Dead Man's Chest (The Plundered Chronicles Book 5) Read online

  “Speaking poorly to or about her will get you chained up until the next port, at which time you will leave this ship and never return. If you touch her in any way, I will have you thrown overboard with no questions asked. Now, I don’t expect you men to do enna thing rash or stupid, but men do not always have control. Control yourselves like your life depends on it…because it does.”

  There was, to be expected, some grumbling, but when Quinn told them they were going home for a week, they quickly forgot about Kaylish and anything else as they cheered and roared with delight.

  It did her heart good to see them so happy, and she realized at this moment how hard she had been driving them and how long they had needed to replenish their strength and lifeblood.

  “Seems a wee bit a good news is all they needed, eh?”

  Quinn nodded as she threw her arm around Tavish’s shoulders. “You should have come to me sooner, old friend.”

  Tavish stared straight ahead. “Ya wouldn’ ha heard it, lad… not until yer heart stopped breakin’. Ya did what we all do when a woman creeps under our skin—ya bowed yer neck and got to work. It’s forgivable. They forgive ya.”

  Quinn also stared straight ahead, only she wasn’t looking at anything—she was just seeing that horrific image of Evan being raped. It visited Quinn every day and haunted her every night. “Forgivable or not, it’s time to go home.”

  “Aye. And the missus insists ya actually go home, lad. See yer father and brother. Family bonds can heal many wounds.”

  “And create even more. Thank you both for your concern, Tavish, but the last thing I need right now is to hear my father’s disapproval of my life choices.”

  Tavish blew out a breath as he ran a hand over his beard. “Then if ya willna see yer real family, what about Bronwen or Becca? Those lasses care most about yer life. Go home to them.”

  Closing her eyes, Quinn relished the feel of the salty air on her face. “Bronwen, maybe. Becca is probably still with Lady Pettigrew, and I doubt the Lady would greatly appreciate my presence in Becca’s life. No, my friend, I think that door is forever closed.”

  Tavish took a step down the stairs. “Ya willna ken until ya try the knob, lad. And what about the little one? Robert willna stop comin’ after ya fer what ya did, Callaghan. It worries me he’ll have his men watchin’ the streets a Galway lookin’ fer ya. It’s best if ya were not to be found.”

  Quinn nodded and opened her eyes. “Let him. His blood on my sword would not bother me in the slightest.” Quinn watched as Kaylish made her way across the deck. She moved with the confidence not usually seen in her class or her age.

  “Be careful a that one, lad.”

  “Careful?”

  “Aye. There’s a reason Lady Killigrew sent such a beautiful woman as her messenger. Maggie says distrust until you are given reason not to.”

  “I see. Be careful of beautiful women bearing gifts?”

  “No. Be careful of beautiful women. Period.” Tavish was almost to the last step when he turned and said, “Pay attention, lad. This one has ya in her sights and it might not be for the same reasons you think.”

  As Tavish walked away, Quinn shook her head. Kaylish was definitely beautiful, but Quinn seriously doubted she had a taste for female flesh.

  “Excuse me, Captain, may I come up there?” Kaylish inquired from the bottom of the steps.

  Well, she had manners. Quinn gave her that much.

  “Aye. What can I do for you this beautiful afternoon?”

  Kaylish hiked up her dress and carefully made her way up the steps. “The little girl. Gallagher. She is a bright little thing, isn’t she?”

  Quinn raised an eyebrow, immediately en guard. “Aye, she is.”

  “I wonder… and please forgive me if I upset you or overstep my bounds… but I wonder if I might be able to spend some time with her… showing her…” her voice trailed off.

  Quinn slowly turned. “Showing her what?”

  “Well… this isn’t easy to say. Showing her how to be a girl.”

  Frowning, Quinn crossed her arms over her chest. What was this? “A girl. You want to teach my niece how to be…a girl?”

  Kaylish nodded, her light brown hair glinting in the sun. She was nearly as tall as Quinn but built more like a curvaceous woman than she ever was. “Yes. Look at her. She wears pants, carries that cute little dagger, and is more like your men then… well… a girl.”

