“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.”
“My boots, you mean,” grumbled Aaron.
“So is that why you look like a lass instead of a lad, Ramble?” asked Mardon. “It’s not a good look for you.” He shook his head, perusing Ramble’s odd choice of clothing. He wore a blue, velvet coat of some sort with the sleeves cut off. Underneath, he had a tunic made of pink satin. His trews only went past his knees, made of burgundy taffeta if he wasn’t mistaken. On his head covering his hair, Ramble wore some kind of sash with white lacing on the sides.
“Lady Emmaline made these clothes for me out of the gowns in the trunk.”
“I see.” He held back his chuckle, but some of the other pirates started laughing. “And why on earth would she do that, and want to wear your clothes instead?”
“I already told you why,” said Emmaline, sounding upset that the men were laughing at them. “I don’t want to wear the clothes from the trunk since they were given to me by Jean Philippe.”
“Did she give ye a kirtle as well, Ramble?” snickered one of the men.
“Nay, but she did give me these.” Ramble held up his hands. On each finger, he wore a ring with some kind of jewel embedded in it.
“I thought that trunk didn’t have any jewels in it,” shouted Goldtooth from up on the sterncastle, having been listening to everything they were saying.
“Ramble, hand them over to us,” said Coop. “Ye’re only a cabin boy. Ye don’t get such a big cut of the booty.”
“It was my cut, and I gave it to him,” Emmaline spoke up, surprising Mardon by being so bold. “Isn’t that right, Mardon?”
All eyes shifted to him. Mardon never felt as vulnerable as he did right now. He stood there half-naked without even a weapon on him, facing an angry crew. If he decided the rings should be split amongst his men, Ramble and Emmaline wouldn’t like it. Then again, if he let Ramble keep them, that wouldn’t be right either.
“That’s what he said, all right,” said Nairnie, coming from the galley, nosing her way into the conversation as always. “I, as well as everyone else here, heard Mardon say it. So if Lady Emmaline wants to give the jewels to Ramble, it’s her choice.”
“But ye said there weren’t any jewels in the trunk, Nairnie,” Peg Leg pointed out.
“Well, I guess I didna see them,” said Nairnie with a shrug of her shoulders.
“Cap’n, ye’re not goin’ to let the wenches take over the ship like this, are ye?” asked Peg Leg.
Both Nairnie and Emmaline stared at Mardon, making him feel as if he wanted to throw his hands in the air and scream. He had to be very careful how he answered.
“The things were Lady Emmaline’s before we stole them,” Mardon told his crew. “I think it’s only right that she’s allowed to decide what to do with them. After all, that trunk is hers.”
Groans and mumbles went up from the crew.
“Well, enough of that,” said Nairnie, brushing her hands together. “Who wants to eat?”
“Did you make those little biscuits with all the butter again?” asked Aaron.
“I did,” she said. “But I’m no’ sure there is enough to go around.”
“Out of my way,” said Aaron, pushing the rest of the men aside, taking off at a run for the galley. Suddenly, everyone forgot about the gemstone rings and followed their stomachs.
“Dinna anyone touch them. Wait until I get there!” shouted Nairnie. “Emmaline, Ramble, I’ll need yer help servin’ the food. These men are hungry and out of control.”
“As long as I don’t get butter on my velvet coat, I’ll help.” Ramble smoothed down the velvet with his palm and smiled. Then he headed off after her. Emmaline slowly walked over to Mardon.
“Thank you, Mardon,” she said, reaching up and kissing him on the lips.
He pulled her into his arms, running a hand down her back. He kissed her, not caring that anyone could see them. “Thank me? For what?”
“For being here for me since I have no one else but you. I’m like you now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have no family, no home, and no money. Mayhap I’ll have to start thieving like you do, just to survive.”
“Nay. You’re a lady and a noble. Don’t ever say things like that.”
“I mean it, Mardon. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done, and I want to prove it to you.”
“Really,” he said playfully, thinking of all the ways he’d like her to show her gratitude. He pulled her closer, letting his hands skim down her back, settling on her bottom. “I can think of a few ways, but mayhap we’ll have to lock the door in the cabin this time.” He squeezed her bottom, getting excited by the thought.
“Mardon, not in front of everyone,” she whispered, reaching up and kissing him again.
“Lady Emmaline, we are waitin’ for ye,” shouted Nairnie.
“We’ll have to continue this later,” she said, winking and turning and heading away.
“Mardon, you really need to get a biscuit before they’re all gone.” Aaron walked up with three biscuits piled atop each other. “This batch is even better than the last one Grandmother made.”
“Aaron, get back here with all those biscuits,” yelled Nairnie from the galley.
“I think I’ll eat these up in the lookout basket,” said Aaron. “Oh, what did Emmaline say when you told her she couldn’t stay?”
