Page 69 of Mardon

“Oh,” she said, her hand stilling on his back. “Mayhap someday, you’ll want to tell me more about it. When you’re ready.”

“Mayhap,” he said, knowing it wouldn’t happen since she wouldn’t be there to hear it.

“Do you have siblings?” he asked her.

“Nay. It was just me. My mother had trouble birthing me, and couldn’t seem to get pregnant afterwards. She died from a weak heart, and it was just me and my father for the last few years. Then, that horrible woman, Lady Aldusa, came along and convinced my father to marry her. My father became ill, and Lady Aldusa talked him into agreeing to marry me off to a Frenchman. A Frenchman, that is, that I just found out is really her brother!”

“So you said you think she poisoned your father?”

“I know she did.” Tears filled her eyes. “But he’s gone now, and it no longer matters. The wretched woman has taken everything from me and gotten away with it, too. There is nothing I can do about it.”

“Can’t you tell someone what she did? Have her thrown in the dungeon?”

“Who would believe me?” she asked. “Especially since I have a horrible reputation, thanks to her brother. I’m sure it was part of their plan all along.”

“You have that bottle of poison that you hid in the stair,” he reminded her. “You might still be able to prove she’s guilty.”

Her head jerked upward. “You know about that?”

“Sweetheart, this is my ship, and I’m captain. I know everything that goes on around here.”

“I wish I would have taken that poison back to the healer right away. But I was whisked away to the convent and kept there. I couldn’t come home.”

“It’s not your fault. There wasn’t anything you could have done.”

“Mayhap not,” she said, sniffling, wiping away a tear with the back of her hand. “But if there was, I would do everything in my power even now to at least take back the manor.”

“Well, mayhap that will be a possibility.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m just saying, that you are noblewoman, Emmaline. You should fight to keep your father’s manor. That is, go back, and try to save it from Lady Aldusa.”

“Is that what you want? For me to leave?”

Mardon looked the other way and didn’t answer. It wasn’t what he really wanted, but it was what had to be done. “A pirate ship is no place for a lady,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“Cap’n, we’re approachin’ the island,” Stitch called out.

“The Poseidon is headed this way at a good clip,” reported Aaron from up in the lookout basket. “We need to get to that treasure, fast.” Aaron slid down the lines, rushing around, getting the crew prepared. “Bring the shovels and ropes to carry the treasure if it’s heavy,” commanded Aaron. “Be sure to grab the axes and picks, and take your best weapons. If we don’t move fast enough, we’re bound to have to fight Nereus and his men again.”

“Aye, Quartermaster,” shouted the men, rushing around to do as Aaron ordered.

“Take us in, Stitch,” ordered Mardon, running down the steps of the sterncastle to help the others. “We’ve got a treasure to collect and get back to the ship before Nereus gets here.”

“I’m ready,” said Nairnie, walking out of the galley wearing a metal pot lid tied to her head, and another fastened around her chest. She shoved her cooking knife under her belt. In one hand, she clutched an iron pan, and she had her new ladle in the other.

“You’re bringing your ladle?” asked Aaron.

“Aye,” she answered. “In case ye need help diggin’, I am ready.”

Mardon chuckled. “I know you mean well, Nairnie, but you are not stepping foot off this ship. Stay here with Emmaline where you’ll be safe. We won’t be long.”

“Stay here? I will no’!” spat Nairnie. “I am the one who brought the information to ye about this treasure, and I’ll be there when ye find it as well.”

“Fine, just don’t get in the way,” said Mardon, not having time to argue with her. The ship docked and the boarding plank was slid into place. All the men stood there waiting for Mardon to give the command to go.

“Let’s get the treasure,” shouted Aaron, raising his fist in the air. All the men roared and ran after Aaron, disembarking the ship. Mardon was impressed with the way that Aaron had embraced his new position, but didn’t like the fact he was giving orders now when Mardon should be giving them instead. He’d have to talk to Aaron about that later.