Page 39 of Hired by Pirates

“That’s not it,” she said. “I just real

ized what you said to me a few moments ago.”

In the heat of the moment I could have said anything, and worried about what she meant until I remembered.

Cupping her face in my hands, I placed a feather light kiss on her perfect lips. “My love. Yes, you are.”

This time she definitely flushed pink, as her eyes sparkled prettily. “A girl could get used to hearing that,” she said softly.

“And you will, my love,” I said as I kissed just under her ear. “Now that I know it makes you blush, I’ll say it as often as you can stand it.”

~ Chapter 17 ~ Astor ~

* Visiting the Bookkeeper *

Strolling through Acreton arm in arm with Woods was a slightly odd experience.

We absolutely looked the part of visiting festival goers. I was impressed: Woods shined up like a new penny. In a nice dark suit and with his hair slicked back, he looked more like a banker than the carpenter on a slightly questionable trader ship.

The Captain had insisted that Woods take my arm and act like an attentive suitor, so that no men would, as he put it, “get ideas.”

I found it endearing that he was so overprotective.

It was interesting to see the slight differences between Acreton and my hometown. It was much larger, and there were several two- and even three-story buildings along High Street and King Street. Shops were everywhere, so it was easy for us to look in the windows, and discuss future purchases for our imaginary home.

Just past the butcher was the building that used to be Mr. Enlow’s bookkeeping offices, but it was now a little apothecary. We paused to take this in only briefly.

“There it is,” Woods muttered, his sharp eye seeing the sign for the bookkeeper across the street and two doors down.

We crossed the street, then slowed down to look in the window of a furniture store before walking very slowly past the office. There was only one clerk inside, at a long desk that divided the waiting area from the private space in the office.

Luckily, there was no wall, so it was easy to see the huge row of glassed-in shelves that took up an entire side of the shop.

“That must be where they keep the books,” Woods said. “At least they look well organized.”

“Yes. Can you see what sort of locks those doors might have?”

He shook his head. “Not from here.” He casually examined the front door before we drifted past it. “At least the lock on the front door is standard. That’s something.”

We paused to take a look up and down the street, as if we were looking for someone.

“Do you need to actually examine the cabinets to be able to tell?” I asked. “Or if we were simply at the front desk, would that be close enough to see?”

“Yes, that would certainly do,” he said, smoothing back his hair again. “But we need an excuse to go in there.”

I breathed slowly for a moment, then turned to the next person on the street and gave them a bright smile. “Good morning. Have a wonderful time at the festival.”

“Good morning, and the same to you, dear.” The woman in the pale green dress smiled warmly, and gave Woods a nod as well. He managed to paste on a half smile, and give her the slightest nod.

As soon as she passed, he gave me a horrified stare. “What in heaven’s name are you doing?”

“There are many travelers here today from different towns. If we behave the same as the others, nobody will suspect a thing. Why would they? We are simply visitors from…” I paused, realizing that geography was not one of my strong suits. “What is the town next to this one?”

“Glenbert.”

“Then that’s where we’re from. Now come along, and don’t forget to smile.”

I turned toward the door, which he automatically opened for me, though his expression was a trifle puzzled.

---