Smuggler's Woman

Book 0: Heartfire

by Candace McCarthy

Genres: Historical Romance

Synopsis

Arrogant Captain Bran Donovan rued the day suspected Tory spy Molly McCormick had been captured and smuggled aboard his ship. With her wild raven tresses flowing about her shoulders and her sweet curves barely covered by a buckskin tunic, the half-breed beauty made sharing close quarters a trying test of his nobility. But the rebel privateer wouldn't let her go until he found out how much she knew about his operation. And once he'd had a taste of her soft red lips and felt her slender body trembling in his arms, he knew he couldn't release her until he'd coaxed every tender secret from her silken flesh as well! Seductive Prisoner The handsome captain had locked Molly inside his cramped cabin to keep her safe from his lusty crew, but there was no one to protect the innocent captive from the primitive passion Bran's very nearness evoked. His eyes were as blue as the sea, and they seemed to awaken her very soul. Molly yearned to hate the brash buccaneer, yet with each passing day his hot embraces turned her heart traitor. . .and had her longing for the night when he'd unleash her searing desire and brand her forever as the. . . Smuggler's Woman 100,000 Words

Release date: September 1, 2013

Publisher: eClassics

Print pages: 480

Sample

Manville, New Jersey; June 24, 1778

“Well, well, if it isn’t Molly McCormick . . .”

Molly stiffened at the sound of the hateful male voice. She stepped through the open doorway, squinting to adjust her gaze to the dark interior of the general store.

Reginald Cornsby stood behind the long wooden counter across the room, studying her with beady yellow-gray eyes. A rotund man with a bulbous nose, he wore a white muslin shirt stained with perspiration and had a paunch that hung over the top of his breeches. His white powdered wig was slightly askew, as if he’d recently attempted to set it right. Sensing her hesitation and unease, Cornsby beckoned her closer, a lascivious smile curving his lips.

“Mr. Cornsby,” she said, nodding politely at the obese man. “I’ve brought more baskets.” With a shiver of revulsion, she straightened her spine and approached the counter.

“So I see.” His eyes took on a calculating gleam as they fastened on the handwoven baskets cradled within her arms. “You’ve been busy,” he commented.

Molly squirmed inwardly as his gaze moved to caress her length, lingering on her breasts. “I’ve brought ten today,” she said briskly, “just like you asked.” Carefully she placed the wood-splint scuttles on the counter. These ten were samples of her finest work, painstakingly woven in three sizes. Now if Cornsby would just hand over her money she could be on her way.

“Just like I asked. How nice.” His tone suggested he was pleased by the thought. “Let’s see now . . . ten baskets at . . .” Cornsby turned to the shelf behind him, taking down a small tin and fumbling inside, “. . . a copper apiece.” He extracted several coins before replacing the tin on the shelf.

“A copper apiece!” she gasped without thinking. He faced her, an unholy grin plastered on his flaccid face. With a feeling of foreboding, Molly’s heart thumped hard beneath her breast.

Why did the man persist in his attentions toward her? she wondered. The other Manville residents took great pains to avoid her, repulsed by her long matted dark hair, grimy face, and ragged clothing. Why not him? Dressed as she was in greasy buckskins, she was the townspeople’s image of a heathen Indian. What was it that kept Cornsby panting after her like a wolf after its mate?

She shivered. The last thing she wanted to do was draw his—or anyone’s—attention. Before each visit to town, Molly rubbed her face with dirt and her hair with dried leaves. If playing the role of a heathen Indian kept others from bothering her, then she would so, and gladly! Her ruse worked well; the residents usually avoided her. Only Reginald Cornsby, the Manville storekeeper, wasn’t repulsed by her appearance. Which was just as well, she thought. His store was the only one available for her to do business.

Molly sold Cornsby her baskets regularly in order to survive. The man paid a fair price and then sold her work at a hefty profit. The arrangement suited them both, for she knew the residents would refuse to buy from her directly. She relied on the money for food and supplies for herself, her father, and her two half brothers.

