The frustration of immense storm-driven tides thrummed up through the cold stone floor.

By the guttering light of a single candle, James used a long steady finger to trace the wing-like shape of Flora’s shoulder blade.

He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss there, as though  his lips were like anchors, as if they alone were heavy enough to ( Read more... )

Day broke flawless and gentle gold across the sea. The water was flat, the sky blue and blameless as the shell of a robin’s egg.

Lord Beckett stood at his downstairs veranda watching the sailors loaded up the Endeavour. They moved like beasts of burden held in line by the whip of their master’s will, an endless unbroken circuit of men moving from ( Read more... )