Page 37 of Mardon

“I’d like that,” she said with a smile, holding on to his arm. They were about ready to walk out the door when Nairnie cleared her throat and stopped them.

“I think ye’re forgettin’ somethin’ . . . Sister,” said Nairnie, handing her the wimple. “And if ye’re goin’ to do anythin’ that is ‘non-nunly’ then be sure to do it behind closed doors.”

“Nairnie, that’s enough,” said Mardon, but Emmaline could hear the playfulness of his voice. He wasn’t mad about it. Neither was she. And now she could only wonder how this night would end. After all, a nun and a pirate drinking together wasn’t going to be believed by the crew for long.

It didn’t take long for Emmaline to relax, feeling safe at Mardon’ side. They sat on barrels with all the crew gathered around on the main deck. Ramble plucked out sour notes on the lute, and the men teased him relentlessly.

“Ye make that thing sound like a whore moanin’,” said Coop, raising a bottle of whisky to his mouth.

“Nay, a whore moanin’ sounds enticin’,” said Goldtooth. “That just sounds downright bad.”

“I miss Gavina with her flute,” said Nairnie, who walked out of the galley to join them. Her ladle swung at her side like the swords that were fastened to the pirates’ belts.

“Doesn’t the nun know how to play music?” asked another of the crew.

“Me? Oh, no, I’m sorry, I don’t,” Emmaline answered.

“She has a name, and you’ll all use it,” Mardon spoke up. “Her name is Emmaline.” He glanced over at her, drinking her in, making Emmaline feel special.

“Sister Emmaline,” said Nairnie, reminding them of her guise.

“Give me that lute,” said Aaron, grabbing the instrument from Ramble.

“Little brother, don’t even try. We all know you can’t play it and we’re in enough pain and agony as it is.” Mardon laughed and lifted the bottle of whisky to his mouth.

“Don’t be so sure, big brother,” he said, subtly reminding Mardon that he didn’t like being called that. He put his hand to the strings and beautiful music floated on the breeze. Everyone stopped laughing. Mardon almost choked on his whisky he was so surprised.

“Where the hell did you learn to do that?” asked Mardon.

“If you spent as much time sleeping in the lookout basket as I have, you’d be able to do something creative as well,” Aaron answered. “How about a lively tune? Who wants to dance?”

The pirates all mumbled as Aaron played a cheery tune.

“Nairnie, ye like to dance,” said Ramble.

“Me? Oh, nay, please dinna make me dance again. The last time I did it, my joints hurt for days. I think Mardon and Sister Emmaline should dance.”

“Oh, no,” said Emmaline. “I’m afraid nuns don’t dance.”

“Well, they should,” said Nairnie.

“I agree,” added Mardon. He put down the bottle and pulled Emmaline to her feet. Everyone stared.

“Nay, Mardon, please. Don’t make me do this. Everyone is watching.”

“All right then, I’ll dance with my grandmother,” said Mardon. He walked over and pulled Nairnie to him. The ladle swung at her side.

“Mardon, didna ye hear me? I dinna want to – oh!” Nairnie grabbed on to Mardon as he swung her around, her feet lifting off the ground. Everyone cheered and laughed and the whisky flowed freely.

Emmaline giggled because it looked like so much fun. Then, when Mardon passed Nairnie off to Stitch and reached out for her, she didn’t stop him. He pulled her into his arms and danced around the deck while the men clapped and shouted. Aaron jumped up on the bulkhead, strumming the instrument louder and louder.

“For a nun, you’re not bad,” teased Mardon.

“You’re not so bad yourself. For a pirate,” she added.

Everything was going fine until her wimple fell off and her hair blew around her in the breeze.

“Look at that hair!” cried out one of the men.