Master of Moonspell (A Dangerous Hearts Romance) by Camp Deborah

Author:Camp, Deborah [Camp, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: FIC027050 FICTION / Romance / Historical
ISBN: 0380767368
Published: 2012-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

They weighed anchor at the Mallory Docks. While captain and crew made fast the ship, Julienne and Alissa took to the shore. Merchants crowded the square. Sailors milled, laughing and talking, winking at every woman who passed. Barrels and boxes of supplies littered the dock, waiting to be loaded as cargo.

The smell of fish permeated the air. At one end of the dock, men dressed out snapper and grouper while others sold shellfish fresh. Seagulls cried overhead and swooped to nab innards thrown by the anglers. Pelicans bobbed near the docks and fought one another for fish heads and tails. Nothing was wasted.

Alissa wrinkled her button nose. “Uggh. It smells awful here, Julienne. I don’t like this place. Can we go home now?”

“No, we can’t. All you smell is fish, and I know you like to eat fish.”

“Yes, but I don’t wanna have to smell it.” She squeezed her nostrils shut with her finger and thumb.

Julienne laughed. “Quit being such a gray cloud. Look on the bright side. We made it to Key West by sea without being killed. I hope you’re not too awfully disappointed, ladybug.” Julienne gave Alissa a teasing smile and was glad when Alissa finally giggled. She crouched in front of the child and straightened her hat and pinafore. “I’m proud of you for being such a brave girl aboard the ship. This trip means a lot to your father.”

“How come?”

“Because he loves you and he wants you to love him.”

Alissa stared at the seasoned wood under her feet. “I love him.”

“Show him, Alissa. Trust him.” Catching sight of Buccaneer bearing down on them, Julienne stood straight.

“The men will load the supplies while we stroll about Key West,” he announced, reaching out to clasp Alissa’s small hand in an unconscious gesture.

“Alissa thinks it stinks around here,” Julienne reported with a smile.

Buccaneer laughed. “She’s right. There’s an eating establishment on Duval Street that serves wonderful steamed shellfish. I know Alissa can eat her weight in shrimp. How about you, Julienne?”

She pressed a hand to her middle and smacked her lips. “I can taste them already.”

“We’re off then.” He held out his elbow. “Shall we?”

Julienne slipped her hand in the crook of his arm. “Thank you. As usual, Key West is as busy as a beehive.” She stepped lightly along the street paved with crushed shell. A ship’s horn bellowed and a bell clanged. Shouted orders drifted to them, some in foreign languages. A current of excitement rushed through Julienne as she was swept up in the activity of the port town.

Walking past a bar, Julienne peered into the darkness of the doorway, then gasped when a man came stumbling out. He fell into the street just behind them, rolled, and lay sprawled, his face to the sun.

“Stay outta here, you leech!” a man yelled from inside the tavern. “Sucking up my tonic and trying to pay me with old Cuban currency that ain’t worth the paper they be printed on! You’re lucky I don’t blast your

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