Episode 4

A tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows, moving silently from its hiding place and heading toward the beach. Behind it, other shapes disguised by the rocks began to stir. A light flashed, and a response came from a nearby cave. The man's eyes scanned the sandy shore until they were rewarded with the sight of chests and barrels brought in by the waves, now calmly lapping against the sand.

A whistle broke the silence, and the figures—revealed to be men searching for wreckage—began combing through the debris washed ashore. Before long, a scream pierced the night. The man hurried toward the commotion. Two bodies had been found. Upon reaching them, he ordered the bodies to be turned over to check for any valuables. At that moment, the woman convulsed, her chest heaving with laboured breaths. They were alive.

The man, the leader of the group, paused to consider his options. He could throw them back into the sea, ensuring their deaths by drowning, or he could help them—though that might bring trouble. The man was shielding the woman, who was unclothed, but he himself wore fine clothes and appeared to be of some wealth. Perhaps aiding them could yield a reward. He gave an order, and moments later, one of the figures darted off. A short while later, a carriage appeared.

Tabitha slowly regained consciousness. The light filtering through the curtains of the open window warmed her face, and a soft breeze brushed her skin. She could hear the cries of seagulls and the gentle rhythm of waves breaking on the shore. There was a cadence, a pleasant rhythm that lulled her back toward sleep. She turned onto her side, clutching the pillow, and felt her heartbeat steady. As she began to drift off, she thought she could hear another heartbeat besides her own. What madness was this? She didn’t have two hearts, she thought groggily. She fought to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt impossibly heavy, like lead.

Finally, she managed to open them just enough to glimpse the pillow beneath her cheek. But it wasn’t a pillow—it looked like a man’s chest. She shut her eyes tightly and opened them again in alarm, only to recognize the face of Lord Devereux! Her eyes widened as she realized she was curled against him, her leg entwined with his, her arm draped across his muscular chest.

Cautiously, she tried to sit up without waking him, but dizziness overwhelmed her. Where was she? Then, like a rushing tide, the memories returned: the storm, the moment she fell overboard, Devereux’s shouts, the salvation offered by a barrel, and the way they clung to it as the storm raged before finally calming. He had spoken to her the entire time, but she couldn’t make out his words. She remembered seeing land, a light, and the last desperate effort to reach it with what little strength they had left.

Apparently, they had made it—but where was she? And why was Devereux here with her? Slowly, she pushed aside the blanket covering her and swung her legs over the side of the bed, realizing with horror that they were bare. She quickly pulled them back under the blanket. My God, she was wearing only a shirt. Unsure of what to do, she froze, dreading the moment he might awaken. What then? What if he saw her like this and drew the wrong conclusions? Dear God, what was she to do?

Tabitha heard him exhale deeply and stretch, and a wave of terror gripped her at the thought of him waking up. In a panic, she leapt from the bed and bolted for the door, only to cry out as strong hands grabbed her and pulled her back before she could take a single step. She fought like a wild animal, kicking and scratching, but he was too fast, too strong. Before she knew it, Tabitha was pinned beneath his muscular body, her arms stretched above her head and held firmly in his grasp. His legs trapped hers, pressing her whole body against his. They both breathed heavily, and her wide green eyes, filled with shock, stared into his dark, astonished gaze, both of them silent as they locked eyes.

Tabitha studied him as a teasing smile curled his lips. His eyes roamed over her trembling mouth and flared nostrils before trailing down to her loose hair, which framed her face like a red-golden veil. Finally, his gaze darkened as it settled on her heaving chest, rising and falling uncontrollably against his.

“Well, I must say, it’s been years since I’ve had such a pleasant surprise upon waking,” Ethan murmured, pausing as one of his hands roamed brazenly over her body.

“Please, please listen to me,” Tabitha pleaded, shivering as his lips brushed her neck and his teeth grazed her collarbone, sending chills through her entire being. “I... I was just as shocked and surprised to wake up like this, but please...” She tried to explain, but his mouth covered hers, cutting her off. She felt his firm lips attempting to part hers, his tongue seeking hers, leaving her stunned by the intimate contact.

Tabitha was breathless by the time he released her lips, his own lingering over hers as if savoring their softness. She felt his kisses trail ardently down her neck, while his hands explored her curves, teasing her and removing the little fabric that still covered her. She fought against his grasp in vain, feeling his mouth bite the rosy peak of her breast until it hardened. What was happening to her? She had never felt like this, never been kissed or touched by a man before. Fear mingled with an intense, liquid heat that coursed through her, a deep excitement matching her terror.

“You’ve bewitched me,” Devereux murmured, his voice rough with a desire he seemed unable to fully comprehend.