Page 42 of Mardon

“Will they?” She looked up at Mardon, afraid they’d made a mistake by spending the night together.

“Nay. Of course not. Now, let’s go. We’ve got a treasure to get to before Nereus.” He started to pull her by the arm.

“Och, my head aches,” came Nairnie’s voice as she emerged from the galley. She reached down and picked up the ladle hanging at her side. The handle was bent at an odd angle. “What the hell happened to my ladle?” she asked.

“Grandmother, don’t you remember?” asked Aaron.

“Remember what?” She made a face and put a hand to her head.

“You hit Goldtooth over the head with it last night.”

“I did?”

“Aye,” Aaron continued. “You did it so he’d pass out and you’d win the drinking competition.”

“Did I win?”

“You did,” said Mardon. “Even though you cheated.”

“Well, I’m on a pirate ship so cheatin’ makes no difference,” spat Nairnie, holding out her hand. “Pay up, Mardon. I’m the winner. I believe it was one gold piece.”

“Now, Nairnie,” Mardon started, but Nairnie wouldn’t let him get out of it.

“Ye made the deal and I won and have a killin’ headache to prove it. Now pay up or I’m goin’ to hit ye with my ladle as well.” She waved her bent ladle in the air, making the crew laugh.

“All right, all right,” said Mardon, pulling a pouch of coins from his belt and heading over to Nairnie. All the men crowded around, hoping to get one for themselves.

“What’s the matter, Nun?” Goldtooth appeared from the shadows. “Don’t ye want a gold coin, too? Or did Mardon already pay ye for last night?”

“Nay, it’s not what you think.”

“Isn’t it? I don’t know how he does it, but his little trick with the drinkin’ competition to distract us was a nice touch.” He chuckled. “Well, I guess he ruined ye for the convent now, hasn’t he? Ye’re goin’ to be the most talked about nun for years to come.”

“Stop it,” she said, feeling as if she’d made a mistake now. “Leave me alone.” She took off at a run for the cabin since the rest of the crew was busy. When she entered, she closed the door, knowing what she had to do. She’d only come along on the journey for one reason. Now, she’d take what she came for and then she’d never return to this ship again.

Spying the dagger that she’d dropped earlier on the floor, she ran over and picked it up. Then removing the blanket from the painting, she looked at it once more and released a deep breath. “This will be the last time I have to see you,” she said to the painting, reaching up and cutting it right out of the frame. Then she put the blanket back over the frame.

Hurriedly rolling up the painting, she lifted her gown. Spying a strip of cloth on the floor, she used it to tie the painting to her leg. Then she stuck the dagger under the cloth band as well. With one last thought, she hurried over to the small chest on the table, lifting the lid. Sure enough, Mardon had put her wedding ring back in there. She lifted it out, thinking about stealing more of the jewels, but she couldn’t. Not after how nice Mardon had been to her. All she came here for was to collect what was stolen from her. That is all she would leave with.

“Emmaline? Emmaline?” she heard Mardon calling to her.

She lifted her skirt and tied the ring on the strings of her braies. She had just finished and dropped the hem of her gown when the door opened.

“Emmaline? What are you doing in here?” asked Mardon, looking confused.

“I – I had to use the chamber pot,” she said, spying the wooden bucket pushed up against the wall.

“Oh, all right. Well, come on. The crew is anxious for us to return with the treasure.”

“Of course,” she said, leaving the room with him, once again feeling daggers shooting from the eyes of each crew member. Aaron was right. Now that they thought their captain had bedded a nun, there would be no stopping them from trying it either. She had half a mind to rip off her veil and tell them who she really was. But what would that do? Once they recognized her as the girl in the painting, it would only make things worse.

She looked over at Mardon once again, seeing him smiling at her. They’d spent a wonderful, intimate night together and she would never forget it. She would never forget him. As much love as he’d shown her, as much care as she’d felt, she knew now that she couldn’t stay. She had what she needed now to clear her name and reputation. As soon as she gave the painting to the king, her reputation would be restored. Then she’d be betrothed to an English knight and she’d be able to live the life of a lady again. This is all she really wanted.

“After you, my lady,” Mardon whispered into her ear as they left the ship and headed down the boarding plank. Damn, why did he have to continue to be so polite and treat her like a lady? He was a pirate! A bloody pirate. Why the hell couldn’t he start acting like one? If so, what she was about to do wouldn’t bother her so much.

“Aaron’s got horses waiting for us,” he told her. “Once we get to Canterbury Cathedral, we’ll wait outside while you go in so we don’t rouse suspicion.”

“What if the treasure is too heavy for me to carry?” she asked.