The Pirate Captain - By Kerry Lynne Page 0,95

He waved Fox off, just to set the poor man’s mind to rest. This was not a matter that reflected on his crew, reeving new foretackle blocks, at the moment. Keeping his distance, but with a canny eye, Fox touched his forelock and returned to his duty.

“You, sailor,” Nathan called, tapping one on the shoulder. “Name’s Cameron, am I right?”

“Aye, Cap'n!” The man knuckled a hasty salute, disconcerted to find his commander so unexpectedly close, and addressing him directly, at that.

“Pray a word with you and your…mate.” Nathan urged the man aside, beckoning his comrade to follow. “To your duties, mates,” he barked to the remainder who stood gaping.

Snapped from their torpor, they bent to their tasks with exaggerated fervor.

“You spoke of the Rising last night?” he asked of Cameron, once out of earshot of the others.

What the bloody hell was the other’s name?

Cate’s scene on deck the night since had been grist for the rumor mills as it was. The captain in private conference with these two would only fan the fires, but the need to know outweighed all caution. Stiff orders could be given, but that would only serve to drive the talk further underground.

“Aye, sir,” came the response, still cautious of where this audience might lead.

“Then you knew of Mr. Cate’s man?” Nathan asked, lowering his voice.

“Captain Mackenzie?” Relieved, Cameron grinned, bobbing his head enthusiastically. “Aye, sir! Me ’n’ Hughes, we served under ’im.”

Hughes! Why couldn’t I remember the blighter’s name?

“Can you tell me of him? What sort of man he was?”

It wasn’t a comfortable matter to broach, but his curiosity vexed him all night. Any dullard could tell by the look in her eyes when she spoke of him that the woman was still thoroughly in love with the man. But it did defy all reason what manner of man would drag her through a war, and then leave her alone. To his mind, a kiss o’ the gunner’s daughter would be too good.

“The best, sir,” Hughes replied adamantly. “A man among men he was.”

“Aye, sir, we’d follow him anywhere, to hell and back.”

“And Culloden was hell, sir.”

Both nodded gravely.

“Brave?” Nathan was keenly alert for those first unguarded reactions.

A slight hesitance in the ship’s forward motion was all the warning need. They ducked as another wave broke over them.

“To a fault, sir,” Cameron answered eagerly, water dripping from his chin. “Never led a charge mounted; always afoot as the rest of us. And never left a wounded man on the field; retrieved every one hisself, if the need arose.”

“Aye, I saw him carry many a man off the field,” Hughes put in, sputtering seawater.

“Fought like the Dev’l possessed him himself,” Cameron said. “Saw ’im near cleave a man in half, once’t.”

“Aye, could swing a claymore like a child swings its rattle,” Hughes went on, both nodding earnestly.

“Then he was a big man?” Nathan asked, frowning slightly.

Cameron closed one eye in estimation. “A good head taller than yerself, sir. Had to duck his head at near every door he passed.”

“And near twenty stone, with hands near twice as wide as most,” Hughes said, fanning his fingers out in example.

Nathan looked to the deck. This wasn’t going as he had expected, at all. He had been thoroughly prepared to despise the man.

How the hell could such a bastard suddenly become a bloody hero?

“And handsome, too,” Cameron continued, clearly eager to please, dodging the tails of another wave. “’Tweren’t narry a lass what didn’t swoon at his passing.”

Sobering, Cameron paused, carefully choosing his words. “And he loved the leddy, sir. They loved each other; any fool could see it.”

“Yes, you’d have to be a doddering fool not to see it,” Nathan echoed under his breath.

Yes, a blind man could see it, indeed! Any fool could hear it in her voice, or see it in those cursed blue…green…whatever eyes!

“Took her everywhere w’ him; they were inseparable. Heaven help the man whatever gave her an off look!” Cameron finished, shaking his head dolefully.

Having heard enough accolades for one day, he waved them off, back to their duties and their mates. He stood absent-mindedly thumping the rail with his fist. So lost in thought, he was grateful for the occasional wave in the face to bring him into focus.

Smite and burn me!

She’d had a good man, and loved him well. No man could ask for more.

His worst fears had been proven correct. He had been ready to despise this Mackenzie, and deserving of it he was, judging by what he had heard…until