by Marie Hall
Well not every bit a lady. She was so hot and wet when he touched her, had she not confused him with her call for an accord, or rather had he not been suspicious about her wanting to use sex to control him, he’d already know what it felt like to be inside her.
Walking in and finding her in nothing more than his shirt, well, she couldn’t have looked more a siren than any of the courtesans he’d encountered wearing lace and silks. He’d not intended to bed her when he’d walked in the room, but her dress and her sweet response to his touch, practiced as it may be, made his blood churn harder than an ocean full of frenzied sharks. If only he’d thought first of her as a woman and not the daughter of a pirate. Devin shook his head again. It wasn’t like he’d not get another chance.
Hell, he’d have one when breakfast was done. Having offered to take her topside as soon as she dressed, Mia didn’t hesitate to rush to where he’d tossed the gown, stripping his shirt from her body as she went. Modesty was clearly not a virtue his wife possessed as she didn’t exactly keep her back turned to him while she pulled the dress over her head. He’d gotten a fine view of her in profile. Her high, full breasts, taut flat belly—his eyes lingered on both a bit too long. But he already knew her ass, thighs and legs. What lie between would be as it was on any other female. Her giggle though, as she turned her back and asked he do the buttons, sounded almost innocent. Like she might not have any thoughts about the inappropriateness of her actions. Or maybe not, given they were married. Still when he approached, her anticipation was visible and each time he let his knuckles brush the skin on her back he heard her breath catch. Yet there didn’t seem to be any disappointment on her part when he finished the last button. Was she only being coy, or did she want to keep his lust raging a while more? Devin couldn’t decide.
What he was sure of was that seeing Mia introducing herself to the crew and seeing those men take her hand in greeting made him want to toss the whole lot overboard. And her too, given how she easily smiled and laughed with them, pointing to things around the ship and conversing like she’d known them for years. She stepped closer to one sailor as he pointed out something in the rigging. Mia pointed as well, drawing a line through the air to the ship’s forward mast. There was more animated conversation, gestures made by crew and Mia, and a good hardy laugh in the circle around her. Not until she turned to greet Lieutenant Coventon did anything change.
The men around Mia scattered and whatever Coventon said caused Mia to jerk back as if slapped. She seemed stunned a moment, then turned right into the arms of Grim who hauled her up and carried her away. Mr. Hong was already directing his angry tirade at the officer as Devin made his way from the helm towards them. Grim stopped and set Mia on her feet only a moment before Coventon took a swing at Mr. Hong. Before Devin could say how it happened, Coventon was flat on his back on the deck and Mr. Hong was standing over him with a closed fist poised to hit him in the throat.
“That’s what you get,” Mia yelled with a hitch in her voice. “That’s what you get.”
Mr. Hong held his threatening pose a moment more, before stepping over Coventon, turning and coming to where Grim carried Mia. Devin reached the group a second later. “What happened?” he asked watching the lieutenant pick himself up and try to regain his bearing.
“He’s mean,” Mia nearly wailed. “I don’t like him.”
“He not good to Mia,” Mr. Hong said, not clearing up the matter at all. “Bad man…” The rest was lost as he switched languages and directed all the words to Mia who only nodded in agreement against Grim’s chest.
“Arrest him,” Coventon commanded as he stormed over to them. “Assaulting an officer is criminal. Arrest him.”
Devin watched the men of the crew shift nervously. It was a lawful command, but Coventon wasn’t popular on board. His commission mostly bought, he was arrogant and dull. He’d not learned camaraderie, and it couldn’t be paid for. That came only through working with the crew. So far Coventon kept himself apart, mixing only with the other officers. One man did step forward, but when he did Mr. Hong took a defensive stance. Even though he was barely as tall as Mia, given how he’d easily downed the lieutenant, the man stepped back.
“I said arrest him,” Coventon commanded again.
“Go away. You’re a horrid man,” Mia said with a sniff. “I hope you get swallowed by a whale.” Devin bit his lip. She couldn’t know the man’s given name was Jonah.
