A Riddle in Ruby Read Online Free Page B

now. The whole ship was in danger because of her. If only there had been some way to deny them passage. If the boy did not see her, he could not recognize her, and if he could not recognize her, then they would not be taken by the constables at the next port. She could do no more than frown and shrug.
    He crooked his mouth. “We are who we say we are, girl. A man is the stories he tells himself. And so is a woman. You need to find a way to make this right.”
    She nodded.
    His face split into the huge, false grin she hated so much, the grin for money.
    Brownbeard’s pirate drawl returned. “So glad you’re feelin’ better, my lass! See you tonight!” He flashed his blacked-out tooth at her and clambered back up the stairs into the afternoon light.
    Curled on the sailcloth, Ruby ripped the needlepoint out, piece by piece, imagining each was a hair in her father’s scraggly, desperate beard.
    Ruby tried to lose herself in her pudding. At the top edge of her vision, the Hand, wrapped in an immaculate gray glove, lifted her father’s best wineglass from the threadbare tablecloth. She spooned the perfectly sweet pudding into her mouth. Even in moments as raw as these, Gwath’s Passenger Pudding was not a concoction to pass over lightly.
    Dinner was almost over, and Ruby had managed the entire evening without once meeting the boy’s eyes.
    â€œHas she lived long on your ship, Captain?” the Voice asked.
    â€œWhy, yes, ever since she was born.” She could see her father smile in her mind. “Haven’t you, Aruba?” Shenodded, looking for deeper holes in the pudding. The cut under her eye burned.
    â€œShe is not usually this reserved.” She could hear the demand in his voice. He drummed his fingers on the carved plank lying across his bed, which was also his seat in the tiny cabin.
    Silence. She took another bite.
    The Thrift listed to starboard. The boy in the corner clutched at his belly, which grumbled loudly.
    The Voice chuckled, and the embroidered waistcoat twisted toward the servant. “You have a complex relationship with the seas, do you not, Cram?”
    â€œNot really, sir.” Even the boy’s voice sounded ratty. “It’s fair simple. I was reared to live on the land. My mam raised us on sawdust and cobblestone soup. Begging your pardon, sir.”
    â€œNot at all, Cram. I like a bit of straight talk from my man. I appreciate your crew as well, Captain. They are quite the jolly brotherhood.”
    â€œWe aim to please, my lord. If I may ask, Lord Boyle, how did you come upon our vessel? We are usedto entertaining men and women of quality, but I did not think our reputation had spread to the Continent.”
    â€œNothing so exciting, I am afraid. I have urgent business in Philadelphi, and yours was the first ship sailing.”
    â€œI see,” the captain said.
    â€œCaptain Teach, if you do not mind my question, I would inquire after the presence of a young girl on your vessel. It seems a singular practice.”
    â€œHe is my father, sir. All I have in the world.” She couldn’t help herself. She chewed fiercely and forced her eyes to follow the line of a small tear in the tablecloth.
    â€œI meant no offense, Miss Aruba,” the Voice replied, “and I would cast no aspersions on your noble father. However, hired men are not family, and this is a rascally crew, if I do not mistake my eyes.”
    Her father laughed his Brownbeard laugh. “My men owe me a blood debt, young sir. Loyal to the core, they are, and think of Aruba as sister or niece, I daresay.”
    â€œBut aren’t there traditions among sailors that warn against this type of thing? Hexes and curses and whathave you? This wine is excellent.” He was certainly full of himself.
    â€œThankee, sir. It should be. It was waylaid on its path to a Castilian viceroy in Cartagena!” he rumbled.
    Thankee?
    â€œIndeed? Cram, please