Chapter 8 #2
Putting her back to the rail, she scanned the crowd of women.
Someone had already lit the lanterns, illuminating patches of women and men who were laughing and talking.
The women were assessing the men, some covertly, others with more boldness.
Under the protective overhang of some rigging, a youthful pirate slid his arm around a sweet-faced convict, who not only allowed it, but gazed up at him with a shy smile.
Even the older woman who’d spoken up this afternoon about her limited chances of finding a husband was being courted by a hoary-headed sailor, one of the few older men on Captain Horn’s ship.
Everywhere men hovered over the women like bees around a honey hive. Though they didn’t seem to be overly aggressive or rude, there was a definite arrogance in the way they pursued the women, as if sure of being accepted. And many of the women weren’t exactly discouraging them.
She sighed. “I suppose the women aren’t entirely angry over the situation.”
“Aren’t entirely angry?” He chuckled. “I’d say they’re quite content.”
Suddenly, there was a loud crack from across the deck and a shrill voice said, “Don’t touch me, you filthy pirate! I don’t have to suffer your grabbing hands just yet!”
Sara and Barnaby turned to see a man holding his reddened cheek as a comely young woman flounced off in a huff.
Sara cast Barnaby an arch look. “Not all are content, sir.” The wind blew a lock of hair into her eyes, and she thrust it aside.
“Some are merely resigned to their fate. They know they have no choice. Since they’re used to accepting whatever hand life has dealt them, they’ll make the best of it.
But I’d truly hoped life would deal them a better one. ”
With that, she walked away, unable to bear more such discussions. Barnaby was no different from his master. He couldn’t see the grim realities of the situation. No matter what she said, both men would continue to think they had bestowed a great favor on the women by taking them captive.
Feeling even more morose than before, she headed for the fore hatch, only to be accosted by a sailor who stepped out of the shadows. Her instant spurt of fear turned to relief when she saw it was Petey.
“Come, miss, we got to talk,” he muttered, pulling her toward the fore hatch.
“We certainly do.” She followed him, casting a wary glance about her to make sure no one saw them.
She waited until they’d climbed down into the ‘tween decks to ask the question that had bothered her ever since she’d seen him leave the captain’s cabin.
“I suppose you sneaked aboard when they brought us on, but why haven’t they killed you? ”
“Cap’n decided he had a use for me.” He lit the lantern in the ‘tween decks, and as he turned back to her, the dull gold light reflected the grim look on his face. “They’ve made me one of the crew, but that don’t mean I can do what I want.
There’s plenty of eyes watchin’ me all the time. So we gotta make this fast.”
“I guess you heard what Captain Horn said. That we must choose husbands.”
He nodded, his hazel eyes darkening. “I heard. And I got a plan for that. When the time comes for you and the women to choose, you’d best choose me.”
The idea took her by surprise. Marry Petey? Though she knew his suggestion was designed to protect her, she wasn’t sure she liked it. A lifetime on a remote island would be bad enough, but a lifetime with a man she barely knew …
Of course, she didn’t know any of these men, did she? But one of them might want her for herself instead of marrying her out of some sense of duty. “I don’t know, Petey—”
“Hear me out. If you marry me, we won’t have to be truly married, if you know what I mean.
” His reddening ears told her exactly what he meant.
“That’ll make things easier for you once we return to England.
His lordship won’t have no trouble gettin’ the marriage annulled after we’re back as long as we don’t … er … you know.”
“Yes, I know.” Her eyes narrowed. “But surely you don’t think—” Two pirates passed so close that she could hear them laughing overhead. She froze until they moved away, then leaned closer to Petey. “Surely you don’t think we’ll even get the chance to escape.”
“We might. I know a bit about navigation and such. If this island lies close to any other islands, I can row us to one that’s inhabited.”
With a sigh, she twisted the chain of her locket around her finger. “Forgive me, Petey, but that doesn’t sound promising.”
“I suppose not. But remember, the cap’n also said something about returning to the Cape Verde Islands for supplies.
’Tis possible we could stow away on that trip and take passage to England from there.
Don’t you worry, I’ll think of some way to get us out of here and back home.
” His voice grew firm. “In the meantime, you’d best stay clear of the Pirate Lord. ”
“Stop calling him that. It gives him importance beyond his worth.”
He grabbed her arm. “Listen, Miss Willis. Don’t be fooled because the cap’n is lettin’ the women make a choice. That one’s trouble. And he’s got his eye on you. That’s why you need somebody else to court you, somebody safe, to keep him from gettin’ his hooks in you.”
A strange tremor passed through her at Petey’s words. She told herself it was fear. After all, only a witless fool would be flattered by the attentions of a merciless pirate. Besides, Petey was wrong. “He doesn’t have his eye on me. Didn’t you hear what he said this afternoon?”
Petey scowled. “I know what he said, but I heard the men talkin’ and they’re all layin’ odds he’ll have you in his bed before the week is out.”
She colored. “Nonsense. You have nothing to worry about. I’d die before I let that monster put his hands on me again.”
“Again?” Petey’s fingers tightened on her arm. “What did he do to you while you were in his cabin? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“Of course not,” she said, cursing her slip of the tongue. “We had words, that’s all. But I don’t think he likes me much, and I despise him. So, you needn’t worry. He’ll never succeed in marrying me or seducing me.”
At least she hoped he didn’t. She wasn’t sure she could resist him if he tried. That thought gave her pause. “Perhaps you’re right, Petey. Perhaps I should choose you as husband.”
“It’s for the best, miss, you’ll see. But don’t you worry, one way or the other, I’ll get you out of this mess.”
She only hoped he could.