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his steady breathing, Katherine decided he was asleep. She began moving her hand upward through the patch of wiry hair, which fanned out like the mouth of a river, toward his shoulders. The short strands curled around her exploring fingers as if to hold her in its grip, a hold she was reluctant to break, so great was her excitement. But, being fearful that he would awaken suddenly and discover her wanton pursuit, Katherine decided to withdraw her arm from around him.
    She had moved her hand several inches when it encountered a small, silky patch of flesh which was totally hairless. Knowing enough about the human anatomy to realize exactly what it was, her curiosity got the better of her good judgment, and she circled the soft little bump with her pointer finger.
    Suddenly a big hand gripped her wrist. “If you continue to do that, I will not be held responsible for my actions, my lady,” Jack growled in a deep voice.
    Katherine quickly pulled her hand away and sat up. “ You were the one who insisted I lay down with you,” she reminded him, feeling the color rising in her face.
    “But I wasn’t the one who decided you should fondle my nipple,” he returned smartly, as he threw back the blanket and fluidly rose to his feet. Afraid of what she might see, Katherine turned around so quickly that she almost wrenched her neck. She could hear him moving around behind her, but at least she couldn’t see him.
    “It’s almost dawn. The rain seems to have stopped. I’ll go out and gather more wood. Perhaps some of it can be made to burn,” he said as he drew on his pantaloons. He followed them with knee-high boots, a long-sleeved linen shirt, and his great coat.
    Jack was able to find some wood that wasn’t totally soaked, and once he got the fire going again, he made a pot of coffee. He poured them both a cupful and gave her some hardtack, which she took and ate without argument. She didn’t know if it was the cool, damp weather or the circumstances, but she was famished. The coffee warmed her body, and at least the unleavened bread stopped the rumbling in her belly. And though she was grateful for both, she couldn’t bring herself to tell him. She was still angry, and her pride wouldn’t allow her to forgive him for what he’d done.
    “I want to show you something while it’s not pouring,” he told her unexpectedly and held out his hand to her. Curious, Katherine stood and took his hand, allowing him to lead her out of the cave and down a narrow muddy path leading along the cliff face to another cave. She was surprised to find one of his men, the first mate, standing guard at the entrance. Jack nodded at him, and then he drew her inside the cave, leading her along by one hand, a torch held high in his other hand.
    This cave was larger than the one in which they had slept, and he continued to walk, bending at the waist when the ceiling was too low for him to stand upright. Even Katherine had to lean down a bit to keep from smacking her head on the ceiling. The passage, which led down into the earth, gradually narrowed from side-to-side as well. Water dripped here and there from the ceiling, and there were puddles everywhere. Her pretty satin shoes—the only ones Jack had brought her—were getting soaked through, but with her hand in his she didn’t feel cold. What she felt was claustrophobic.
    “Are we going much farther?” she asked hopefully, not even trying to hide the anxiety in her voice.
    “No, it’s just up ahead now,” he said, and a few steps later the small tunnel opened into a huge cavern. They both straightened up and stood there, staring as the light from the torch illuminated the great underground room.
    “Jupiter and Mars!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she looked around. She didn’t normally swear, but the cavern was exceptional.
    “It’s very impressive, isn’t it?”
    “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!” she cried. And it really was. There were glistening