The Pirate Takes A Bride by Shana Galen

Author:Shana Galen [Galen, Shana]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Ashley stood in the shade of the trees and watched as the men labored to empty the great ship of its cargo in order to careen it the following day. Rissa stood next to her, and Ashley was glad for the distraction of the ship so she did not have to think of something to say to the girl. Ashley had spent a restless night after Nick had kissed her on the beach. She’d slept in a tent, which was really a thin canvas supported by a stick stuck in the sand. She’d slept on a thin blanket on the hard sand. She’d never thought she would wish for the great cabin again, but Nick’s berth was infinitely more comfortable and less scratchy than sand.

The next morning—indeed, all the next day—Nick had ignored her. He’d ignored anything not to do with the Robin Hood or his daughter. Ashley hadn’t quite understood what careening a ship meant or the enormity of the task, but the men had spent all day removing everything heavy and valuable from the ship and ferrying it ashore. Another group of men had built a platform in the water. Nick had given orders, but he’d also spent quite a great deal of time watching the water. When she’d asked, Mr. Fellowes said the captain was examining the tides.

Wherever Nick was, his daughter was beside him. Ashley could not help but smile when she watched the two of them standing together. Nick with his broad stance, more suited for a rolling ship than the steady shore, and his daughter mimicking him perfectly. She had his dark hair and winsome smile but what Ashley assumed was her mother’s olive complexion and dark eyes. Like Nick, the girl was quick to grin and offer a witty jest. For only five, she was smart and seemed unafraid of the burly men moving about her.

A trunk with tightly packed skirts, blouses, and gowns had been brought ashore, and the women crowded around to exclaim over the bounty. The sailors, who had collected these gifts, were pleased with the reception and went back to their chores with chests puffed out like tropical birds. There were more garments by far than ladies, and Ashley had several pressed into her hands by the women. Most of them did not speak English, but conversed in what seemed to Ashley to be a mix of Spanish, French, and some other language. She understood enough to know she was invited to go with them to change her garments.

Eager to be rid of the filthy, tattered gown she’d been wearing for weeks, she followed obediently. The women led her to a small, fresh water pond. Without even a backward glance, the ladies threw off their clothing and dove in. Ashley, who had spent her life worrying she might be admonished for allowing an ankle to show, would have loved to defy convention and follow the women’s example. If she had not been so ashamed of her burned leg, she would have gleefully stripped down with the others.

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