The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,118

by not considering where she argued, or who their audience was. They’d already disagreed strenuously about whether Kyle should continue her punishments and their play while she was with child.

Moira pointed out that farmer’s wives worked alongside their husbands while carrying, and female servants in keeps still managed heavy platters while they were pregnant. She saw no difference between the physical strain she experienced with Kyle and what other women always endured. Kyle finally capitulated when Moira admitted that not having Kyle’s dominance scared her. She confessed she felt adrift without him, and she pointed out that he’d promised when they met on the MacDonnell ship not to set her adrift. And Kyle agreed he enjoyed the intimacy the implements brought them when used for pure pleasure.

Thirty-Seven

Kyle slipped from the chamber and went above deck to see how close they were to the ship Moira spotted. It shocked him to recognize the captain of the ship. He groaned as he looked over to the Lady Grace and found Keith looking back at him with a matching grimace. Once the ships were within speaking distance, all three dropped anchor and lowered their sails. The Lady Charity and Lady Grace tethered themselves together in case the ensuing conversation didn’t remain civil. The three captains walked toward the bows of their ships.

“Aidan O’Flaherty,” Kyle called out. “What the fuck do you want?”

“A good day to you too, Drifter,” Aidan called back.

“Not still eating the MacDonnells out of house and home, and swiving Lizzie every waking hour?” Keith asked. As the words left Keith’s mouth, Kyle and Keith’s expressions once more matched. These were shock, followed by disgust. Lizzie MacDonnell appeared from the hatch that led below deck. Neither brother had heard of Lizzie sailing with Aidan. Seeing their expressions, Aidan grimaced, then shrugged.

“Where is my lie-about sister?” Lizzie called as she came to stand beside Aidan, wrapping her arm around his. He fought to extract it from Lizzie’s grip and leaned away from her. Keith and Kyle chortled to see Aidan was not as thrilled to have Lizzie aboard his ship as he was to drop anchor in her on land.

“What do you want with her, Lizzie?” Kyle asked. He knew he had to fetch Moira. He couldn’t keep an encounter with Aidan and her sister from her, but he wanted forewarning about Lizzie’s scheme.

“I wish to see my dear sister,” Lizzie offered.

“You’ve never been an adept liar,” Kyle spat. “Men ignored your lies because you’re not known to refuse anyone. What do you want with Moira?”

“We have some news she needs to hear,” Aidan interjected. “You really should get her.” At Aidan’s seriousness, Kyle nodded. The Irishman was deadly calm during negotiations, but the surety in his voice now made the hair on the back of Kyle’s neck stand up.

“It’ll be a moment,” Kyle warned before he glanced at Keith. His brother gave Kyle an imperceptible nod before Kyle made his way below. He opened the cabin door to find Moira exactly how he expected. Her hands were behind her back to keep away the temptation. Her feet were apart, and she rested her buttocks on them, mindful of her sore cheeks. She didn’t turn to greet him, instead lowering her head.

Kyle helped her to feet and pulled her into his arms. He felt the last of her tension slip away as he held her. Her deep sigh and the way her body went limp told Kyle that she felt at ease after their argument, even if it hadn’t ended the way she wished. “Mo ghràidh, I need you to come up on deck with me.”

Moira leaned back, and her brow furrowed as she noticed the wariness in his voice and his expression. She nodded and stepped back, but Kyle’s hands slid down her arms until they held hers. She looked past him to the door then back at him.

“What’s happened, Kyle?”

“Let me help you remove the plug and the balls, then I’ll help you dress. I’ll explain once you’re ready,” Kyle answered.

“No. You’re scaring me. I want to know now,” Moira insisted. “I know I sound petulant, but you never sound like this. Something is wrong, and I want to know what’s happened. Oh, dear merciful God! Is it the English navy? Are they coming to take you?” Moira’s face crumpled as tears threatened. Mustering her resolve, Kyle watched as she straightened her spine and narrowed her eyes.

“Easy, sweet one. You don’t need to rush into battle on my behalf,” Kyle