His Pirate Wife

by Marie Hall

  “No, she swallowed some water but otherwise I think she’ll recover,” Devin said. That he’d just left her asleep after a hard, wild pounding probably spoke loud enough to her fitness.

  “Fetch up a meal for the captain, love,” Mr. Wilshire said when the maid made it to their table.

  “Two, that I can take one back for my wife,” Devin said then tried not to smile at the woman’s disappointed look when he said wife. “And a pot of tea if you’d be so kind.”

  He turned back about to ask what their plans for the stay were. Some had family and London wasn’t so far. But the Iron Rose was still a commissioned ship, so they all still belonged to her. He opened his mouth only to hear his name called. “Captain Robert Winthrop?” The man calling was dressed in an aide’s uniform and Devin groaned. He rather prayed he wasn’t being called up so soon.

  “Here,” he called back and raised his hand so the aide could find him.

  “Captain,” the man, a very young petty officer, stepped up and held out a beautifully embossed envelope, sealed with the stamp of the Lord High Admiral. “I’m to tell you, should you like to see this rescheduled…” His look said that rescheduling wasn’t really an option. Breaking the seal, Devin opened the note.

  The formality of the invitation made him aware this event was long planned and his absence would be a grand faux pas and considering these were to be his new immediate commanders, he said, “Tell his Highness, Lord High Admiral, it’ll be my great honor to attend.” He glanced at the invitation again to make sure he read it correctly, “And tell him while I’ll have seven men from the crew with me I can’t promise the fitness of my wife yet.”

  “Aye, Captain,” the man said snapping to and saluting before turning and running off to do whatever aides did.

  “Who’s the unlucky seven of the crew?” Quiggly asked glaring at him.

  Devin chuckled and smiled wickedly, “You, my trusted quartermaster, and those six fine officers who served so well.”

  Grumbling went around the table while at other tables sighs of relief were heard. “I’d rather scrape barnacles, Captain, then elbows with those bigwigs,” Mr. Quiggly said.

  “So should I, which is why we’ll go together to keep our rigging neat,” Devin said, and his stomach rumbled as the food was put down before him. “You’ll make sure Lieutenant Coventon and the others are informed, and they know it’s of the highest formal dress. Don’t let any of you show with scuffs on your shoes.”

  “Aye, Captain,” they all grumbled, but Devin knew for each of them it would be a boost in their careers. Few men, even high-ranking officers, got the chance to enjoy entertainments with such powerful naval men. This gave them all the chance to speak to which assignment they’d like next and most likely have it granted. Though he’d suspected even if Devin remained in port at the academy, the crew would want to return to those warm Caribbean waters. Devin would be making the recommendation for the next captain for the ship. The thought saddened him. Shaking out his napkin to cover his lap, Devin made to take the first bite of a meal he was suddenly starving for when a disruption at the inn’s entrance made him sigh and set his fork down.

  “Where’s he at I say. Show ‘em to me now.” Devin turned and saw a stout man pushing his way into the pub. Behind him were five men with guns trained on Grim. Devin shot to his feet as did the rest of the crew who happened to be sitting there.

  “What is this?” Devin yelled heading towards Grim who for all the guns trained on him looked not a bit concerned.

  “You there,” the man yelled pointing at Devin as he stormed over. “You, you’re the one what tore up my docks and left them in a wreck. I can’t get cargo moved because of you and this animal. Just who’s going to repair my docks, pay these damages and—”

  “Sir,” Devin yelled barely stopping himself from slapping the man. “You take your guns off my man this minute or you’ll be bemoaning more than a few broken boards.” He waited until the pistols dropped then signaled Grim to come stand behind him.

  “My docks,” the man sputtered.

  “Your docks are a disaster,” Devin said clasping his hands together behind his back to hide how they fisted in anger. “How you’ve stayed dockmaster up to this minute I can’t speak to. That your incompetence is going to be known well and wide I’ll assure you.”

  “My incompetence?” Again, he sputtered at the insult.

