Page 166 of Storm over the Caribbean
All brand-new and fitting perfectly.
“So…” Lowering my voice, I leaned towards him. “Did you just become a pirate to get a new outfit for free?”
“Of course not, Mr Linton.”
“Oh?”
“I obtained a lot of other things for free as well.”
“Captain!” One of the pirates dashed towards us and came to an abrupt halt a few yards away. “Where have you been? Woolridge is already getting antsy!”
“I was examining some plans in detail.”
“Plans?”
“Cave exploration,” Mr Ambrose responded, his face perfectly immovable. “From previous probing, I’m fairly certain there’s treasure to be found there.”
I nearly choked on my own spittle.
“Great, Captain! Need any help?”
“Oh no.” Mr Ambrose’s eyes flashed coldly, though the pirate didn’t seem to notice. “This particular cave I shall have to explore more fully on my own. Soon.”
I gave another strangled cough and felt my ears go scarlet. That son of a bachelor! I was going to…
…let him explore your cave? Thoroughly?
Shut up, you stupid inner voice! Shut up!
“But that’s beside the point,” my dear husband continued.
Beside the point? Beside the bloody point?! He just told a ship full of pirates he was planning to roger me!
Hm…yes, he did. Yay!
“Now…enough time wasted. We have work to do.” Mr Ambrose snapped his fingers. “Grant! Smith!”
Two rough-looking men stepped forward. “Aye aye, Captain!”
“Go into that store room over there.” He jabbed a thumb at a door to the left. “In there, you’ll find some clean clothes to change into. When I venture into town to meet our host, you’ll be acting as my bodyguards.”
“Our,” I corrected, smiling brightly as I patted his shoulder. “Ourbodyguards.”
He cocked his head at me. “I do not believe there will be a need for a ship’s cook on this excursion, Mr Linton, do you?”
Translation: I am not going to let you take a single step into that viper’s nest. Not you, and especially not our child.
Standing on my tiptoes, I whispered into his ear, “If you think you can leave me behind, think again. And besides, would it be a good idea? What do you think is more likely, that your merry band of pirates gets me into trouble somehow if I stay here, or that I will be perfectly safe if I stay by your side?”
A muscle in his cheek twitched. I couldn’t help but smirk at the struggle that had to be going on in that granite head of his. He had little choice now. Either he could retract his order for me to stay and take me with him, or he could admit that I wouldn’t be safe while in his company. My oh my. Which would he choose, I wonder?
Mr Ambrose’s jaw worked for a moment—then he gave an abrupt jerk of the head. “On second thought, maybe we will need a ship’s cook after all.”
Translation: I know what you’re doing!
“Why, thank you!” I beamed up at him. “I knew that, deep down, you appreciated my cooking!”
Translation: I know you know. But you can’t do anything about it. By the way, I’m cooking you dinner this evening.
