Ahoy!
Thank you to Mel, Jill, and Gemma!
EIGHT
The small home to which Isabella leads us confuses me. We are far from the taverns and brothels, as well as the docks. It seems no place to find a captain of a ship.
Isabella knocks on the front door and steps back. Her First Mate and I stand behind her, waiting. I cannot help but to keep one hand on the small knife at my waist, just in case.
The door opens, and the breath leaves my body in surprise when I see a child, perhaps eight years old, answer our call.
"Hello, darling," Isabella says, pouring every ounce of charm she has onto the poor boy. "My name is Isabella. Is your mother home?"
The child nods. "Mamae!" He calls into the house. A moment later, a woman appears, her eyes wide with surprise to take us in.
"Madame," Isabella says, bowing lightly to her. "My name is Isabella. I am an old acquaintance of Captain Thorne."
The woman lets out a long breath. "Oh, I see." She grunts. "Well, you must be a good friend to know to search here. Come on in."
She steps aside and Isabella moves into the house. I follow behind her, while Mr. McCarty brings up the rear. The house is small but tidy. The boy is minding a smaller child by the hearth, while his mother returns to the kitchen.
"Tea?" she asks.
I shake my head but Isabella nods. "Yes, thank you."
Is this a social visit?
Isabella settles at the table at the woman's gesture. Neither I nor Mr. McCarty make a move to sit and Isabella looks at us.
"Decorum, gentlemen," she reminds us gently. I let out a harsh breath and pull out the seat next to her. Mr. McCarty hesitates but then pulls out another chair.
"I really shouldn't be here," he whispers.
"Nonsense," Isabella says, waving him off.
The woman comes back with a tray with tea and biscuits. She sets it on the table and Isabella offers her a bright smile. "Thank you."
The woman sighs. "I'll go fetch the Captain."
She departs, and Isabella reaches for a biscuit.
"What is a captain doing so far from the port?" I ask, my voice low and tight.
Isabella looks at me. "Darling, it's called discretion," she says gently. "Captain Thorne has a reputation and sometimes, that reputation is…" she pauses. "...ambiguous."
I'm not sure what that even means. I'm about to ask when there is a commotion down the hall from us. A moment later, a tall blonde woman is stepping into the room. She takes us in, her dark blue eyes traveling from me to Isabella and finally to Mr. McCarty. Before any of us can make a move to even stand, the woman is turning to Isabella's First Mate and punching him in the jaw.
Mr. McCarty's chair breaks as he tilts backward from the blow, and I leap to my feet, alarmed.
Only Isabella doesn't move.
"How dare you."—the blonde seethes, glaring down at Mr. McCarty—"show up here." He doesn't answer her, and she turns to Isabella. "What do you want?"
Isabella smiles. "Dear Rosalie. It's so good to see you."
The woman—Rosalie—smiles, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she sits at the fourth spot at the table.
"It's been a long time," she says, reaching for a biscuit. "How did you find me?"
Isabella smiles her coy smile as Mr. McCarty gets to his feet. No one seems to be concerned about him as he clears the debris of the chair from the room, as if it's a normal greeting custom for them all.
"Who is this?"
I turn to Rosalie, surprised to see she's looking at me. Isabella nods. "Right, this is Captain Edward…" She pauses, looking at me. "Darling, I don't think I know your surname."
It gives me a small degree of satisfaction to realize there is something she doesn't know. But of course, the manners bred into me won't let her introduction go incomplete. "Masen," I say slowly, turning to the blonde.
"Masen," Isabella muses. "How unexpectedly common."
I glare at her, but she's already moved on. "Captain Masen, it is my honor to introduce you to none other than Captain Thorne, Rose to her friends."
Captain Thorne glares at Isabella. "Will you be releasing all my secrets today?"
Isabella smiles at her. "No, I think that should do for now."
Her eyes drift toward the doorway, where I can hear the other woman with the children. Isabella looks back at Captain Thorne. The women have a small moment of silent communication that I do not understand. Mr. McCarty comes back into the room, choosing to stand in the corner behind Isabella.
Finally, the piratess speaks.
"Captain Thorne, I have a proposition for you."
Captain Thorne leans back, folding her arms over her chest. "Yes?"
"We are in need of a fine ship with a fine crew and an even finer captain," Isabella says. "I will pay you thrice whatever it is you want, once our journey is complete."
Captain Thorne considers it. "Thrice?" she asks.
Isabella nods. "Yes, and any spoils you and your crew come upon are yours for the taking. I don't wish to stifle anyone's prosperity."
"The crew?"
"Completely up to your selection," Isabella tells her. "I only include the three of us as well as Mr. Whitlock, Captain Masen's First Mate."
Captain Thorne looks at me.
"He looks too noble to get rich."
I find it difficult to know how to take offense to that, but Isabella smiles.
"I assure you, Captain Thorne, that nobility will not stand in the way of profit. Captain Masen and I have an accord."
Captain Thorne glances between us once more. She turns to Isabella and nods.
"Very well. I am yours. What is it you need?"