“I assume you mean your maid?”
“Housekeeper,” she corrected.
“Whatever,” he said with little interest. “I’ve allowed her to retain the cabin she was using. She’s fine. She slept through the commotion.”
“May I see her?”
“Want to start bargaining for favors?” he countered with a roguish grin.
She drew in her breath and glared at him. “What I want is to be put to work to occupy my time. There isn’t much that I don’t know how to do on a ship.”
He actually seemed to give it some thought, then said, “The decks need swabbing.”
She nodded, thinking he was serious. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tackled that job.”
“Are you joking?”
“No.” And then she sighed. “But I suppose you were?”
“Of course I was. You’re not leaving this cabin until we make port, sweetheart. Sorry, but I don’t trust you any further than I can see you.”
“I don’t have my crew at my back, so what are you worried about?”
“That you’ll try to get them at your back again. And this isn’t up for debate, so forget it.”
“But—”
“Want me to remember that I was gagged some of the time while I was your captive?” he cut in sharply.
She got the point and shut up—for now.
Chapter 36
DREW HAD THE THREE MISCREANTSbrought before him on the quarterdeck, the three he’d shared his cabin with after Gabby had taken the cowardly route and moved out of it. One of them had planted a fist in his face last week when he’d been sleeping. He’d never been able to guess which one had done it, nor had he asked, since he’d been in no position to retaliate or protect himself at the time. But that situation had changed nicely.
They each had their hands tied behind them. He made them wait nearly an hour before he approached them to get his answers.
He knew them by name now, after sharing the cabin with all three of them. Bixley looked wary about why Drew had had them brought up from the hold, but then Bixley was the last one he would suspect of having a reason to assault him when he wasn’t looking, as it were.
Richard was wearing a cocky grin as usual. The Frenchman, if he even was French, which Drew suspected he wasn’t, appeared not to have a serious bone in his body. He was always joking about something with his friends, including Gabby. That might have annoyed Drew; hell, it did annoy him.
Ohr was the enigma among them. He seemed to be close to Gabby, but he wasn’t demonstrative. The man kept his emotions, whatever they were, strictly to himself.
Of the two, Drew suspected Ohr was the one who’d hit him. Richard was too happy-go-lucky. Nothing appeared to bother him; in fact, he reminded Drew a lot of himself. But Ohr was too serious. There was no telling what emotions simmered beneath his quiet demeanor. Drew intended to find out, though.
“What’s this about, Captain?” Bixley asked in a nervous tone when Drew moved over to stand in front of them.
He didn’t answer immediately. Suspense could make the men uneasy, which would benefit him. Besides, having the upper hand with these particular fellows was distinctly satisfying, so he was in no hurry to rush through the interrogation.
“Relax,” he finally said. “I just have some questions for you. I merely have to determine which of you will have the answers.”
“Sounds puzzling,” Richard remarked.
“Probably just needs some sails fixed,” Bixley put in. “And I’m the man for that.”
“My sails are fine,” Drew disagreed.
“Not fine enough for that storm that’s a-brewing. I can smell it in the air.”
