Page 122 of The Sea Witch
“Kept yourself busy.” Lambert eyed Ben and their linked hands.
“New friend.”
“Bloody Ben Prowse,” Ben replied. Did pirates shake hands? Unlikely, so instead he gave Lambert a sly smirk.
“The Terror of Madagascar,” Alys added helpfully.
“I’ve never heard of you,” Lambert fired back.
“Only been in the Caribbean for a month,” Ben answered, “but a hell of a month it’s been.” He grinned at Alys, and she grinned back, making clear for Lambert’s benefit what they’d been doing for four weeks.
“Fucking and fighting, eh?” Lambert snorted. “The Caribbean’s been ablaze with word of you and what you’ve been up to. Stealing Kinnear’s women for sale, wiping out his whole operation. There was nothing but smoke and bones remaining after you quitted the place.”
Alys shrugged. “Kinnear had what I wanted, and I don’t ask for what I want when taking’s much swifter.”
“Like that naval ship? TheAjax? Just snatched it away from His Majesty without a by-your-leave. What I can’t make sense of, though, was why the crew was spared.”
“Who’d tell the tale if I killed everyone?”
Lambert abruptly turned to Ben. “Who did you sail with in Madagascar, Prowse?”
Ben rifled through his mental catalogue of the pirates sailing off the eastern shore of Africa. “Captain Mission. And Baldridge. Then I captained my own ship before growing weary of that sea. Plenty of opportunity in the Caribbean. And fair wenches.” He smirked at Alys.
She gave him a rude hand gesture.
“One man aboard theSea Witch.” Lambert looked dubious. “A change from the usual policy.”
“There’s plenty of cock in these waters,” Alys answered. “But finding cock of quality, why, that’s another matter.”
Ben made himself grin, even though it wasn’t often that he had his cock discussed so freely. Come to think of it, no oneevertalked about his cock in public.
“Charming talker that you are, Lambert,” Alys said breezily, “you’re an even finer host. The best part’s inside. It’s roasting today and I’ve got a powerful thirst. Besides,” she added with a cajoling smile, “I’ve boasted to Bloody Ben here all about your hospitality. He should sample it, don’t you agree?”
Ben held his breath as Lambert scratched his chin in contemplation, clearly in debate.
“None of your infernal witchy magicking while you’re under my roof,” Lambert said pointedly.
Alys peered past him, through the open door, and into the house. “Braga and Moreau are inside. You give them the same dictate?”
“Mages’ magic is different from witches’ magic,” came the retort. “Purer. Educated.”
Alys rolled her eyes, before saying, “As you like, Lambert.”
“I’ll keep her in line,” Ben said, and received a discreet elbow jabbed into his side.
“I’m smelling the fine work of your kitchen.” Alys sniffed at the air. “We lost our cook on the last raid, and I’m panting for decent grub.”
“Go on, then,” Lambert grumbled, waving them inside. “Most of the bed chambers are taken but any unoccupied one is yours.”
“There, you see.” Alys grinned up at Ben. “The finest host in these or any waters.”
Ben clapped Lambert on his shoulder. “She told the truth about you, Lambert. My vow to you is that I’ll not drain your cellars. Well,” he amended, moving past their host, “I won’t drinkallof your wine.”
“Wily bastard.” Alys laughed. “You said nothing about his rum.”
Lambert scowled, but there was no heat in it. “Inside, you two.”
Still holding Alys’s hand, Ben stepped over the threshold and into madness.