“And you are—”
“My wife, Lieutenant,” Devin said, stepping towards the man.
“Captain,” Coventon said and inclined his head in acknowledgement of Devin’s superior status. “That man attacked me. There are witnesses. I demand he be locked in irons.”
“I did witness the event, though I didn’t hear what words were exchanged,” Devin said calmly and from the corner of his eye watched Mia hook Mr. Hong by the shirt collar and tug him back, closer to her.
“He call Mia not good, tell her get off ship. Make Mia not happy,” Mr. Hong yelled and tried to step forward only to have Grim put out an arm and block him. The three huddled close, much like a group of siblings waiting for their father’s wrath to fall or fade.
“There is no place on a ship for a woman,” Coventon informed them.
“I was born on a ship you scurvy puss pocket. I know more about ships and sailing than you will ever hope to,” Mia snarled, stepping around Mr. Hong, but not far from Grim. “I’ve as much a place on the sea as any man and no man will put me ashore because his prick is so small he isn’t sure of his own manhood.”
“Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin snapped, pressing his lips firmly together and hoping to refrain from snickering like the crew. Mia cast a good insult. But at the appropriateness of her language, Devin could only sigh.
The younger officer clearly was never treated to the sharp tongue of a beautiful woman. Without a doubt, ladies probably swooned over him. For a moment, Coventon was lost for words. “Arrest him,” he finally stuttered out.
“Lieutenant,” Devin called in command voice, causing those around him to snap to attention.
“Captain, he attacked me.”
“You were mean to me,” Mia shouted and not surprisingly stomped her foot.
“There’s no place on a ship for a woman,” Coventon went back to his original stance.
“And yet,” Devin said stepping between the glaring people. “She’s here. She’s here and here is where she’ll remain.”
“Captain?” the man almost whined, but managed to make it sound more pleading than whiny.
“Everyone aboard was briefed on the situation,” Devin said reminding them of the explanation given as to why their captain was breaking every protocol and bringing not just a female, but a wife on board a Royal Navy vessel. “Were you not in the special briefing given by the Admiral, Lieutenant?”
“Aye, Captain,” the man said as his shoulders slumped, very much the way Devin’s had when he realized that pirate posing as commodore had more than some sway with every high official in the Caribbean. Whatever, whoever, the pirate was no one went against him. “That man,” Coventon pointed at Mr. Hong, “still attacked me.”
“Yes, and I do believe it was made clear that Mr. Hong and Mr. Grim—”
Mia pulled on his coat sleeve, “Not mister, just Grim,” she whispered.
Devin covered her hand with his, “As I was saying, it was made more than clear the two gentlemen accompanying my wife are duty and honor bound to protect her,” he paused and looked pointedly at the man whose face was turning red, “from any and all unpleasantness.”
“And you were very unpleasant,” Mia threw in and again the crew snickered.
“Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin warned.
“For no reason at all,” she added.
“Mia,” Devin added more bite to the warning.
“Well he was,” she mumbled and stepped back.
“So they’re allowed to commit mutiny?” Coventon seemed stunned. Devin couldn’t blame him. But Mia’s f
ather was extraordinarily clear about the two men he forced onto Devin’s ship. They were first and foremost there for Mia, as they proved today. They wouldn’t let so much as a harsh word be tossed at her. It was for them to die in his wife’s protection and being on a ship of sixty-two men, Devin was glad to have their help. Men at sea too long could lose discipline quickly under the right circumstances. And he couldn’t rightfully expect Mia to stay locked in his quarters for however long she was aboard. He’d not yet gotten orders to return the Iron Rose to Portsmouth. Though given what the commodore said, he expected them. They only started the circuit through these waters and were normally at it four months or better depending on what they found.
“It is hardly mutiny to perform one’s duty,” Mr. Quiggly said, stepping forward.
“You have some opinion on the matter, Mr. Quiggly?” Devin asked. He knew the old sea dog was as irate as the Lieutenant over Mia coming on ship, but the last week saw him mellow. More often Quiggly could be found with either one or both of Mia’s mates discussing ship matters and how to repair damages.
