Eden's Pass Read Online Free Page A

chill to race through her. Still, it did not keep her from saying, “Aye. I suppose you could. Still, you do not expect me to find joy in being stolen from the ship that was my home now, do you?”
    “And from the captain whom you yourself said you felt no loyalty toward. You will forgive me for not shedding a tear, Finn, but you will call me captain now.”
    She bristled at his mocking, arrogant tone as he bowed low before her. “Will I?” she asked mildly, arching one eyebrow as he straightened up before her.
    “You will, or you shall feel the sting of the lash each time you show disrespect. It’s how I keep my men in line and though you are but a boy, do not expect to be coddled.”
    Her sharp retort died on her lips as another shudder rippled along her spine. The lash. Her flesh tingled at the very word and her mouth went dry. “Please, sir—” it was most difficult, forcing a meek tone into her voice, “—I shall, of course, be as respectful as a person in my situation might be.”
    “Very well.” Iñigo swept his elegant black hat from his head, gesturing across deck with a sweeping motion. “ Bienvenido a bordo de la María. ”
    She frowned at him once more. “I am afraid I understood not a whit of your babble.”
    Chuckling, he returned his hat to his head and replied, “I said, welcome aboard the María . Your new home.”
    She crossed her arms stiffly over her chest. “I do so hope you are not expecting me to speak of how delighted I am to be here.”
    “Not at all. But you will come with me now. First, we must get you out of those dreadful togs and into something a mite more appropriate, as yours will no longer be a life of leisure, but one of work.”
    She couldn’t hold back her bark of laughter. “Leisure? Think you I did naught but loaf? Guess again, Spaniard. Captain Beauregard might have been a lazy sot, but I can assure you, he would not tolerate the same of me. And, I might add, I am most capable of working in these togs just fine.”
    “Be that as it may, you are a member of my crew now. As such, and as your captain, I insist you change. Dear boy, know you not how fetid your odor is?”
    Heat filled her. Even if she appeared to be a boy, it didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t, and despised feeling filthy all the time. She was only able to wash her clothes once a week, and bathe whenever Captain Beauregard left her water. To have Captain Sebastiano notice was enough to make her want to throw herself overboard. It was odd, as it never bothered her onboard the Smiling Jack . Why should it now? Surely she smelled no worse than any other man onboard.
    Hoping her cheeks weren’t glowing pink, she sneered. “It’s one I far prefer over the smell of Spaniard. ”
    His eyes went blazing amber and an icy rush of fear swept through her, more powerful than any other before it. She had gravely insulted him but she couldn’t halt herself before the words left her mouth.
    Iñigo’s full lips pressed together until they disappeared into a white line. He was none too gentle as he wrapped his hand about her upper arm, practically lifting her from her feet as he dragged her the rest of the way down the narrow stairs and down the corridor, growling, “Tell me, eres tú un catamite, muchacho ?”
    She struggled to keep up with him, but Iñigo was very near half a foot taller than her six inches over five feet, and her toes were the only part of her body touching the floor.
    “I know not what you say, Captain,” she panted as they neared the door, out of breath. “I speak not your tongue.”
    “I asked if you were a catamite, lad?”
    She took immediate offense. “I am no such thing! I am every bit a man as you , sir.”
    His long look suggested otherwise. “No, boy. You are nowhere even close. A lad as pretty as you could serve more than one purpose on a ship of men, and I shudder to think of what one purpose it was.”
    “I can assure you, Captain, you are mistaken. I was but a cabin