Chapter 116: New Providence, Part 1

Kent staggered, nearly dropping Isabel, before marching across the deck and down the companionway.

"Put me down at once!" Isabel pounded his back. Then her voice softened. "Please, I beg you."

"Ah, now you beg me, but 'tis too late. You need to be taught who is master aboard this ship."

He kicked open the door to her cabin and swung inside.

Isabel began to sob, then fell silent. She ceased struggling.

Kent laid her limp body gently on the bed and took a step back. Blast, the woman had swooned. He hadn't meant to frighten her so badlyscare her into submission perhapsbut he'd had no intention of hurting her. Didn't she realize he could never force himself on her again? Kent rubbed the back of his neck and thumped his forehead against the bedpost as the rum cavorted in a lawless dance in his head. The woman's sharp tongue had lit the fuse of his liquored mind and blasted his reason to bitsonce again.