My Lady Vixen Read Online Free Page B

the lock assaulting her ears.
    “Wait!” cried Alexa. “Don’t go! Don’t leave me here alone!” Her words echoed hollowly through the empty cabin.
    Dejected, Alexa bit her lip until it throbbed, her misery so acute it was like a physical pain. But she refused to be defeated. Until she found out Adam’s purpose she had to endure. And if the chance for escape presented itself she must be prepared. Tears would solve nothing. Furthermore, she must fight the strange attraction she felt for her handsome abductor. It was an indisputable fact that Adam Foxworth was a man who would have his way.
    Forcing herself to be calm, Alexa lay back on the bunk and gave in to her exhaustion as sleep claimed her. She had no idea that hours later a black-clad, masked stranger quietly opened the door and stared at her through hooded eyes.
    The first rays of errant sunlight filtered through the dirty pane of the small, round porthole, stabbing Alexa in the eyes until she was forced to rouse herself. She groaned and stretched, wondering how her soft down mattress had become so lumpy all of a sudden. She turned, thinking to ring for her maid, and nearly fell off the narrow bunk. Her eyes opened wide and she stifled a scream, abruptly recalling everything that had happened the night before.
    Rising on unsteady legs she straightened out her torn and rumpled ballgown, pinned up her hair the best she could and walked to the door, gingerly turning the knob. Of course it was still locked, she thought, chagrined. Thoroughly enraged, she began beating on the panel, regardless of the pain it caused her, and crying out loudly for attention. Her efforts were met with silence. Rubbing her bruised fists she gave up in disgust, returning to the bunk to wait impatiently for someone to come to her.
    From the sounds of activity filtering through the bulkheads she knew she wasn’t alone on the ship. Somewhere above men were working. Did anyone besides the despicable Adam Foxworth know she was being held captive aboard this ship? she wondered bleakly as she got up and began pacing.
    Suddenly a noise outside her door alerted her and she whirled, prepared to face her abductor. But when the panel opened a tall, red-haired man entered, smiling disarmingly. “I trust you slept well, milady,” Mac said, a hint of humor lurking at the corners of his wide mouth.
    “Where is Lord Penwell?” Alexa asked, ignoring Mac’s greeting. “Have you come to release me?”
    “I wish I could, milady,” Mac said, sobering. “But it’s not up to me. I owe Adam a favor and promised not to interfere.”
    “But what he’s doing is wrong!” cried Alexa. “I’ve done him no harm. Please, let me go! He doesn’t have to know it was you who released me.” His soulful expression gave her a surge of hope. But it was short-lived.
    “I’m sorry,” murmured Mac. “Adam assured me you wouldn’t be harmed. I’m to look after you until he can join us.”
    “Where is he?”
    “He went back to the party last night. When he is certain no one links him to your disappearance he will return to the ship. No longer than a day or two.”
    “So I am your prisoner.”
    “A guest, if you will.”
    “Like hell!” shot back Alexa, thoroughly incensed. “I’m here against my will, carried away from my own home by force!”
    “Is there some problem with our guest. Mac?” a raspy voice interjected.
    Both Mac and Alexa swiveled to face the speaker. “No, Captain.” Mac replied, darting a swift glance at Alexa’s startled features.
    Alexa could only stare open-mouthed at the tall, imposing man who filled the doorway with his brawny frame. It wasn’t just his dark garb and commanding air that startled her but the fact that his features were completely hidden from view by a mask that concealed his entire face but for his lips and chin. His hair was covered by a scarf worn pirate style and knotted at the nape. But even more shocking was the mask itself. Upon its dark surface was