  “Without doubt, yours.” Devin drew in a deep breath and pulled back his shoulders. Dock masters had some power, but they didn’t hold enough to cause him concern if he were to disparage one as he was about to. “Your docks are run worse than any I might find run by children in Sedgemoor. Even there I’d believe more confidently a ship would be seen safe to dock more fully then here. Not only did your bumbling allow a ship to be so loosely moored as to be pushed and pulled by a weak tide so all safety and caution was ignored, you also allowed the near collision of two fine ships. The loss of a few planks of wood to the recovery of a young boy and my wife is a small price to pay. For I assure you, had lives been lost this morning you’d be begging for death long before it came. Now get from my sight before I have my man here,” he jerked his head toward Grim, “snap you in two or more pieces.”

  Devin saw the man pale and swallow before almost falling over in his attempt to escape. He turned to go back to his meal only to have Grim stop him. Looking up, he raised a brow. The giant man was smiling stupidly, and Devin knew he’d let himself be taken so the dockmaster got his aft chewed hard. With nothing but a hard pat on Devin’s shoulder, Grim sauntered out of the pub leaving Devin to shake his head.

  He was about to take the first bite when his name was called out again. “Captain… Winthrop?”

  “God save me,” he muttered then raised his hand and called “Here.” He should have stayed in the room with Mia.

  “Popular, you are, Captain,” Mr. Quiggly remarked with a smirk. Devin glared at him.

  “You’re Captain Winthrop?” one of the two men approaching asked. They weren’t navy men, so Devin shrugged off their importance and took a bite of the cold meal he’d been trying to eat. “It was you, sir, who pulled the little boy from the water?”

  Devin only nodded and continued to shove food in his mouth so he might take the second plate to Mia and be done with this tidal wave of people seeking his attention. Hushed whispers passed between the two before one dashed away. Devin sighed and set his fork aside. He’d wait and eat with Mia. Or perhaps eat Mia. The thought cheered him enough he didn’t choke the man when he spoke next.

  “Sir, His Grace, Phillip Lovelace, Duke of Marshal wishes a word with you,” the man said. Devin followed his look to the door where a familiar man was coming inside. It took a minute for his eyes to adjust to the darker interior but as soon as he spotted Devin he came right for him.

  “Now what?” Devin said rising.

  “So much for not rubbing elbows,” Quiggly said with a snort and Devin only barely managed not to kick him.

  “Captain Winthrop?” Lovelace greeted, holding out his hand. “It took some work to track you down, few from the ship were willing to say anything about where you’d gone.”

  “I’m sorry you were looking for me. But, why?” Devin couldn’t place where he’d seen the man. His crew could at least respect his privacy.

  “To give you my heartfelt thanks. Mine and my sister’s. We can never repay what you did this morning.”

  It occurred to him then this man had been who’d taken the boy from Mr. Asher and fled the scene. “The boy is your son?”

  “Nephew,” he corrected. “My sister’s only child now with her husband dead,” he said. Devin didn’t miss the way he said it. Clearly his sister’s choice of husband hadn’t been well liked.

  “He, the boy, is well?” Mia would want to know.

  “He is coming round. Took a lump on his head.” The man touched his forehead. “But was already asking to go back and see the boats—”

  “Ships,” several at the ta
ble corrected.

  Devin rolled his eyes, but the man took being corrected by his lessers well enough. “Ships. I stand corrected. I understand that it was your… wife… who saw him fall in and went in to save him.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Winthrop saw him fall when the ship was pulled from dockside. She didn’t know both pilings on either side were blocked with rocks. I think she thought they’d be able to simply swim out.”

  “I should like to personally extend my thanks to her as well. Surely Thomas would have been lost to us without her quick heroics.” The man sounded so sincerely grateful Devin was a little sad to disappoint him.

  “Mrs. Winthrop is resting, but I’ll be sure to pass on your words. I know she’ll be very pleased to hear his young lordship is shaking out fine.”

  “She’s not unwell herself, is she? I can send for my personal physician if you like. Surely it’d be the least…”

  Devin held his hand up to stop the man. “Mia is well, simply tired. It’s not the first time, I’m sure, that she’s gone in the drink and swallowed seawater. Rest and food.” He waved his hand over the table to indicate the meal he was trying to consume. “She’ll be right as the winds.”

