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minds.”
    He called sharply across the deck to Harry, who hastened to his side.
    “Have a couple of the men take them below and lock them up. In the hold, I think. Tell them to make sure the man is chained—we have enough problems without him taking it into his head to be a hero.”
    The hard, gray eyes rested for a moment on Cathy, who hastily looked away. She blushed hotly under his regard. He hesitated, staring at her as though he had something on his mind. Finally he spoke in a low voice to Harry.
    “Take the girl to my cabin.”
    “Sir?” Harry squeaked in surprise, unable to suppress his astonishment. Jon’s voice was rough when he answered.
    “You heard me. Take her to my cabin. And see that she’s locked in.”
    “Yes, sir!” Harry said woodenly, flustered by his own loss of control. The captain scowled blackly at him before striding away.
    Harry carried out his orders quickly, unable to keep from wondering what was going on in Jon’s head. Jon liked women, but it wasn’t like him to resort to rape. And rape it would have to be with a girl as obviously innocent as this one was. In spite of her lovely face and seductive figure, she was little more than a child, and a frightened one at that. Besides, she was a lady! She wasn’t the type Jon could tumble casually, then just as casually dismiss when he tired of her. Her family would be out for blood!
    Harry shuddered to think of what would happen to Jon if the Margarita were captured, the hostages rescued, and the girl were found to have been ravished! He doubted they would even wait to hang Jon properly. More likely shoot him down on the spot. Harry shook his head in disbelief. The girl was a beauty, no doubt about it, but,hell—no woman was worth dying for! As Jon would have been the first to agree less than twenty-four hours ago! But as Harry knew from experience, there was no stopping Jon once he had made up his mind to do something. And it certainly wasn’t for a member of the crew like himself to attempt to tell the captain what to do!
    Still vaguely troubled, he saw to the safe movement of the other prisoners before returning to untie the girl. She was as cold and still as a piece of white marble, and his conscience smote him as he had to practically drag her to where the captain’s cabin nestled under the quarterdeck. She stopped stock still in the doorway, and Harry could feel her arm shaking under his hand.
    “Don’t do this,” she breathed, her eyes wide as she looked at him.
    “Captain’s orders, ma’am,” Harry replied uncomfortably, wishing the deck would miraculously open up and swallow him. He started as she placed one small hand on his arm entreatingly.
    “Please put me in with the others. Please. My father is a rich man, he will pay well to have me back … unharmed. Or if I could just be lowered in one of those little boats.…” Her voice trailed off. Harry swallowed, unable to meet that beseeching gaze.
    “There’s nothing I can do, ma’am. I’m sorry. Cap’n would have me clapped in the brig, or worse, if I was to disobey an order.”
    He put a hand to the small of her back, urging her gently inside. She took a few reluctant steps into the room, then turned to face him. Harry was touched by the fright in those huge eyes.
    “Look, ma’am,” he said almost desperately. “CaptainHale is no saint, but he’s not a fiend either. I’ve been with him for eight years, and I’ve never known him to hurt a woman. You’ll be all right.”
    “No thanks to you,” she said, suddenly bitter, and turned her back, obviously waiting for him to go. Harry looked at her helplessly, then stepped back, closing the door and bolting it from the outside.
    Cathy listened numbly as the bolt slid into place. She could not believe that this nightmare was really happening. She sobbed, a hoarse dry sound deep in her throat. But tears would not help her where there was no one to hear or care, she reminded herself grimly. Squaring her shoulders,