Page 30 of Hired by Pirates

Turning back to the men standing in front of me, Simon’s good elbow was wedged into Tobias’ ribs.

“Something to say, gentlemen?”

“No, sir,” Simon said. It was always strange to have my little brother address me as sir, and although it was proper protocol, he usually only bothered when he was making a point.

“It’s just that we are very happy for you and Astor,” Tobias said with a wide grin.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I asked, “I suppose we are the talk of the ship?”

Their eyes darted at each other, as they both shrugged. “Not in an untoward way, Captain,” Tobias said.

“As far as gossip goes, it’s very respectful,” Simon chipped in.

“Respectful or not, I will ask you both to kindly shut the gossip down entirely,” I stated. “Not so much for me, but for the young lady on board.”

“I think we’re all just glad that she is your lady,” Tobias said. “Astor is a fine woman, and we all think she is a good, solid addition to the crew.”

Although I tried to keep my expression solemn, that was a delight to hear.

“Good. Now back to the task at hand. Is Woods nearly done with his special storage project?”

“Yes,” Simon said. “He was letting me sand down some of the edges yesterday, since it’s something I can do sitting down, with just one hand.”

“How are your fingers? Improving?”

He showed us that they were indeed bending a bit farther, and moving quicker.

“Good. Well then, back to work with us.”

After checking in with Jake at the helm, I took a moment to stare across the sea. We were just two days out from Acreton, and I still hadn’t told Astor what we were up to.

I didn’t think that she would have a problem with us saving the town from thieves and ratting out two unscrupulous families.

But she might not like the fact we had to sneak around in broad daylight so as not to reveal ourselves before we had secured the evidence to prove it. And she really might not like that there was a chance I would have to ask her to do a reconnaissance stroll through a potentially hostile town on behalf of our crew of pirates turned traders.

~ Chapter 13 ~ Astor ~

* When We’re Alone *

Back in the town of Toburg, every day had been identical, except for the patients. Although, to be fair, some of them came in with the same maladies over and over, expecting my answers to be different each time.

The days all blended into each other, a mixture of work and study and the same meals every day, followed by a sleep that never seemed long enough.

Now, I woke up well rested every morning in the Captain’s arms. Every meal was a new adventure, usually because of Barnaby’s strange cooking methods or his fondness for using ingredients I wasn’t accustomed to. Sometimes I would try to help and we would create new recipes together.

I had always loved sewing, but never had the time. Now that I was doing a bit of mending regularly, I found it both relaxing and refreshing.

Even though I offered to help the men with other small tasks, Tobias didn’t want me to get my hands dirty oiling the ropes. Meanwhile, Woods didn’t want me to roughen my ladylike hands by helping him sand down the panels he was creating for some special project.

Even though the men treated me a bit diff

erently, always remembering I was a lady, they always included me and treated me like a member of the crew. It really was like having a family for the first time in years, and I had to admit I was touched by their openness and generosity.

The variety of the scenery, and popping into different ports for a few hours every few days, made me feel like I’d been traveling for months.

The Captain and I hadn’t dared speak of what was going to happen when their job in Acreton was finished and Simon’s wound was fully healed.

The original plan to bring me home didn’t feel like it made sense anymore. But how could I abandon my dream of being a doctor to sail away on a ship? It was like the tales of people who went a bit barmy and ran off to follow the carnival folk.

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