AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Killian
White-blonde hair caught my attention from my periphery as Rek continued chiding me. He hadn’t been at all impressed with taking on Lady Ainsley, regardless of the riches she promised. In fact, he had made some downright diabolical comments about tossing the woman overboard if Gretta had set her sights on her.
I’d turned toward the flash of hair, expecting to get some sort of glare or insult thrown my way at the brashness in which I'd handled her once she’d stumbled on the ship. Instead, my mouth fell open at the sight of Ainsley as she ascended to the main deck.
“Good Lord, woman. What are you wearing?”
Ainsley turned and eyed me pointedly with that expression I’d expected. "What? I'd rather not appear as a ruffian or hooligan. I designed it myself. I find it refreshing and not"—She gestured toward me—"distasteful. Like that, ‘Oh, look at me. I’m a mean pirate with no fashion sense’ thing you’ve got going on.” She brushed her long hair behind her shoulder and continued, “I made it more... presentable, and I'm quite proud of it. Thank you very much." She placed her hands on her hips and stepped toward me with purpose, in what appeared to be a challenge.
Yes, as annoying as this woman could be, I found I was enjoying her spitfire nature. Perhaps a bit too much. Her presence was going to be distracting enough, but add in the fact that her midriff was showing, she would surely unhinge my men.
I scrubbed my hand down my face and attempted to meet Ainsley’s beautiful gaze and not her...assets. “While you’ve created a rather nice, um.” I paused because I wasn’t quite certain what to call the getup she was wearing. “I…”
Ainsley rose an irritated albeit lovely brow. “Yes?”
I shook my head. “I’ve got nothing. Carry on.”
What the hell could I say? She’d caught me off guard and had me stumbling over my words as if I were a schoolchild once more. I turned to face Rek again, but he was of no help. I received a judgmental “told you so” look from the man who was supposed to be my best friend and first mate.
“What?” I growled.
Rek held his hands up in front of him. “Oh, nothing, Captain.”
He left my side, and I watched him move toward Ainsley. “Lady Lilstrum, I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.” Rek’s voice was kind to her face, even if he had been mentioning throwing her overboard just minutes earlier.
I heard him introduce several more crew members before her strong voice uttered a few words that I knew would win my crew over the moment she’d spoken them. “Would any of you mind if I sharpened my blade? I had to use it and wanted to make sure it’s still in good shape.”
You could have heard a screw drop after the question fell from her full, bow-shaped lips. I watched in awe as Ainsley pulled out a sharpening set from the lower pockets of her trousers and unsheathed her sword.
I gulped at the sight of her. Most of the crew were watching with their mouths hanging open as well. Rek was the only one keeping his shit together. He glared disdainfully at the men, but I noticed he’d brought up a barrel for Ainsley to sit on as she worked.
I approached the small group that had gathered.
"I don't need blood stains on my deck, mi'lady." I moved around her slowly, feeling as though I were stalking my prey, watching her skate over her sword with a metal file.
She didn't hesitate for a moment with her response. "Then keep away from me, and you'll be just fine."
A low rumble sounded from my throat. I barely tolerated taunts and jabs from the crew I'd been flying with for a decade, let alone from this holier-than-thou duchess in waiting.
Slowly drawing my sword, I expected the sound of it as it was unsheathed from its scabbard to make her flinch.
But she didn't. No, she had the gall to continue sharpening her blasted blade.
I swung my arm down, and the clang of her sword meeting mine above her head almost threw me off balance.
She rose slowly and the proud expression on her face told me she’d wield this weapon quite nicely.
"Now, where did you learn to do a thing like that?" I inquired, running my blade alongside hers.
"My father raised me to be proficient in many things." She held her ground, unwavering. "Do not underestimate me."
“A few strokes of beginner’s luck don’t make you proficient in anything, mi’lady.” I swung my sword firmly, this time aiming for her arm. I wanted to see the fire in her eyes I'd witnessed while we were escaping earlier on. If only to prove it hadn’t been my imagination. At least that's what I'd keep telling myself.
"How dare you?" she hissed. "Duke Langford was an asset as a father. An asset to all of Rookhallow Proper."
I whipped her blade around so that she had to move with me, and as I neared the portside of the ship, I made my next move so her stance would have her slightly over the edge of the railing. The world below was still visible at our height after all.
"Look around and tell me—does that nightmare below appear as if anyone in power is an asset to our city?" Tread lightly, I told myself internally. She had just lost the man she loved—her father, after all. “You were walking the streets alone and saw for yourself.”
