Page 110 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

Ace shuddered. “Why do we have to jump in by the head? With the large amounts of rum I’ve been pumping into these guys, I’ll be lucky if they don’t piss on me.”

“The ladder before the bowsprit is the easiest to lower down into the water without making a big splash.”

“Look who knows all the fancy ship words.” Ace smiled, then his face grew serious. He grabbed my shoulders. “Promise me, hon, if this thing goes south, you jump home. Don’t wait for any of us. It’s not worth it.”

Caiyan had asked for the same promise, and I couldn’t give it to him. “It won’t.”

* * *

We were halfwaythrough the ceremony. Everything had gone as planned. Max explained to the crew of theRangerthat I wanted a handfasting ceremony the night before the men were occupied with their treasure hunt. He asked Charles Vane, as the ultimate authority at sea, to perform the handfasting ceremony. Mortas and Rackham acted as groomsmen—a special request from Captain Smith.

All the players watched me walk down the aisle on the arm of Shrug, who blushed pink when I asked him to give me away. Rowan stood next to Max. He wore a nice suit coat and had his hair slicked back and tied in a tail.

Before Ace left to meet Caiyan, he added the sleeping potion to the port wine. The crews of both ships had their fill of liquor from theSea Storm’s hold, causing a lot of cheering and rabble-rousing. Vane fidgeted uncomfortably while he read from the Bible.

Max surprised me with a silk ribbon that belonged to his mother. He handed the ribbon to Vane, who tied it around our hands. The ceremony and the butterflies in my stomach felt very real. I couldn’t wait until Ace appeared. A signal the treasure was ready to be discovered.

At the end, Max kissed me gently on the lips. A roar erupted from the now sloppy crew. Max accepted a hug from Rowan, who caught my eye over Max’s shoulder. He was concerned Ace hadn’t returned, too.

Mortas leaned in. “I’d like to know what you’re plotting in that devious mind of yours by marrying the boy.”

“I’ll bet.”

“I’ll take your bet and raise the stakes.”

What the hell was he talking about? And where was Ace? The ceremony was over. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Ace on the fo’c’sle. He gave me a thumbs-up, followed by a sly smile. Phase two of our mission was complete.

I breathed easier as Mortas raised his hands to calm the excited crowd. “Now for the bedding.”

“What are you talking about?” I snarled through clenched teeth.

“Calling your bet.” Mortas sent me a smug smile.

“Isn’t it customary to watch the captain’s first bedding?” Mortas asked Rowan. “We must ensure the captain is legally married by establishing the consummation of the marriage since you are only handfasted due to the lack of a priest.”

Max’s face flushed, and I caught a glimpse of what I assumed was fear. My gut clenched with the same unpleasant emotion, then twisted into pure hatred for the asshat brigand.

Mortas addressed the crowd. “Captain Smith inherits theSea Stormif he’s legally married, correct?”

Heads bobbed across the sea of suntanned faces.

“The only way to secure a handfasting ceremony is by consummation.”

More head bobbing and few lewd “here, heres.”

“The crew has the right of confirmation before God’s eyes and mine.” Vane lifted a bottle of rum, drank long and fast, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and raised his empty bottle to the sky. Cheers followed.

I sent Mortas an evil glare.

He shrugged, then bent to kiss my cheek. “Welcome to the family.”

I jerked away. He turned toward Max. “I’d like to speak to you after, well, after you enjoy yourself.”

My heart squeezed, and little pinpricks of pain poked at my chest. I was not bedding Max in front of an entire ship’s crew.

Shrug stood atop the gunnery chest. “Pri’vcy is needed to make the bairns. Ye’ll give Captain Smith his leave to secure his seed.”

Jeez. I know Shrug was trying to help, but there would be no seeding the soil, tonight or ever.

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