The Seafaring Rogue
Page 15
Cullodena turned to Fraser. “Thank ye for that, Captain MacLomain.” Her eyes grew moist. “Thank ye for loving my ma so well and for seeing to my kin when ye didnae have to.” Her eyes went to the waterfall. “Ye have verra much earned your prize.”
Curious, he glanced from the waterfall back to her before he headed that way.
Between the muddy water, frothing bubbles and lack of light, it was hard to see anything of consequence. Or so he thought until Cullodena joined him and proved otherwise with a T shaped contraption. She leaned over, dug down in and raked forward before she stuck her hand in, felt around then lifted something out.
“Bloody hell,” he whispered as she handed him a solid gold bar. “The treasure actually exists!”
“There is far more down there,” she informed, grinning at his dumbfounded expression. “Plus jewels.”
He shook his head before he finally met her grin then smiled at Elspeth, only one thought on his mind. “By the sounds of it, there’s more than enough to protect ye and yours for several lifetimes.”
Many hours and a family reunion later, he remained in awe as he and Elspeth sat alone on the shore just beyond the ruins of MacLauchlin Castle. Cullodena had finally met her people, and they spent a truly wonderful evening reconnecting. She was already fast friends with Greer and Arabel and had spent ample time bonding with Elspeth, who still beamed with happiness.
Having been given several gold bars in addition to André’s loot and ships, The Sea Hellions were celebrating too just in a separate location for the moment. Best to keep pirates and villagers apart for this period of adjustment. Well, all but Innis, Audric, and Douglas, of course.
Fiddles still played in the distance as people danced, laughed and had a merry good time.
“Was it me or was Audric eying my Cullodena?” she grumbled, her eyes narrowed as she contemplated it. “She’s but a child!”
“A child on the brink of womanhood,” he reminded gently though he couldn’t help a grin and shrug. “Ye cannae overly blame the lad. Not only is she independent and full of fire, but possesses the same bonny looks as her ma.”
“She is verra bonny, isnae she?” She sighed and relented. “And I suppose a wee bit fiery and independent.”
He arched his brows and kept grinning. “Just a wee bit?”
“Aye, just a wee bit and no more,” she muttered, in complete denial. It would be interesting watching the two of them together over the years. Very entertaining he imagined.
Speaking of entertaining.
He could think of far better things to do right now than talk.
Yet it seemed more weighed on her mind.
“Do ye think Audric did it then?” she murmured as he peppered kisses down her neck. “Do ye think he ended Estienne?”
According to Magnus, he had been found tied to a tree with his throat slit. And they both knew her former apprentice had been tasked with keeping an eye on him.
“’Tis hard to know,” he replied as he inhaled her sweet scent. “Though I wouldnae blame him if he did.”
“Nor I,” she whispered after his lips brushed hers. “In fact, it seems fitting that Audric be the one to do it. That he ended the son of the man that had used him. That he saw an end to the tainted blood in his family.”
“Aye,” he agreed, kissing her again.
“And what will ye do with the journal Magnus found?” she murmured. “André’s book full of the comings and goings of the French navy and their privateers?”
“Likely hand it over to Shaw,” he replied. “As a show of good faith.”
“’Tis quite the show of faith,” she commented though he saw the approval in her eyes.
“Aye,” he agreed. “But worth the extra good favor if we remain in the area.” He gave her a pointed look. “If we remain so close to his stronghold in Scarba.”
“Verra true,” she murmured around a kiss before meeting his eyes again. “So what now, Fraser? Will we stay here or go see your kin? Will we settle or live the lives of pirates?”
His eyes went to his ship and lingered. He had often thought when this was all over he would head home and never look back. But now, as he had implied to her daughter, he saw a different sort of life ahead. One that didn’t just include his kin but her people and the sea he had come to love.
The adventure he had come to crave.
“What do ye see ahead for us, lass?” He couldn’t help a knowing smile as his eyes returned to hers. “In between giving Cullodena at least two brothers and a sister, of course.”
“Och!” Her eyes widened in unmistakable pleasure. “Ye see us having that many wee ones, aye?” Then her eyes narrowed. “Is this your gift of foresight talking, then?”
“Aye.” Because it was. “We have a verra full and good life ahead of us, my wee lassie.”
She looked to his ship then back at him, a smile hovering on her lips. “Then I say we do just that.” The corner of her mouth shot up in a devious grin. “I say we live it to the fullest, Cap’n MacLomain.”
In complete agreement, he lowered her to the blanket and began doing that very thing.
Though he had traveled a winding sometimes dark path since he first washed up on Elspeth’s shore over two winters ago, he would do it all again.
Anything to have her in his arms where she belonged.
Anything to at last live life together.
As it would be told for many generations to come, a roguish MacLomain pirate known as the Robin Hood of the seas, found far more than good fortune in the end. Far more than just gold and wealth beyond his wildest imagination.
He discovered real treasure.
The best sort really.
Long lost kin, and an untouchable love with his beloved wife, Elspeth MacLauchlin.
More than that?
An unforgettable lifetime of adventure, mischief, and mayhem with his wee pirate lassie.
THE END
About the Author
Sky Purington is the bestselling author of nearly forty novels and novellas. A New Englander born and bred who recently moved to Virginia, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth, and legend. When combined with a love for history, romance, and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com. Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com, join her quarterly newsletter, or sign up for personalized text message alerts. Simply text ‘skypurington’ (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to 74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new book release. Readers can easily opt out at any time.
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