  Following Kaylish’s gaze, Quinn watched as Gallagher learned knot-tying from Fitz. The two of them sat on the deck with a rope between them, and Fitz was showing her the magic of knots.

  “She’s a beautiful little girl who watches every move you make. She will, of course, want to be you one day, but don’t you think she should have the option to… well…”

  “To not be me.” Quinn unfolded her arms. She’d been that little girl in reverse, and until now, hadn’t realized it. “I’m raising her like a boy.” The revelation stunned her. “Oh god.”

  Kaylish lightly brushed Quinn’s arm with her fingertips. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Callaghan. You’re teaching her valuable skills that will keep her alive. It is not like you have damaged her. Quite the contrary. She seem quite happy with herself here in the pirate world.”

  “In a pirate’s world! But I don’t want her to be a pirate.”

  Kaylish cocked her head. “Interesting. And here I presumed you were actually training her to be one. I mean, the girl can shoot a bow better than tie one.”

  “I…In all honesty, I’ve not given that much thought.”

  “Don’t you think you need to?”

  “Of course. I mean…I never realized…”

  “Captain, you need not feel any guilt or remorse. I would love to offer my services to your young charge. I believe it would be good for her.”

  “It’s a hard, dangerous life with rough edges and few soft spots. We leave our loved one behind, if you’re lucky enough to have any.” Quinn shook her head. “How did I not see this?”

  “Callaghan, take a breath. Look at her. She is a very happy little girl surrounded by people who love her. Do not chastise yourself for that. There will come a time when she will make the choice to leave or stay. I am merely suggesting that you might want her to have the skills to leave should she choose to.”

  Something about the cadence of Kaylish’s voice made her cock her head in question. “And you would be so willing to teach her?”

  “Absolutely. She’s a wonderful child. Bright. Inquisitive. Attractive.”

  Quinn held her hand up. “Servants I’ve known do not use words like inquisitive and attractive. Even the way you walk suggests otherwise. Who are you, really?”

  Kaylish started down the steps. “I am exactly who Lady Killigrew said I am.”

  “A servant girl?”

  She tossed her head back and laughed a laugh that carried on the wind. “No, silly… a messenger.”

  The Galway port was bustling more than usual, with shops of several different countries anchored just outside the docks where a robust crowd of buyers and sellers bartered back and forth. It always felt like a part coming here, as the whiskey and cursing flowed easily and steadily.

  “Ya seem nervous, lad,” Tavish said as he rolled back and forth on his heels. “Ya all right?”

  Quinn started to answer that she was just fine but decided the truth was a far better reply. “Something just doesn’t feel right, Tavish. I don’t know why I have such an uneasy feeling, but I don’t think I ought to go see my brother.”

  Tavish patted her back. “Don’t go if you doona want to go, lad, but doona borrow trouble. The men will be back in a week. Ya need not stand guard over the ship. Seanie and Laing have gone off to find more Galloglaighs while the few Galloglaigh clan members we have left on board willna have enna issues protectin’ the ship. I’ll not drag ya off, but I willna leave without ya either.”

  “Tavish—”

  “No, lad. Ya need time away, just like the men. Ya canna i
gnore yer own needs. Get yer shite and come with me and Maggie.”

  Quinn glanced around the empty deck. The crew had been more than overjoyed upon hearing how much time off Quinn was giving them. A week on land was unheard of under Grace’s command. They had cheered so loudly and so long, it took Quinn nearly a full minute to quiet them down.

  “If fer no other reason, go see her.” Tavish pointed down on the dock to a buxom woman chatting with one of the first vendors.

  Becca.

  Quinn’s first female lover.

  “Aw, Tavish, that is so unfair.”

  “Fair or not, Callaghan, the lass has come to the dock to see ya. The verra least ya can do is go down to the tavern and talk with her.” Tavish started down the steps. At the bottom, he turned. “Still not leavin’ without ya, lad. Come on.”

  Quinn heaved a loud sigh, straightened her clothes, and joined him on deck. “Macintire?” she called to the Galloglaigh standing at the top of the plank.

  “Aye, Captain?”

  “Only glaighs or cuidiches allowed. No visitors, male or female. Understood?”