She had one problem with dealing with Cornsby. The man lusted after her. She could see it in his eyes, his smile. If she didn’t need their arrangement so badly, she’d have promptly and effectively dampened Mr. Cornsby’s desire with a good swift kick to his bulging breeches! But with the Rebel uprising, times were tough. And ever since Molly’s mother died, when Molly was five, her father was drunk more often than not. Money was precious to the McCormick household, and Cornsby’s store was a valuable source. Her brothers made what they could at the iron furnace, but most of their hard-earned money went to paying off their debts at the company store there.

Reginald was studying her from beneath half-lowered lids as Molly extended a hand for the money.

“One.” Placing a copper coin in her palm, he reached for one of the baskets. “Very nice,” he murmured, caressing the rim with his finger. His pale yellowish eyes glowed hotly as he stroked the weave with a lover’s touch.

Molly could sense what was in his thoughts. She felt her flesh crawl at the idea of those fat fingers against her skin. Not in your lifetime, Cornsby! she vowed silently.

“Lovely,” he said softly. His eyes rose from the red flower she’d stamped onto the basket side to capture her gaze meaningfully. “So lovely . . . just like its crafts . . . woman.”

“Mr. Cornsby—”

“Reginald, my dear.” He grinned. “Oh yes, your money.”

Molly nodded, relieved. She watched as he returned the basket to its resting place and began to count out the remainder of the coins.

“Two, three, four . . .” He placed the fifth coin into her palm and stepped back, smiling. “There, that should do it—”

“Ten coppers, Mr. Cornsby,” she reminded him sharply. “You owe me five more coppers.” She needed that money; she’d worked hard for it.

“Oh! Foolish me! I must have left them in the back room.” He lifted a hand to his white powdered wig and then gestured toward the door behind him. “Shall we slip into the back? I’m sure we’ll find . . . ah . . .” He cleared his throat. “. . . money in there.”

“I’ll wait here while you look,” Molly replied, her eyes narrowing.

“But my dear, I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable sitting down.” His pale gaze went to where her breasts pushed against the single layer of her buckskin tunic. “It may take me some time to find it,” he warned.

Suddenly Molly felt as if she were suffocating within the store’s four walls. If she didn’t get her money and get out now, she was liable to do something she’d regret. Her gaze caught the furtive movement of Cornsby’s right hand as it groped at something behind the counter. Why the louse! she thought. He’s hiding the coins!

“Mr. Cornsby—Reginald.” She smiled as she began to edge around the counter. “Perhaps I should rest for a while . . .” The last word trailed off meaningfully, and Cornsby’s eyes widened with delight.

“Come, dear, I have just the place where w—you won’t be disturbed,” he said, his voice rising to a high-pitched squeak. At last! he thought. Beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead at the thought of the girl’s naked flesh quivering against his thighs. He’d waited so long to feel those soft breasts in his palms. She was only inches away from him. He was trembling like an untried boy!

“Reginald will see that you’re refreshed,” he murmured, lifting a shaking hand to run his fingers down the length of her long dark hair. He envisioned how she’d looked that day when he’d spied her bathing in the river. Her black hair had been newly washed, a wet silken mantle about her bare shoulders. Hiding amidst a copse, he’d been able to take his fill of her beauty. Gentle curves and sleek limbs . . . His breath grew harsh with anticipation, and his male member hardened beneath his durant breeches.

“You have my money, don’t you, Reginald?”

“What?” He pulled his gaze from her mouth to note the beauty of her dark eyes. “Oh, of course!” He licked his lips once. Again. His beefy hand settled on her shoulder.

Molly endured his touch passively, trying not to display her disgust. Her nose wrinkled; Cornsby stank of sour sweat and cheap whiskey. She fluttered her long eyelashes, and he inhaled sharply, aroused.

If I can just keep him preoccupied, she thought, I’ll be able to edge over to where he hid the coins.

“Of course, I have your money.” Cornsby nodded vehemently. “Have I ever tried to cheat you?”

“No.” She had to admit that he’d never attempted to cheat her—before now. Slowly, so as not to attract his notice, she began easing along the length of the counter.

“You must be weary after your journey. Perhaps you’d like to stay awhile.” He ran his hand down her arm, and Molly shuddered. “We can have supper,” Cornsby invited. “You can spend the night. I live all alone . . .”

That’s because no one would want you! Molly cried silently.