  “Of course, of course,” the man said again, taking Devin’s hand and shaking it firmly. “Please convey my thanks and if you ever need anything at all do not hesitate to call on me. I will put all my abilities behind any effort you so wish.” He pumped Devin’s arm once more. “Good day, Captain.”

  “Good day, your grace,” Devin said and again took his seat.

  “Becoming a right posh nob there now Captain, what with so many new friends in high places and all,” Quiggly said then howled and laughed when Devin did kick him.

  “Don’t know what’s worse having all this royalty abounding or being wed to a pirate,” Devin commented drily then became aware of what he’d just said.

  True to form his crew was quick to answer. “Royalty, Captain.” Proving once again Mia being a pirate, in fact or only in Devin’s mind, didn’t matter the least to them.

  “Royalty, I agree,” Devin said before quickly finishing his meal, collecting Mia’s and making an escape.

  Chapter 5

  “Hong, if you put one more thing in my hair I’m going to tip over backwards,” Mia complained when the man reached for another pearl. The elaborate braid and partial upsweep of her hair wasn’t anything like what Mia knew to be fashionable, but Mr. Hong and even Grim wouldn’t let her choose any other way to have it.

  “You hush, as the commodore’s daughter you’ll wear your status,” Hong said and threaded the pearl into her hair.

  “All right that’s enough,” she said stepping away to see the finished result.

  Mia hadn’t understood Papa’s insistence she have this gown. It was far too elaborate for anything she might have done at any other port city. But she’d stood for the many fittings and refittings when Papa would change something about the design. For everything she knew about fashion, the dress was standard but uncommon in that the body of her gown was of a rich, embroidered, white silk, instead of the common plainer silks used for a court gown. As well, rather than a lighter petticoat, Mia’s was a dark green fashioned entirely of fine Brussel’s lace which matched perfectly with the long silk gloves. The gown, with its dangerously low bodice, as well as the full seven yards of train that lay behind it, was trimmed richly in gold tulle and ribbon. The combination deepened the color of her eyes as it lightened the complexion of her sun-kissed skin. Her white and green slippers peeked out from a hem that rested a breath above her toes as it should.

  “Mia, are you sure you’re up to attending?” Devin called from the other room. Mia made her way to the door to see Devin being held by the back of his neck while Grim brushed his spectacular naval coat. It struck her now as she looked at the bright whiteness of his pants, vest and cravat, that perhaps blue would have been a better color choice for her, so that she’d match her husband. But then she caught sight of her open trunk and one of her ships flags and realized the shipping company she worked flew a green flag. The gown wasn’t meant to match Devin’s. It was a statement to the wealth and power of Papa’s merchant fleet.

  “Well I’m already dressed Devin, so I might as well attend, unless you don’t want me to.” She saw Devin try to turn but Grim still had him by the neck. “Grim let him go, stop brushing at him before you brush a hole through him,” Mia said, and the man released his grip. She didn’t miss the relief in her husband’s posture before he turned around and his mouth dropped open. “Captain?” she giggled as he tried twice to close his mouth before he managed it.

  “God save me Mia, you’re beautiful,” he said sounding quite out of breath as he did.

  “Beautiful enough to be mistaken for a lady?” Mia teased as she collected her train and turned for him to admire.

  “Beautiful enough to be mistaken for Venus herself,” he said stepping over and reaching out but withdrawing his hands before actually touching her. “Have mercy on me, you’re going to put everyone at this affair to shame.”

  Mia giggled again. “You see I can turn out if I try,” she teased and accepted her gloves from Mr. Hong.

  “Yes, well please spare me and don’t try too often.” Devin said stepping back and looking her up and down again.

  “No?”

  “No, because right now I’m afraid to take you beyond this room.”

  “Why?”

  “We’ve a good nineteen miles to get to the Vice Admiral’s home, every male from eight to eighty is going to see you and try and steal you from me. It’s like traveling the roads with the crown jewels.”

  “Ah Devin, how lovely of you to say, but the carriage is closed and at this hour it’s dark, no one will see me at all,” Mia said and reached to brush his lapel causing Grim to step over and try and brush at him again.