  “Aye, Captain. No worries. The Emerald will be safe with us. Don’t give us another thought.”

  Maggie joined them on deck. “I see my husband talked ya into goin’ with us. That’s good. Ya need some land time, even if it’s just for a day or two.”

  When Maggie threaded her arm through Quinn’s left arm and Tavish’s right, they practically carried Quinn off the ship, where they met Kaylish and Gallagher at the end of the gangplank.

  Gallagher ran to Quinn and threw her arms around Quinn’s neck.

  “She was getting worried,” Kaylish said.

  “Hey, little one, you’re choking me.” Quinn pulled away so she could see Gallagher’s face. “Did you think I wasn’t coming?”

  Gallagher nodded.

  Quinn embraced the little girl again. “You silly toad. You’re staying with me.”

  Gallagher pulled away. “What about Kaylish?”

  Quinn shot a look over at Kaylish. “Well, sometimes she will go with us, and sometimes she won’t. All right?”

  Gallagher nodded.

  Kaylish smiled softly and joined the four at the plank. “And right now, Callaghan needs to do some business for a while. Are you hungry?”

  Gallagher perked up a bit and nodded. “Yes!” Before climbing off Quinn and taking Kaylish’s hand.

  “Thank you,” Quinn said softly. “I’ll join you shortly.”

  “Take your time. She’ll be out two seconds after she eats. Maggie?”

  “Love to join ya, lass.” Maggie kissed Tavish’s cheek before turning to Quinn. “Ya need this rest just as much as the men do. Remember that.”

  When the two women were gone with Gallagher in tow, Quinn faced Tavish. “Thank you.”

  He shrugged. “It’s what we do, aye?”

  “Aye. So, what are your plans for the week?”

  “We might go to Dublin or we might just visit some of her friends.”

  “But you’ll be back?”

  “Try an’ stop me.”

  “It’s good to have you back, old friend.”

  When Tavish was gone, Quinn brushed her clothes off and hitched her pants up. As she stepped forward, she watched Becca run into the arms of another woman.

  “Lady Pettigrew,” Quinn murmured. Lady Pettigrew was the wife of the famous shipbuilder, and she and Becca been seeing each other for over five years now.

  Quinn felt the sting in her heart. How foolish was she to think Becca had come to the docks to see her? She’d moved on with her new love and new life. The last thing she needed was a visit from a ghost of her past.

  Whirling around, Quinn started for the tavern. Once inside, she went around to every table to speak with each new member. She would ask them where they were going, who they were going to visit, and if they had enough coin.

  Only two men sheepishly asked for more, but to a man, they were all miraculously happy to be home.

  When she finally finished talking to each crew member, she raised a glass of whiskey with her men and toasted to a safe return.

  Some of the men departed after the toast while others ordered food and drink. Some paired off with their favorite tavern wench and went upstairs, other splayed card or dice games.

  Gallagher had, just as Kaylish had said, nearly fallen asleep with her head on the plate.

  Quinn set a small purse of coin in front of Kaylish. “Would you mind settling her in? You can find a room for yourself as well.”

  “Of course. I’ll let Fitz know which room.”

  Quinn glanced around the tavern. “Speaking of which…”

  “He’s standing guard of sorts.”

  Frowning, Quinn returned her attention to Kaylish. “Why? Did something happen?”

  “No. He said he didn’t have a good feeling so he wanted to… how did he put it… circle the building.”

  “Thank you, Kaylish… for everything.”

  “Try to eat something, Captain, then get some rest.”

  Quinn left the tavern and found Fitz standing in the shadows, just watching the tavern. “Fitz?”

  “Aye?”

  Quinn joined him in the shadows. “What are you doing out here?”

  Fitz shrugged. “Keepin’ an eye out on things is all.”

  “Bad feeling?”

  He nodded. “We’ve made a lotta enemies, Captain, not the least of which is Robert. That man will come fer his daughter if he hears we’re docked.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. He knows I won’t give her up without a fight. Maybe he’ll let her go.”

  “You don’t believe that, Callaghan.”

