Whistles and lewd invitations soiled her ears, and she covered Matthew’s face with his blanket and drew him closer.
Her chest rose and fell with each rapid beat of her heart.She’d graced a few sordid taverns like this before, but always with her father.She’d felt safe with him, for much like Cadan, he was rarely challenged, even as he aged.People feared him, revered him almost, not because of his ruthlessness or cruelty, but because of the power of God that so easily rested on him like a cloak.
Longing welled up within her to see him, to feel his fatherly arms around her.To feel safe once again.
They passed a long bar full of dirty glasses, bottles of spirits, and several patrons shouting and singing.One man fed pieces of cheese to a plump rat sitting beside his mug of ale.
Finally, Cadan halted and gestured for her and Omphile to sit at a table in the corner.
“What now?”Pell asked.
“We wait for Smity.”
Durwin took a seat beside Omphile while Pell sat next to Gabrielle, offering her a smile and nod that said there was naught to fear.
She wanted to shout at him, scream that there was everything to fear, but the noise in the room and her good sense kept her quiet.Omphile, who normally was a bastion of peace, cast a worried glance at Gabrielle.
Cadan took a seat but kept his gaze over the room.The rest of his four men took up positions around the table.Wait.Now there were five.The fifth was the same pirate who often guarded her.When had he joined them?Tall, built as sturdy as a mast, with long light hair tied behind him, he merely stood behind her, not saying a word.
Men and women alike cast glances at them from all around, but none dared come near.
Durwin leaned toward Cadan.“Since ye got yer clue, why not just leave, Cap’n?Go get the treasure?Why risk Allard killin’ us or, worse, stealin’ it?”
“Have you so little faith in me, Durwin?”Cadan snapped his fingers at a passing barmaid, and she nodded and headed off, only to return within moments with two bottles of rum and several glasses.
Leaning back in his chair, Pell folded arms over his chest.“Money isn’t the only treasure worth having.”
Removing his hat, Durwin scratched his head and scowled at the preacher.“Says ye.”
Cadan poured rum into a glass, then handed it to Pell, but he shook his head.
Good.At least one of these fools would remain sober this night.
Matthew shifted in her arms, and his tiny hand extended from the bundle.Kissing it, Gabrielle quickly slid it back where it would be hidden.
The captain’s other men greedily grabbed the rum, pouring themselves glasses.All save the man standing guard behind Gabrielle.
“You do not partake, Mr.Pell?”she asked the quartermaster.
“Not usually.I suppose I learned restraint when I was a…” he halted and sighed.
She gave him a sad smile.Of course.
Pain and regret flamed in his dark eyes.Regardless of his defiance of God, this ex-preacher seemed completely out of place in this wicked tavern, as if the evil therein caused an irritating rash to cover his skin.Then why had he chosen such an opposing profession?
“And are you happy being a pirate?”she asked.
“I am pleased to be of service anywhere.”
“Even in thievery?”
“’Tis not what you think, Miss.Besides, I have suffered no misfortune as a pirate, whereas as a man of God, I suffered immensely.”
Though he’d had to raise his voice over the din, his tone bore the same anger and sorrow she often saw marring his expression, and she wondered if her own face bore such scars, for the same was true for her.The only difference?Her bitter misfortune had continued long after she’d stopped praying.
Cadan tossed another shot of rum into his mouth, scanning the raucous mob.
Omphile nudged her arm.“D’ye want me to take him from you?He must be gettin’ heavy.”