  “Avast man,” Devin grumbled. “Well I now fully regret saying only seven of the crew would be attending. Clearly, I should’ve roused every midshipman and gunner that no one at the party could steal you. My heaven you’re gorgeous, Mia.”

  “No one will steal me, Devin,” Mia said and moved through the room with every bit of her practiced grace. Perhaps those silly lessons on how to walk and sip tea would be useful.

  “Well I don’t doubt a good number there will try,” Devin complained as he lifted his hat from the chair.

  “Wait no go,” Mr. Hong cried out then waved to Grim who rushed over to a small box on the sideboard. “This now. This now. Like commodore say.”

  Mia stepped beside Devin as Grim set two small cases and two envelopes in Hong’s hands. He then picked up a letter and handed it to Mia indicating she should open it. Which she did and quickly scanned the contents as Grim opened one of the cases and pulled out a beautiful set of silver cufflinks.

  “Read out loud Mia, read loud, yes Captain hear,” Hong instructed. Mia cleared her throat.

  “Navy man,” the note started, indicating it was meant for Devin who was now scowling at her. She cleared her throat and went on. “I’ve entrusted you with a gift given to me by the sea.” Mia’s eyes flicked to where Grim was putting the first cufflink on Devin’s shirt. “I’ll have you know that it wasn’t an easy thing to pass this gift to you.” Grim placed the second link on the cuff. “Have care, navy man lest I must raise all of hell and bring it down on you.” She looked to see Devin studying the links closely before a smile touched his lips. “Your wedding disallowed for such gifts as are appropriate for a man who weds such a fine siren as you have. These links will do to remind you everything you have gained in doing so.” Mia handed the letter off to Hong. “It’s signed, Commodore Gregor Dekker, Commander, Captain and owner of Wind and Pearl Shipping and Freight.”

  “Look at these, Mia,” Devin said with awe. “I’ve never seen anything like them. The detail and craft.”

  Mia looked and smiled when she saw the ships stamped into the silver. The recesses in the waves were tinted green and blue, likely from an a
ddition of jade and sapphire dust being mixed in. And clearly embossed on the side of the ships her name. “They’re lovely, Devin,” she told him understanding such a possession wasn’t something a navy captain would ever be able to afford. But he married well and Papa wanted him to be reminded of that.

  “I don’t know what to say, I—”

  “Say nothing, do next,” Mr. Hong interrupted. Grim handed Devin the second letter and opened the box. “Read loud,” Hong instructed with impatience.

  “Thank you, Mr. Hong. I rather thought I was to as it’s addressed to Mia.” He huffed and Mia giggled again. “Mia Lyn, my sweet Siren of the sea,” Devin read and sighed again. “I get navy man you get a title,” he grumped making Mia laugh out loud. “I chose this man knowing he would do all in his power to keep you well and from harm.” Devin stopped and rolled his eyes. “Man put far too much faith in me, I think. He could’ve at least warned me better what I was up against with you.”

  “Read the letter, Devin. I’m not going to jump off a cliff or under a dock again.” Mia slapped his arm only to have Grim glare at her and wipe at the spot.

  “Of course not, but I’m talking about all this.” He indicated her person. “I’ll take a second pistol tonight maybe,” he said then winked at her. “Where was I? Oh. My daughter, you should never have need of this for a reason other than to show how much brighter you shine than it.” He stopped as Grim removed the brooch from the box and handed it to Hong who then stepped up and fastened it to her dress at her left shoulder. Mia knew what it was the moment it was lifted from the case and her eyes filled with tears as Devin started reading again. “But should you ever need, Mia my heart, give this to any man of ours and I will send every and all to your aid. No greater gift has any man been given, my child, than you. Until all the seas run dry, My love eternal. Papa,” Devin finished then turned to look at the magnificent piece of jewelry.

  “Mia that is beautiful as well. Your papa knows some fine craftsmen.”

  “No,” Mia started then had to clear her throat as her fingers traced the silver blade, wrapped in red ribbon set against a large emerald surrounded by diamonds. “No, Papa didn’t make this. It was Mama’s before she met Papa. She used it to buy passage on his ship when he fetched her out of the sea.”