Page 62 of Mardon

“I don’t think Nereus knows where the treasure is either,” said Mardon. “After all, it seemed like he was following us.”

“Or mayhap he just wanted to raid the French ship, same as us.”

“Same as you,” Mardon corrected him. “I wanted to go solely for the purpose of getting Emmaline away from that evil bastard of a husband. I only decided we’d raid the ship, because I knew the crew would protest otherwise.”

“So. She’s a widow. Again,” said Aaron, looking out to sea instead of at Mardon when he spoke.

“What are you really trying to say, Brother? And notice I didn’t say little brother.”

“You just did,” Aaron mumbled under his breath. “All I meant is, what are you going to do with her now that you saved her?”

“I don’t know.” He got up and stretched. “I haven’t figured out that part yet.”

“Well, you might want to think of something soon. That is, before she starts turning this ship upside down.”

“She won’t do that! Why would you even say that?”

“Take a look.” Aaron pointed down at the deck. Ramble and Emmaline appeared from the cabin, and were headed toward the galley. They were both wearing some very odd clothing.

“What the hell are they wearing?” asked Mardon, stretching his neck and trying to see.

“I’m not sure, but I think we’d better find out. Goldtooth, take the helm,” said Aaron, calling the man over.

“Aaron, what are you doing?” Mardon asked in a low voice. “The only ones that man the helm are me, you, and Stitch.”

“And we used to have Tristan. I need to train someone else to fill in. Just in case.” Aaron looked the other way.

“Just in case . . . what?”

“You know.”

“Nay, I don’t. What are you trying to say?”

“Well, look what happened to Tristan! What’s saying the same thing isn’t going to happen to you, too?”

“It won’t. I promise. I’m not going to fall into the same trap. Aaron, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Then you’re not marrying the girl?”

“Of course not!” Mardon chuckled. “What on earth would give you that idea?”

“We’ll see,” said Aaron, handing the helm over to Goldtooth and heading down the stairs with Mardon.

“Ramble? Lady Emmaline? What are you two wearing?” asked Mardon when they made their way to the deck.

Emmaline looked up at him. Her eyes dropped to his waist and she quickly looked the other way. “I could ask you the same thing,” she said.

Mardon stood there in his braies, suddenly feeling too naked. The crew often walked around wearing very little at all, so he didn’t think it was a problem. But now that he stood in front of Emmaline as well as the rest of the crew in just his braies, he was quickly regretting his decision.

“I am drying my clothes,” he told her. “Why didn’t you don one of those gowns in the trunk like I told you to? And by the way, where did you get those clothes that you’re wearing?”

She wore a man’s tunic belted at the waist that hung down just past her knees. Her legs were clad in hose, and on her feet she wore a pair of boots that looked very masculine and a bit too big.

“She got the clothes from me, Cap’n,” said Ramble. “We swapped.”

“Swapped? What do you mean, swapped?”

“Well, Lady Emmaline wanted my tunic, hose and boots, so I traded with her.”