A waft of wind brought the smell of gunpowder and lye to Gabrielle’s nose.“I’d say she’s the smartest bunny I’ve ever met, then.”She chuckled and Soot joined her, his face turning as red as his hair as he gazed sheepishly at the sea.
Smity slid down the backstay and landed with a thud on the deck, drawing her gaze.Did the man ever smile?The pearl in his right ear glimmered in the sunlight, so at odds with the sneer he gave in her direction.
“Here.”Gabrielle held out Hellfire.“Her name, however, does not seem to suit her.She’s more a Seafoam, don’t you think?”
Taking the rabbit, he drew her close.“Aye.I agree, Miss.But it wouldna be fitting fer the master gunner t’ ’ave a bunny wit’ sich a winsome name.”
She laughed.Shielding her eyes, she glanced up at the mountains of snowy canvas catching the wind and the topmen balancing on yards.With topsails furled and a considerable list to larboard, theResoluterippled through the sea on a southeast course, rising and falling over waves that sent spray over the deck.
“In royals, down flying jib.”The captain’s shout echoed over the deck.
Gabrielle faced Soot.“I heard ’twas your expert gunner skill that saved us, Mr.Soot.”
Another blush blossomed on his cheeks.“Weren’t nothin’, Miss.Cap’n Hayes were the one what told me when t’ fire.”
“You’re far too modest.I know being a master gunner takes a great deal of skill.A God-given skill.”For she’d seen many a man attempt the position and fail over the years.
He squinted in the bright sun, his right eye twitching.“I don’t think the Almighty ’as much t’ do wit’ me.I weren’t worthy o’ the post in the navy.Weren’t worthy o’ my good family name.An’ surely not worthy o’ such a gift from above.”
She placed a hand on his arm.“That is not true, Mr.Soot.God loves all his children.None of us are worthy of that love, but God loves us none-the-less.”She repeated the things she’d heard all her life from her parents and siblings, if only to comfort the man.Yet in truth, she doubted she’d ever truly believed them.
“Surely ’E does a goodly woman like yerself.”Soot smiled.
“I am far from goodly, Mr.Soot.”She reached up to rub Hellfire again, then glanced at the captain who was busy talking with Pell.“Tell me of the captain’s wife.How did she die?”
He shifted his stance and stared over the sea.“No one knows fer sure.And it be best I not say.”He leaned toward her.“But I ’eard she killed herself.”
Gasping, Gabrielle closed her eyes.“How utterly horrible.Do you know why?”
“Nay.T’were some scandal that ruined her.”He glanced up at the quarterdeck and a flicker of unease swept over his eyes.“I best be back to me duties, Miss.”After nodding in her direction, he sped off.
She knew before she turned around that the captain was staring at her.His penetrating gaze seemed to spear her heart even from the distance.Pivoting, she leaned on the railing and glanced across the sea, admiring the deep rolling waves in every shade of blue imaginable.
Kiss or no kiss, the man still intended to use her and Matthew to gain his revenge.That much she knew.
Her chest grew tight, not only from fear but because ’twas time to feed Matthew.Drawing one last breath of fresh sea air, she glanced to her left where the man she’d once assumed the captain assigned to guard her sat on a barrel tying a rope.He neither looked her way nor spoke.Odd.
Pushing from the railing, she grabbed her skirts and shuffled over the deck to go below, only noticing then that nearly every pirates’ eyes were upon her.
???
Cadan was the biggest fool to ever live.For there was no other explanation for the plethora of emotions battling within him.Raging, insane emotions, and worst of all, completely unexpected!The woman was everything he loathed, everything Elyna had been—highborn, educated, mannerly, beautiful, fastidious, deceitful, arrogant—a strumpet.Hence, he must not believe a word she said.Nor could he trust her.
Then why could he not keep his eyes off her?It wasn’t just her lustrous golden hair blowing like silk in the wind.It wasn’t the way the sunlight glistened over her flawless skin.It wasn’t her alluring feminine curves, more evident now that she was no longer with child.Nor was it even the sound of her laughter drifting like sweet music on the salty breeze or the kind way she spoke to Soot and gently caressed his infernal rabbit.
Nay, there was something about the woman that went beyond her appearance, beyond even her upbringing.And that something had taken ahold of his heart.
Hence, the reason he was the biggest fool ever to live.
To make matters worse, his men seemed equally enthralled with the lady.More than once, he had to command them back to task.More than once, he had to shove down a rare burst of jealousy at the ease with which she laughed with Soot.Soot?He’d have to have a chat with the master gunner and order him to keep his distance.
He glanced at Pell standing at the tiller and found even the preacher’s eyes upon her.“You as well, Pell?”
He shrugged with a grin.“Just admiring the scenery, Captain.”
Finally, Soot let the lady be, but only after Cadan had given him his worst scowl.And after casting him a disapproving glance, the lady left too.Thank the stars, for now Cadan could focus on task.They would anchor at Nevis tomorrow, and he’d finally have the last clue to the location of Captain Dempster’s treasure.Not only that, ’twas highly possible the ship they’d had glimpses of far behind them was Allard’s.
Cadan knew the man would ne’er give up on his babe.If everything went according to plan, Cadan would have both the treasure and his revenge.Finally, he could start the life he was meant to live.
