The Prize

She shook her head.

He gripped her face, turning it upward so their gazes collided. “I mean it.”

His hand was large, engulfing her chin and jaw. She trembled. “What do you care?” she said awkwardly.

He released her jaw. “I don’t care. But you are in my custody and everything about you is my affair.”

She couldn’t fathom why he should be so interested in her personal matters, and while she did not think sharing her burdens would soften him toward her purpose, she could not think of a reason to remain secretive. She sighed heavily, thought of her parents, and felt a familiar wave of ancient grief. “I was born at Sweet Briar,” she said, her voice low, not looking up at him. “It is heaven on earth, a plantation near Norfolk, Virginia.” She smiled a little, for in spite of the ship’s odors and the scent of the sea, she could smell honeysuckle and lilac and freshly harvested tobacco. “My father built our home with his own two hands, planted the first crops alone.” Finally she looked up, smiling sadly at him. “I loved my father and my mother. Last fall they both died on a stormy night in a foolish carriage collision.”

He said nothing. If he was at all moved by her plight, she could not see it in his expression, as not a muscle in his face changed.

“I am the only child. Sweet Briar is mine. But my guardian, the earl, is selling it in order to pay off my father’s debts.” She laid her hands flat on the table, gripping the smooth wood until her knuckles turned white. “I won’t allow it.”

He stared and it was a moment before he spoke. “I see,” he said flatly. “You will beat the earl about the head until he agrees to pay off your father’s debts and hand you the keys to the plantation.”

This was her last remaining chance. Virginia seized both of his hands and was stunned at the feel of them in her small palms and against her fingers, stunned enough by the contact not to see the surprise leap in his silver eyes. She looked up and spoke swiftly, hoarsely. “If my uncle has to ransom me, he will never be moved to pay my father’s debts. As he decided to sell the plantation without even consulting me, it will be hard enough to persuade him to change his mind without your ransom! Captain, don’t you see? I cannot survive without Sweet Briar. I have to go to the earl. There can be no ransom! Please, Mr. Harvey told me you are a wealthy man and that you hardly need this ransom. Please, let me go—take me to London where I hope I am expected. Please. I beg you.”

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