The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,39

taught him to fight. He pointed out the parts of the deck and sails, but I admit I already knew as much. He suggested showing me the lower deck, but I declined. I didn’t think that would be wise,” Moira admitted.

“Thank you.”

Moira was unprepared for the simple phrase. She waited for Kyle to say more, but when he didn’t, she remained quiet. Moira soon grew uncomfortable with the silence. It was as if there was far more to say, but neither knew how to voice it. She pointed over her shoulder toward the rail and looked back before raising her eyebrows in question. Kyle nodded his permission, so Moira went to watch the open sea. She couldn’t see anything more than the hazy outline of land, but she knew they continued south since it was on their starboard side. She recalled Kyle saying that his brother’s ship, the Lady Grace, was to their starboard. She leaned over the rail and looked back, spotting the other pirate ship. She’d spent many hours in Kyle’s cabin, so she wondered if he’d told his brother she was aboard.

When she watched a red-headed man storm to the prow and glare at her, she was certain Kyle hadn’t spoken to his brother. A whistle pierced the air from the Lady Grace, and Moira bit the corner of her lip as she glanced back at Kyle. Shooting one more look at the Lady Grace’s angry captain, she returned to Kyle’s side.

“I don’t think your brother is happy to have spied me. I didn’t think about whether you’d told him until after he and I spotted one another. I’m sorry. Mayhap you didn’t want him to know,” Moira confessed. Kyle pulled her against his side and wrapped his arm around her.

“Worry not, sweet one. Keith doesn’t care for women aboard ship, but that’s fine since this isn’t his ship. He can do as he pleases aboard his own.”

“I don’t want to cause problems between you two,” Moira worried.

“You won’t, Moira. Dinna fash.”

Moira’s toes curled in her boots, just as they did every time Kyle’s brogue slipped through. It wrapped around her like the warmest sealskin cloak in the dead of winter and warmed her more than the finest Irish whiskey. Kyle ordered the mainsail lowered to half, slowing their ship and allowing the Lady Grace to pull alongside.

“Should I go below?” Moira whispered.

“Not yet. Keith will join us in my cabin,” Kyle explained. Moira watched as a rope landed on the Lady Charity’s deck, and a crewman quickly leashed the boats together while men on each ship dropped anchor. Keith swung across the rails on another rope and landed agilely, taking his first step just as both feet touched the ground. Moira hadn’t feared any of Kyle’s men, but Keith’s murderous glare made her want to hide behind Kyle. “Wheest, sweet one. He won’t do anything. His ire is directed at me, not you. Stand tall as you did before. Make me proud again. His crew and mine are watching.”

Moira swallowed, shoving her timidity to the bottom of her stomach and rallying as she watched Keith approach with feigned disinterest. She was the daughter of a chieftain, and more regrettably, the sister of one. She could pretend the haughtiness she was truly entitled to. Kyle shifted positions, so Moira stood to his left before he extended his right arm to his brother. They grasped forearms before pulling one another into a loose embrace.

Moira watched, puzzled. They acted as though they hadn’t seen each other in ages, but she suspected it had been perhaps a day since they talked. She realized the twins were closer than she imagined. She feared it boded ill for her if Keith was so displeased with her presence. She prepared herself for when he would insist Kyle put her ashore, or worse, adrift. She was certain Kyle would agree, so she accepted that her time with Kyle was over before it had a chance to truly begin.

“My cabin,” Kyle muttered. He signaled to Snake Eye, who came to take the wheel. Kyle kept his arm around Moira’s waist as they moved to the ladder well. He swung down first, then turned back to her. He wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her down. Sliding her hand into his, he led the trio to his cabin. When they entered, Moira looked around, unsure of where she should stand or sit. She opted to move silently toward the corner where she’d been kneeling