“I’m fine,” she said, laughing at what happened. “I guess the bed couldna take the way a pirate makes love.”
“It’s not really made to hold two. I’ll have to fix that now as well.”
“Mayhap ye need to make a bigger hangin’ bed,” she laughed.
“I’m glad you’re staying aboard the Falcon,” he told her, looking down at her with his long hair encompassing them.
“So am I,” she said, reaching up and kissing him once more. “I’m yer wife, Tristan, for real now. I’m here to stay.”
Never again would Gavina ever have to bear the pain of being alone.
Chapter 12
Tristan pushed the needle through the material, tying a knot and breaking the thread with his teeth. He worked by candlelight, having slept only a few hours last night. After making love with his new wife, he had basked in the glory of holding her in his arms, trying to believe this was all true. His heart told him he was the luckiest man in the world to have someone like Gavina for his bride. His head only reminded him he was a pirate and that this was no life for any woman. He cursed himself inwardly, thinking he’d been the biggest fool to sail the seas. Why had he ever decided to get married?
It was almost time for his five-thirty shift. He needed to give his brothers a break. As it was, they’d stayed out of the room last night and, for that, he was grateful. Now, he just needed to take a look at the bottom of that map on Gavina’s back so he could find the exact spot where the treasure was buried.
Glancing over to his wife, he saw her sleeping on her back on the floor where his hanging bed had fallen when they’d made love. He figured it was easier this way since both of them didn’t really fit in the bed anyway. He’d had plans to fix it, but mayhap he’d leave it this way for now, so he could continue sleeping with his wife pressed up against him and his arms encircling her. Gavina was snuggled up under the covers sleeping peacefully and he really didn’t want to disturb her. For a girl, she was adapting quickly to life on the ship, and that made him smile. Perhaps they could make this marriage at sea work out after all.
Tristan carefully spread the gown out atop the table, and then hurriedly dressed. He looked back once more at the beautiful girl. Moonlight spilled in through the window, bathing her in a soft glow. It was as if she were an angel sent to purge him of all of his past sins. Too bad nothing could save him from his blackened heart, not even her. Nay, he was saddled with the consequences of the choices he’d made when he’d returned to piracy with his brothers. Unfortunately, Gavina was a part of those choices now, whether she liked it or not.
The girl was his wife, and he had to figure out how to move forward and make this all work. It was such an impetuous thing to do, getting married. Had he thought it over longer before saying he wanted to do it, he would have realized that this wasn’t an ideal situation at all. Something in his brain made him think that if she was his wife, he’d be able to keep her safe from the rest of the crew. Mayhap so, since it was part of the pirate’s code. However, what he hadn’t considered was what he was going to do with her now that she was his wife and had nowhere else to go.
He couldn’t keep her on the ship. Nay, she wasn’t meant for the type of life he lived on the unforgiving sea. What if they ended up having children someday, like Nairnie mentioned? Bid the devil, that thought scared him more than anything because no child should be raised on a ship of pirates. Sadly, that was exactly the way this was headed.
A soft knocking noise from the cabin door took his attention. He still hadn’t had a chance to look at the map on her back, but since she was sleeping so peacefully he didn’t want to waken her right now. She needed to rest after all she’d been through. Blowing out the candle, Tristan headed to the door. The key was still in the lock so he turned it, opening the door to see his brothers, Mardon and Aaron, standing there. The horizon behind them started to lighten, as it was the dawn of a new day.
“It’s time for your shift,” Aaron announced.
“I’m ready,” Tristan replied, stepping out of the room.
“Good. We stayed away as long as we could to give you two privacy, but we’re beat and need some sleep.” Mardon reached for the door, but Tristan quickly locked it behind him and slipped the key into his pocket.
“What the hell are you doing?” growled Mardon. “I want to go to bed. I’m tired.”
“Sleep somewhere else. You two are not going in there.” Tristan started to walk away.
“Tristan, I need my things,” whined Aaron. “I haven’t been able to get in the cabin since the girl came on board.”
“To hell with your things, I need my bed,” complained Mardon. “Now come on, Tristan, and open the damned door.”
