Page 20 of Mardon

“My grandson seems to have taken the most interest in ye. He hasna taken his eyes off of ye since ye stepped foot on this ship.”

“You mean Mardon?” she asked, her eyes flashing up to the sterncastle where Mardon was at the helm talking with another of his crew. Sure enough, he was watching her. He nodded his head in acknowledgment when he saw her look at him.

Emmaline jerked and spun around on her heel. She lowered her face, hoping none of these men had gotten a good look at her. Not that they’d remember her face when she was sure they’d been staring at other parts of her body instead, where the painting was concerned. A knot formed in her stomach. “Mayhap I shouldn’t be here.”

“Nay, ye shouldna. This is the last place ye should be. But it’s too late to change that. Ye are a part of this treasure hunt now whether ye like it or no’.”

“What’s in it for me?” she asked Nairnie.

Nairnie’s head turned and she looked at Emmaline over her shoulder. Her lips pursed and her eyes glowered at Emmaline as she made a face. “Don’t let my grandsons hear ye talkin’ like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Only a fool would believe a nun was thinkin’ about herself, askin’ to make a deal that would benefit her directly.”

“Well, they won’t hear me. This is just between us, Nairnie.” She flashed the old woman a smile. “I’m just curious. Why should I risk my life to help steal a treasure for stinking pirates?”

Nairnie chuckled. “Aye, they dinna bathe as much as they should, but they’re no’ all stinkin’, I assure ye. Tell me, what is it ye want?” Nairnie put down a few items and looked directly at her. The woman’s eyes were mysterious with speckles that made her look wise like a sage. It was almost as if she were gazing into Emmaline’s mind, and this made her feel very unsettled. She broke the connection by looking at the deck, pretending to find interest among the ashes.

“Me? Why do you think I want anything at all? For myself, I mean.” Emmaline walked over and placed the items she held on a nearby wooden box.

“Ye didna seem to fight very hard about comin’ aboard a pirate ship. So that leaves me to believe it is a risk ye’re willin’ to take to get whatever it is ye want. Am I right?”

“All I want is a good reputation. That is something I’m never going to get if I help you steal from a church!”

“Is there somethin’ wrong with the reputation ye have now? Is this part of that deep, dark secret ye’re hidin’?”

Emmaline busied herself picking up more bowls and spoons from the ashes. She didn’t answer.

“Uh huh. That’s what I thought. Well, I suppose ye’ll tell me when ye’re guid and ready so I willna push ye again. Ramble,” she called out, and a young man about five and ten years of age ran over to her.

“What is it Nairnie?” he asked. “Oh, hello, Sister, my name is Ramble,” he said, holding out his hand for a shake. “I’m the captain’s cabin boy.”

“I’m Emmaline. I mean, Sister Emmaline,” she told him, leery to touch him since he looked rugged and filthy like the rest of the men. Still, she reached out and gave his hand a quick shake.

“I guess we’ll be havin’ two women aboard again,” said Ramble. “Not that I mind, of course, but I’m just sayin’ it isn’t customary, especially being on a pirate ship and all.”

Emmaline could see why they called the boy Ramble. He couldn’t seem to stop talking.

“Ramble, get some of the other men to help ye, and clean up this mess,” ordered Nairnie. “I canna cook in filth and ashes.”

“Aaron already told us to do the exact thing,” said Ramble. “The men are headed over here now. Ye know, Aaron’s quartermaster now that Tristan left and Mardon took over as captain. I wonder if I’m goin’ to get a new position as well.”

Mardon walked up behind him. “You’ll be lucky to keep your old position if you don’t stop talking and get to work.”

“Cap’n!” Ramble whirled around in surprise. “I didn’t know ye were standin’ there.”

“Obviously not,” said Mardon. “Get to work helping Coop and the others bring over the barrels of food from the Fish Head Inn.”

“Aye, Cap’n,” said Ramble, turning and running to do as told.

“Thank ye,” said Nairnie. “I need to start preparin’ somethin’ for a meal. What would ye like, Mardon?”

“Nothing that requires cooking,” he answered. “It’s much too windy today for a fire. I don’t want you setting aflame the rest of the ship before we’ve even cleaned up this mess.”

“Aye, of course no’,” said Nairnie. “I’ll need a plank set up here to work on. Hopefully, Peg Leg Pate will hurry up and get my galley rebuilt.”

“I’ll take care of all of that,” said Mardon, still staring at Emmaline.