“Thanks for your offer, Mr.... ah . . . Reginald, but I really got to go. You see, my brothers are gone, and my sick father’s alone.” Just a few more inches and then she could reach the money! Carefully she maneuvered her body between Cornsby and the counter, until the wooden table was pressing against her back.

“Your father.” Cornsby grimaced with disdain. Meeting her gaze, his expression grew tender. “If you were my daughter, I’d take better care of you.”

“I—” Her reply was muffled and became a shriek when Reginald suddenly jerked her close, capturing her lips with his cold fleshy mouth.

Stiffening, Molly struggled to be free, pushing fiercely against him. Her efforts proved futile; Cornsby was too heavy for her to budge. She whimpered, sickened by his smell, his touch, his unwashed body. His hands were rough in his unleashed ardor. His kiss was wet, sloppy, and she knew the memory of it would forever make her ill. Desperate, she stomped down hard on his big toe.

Howling, he released her instantly, his hands nursing his injured foot. “What did you do that for?” He glared at her with reproach, his yellow-gray eyes bright with pain.

“Don’t touch me,” she snarled menacingly. Her eyes narrowed as she advanced threateningly, taking him by surprise. “Don’t ever touch me again!”

Cornsby blinked, momentarily stunned by her behavior. “You bitch!” His fat face turned red with rage. “Savage whore! You want it and you know it!” Releasing his foot, he gingerly flexed his sore toe. He moved unexpectedly then, clearing the counter of her baskets with one wide swipe of his fat arm. “Get out!” he ordered. “And see if you can sell your baskets now! Why, I’ve practically had to force my customers to buy them. The blasted things aren’t worth a copper. I’ve been overpaying you!”

“K’ nees’ gahk-gay-loon ’en. You nasty liar!” she spat. “You make two coppers on every one of my baskets. I’ll sell them–I’ll charge only one!” But despite Molly’s show of bravado, she had serious doubts about her ability to sell them.

Cornsby looked smug. “You think they’ll buy from you, a damn Injun?” His harsh laughter reverberated about the shop as he kicked a basket with his uninjured foot. “You’d have sold them yourself long ago if you believed you could! You wait, wench! You’ll come crawling, begging, back to me with your legs spread! You’ll be forced to admit that I was right. You can’t get better than Reginald Cornsby! You’ll rue the day you denied me!”

“In a cool day in hell, Cornsby!” Her dark eyes afire, Molly glared at him while under the counter-top her groping hand discovered the hidden money. Her fingers closed over the copper coins, and she brought them up against her back. The metal warmed within her tightened fist. How she longed to smash Cornsby’s ugly face!

The man’s eyes half closed in sudden speculation as he noted Molly’s look of triumph. His gaze swung from her to the counter, and cursing, he rushed forward, shoving her aside. “What the hell!” He turned on her in fury. She chuckled and held up the coins. “Why you little—”

He came after her then, and Molly fled as fast as her feet would take her. She heard a thud, and then Cornsby cursed loudly. Giddy with her success, she laughed and ran out the door.

He wouldn’t follow her; she was safe. How could he possibly catch up with her? He was too fat to run. She was too fast for him.

Once outside, Molly slowed her gait, lifting up her face to enjoy the sun’s warmth. She smiled, unafraid. Cornsby wouldn’t want it known that he’d attempted to bed the half-breed savage. No, the worst of it was that now she’d have to travel to Clamtown to sell her baskets. The extra miles would mean an overnight stay.

Damn! she thought. She didn’t need Cornsby. She should have dampened his desire months ago!

A commotion rose in the streets behind Molly when Cornsby’s voice was heard throughout the village. She glanced back at the gathering crowd. She gasped. They were looking—pointing—at her!

“Stop, thief!” To Molly’s horror, Cornsby gestured wildly in her direction. “The savage robbed me,” he bellowed to those around him. “She stole my money!”

Liar! she wanted to shout. The money was rightfully hers! She’d earned it! Cornsby had her baskets. The coins belonged to her!

“There she is! Over there!” a man shouted, and Molly started back to defend herself. Facing a sea of angry faces, she paused, changing her mind. They won’t listen to me. Cornsby is one of them and to them, I’m just a savage. How can I prove my innocence?

