The wind picked up, blowing Colin’s hair into his face. Gray, puffy clouds filled the sky. “A storm is approaching. Let us use the wind to our advantage.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” Peggy hobbled away, barking out orders as he went.
He’d make a fine captain of his own ship one day. Colin was thankful for his loyalty, but the man was more than capable of leading his own crew and ship. It was just a matter of time before he commandeered his own.
Colin peered through the spy glass one last time, wishingHades Revengewould appear in the distance, but luck wasn’t on his side and all he could see was ocean, far and wide. Folding the contraption, he tucked it into his pocket.
“Call me if ye see anything. I’m going to check on Sean. It seems our new recruit is quite the seamstress.”
Peggy raised a brow in question but said nothing as he continued to man the helm, hopefully steering the ship in the direction that would take them to Storm and along with him, theHades Revenge.
Colin observed his crew as he walked the length of the ship on his way below deck. Each man was performing his assigned duty. He was lucky in the crew he’d chosen and hired. Each man served a crucial part of the team and they all shared a common goal…freedom and riches. But they each served within a code of honor.
Those of lesser means were not easy prey as some pirates he knew saw them. No, Colin didn’t want to take from the poor. He had his eyes set on big purses. And it was even better when those purses came from men who had received said gold from ill-conceived tactics.
Descending the stairs, he saw Sean round the corner. “Sean,” he called out and the boy froze in place. Colin sighed. He’d shown the boy nothing but kindness. He wished Sean would stop shrinking in fear whenever Colin approached him. “Where are ye off to, lad?”
The boy turned, folded tunics in his small arms, which reminded Colin that he really needed to work on building muscle on the lad. He was going to be of no use to the crew if they couldn’t build up his strength.
“Captain,” the boy bent in what looked like a half-curtsy, before catching himself and bowing his head.
Such an odd person Sean was.
“I was just on my way to bring these,” he held up the tunics in his arms, “to Mac. I’ve finished mending them.”
Colin narrowed his eyes at Sean. “Show me yer work.” He didn’t really have any interest in the stitching, but for some reason that he couldn’t explain, Colin didn’t want the lad to leave his presence just yet.
The feeling was unnatural. He was not a bugger of lads. So, what was it about Sean that appealed to him? Was it his need to protect? The boy was surely in need of protection. Of that, Colin was in no doubt.
But it didn’t explain the pull Colin felt toward him. It made him question his sanity.
Sean watched him with round eyes, but nodded. He grabbed the first tunic on the top of the pile and tucked the rest under his arm, then unfolded the material and pointed to the spot he’d mended and silently handed it to Colin.
Colin took the offered tunic and inspected the job Sean had done. The stitches were small and neat. He couldn’t recall a time he’d seen a man do such a well job at such a task.
He nodded and handed the tunic back to Sean. “’Tis mended verra weel. Yer mother taught ye that, eh?”
“Y-y-yes, Captain,” Sean stuttered. “Before she, before she passed.” He sniffed.
Och, he didn’t need him to get sappy. ’Twas bad enough the lad didn’t seem to have a manly bone in his body. Colin smiled. “I’m sure Mac will be verra happy with yer skill indeed. Carry on.”
Sean nodded and stepped away, but then turned back to Colin, worrying his lower lip. Which Colin noted was becoming pink and puffy.
“What is it?”
Sean took a deep breath as if he was preparing himself for a huge undertaking. “Mac’s tunics are dirty.”
“Aye, an unfortunate consequence of the sea.”
“I thought I might take over laundering the men’s clothes.” Sean looked up at him with round, blue eyes, the color swirling like the clouds on a stormy day.
Colin didn’t want to look away. And it took all of his might to drag his gaze away from the depths of Sean’s eyes. Jesus, he needed a drink.
“What did ye have in mind? Our resources are severely limited as ye can tell.”
Sean bobbed his head up and down. “I understand that, Captain. I thought mayhap the men could bring a bucket of water upon the ship and I can work with that.”
“A bucket of sea water?”
