The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,24

sensed his twin, Keith looked over at Kyle. The brothers waved to one another as they braced themselves against the wheel.

“Tomas!” Kyle called out to his first mate. Bent against the wind, Tomas fought his way to Kyle’s side. “We can’t go anywhere now. We must anchor and furl the sails before we’re blown into the cliffs or the Lady Grace. Go to the rail and call over to the Grace.” He’d been prepared to signal to his brother that they should be underway once more as he left the hold, but the brewing storm made him wary. There’d been no wind and the seas had been calm, so the Lady Charity and the Lady Grace had remained near where Kyle attacked the MacDonnell ship.

While Tomas struggled to the side of the ship to call out to the nearest crewman on the Lady Grace, Kyle called out orders for the men to drop the anchor. All the other hands worked to bring down the sails. He glanced up to ensure that Braedon wasn’t in the crow’s nest. Looking down, he found the boy instead lashed to the mainmast. Without the weight of the adult men, Braedon would have been blown hither and yon, more likely to wind up overboard. Ruairí had ordered the boy to tie himself to the mast during any rough seas, and Kyle kept the same mandate. Braedon sat with his knees drawn to his chest and his head tucked. Kyle breathed easier.

The boat shuddered as it jerked in place as the anchor bit into the sea bottom. He noticed the Lady Grace’s crew lowered their sails, and the ship remained alongside his. Calling Snake Eye over to keep watch at the helm, Kyle pushed against the gusts to stand on the starboard side. Keith met him when their ships drew close enough for them to yell over the storm’s noise.

“We have to wait it out,” Keith called.

“I know. Look,” Kyle pointed to the sky in all directions. “This isn’t going to blow over any time soon. We’re stuck here for at least the next day.”

“Then we’ll have to assess the damages. I don’t like the sounds coming from my yardarm.”

“Is it going to give?” Kyle worried.

“It might. I don’t want to risk it, so when this stops, my crew will have to repair it.”

“I must give the hull a look while you work on that. Nothing I can do about damage below the water for now, but I can sure up any boards that we can reach,” Kyle thought aloud.

“This isn’t an ideal place to remain,” Keith pointed out. “The O’Malleys sail these waters, and they won’t hesitate to attack.”

“I ken. Why can’t they stick to their own bluidy side of the island?” Kyle grumbled.

“Because no one sails that strip of the Atlantic?” Keith mused. “Anyway, I’m headed back to the helm. I suggest you and your men tie yourselves down. I shall do the same.”

“I love you,” the brothers mouthed, knowing this might become the storm that could separate them.

Kyle called out the order that the men tie themselves to the rigging, and he used rope to bind himself to the wheel. He wondered how Moira fared below deck. He wished more than ever to check on her, but the wind and rain had only intensified while he talked to Keith. He’d barely made it to the helm without sliding and falling. As the boat continued to pitch and heel, Kyle was relieved that he’d ordered the men to tie themselves down, or several would have likely slipped overboard. Moira was surely being tossed about the cabin. He was going to his cabin the first chance he had.

Nine

Moira gripped the headboard as the ship rocked from side to side. She watched as books and maps flew from the table, the bowl on the washstand crashed to the floor, and Kyle’s trunks slid across the cabin. She’d remained kneeling until a particularly powerful swell made her lose her balance and knock her head against the wall. She abandoned her punishment, reasoning that Kyle would want her safe; if he didn’t, then she cared not. She’d scrambled onto the bed, waiting out the storm that seemed intent upon tearing the boards apart. She listened to the creaks and groans, fearing the boat would splinter at any moment. She could hear the wind above, but the sounds of the ship rattled around her.

As the storm carried on, the air in the cabin grew colder. Moira shivered as she