Page 179 of Storm over the Caribbean
Whirling around, I stared at the harbour, just in time to see smoke from an old-fashioned cannon that had been rolled down the pier.
All right. Sail away now, fun times later!
“Prepare the cannons!” Mr Ambrose barked. “Be ready for them to send a ship after us!”
I stood there, full of tension, staring at the activity in the distant harbour. But, eventually, it vanished beyond the horizon, and no ship set out to follow us. A breath of relief escaped me, and I relaxed. From behind me, I heard footsteps approaching, and I felt the presence of someone behind me. A very familiar someone.
“I do not often wish for things I cannot get,” an icy voice entered my ear. “But Ireallywish I could hold you in my arms right now.”
I smirked. “Your own fault, Captain Rockface. Who told you to fall in love with the woman you regularly force to cross-dress?”
I could practicallyfeelhis burning cold gaze trying to freeze the back of my neck.
“Indeed, Mr Linton. We shall have to remedy that when we return and spend some time at home, with you in…appropriate attire.”
I suddenly got the feeling that there was going to be a lot of lingerie in my future. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
I can’t wait to get home!
But first…
A hard glint entered my eyes as I gazed out over the ocean. “So…we have been paid for guard duty, have we not?” Half-turning, I sent him a smile. “Where exactly are those nice people we are supposed tohelp and protect?”
Translation: If I have to wait another week or more to find out who tried to hurt my baby, I want to vent in the meantime. Where are the bloody ships? Burn! Burn! Mwhahahaha!
No, I was not vindictive at all.
Mr Ambrose studied for a long moment—then nodded. Without bothering to give anything more as a reply, he turned towards the crew.
“Hard to port!” he shouted. “Make all sail!”
“Aye aye, Captain!”
As a fresh breeze hit my face, I smiled at the brilliantly blue ocean and decided: it was a good day to be a pirate bride. Now all that was missing was an opportunity to let off some steam.
Roughly one hour later, the patron saint of pissed off pregnant women smiled on me.
“Ship ahoy!” the lookout shouted from the crow’s nest. “Ship ahoy to starboard!
The ship was anchored at a natural harbour next to a tiny village on an island that seemed even tinier. It clearly wasn’t a vibrant trading hub, and there could be only one reason for a ship to anchor there: to wait for someone. Like, say, an armed hired escort.
“Come up alongside that ship!” Mr Ambrose ordered. “Close enough for us to speak.”
“Aye aye, Captain!”
Pirates rushed to shorten the sails. The ship slowed down and, as the anchor plunged into the water, jerked to a halt next to the other vessel.
“Finally!” A beefy man appeared on the deck of the merchant ship, stalking towards the railing. “We’ve been waiting here for five days already! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Don’t you realize that these waters are infested with pirates?”
It was only years of learning from Mr Rikkard Ambrose that made it possible for me to keep my face straight. “We were aware, yes.”
“Well, then what are you waiting for? Get moving! The sooner we reach a safe harbour, the better! That is…” The man’s eyes narrowed. “…if you are the protection we’ve been promised?”
“Indeed we are, Sir,” I told the man with a bow of the head, this time not hiding my smile. “And I do apologize for the delay. Wasted time is a crime, I’ve been reliably informed.”
I flinched ever so slightly when I felt my husband step hard on my toes, but my smile didn’t waver.
“Ah, where are my manners? This is my Captain, the one who shall be escorting you through these dangerous waters.”
