightiest chains. There is no escaping.

As he stared at the deadly pistol, Nick felt a jolt of emotion stab at his heart – not fear but fury. No way in blazes would he allow Gerrod to take him prisoner. Not now, when he could dare hope that heaven was within his grasp.

His fingers clenched around the crystal snifter in his hand. With his friends earlier tonight, he'd plowed halfway through a consoling bottle of brandy in an attempt to drown his sorrows, even knowing no amount of spirits could numb the pain of losing Aurora. But he'd sobered abruptly when she appeared like an angel sprung from his fevered imagination.

Then Gerrod had shown himself, evidently having followed her to the docks. Unless perhaps March had somehow arranged it in order to eliminate his chief rival…? But this was no time to worry about how Gerrod had found him.

The captain pushed his way into the cabin, brushing past both Aurora and March. "In the name of the Crown," he intoned with no little satisfaction, "I am placing you under arrest, Sabine."

Nick's eyes narrowed as he measured the distance to the pistol. He could perhaps wrest the weapon away from Gerrod, but a struggle might well endanger Aurora. Was there a way other than physical violence? He wasn't certain he could count on his friends' intervention. They were British citizens, after all, and it would be treasonous to interfere with a naval officer in the execution of his duty. This was his fight, in any case.

When Nicholas remained silent, Gerrod took another step toward him. "What do you have to say for yourself, Saber?"

Nick smiled. "I say get the hell off my ship, Captain."

Gerrod scowled. "I have every right to apprehend you. You will accompany me – "

"Or what? You will shoot me in cold blood?"

"If you force me to. But I would rather see you dancing on the end of a rope. There are a half dozen of my men waiting on the dock to escort you to Newgate prison, where your sentence will be carried out."

Casually, without appearing to move, Nicholas balanced on the balls of his feet, preparing to spring. Just then, however, his cousin spoke up.

"It seems you are overzealous in your commitment to duty, Captain," Lucian remarked calmly. "You have mistaken this man's identity. I am fully prepared to vouch for Mr. Deverill."

"As am I," Dare added in an amused drawl.

"So you see, Captain, it will be your word against that of two peers of the realm."

"Three peers," Geoffrey said quietly.

Nick's gaze shot to March. The man was willing to risk his honor for a stranger? If so, it clearly was for Aurora's sake. But of course March would be under her spell. If he loved her, he would want her happiness above his own.

Nicholas felt another rush of searing emotions – including sympathy for his rival. He knew the agony of losing Aurora.

"You have my sincerest thanks, Lord March," Nicholas said solemnly.

"You must admit," Dare suggested to the captain, "those odds will be hard to beat."

Anger crossed Gerrod's features as he looked from one to the other of the lords. "You would lie to protect this… pirate? It is treason to abet a criminal."

"That is where you are wrong," Lucian replied. "This man is no criminal. He is an American royalist who has been granted sanctuary on British soil. And you, Captain, are acting illegally in trying to apprehend him."

Gerrod's fury only escalated, and he raised the pistol higher, waving it at Nick. Out of the corner of his eye, Nicholas saw Aurora move, but he didn't dare take his attention from the weapon.

"By God," the captain vowed, "you will not escape this time – " His tirade was cut off in midstream by a dull thud. A dazed look claimed his expression before he slowly slumped to the ground.

Nicholas felt his heart lodge in his throat. Aurora stood over the captain's prone form, clutching a half-full brandy bottle in her hand. She had struck Gerrod over the head, Nick realized.

Her bold action had startled his friends as much as himself. They were staring at her with varying degrees of amazement.

Aurora clenched her jaw, looking calm but pale. "Did I… Is he dead?"

Nicholas bent over to relieve Gerrod of the pistol and pressed two fingers to the man's neck pulse. "No, just stunned."

His gaze lifted to Aurora. "Once again you surprise me, angel."

"You said sometimes violence was warranted," she declared, her tone defiant. "I considered this to be one of those times. He meant to shoot you."

"He did indeed." Rising to his feet, Nicholas handed the pistol to Dare, then went to Aurora. Taking the bottle from her, he set it and his glass on the nearby table and enfolded her in his arms.

"I couldn't let him hurt you," she said fiercely, gazing up at him.

"I am very glad, sweetheart," he returned with a smile.

Just then Gerrod stirred, although he didn't wake.

"Much as I regret having to interrupt you lovers, er… Brandon," Dare drawled, "I believe we should decide what to do with our overeager friend."

"We should fetch some line to tie him," Lucian said. "I doubt he will be amenable otherwise."

"Tie him?" Dare asked, amused. "Your ingenuity amazes me."

Lucian flashed his wry half smile. "You might be surprised at the resourcefulness a man can develop when the stakes are high enough."

Releasing Aurora with reluctance, Nicholas turned to rummage in a locker and came back with a length of rope and a knife. His cousin did the honors, kneeling down to bind Gerrod's hands.

"I suppose you have a plan, Luce?" Dare remarked as Wycliff worked.

"I'll take him away and keep him hidden until our friend Brandon sails."