Page 26 of Escaping Pirates
“Come along, darlings,” he told Sugar and Blossom, then shot me a malevolent glare. “You’ll be on your best behavior tonight, or you’ll regret it. Stay here and don’t come out until you’re presentable.”
I didn’t doubt him for a second. At least I finally got a good bath out of it. Anytime my mind relaxed, Harlan’s face would pop into my mind. I wouldn’t mind if I looked nicer for him, but doing so would also mean that Tyrone would see me the same way. Electing to keep things simple but clean, I washed my hair and scrubbed off all the dirt coating my body so I finally felt like I could breathe.
Captain Harsh wouldn’t allow my old dress at his table, I was sure, so I hunted around in Blossom’s wardrobe until I found a modest, unassuming brown frock that must have been at the back of the wardrobe for some time. Sheprobably wouldn’t even remember it was hers. Then again, I hadn’t thought Tyrone would remember me.
It took nearly an hour to work all the knots out of my hair and work it into a style that was halfway decent, and by the time I was ready, Captain Harsh had come to pound on the door and order me down to dinner.
I took one last look at my appearance in the mirror before I took a deep breath and left the room.
CHAPTER 11
“About time,” Harsh growled as I emerged. “Dinner’s ready.”
I followed him, murmuring a quiet apology as I did so. Most of the crew were lounging about, playing dice, strumming musical instruments, or else laughing with each other. Though I’d passed through the galley several times to get food from the kitchens from Sugar and Blossom, I’d never eaten there. The wooden table had been covered with a long cloth that hid the stains and cracks, and combined with all the lanterns, it gave the illusion that we were at some fine dining establishment for a candlelit dinner.
Moments after I entered, Harlan brushed past me, heading over to sit with Sugar and Blossom. As he passed, something was pressed into my palm. My fingers curled instantly around the small, cylindrical item, and the corner of my mouth lifted slightly as I tucked the cork into my pocket.
Sugar and Blossom were already sitting at one end of the table and eagerly gestured for Harlan to sit between them. They each held the letters I’d helped them compose as theyvied for his attention. I glanced down once to ensure that the papers I’d stolen were still tucked well out of sight in this new dress. They were.
The moment he saw me, Tyrone stood and bowed low to kiss my hand. “There’s the beautiful girl I remember. What’s your name, my dear?”
“Elena,” I answered shortly while keeping my tone as polite as possible. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harlan go rigid, watching as Tyrone draped his arm around my waist to guide me to a seat. “Shall we begin?”
Finally allowed a proper meal, I took my time to eat slowly so I didn’t get overly full and feel nauseated like I had when Harlan had given me his meal the second day he was onboard. My initial concerns that Tyrone would expect me to entertain him slipped away as he allowed me to eat while regaling the whole table with fascinating tales about people he’d met on his voyages. At least he was an entertaining storyteller.
“Just last week, for example,” Tyrone said, animatedly talking with his hands. “I met Haven Harbor’s royal family, and you’ll never guess the argument I overheard between the siblings.”
My pang of homesickness was quickly eclipsed by curiosity. Prince Korth and Princess Tess had a great friendship. Was Tyrone making up a story, or was it true?
“What happened?” Harsh asked, tearing into a chicken leg.
“The prince was escorting his sister to that girls-only boarding school in Berkway, and word is that she didn’t want to leave because she was friends with some prisoner and didn’t want him to be alone.”
“It was ahim?” Sugar asked. “Were she and the prisoner in love or something?”
“As far as I could tell, no. Just friends. But she worried that he would be lonely without her, and Korth lost his temper. He told her that it was that exact reason she was going to the boarding school, to get a better education and associate with higher society than Peter Pan.”
“Peter Pan? I’ve heard of him,” Blossom cut in. She threw a knowing look Harlan’s way so he was sure to notice her remarks. “Isn’t that the boy who was supposed to be executed for all those kidnappings and murders?”
“Tess gave him life in prison instead,” Tyrone told her. “Word is that Korth wasn’t at all happy about her decision and wanted to appeal it, but she said no. Aren’t you from Haven Harbor, Elena?”
“I am,” I told him, glad that I was being addressed by my proper name instead ofScurvyella.
“Have you met the royal family?”
“No. I’ve attended some of their speeches, so I’ve seen them, but I’ve never been introduced.”
“I’m sure they would have liked you if they’d met you,” Tyrone said, smiling pleasantly. “I met the prince’s fiancée some time ago when I transported her back to Ebora. She participated in the rebellion that overthrew King Raquel.”
“She sounds like an intimidating person, then.”
Tyrone took a sip from his goblet. “Not intimidating at first glance, but she’s a sly one. It’s no wonder she was able to come between Korth and his first fiancée.” Then he patted my hand. “But I don’t want to talk about other women. Elena, tell me about yourself. What hobbies do you have?”
As I told him, he listened intently, asking probing questions and displaying interest in everything I said. While it was still uncomfortable to be receiving such attention froma man twice my age, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d thought it would be.
“I’d be glad to send a few more things over for you,” Tyrone told me, placing his hand over mine. “To keep you more comfortable until I see you again. My brother will ensure that you get to keep them, right, Harsh?”
“Naturally,” Harsh grunted back, looking as though he had no interest in keeping his word. Harlan had noticed our exchange and kept glancing at where Tyrone was touching me.
