Mardon (Pirate Lords Series Book 2)
Page 21
“Guid mornin’,” said Nairnie, being the only one to answer them. Aaron was up at the helm with his arms crossed, and the rest of the crew was scowling at him for leaving them the way Tristan did to get married. “I think ye’re all deaf today,” said Nairnie. “Mardon and Lady Emmaline said guid mornin’. What do we say?”
“Good mornin’,” mumbled one man after another.
“Aaron?” said Nairnie, looking up to the sterncastle. “Yer brathair and his new wife are leavin’. I think it would be proper to come down here and say guidbye.”
Tristan walked up the boarding plank, staying quiet and just watching. The crew all looked down at the ground rather than acknowledging him. Peg Leg Pate even kicked his wooden leg against a metal pole, resounding in a loud clang.
“Mardon, Benedict and the women are in the wagon ready to go,” said Tristan.
“Where will ye go, Cap’n?” asked Ramble, being the first to speak to him.
“I’m not captain anymore, Ramble,” said Mardon, looking up to the sterncastle to Aaron. “You’ll all answer to Aaron now. And I’m not sure where we’ll go since Emmaline’s father’s manor has already been given to another lord.”
“Brother, I have obtained an audience with the king a month from now,” said Tristan. “Actually, it was Autumn who set it up since she is sister to the Legendary Bastards of the Crown. King Edward will hopefully grant me pardon. Mayhap you can ask to be pardoned as well.”
“Well, it’s either that or be hanged by the neck for being a pirate,” said Mardon, trying to make light of the situation, but no one thought it was funny. “Aye, I’ll come with you to see the king.”
When Mardon turned to look at the crew, they were all touching their necks and clearing their throats, seeming as if they felt as uncomfortable as he did right now.
“Mardon, mayhap we should leave,” whispered Emmaline. Mardon agreed, since he didn’t feel welcome any longer on his own ship.
“Aye,” he said, glancing up at Aaron once again. “The Falcon is yours now, little . . . I mean, Captain,” said Mardon. “And you’ll have to decide what to do with all those extra hammocks.” He smiled, and Aaron looked up and grinned but didn’t answer. “Good luck with finding the treasure. All of you,” said Mardon, taking one last look at his brother and crew and also the ship. It wasn’t easy leaving, but it was an easy choice to choose Emmaline over any of this.
“Mardon,” said Tristan in a low voice, nodding his head to leave. “It’s time.”
“Aye,” answered Mardon, feeling choked up. He and Emmaline followed Tristan to the boarding plank, but Emmaline stopped him with a squeeze to the arm.
“What about Nairnie?” she whispered. “We can’t just leave her here.”
Mardon looked back at Nairnie who was using her ladle and hitting one pirate after another on the arm, telling them to say goodbye.
“Oh, I don’t think she’s going anywhere,” said Mardon with a chuckle. “Or at least not until Aaron finds a girl to marry as well.”
“It’s never going to happen, Brother,” said Aaron from the sterncastle, having overheard them. “Nairnie is welcome to stay on my ship for as long as she’d like.”
“Why thank ye, Aaron,” said Nairnie with a nod.
“That is, as long as you make more of those biscuits with all the butter and herbs.” Aaron grinned from ear to ear.
“I figured there was a catch,” she complained. “But, aye, I’ll make ye yer damned biscuits.”
“Goodbye, Brother,” said Mardon, chuckling, knowing he was leaving his little brother in good hands as long as their grandmother was still there to keep him in line.
Aaron nodded, his mouth turning up in a smile. “Just to let you know, next time you both see me, I’ll have the treasure and neither of you are getting a shilling.”
“Fair enough,” said Tristan with a nod. “We don’t want it.”
“Speak for yourself, Tristan,” said Mardon. “I had to put up with both Aaron and Nairnie after you left, and I think that is worth something.”
“Husband,” said Emmaline. “You’re starting to sound like a pirate again.”
“Sorry,” he apologized. “It’s a habit that’s hard to break.”
“And one that I’ll gladly help you with.” Emmaline stood on her toes and kissed him so passionately that all the men started whistling.
“Will ye two stop that and get off this damned ship already?” complained Nairnie. “I’m the only woman here now. I dinna look forward to spendin’ time with these randy fools after they’ve been watchin’ ye two kiss like that. That kind of kissin’ should be saved for behind closed doors.”
“It’s all right, Nairnie,” said Emmaline with a giggle. “We’re married now, so we’ll be doing a lot of kissing, and I assure you most of it will be behind closed doors. After all, I’m living a dream being the wife of the bravest, handsomest man I’ve ever known –Mardon.”
From the Author
I hope you enjoyed Mardon and Emmaline’s story and will take the time to leave a review for me. If you’d like to find out more about Mardon’s mother or family, be sure to read Pirate in the Mist: Brody – Book 1 of my Second in Command Series.
The next and last book in the series is Aaron.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Rose
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Rose is a multi-published, bestselling author, writing medieval, historical, contemporary, paranormal, and western romance. Her books are available as Ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks as well.
Her favorite characters in her works include dark, dangerous and tortured heroes, and feisty, independent heroines who know how to wield a sword. She loves writing 14th century medieval novels, and is well-known for her many series.
Her twelve-book small town contemporary series, Tarnished Saints, was inspired by incidents in her own life.
After being traditionally published, she started self-publishing, creating her own covers and book trailers on a dare from her two sons.
Elizabeth loves the outdoors. In the summertime, you can find her in her secret garden with her laptop, swinging in her hammock working on her next book. Elizabeth is a born storyteller and passionate about sharing her works with her readers.
Please be sure to visit her website at Elizabethrosenovels.com to read excerpts from any of her novels and get sneak peeks at covers of upcoming books. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads or BookBub. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss out on new releases or upcoming events.
Click to join Elizabeth Rose’s Readers’ Group.
Also by Elizabeth Rose
Medieval Series:
Legendary Bastards of the Crown Series
Seasons of Fortitude Series
Secrets of the Heart Series
Legacy of the Blade Series
Daughters of the Dagger Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Barons of the Cinque Ports Series
Second in Command Series
Holiday Knights Series
Highland Chronicles Series
Pirate Lords Series
Medieval/Paranormal Series:
Elemental Magick Series
Greek Myth Fantasy Series
Tangled Tales Series
Contemporary Series:
Tarnished Saints Series
Working Man Series
Western Series:
Cowboys of the Old West Series
And More!
Please visit http://elizabethrosenovels.com
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