“Only to say, these men are willing to perform services not required of them and are greatly above the skill of most on this ship. I, myself, am not surprised they perform the duties they’re shouldered with so… elegantly.
“They’re useful then?” Devin knew they would be. The commodore said besides Mia, he was to have command of them and they were more than well-skilled in all aspects of sailing and ships. It was made clear to both men too, that Devin commanded Mia. He was her husband and these two couldn’t stand between him and his wife. And he knew they wouldn’t, for while they shook their heads at him every day they did nothing, not even after he’d paddled her.
“Very, Captain,” Quiggly confirmed.
“Then let us call this matter settled. And if you will, Mr. Quiggly,” Devin said looking around at the crowd gathered, “see everyone back to their duties. Perhaps some work will keep parting simple.” Coventon wasn’t going to follow Mr. Hong down into the bilge where the man was working to counter cracks found in several planks of the hull. Devin’s best course was to keep Mia’s men and his officer apart until they too were more adjusted to the way of things.
“Get back to it, you whelps. Snap to,” Quiggly shouted and the crew scurried like rats not willing to challenge the quartermaster, whom they respected.
“I assume you’ve your own duties to attend, Lieutenant?” Devin asked the man still glaring at his wife.
“Aye, Captain,” he grumbled and spun away. Devin didn’t miss the painful way the man moved. Mr. Hong was more capable than he looked.
“He was mean to me,” Mia pouted.
“They were only words Mia. He hardly attempted to toss you overboard, now did he?”
“No.”
“Then it’s over,” he said softly, only to see her cross her arms over her chest and again stomp her foot. He opened his mouth to start breaking her of that childish habit when Grim reached out and patted her on the shoulder.
Mia huffed, dropped her arms and huffed again. “Fine, it’s over.”
“Come,” Devin said, taking her elbow. He guided her up to the quarterdeck then further on towards the stern. “Your father did you no service by allowing you to be so sensitive to criticism, Mia.”
He’d not said the words harshly, or even to be critical. Only instinct allowed him to catch her hand before it hit. If he was stunned by the act, he was sunk by the fury on her face. “The only part of that sentence you have correct is that my father did me no service and if you should like to not wake up dead tomorrow, you’ll not mention that man to me again. Not ever.”
“If you wish to not have the skin removed from your backside,” he hissed back and yanked her close, “you won’t threaten the captain. Ever.” His threat had no visible impact on her. She looked ready to spit in his face, or slit his throat. He wasn’t sure which she was capable of, being a pirate’s daughter. He stepped closer, grabbed hold of her other wrist and forced both her arms behind her. Of course this pushed up her shoulders and with them her breasts and once again Devin’s shaft twitched and hardened. “Now explain this seething hatred you have for a man who quiet obviously cared for you far better than you deserved and who I saw, with my own eyes, treat you with nothing but fondness. A man whom you greeted with as much delight as any daughter.”
“I’ve never greeted my father,” Mia ground out. “I’ve never met him. Well enough, I hope him dead and with Davy Jones.” She struggled now against his hold, and Devin loosened his grip enough that he wasn’t distracted by her wiggling body.
“Mia, I met your father.” Those words not only stilled her, they caused her to go as white as the sails aloft. Her stormy, pale green eyes filled to the brim with tears and not until he felt her trembling did he put it together. “The commodore is not your father?” She shook her head at him, causing tears to splash down. “You call him papa?”
“Because that’s who he is. My papa.” She said the word like she was praying he’d magically appear. Was she not actually a pirate’s daughter? Had the commodore stolen her from her family then? Was she perhaps how she was because she had to learn tricks to survive being kidnapped by bloodletting savages?
“Mia, I don’t understand. If the commodore isn’t your father, who is?” Did he need to return her to her family? Why did that idea make his gut twist?