“I didn’t tell her. But I will.”
Aaron’s eyes roamed down to Mardon’s waist and he groaned. “Like hell you will. Now put on some clothes, Mardon, because your lie is showing.” He reached up for the lines and scurried up to the lookout basket with his biscuits.
Mardon looked down to see the bulge under his braies and groaned as well. This was going to be harder than he thought to let Emmaline go.
Emmaline returned to the cabin after helping Nairnie clean up from the meal. She walked in to find Mardon swinging in the cloth hammock, his arms behind his head. One leg hung lazily over the side.
“Mardon,” she said, sm
iling, liking the way the light from the window lit up his strong chest.
“Come in, Emmaline. And be sure to lock the door behind you. I don’t want us to be disturbed.”
“But it’s not even night yet,” she told him.
“It doesn’t matter.” He hopped out of the hammock, standing before her in just his braies. “I’ve been looking forward to spending some time alone with you.”
She slowly closed the door and locked it, feeling her heart beating furiously in her chest. “Don’t you have . . . captain-type things to attend to?”
“I have men covering for me. I’m all yours until the morning.” He lit a candle on the wooden table. She noticed that he had taken down the empty frame from the painting. In its place, he’d hung a fishing net with shells in it. On each side were the naked mermaid busts that jutted out from the wall.
“I like your new decorations.”
“I hope the naked mermaids don’t bother you.”
“Nay. As long as they’re not me, I’m fine.”
He picked up a decanter of wine and poured it into two glasses. “Join me,” he said, sounding sexy and seductive. His blue eyes were mesmerizing as they interlocked with her gaze. He picked up a goblet in each hand and slowly came toward her. “I hope you like heather wine. I only drink this on special occasions.” He stopped in front of her and held out a goblet. She took it, looking down into the cup.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had it before,” she admitted. “What does it taste like?”
“It taste refreshing like mint, yet exotic like heather. A little spicy yet sweet . . . just like you.” He took a sip, his eyes never leaving her. “If you’d like, you can taste it on my tongue.” He leaned forward and kissed her deeply, his tongue slipping in between her lips.
“Mmmm,” she moaned, liking the way he tasted, not even caring about the wine.
“Give me that,” he said, taking her goblet and putting them both down on the table. He turned back to her and his eyes drank her in. “Take off your clothes, Emmaline.”
“Don’t you mean, take off Ramble’s clothes?” she asked with a giggle.
“Oh, hell, don’t mention my cabin boy. Not now.” He walked over and undid her belt, throwing it to the floor. “You look sexy, no matter whose clothes you are wearing,” he whispered in her ear. She could feel his soft breath against her cheek, combined with the slight roughness of the stubble on his face.
He trailed kisses down her neck, causing her eyes to close and her head to fall back. Then he fell to his knees, lifting her tunic, pulling down her hose. He reached out and kissed her stomach.
“Mardon,” she said in a breathy whisper, a tingling sensation running through her. Her anticipation made her knees weak. And as the ship listed, she grabbed on to his shoulders. “I feel like I’m going to fall.”
“I won’t let that happen.” He stood up, bringing the tunic up and over her head. Then he stared down at her breasts and slowly leaned over, pulling one of her nipples deep into his mouth. His hands closed around her waist, making her feel safe and secure.
“Have you ever made love in a hammock?” he asked her.
“Up there?” Her eyes opened wide as she looked up to the hammock in front of the window.
“Nay, not that one. The net hammock used to be mine, before Tristan left.”
“That one?” Her heart raced as she looked at the other hammock made of rope and netting. “Oh, I don’t know.”
“You’ve never lived until you’ve tried it.”
“I don’t think – oh!” she squealed as he picked her up in his strong arms and carried her across the floor. He gently laid her in the rope hammock and when he let go, she swung back and forth as the ship creaked and leaned in the waves. She could hear the water hitting against the side of the ship in a rhythmic manner.
He removed his braies and hopped up into the hammock, leaning over her, kissing her again.
“I think it would be better in this case if you were on top,” he told her.
“Me? On top? I didn’t know a woman was allowed to do that.”
“Mayhap with most men, it’s not accepted. But it’s different with me, Emmaline.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I like to do whatever it is that pleases a woman. What is it that would please you?”
“Well, just going by how I felt the last time we made love, I’d say that whatever you do, Mardon, would please me just fine.”
“Then let me please you, my lady, in any and every way possible. All night long.”
“All night long?” Her eyes opened wide and she giggled, thinking he was jesting. “Oh, you’re serious?”
“More than you know.” He managed to lie on his back and pull her atop him. Her nipples were hard and so was his manhood. It excited her immensely. He continued to please her by stroking her, kissing her, and even licking her, making her feel as if she couldn’t wait any longer to feel him inside her.
