The Pirate Captain - By Kerry Lynne Page 0,363

moon to stand still.” Thomas saw her seated once more. He sat across from her and broke into a pleasured smile. “Besides, some of us downright enjoy it.”

Cate gave him a sharp look, but was met with only his usual benign boyishness. Thomas could be as vulgar as a forecastleman, but never a suggestive or lewd mark was made toward her.

The pitcher bawd came. She made no airs about bumping Thomas’ shoulder with her hip, and then bending to allow him a full display of her bosom in the candlelight as she set their drinks on the table. Cate had expected either ale or rum in the mug. It was a surprise to find shrub, a mix of lemon juice, sugar, rum, and a spice to which she couldn’t put a name. Fresh and cool from the well, after the heat of the market and the foulness of the privy yard, it was blessedly refreshing.

“I think you have an admirer of your own,” Cate said over her drink. In fact, there were several eyes cast wistfully in Thomas’ direction. Thomas’ observations had been correct: outright resentment was aimed at her.

She looked across the table to see Thomas’ gaze fixed over her shoulder. A squeal of feminine laughter revealed the object—or objects—of his attention, as intent as a starving man with a feast just beyond his reach. She started to tell him that she wouldn’t mind if he desired to sup. With a sharp stab, however, she discovered she would most definitely and vehemently object.

It was a puzzle, for she had no claim on him. He was the one who possessed her.

Still, she batted her lashes and said, “This shrub is wonderful.”

Her ploy worked. Thomas blinked and came back to the table.

The sea pie came and it was delicious. The “sea” aspect of it was but one among several of layers of different meats, onions, and currants, with flaky layers of crust between each. At first, Cate thought the great wedge which was set before her was far too large, but she ate with an industry that surprised her and clearly pleased him.

The tavern’s door burst open and a group barged in. Cate stiffened, the fork gone forgotten in her hand. Her back was to the room, but it wasn’t necessary for her to look. There was no mistaking that voice.

From the corner or her eye, she saw Nathan brush past, a whore under each arm and several more in tow. A small entourage of followers brought up the rear, all drunk as dukes.

“What’s he doing here?” she hissed.

From "Nor Gold" coming soon.

Glossary

Abaft: across, to the other side of the ship

Abeam: directly to the side; right angle to the keel

Accommodation ladder: steps up the side of the ship

Aft: rear, back, toward the stern

Afterguard: seamen whose assignment is on the quarterdeck

Aftersail: a sail behind the main sail

Aftmost: furthest to the rear

Ahoo: 18th century nautical for “chaotic” or “messy”

All stations: an order given for everyone to man their posts

Amidships: on or near the middle, or waist

Answer: 18th century for “serve” or “work”

Armorer: ship’s blacksmith

Arsey-farsey: confused

Astern: toward the rear, or off the stern of the ship

Aweigh: refers to the movement of the ship; “We’ll aweigh” would mean, “We’ll depart;” often confused with “away”

Backstay: part of the standing rigging supporting the masts, etc. from the back

Bairns: Scots for “children”

Bannochbroch: small town in the Highlands, where a skirmish took place

Bar and chain shot: shot from a cannon; a bar with round or square ends; a length of chain with a small cannonball at each end

Barra Terre: an island in the central Caribbean

Bear a hand: “Gimme a hand!” or “Hurry up!”

Bear a weather eye:be alert

Bedlam: a hospital for the insane in London

Belay: “Stop” Or “Take it easy;” to secure or tie something off

Belike: 18th century for “in all likelihood”

Bells: the ship’s system of timekeeping, but only with reference to the duration of the current watch; indirectly, the time of day

Bending sails: changing or putting up new sails

Berth: bed or bunk

Between the devil and the deep blue sea:a section under the edge of the deck that was “the devil” to reach for painting; a reference to someone hanging over the edge, or in definite peril

Bilboes: leg irons with an iron bar between

Bilge: 1) the space beneath the hold’s floor; 2) the foul water and other filth that collects in that space

Bilge pumps: used to pump out the bilges

Bilge rats: 1) the rodents living in the bilges; 2) lowly people

Binnacle: a cabinet-like structure in front of the ship’s wheel