“Get her!” The storekeeper’s voice rose to incite the crowd. “Take the little heathen. She stole from me!”

“Let’s get her!” Several townspeople echoed the man’s outcry.

Molly turned heel and ran. Sprinting down the dusty lane, she veered off into the dense woods line. Some day Cornsby will pay, she vowed, envisioning the wicked gleam in his pale eyes as he sounded the alarm. She longed to go back, if only to wipe the triumphant smile off his unsightly face.

If there’d been the slightest chance that the villagers would believe her, she would have dug in her heels and faced her accuser. But Molly knew better. Everyone in Manville knew Reginald Cornsby was a lowlife, but to them Molly McCormick was worse. To the people of Manville, Molly was “that filthy half-breed”, the bastard spawn of Tully McCormick and his Lenape lover, Shi’ki-Xkwe.

Tears of anger stung her eyes as her feet flew over the uneven ground. She’d never understand their attitude. Why was it a sin to be born a bastard?

Angry voices rallied behind Molly, and she heard the snap of the brush as her pursuers followed. Heart thumping, breath labored, Molly slipped into the cover of the nearest copse, where she paused to get her bearings.

Her gaze darted wildly about the surrounding landscape, seeking an avenue of escape. Through the next grouping of trees she spied a narrow path, and she raced toward the trail with renewed strength.

Somewhere to the left was her father’s cottage. A right turn, several yards, and she could hide amidst the thick foliage.

Dogs! She cursed them silently. I’ve done nothing wrong! Go away!

Molly stumbled, righted herself, and then turned to the right and off the path. A hundred yards through the brush and bramble she paused to rest, too tired to take another step. Crouching behind a cluster of briars, she listened, her breath still.

The sound of voices receded. Her gaze caught the flash of a bright blue coat on the other side of the distant trail. They were continuing their search toward her father’s cabin!

Damn him! Damn them all! When her father found out what had happened, he’d be furious with her. She gave a silent prayer that he wasn’t drinking again. Intoxicated, Tully McCormick would punish his daughter first and ask questions afterward.

Molly waited in her hiding place, pondering ways to speak alone to her younger half brother. Shelby would believe her. And he’d make her father believe her too! Unlike Darren, her oldest brother, who made no secret of his hatred of her, Shelby cared for her.

She decided to wait until dark before heading for home. Hopefully by then, Cornsby and his followers would be long gone from the woods and her father’s cabin. Perhaps if she waited until it was late, she could wake up Shelby while her father and Darren slept . . .

A twig snapped, and Molly jumped. Her eyes widened as she spied a figure slinking low along the trail toward her. In a sudden decision, she raced toward the cedar swamp. No man would dare follow her there! There were too many ways to die ...

The forest thickened as Molly entered the swamp. She stepped slowly, carefully. The trees above grew together in a profuse tangle, their entwined leaves blocking out the bright sunlight. A rustling, grinding moan drew her gaze upward to the treetops time and again. Molly’s heart pounded as she glanced over her shoulder. There were no signs of her pursuers. It’s just the wind I hear in the trees, she thought. I have to get out of this swamp!

Danger abounded in each step she took, in the creatures that lurked in hidden places. Should she go back the way she came? Or would the man be lying in wait for her?

Ahead, sunlight filtered through the trees, softly illuminating a distant clearing. She immediately changed directions, hoping that the break in the leafy canopy above meant a quick exit from the dismal swamp. The pungent smell of rotting vegetation assailed her nostrils as she cautiously negotiated the unstable ground.

Something made a noise behind her—a crackle, a crunch, like that made by a man clearing marsh grass. The clearing was only a short distance away, and Molly took off in a dead run, praying she’d not get caught in any hidden quagmire. To her relief, she reached the clearing without mishap, rejoicing in the feel of solid ground beneath her feet. She found cover behind a tall cedar, listening, expecting to hear the crash of a man’s footsteps, the bellow of a deep voice.

All was blissfully, remarkably silent, and Molly emitted a deep sigh. Smiling with her success at having evaded her pursuers, she turned and then abruptly froze.