“Nay. I can’t do that. I’m a married man now. The only one who will share my cabin from now on is my wife.” Tristan stopped only for a moment to talk to them over his shoulder. “Once she’s awake, I’ll let you in for your things but you’ll need to be quick about it. You’ll also have to sleep either in the lookout basket or with the crew on deck from now on.”
“Bloody hell, we will not,” growled Mardon.
“Aye. What about when it rains?” asked Aaron. “I’m not sleeping in the nest if I’m going to get wet.”
“Aye, and where would I hang my bed?” Mardon waved his hands in the air and pointed up to the center mast. “From the yardarm? I hardly think so!”
“Oh, you won’t have to worry about that, Mardon,” said Tristan. “Since our hanging beds are too small to encompass two people, I’m giving your bed to Gavina. So you’ll have to sleep on the floor, I guess.”
Tristan turned and bounded up the stairs to the sterncastle, hearing both Mardon and Aaron cursing him, but he didn’t listen to them at all. He had other thoughts on his mind. Thoughts that were more important than worrying about where his brothers would sleep. He decided to keep heading south since he had a general idea of where to find the treasure. After a few hours, he’d wake his wife and have a better look at her back so he’d know how to pinpoint the exact spot where the treasure was buried, and then they’d all be rich.
Gavina woke to feel the warmth of the sun on her face. Opening her eyes, she saw the sunrays streaming in from the small window and realized it was already morning. But what was she doing on the ground?
She turned over, to see the bed was on the floor. Then it all came back to her. She smiled, remembering the wonderful night of lovemaking she’d shared with her husband. “Tristan?” she cooed, hoping to have a repeat of last night. “Tristan, where are you?”
Flipping over, she scanned the room, only to see he was gone. The sun lit up the painting of the naked lady, taking her attention. Ramble told her the men snuck in there to look at it sometimes. Since she was naked, she jumped to her feet, bringing the blanket with her. No longer did she feel safe and relaxed. Had Tristan honestly just left her there like this, knowing his brothers would be back from their shifts and wanting to use their beds?
She spotted the gown laid out on the table and decided to dress. As she picked it up, she remembered Tristan had ripped it off of her last night. To her surprise, it was already repaired. She slipped it over her head and immediately felt that it was a snugger fit.
“He no’ only fixed it, but he fitted it to my size,” she said aloud, impressed by not only his sewing skills, but also that he knew what size to make it. She remembered him cupping her breasts and weighing them in his hands. Now she realized it wasn’t just sexual foreplay but he was measuring her as well. “Ye are truly amazin’, Husband,” she said with a giggle.
Next, she started thinking about the map. Not once had he tried to look at it. Or at least not that she knew of, unless he did it while she slept. Then again, he’d told her he already copied it, so that must be why he hadn’t even tried to see it again. He no longer needed to look at the map on her back because he had a copy of it somewhere else. Good, she decided. Then mayhap she could get a look at it as well.
Pulling on the door
handle, she discovered it wouldn’t open. At first she was angry that he’d locked her inside. Then she realized he must have done so to keep his brothers or any of the other men from entering while she was asleep.
With nothing to do, Gavina paced back and forth, used the chamber pot, and cleaned up the room. Then she sat down and drank some leftover wine. After a while, she started playing her flute, since her music always calmed her. Finally, she became so bored waiting for Tristan that she decided she wanted to wash up and smell good for him when he returned. Being aboard this ship made her feel dirty. This cabin, Tristan, and his brothers were somewhat clean, but the rest of ship and the men stank. The crew had filthy hands and faces, and their clothes were covered with dirt. They smelled of alcohol and sweat, plus everything on board reeked with the fishy smell of the sea.
Longing to feel clean and smell good, she headed over to the jug of water and the ewer. She managed to find a bit of soft soap and a clean rag. Digging through some trunks, she even found a bottle of rose water that must have been part of a bounty at one time. Popping open the cork she sniffed it. “Mmm,” she said, closing her eyes. It reminded her of a time long ago when her mother used to wear rose water for her father. However, she only did so on special occasions since it was usually reserved for the wealthy.
