Page 25 of Hired by Pirates

He snorted, raising an eyebrow. “Is now a good time for polite chatter?”

I shrugged. “I thought it might divert your attention.”

He spent the next half hour bragging about the ships they’d plundered recently, and the barrels of rum they had liberated from certain villages.

He then began to tell me about a certain woman that he fancied in Fleeryville, but I held up my hand. “No bawdy talk in front of a lady.”

He nodded, then sucked a breath through his teeth as Astor began to stitch him up. “Apologies, Miss.”

She didn’t even seem to hear him, she was so focused on her task. Jocko held the candle for her so that she could swipe the needle through it every few passes.

“How the blazes did you find such a lovely lass to be your ship’s doctor?” Searcy asked me in a low whisper.

“My brother Simon had an accident, and she was the one to stitch him up. She was ready for a spot of adventure, so she came with us.”

I certainly wasn’t about to tell him that I had paid her handsomely for her time while we sailed to a job.

His hand reached out awkwardly to clap me on the shoulder. “I won’t forget this, Captain Evans,” he said quite seriously. “It goes without saying that I’ll pay any doctor’s fee she likes, and the Black Stag will be at the service of the Five Winds for a favor or two.”

“Much appreciated.” I looked over to where Astor was nearly done stitching up

the long, angry gash. She didn’t seem to mind that Jocko was practically hanging over her shoulder, studying her every move. I realized that she was actually explaining what she was doing as she went, as if she really did expect him to learn.

“She’s almost done,” I said by way of comfort, since Searcy was looking quite the worse for wear. “Now she’ll probably coat it in one of her special ointments, then wrap it up tightly.”

“Aye, that’s fine.”

“But when she tells you to rest, and stay off your leg for a spell, you’re to do as she says and not give her any grief. No grumbling, you hear me? You’re to obey her every command.”

I was relieved that he took my order in good humor, clapping me on the shoulder again. “Aye, I’ll be a good patient for the nice doctor.”

By the time Astor had bound the wound and packed up her things, giving Searcy and Harry clear instructions, the poor little lamb looked absolutely dead on her feet.

“May I fetch you a cup of tea, Miss?” Jocko asked, taking the basket from her.

“I need to sleep, Jocko,” she said with a soft smile.

Astor stepped to the head of the bed, taking Captain Searcy’s hand in hers, and patting the back of it. “I know there are tales of fearsome sailors with wooden legs,” she smiled, “but that’s not going to be your fate. Stay off the leg as much as possible for a month, and I’ve instructed Harry on how to change the bandages.I’ve left him some salve, too.”

“Thank you, lass. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done.”

Harry escorted us to the gangplank, shaking all of our hands, and presenting Astor with a small velvet bag. “Gifts from the Captain,” he said.

“Thank you,” she replied. I could hear that her voice was failing.

“Let’s get you to bed,” I said, tucking an arm around her to help her down the gangplank.

As we boarded the Five Winds , I could see that our crews had been mingling on the pier, swapping tall tales.

“Jocko, gather the men. We need to get back on course immediately.”

Half carrying Astor, I took her straight to bed. She was too tired even to pick up her nightgown.

Hitching up her skirt, I sat her on the edge of the bed, pulling off her dress and slip. She raised her arms and helped me, but seemed to be half asleep already. Although I tried to be as quick as possible, the view of her lovely pale skin made my heart race like a jack rabbit.

Her round, full breasts were so perfect it was nearly impossible for me to tear my eyes away. My hands ached to touch them. But my sweet angel needed rest, not my attention. I pulled her nightgown on, as she made a cozy little humming purr.

I laid her gently in my bed, pulling off my clothes and slipping on a pair of soft baggy trousers.

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