When Wren, a lowly servant of a wealthy family, is kidnapped by pirates and brought before the notorious Captain Harry Styles, she's certain that her life will consist of misery. She's used to serving the snobbish Hadley Aubigné and her family, but...
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The unceasing motion of the galleon had my stomach roiling. I would soon have to make a decision, either allow the contents of my stomach to be emptied upon the floor of the Captain's quarters, or make a mad dash for the nearest rail. I let fate decide as I tore open the door and raced for the nearest glimpse of the ocean, which was now gray with the tossing storm. I barely made it to the end of the passageway before ejecting my last several meals into the sea. I stood trembling, clinging to the rough wooden railing so as not to be thrown into the sea along with my sick.
Suddenly, my arm was torn violently from the rail by his unexpectedly strong hand, his long, thin fingers wrapping easily around my wrist and overlapping. I glanced down and noticed a tiny tattoo of a cross at the arc between his thumb and forefinger. I scorned the Christian symbol, thinking he had no right to use such a marking on his body. Captain Styles was pure evil, I was sure of it.
"Did I not make myself clear?!" He demanded in a low growl. "I gave you strict orders to stay in my quarters, did I not?"
"Had I obeyed your orders, Captain," I seethed, "the floor of your quarters would now be covered in my vomit."
"Nevertheless," he said, tightening his grip. "I expect my orders to be obeyed! Is that clear?" He pinched tightly at both my upper arms and shook me a bit to evoke an answer.
"Yes, sir," I mumbled, swallowing hard.
He grabbed me around my waist, jostling my still-tender stomach and carried me back to his quarters. As he stepped through the door, he all but dropped me onto the slick wooden floor where my feet gave way and I landed squarely on my backside.
"Get that off," he barked, clearly referring to my soiled dress.
My eyes opened in horror. He had told me he wouldn't rape me, but how was I to trust a pirate?
"I will find something more fitting for you to wear," he said impatiently, noting my hesitation. "And less smelly." With that, he slammed the door behind him.
I stood cautiously, still not certain of the state of my belly. I began to unfasten the laces on my dress, letting it slip easily down my shoulders. My undergarments were still quite concealing, so I didn't go any further.
Moments later, Captain Styles came back in and barked again, "I told you to get undressed!"
"I...I started to-" I stuttered.
He dropped the clothing he'd been carrying and yanked me harshly to his side. He unlaced the rest of my underpinnings and let them fall to the floor so I was standing there, almost buck naked, trembling under his gaze. "Take those off!" He commanded, pointing at my stockings and shoes.
"But, but you said you wouldn't take me-" I tried to resist.
"Good heavens, girl!" He shouted. "Just do as I say!"
I steadied myself on the edge of the cot and removed my shoes and stockings, choking back tears of anxiety.
I gasped when I felt a cold damp cloth swipe down my body from my neck to my navel. Captain Styles swiftly wiped away the remainder of the sick stench from my body and tossed the cloth in the corner. He lifted a small tin cup to my mouth. "Drink!" He commanded.
