Captain Bradley was nothing like the men Lynnette usually had contact with, filthy , bloodthirsty scum , or fat , stupid merchants with an eye only for their profits . Or lusty pirate Captain's like Andre , Who wanted to get into her pants .
She had seen Captain Bradley stare at her , and he had been quite plain with his admiration during their encounter.
But that was nothing new, All men stared at her , and it had ceased to bother Lynnette once she stopped wondering why.
At Least Captain Bradley was more discreet than most , Despite that Lynnette felt hot when he stared at her , not cold and disgusted as most men left her . Daniel intrigued her.
Why, she wondered , was he different from other men ? Why should his looks affect her when the looks from other males made her feel nothing but emptiness?
His looks were extraordinary , that was certain . But appearance had never affected Lynnette before as they did now . She felt a strange warmth when she looked at his tall, masculine form . . .. . .
Angrily, she squelched the train of thought in order to listen to his words, He been talking of an alternative contact for random, had he not ?
". . . . . you may contact my partner , Simon Richards for the payment ," said Daniel . " But I warn you , he is not a rich man , and the company we represent together is small."
" in order words , do not couch the demand too high ," she said cynically . Lynnette spoke harshly to counter the unreasonable feelings she's developing for him. " Well, Peacock , you aren't quite as much to me as I had thought . What a disappointment ",
" What a disappointment ," Lynnette gave a mock pout . " Still , it will have to do ," She took down the information Daniel gave , and he was relieved to see that the demand though higher than he had hoped , was not going to send them into bankruptcy .
Efficiently , Captain Thorne dripped wax on the letter to see it, then set the folded parchment carefully aside, " When we reach our destination I will have it sent to England on the next ship.
" And untill then . . . . ?" he questioned .
" Well I suppose I should let you know your fate," she said with a slight smile.
" Are you a seer as well captain?" Daniel dared to tease.
" No ," she scowled , " I meant but your fate aboard the Maiden ."
A knock interrupted them , " come," she said curtly. It apparent to Daniel that captain Thorne was not one to appreciate a jest.
Davie entered, spoke hesitantly , his eyes darting to the prisoner frequently , "your Dinner is ready, captain"
" Good , Bring it in. Oh, and set two places," She turned to Daniel "Unless you prefer not to dine with me ?"
It was an invitation , and he was extremely surprised to hear her offer it . He had assumed that he would be sent back straight away.
But he was very pleased . Supper with the pirate queen , as he had begun to call her inwardly , would give Daniel a good opportunity to study her .
Lynnette was not far behind him in amazement , she didn't believe she asked him to join her for dinner , Why in God's name , had she asked Captain Bradley to eat with her?.
Certainly there was no need to do so , as he will be fed to his heart content by the cabin boy from him confinement in the ship.
Lynnette had all the information she required , and had no need for him for now , untill the time of the ransom and exchange .
The thought was so strange to her , the man whose intelligence amaze her, and his long lashed silver eyes seemed to burn through her clothes, this man held her interest as none other had.
She did not want to end their conversation yet, and that frightens her more as nothing else could.
"No, no no, this can't be happening , he should be my prisoner not the other way round ". she muttered to her self. " I've got to kill my developing feelings for him before it brings me no good she thought inwardly.
" No, no I would love to dine with you, am honored, really"
" Save your flattery , Captain , for someone who will appreciate it more than I ." she tried using anger to cover the blushing she felt crepting up her cheeks.
" We need to discuss the terms of your stay , and I am hungry Why not combine the two ? Or did you think that because we are pirates , we did not intend to feed you?.
She asked with a shade of defense in her voice, and he wondered why. " In truth , Captain Thorne , I did not know what to expect ," His eyes roamed quite thoroughly over her ripe figure making it plain as day that he didn't mean only the terms of his captivity.