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

Chapter 41

Millicent looked in the mirror and did a turn around. The borrowed clothes were loose fitting which helped to hide her curves. The belt across her hips held sword and a pistol. Her hair was tied back with a leather strip and she wore a head scarf. It was good but it still wasn't quite right.

Quickly she removed one of her gold earrings and tucked it into her boot so she wouldn't lose it.

"Better." She mumbled to her reflection. "But still not right."

Crossing to the table she dumped the scones onto the tray. Carrying the plate to the nearest candle she held it in the flame and moved it around for a few minutes before she flipped it over and smiled. Back in front of the mirror she smeared the soot from the bottom of the plate onto her jaw.

"La piece de resistance" she growled in a low voice.

As she walked on deck she adapted a slight limp and let her shoulders droop a little. Moving off the deck she set her feet swiftly toward the watchdog. It was imperative that Lady Winterton not be seen leaving the Charlotte. Against the urging of the little voice in her head she limped briskly toward a place just beyond the watchdog. After all, she was a sailor with a place to be.

As she walked past she lowered her shoulder and bumped his arm. Grumbling a gruff expletive she pushed past unchallenged. With a smile she altered her course and made for the warehouse where she was meeting Clay. No one gave her a second glance. She was just another sailor in a port full of sailors. Clay was outside directing a buckboard where to offload.

She dropped her shoulder and bumped into him as she limped swiftly by him.

"Hey watch where you're going!" He groused as he continued on his way.

"Sorry sir. I'm looking for Clay Eddy." She growled in her lowest roughest voice as she stopped and turned.

"You found him, mate." He turned and looked at the grubby little sailor before him. "What can I do for you?"

"For starters, don't call me mate." She said in a low whisper.

"Mills?" Clay's eyes went wide as he did a double take. "Devil take me!"

"Aye Mr. Eddy. I'm to report to you and then Captain Bailey." She growled.

"Bailey's over there." he pointed and caught her arm as she turned to go.

"Sir?"

"Do me a favor Mills?" he grinned mischievously. "Bump into him on your way past."

She nodded and turned. With her shoulders slouched she resumed her limping gate and made for a point just beyond Bailey. As she did twice already, she bumped him with her shoulder as she went past and growled an obscenity.

"You there!" He shouted. "Watch where you're going."

Millicent smiled but didn't slow her steps. In reply she loudly growled another obscenity addressed at Bailey's lineage. A hand fell hard on her shoulder and pulled her around.

"I said—" Bailey gaped like a fish as he stared at her wide-eyed.

"Convincing isn't it?" Clay laughed as he joined them.

"It most certainly is. Knowing how you handle a blade, no one will believe you're...uh..."

"Mills is the name, sir." She growled. "Rigging and sails, sir."

"Aye. Mills." He cleared his throat ignoring the chuckles from Clay. "Simms will show you where to stow your kit. You can get started right away. We're making ready to sail."