She shifted in her seat, longing to dash from the cabin and this dangerous, quarrelsome band of miscreants.
“Nay, I plan on returning her to her home soon,” he finally said.
Emeline allowed a spark of hope to ignite.
“Non, Capitaine, I say we keep her.” Maston raised his brows in her direction. “We need something pleasant to look upon.”
She shot a spiteful look toward the Frenchman.
“Women’s bad luck,” Rummy slurred. “I says we toss ’er overboard.”
Anger stormed through her veins at the brazen audacity, uncouthness, and wickedness of these pirates, chasing away the fear. She glared at the one-armed man. A vision of a large crocodile flashed across her eyes.
“’Twas a croc that got your arm,” she blurted, instantly silencing everyone at the table. Everyone, save the monkey, who screeched from his perch on the stern window ledge.
“How would ye know that, missy?” Rummy growled, narrowing his eyes.
Even the captain stared at her as if she’d grown horns.
“She’s a witch, says I.” Finn stood and plucked a knife from his belt. “I say we ’ang ’er from the yardarm!”
Chapter 5
G
rabbing the hilt of his cutlass, Blake uttered a growl and rose to his feet. The cabin spun, and he blinked to clear his vision before firing a scathing gaze at his quartermaster. “Stand down, Finn. There’ll be no hanging tonight!”
Finn’s eyes darkened as he stared at Blake, his grip tight on the knife. And for a brief moment, Blake thought his good friend would defy him. But, with a huff, he sheathed his blade, grabbed a bottle of rum, and stormed out of the cabin.
Maston chuckled and glanced her way. “How could such a lovely lady be a witch?”
The surgeon, Sam, rose to his feet, brushing crumbs from his waistcoat. “Witches are but a figment of uneducated and demented minds.”
Rummy, who had yet to take his suspicious glare from Miss Hyde, shook his head. “But shewereright about the croc.”
“A good guess is all,” Blake said, glancing at the lady. Terror streaked across her lustrous eyes. Still, she said naught to defend herself. As if sensing her dismay, Bandit leapt from his perch on the window ledge, scrambled over the table, and jumped into her lap.
At first, the lady shrieked and jerked back, but when Bandit remained, chattering to her softly, she began stroking his fur.
Charlie plopped one last piece of biscuit into her mouth and stood. “If Bandit approves o’ her, then so do I.”
Odd sight, that. One Blake could hardly tear his eyes from. “Good, then you can take her to Barnacle’s old cabin.” He waved a hand of dismissal at Charlie. “See to her womanly needs for the night.”
“Me? What do I know of womanly needs?” Charlie winked at him but finally moved to where the lady sat.
Blake turned to dismiss the rest of them, but Rummy was already stumbling toward the door, muttering unintelligibly, Sam and Maston on his heels.
Clutching Bandit, the lady slowly stood and, with trembling hands, gave him the monkey. Their eyes met and, despite his alcoholic haze, he saw something in them, something deep, meaningful, kind, even?A peace he’d been seeking his entire life.
All in one glance. Pish! Blasted rum! He took the monkey, and Miss Hyde turned toward Charlie, instantly breaking the spell, and followed the master gunner out the door.
Finally alone, Blake set Bandit on the table, fished the Ring out of his pocket, grabbed a bottle of rum, and dropped onto the stern window ledge. Moonlit diamonds sparkled across an endless sea of ink that oscillated in and out of view with each rise and fall of the ship. The waters were tempestuous this night. Much like his soul.
The woman baffled him. Why? He’d grant she was not the usual strumpet who graced his cabin. Here was a lady of means and education, her grandfather an earl, her father next in line for that prestigious title. Yet she bore none of the pompous snobbery of her class. And though clearly offended by the mannerisms of his crew, she did not give off an air of insolent contempt, but rather one of pity. Perhaps due to her fears? Still, he did not sense the normal terror he’d expect from a lady in her predicament, but rather a natural unease, accompanied by the oddest sense of peace.
Aye, peace.
But what to do with her now? She was not difficult to gaze upon withher silky hair the color of chestnut, her delicate face, strong chin, and shimmering golden eyes. Not to mention her womanly curves. Though nothing like the buxom beauties he was accustomed to, she had an intelligence about her, a knowing, and a treasure he sensed deep within her that he longed to discover—a treasure he’d felt when he first laid eyes on her at Nassau.
