Page 60 of The Tempest
“I’m not supposed tae tell ye all of it, but I’m going tae because I think it’s important for ye tae know.”
“Go ahead, then. Tell me.”
He lifted a hand and made a swirling motion, like the choppy motion of the sea. “When ye captured Astria’s ships,” he said, “what were the circumstances?”
Maude thought a moment. “We were in the Balearic Sea,” she said. “We’d already had a successful visit tae Denia, a port village, when we spied the princess’ ships. We overtook them,moved the cargo into our holds, threw her crew overboard, and took her with us when we left. Why do ye ask?”
“Because those were not merchant ships,” Payne said. “They were pirate vessels.”
“I know.”
Payne looked at her in shock. “Yeknow?”
She nodded. “I also happen tae know that yer wife was once The Sea God.”
Payne’s jaw dropped. “Ye knew that, too?”
Maude was amused at his surprise. “Lad, I must know everything about my enemies,” she said. “I’d be a poor captain, indeed, if I dinna. I also know that her husband’s son has practically taken everything from her. I dunna know how she managed tae get two ships from him, but she did. I commend her for it. But now those ships are mine.”
“Do ye also know that he wants those ships returned?” Payne said, rather irritated at his mother’s seeming smugness. “Astria seems tae think her stepson is following ye and intends tae take them back by force.”
Maude nodded. “And that’s part of the reason I took them tae Combwich,” she said. “I figured he was following when I went tae Scotland, but there are so many islands, it would be difficult for him tae find me, but not impossible. So, I came south, tae the Bristol Channel. He can look all he likes, but he’ll not find them inland. He’ll forget about them soon enough.”
She winked at him, letting him know that she felt quite superior in this situation. Frankly, Payne was still lingering in the surprise that she already knew about Astria’s secret identity, but in hindsight, perhaps he shouldn’t have been surprised at all. Maude was right—as an outlaw on the seas, it would be deadly if she didn’t know everything she could about those who also held her profession. She didn’t seem concerned about Arnaldo SanMiguel coming for his ships. Truthfully, Payne was impressed by her calm approach, but he was also enraged by it.
“Maudie,” he said, “if he finds ye, he will destroy ye. He has more ships and more men than ye do.”
“He’ll have tae find me first.”
She still didn’t seem too concerned, and Payne gave up. If he couldn’t impress upon her how serious this was, then there was nothing more to do. He simply threw up his hands in surrender.
“Have it yer way,” he said. “But if ye were smart about this… ye’d turn those vessels over tae Declan and tell him tae go and be his own man. Ye know he’d take those ships and wreak havoc in full view. Then the San Miguel son would find him and destroy him. Not ye.”
Maude cocked a red eyebrow. “Use him as a decoy?”
“Ye’d rid yerself of him once and for all.”
She chuckled, putting a hand on Payne’s broad shoulder. “True,” she said. “But he’s still yer brother. And he’s still my son. Declan may be a thorn in my side, and he poses a real threat tae my command, but he’s still my son. He’s my flesh and blood. I canna consign him tae his fate so easily.”
Payne knew that. Maude was the man’s mother, and that put her in a difficult position. With a heavy sigh, he shook his head.
“Then whatever ye do, be vigilant with him,” he said. “I dunna trust him, Maudie.”
“I know,” she said, patting him on the arm. “But we willna speak on him any longer. I dunna want tae waste my breath. I want tae know about yer plans now that ye’ve taken a wife. Are ye still going tae remain here, at Blackchurch?”
He nodded. “Nothing has changed,” he said. “I will stay here until the class I’m currently training is complete. Then I’ll go north and see tae the Lismore lands.”
“And take The Sea God with ye?”
He smiled, a humorless gesture. “She’s my wife,” he said. “If ye want grandchildren anytime soon, I’ll have tae take her with me.”
Maude’s mood turned serious. “She’s a terror, I know,” she said. “I’m sorry I had tae saddle ye with her, but yer children will be of royal blood. That’s a great thing for the House of Matheson. That will make yer children in much demand for marriages. It’ll outweigh the fact that their grandmother is Bloody Maude.”
He looked at her curiously. “Isthatwhy ye brought her tae me?” he said. “So my children would be viewed as excellent mates in spite of their grandmother’s vocation?”
She shrugged. “A little, mayhap,” she said. “I only wanted the best for ye, Payne. I hope ye know that. And having a mother like me… That’s not an advantage.”
He put his big arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “I dunna care what people think, Maudie,” he said softly. “And ye’ve always wanted the best for me. Even when ye disowned me, I still knew ye loved me.”
