Drake silently cursed the seagull that squawked above his head. He rubbed a hand across his face and sidestepped the lobster pots spread across the harborside. Ripe with the scent of fish, the harbor was busy with movement, men and women bustling along the stone side, sorting the day’s catch. He envied their energy. He had none.

After an evening drinking at The Royal Oak, a tavern far less desirable than the Ship, he’d opted to remain at his room there. The bed had been hard and the building noisy. The constant sound of chatter and crashing had meant little sleep, leaving him on edge.

He grimaced and headed for the ship, its masts visible over the tiny fishing boats that gathered. Merchant ships docked at Penshallow with surprising regularity, giving its size as a village, but the harbor was one of the larger ones in Cornwall and its proximity to the main towns like Truro made it ideal for bringing goods into the area. It meant his ship did not normally stand out too much, but, at present, it was the only one docked.

Frowning, he quashed a yawn, and eyed the fellow pacing in front of the ship. Drake had stopped by last night but with the mood he was in, he did not much fancy sleeping in the captain’s quarters. Not to mention memories of the previous night still lingered. Bloodied dagger tips and flying fists sat behind his eyelids. Those sorts of memories and sleeping on a ship did not combine well. He’d normally opt to stay at the Ship on nights like that, as he had done on the night of the storm, but after Julianna had practically banished him, he thought it best to let her calm down.

He snorted to himself as he approached the slender, tall man who stopped pacing once he saw Drake. Banished by the woman he’d rescued. Ridiculous.

“Nicholas Drake?”

Drake nodded and eyed the man. He wasn’t large enough to be a customs man so there was no danger there. He looked like a man who had never ridden a horse in his life, likely chauffeured around in private carriages.

Despite the apparent lack of threat, he kept himself alert. Life had taught him caution. In his younger years, he had feared nothing, hurling into battle without a single thought for his safety. That was until a cannon tore apart the side of his ship and hurled shrapnel into his thigh.

The man thrust forward a hand which Drake ignored. He withdrew the hand and eyed him through pale eyes rimmed with a little red. “I have need of your help.”

“I do not think I can offer you any.”

Sweat beaded on the man’s lip. “You don’t understand. It is imperative I get a message to France.”

“I cannot help you.”

The man frowned. “I was told you could.”

Drake shrugged. “You were told wrong. I have no crew at present.”

The man pushed a hand through his ashy hair. “I really must insist.”

Drake gave a dry laugh. “There are few men who can tell me what to do, and you certainly are not one of them.”

After all, Red had said nothing of a new mission. And Drake was not lying. He had no crew at present. They were all taking shore leave and he was still short two men after the last trip.

“I know of...your activities.” The man lowered his voice. “It would not be wise to deny me.”

Drake narrowed his gaze at the man. “Who are you?”

“Someone who needs to get to France.”

Recognition sparked in Drake’s mind. He’d seen this man once before after a brawl at the inn. Ewan Wallace, if he remembered correctly. He’d been part of a small group of conmen who had been hiding out from the law at Louisa’s. Apparently, he had not left.

“You need to run from the law you mean.” Drake snorted. “And you think you can threaten me.”

“I will ensure your activities are known if you do not help me.” Ewan straightened.

Fatigue made Drake’s lids heavy and his mouth dry. He was in no mood for helping a petty criminal escape the long arm of the law. “Get out of here before I do something I regret.”

“You will not deny me.”

The arrogant lilt of his voice set Drake’s teeth on edge. He stepped forward and thrust a finger at him. “I will, and I am. Get. Out. Of. Here.”

“But—”

He grabbed Ewan by the collar and thrust him up against a large box. “I said, get out of here.”

The empty box rocked against the man’s weight and there was a squeal. Drake scowled and peered around the box. “What in the devil?” Releasing the man, he gripped Julianna by the arm and dragged her out from her hiding spot. “What the devil are you doing here?”

She gave him a sheepish look and shrugged.

“What about my passage?” demanded Ewan.

“I’ll give you passage to the bottom of the ocean if you do not make yourself scarce,” Drake bit out.

“Damn you, Drake. Everyone said you were good for a quick bit of coin.”

“They said wrong.” He glared at Ewan until he moved away then turned his attention back to Julianna.

“You are pinching my arm,” she protested.

He eased his grip.

“Who was that man?”

He looked into dark eyes and his instant need struck him like a blow to the gut. He thrust it aside. She could not distract him with her beauty.

“I think I should be the one asking the questions. Why are you here? Were you following me?”

“Not exactly. Why was he so angry?”

He bit back a grunt. “Why are you here, Julianna?”

“I saw you come here last night.”

“So you followed me?” He peered at her hiding spot. “Have you been here all night?” The woman had to be truly mad.

“Of course not. I returned to the inn, but Louisa asked me to fetch some fresh fish this morning and then I saw you and well, I...”

“Decided to spy on me.”

“I would not call it that exactly...”

He huffed out a breath and tightened his grip on her arm again. “Have you got your fish?”

