With a low, rumbling growl, the earl obeyed and signaled his men.
“There. Was that so hard?” Martin asked, lowering his sword. “Halfred, how long beforeThe Wind Songis seaworthy again?”
“At least a week, my lord,” the old sailor answered.
That’s what he’d thought. Unfortunately, returning home aboard his beloved vessel was not an option. “Lady Isabella, Lady Adelaide, and I need to depart today, and we need to bring a healer with us. Go book us passage on a friendly ship. I think I see theLady Maryand theAngelusin port. Either of them would do nicely. Or find us another, if they can’t take us. Just make sure it isn’t one of his.” Martin gestured with his chin at the earl.
“Aye, my lord. Right away,” Halfred said. The men cleared a path to allow him to depart.
“As for you, Lord James, I’m going to let you go retrieve Lady Adelaide in a moment. But I need your solemn oath that you will not interfere with the repairs toThe Wind Songor with any of my crew. If you make trouble, we’ll signal Timothy, and he’ll go running with those letters. Do I have your promise?”
Lord James looked daggers at Martin, but the man had no choice. “I swear on all that is holy thatThe Wind Songwilldepart in its own good time and that your men will not be bothered.”
Isabella squeezed Martin’s arm affectionately and whispered, “We won.”
“Yes, we did,” Martin murmured and planted a kiss on her forehead.
Lord James made a noise of disgust.
“I expect Lady Adelaide and her healer to join us here within the hour.” Martin lowered his blade and signaled with his hand for his men to do the same. “You may go.”
Martin could hardly contain his glee as Lord James and his men trudged down the gangplank, defeated.
As soon as they were gone, Martin pulled his wife close. “You were brilliant, my love.”
“So were you.” He reached up and pulled her in for a kiss. She tasted of sweetness and triumph and everything that he held dear as she opened to him, her tongue tantalizing his own. He lost himself in the taste of her, the feel of her, so soft beneath his hands and yet so full of passion and strength.His Isabella. Forever.
Unfortunately, they were not alone. His men hooted and hollered at the sight, forcing him to break the kiss with a laugh. “Leave us alone. Can’t you see I’m busy?” he called out, and his crew roared with laughter.
“There’s a cabin below, my lord, if you and your wife need some privacy,” one of them called out.
Several others made obscene suggestions and gestures that left even Isabella blushing. “If it wasn’t for Adelaide, I would take you below for a true wedding night right this minute,” she murmured, eyes full of promise.
Martin sighed. Alas, his wedding night had to wait until they had time and privacy, though resisting temptation required a degree of physical restraint that he could barely manage.“Chess,” he said, desperately casting his mind about for something they could do for distraction until Adelaide returned to them.
“Chess?” Isabella asked, an incredulous look on her face.
“Would you care to play? It would pass the time while we wait.”
She nodded, looking as flustered and flushed as he felt. “I’m sure I’ll play horribly under the circumstances, but I accept your challenge.”
Martin called out to one of his men who brought up the board and pieces. They set themselves up to play sitting on crates with a barrel between them. They were only three moves into their game when Lord James reappeared with Adelaide and her healer.
“Here. Take her. I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain. Now call off Timothy,” Lord James said, in a voice dripping with vitriol, before he turned to go.
“Not yet,” Martin called back, making the earl pause. “Not untilThe Wind Songleaves in peace.”
Lord James turned slowly to face Martin, staring him down with violent promise. But all he said was, “Fine.” Again, he turned to go.
Martin prayed that was the last they ever saw of him.
Isabella ran to her sister, helping the healer settle her on some sacks of grain, leaning her back against the forecastle, until Halfred returned.
Fortunately, Halfred came back swiftly. “TheAngeluscan take you to Winchelsea, my lord. I’ve booked you two cabins. It departs within the hour.”
Arrangements made, they wended their way along the docks to his friend’s ship. Halfred carried Lady Adelaide in his arms because she was too faint and feverish to walk.
Martin greeted the captain as the ladies got settled belowdecks.
