Other Oceans by Andrea Jones

Author:Andrea Jones [Jones, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fantasy, Fiction
ISBN: 9780982371404
Publisher: Reginetta Press
Published: 2012-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

A Comparable Captain

“Mr. Smee.” Jill paused at the door to her quarters and stole a quick look behind her. She and the captain had enjoyed a late breakfast among their cheerful crewmen, and now Cecco was making the rounds of the ship. There wasn’t much time.

Smee managed a curt nod, then continued with his work. “Lady.” The place smelled pleasantly of newly shaved wood, and curling pieces lay around the bo’sun’s feet. Smee had restored the door to usefulness, and now it rested once again on its hinges. Avoiding the lady’s eyes, he checked for splinters, running his fingers over the fresh wood. He left the door open.

Jill’s voice matched her urgency. “I can’t talk with you long. Keeping some distance from you is part of my accord with…the captain.”

“You needn’t worry. I won’t be staying.”

She ignored the impulse to lay her hand on the bo’sun, to restrain him. “No, Mr. Smee, you misunderstand. I asked you to fix the door so that I could have a moment to explain—”

“Asked? I’d not be saying you asked me, Lady. Commanded, more like.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. Anything less wouldn’t do. I had to earn Cecco’s confidence.”

“As if you hadn’t earned more than his confidence by then!”

Jill looked down. “Mr. Smee. I’m doing all I can to preserve the ship.” She raised her gaze to his, pursuing him when he moved away. “For Hook.”

“I’m glad you’re remembering him, anyway.”

“Remembering isn’t the hard part. It’s going on without him.”

Smee’s gaze wandered out the door, and his chest heaved with his sigh. “Aye. And wondering how he’s getting on without us.”

“Yes, exactly.” Her shoulders relaxed as he seemed to sympathize, but when he eyed her jewelry, she stiffened.

“And you’re getting on, finally collecting the treasure you wanted.”

“I’d gladly give it back—”

“You don’t have to be saying it.” He gathered his tools.

“I understand, Mr. Smee. His disappearance has hit you as hard as it hit me. But we don’t have time to disagree; because you and I have been so close, the men will be watching us. Listen to me, before you have to go.”

“Is that a command, too?”

She paused, considering how best to answer, then drew herself up. “If it has to be.”

At last he faced her squarely. “All right, Ma’am. What is it you’re wanting to tell me?”

Now that she had the opportunity, Jill couldn’t think what to say to the man. The speech she had rehearsed escaped her as she stared into the familiar eyes behind his spectacles, perceiving the residue of old distrust, and learning that it lacked his former affection. If she had hoped to find comfort here, she now realized it might be a long time coming. She took what solace she could in the fact that Smee was, at least, listening to her. “Please. You have to keep searching the ship. There must be somewhere we haven’t looked. That’s your job. Mine is to support Captain Cecco so that as little as possible will have changed when Hook returns to us.

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