Always the High Seas: Pirates of Britannia Connected World

by Emily E K Murdoch

  “French,” she declared after a moment’s examination. “Naval ship, I would say. Frigate, most likely.”

  Removing the telescope from her eye, Esmeralda smiled. Javier knew that smile. He watched her transform immediately from wife and mother to captain.

  “You, and you, get Bones and Tiny,” she ordered, and the lads scrambled immediately to obey her orders. “Get Old Bessie up here, and as many muskets as you can carry.”

  The remaining boy nodded and hurried away.

  Javier smiled. He could not have believed it possible, but now he saw it with his own eyes every day. A woman, a captain, and a mother. There was no reason why someone could not embody them all at one time or another, but it would take a genuinely incredible woman to do all three at the same time.

  Captain Esmeralda le Brecque was that woman.

  It was a privilege to be a part of her life.

  “Well, I am afraid that honeymoon we had planned will have to wait,” she said briskly as she strode toward him.

  Javier groaned with mock anguish. “You promised me at least four days of peace and quiet!”

  Esme grinned wickedly and tucked herself into his arms as her crew ran around the deck, preparing for the assault. “And you believed me?”