She shoved open the door and crashed into Rhystan’s chamber, intending to blister the hide off the man. And froze.

Good gracious.

It was the most seductive thing she’d ever seen in all her life.

For the love of all things holy, it was unseemly how light-headed she became at the sight of the long, narrow copper tub, shaped like a hollowed-out boat and full of steaming, scented water. A jar of soap and a washcloth sat on a nearby stool along with a pile of toweling.

Sarani glanced around the empty cabin. She stared at the mesmerizing scene and actually moaned. Glancing around, she didn’t hear a sound. Perhaps Rhystan had been called above decks for some urgent matter. Would it hurt if she dipped in and out quickly?

She could be lightning fast.

Oh heavens, she couldn’t!

Rhystan would know, though it would serve him right if she took the bath obviously drawn for him. Sarani scowled. That dratted man didn’t deserve this glorious slice of heaven. The soft slosh of water nearly made her swoon as the ship rolled slightly. And that was all it took for her scruples to disappear like smoke on the wind.

Sod it!

Bolting the cabin door, Sarani stripped off her robe and night rail and climbed in, uncaring that the pernicious rotter of a duke could return at any minute. The minute her feet touched the warm water, she was past the point of reason or caring.

It was divine.

The water soaked in her salt-weathered, moisture-starved skin, and without a second thought, Sarani shimmied down and dunked her entire head beneath the surface. Bliss didn’t even begin to describe what she felt. She’d died and gone to heaven.

As much as she wanted to luxuriate, she also didn’t want to be caught sans clothing in the captain’s bath, so she availed herself of the soap and scrubbed her hair and skin as fast as she dared. She threw a look toward the door, but it was still locked with the bolt thrown. It wouldn’t keep an irate man from kicking it in, but she was hoping that Rhystan would still be a gentleman. Even if she’d broken in and stolen his bath.

Though given the strain between them, it was unlikely.

She hadn’t exactly been the most obedient or accommodating boatswain. In fact, she’d gone out of her way to be contrary, plucking his temper like a master of strings. At first, it’d been to get back at him, but then it became a matter of mulishness. He was determined to break her with menial work, and she was determined to show him he couldn’t.