The Charlotte Series: Book 1: The Pirate's Treasure

chapter 22

"The wharf is a dangerous place especially for a little girl."

"I suppose you're right. I shouldn't like it at all to find that a daughter of mine sneaked down to the wharf."

"And your sons?"

"I shall never have any of course, but if I did... I think I should like it if they were sailors."

He didn't' ask but she could see the curiosity in the sparkle of his eye and the twist of his lips into that crooked grin.

"If my sons were sailors they would be free. Not like my father who is bound to others for his livelihood. Sea seems to be an equalizer of men. The little things that Lad does are as important to this ship as the things you do. Everyone has a job to do and all must be done for the ship to sail well. It isn't that way at all in the city."

"You've a shrewd eye, my lady. That is indeed the way of it but I've never heard it put that way."

"I am rambling again. Please, forgive me. I should go." She started to stand.

"No, my lady. Please." He held out his hand and gestured to the place next to him. "Stay. I have another mend to make. I can show you, if you like."

"Thank you, Mr. Bricker!" she was all enthusiasm. "This is my home now and I should like to learn as much as I can about it. I know you're very busy now so I'll just watch."

He nodded reached for the next pile of canvas and began inspecting it closely. Millicent watched wordlessly while he made the needed repairs. He told her the name of each tool that he used as he worked. She laughed when he picked up a large needle.

"That's the only thing I've seen that I recognize!" She laughed again. "Sometimes I feel that I've been set down in a foreign land. Even the English you speak is filled with words I don't understand!"

"Aye." Bricker laughed. "I can see how it might seem that way to a landlubber. That is--"

"A poor soul like me who lives on land and knows naught about the sea?"

Bricker touched the tip of his nose and they shared another laugh.

"Mr. Bricker I must be away. But I thank you for letting me watch and being so patient with all my questions. I shall never see a sail the same way again!"

She curtsied to him before she walked back toward the captain's cabin. Bricker watched her for a moment. He chuckled and shook his head as he returned to his work. She was so bright and enthusiastic. It wouldn't take long for the newness to wear off. Then she would despise the sea, no doubt. Most young ladies wanted the permanence of a house and a family.

---

"What are you doing?" Smith barked.

Without looking up from her work, she answered him briskly.

"What does it look like I am doing? I am scrubbing laundry."

"It looks like you are wasting water. Aboard a ship that is akin to murder. I should have you flogged!" He raised his voice to a shout.

"If indeed I wasted drinking water you would be correct." She stood up and put her hand on her hip matching him shout for shout. "But I used sea water. And before you complain about the money I wasted on the soap, washboard and washtub it was my own!"

"You have no money!" He shouted.

"No." she agreed, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "Not anymore. I spent it on these and some sewing notions."