Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [103]
Anger flared in the dark eyes. “Damned if I don't almost see why Marc did it,” he said between his teeth. He rose to his feet and crossed to the phone extension at the bar and dialed rapidly. He spoke into the receiver. “Marc, I want you in the lounge immediately.” Without waiting for a reply he replaced the receiver and turned to look at her.
Jane looked infinitely vulnerable lying back in the chair, her cheeks pale, her diminutive body in its oversized garments slight and fragile. The only signs of strength were in the defiance in her eyes and the indomitable set to her soft pink mouth.
“Why didn't you tell me?” he asked curtly.
She lifted her chin. “It wasn't your concern. For that matter, it still isn't. It's entirely between Captain Benjamin and myself.”
He gazed at her in incredulous anger. “Damn it,” he said harshly. “I own the Sea Breeze. I employ every person aboard her, and you say it's not my concern when my captain abuses you?”
“I am not abused,” she said crossly. “I wish you'd just stay out of it.” She tightened her hands on the arms of the chair and attempted to lever herself into a standing position.
“Damn it, can't you ever obey orders?” he roared. He crossed the room in four strides and swung her up in his arms, ignoring her startled gasp.
She started to speak, but he cut off her words. “Shut up! Just shut up!” He carried her to the brown leather couch in the center of the room and dropped her on it with all the gentleness of one disposing of yesterday's garbage. “Now, stay there!”
Jane pulled herself into an upright position, very affronted by this undignified treatment, and opened her mouth to tell him just what he could do with his orders. This extremely hazardous course of action was interrupted by the arrival of Marc Benjamin.
The captain looked his usual commanding, unruffled self in his dark-blue uniform. His keen gray eyes impersonally noted Jane's presence on the couch, before he turned his attention to Dominic. “You wanted to see me?” he asked composedly.
Jake crossed to the bar and poured himself a brandy. “You could say that,” he said tersely. “I hear you've been acting like a virtual Captain Bligh with our reluctant guest here.”
“I didn't say that!” Jane protested hotly. “I told you this was none of your business.” She turned to the captain and said quickly. “I'll be on deck tomorrow at the usual time, Captain Benjamin.”
“You needn't try to protect me, Miss Smith,” Benjamin said coolly. “I'm quite capable of making my own explanations.”
“Protect you!” Jane sputtered furiously. “I'm not protecting you, my dear Simon Legree. I just want no interference in what is strictly a private battle. I have no intention of winning by default.”
Benjamin didn't pretend to misunderstand her. “It seems you've done just that, whether you like it or not,” he answered impassively.
“Not on your life,” Jane said emphatically, her eyes burning like a flame in her white face.
“I can't believe this.” Jake came forward to stand beside the couch. “If you'll stop squabbling like two kindergarten children, I'd like that explanation, Marc.”
The captain shrugged. “There's nothing to make a fuss about, Jake,” he said calmly. “Miss Smith and I were just having a little battle of wills. I'll change her to another duty tomorrow.”
“You'll do no such thing!” Jane cried, struggling to get to her feet.
Jake pushed her back on the couch. “Be still!” he ordered roughly. He turned to Benjamin and asked grimly, “What type of work did you imagine she could do with legs like these?” He reached down and pulled the khaki pants up to reveal her swollen kneecaps.
Benjamin gazed in stunned horror, for once jolted out of his cool aplomb. “Good Lord!” he swore beneath his breath. He looked up at Dominic, his gray eyes stricken. “I didn't know, Jake,” he muttered. “I swear I didn't know. Why the hell didn't she tell me?”
“Because she's a stubborn young fool with more courage than sense,” Jake said