The Pirate Ruse by Marcia Lynn McClure

Author:Marcia Lynn McClure
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Distractions Ink
Published: 2013-03-07T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Cristabel could sense the crew’s excitement. As they rowed the boats to shore, the men chuckled with mirthful anticipation—exchanged conversation concerning their delight in the prospect of seeing their loved ones. She gathered they had been at sea for much longer than was usual and were desperate for shore and family.

Then—all at once it seemed—women, children, and a few men began to appear on the shore. They waved, calling out to the boats.

Cries of “Papa!” and “Darling!” filled the air, and tears filled Cristabel’s eyes—for she knew the families of the crew of the Merry Wench were desperate to see those they so adored.

The boats were brought ashore, and all those aboard them disembarked to be met with squeals of joy, tears, hugs, and kisses. Cristabel stood aside, smiling as she watched small children throw their arms around the necks of their privateering fathers. Wives kissed their husbands and wept. Pirates kissed their wives and children, held them with desperate embraces. It was a tender scene to witness—such rough, sea-weathered men displaying gentle, loving hearts. Upon witnessing the affectionate, loving exchanges, Cristabel was once again joyous for the sake that none of the men had been lost in the battles with the Screaming Witch. Tears escaped her eyes and rolled over her cheeks at the realization that, had the battles waged with different consequences, some families might have watched the Merry Wench’s return only to know suffering and unbearable heartache at being told a husband and father had been killed. Even James Kelley was greeted with smiles, warm embraces, and kisses, though it was obvious he had no family of his own. Once welcomed, James stood near Navarrone, smiling as a beautiful older woman owning silver-streaked, raven hair threw her arms about Navarrone’s neck.

“Oh, my darling boy!” she wept. “You were gone so long this time…so very, very long!”

“I am sorry, Mother,” Navarrone said, holding her fast in a firm, affectionate embrace. The woman kissed each of his cheeks and held his face between her hands, gazing into his dark eyes with boundless motherly love.

“And everyone is well?” she asked.

He nodded. “And here?” he queried. “All is well here?”

“Yes, love,” Navarrone’s mother assured him. “The men have kept us safe and well cared for.” She smiled and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. “How long will you stay this time, darling? Please tell me this is to be a longer stay than the last.”

“Perhaps several weeks,” he said, “for I am weary…and have much to plan.”

“Oh! I am glad for it!” the woman exclaimed, embracing Navarrone again. “And you, James Kelley,” she said, embracing James then. “Have you kept yourself from mischief?”

“I attempted to, Mrs. Navarrone,” James said.

The woman held James at arm’s length a moment, smiling at him. She kissed his cheeks and giggled, “Well, that’s all we can ask for, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” James said as she hugged him again.

The woman glanced aside and caught sight of Cristabel then. She released James and took hold of Navarrone’s hand, gasping and offering a broad smile.

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