She lifted a string bag.

“Then you are going back to the inn where you cannot cause trouble.”

“I certainly am not.” She stomped her feet down but her slight weight was no match for his strength. He dragged her along so that she had no choice but to stumble forward.

“You cannot treat me this way.”

“This might surprise you, Princess, but I can do anything I want. You are here without protection. Just think yourself lucky that I am feeling charitable.”

“You really are a brute!”

He nodded. “A complete brute. But far better than half of the men around here. Do you have any idea how much trouble you could find yourself in?”

“By going to fetch fish?”

“No, by spying.”

“I do not see how watching your ship would get me in trouble.”

He swung a pointed look at where his hand gripped her arm. “What would you call this?”

“You being an utter beast, that’s what.” Her cheeks were flushed with anger and she tried to free herself from his fingers but failed.

“It is your ship, is it not?” she demanded.

“It is. Not that it is anything to do with you.”

“Why did that man threaten you? Why did he want to go to France of all places?”

Drake paused and eyed the determined tilt of her chin. “It is none of your business, Princess, and if I were you, I would keep your pretty little nose out of it.”

The threat had little effect. She eyed him as boldly as ever. The last thing he needed was to get Julianna Knight involved in the smuggling. It was dangerous enough for the rest of them, and they knew well enough what they were involved in. Had she not already declared how much she hated smugglers? Not to mention, he dreaded to think what Knight would do if he found out Julianna was getting herself in deep.

He marched her back to the inn, ignoring her questions. Yanking open the door, he thrust her into the building. Several men were already eating breakfast and a serving girl hustled between the tables, refilling coffee mugs.

Julianna whirled on him after he’d slammed shut the door, not caring for the eyes that were upon them.

She shoved a curl from her face. “I do not see what warranted such...such brutish behavior.”

“I do not see why I should be spied on.”

“You make it sound as though I was trying to be devious. I merely happened by your ship and was...curious.”

He stepped close to her. “Why do you care, Princess? Did you not declare you never wanted to see me again yesterday?”

“I did nothing wrong.” She thrust her hands in the air. “Goodness, anyone would think I had committed some grave sin! I merely took a walk along the docks.”

“You followed me the night before, though.” He thrust a finger at her. “Do not think you can fool me with those innocent eyes.”

Julianna thrust her nose in the air. “I wanted some air. The fact that I happened upon your ship was mere circumstance.”

Louisa approached at this point, her arms folded. “I think you two had better take this argument elsewhere.”

“I am not arguing,” Julianna declared. “He is being a brute.”

“Do I have to throw you out for manhandling my staff?” Louisa raised a brow at Drake, but a smile lingered on her lips.

He shook his head. “Your serving girl here has a propensity for trouble. I suggest you keep her under lock and key.”

“Ridiculous! All I was doing was taking a walk and fetching fish. Now he thinks he can drag me wherever he wants...” Julianna thrust the bag of fish at Louisa.

Louisa took the fish and held up a hand. “Clearly I should not get involved. I would warn you that you are making a fine display of yourselves, however. Not that the customers mind. They’re enjoying the entertainment, I think.”

Julianna glanced around at the watching patrons while Louisa took the fish into the kitchen. She blew out a breath. Her cheeks were red and blotchy with anger.

“This is all your fault,” she hissed.

“My fault?” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I was not the one spying.”

“For the last time, it was not spying. I was merely—”

“Hiding. Snooping. Eavesdropping. Prying,” he suggested.

“No!”

“Princess, you might think—” Drake paused when the front door of the inn opened.

A great shadow filled the doorway. Silhouetted against the sunlight, Drake could not make out the features of the newcomer but, then, he did not need to.

“Oh great.”

Julianna turned and the rage filling her face vanished. A beaming smile cracked her lips and she pushed past Drake to fling herself at Knight.

“What the devil...?” Knight blinked as Julianna wrapped herself about the behemoth.

The dark-haired giant of a man stepped fully into the inn, Julianna still wrapped about his neck. His expression remained as stoic as ever. Knight eased her from him and held her back by both arms. The only family resemblance Drake could see was their coloring. Other than that, they were worlds apart. Even after two days working in the inn, Julianna looked as refined and as beautiful as ever. Knight’s forehead was marred with such a scowl, that he looked a little like some beast come in from the moors.

“What are you doing here?” He looked to Drake. “And what are you doing with her?”

“I had to leave,” she said. “Father.”

That one word of explanation was apparently enough. Knight nodded and looked to Drake.

Drake held up both hands. He wished he could dismiss Knight’s concerns as easily. “She told me she was looking for you. I have been looking after her.”

Knight narrowed his gaze at him, his chest expanding. “That better be all.”

As tempted as he was to tease Knight, Drake kept his mouth shut. The man was not hard to aggravate, and he did not much fancy getting into a fist fight with him. Even if it was over the delectable Julianna. She would be worth a sore head or a broken nose, he reckoned, even if she was the most aggravating, curious, nosy woman he had ever met.