Page 76 of Mardon

Mardon chuckled, looking out to the water as he steered the ship. “Did I just hear you call yourself old?”

“Well I . . . I mean . . . ye ken what I mean.” Her hands went to her hips and she pursed her mouth.

“Take it easy, Grandmother. I’m just having fun. Now, let’s turn this ship around and go back to Canterbury. I need to find the woman I love.” When he looked out at his crew, they were all glaring at him now. Nairnie was the only one smiling.

* * *

Since Mardon had wasted two days brooding in his cabin, it took them just as long to get back to Canterbury. Anxiety coursed through him. He hoped Emmaline was all right. The first thing he decided to do when he saw her was to apologize and then hold her so tight that he swore he’d never let her go.

It seemed like forever but, finally, the ship docked at Canterbury.

“This will be a short visit,” said Mardon. “And no pillaging or plundering while we’re here.”

“We’re pirates,” Aaron reminded him.

“I don’t want to cause any trouble in Emmaline’s hometown. Now, I’m going to go try to find her father’s manor house because that’s where I hope she’ll be.”

“What do you want all of us to do while we’re waiting for you to find your true love?” asked Aaron, still sore at him over this whole thing.

Mardon looked up and saw Canterbury Cathedral in the distance. “Well, Aaron, why don’t you make a stop at church? It would do you and the others good.”

“Go to hell,” spat Aaron, looking out at the crew. “Go get a drink or a whore,” Aaron called out. “But don’t go far. Oh, and no raiding.”

The crew didn’t like that idea, but did like that they’d get some time on shore.

“Come with me, Aaron,” said Mardon.

“What for?” he griped.

“Well . . . you’re my brother.”

“Like that means anything to you right now.”

“Quit being so bitter. By the way, I don’t even know if I’ll find Emmaline. And if I do, there is no guarantee she’ll forgive me.”

“All right. Since you put it that way, I’ll come with you.”

“Me, too,” said Nairnie, hurrying over to them. She wore a new dress that was made of purple velvet and laced up the front with leather ties.

“Nairnie, what is that you’re wearing?” asked Mardon.

“I made a new gown out of Emmaline’s auld ones,” she said. “It’s what she wanted me to do.”

“Aye, but . . . purple?”

“I like it,” she said, squinting one eye. “Mock it just once and ye’ll be sorry ye ever said a thing.”

Mardon held his hands up in the air and laughed. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare.”

They walked down the gangplank and headed to shore.

“So, how are ye goin’ to find this manor house?” asked Nairnie.

“I don’t know,” Mardon answered. “I suppose I’ll just have to ask someone.” They began to walk. “Excuse me,” he said to the first man he saw. “Do you know where I’d find the manor house of the late Lord . . . Lord . . .” He stopped in midsentence, realizing he didn’t even know Emmaline’s maiden name. This was going to be harder than he thought.

The man turned around and he smiled. “Mardon? Aaron? Nairnie? What are you doing here?”

“Benedict,” said Nairnie, opening her arms and pulling the man into her embrace. “Son, it is damned guid to see ye again.”