Isla de las Riquezas was a good ten days’ sail in good weather, and Nick was impatient to arrive. He was even more impatient to find and punish Yussef. Nick scanned the ocean once again.
The Barbary pirate was out there somewhere. Running? Hiding? Laughing?
Laugh now, Nick thought. Because before long, you’ll be mine.
“Cap’n, sir?”
Nick turned from the railing and his view of the open ocean to face the short third mate. Mr. Fellowes doffed his cap.
“What is it, Mr. Fellowes?”
“I’m sorry what to bother you wit’ this.”
Nick waved a hand, indicating it was no bother at all.
“But you put me in charge of the missy, sir, and I’m having a bit o’ a time wit’ her.”
Nick frowned. “Missy?”
Fellowes nodded. “Yes, sir. And I’m having a bit o’ a time wit’ her. She don’t want to stay in your cabin, and I don’t know wot else to do wit’ her. Seems like you should do an introduction o’ sorts afore we let her loose on deck. Let the men know to keep hands off. But that’s just me opinion. Begging your pardon, sir.”
Nick took a deep breath. He’d actually forgotten about Ashley Brittany for a time. A fact she’d probably sensed and was wasting no time rectifying. And yet he wasn’t quite ready to deal with her. He had work to do—work he could not accomplish in his cabin with her ranting at him. And yet, with her running free, he wouldn’t be able to concentrate either.
“Leave her where she is for now, Mr. Fellowes.”
“But, Cap’n, she—”
Nick held up a hand. “I know how she can be. Handle her, Mr. Fellowes. And while you’re at it, bring me my maps and my logbooks. Let Mr. Chante know that I want a meeting with all the officers on the quarterdeck just after eight bells of the morning watch.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” Fellowes turned slowly, and Nick recognized the look on the man’s face: sheer determination.
No doubt, Nick would have the same look when he faced Ashley later.
LATER FINALLY BORE down on him. When Nick heard the first bell of the mid watch and realized it was after midnight, he glanced at his men. The same weariness he felt was reflected on their faces.
“Get some sleep,” he ordered those not on watch. “You have your orders.”
Fully intending to take his own advice, Nick stumbled numbly to his cabin. He reached for the handle and turned it. Nothing happened.
Nick frowned in the darkness. Why was his cabin locked?
Through the weight of fatigue, the answer dawned on him.
Ashley was in there.
Hell’s teeth.
Nick prayed she’d already fallen asleep. He wanted nothing more than a few hours of peaceful rest himself. He fished in his pocket for the key, opened the door, and stepped inside. It was dark and quiet. Thank God—
The door swung shut behind him, and he heard a whoosh. A bolt of lightning crashed through his skull as something hit him hard on the back of the head.
He stumbled forward, catching himself with one hand on his desk. “What the—”
But Ashley already had the door open, and in the dim light outside, he could see her running.
“Bloody hell.” What did she plan to do? Jump overboard?
Nick took three large strides and caught her about the waist. He tried very hard not to notice how good she felt in his arms. He tried not to imagine throttling her.
