Page 26 of The Secret Love of a Gentleman
Robbie choked mid-blow and laughed more heartily than Caro had done.
Uncle Bahbah was Drew’s nickname for Robbie’s younger brother Harry, the black sheep of Mary’s family.
‘Why is Uncle Harry with the pirates?’ Robbie asked, his hand bracing George’s waist to ensure he did not topple into the pond.
A frown drew a line between George’s brows. ‘The pi’ates captu’ed him and took the ship, but now he is the capt’in.’
Caro leaned on the stone rim. ‘Well, I am imagining a whole fleet of the Navy’s ships coming up behind your pirates. They are ready to save the day, and they are captained by your Uncle Robbie.’ She blew at the boat’s white sails. George blew too, but he could not quite purse his lips.
A humorous but less exuberant sound slipped out of Robbie’s throat. ‘We should have brought your cannons down, then we could have fired on the pirates.’
‘We can imagine cannons.’ Caro dipped her fingertips into the water. ‘Now, who do you want to win, George? Are we blowing with all our might for the pirates to get away, or willing the Navy to catch them?’
‘The pi’ates get away!’
Robbie smiled at Caro. ‘He is Drew’s son.’
‘He is, indeed.’
‘Then we blow,’ Robbie said.
‘We blow,’ Caro agreed, and set to it.
‘Raise the main sail and pull the yard arm!’ Robbie shouted and blew hard.
The boat wobbled a path across the water at a snail’s pace.
‘Uncle Bahbah is shouting, draw your swords!’ Robbie called out. ‘We must prepare to fight.’
‘But Uncle Robbie is nearly upon them!’ Caro cried. ‘He and his navy will take those naughty pirates to gaol.’
‘No! No!’ George squealed, his hands fisting with excitement.
‘Then blow harder, George. Blow harder.’
They all blew.
Caro blew so hard her cheeks hurt.
‘There’s a storm whipping up!’ Robbie dipped his fingers in the water and stirred it up. The boat rocked. ‘My navy ships have caught the wind, they are sailing faster. Blow, George, blow.’
‘If one of us must rescue it, it will be you who gets his boots wet,’ she said to Robbie.
He laughed as poor George puffed out his cheeks and blew with no effect.
‘Uncle Bobbie, Aun’ie Ca’o, blow!’
‘I think I owe you a little chivalry. I can be valiant, Caro,’ Robbie responded, before blowing again.
He had not called her Caro before. Only Drew and Mary used her shortened name. The familiarity brought a smile to her lips. She did feel differently towards him.Friendship…
‘The storm is coming. Tell the pirates to bring down their sails,’ Robbie said as he stirred up the water rocking the sailing boat that was far out of George’s reach.
‘It’ll sink, Uncle Bobbie! Stop! Stop the sto’m!’
‘The Navy ships are heavier, they have the cannons, they aremore likely to go down! Call out to the pirates, take down your sails!’
‘Ta’e down you’ sails, pi’ates!’ George shouted at the boat.
