Dane fought the urge to lay her back and comfort her in a way to which he knew she was innocent. When he had seen her on deck, knocked flat from Tomas’ blow, his wrath had almost blinded him. He barely recalled pitching Wilson over the side, and only the knowledge of the fate that awaited Tomas when the returned to Fitzwarren Isle had stayed him from reserving a berth for his first mate beneath the ocean. He knew this beautiful woman had saved his life, although he had kidnapped her, forced her to serve as his slave and humiliated her. And with her crying in his arms, he felt the unfamiliar urge to hold her forever.
“Hush, little one,” he whispered against her damp hair, “Hush. Rhiannon ...”
She drew away then, looked in his eyes in surprise. He had never called her by name, and the silk
