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my face. Standing there, the thoughts of my encounter with Edmund played through my mind and a warm sensation filled me.
    I jumped at the sound of a rough voice. “‘Mornin’, yer Ladyship,” the scruffy Mister Taylor said.
    A twinge of fear coupled with revulsion gripped me and, swallowing hard, I managed to mutter, “Good day, Mister Taylor.”
    “Ye be a picture a loveliness this mornin’, me Lady.”
    “Thank you,” I replied, holding myself tall and giving him what I considered to be my most authoritative glare.
    “But not nearly the vision ye be last night,” he whispered, drawing up close to me. Shock must have been written on my face, because he saw fit to explain his statement.
    “Aye, I saw ye in his arms, allowin’ ‘im liberties.” He grabbed me, pulling me close to his rank body.
    “Take your hands off of me!” I demanded and struggled to pull away from him, but his grip was strong as he dragged me back away from the rail.
    “Nay, me Lady. I be plannin’ ta enjoy some of what ye seemed ta be givin’ so freely ta the Captain last night.”
    “I gave nothing to the Captain nor do I have any intention of allowing you—”
    “I takes wot I wants.”
    My heart thundered in my ears and my knees shook.
    “What do you think Captain Drake would do to you if you bring me to ruin? He would never be able to demand his ransom.”
    “I ain’t gunna tell ‘im an wot he don’t know ain’t gunna hurt none.”
    He leaned in to kiss me, and I turned away just in time. His slobbering wet kiss landing upon my cheek made my stomach roll. Shoving him away from me, my hand flew up and I slapped him across the face with all my might. He merely laughed.
    “Ye li’l minx. So, ye likes it rough now, does ye? I can give it to ye rough,” he hissed, slamming me up against the base of the mast.
    He thrust himself against me, and when he pressed his thin lips to mine, bile rose in my throat. I tried to scream, but his disgusting kiss swallowed the sound. Pushing and punching at him did no good and only seemed to increase his vigor. He was like a demon possessed. He pawed roughly at my breast, and as he began to unfasten his britches, panic gripped me. My entire body shook with fear and I closed my eyes as tight as I could, trying to shut the entire scene out.
    The next thing I knew, the weight of Mister Taylor’s foul body was no longer against me. My eyes flew opened to see Captain Drake holding Mister Taylor up by the shirtfront. The vile pirate’s feet were raised off the deck by a good measure. The two men were eye-to-eye with mere inches between their faces.
    “Mister Taylor, I believe the Lady asked you to take your hands off of her,” Edmund said through gritted teeth. His deep voice dripped with the threat of danger and despite myself, my body tingled with the excitement of that danger.
    I smoothed my dress back into place with trembling hands. Dizziness overcame me. Even my legs shook, and I leaned against the mast for fear I might swoon.
    “Aye, Captain.”
    “I suggest you keep your distance from the Countess, Mister Taylor.”
    The filthy ruffian glared at me. “This ain’t over, Missy. Ye best not let me be findin’ ye alone again, lest I finish what be started,” he growled.
    “Is that a threat, Mister Taylor?” the Captain bellowed.
    Silence.
    His eyes grew dark and anger flashed behind them as he continued, “I suggest you spend your energies on your duties and stay away from the Countess, for if I see you even spare her a glance, you will find yourself spending the remainder of this voyage in the brig. Is that clear?”
    “Aye, Captain, but she ain’t seen the last o’ this.” Taylor said with hate-filled eyes.
    The commotion drew other crew members who now stood around us waiting to see what their Captain’s next move would be.
    Edmund’s eyes scanned the crowd. “Mister Smith,” he said, releasing the scruffy Mister Taylor, who fell to the deck with a thud.
    “Aye,