The Sea Hawk by Brenda Adcock

and with powerful steps pushed through the water. As the crewmen jumped from the boat to pull it on shore, Julia watched the captain stride to the horses and embrace each one affectionately. Laughing, she grabbed the mane of a dark chestnut and pulled herself onto its broad back. The horse reared and danced around. Julia smiled at the sheer joy on the usually taciturn woman's face. Bringing the large animal under control, she turned it toward the boats. Kicking it soundly in the side, the horse leaped forward and began to close the distance. "Joaquin!" she called out.
    The boy turned and saw Simone and the horse rapidly approaching and ran farther onto the beach into their path. Julia reached out to stop him, but Esperanza grabbed her arm. "No," she said calmly. Joaquin turned his body sideways and held up his right arm. Simone guided the horse, still running, near the boy and at the last moment reached down with her left arm and easily swung him behind her on the horse. They raced down the beach through the surf. It was a spectacular sight. There was no doubt in Julia's mind the bond between the privateer and the boy was a strong one, based on unquestioning trust.
    Within an hour everyone except a few crew members was ashore. Simone made relief assignments to allow everyone an equal amount of time off the ship. Members of Simone's household staff loaded horse drawn carts while everyone else followed.
    Joaquin claimed a horse immediately and shared it with Esperanza while Anton rode with Kitty sitting comfortably in front of him. As Julia brushed sand from her hands, a shadow fell over her and she looked up to see Simone extending a hand down to her. With a wary glance at Esperanza, a gesture not missed by Simone, Julia hesitated to take the hand.
    "You may walk if you are too stubborn to accept my offer," Simone said.
    Julia climbed onto the prow of the long boat and waited for Simone to guide her horse closer. Taking her hand, Simone scooted back slightly and pulled her onto the horse's back in front of her. As she settled herself, Julia's arm brushed lightly against Simone's breasts. She could feel the nipples react and a blush made its way up her neck. "I'm sorry," she barely managed.
    "Why should you be sorry if I am not?" Simone rasped in a low voice, her mouth close to Julia's ear. The blush spread quickly to Julia's cheeks. Holding Julia securely, Simone laughed and urged her mount forward at a leisurely pace.
    The island was lush and green. Colorful red and yellow birds flew through the trees and small waterfalls fell from walls of flowering vines to make their way down the hillsides toward the ocean. Julia relaxed against Simone as they climbed away from the beach. Periodically Simone shifted her weight, bringing her body into closer contact with Julia's. Simone drew her horse to a stop as they topped the hill overlooking the cove. She took in the view of the ocean while they waited for the others to catch up.
    "It is magnificent," Julia breathed. At their leisurely pace she didn't realize how high they were climbing. Le Faucon de Mer looked much smaller and the changing color of the water as it extended away from shore was a panoply of blues and greens.
    "This is my favorite view. It is nearly as beautiful as the water surrounding Montserrat."
    "Montserrat? Joaquin told me that was your family's home."
    " Oui . When my family was driven from the island by the British, I came here."
    "Is that why you hate the British so?" Julia asked, turning toward Simone. Her face was much closer to Simone's than she anticipated and she swallowed hard as she watched Simone's lips quirk into a slight smile.
    Simone was enjoying the feel of Julia's body close to hers and wished the trip to her home was longer. Now the woman's incessant questions brought temptation too close to resist. Light amber eyes dilated somewhat as they took in the inviting fullness of Julia's lips so close to hers. It would be so easy to lean forward only a