Page 22 of The Pirate's Daughter

“Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin asked as he used a finger to stir around the pearls. “You don’t wantthese?”

“No, I thank you. It’s a very generous offer,” she said, taking the cup from her husband and handing it back to the sailor who looked dumbfounded. “I’ve enough pearls already. Far too many still not strung orset.”

“Mia?”

“Here, I know what you should do. Find out which of you has a sweetheart waiting in port, give each one pearl and he can have it set or strung as a gift to his love. There’s a marvelous craftsman in Saint Croix.” Mia laughed again at the man’s expression. “No fear, the Dutch may have sold out, but the Americans have yet to chase all the good skilled men from the rocks. The jeweler there will make a lovely sea themed piece for very little if you supply thepearl.”

She saw the man’s eyes shift to his captain. Devin only shrugged and said, “It sounds like a good course.” The young man smiled shyly, then holding the cup close rushed back to the group of men he was sitting with. “Mia, are you sure you don’t wantthose?”

“No Didn’t you see? They were mostly milky, not very valuable. Besides, I have enough unstrungpearls.”

“Youdo?”

“Yes, and of far better quality.” He didn’t know the extent of her wealth at all. Not hers personally or Papa’s. How wonderful. Papa said don’t let a man marry her for her fortune. He’d only want her until the money wasgone.

“Oh,” Devin said leaning back against the rail, “dotell.”

She might as well now they were wed. “Well, the box of black pearls must have at least eighty. And I think the blue ones could be at least twelve. I’ve so many pink an entire gown could be sewn with them. I always let Papa keep the white ones. Tooplain.”

Devin’s drink spewed out of his mouth and the man next to him patted him hard on the back while he coughed and choked. “Mia,” he coughed and cleared his throat. “Youjest?”

She turned to look at him then. He almost looked to be pleading with her to say she did indeed jest. “No, I have what I claim. You weren’t told you were marrying a wealthywoman?”

“No.” He climbed to his feet and offered her hishand.

She took it, glad to stand. After hours of sitting on deck enjoying food and camaraderie, her aft was a littlesore.

“How rich exactly?” he asked, waving down the men who made to stand at theirdeparture.

“Well, if you only look at me, my three ships generally bring in a good five-hundred thousand a year, and then I’ve the two silver mines, but those don’t do as well. I’ve investments and stocks throughout Antwerp and some quite small ones in America. I don’t really trust them yet to make it on their own. Then ofcourse—”

“Stop Mia, you are making my head hurt,” Devin said moving aside so she could go first into their quarters. “And mygut.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not rich. I’m not even wealthy, though I have means. As nothing more than a sailor—not a private one—the last twenty-three years a royal navy sailor. I’ve only been a captain the last six. I haven’t earnedmuch.”

“Oh, don’t bother about it, Devin. I have money, but I have it because I don’t spend it. I don’t live as frivolously as my belongings allow me to. Most of that is my papa’s and the crew’s and a good deal is what I’ve kept that belonged to my mama.” If a navy sailor made even one quarter what a merchant sailor made, it would surprise her. And they were always cheated out of their payoffs once inport.

“All right Mia,” he said, closing the door and crossing to her. “I’m not resentful, just surprised and now a little worried that perhaps the commodore will change his mind and take you back. Give you to someone more able to settle you in the life to which you areaccustomed.”

“I’m accustomed to life at sea, Devin,” she said putting her arms around his neck. “Give me a strong wind to fill my sails, a course to follow, and steer clear of therocks.”

“Is that all it takes to keep Mia happy?” he asked with a chuckle and stretched his neck so she couldn’t reach his lips and had to keep placing kisses under hischin.

“Aye, mostly that is all. Unless you know something I might request be added to the list?” She pressed against him and reveled in the feel of his hands smoothing down her back, cupping her ass and pulling her hard against his body. His squeezing fingers instantly sent a thrill through her and she felt the wetness seepingout.

“Damn, but I’m a lucky man,” Devin said and dropped a kiss on her cheek before stepping away to pull off his shirt. They’d dined on deck with the entire crew and most every formality was left below deck. Devin’s dress consisted of his shirt and his pants, even his boots were left in these quarters. Mia thought it wonderful he could leave all his stiffness and protocols behind for a short time at least. She saw too that his crew respected him. Not only as the captain, but as a man and asailor.

Crews were often a good indicator of the character of the captain. A happy gang that worked well together only happened when the leadership was strong and trustworthy. A leader who gained compliance only through hazing his shipmates didn’t tend to have the same results. Devin’s crew laughed freely and worked with littledirection.

“What is it,Mia?”

She started at the question. “What?”

“You’re looking at me oddly,” he said sitting down and motioning her to come tohim.

“Oh,” she giggled. Always her expression gave her away. “I wonder, you’ve said that a few times, that you’relucky.”

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