“I no longer need to look or smell like a boy,” she said aloud. “I’m a new woman now. A married one. I will look and smell beautiful for my new husband.” She removed her gown and started to wash. Spying the platter across the room, she propped it against the wall, trying to see her reflection. When she turned and looked over her shoulder, she was able to see part of the map. It was ugly and only reminded her of that horrible man Birk and how he’d killed her father. It was time to cleanse her body and soul of anything to do with him.
Gavina wanted to truly embrace her new life. Looking over her shoulder at her reflection, she started to scrub at the map. “Oh guid, it’s comin’ off,” she said happily, knowing it wouldn’t take long to have smooth, clean skin again. When she rinsed out the rag, the water turned black from the ink. With a little more scrubbing she would be free of these horrid memories forever. Never again did she want anything to remind her of what happened back at the Crooked Crow. Eager to leave her past behind, she smiled and scrubbed some more. No longer would she have to fear that someone would abduct her just to get the treasure, because she would no longer be carrying the map on her back. Tristan had a copy of it and, by now, the entire crew must know it. This would keep her safe from the crew. It was most likely Tristan’s plan.
Gavina quickly wiped off all the remnants of the map and put the empty jug back in the corner. She had just finished donning her gown again when she heard the key in the lock and spun around.
“Tristan?” Running to the door, she was ready to hug him, but stopped abruptly when she saw Nairnie.
“Are ye decent, lass?” asked the woman, sticking her head inside the room.
“Aye, I’m dressed. What are ye doin’ here, Nairnie? I expected to see my husband.”
“All right, boys, go on in and get yer things, but make it fast.” She opened the door wider to reveal Mardon and Aaron standing there looking madder than hell. They stomped past her, seeming like they wanted to bite off her head.
“Guid mornin’, Aaron and Mardon,” she said in a chipper voice. “I’m sure ye’re tired and would like to get some rest. Yer beds are waitin’ for ye.”
“I don’t have a bed anymore thanks to you,” grumbled Mardon, opening a trunk and removing a few things, pushing them into a large canvas bag.
“I’ll be sleeping in the rain from now on,” snapped Aaron. “Thanks to you, I’ll probably catch my death from the cold.” Aaron picked up a bag of things and then threw his straw pallet over his shoulder.
“I dinna understand. Where are ye takin’ these things?” asked Gavina.
“Tristan has thrown them out of the cabin, now that ye two are married,” Nairnie answered for them.
“What? Nay. Why?” She watched as Mardon and Aaron took their belongings and trudged out the door.
“Nairnie, I didna want them to have to leave,” she told the old woman. “This is their room, too.”
“Well, what did ye expect?” asked the old woman. “Tristan canna let them stay in here with the two of ye. Ye’re married now and need yer privacy. Especially since ye’ll be wantin’ to work on havin’ bairns now, if ye ken what I mean.”
“Bairns? Och, nay,” she dismissed the thought with a nervous giggle. “I could never raise a child on a ship of pirates and neither would I want to.”
“Well, mayhap ye should have thought of this earlier, lass. Ye are married now and must realize every man wants sons. It’s important to them to carry on their lineage.”
“Blethers, Nairnie, ye’re right,” she answered, suddenly feeling confused and anxious. “Well, I’m sure Tristan will want to give up piracy now that we’re married. He’ll most likely want to move to land. Once we find a nice little town somewhere, we can settle down and start a family.” It was just a dream and she knew it. However, by saying it aloud, she figured mayhap she’d start to believe it.
“Ye expect Tristan to give up bein’ a pirate and move to the mainland?” Nairnie repeated and raised a brow. “What do ye think he’ll do for income? The only thing Tristan kens is piracy. I hardly think ye are goin’ to tell yer children someday that their da is out thievin’ so he can fill their bellies with food so they willna starve.”
Why did the old woman have to put it like that? Deep inside, Gavina knew that she was right. Piracy was Tristan’s life. Would he want to give it up just for her?
“I’m sure once I talk to Tristan, we’ll work this all out,” she said, trying to be optimistic, but feeling deep inside that she was doomed.
