Piracy

10. Defying Him

"Harry?" I questioned quietly as he stood in the far corner of the cabin, getting dressed for the day.

"Yes?"

"When can I see Hadley? I mean, am I allowed to see her?"

He sighed and it came out more like a huff of exasperation. "I figured you would ask eventually. I guess it depends on what you're planning to discuss with her. I will have no talk of mutiny on my ship," he said sternly.

"Mutiny?" I laughed. "You've got to be joking. The only thing Hadley ever planned in her life was how to torment me since I am...or was her personal servant. And she helped her mother with the very infrequent social events they hosted when dignitaries happened to be passing through that part of the country and needed a place to stay for the night."

"Still, I don't know if I can trust you," he said, furrowing his eyebrows and not making eye contact.

"Says the pirate who kidnapped me!" I snapped.

"All the more reason for you to plan your escape," he countered.

"Truth be told, I rather like it aboard this ship. I don't have nearly as many chores to do, and no bratty rich girl telling me that I'm doing it all wrong."

"Hadley?" He asked, and I nodded. "Then why do you want to see her?"

"Well, she's not entirely evil," I said, which earned a tiny smile from Harry. "Besides, she's my only connection to home. I still care about her."

He looked at me, appearing very confused, like he couldn't understand how I could have any concern for someone who treated me poorly.

"It was her father who whipped you," he grumbled.

"Yes," I agreed. "Her father. Hadley had nothing to do with it." She probably would have whipped me if she'd been allowed to, but I didn't think it wise to mention that to Harry.

"Very well. I will arrange a time for you to see her some time today. But not for long." Then he left the cabin to begin his daily pirating routine, whatever that may be.

Once I'd dressed, I went out to finish the laundry as Harry had given me permission to do. When he caught sight of me, he looked angry for a moment, but then he appeared to remember that I had asked him the previous night and flashed me brief look of tenderness. I washed diligently under the gathering clouds and increasing wind. With the storm brewing, I wondered if I might end up vomiting again when the ship was being thrown about. I'd be right back where I started, with fewer clothes to wear.

The winds were high enough to blow anything hung on the ships railings clean away, so I brought the wet clothing indoors and hung it on ladders and nails sticking out from the woodwork.

It wasn't long before Niall came to me and said, "The captain ordered me to take you to see your mistress."

I looked at him suspiciously. Harry had lost his temper yesterday because Niall was talking to me. Why would he send Niall to me now? I couldn't help but wonder if he was setting a trap so he could accuse me again.

"Really?" I asked.

"On my honor," Niall replied.

I let him lead me across the ship to a lower deck where there was a hallway with several doors close together. I assumed they were the servants' quarters.

Niall opened a door near the end of the hall. I stepped inside and saw a small lamp burning, and Hadley was asleep on a tiny cot.

I spoke her name and she jumped with surprise. Then she did the strangest thing. She rushed to me and threw her arms around me, saying, "Oh, Wren, I'm so happy to see you!" She clung to me for several long moments and then backed away. There were tears streaming down her face. Clearly, she'd had a much more difficult experience on board the Rebellion than I'd had.