  Quinn smiled to herself. “I don’t. What I do believe is that you need to be in there with our men. Leave the worrying to me.”

  There was a protracted silence before Fitz moved into the light. “I’ll keep my eyes and ears open, Captain. So will Logan, One Eye, and Tavish.”

  “I appreciate that, Fitz, but I want you all to drink and be merry. A week will come and go verra quickly. I need you to enjoy it.”

  “Aye, sir. I hope ya do the same, Captain.”

  Quinn watched Fitz trudge into the tavern. He was a good man—a loyal crew member—and one of her very best friends. So connected were they, he felt the same fear she felt upon docking.

  Still, he needed the same freedom the rest of the crew was excited about having. He deserved it.

  “Welcome home,” came Becca’s voice near Quinn.

  Stepping out into the light of the moon, Quinn waited to see Becca.

  “You’ve been gone a long, long time,” Becca said, emerging from the darkness. “I was beginning to think ya were really dead this time.”

  Quinn winced at the memory of faking her own death awhile back. She wanted to hug her, to feel her full bosom against her chest, but Becca was no longer hers and it would be inappropriate. “We had a great deal to do.”

  “Such as mutiny and attackin’ England?”

  “You heard, eh?”

  Becca stepped closer. “Yer too thin and ya look tired. Let me get ya somethin’ to eat.”

  Quinn grinned. “I’m fine. You’re beautiful and look happy.”

  “I am.”

  “I see you are still seeing Lady Pettigrew.”

  Becca grinned and shook her head. “I’ll not discuss my love life with you. Now, tell me why yer skulkin’ outside my tavern instead of drinkin’ with yer men?”

  Her tavern.

  Fiona Moynihan, Gallagher’s mother, had given Becca enough money to buy the Oxtail Tavern. Since she’d bought it, she’d stopped being a serving wench and was now the well-respected proprietor of a tavern that was now well attended by men from all over the world.

  “I’m not proud of the mutiny,” Quinn said, “but Grace started making some very poor decisions. I did what I needed to do to keep the crew safe.”

  Becca held her hand up. “Grace became unbalanced once the English took her son. Sa
w it with my own two eyes in here, but that is not what pushed her down that hill, love. She, like me and Fiona, thought ya were dead. She thought all of ya were dead, and it drove her to the edge of reason.”

  “I know. I hadn’t realized how hard she took it until I came back.”

  “And I’m happy to see ya back once again even if ya look like ya need some food and some rest. Yer too thin. It’s good to see ya, though, Callaghan.”

  “So…Lady Pettigrew…”

  “Don’t do this. I love her. She loves me. You needn’t know enna more than that.”

  “She’s married, aye?”

  “Unhappily so, aye. And so was Fiona Moynihan. Didn’t stop ya.” Becca held her hand up. “I won’t do this with ya, Callaghan. I mean it. Ya ask me one more question about her and I am done.”

  The hurt in Becca’s eyes told Quinn all she needed to know. Yes, she had moved on physically, but there were still feelings there she was certain Becca wished she didn’t feel.

  “Tell me how the babe is.”

  “Gallagher is wonderful. Took to the sea like a fish. She trains everra day, and I daresay she will make a far better captain than I one day.”

  “Who was the woman? Your latest conquest?”

  “Kaylish? No, she is not a conquest, nor have I bedded her or given her any indication that I was interested in doing so. She’s on loan from Lady Killigrew. She’s a messenger.”

  Becca’s eyes gazed to the Kaylish and back again. “Looks like she’s taking a shine to yer charge.” Becca never missed a thing. After studying men for years as a tavern wench, she had learned a thing or two about human nature. “And I imagine that’s not all she has an eye towards.”

  Quinn chuckled. “Just because I fancy women does not mean that everra woman who looks at me feels the same. She’s a welcome set of hands for the girl, to be sure. I…I hadn’t realized that I was inadvertently choosing the pirate life for Gallagher. Kaylish is going to make sure that Bog gets both sides of the coin.”

  “I’m sure you welcome her hands, sweet one. She’s verra beautiful.” Becca motioned for Quinn to follow her. “Come inside with yer worries and let me get ya somethin’ to eat.”