The Red Drifter of the Sea (Pirates of the Isles #3) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,96

“They’re moving them.”

Moira’s eyes shot back to Daisy. She was relieved she didn’t have to do anything more than tease, but she knew the woman might keep her locked in the chamber if she didn’t get something in return for the secrets she told. Moira rose and shook out her skirts before calling out, “I’m coming, Tomas.”

Without a second thought, Moira stepped in front of Daisy and grasped a handful of hair, pressing the woman’s face to hers. Moira slid her tongue against Daisy’s lips before flicking it inside the woman’s mouth and pinching her nipple. Giving the nub a twist, Moira stepped back before Daisy could return the kiss.

“The capt’n and I will be back,” Moira said. She hadn’t a clue if that was the truth, she prayed it wasn’t, but she would appease Daisy. Moira opened the door and walked into the passageway to a group of men staring at her. She kept her voice low, “I learned what I needed to. It’s time for me to talk to the magistrate.”

Thirty

“A lady’s come to bear witness that you rescued her from pirates,” the gaoler announced to Kyle and Keith, and the brothers knew no one could tell them apart. The brothers exchanged a look, wondering who their men had scrounged up from a tavern or whorehouse to plead on their behalf. This time they were surrounded by a full contingent of men. Both captains spied men from their crews, but Kyle’s heart pounded when he caught sight of the dread on Tomas and Snake Eye’s faces. Even the usually disinterested Stephen looked noticeably uncomfortable.

“Moira,” Kyle mouthed. Tomas and Snake Eye nodded while Stephen’s gaze darted to the office doors of the justice of the peace. Kyle feared Moira had been captured too. There’d been no talk of a woman being brought to the gaol, but Kyle didn’t know if women were housed separately. As Kyle and Keith were herded inside, Kyle recognized a woman’s voice.

“I suggest you do listen to me, because I think you’d rather hear what I have to say before I turn into the town crier,” Moira stated.

Kyle jerked to a stop, and Keith crashed into him, pushing him a step forward. Guards dragged the twins further into the chamber, but Moira didn’t look in his direction. Instead she stepped up to the magistrate and whipped out a knife when guards tried to approach.

“I will speak,” Moira announced. “It’s just a question of whether you would like my words to be for your ears only, or if you’d like all of County Wicklow to know your secrets.”

Kyle tugged against his guards as he fought to get to Moira. Whatever game she was playing was likely to get her killed. He knew she was aware he’d entered the chamber, but she never looked at him. But her next words stopped him cold.

“I had a nice chat with Daisy,” Moira spoke clearly.

What the fuck was she doing at The Mother Hen? What the fuck did Daisy tell her? What did Moira do to get Daisy to tell her anything? I will throttle Daisy. I will snap the woman in half if she said or did anything to hurt Moira. I’ve never killed a woman, but I will kill that conniving bitch.

Keith elbowed Kyle as men pushed them into the box for the accused. He wasn’t sure if he would wet himself or vomit as he watched Moira bribe the man who held all of their fates in his hand. He watched as Moira tapped her toes and drummed her fingers on the man’s desk. The magistrate rose and waved off his guards.

Moira stepped around the table and spoke rapidly to the justice of the peace. Kyle watched as the color leached from the man’s face, and his jowls shook. He looked at the brothers as Moira continued to speak in a whisper. Whatever she said deeply affected the man, and Kyle could only imagine what Daisy shared that could make the justice of the peace so discomfited.

“So, as I said, these men saved me from pirates. The O’Malleys were set upon stealing me away, and it was the Captains MacLean who ensured Dermot O’Malley didn’t ravage me.” Moira turned a doleful expression to Kyle and Keith, ensuring that everyone in attendance saw her, before she looked back at the magistrate. She narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “I saw the marque of the Earl of Argyll. He must be a very important man if he’s an