Not from what Gabrielle had seen from a few minutes with the man.“Perhaps not me, but my babe.”She gripped her rounded belly.
Omphile released a heavy sigh.“Never you worry.Let us see what the good Laud will do, Miss.”
Gabrielle closed her eyes.Lord?Was He good?She’d been taught so, but in truth, the Almighty had been naught but cruel to her of late.The baby moved, and she opened her eyes and smiled.Still alive and kicking.
Omphile’s tender gaze moved to Gabrielle’s belly.“What a miracle t’ feel a life growin’ wit’in you.”
Perhaps Gabrielle could appeal to the woman’s motherly instinct.“Do you have children?”
Joy fled her face.“I was wit’ child once, but…”—she moved a hand over her own flat belly— “she’s wit’ the Laud now.”
Gabrielle didn’t know what to say.Though she had not yet laid eyes upon her child, she could not imagine losing him.“I’m sorry.”
Instantly, the pain on Omphile’s face disappeared.“It was God’s will.”
God again.Odd that a pirate’s whore would speak of the Almighty so fondly.“His will to kill a child?”Gabrielle said a bit too harshly.
“’Course not.To take her to heaven.”She replied in a tone that brooked no doubt.“When is your birthin’?”
“Any time now, I guess.”Gabrielle had given up counting the days since she discovered herself with child.Though it seemed an eternity.
Omphile reached out as if to take Gabrielle’s hand, then pulled back.“Now, don’t you worry, Miss.I have experience birthin’ babes.”
Sails snapped above, and a moist breeze coming in from the porthole swept around Gabrielle.She swallowed a lump of dread.She’d heard from her mother that labor pains were excruciating.Even so, she’d rather not bring her child into the world on board a pirate ship.
As if reading her mind, Omphile added, “De captain’s a good man.You’ll see.”
“Of course he’s kind to you.”Gabrielle snorted.“You’re his paramour.”’Twas a rude thing to say, but what other explanation could there be for the woman’s presence on board?And a beautiful woman at that.
“Good Laud!”Instead of showing anger or insult, Omphile merely laughed.“It’s not like dat, Miss.Cap’n Hayes saved me, rescued me.Found me starvin’ on the streets of St.Kitts, he did.I would be deep in my grave if not for him.”
Wonderful.Paramour or not, the woman was far too loyal to the captain to be of any use to Gabrielle.She’d either have to convince her of the man’s evil heart or find another ally—someone who would help her escape.’Twas her only hope.
“You’ll see, Miss.”Slapping her hands on her thighs, she rose, grabbed the bowl, and turned to leave.“I’s best get some rest afore the sun rises.You should too, Miss.I’ll come back tomorrow t’ empty your chamber pot an’ see to your needs.Oh” —she faced Gabrielle again— “I’s lockin’ the door, but not t’ keep you in, if you knows what I mean.”With that, she closed the door and the clank of a lock echoed through the cabin.
Gabrielle brought the pillow to her chest and squeezed it, tears flooding her eyes.Aye, shedidknow what she meant, and that didn’t bode well for her future.Or her precious babe’s.
???
Captain Cadan Hayes shoved open the door to the Slippery Eel tavern and stepped inside.Smoke and the stench of cheap perfume, sweat, and pungent spirits assailed his senses.Mobs of seaman cluttered the large room like cockroaches at a picnic, some skittered about, others gambled, some angrily drew swords, while others feasted on women and wine.Gripping the hilt of his cutlass, he forged through the mass of humanity, scanning for the vermin he sought.
Durwin, Lazy-eyed Smity, and Pell followed on his flank.
He wet his lips at the smell of rum, longing for a drink, and upon not seeing the cur in question, he approached a table occupied by three men.“Begone,” he commanded with confident authority.
One of the men gazed up at him with glassy eyes, his forehead wrinkling beneath a strand of greasy hair.“What ye want, ye bloated jellyfish?”
Cadan gripped the hilt of his cutlass.“I believe I made myself clear.”
The other two men finally looked up from their cups.The only one of the three who apparently had not drunken his wits into an early grave gaped at Cadan with terror.
His friend uttered a string of curses and waved Cadan away as one would an annoying gnat.
“It be Cap’n Hayes,” the man who stared wide-eyed at him whispered to his friends.Rising, he yanked one of them up and tugged him aside.“Come on, Mires,” he shouted to the third man who slowly rose, swaying on his feet.After casting a frightened look at Cadan, he scampered away with his friends.
Grinning, Cadan slid onto a chair.
“Proud of yourself?”Pell sat across from him, raising one eyebrow.