She wasn’t alone. There were two, no three, men eyeing her steadily. Her gaze fell to the largest fellow, a hideous ruffian with a jagged scar from his forehead to the edge of his scraggly beard. His eyes glimmered with a feral light as they swept Molly from head to toe.

“Oh, sweet Jesus!” Molly swore as she braced herself to fight.

“What do we ’ave ’ere?” The bearded brute stepped toward her.

“Why, it’s a woman!” came another whining voice.

The third ruffian, who was just a youth, spoke up, “Ya calls that a woman? Looks more like a skunk, if ya asks me.”

Molly backed away, cursing her new predicament. Her eyes flashed from the man who was slowly advancing on her to his two companions, who appeared less threatening. The men were dressed simply in striped shirts and short, bell-bottomed trousers, their hair worn in queues tied back with hemp. They work black neckerchiefs and black shoes with silver buckles. A knit cap sat on top of Beard-face’s sea-weathered head, while his two friends sported hats with wide brims.

“Come ’ere, dearie. Old John won’t ’urt ya.” Beard-face raised a hand, beckoning her closer. “Oo, yer a right fine thing, if ya ask me. Don’t be afeared. Come on now.”

“Why won’t she say anything?” the youngest of the three asked.

Old John’s eyes narrowed. “What’s yer name, girlie?”

Clamping her mouth shut, Molly glared at him,

“So that’s the way it’s to be, is it?” His huge hand hovered near his belt, drawing Molly’s glance. Her breath caught as he withdrew a jackknife, flipping it open to wield it dangerously in her direction. He was within ten feet of her now. Molly stepped back and stopped. She knew the ground behind her was unstable; she couldn’t risk it.

The middle fellow, who Molly silently dubbed Slim-bones, looked about anxiously, obviously not pleased with the turn of events. “John, I don’t think this is a good idea. The captain—”

John shot him a menacing look. “This ain’t no concern of the capt‘n’s. I just wanna to ’ave a little funnin’ with the lady ’fore we let ’er go.” His voice hardened. “Got any objections?”

“N—no, not me, John,” the boy was quick to pipe in.

Slim-bones was slower in agreeing. “Guess not. As long as ya don’t hurt her.”

Beard-face’s eyes gleamed. “ ’Urting the fine darlin’ is the last thing I wanna do ...”

Suddenly Old John pounced. Molly screamed as he caught her within his massive fingers. When she struggled wildly to be free, the man laughed, aroused by her spirit, but he dropped his knife.

She stilled her body and hung limply within his grasp, realizing that her fighting actions only incited the bearded man’s lust. He shook her. Enraged, she slammed her head up under his chin and heard him grunt with the impact. Her breath coming in hard pants, Molly glared up into her captor’s face, her dark eyes shooting hot sparks. Old John’s teeth flashed as he sneered, and she spat in his eye, renewing her fight.

“Damn it all now, girl!” He gasped and cursed as Molly’s foot connected with his right shin. “Get me my knife,” he ordered the boy. “Now!”

Old John held tight to Molly’s left arm, but she slammed him in his stomach with her right fist. “Damn!” he cursed. “Where’s my knife!”

The boy appeared at Old John’s side with the weapon, extending it toward the big man. Molly swung, and the boy ducked and withdrew, the open jackknife still clutched tightly within his grasp.

“Jesus, boy!” Old John howled as Molly sank her teeth into his arm. Releasing her, he jerked his arm free, clubbing her in the face. She reeled back under the impact, and stars danced in her eyes.

She had a brief second to gather her senses, but by the time her head cleared it was too late. Old John grabbed her by her hair; Molly felt the point of his knife prick her throat. She flinched as a drop of blood welled to the surface.

“Ya shouldn’t ‘ave done that,” he muttered, his putrid breath hot against her face as he pulled her against him. “A lady oughta behave like one.”

“K’ahk peek’soo ka’wia!” Molly spat. She took great pleasure in calling the man a flea-bitten porcupine.

John’s brows lifted and his grip loosened. “A savage! We got ourselves somebody’s squaw!” His lips curved upward in a wicked smile, and goosebumps rose on Molly’s flesh. “No need to worry ’bout letting this one go. We kin do a little sharing and then be done wi—”

“Smithers!” a deep bark rent the air, immediately drawing the attention of the three seamen. “What’s going on here?”