“Please, don’t tease me anymore,” she said, breathing heavy, feeling hot, wet, and ready. “Make love to me, Mardon. I need to feel you inside me. Please. I can’t wait any longer.”
“And neither can I.”
His hands closed around her waist and he held her steady as he slipped his hardened shaft inside her and slowly pulled back out. Then, with the swinging of the hammock and the rocking of the ship, they made love in a new way that she’d never experienced before.
Chapter 16
Mardon woke up the next morning atop the pallet under the hammock with Emmaline in his arms. Sometime during the night, they’d decided that they’d be more comfortable if they slept together on the floor instead. He felt sated and happy after making love with Emmaline several times during the night. Holding her close to him, he smoothed back her hair, kissing her atop the head.
“Last night was . . . wonderful,” she said, cooing like a dove, pressing her naked body up against his.
“And this morning, too,” he said, nibbling at her ear, making her giggle. Mardon was glad now that they’d locked the door so no one could disturb them. Aaron hadn’t been happy that he’d been thrown out of the cabin once again. He’d spent most of the night pounding on the door and insisting that Mardon let him in to sleep in a hammock. Emmaline wanted to agree, but Mardon refused. He told her Aaron would eventually give up, and he had. The knocking had finally stopped.
“Oh, Emmaline,” he said, feeling like it was never going to be the right time to tell her that she couldn’t stay, and neither did he want to do it. Still, he knew he had to say something before they made love again. Each time they coupled, he was losing his resolve more and more to let her go.
“Emmaline, get dressed. There is something I need to talk to you about.”
“Aye, let’s dress. There is something that I’d like to talk to you about, too.”
“There is?” he asked, now curious as to what she wanted. Whatever it was, he’d let her talk first.
They both dressed, and Mardon decided to stick his head out the door before they talked, just to make sure everything was in order on deck. It sounded a little too quiet out there and this worried him.
Mardon opened the door to find Aaron crumpled up on the ground, leaning against the door, fast asleep. His little brother fell into the room and landed in a heap at Mardon’s feet.
“Aaron? What the hell are you doing?”
Aaron opened one eye and then the other. He yawned and stretched before he answered. “I knew if I kept knocking, you’d eventually let me in. Now I can finally sleep in a hammock like I deserve.”
“Aye, I opened the door but not because of your knocking. It’s morning, Aaron. We need to figure out where to find the treasure and set a course. Time is of the essence. You’re the one who told me that.”
“Aye, of course. Right after I take a nap.” Aaron got up and headed to the hammock. As he raised his leg to get into it, Mardon yanked him away, making him stumble and lose his balance. He almost fell, and scowled at Mardon.
<
br /> “There’s no time for sleeping,” Mardon told him. “We don’t even know where to find the treasure yet, and time is slipping away.”
“I think I know where to find it,” said Emmaline, fully dressed, running over to them. “Mardon, this is what I wanted to talk to you about. I thought about the clue Aaron told us about. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all night long.”
“You did?” he asked, surprised, since the treasure had been the last thing on his mind as they’d made love.
“Aye, and I think I figured it out.”
Ramble popped his head into the room. Today, he wore a wide woolen cloth belt trimmed in ermine that hung down to his knees. On his head was a different headscarf than yesterday. This one almost looked like a woman’s hairnet to Mardon. And if that wasn’t bad enough, when Mardon looked down at Ramble’s feet, he noticed him wearing dainty-looking side buckle shoes.
“Good God, Ramble, what are you wearing on your feet? Are those a pair of lady’s shoes?”
“They fit me perfectly, and are actually quite comfortable.” Ramble looked down and held out one foot, admiring it.
“They’re made for a wench!” shouted Mardon.
“True, but they are constructed of dark leather. I also took the ornate buckles off so they could be shoes for a man now as well.”
“What about that – that sash thing?” growled Mardon, pointing to his waist.
“Oh, Nairnie made that for me, as well as my new headpiece. How do you like them?” He flipped the sash around his waist, admiring it. “She made a silk vest for Coop, and a pair of fingerless gloves for Stitch from soft, Cordova leather. Now, she’s workin’ on a leather sock with a sole on it, to cover the bottom of Pate’s wooden leg so when he walks it’ll be quieter.”
Mardon had no words to respond to this. He felt a vein throbbing at the side of his neck. What the hell was going on here? What was happening to his crew? He no longer knew.
Aaron moaned and rubbed his eyes. “Mardon, I warned you something like this was going to happen. Can’t you see how things are changing?” He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a biscuit. “Oh, I saved one of Nairnie’s good biscuits for breakfast. Goldtooth almost took my hand off when I stole it from him.” He raised it up to his mouth and stopped, extending his arm and holding it out to Mardon. “Actually, I don’t think you got any. Would you like this one, Mardon?”
Mardon (Pirate Lords Series Book 2) Page 17
