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

chapter 15

In truth Blakeney was practically pushed off the extended plank at the point of a sword. His power reduced to blustering as he cursed Smith and the mutinous crew with every step he was forced to take. He fell in and surfaced once and tried to swim back. The sharks had him before he surfaced a second time.

Good riddance. Still, it would have been divinely beautiful if she could have been the one to push him over. Maybe she should be obliged to Smith. For in dispatching Blakeney, he not only bought her freedom, but also spared her eternal soul the black mark of willful murder.

The boy was waiting patiently. Stirring herself from her revelry she smiled at him. She still wished she was the one to send the monster off to the devil but for the moment she must do as Smith suggested and remember her place. As the others would see it she was bad luck. But since she was here she would be meek and unobtrusive.

"Thank you, sir." She dipped her chin.

Her young escort blushed but she noticed he stood a little taller. She smiled her sweetest smile.

"Might I take your arm, good sir? I am afraid I still do not have my sea legs and I might stumble."

His smile positively dazzled her. He bowed as elegantly as any gentleman and offered his arm as proper as you please. In truth she still was a little unsteady walking awkwardly on her heels and the sides of her feet. Al though the swelling had gone down considerably, she still could not tolerate walking on the flats of her feet.

"My lady." He said. "Our Captain waits."

He was behaving like a little gentleman in black and white formal dress instead of a boy in too-big hand-me-downs. Millicent surprised herself with another genuine smile. It seems she was to be treated like a lady and given her freedom as well. It was a little ironic that she only found such kindness after she was given away to a pirate!

"Miss Weathersby, Sir." The cabin boy announced proudly as they reached Smith.

She tucked one foot behind the other and dipped in a curtsy. She smiled while she clenched her teeth against the pain and extended her hand. Smith reached out and bent over her hand, kissing it as though they were meeting at a ball. He stood and tucked her hand in his elbow. She blushed as he winked at her before turning to face the men assembled on the decks below him.

"Miss Weathersby. Allow me to present my crew."

He turned and shouted. Three men stepped forward. She noted that Smith was taking this charade of his seriously. For her safety he must be a formidable presence. He must brook no argument where she was concerned. He must enforce the first rule.

"These three are my men; they are loyal to me." He explained to her as he introduced them. "Masters is my second. The other two, Bricker and Stu can be trusted with your life. You know my cabin boy. And these gentlemen," He gestured grandly with a wave of his arm toward the men standing on deck, "are the fine crew of the Charlotte."

He spoke the last loud enough to be heard by all the men. She was impressed and more than a little surprised. On most of the faces she saw a measure of respect for their new Captain. A few still showed a cautious mistrust. That was to be expected, she supposed. They couldn't all have supported Smith yet his victory and position demanded acknowledgment.

"This is Miss Weathersby. She belongs to me." He announced with finality. "I will not tolerate any disrespect. Offensive behavior will be severely punished. You may address her as 'my lady'. You will treat her as a lady at all times. I will not have her name bandied about as though she were some bawdy whore. Do I make myself clear?" Smith looked at Masters, Bricker and Stu.