Taken by Pirates

“There there, lass,” that deep voice murmured again. “Just be still and take a breath.”

I tried to nod, but my body betrayed me, sending shivers and tremors straight through me. I hoped I hadn’t caught a flu. It almost felt like the floor beneath us was moving slightly.

Maybe this man could help me get home, and I could hide in my little bed for the night until I felt better.

“Dammit,” the man cursed roughly, scooping me into his arms. “You’ve been down here in the damp, chilly hold in nothing but that thin dress. Put your arms around my neck.”

I obeyed without thinking, somehow knowing that he meant it for the best. He carried me up some stairs, then a fresh breeze struck my face, chilling my moist cheeks. The air was invigorating, like nothing I’d ever tasted before.

He sat down on the floor again, holding me tightly in his arms. Looking up, there was no roof above us. Just dozens of stars and the moon that was a few days from full.

Now the slight swaying of the floor and the odd rippling noises made sense. “Why am I on a boat?” I whispered.

“I have no idea,” he said gently. “I’m Captain Maddox. You’re aboard the Midnight Treasure . What’s your name?

“Maggie Douglas.”

“Do you know how you ended up in a crate, Maggie?”

“My…my brothers.”

“Shh, don’t cry, lass.”

His huge hand cupped the side of my head, holding my face against his chest. “There must’ve been a mix-up with the paperwork as we brought those crates aboard,” he said gently. “Please understand that my men and I would never just take a woman.”

I looked up to see the curious way he was staring deeply into my eyes. “Especially such a beautiful one as you. Such an elegant young lady has no business being on a ship with a bunch of dirty scallywags.”

“You haven’t met my evil brothers,” I grumbled. “I guarantee you I’ve had the misfortune of worse company than yours.”

His chin tipped back as a great rolling laugh thundered through his chest.

“I suppose you’re going to sail to Claytonsfield and dump me back there?” I whispered. I was terrified of the answer, but felt that the question had to be asked.

I’d always dreamed of leaving my hometown, but the opportunity had never presented itself. Now that it had, I wasn’t sure whether I was quite so keen on going back.

The Captain frowned. “I’m afraid we can’t go back for a few months,” he said slowly. “We could drop you in Parrinport, if you have family there. Perhaps we could leave word, and your father could come and fetch you.”

I shook my head quickly, shaking it against his shoulder. “He won’t come. He doesn’t want me.” I didn’t add that my reputation would be ruined anyway if anyone thought I had been associating with pirates.

“Come now, lass. That can’t be true.”

“It really is. He wants to marry me off to a terrible mean drunkard.”

The Captain muttered a string of curses under his breath that I’d never heard before.

Quickly wiping my eyes, I tried to smile up at him. “Captain, sir, is there anyway you could…please...take me with you?”

He sucked in his breath through his teeth. “Taking a proper young lady from her home to live aboard a ship? We’d be hanged six ways from Sunday.”

“You said it was an accident,” I said, thinking as quickly as I could. “If I’m here of my own free will, you didn’t take me at all. Right?”

I’d never had anyone drag their palm up and down my spine before. It felt absolutely heavenly. Except for the rough shoves of my brothers, nobody had really touched me since my mother passed.

I found myself leaning into the Captain’s shoulder, eager for more. It was as if my body had decided to ignore all propriety and just take what it needed.

“For the moment lass, yes, we’ll take care of you.”

“Thank you.”