The Pirate Queen by Candace Osmond

Author:Candace Osmond [Osmond, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988159515
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lottie, Finn, and I sat in a small boat as we rowed out to The Queen. A temperamental Gus stayed behind to watch over Charlie, but really, I knew he was mad about the whole boat and me being captain thing. As much as I adored the man, he was so stubborn and old-fashioned, even for this era. I didn’t know much about his past, other than the fact that Maria had taken everything from him when she burned his ship and murdered his crew. But I wondered then, of Gus’s life before that. Had he been married? Kids? Daresay… happy?

I set my thoughts aside as we came up broadside of the ship, a massive red sea beast with yellow trims. I stared in wonder at the portholes lining the sides and the mouths of cannons poking out in between. I counted six that I could see, assuming there were six more to match on the other side of her. A thick rope ladder hung down from the edge and dangled near the bottom where our little rowboat pulled up. Finn grabbed hold of it and pulled us close, so we could climb on.

I struggled at first, maintaining my footing in the rocky boat while I secured my grip around the itchy rope, but I climbed the length of it with ease until I reached the top and Finn helped haul me over the edge.

My leather boots hit the upper deck with a loud thud and I stared around me in utter awe. Heaps of spooled rope, giant metal anchors, and wooden crates covered in heavy nets were placed throughout. An impressively sized steering wheel sat near two staircases that led to the deck above the stern.

I walked over to it and placed my hands on the girthy handles, admiring the craftsmanship and noting a gorgeous compass built into the pedestal. I looked up and glanced around. This was a ship to be feared. This was a ship to be revered.

And it was mine.

“Aye, lass,” Finn called as he climbed up from the deck below. “’Tis a beauty, she is. We’ll do some fine sailin’ aboard her.” He stopped when he saw where I stood and grinned from ear to ear, stepping back to size me up. Then he heaved a happy sigh. “Ye look good there, ye know.”

I smiled. “Thanks. I just hope Gus can get on board with the idea of me being his captain.” I stepped away and walked over to him. “I mean, I’ll need the both of you if I’m to do this right. I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“Yes ye do,” my friend replied. “Ye were born fer it. The sea loves ye. Gus will be fine, just let him suck his own teat for the day.”

I laughed and slapped him on the arm. “Where’s Lottie?”

He thumbed over his shoulder. “Checking out the kitchen, seein’ what we need. I took some stock, meself. We’re gonna need some weapons, supplies and the lot.” He eyeballed the cannons that lined each side.

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