Which was why, despite the captain’s threat, she had finally conceded to come, to mayhap discover a friend aboard this ship of fools.
“I’m sorry,” she said as the deck slanted to larboard.Her glass of what had to be grog started to slide, and she steadied it.
Pell glanced at the captain.“I learned the hard way that God doesn’t honor His promises.”
Gabrielle swallowed.She quite agreed.At least not toallHis children.Grabbing her fork, she tasted the squid.A fishy but pleasant flavor filled her mouth, and she eagerly took another bite, noting the captain’s eyes were upon her.
A breeze swept in through the stern windows, flickering the candles and casting ghoulish shadows over the bulkhead.God has favorites.Gabrielle glanced behind her, seeking the source of the words, but no one was there.
“Tell ’er ‘bout how ye an’ the cap’n took t’ swords,” Durwin gestured to Pell with his fork.
Swords?Gabrielle raised her brows.
Pell chuckled.“Aye.”He shared a glance with Cadan.“I was working on a merchant ship when theResolutecame upon us fast, all guns blazing.We were quickly overtaken, and Cadan and his men came leaping over the bulwarks to board us.”
Cadan smiled.“You were quite the swordsman, Pell.For a preacher.”
“Preacher or not, I almost beat you.”Pell winked.
“Your execution was exemplary, I’ll grant you.But in the end”—Cadan raised one brow—“not enough.”
Silence invaded the room, save for the crash of water against the hull and the slurp and slap of the men eating.
“What happened?”Gabrielle finally asked.
Pell plopped a spoonful of rice in his mouth and nodded toward Cadan.“He gave me an offer I could not refuse.Be stranded on an island or become his new quartermaster.”
Cadan lifted his glass toward Pell.“You chose wisely.For both of us.”
There could be no denying the friendship that existed between the two men.Gabrielle tucked away the information for later use should the need arise.She looked over at Durwin.“I know your story, Mr.Durwin.You were in the navy, correct?”
Nodding, Durwin ran a hand beneath his nose and began piling more food on his plate.
Soot snickered.“Poor Durwin were sich an addle-brained boosy, he were tossed from the royal navy!”
Slamming down the spoon, Durwin leapt to his feet, drew his blade, and leveled the tip at Soot’s rabbit.“Take that back, or I’ll slit the vermin’s throat!”
The squid soured in Gabrielle’s stomach.Not that she hadn’t seen pirates threaten each other over nothing, but carrying a child in her womb seemed to heighten her fears over everything.
Soot remained still, eyes slits of anger, drawing his pet closer to his chest.
“Enough!”Cadan shouted.“We have a guest.Can you not for one meal behave as though you were not born and bred in a brothel!?”
Durwin’s blade remained.“Make ’im take it back, Cap’n.”
“Burn it, Durwin.”Soot gave a humorless snarl.“You cut Hellfire, an’ ye’ll be the one gutted.”
Cadan rose, pushing back his chair.“I said enough!Sheath your blade at once, Durwin.”
Pell eyed the men with caution, Smity grinned as if enjoying the entertainment, while Moses stood, hand on his own blade, in case his captain needed him.
Finally, Durwin withdrew his blade and slammed it into the sheath with a metallic scrape.
Pressing a hand on her churning stomach, Gabrielle attempted to settle her nerves.She should leave, but she was learning so much about these men and their captain.“Did you not tell me, Mr.Soot, that you deserted the navy?Why then so much anger toward Mr.Durwin?”
“Aye.Left o’ me own accord, Miss.Not tossed.”He fired a look of hate toward Durwin.
Gabrielle sipped her drink.Grog, a mixture of mostly water with a small portion of rum.Perhaps it would aid in settling her nerves.She glanced around the table at the pirates who were either shoving food into their mouths or pouring more rum into their cups.All save Moses who merely stared at his half-eaten plate of food, arms crossed over his chest.
