Speaking of the captain, she lifted her gaze to the quarterdeck where Rummy, who stood by the helm, gave her a cursory glance before looking away. The captain was nowhere in sight. No doubt she’d surpassed his tolerable limits of insults from a woman and intended to send her ashore without a farewell.
For some reason, the thought saddened her. During her long hours alone, she’d realized she had failed him somehow. Here was a tortured man, and she had the means to help him. Instead, she’d used her tongue for evil and not good. No doubt her siblings would already have had him on his knees in repentance, devoting his life to serving God and man. She blew out a sigh as Pedro bounded over the deck and halted before her.
“I’m goin’ to miss you, Miss.” He ran a hand through his thick reddish hair and grinned. “It’s nice havin’ a real lady on board.”
Finn nudged her to the railing. “Stay put till the cap’n sees ye off.” Trudging away, he shouted orders for the boat to be lowered, sending pirates rushing to unhook the craft from its moorings.
“Don’t mind him, Miss. He don’t care for women much.” Pedro leaned on the railing and gazed over the bay.
Turquoise waters, sparkling in the morning sun, led up to the city where citizens, slaves, wagons, and carriages hastened down the cobblestone streets. Wooden docks reached into the bay toward several anchored merchant ships unloading goods into boats. Beyond the row of buildings, mountains rose, some capped with billowy clouds and all covered with lush greenery. The chime of bells, clank of wagon wheels, shouts, and the squawk of pelicans as they dove for fish in the water was music to Emeline’s ears. At least on land she’d have a chance to send word to her father.
She turned to Pedro. “I shall miss you, too, Pedro.” A speck of innocence still sparkled in the lad’s eyes, a speck that would fade if he continued this life. But how to help him? “You could come with me. Turn away from a life of thievery and debauchery.”
“Ah, nay, Miss. I ain’t good for much else. At least here the captain can teach me to be useful.”
“Why do you think you would not be useful elsewhere in a goodlier endeavor?”
Maston directed the men as they lowered the jollyboat over the side of the ship, casting occasional glances her way.
The lad chuckled. “I ain’t smart enough, Miss, nor good enough. Leastways my parents didn’t think so.” His countenance fell. “They left me to rot at a monastery in Cartegena.”
Emeline bit her lip, forcing back tears. So many orphans wandered the streets of Caribbean cities, hungry, without hope, feeling worthless. Clasping the boy’s shoulder, she leaned to stare into his eyes. “Never rely on anyone’s opinion of you, not even your parents’, to determine your worth. Every soul is highly valued by God.”
The boy seemed to ponder this for a moment but then shrugged. “I don’t know about God, Miss. All I know is I ain’t nearly as smart as most.”
Emeline released a sigh and faced the city again. “Never compare yourself to others, Pedro.”
“Get back t’ work, ye half-masted rodent!” Finn’s shout straightened Pedro’s shoulders, and he smiled at Emeline and sped away.
Emeline watched the boy leave, only then seeing Charlie standing by one of the nine-pounders, staring over the city of Basseterre, a forlorn look tugging on her features.
Emeline inched closer. “Do you hail from here?”
She shook her head and sniffed, turning her face away, though not before Emeline saw moisture in her eyes. “Nay. It’s jist good t’ see land again.” The slight crack in her voice spoke otherwise.
“Thank you for befriending me, Charlie. I shall never forget you.”
Surprise lit her expression, followed by a rare smile. “I will be coming ashore, Miss.”
“With me?” Emeline allowed a moment of comfort to soften her fears.
“Aye, but not wit’ you. I have business t’ attend, and the cap’n granted me a few hours leave.”
Finn grabbed Emeline’s elbow and dragged her away.
“Time t’ go, wench.”
She attempted to jerk from his grasp, but to no avail. Ship of misfits, indeed. All in need of hope. And all in need of the love of God.
The pirates seemed surprised when she navigated the rope ladder with ease. Once settled on the thwarts of the teetering boat, she glanced up in search of the captain, but he was nowhere in sight. Charlie soon followed, taking a seat at the bow away from Emeline. Odd.
She’d no time to ponder it when Bandit clambered down the ropes and bounded into her lap.
Startled at first, Emeline scratched his head. “Well, hello, little one. I shall miss you as well.”
“Get back t’ the ship, ye slimy vermin!” One of the pirates headed toward them, balancing in the boat. “The cap’n will have me ’ide if ye get lost.”
Bandit grabbed Emeline’s hand, placed something hard against her palm, then leapt back onto the rope ladder and clambered above.