“I hope ye’re right,” said Nairnie. “If anyone can turn Tristan away from piracy, I’m sure it’s ye. After all, I would love nothin’ more than to see my grandsons give up this deceitful, wretched way of life, and move back to Cornwall with their sister, Gwen, and her family. I want to live there with them and enjoy my grandchildren and great-grandchildren before I die. I’m an auld woman, Gavina. I’m afraid I’m runnin’ out of time.”
“Nairnie, Tristan and his brothers seem to listen to ye,” said Gavina with newfound hope. “Mayhap ye can talk them into givin’ up this way of livin’. If it doesna work, ye can force them into it, usin’ yer ladle and iron pan.”
“Hah!” she spat and cackled. “I might be able to get them to wash their hands before they eat or pick up their dirty clothes, but that’s about it. No man is goin’ to take orders from a lass, nor is he goin’ to give up his ship and riches for her. No woman, especially no’ an auld woman, is ever goin’ to tell them what to do. I’m sorry, Gavina, but I’m afraid there is nothin’ I can do to convince my grandsons to change. I almost didna even succeed in convincin’ them to fish me out of the sea in the first place.”
“Nairnie, ye were the one who told me the two ways to get a man to do what we want. I’ve got one of the ways down pat, but mayhap ye can teach me to cook and I can then convince Tristan.
“Nay, that willna work. No’ now that ye’re married. There is only one way to motivate Tristan now, and that is with treasure.”
“What do ye mean?”
“The only thing a pirate truly cares about is treasure.”
“Treasure?”
“Aye. The one like that map that is on yer back. The map leadin’ to the king’s stolen treasure. Ye hold the map so ye hold power over Tristan and the other pirates as well.”
“Oh,” she said, thinking of what she’d just done.
“Ye’d better protect that map on yer back, lass. With it, ye can control every man aboard this ship. But without it . . . without it, ye are naught but a worthless wench to them. Without it, ye will have lost any sort of value and they will eventually convince Tristan that ye’re bad luck. Then they’ll try to get rid of ye, in one way or another.”
“Nay, they wouldna do that. Would they, Nairnie?” Panic started to set in.
Nairnie chuckled again. “I wouldna doubt it for a moment. Tristan is playin’ with fire havin’ ye on the ship in the first place, let alone marryin’ ye. That map on yer back is yer ticket to safety, Gavina. Guard it well. Mayhap ye can use it to yer advantage somehow. Ye should refuse to show it to Tristan until he promises to give up piracy and move to the mainland with ye.”
“Oh, Nairnie, that would never work.”
“Sure, it would. Why no’?”
“Ye see, Tristan already copied down the map, so he has no need for the one on my back anymore. Besides, I scrubbed the map off my back and it’s no longer there.”
Nairnie’s eyes opened wide, as if she’d seen something frightening. “God’s teeth, please dinna tell me that is true.”
“It’ll be all right, Nairnie,” she said, trying to calm down the old woman. “Tristan will protect me, so I’m no’ worried.”
“Well, ye should be. Tristan just told me that he was comin’ in here in a few minutes to see the destination of the treasure. He needs to look at that map on yer back to find out exactly where the treasure is buried.”
Gavina’s heart jumped into her throat. “Why would he need to do that? He can just look at his copy.”
“I hate to tell ye this, lass, but I dinna think he has a copy. If so, he would have already shown it to his brathairs, and they wouldna be complainin’ that they havena seen a thing. Gavina, I think ye were a little hasty in gettin’ rid of that map. Without it, there is no treasure. If Tristan’s brathairs and crew find out what ye did, they are no’ goin’ to be happy about it. Each one of them is goin’ to want to kill ye . . . includin’ Tristan.”
“No treasure?” Gavina hadn’t considered this. It scared her more than thinking Tristan and the crew would be angry with her. “Nairnie, they have to find that treasure.”
“I agree. It is their inheritance, so to say, and also the only thing that can turn them away from piracy. I was countin’ on it. They need it.”
Tristan (Pirate Lords Series Book 1) Page 20