Page 17 of Mardon

“Then why did you let Nairnie talk you into bringing her aboard the ship? I’m the best thief we have and you know it. I can sneak into Canterbury Cathedral and back out again with the treasure without anyone seeing me. What do we need her for?”

“You’re right, and I do know it,” agreed Mardon.

“Then you’re afraid of Grandmother and that is why you agreed to this plan.”

“Nay, I’m not afraid of any woman, especially not Nairnie.”

“Really?” Aaron looked over and smiled.

“Well, she is a little intimidating at times, I must say. But that is not why I agreed to bringing the nun on board.”

“Then why?” asked Aaron. “You know the crew is going to hate having a nun around them.”

“I did it because I can’t shake the feeling that I know her somehow.”

“You? You think you know a nun?” Aaron burst out laughing. “And when is the last time you went to church, Brother?”

“Nay, it’s not like that.” His eyes fastened to Sister Emmaline as she boarded the ship. The wind lifted her wimple and he saw a lock of long, platinum hair peeking out before she quickly pushed it back underneath her headpiece and secured her veil. Where had he seen someone with such blond hair before? So blond that it almost looked white? He wracked his brain, but just couldn’t remember.

“Then what is it like? Do tell.”

“She . . . intrigues me,” said Mardon, watching as the wind blew her skirt and she bent over slightly to hold it down. “She excites me in an odd sort of way.”

“What? You’re saying you want to bed the nun?” Aaron laughed even more. “Mardon, I think you have been too long without a woman. Go back to the tavern and seek the pleasures of a whore before we set sail.”

“Nay. There’s no time. We’ve got to find the treasure before Nereus gets to it.”

“Then take a quick dunk in the sea to cool off,” said Aaron. “If not, you’re going to do something with that nun that you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

“I will not! Don’t be ridiculous.” Mardon waved away the thought. “I would never touch a holy woman and you know it.”

“What about the rest of the crew? After all, she is comely, even though she’s a nun.”

“If any of them even look at Sister Emmaline with lust in their eyes, I swear I’ll have their heads.”

“Mmm hmm.” Aaron started up the boarding plank, but Mardon grabbed his arm and held him back.

“Wait. What the hell did that mean?”

“Nothing. Now let go of my arm. I need to instruct the crew to prepare to set sail.”

“Spill it, little brother. What is going through that thick head of yours?”

Aaron shook off Mardon’s arm. “I told you, I don’t like when you call me that, now stop it.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t do it again. And to answer you, I guess I just know you all too well. I’ve seen that look in your eyes before whenever you decide you want to bed a woman. Only this time, you have it bad for a nun and it shocks me that you’d even consider the idea. After all, nuns are celibate. So if you want to roger Sister Emmaline at the rail, it is going to be against her will.”

“I don’t rape women. I have never done that, and I never will.”

“Tell me that again when you’re so hot and randy that you sneak over to Sister Emmaline’s hammock during the night.”

“Hammock? Nay, she’s not staying in the cabin with us.”

“Good. I was hoping you were going to say that. After all, this is the first time I’ll actually have a hammock to sleep in since Tristan is gone. I agree. Let her sleep with Nairnie on the deck with the men.”

“Damn, I forgot about that.” Mardon ran a weary hand through his hair.