Page 2 of Pirate's Intent
“Pirates!” She stumbled back from the porthole, wide-eyed. Her heart slammed into her throat.
“Surely not.” Anyone in their right mind would have leapt from their bunk in panic, but Hannah calmly sat up and smoothed her blanket back. “The captainassuredus we would not come across such miscreants.”
“But we have.” Rose trembled in fear and wrung her hands. “Those arepirateships flyingpirateflags.”
“Even if they are,” Hannah said, “we have British soldiers aboard.” She perked a brow at Rose. “Highly trained soldiers at that.”
Her sister was trying to calm her, but it did no good. From the moment she learned they were traveling south, she had a feeling something would go horribly wrong. Almost a sixth sense.
Or one too many books about pirates.
Hannah was about to speak when yelling ensued on deck.
Finally taking Rose seriously, Hannah peered out the porthole, then pulled back abruptly and nodded once. “It seems you are right, Sister.” Though she audibly swallowed, she remained calm. “Get dressed now.”
“But—”
“Now, Rose,” she said sharply.
Accustomed to taking her older sister's lead, but rather mindless with fear, she could hardly focus on where to begin. Should she bother with stays? Or just get into her dress as fast as possible?
“Do not even think it,” Hannah said sternly, helping her with said stays when Rose reached for her dress. “A lady always dresses appropriately.”
“B-but those are pirates!”
“All the more reason to cut a fine figure.” She issued Rose a pointed look. “Just imagine if things were less confined.” She looked skyward, appalled. “It would be downright indecent.”
“I doubt pirates care much about decency.” Rose shook her head, her imagination running away with her. “We are doomed, dear sister.” She rounded her eyes at Hannah. “Do you know what they do to women of our ilk?”
“I care not to think about it.” Yet Hannah's cheeks flushed as she finished lacing up Rose. “Continue dressing, then lace me up.”
“I should help you now—”
“Just do as I ask.”
So she did, and then helped Hannah. In the meantime, sounds of battling grew louder. Far closer. On this ship, if she were not mistaken. Boots pounded above them. Men roared, metal clashed, and guns fired.
“It will be all right, dearest.” Hannah squeezed Rose’s trembling hands and met her eyes, using the sisterly voice that typically calmed her. “We have little time, so youmustlisten to me.”
She nodded, trying not to envision the worst. Yet the screams of pain aboveboard did not help.
“You mustnotlet your imagination run away with you unless you intend to put it to good use.” Hannah searched her eyes, practical to a fault. “You must conquer your fear and do what you do best. Observe your surroundings at all times. Pay attention to everything so that you might find your way out of wherever you end up.” Her brows arched. “Become a character in one of those books you so love if need be.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you will need courage.” Hannah remained blunt. “And that is not always easy to come by.”
“But you just said we have plenty of soldiers.”
“We do not,” her sister barely got out before the cabin door crashed open, and her worst nightmare leered at them from the threshold.
Unable to breathe, let alone scream, she suddenly knew what she needed to become.
A persona she prayed might save her from Hell.
ChapterOne
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