Old John let go of Molly as if burned. Molly used the advantage to slip by him, but she was curious enough to stop near the edge of the clearing and glance back. The bearded man cowered beneath the force of the newcomer, who was obviously a superior officer. John’s two comrades stood quivering by his side.

“I asked you a question, Smithers!”

“We found us someone snooping about the cove, sir. We was gettin’ ready to take ’er in to the capt’n.”

There was a moment of charged silence. “See that you do then,” the officer said.

Molly’s eyes widened, and the rest of what was said was lost as she turned and ran. This time Molly was on firm ground as she headed in the opposite direction. No one was going to take her anywhere! Not if she had anything to say about it!

Heavy footfalls sounded behind her as Molly tore through the brush. Brambles scraped her legs and scratched her bare arms, but she kept on going, ignoring the pain.

She had to get away!

“Hold on there!” a voice cried, and Molly recognized it as belonging to the youth. “I won’t hurt ya! We won’t hurt ya! Didn’t ya heard Mr. Dickon? No one’s going to hurt ya! The captain’ll want to see ya, that’s all.”

Before she could utter a sound, she was thrown to the ground by the boy. She fought for all she was worth, but she found the youth surprisingly strong. There was nothing boyish about the stern face glaring down at her or about the callused hands that pinned her to the ground.

“Get up!” His tone held impatience as he yanked her to her feet. “You’ve got a meeting with the captain.”

He caught her hands behind her back and pulled up sharply. She gasped, struggled weakly, and then gave up the battle. The youth grinned at her exhausted expression.

“That’s et,” he murmured, his eyes gleaming. He squeezed her hands hard, clearly exultant in his display of power. “Just how the captain likes ’em, nice and gentle-like.”

“What the hell!” Bran Donovan scowled. “We’ve been discovered, you say? And by some chit of a female?”

Dickon, the first mate, nodded. “I’m afraid so, Captain.”

“Damnation!”

“Take it easy, Bran,” his brother urged. “It can’t be that bad. What harm could she possibly do?”

Bran scowled. “Harm? I’ll tell you what harm she can do. Have you forgotten the shipment of powder? If word gets out and it falls into the wrong hands . . .”

Patrick Donovan signaled to a barmaid across the room. “Agnes, a drink for my brother here!”

Nodding, Agnes brought over a tankard and set it before Bran, who glared at it fiercely.

The men were meeting at the Jug and Barrel Inn, the secret base of Rebel operations. Josiah Morse leaned across the trestle table. “Dickon thinks she stumbled upon the cove by accident. Odds are she’ll never be able to find us again. Just take her somewhere and let her go.”

Bran thought for a long moment, seriously contemplating the proprietor’s advice. Josiah was a short man with a thickening middle and an eternal twinkle in his blue eyes. He had lived in these Pine Barrens since the Donovan brothers were knee-high to a groundhog. Josiah and the boys’ father, Marcus Donovan, had been cohorts in smuggling during the years prior to the revolution.

Since Marcus’s death five years back, Morse had taken on the role of surrogate father to Marcus’s two sons. Following in their father’s footsteps, Patrick and Bran became Morse’s partners. But where Josiah and Marcus had smuggled for the pure joy of profiteering, the Donovan brothers smuggled to help the Patriot cause. Through their joint privateering and smuggling ventures, they acquired and transported supplies for Washington’s Continental Army.

Although Bran respected Morse and didn’t take his advice lightly, he still wasn’t satisfied. “Need I remind you two that this area is crawling with Redcoats?” When no one commented, he slammed his fist down on the table top. “Damn! We lost three good men last week thanks to those blasted Tories!” He took a hefty swallow of ale before he slammed the mug down and shoved it away empty.

“I don’t think you realize the gravity of our situation,” Bran continued. “What time is the shipment due?”

“Ten p.m.,” Josiah said. “Martin’s handling the run. He’ll be bringing the Flying Wench down river to the Bloody Mary, where our men will be waiting to transfer the powder kegs.”

“Drink up, Bran,” Patrick urged, “and relax. I still think you’re worrying needlessly. Martin is a wily captain. He c. . .