Her brown eyes flitted between Emeline’s before she turned to face the sea. “Aye, I believe I can.”
“May I ask what happened?”
Charlie dug her feet deeper in the sand and glanced over the waters, rubbing the shell between thumb and forefinger.“The usual sad tale. I fell in love. Believed every word he said. Allowed him to seduce me, an’ then when I announced I was wit’ child, he got on his ship an’ sailed away.”
The words spilled from her lips so fast and devoid of emotion that they seemed but a fabrication. Emeline had heard far too many similar stories from the poor women begging for scraps in the streets. “Who was he?”
“Captain Marcus Hanson or Sir Marcus Hanson, as he likes to be called. Baronet, merchantmen, plantation owner. Rich an’ powerful.” She drew a deep breath and stared out to sea. “He swept me away on wild adventures, treated me like a princess, a precious thing to be cherished.”
Exactly what Emeline always longed for. A hero, a romance like her parents. “I understand. I truly do. What woman wouldn’t have fallen for such attention?” Would she?Wasshe? Her gaze landed on theSummons, seeking a glimpse of the captain.
“I am a fool, Em. A complete fool.” Charlie pasted on a hard smile. “But I learned. I grew stronger. I know what men are now. What liars they are. Not a one to be trusted.”
Emeline longed to tell the woman that not all of them were like that. The men in her family, those who had turned to God, were honorable, trustworthy,trueheroes. “Yet look at you now. You’re a master gunner aboard a successful pirate ship. A man’s job, to be sure. And you do it well.”
Finally, the lady smiled again. “Better!”
“Indeed.” Emeline laughed as a tiny crab skittered across the sand and dove into a hole.
Minutes passed in silence before Emeline dared to ask, “Who is the woman who cares for Michael?”
“My mum.”
“And you support them with the treasure you earn?”
“Aye, the only way I can. That’s why I joined wit’ Cap’n Keene. I could not provide for Michael doing anything else. Nor my mum. We would be begging on the streets.”
Taking a risk with the capricious woman, Emeline laid her hand on Charlie’s. “You are so brave and strong. I admire you immensely. You entered a man’s world, even dress like them, and you possess more courage and strength than them all.” So unlike Emeline, who had the confidence of a gnat. Even more shameful was this woman did not even rely on God.
Charlie gave her hand a squeeze. “You are kind. I see why he likes you.”
Emeline had no doubt to whom she referred. “He likes only himself.”
Charlie laughed. “Well, they do say opposites attract.”
Emeline couldn’t help but join in her laughter.
“You know, my family and I help people in situations like yours. There are other opportunities for women on these islands. Thievery is no decent life. Godcanhelp you.”
Charlie tossed the shell into the water with aplunk. “If God were gonna help me, He’d a done it already.”
Emeline longed to say more, to help this lady see how much God loved her, but movement caught her eye, and Bandit came darting across the sand and barreled into her arms, nearly knocking her over. Behind him, Captain Blake Keene marched toward them.
Looking none too happy.
Chapter 20
“Iwant every sheet checked for rips, every rope, block, and pulley inspected. Caulk the seams, tar the rigging, scrub the deck, polish every spit of brass, and pump the bilge from the hold.” Blake spouted a string of orders to Finn as they stood amidships. His quartermaster nodded, sending his pipe bobbing up and down in the morning light.
Blake continued, giving further instructions, though his friend no doubt knew what to do. He’d sailed with Blake for five years, since Blake had first set out as a buccaneer. “I want the brig cleaned from stem to stern, guns cleaned, supplies checked and replenished, and ready to set sail at a moment’s notice.”
Finn pulled the pipe from his mouth. “Aye, aye, Cap’n. Ye knows ye can trust me.”His grin, which was rarely so wide, revealed two missing teeth on the bottom and a gold one on top. Yet when he lowered his gaze again, ’twas to the Ring on Blake’s finger.
Blake clapped him on the back, hoping he could trust him, but remembering his vow to put no faith in anyone again, not a man or, especially, not a woman.
Finn pointed his pipe at the Ring. “Are ye tellin’ me that this Ring were the same Ring King Solomon wore?”
Blake nodded, fingering the relic. “Aye, that’s what I hear.”
