Pirate's Redemption by Camille Oster

Author:Camille Oster [Oster, Camille]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2016-06-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

It were long days and longer evenings on a ship as a passenger. With no tasks or duties, there wasn't much to do, so they played cards, allowed the captain's table for their amusements. Sarah was a terrible opponent as every emotion showed on her face—delight, concern, even when, in her mind, she was going in for the kill. She didn't shy away from that. There was a competitive instinct in her, but her execution was atrocious. He won every hand.

"You have the devil's luck with cards," she accused.

"Probably because I don't like playing."

"You don't like playing?" she said, her hand frozen over the pile.

"I don't mind playing for amusement, but I find no pleasure in gambling with cards."

"With luck like yours, you probably should."

Joshua smiled. "I suspect my luck would only hold if I play against such a lovely opponent."

A furious blush crept up her décolletage and face; she avoided his eyes. Maybe he shouldn't have said that. The issue of attraction sat like a tangible thing between them, and referring to it might not have been the best idea.

She smiled shyly and placed a card on the table, a look of challenge creeping into her eyes. So, she thought she was onto a winning hand. Excitement made her bite her lip. Really, if this was excitement, she had lived a very sheltered life indeed.

"What was the biggest haul you ever claimed?" she asked after a while, when her luck seemed to be turning again.

"There was a Spanish galleon, filled with taxes headed back to the crown. It never arrived—met an unfortunate mishap at sea."

Sarah's eyes were wide with awe. "They sailed without protection?"

"No, they had escorts built for fighting protecting them and they fought hard, but we were more determined. Everyone in the region knew they were sailing with enough ships and cannons to overcome any single pirate, but they hadn't expected that pirates could cooperate in a coordinated attack. Clara's father organized it. It was shortly after I'd arrived."

"So there was a full battle?"

"Oh, yes. Ships firing each other to pieces. Swords clashing to the very end."

"And you were there?"

"I boarded with the others, fought to subdue the Spanish. Got a decent scar on my leg for my troubles."

"You were injured?" A look of concern crossed her eyes. Really, she couldn't hide any emotion at all.

"I got away lightly. A battle such as that has untold casualties. Warfare is a brutal business. Personally, I'm not convinced of the price, but others didn't feel the same, particularly Clara's father. They saw the gain as worth the cost in lives, and there were plenty of winnings—for those who survived. Some men thrive on the risk, the fight. At his heart, Clara's father loved the fight more than the loot."

"And you do not?"

He sighed. "There is a certain headiness in battle when you have nothing to lose."

She studied him for a moment. "And you felt you didn't have?"

"No, I suppose not. It wouldn't have mattered if I’d died. In fact, my family would probably have been better off if I had.

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