“I don’t know. Mama said he was the devil, like her own father. Like all men. All men but Papa. My papa is the only good man. The only man to never hurt me,” she said that then lifted accusing eyes to him. “Papa is the only man I trust, but now… now…” She shook her head and struggled more to get free. “Now I don’t know. He let you steal me away. He let you have me and… and…”
“Mia,” Devin whispered as he pulled her against him. Her sobbing rocked her whole body. Turning, he perched himself on the lower railing along the deck, put his back against the top rail then stretched his legs out before him. It made it possible for him to lean Mia against him even as the sea started to pitch and rock the ship. Nothing at all explained why there was a sudden squall abounding. No clouds were in the sky. Devin hugged his wife closer and let the ship rock them. “Mia, hush. The commodore didn’t let me steal you.”
“Then why am I here? Why did he make me marry you, make me come with you? I don’t want to be here. I want to go home. I want my papa,” she wailed.
The ship pitched hard to port and Devin clutched the rail to keep them from falling. “Mia, stop. Hush now. Come, stop crying. I didn’t steal you. Your papa gave you to me.”
“No,” she screamed. “No, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t.”
Again the ship pitched hard. If this didn’t stop he’d have to secure Mia below decks. But she was crying so hard, she couldn’t hold herself up. “Mia, the commodore gave you to me to keep safe. To keep safe, Mia.”
The sobs mixed with a few gasps. “He did?” she asked raising her head and sniffing loudly. A few more hiccupping gasps and another loud sniff.
“Yes, Mia. He said you were in danger.” More like he said she was putting herself in danger, but he didn’t think scolding her right now would be helpful.
“He did?” She sniffed again and tried to right herself. She ended up mostly sitting in his lap. But the ship found calm waters at the exact moment, and Devin was able to sit them both firmly at the rail.
“He told me he needed me to keep you safe, to take care of you until he was done with whatever he was trying to finish,” he said and watched Mia pull her arm back until she could hold her cuff with her fingers and use it to wipe her nose. “Mia,” he chided, reaching into his coat and retrieving a handkerchief.
“He didn't scuttle me,” she said, reaching to put her arms around his neck. Pulling herself more firmly onto his lap
“Of course not, Mia. Of course not. Your papa wouldn't just set you adrift like that.” He didn’t know that to be true, but it felt right to say. He felt her press against him and the act sent
him rocking as hard as the ship rocked. Her deep breath broke the contact between their bodies, but with a relieved sigh, her body curved into his. Just like that, both his wife and the ocean eased. A stiff wind blew past, filled the sails, and the ship lurched forward, riding high and fast.
“Captain,” Mr. Asher called from the helm and the wind strengthened and filled every sail from the top gallant to the main, even the spanker sails filled out, and the jibs bellowed. The speed of the ship became a beast needing to be held back.
“Haul the studding,” Mia said against his shoulder even as he made to stand and give that very order.
“Haul the studding, Mr. Asher.” Devin set Mia on her feet then stood and made his way to the bridge as the call went out over the deck to pull down the sails which had put out to catch what was a moment ago a very light wind. Mr. Asher stepped aside, allowing Devin to take the wheel.
“Mrs. Winthrop,” the man said and leaned down to give Mia a hand up. “The sea seems to have woken up.”
“The sea never sleeps,” Mia said then stepped up beside Devin. “If you turn four degrees to starboard you’ll turn her enough to run straight to current rather than angled to it.” Not a hint of distress in her voice.
“And why, Mrs. Winthrop, might I want to do that?” Devin asked giving Mia a sideways glance even as he put pressure on the wheel to shift the rudder and turn the bow in the direction she’d suggested. Exactly four degrees and the ship’s broadside was set in a channel that kept the current pushing strong from behind, and the winds filling the sails. His wife indeed knew how to sail and though not the biggest brig to be had, the Iron Rose was nearly three tons. She was no pleasure craft. Most days it took all sixty-two crew to hold her. Knowing his ship had three more able bodied sailors aboard made life a little more pleasant.
“Why Captain,” Mia said stepping up to the railing that decorated the helm area and leaning forward into the draft created by the pace. “So we might go faster.” She laughed as the wind pulled more strands from the loose braid of her hair and soon had the tresses flying like a flag.
