As Daniel continued to chuckle , then to mere gasps of hilarity , Lynnette kept thinking was he mad ? He didn't look insane , although his actions this day would not be reason to deny such an affliction.
After all , attacking pirates wasn't the most rational thing a person could choose to do. Still, in his place with so much to lose , she might have done the same . Trying to fathom the tall man standing before her , his forgotten sword pointing to the deck .
Lynnette spoke " Am glad you find me amusing ", she said dryly . "Or is it your present circumstance you find amusing ? I confess , capture at sea does not seem much cause for levity to me ", It was a pointed reminder of his defeat , and one that caused Daniel to sober immediately .
With labored effort , he pulled his wits together, Bowing , Captain Bradley said , " indeed not milady , I apologize for my appalling breach of etiquette . Quiet simply it was your appearance that made me to laugh."
instantly, he saw that this was not the thing he would have said , Captain Thorne frowned and several sailors behind her muttered and drew their swords . He rushed to explain his words.
"What I meant to say is that I had not expected you to be so beautiful ," Swords and knives returned to their sheaths , and the murmurs stopped , but if anything , the Captain's frown grew deeper.
He went on hurriedly ," My crew told of a woman so ugly that none could bear to look at her . . . . " Appalled at the manner in which he seemed to swallow his foot whole , Daniel ceased speaking at stared in confusion at the author of his misery . Her frown had now disappeared , incredibly , she seemed to laughing at him.
" peacock , " she chuckled ," you amuse me greatly . maybe I should not kill you after all, but keep you so I may watch you writhe with embarrassment and blush like a maid when you misspeak ! ". The sailors laughed , but Daniel stiffened . Her words had recalled him to the pitiful situation he was in . Captured by a woman, no less . Simon would laugh himself sick to hear of it .
If Daniel survived to tell his friend the humiliating tale .
" What do you plan to do with me ?" he asked sullenly .
Good question . Lynnette was wondering that very thing . Carefully , she looked him over . The man's clothes were of a fine cut and material , obviously made for him by an expensive tailor , no doubt the best for this man.
From the dove -gray knee breeches that molded his muscular thighs , to the fine white linen of his ruffle -edged shirt . His long long, split- sided jacket now torn and sweat stained , had recently been an eminently fashionable black velvet shot with silver brocade--- not too ostentatious, but clearly chosen with unusual coloring in mind . But it was the man himself that caught her attention not his rich attire.
Breeding was evident on every inch of his aristocratic face , from a high, intelligent forehead and slashing dark brows , to eyes that were deep-set and stunning in their impact . Thickly lashed, a startling shade of stormy silver hair to perfection , they glowed almost unnaturally . His lips were firmly chiseled and sensuous , his nose regally straight . His body , she couldn't help noting was utterly magnificent.
The man was so large Lynnette had to tilt her head back to see his eyes , and she was quite tall herself . He was obviously fit , muscles outlining a figure to set any woman's heart fluttering . Except , she thought cynically , for herself . She was not some innocent maid to be thrown into a swoon by the first handsome man to come her way ,. Still she had to admit , he was a fine specimen of male beauty.