Damn him.
“Fine.” She picked up her skirts and kneeled in front of him on the grimy tavern floorboards, keeping her fury knotted in her fists so it wouldn’t show on her face. “I am sorry for my sharp tongue yesterday. Your offer was earnest, and my reply was not. If you would care to make your proposal again, it would be received with more…enthusiasm.”
“And why is that?” Kaspar prompted, looking gleeful at the prospect of her spelling out his charms.
“Because you’re a fair sailor and have a head for business. You’d sire strong children and you’re not bad to look at,” she gritted out, ignoring the hoots that followed every grudging bit of praise. “Because you would make anyone a fine husband.”
“One might say a better husband than a sharp-tongued spinster deserves.” Kaspar leaned back in his chair, hands laced behind his neck. He was enjoying this too much.
“One might, but one might also be consoled by the very large ship that comes with her,” she answered tartly, unable to restrain said tongue. “And I have tits enough to share, or so you claimed last night.”
That drew a few laughs from the table, and for once, Kaspar joined in. He seemed to be softening now that his pride had been coddled by her compliments.
Her knees were sore and so was her heart. “Can I get up now?”
“I don’t know, I like you like this, Mags. Begging for me and all.” He gave her a lazy leer.
She rolled her eyes and struggled to her feet, brushing the dust off her wrinkled skirts. “Sorry to ruin the view, but I have work to do.”
He jerked a nod and rose from his seat, pocketing his stack of coins before stepping away from the table. “I’ll visit your father to discuss the details.”
So that’s what they were calling theWolfhunternow. The details.
She gave him a bemused look. “You can discuss them with me.”
“Fine. I will pay your father’s debts and keep a roof over his head, and in return, I expect a half-share of the ship,” he rejoined bluntly. “He will keep the other half. Should be plenty to support your parents until the end of their days, especially since I’ll be feeding you. That’s more than fair.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What about my share?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep you fine,” he grumbled, rubbing his jaw as he glanced over at his crew. They’d lost interest in the discussion and had resumed their card game.
“Is my share included in my parents’ half or your half?”
He stared at her like she’d lost her mind. “Why does it matter? Either way, you’re eating well.”
“Because they’re two vastly different deals, that’s why. I can pencil the numbers for you if you can’t work it out in your head.”
Kaspar’s nostrils flared. “I can work it out.”
“Then you understand why I’m asking. How much of theWolfhunterwill be mine?”
“You won’t own any of it,” he burst out harshly. “Your father owns all of it today, and I’ll own half of it tomorrow. This isn’t a negotiation. You’d better learn to hold your tongue, or you’ll talk yourself out of a husband again.”
She snapped her mouth shut, realizing she’d pushed him too far. She’d done her duty, and now she’d do her best not to spoil it. But it took every bit of her strength to smile.
Chapter 4
A Gesture of Gratitude
Evrard
“He’s still here,” the moth complained, dusting him with silver from its wings as it circled the lantern at the gate. “Moons in the water, what is he waiting for?”
He set his jaw, staring off into the night.
“Maybe he’s deaf and blind,” another moth goaded, transparently trying to drag information out of him.
“Or just stupid.” The first moth tittered at its own jab. “I heard they’re replacing him with a rock. They might as well. No one will know the difference.”
