Hart's Passion (Pirates & Petticoats Book 2) by Chloe Flowers

Author:Chloe Flowers [FLOWERS, CHLOE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Pirate Romance, Romance and Adventure, Keelan Hart, Landon Hart, Charleston, Keelan Grey
Publisher: Flowers & Fullerton
Published: 2016-05-16T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Remus was right. Dawn broke the next day, clear and fresh. The wind had picked up a little, and the ship pulled at its anchor like a filly testing the reins, eager to run. They all broke the fast with leftover bannocks and Indian meal porridge and then went about with their various duties, getting the ship ready to sail.

Marcel had dismissed Keelan to the upper deck. “Go fill your head with ze last sights of Charleston, boy” he said. “And while you are up zere, find out who our passengers are. I like to know who I cook for, eh?”

Keelan pulled her hat low to shield her face from the sun, as well as from inquiring eyes, ever conscious of hiding her feminine features. Spying a box tethered to the side of the foredeck, she perched herself on it as the men lashed down barrels and loaded the last of the ships’ supplies.

A milking cow lowed morosely as she was pushed and pulled up the ship’s ramp. Two spry nanny goats followed, bleating their bewilderment. Half a dozen pigs had been brought aboard earlier and grunted to each other from the small square pen near the main mast. Several chickens darted hither and yon among the feet of the crew. She hoped she’d find their permanent roost. Without one, it would be a bit difficult to collect the eggs, since she would have to hunt for their laying spot first.

The remainder of the purchases Marcel had made yesterday arrived. Remus and Johnny carried the heavy sacks of rice, dried beans and Indian corn meal below.

She couldn’t help but worry if she’d be recognized or found out. Would she be able to play the part of a galley boy without giving away her fairer gender? Daniel had done his best to tutor her on her new position as a cook’s boy and crew member.

“You’ll be expected to help with the labors of the ship in addition to your culinary duties,” he’d warned. “As slight as you are, I doubt too much will be put upon your shoulders. However, when told, you must attempt to finish the task as best you can. In the eyes of the captain and crew, you are a young male laborer, so you must act the part.”

Throwing one of those heavy sacks on her unhealed shoulders was going to hurt, but there was no getting out of her duties, which was why she was surprised when the men waved away her offer to help with this task.

“Ye’ll just be in the way, boy,” Remus said gruffly.

“These sacks weigh more than you do, lad,” Johnny teased.

“Go tell Marcel to unlock his pantry,” Remus suggested.

She nodded and went to the galley. Whether they meant what they said, or were sparing her still-healing back and shoulders from the chafing and the weight of the sacks, she wasn’t sure. Either way, she was grateful.

The sacks were stuffed into barrels and sealed in an attempt to keep out rats and other vermin.

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