Page 47 of Hired by Pirates

I couldn’t tell if the strange creaking sound was the ship against the dock, or my heart cracking in two. She said it as if she’d never even considered staying on the ship with me. Dear God, was she really that good an actress? It sounded completely real.

But then the three police officers burst into raucous laughter. “A little girl like you, a doctor,” the officer on the left guffawed.

I couldn’t stomach the way Astor’s face fell. Those dolts had no respect for a woman who just brought a new baby into the world.

My hands clenched into fists, as I pondered which was more important – that I get her out of here safely, or that I teach those whippersnappers a lesson.

I looked down to see Astor’s lip trembling, as my poor lass had no idea how to respond.

I slipped an arm around her, murmuring against her hair, “If that’s what you want, lass, I’ll get you home to Toburg as soon as we can set sail.”

Saying the words sounded like throwing stones into the center of the sea. Loud. Heavy. And permanent.

~ Chapter 21 ~ Astor ~

* For Heaven’s Sake *

I didn’t understand what I was seeing in the Captain’s expression. He said to play along with the policemen, so that’s what I was doing. But he suddenly seemed so upset I could feel his fingers shaking against me.

That was even more upsetting than the policemen laughing in my face. Once again, I felt like the worthless little orphan girl whom nobody ever took seriously.

There was no way I could prove my experience to them, and they wouldn’t listen anyway. I was at a complete loss of what to do or say.

Thumping feet came pounding toward us down the dock. We all spun to see the maid come charging toward us.

“Dr. Astor,” she cried, stopping just in front of me and catching her breath. “Thank goodness you’re still here. Mr. Morgan apologizes. He was so overwhelmed at the birth of his son that he forgot to pay

you.” Before I could even protest, she pressed a small purse into my hands.

“Mrs. Morgan said that she thinks you’re a much better physician than Dr. Colson,” she continued. “If you’re ever in Acreton again, you’re invited to the house for tea.”

She turned to the Captain. “Both Mr. Morgan and Mr. Jenkins said to thank you again for the important fortification that you provided at the exact right moment.”

From the way her eyes were sparkling, I assumed she meant liquor, although I had also noticed a bit of cigar smoke clinging to his jacket.

As I turned back toward the policeman, it was hard not to giggle at their absolutely dumbfounded expressions.

“As you can see, gentlemen,” the Captain said, slipping his arm around me again, “the doctor has had a very busy day. I should like to get her some supper, if you don’t mind.”

The entire crew, including Morty, stood on the deck of the ship, holding back their laughter as the Captain sent the police away with their tails between their legs.

As they left, so did my stifled nervous giggles. The Captain was still holding me, but it was…different. Instead of the usual prickling warmth of him wanting our bodies as close together as possible, he was simply propelling me up the gangplank.

Something had turned him cold, and I didn’t know what it was.

“Let’s leave, lads,” the Captain commanded, as everyone else instantly burst into action, pulling in the ropes and raising the sails.

The two of us headed straight to the galley, where Barnaby set a cup of tea and a bowl of stew in front of me immediately.

Nobody seemed to care that I ate too quickly in a slightly improper fashion.

When the rest of the crew came down, I was introduced to Morty, who told us all about what came after the Mayor’s speech. He was flustered, but then denounced those two nasty families. He was visibly upset that they weren’t paying their full taxes, and told the people of Acreton he was going to straighten things out personally.

It sounded like the entire Town Council would be reviewing everything, and shop prices could return to normal.

“There was also a lot of talk of you, Miss,” Morty said with a crooked grin.

I sighed. “Let me guess – nobody believed that a lady doctor was worth her salt. “

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