Rogue of the High Seas Read Online Free

pleasant days to spend time with him that she quite looked forward to.
    Shauna looked up at the cloudless sky. All the weather had to do was cooperate.
    â€œYou ladies might as well enjoy the view while you can,” Robert said as the Sea Lassie cast off and one of the foresails was raised to help maneuver down the Thames.
    â€œFrom the water, London looks entirely different.” Shauna kept a hand on the rail as Shane had instructed her to do whenever she was on deck although the river was smooth. She didn’t want a reprimand from Captain Henderson, who she thought would be equally adamant about safety. “Do ye really think it will storm?”
    â€œProbably. The prevailing wind has calmed. That usually indicates a shift. This time of year, anything blowing in from the North Sea will mean rough water.”
    Shauna frowned. “Then why didn’t Shane wait?”
    â€œBecause it’s January,” Robert replied. “From what Shane told me, these storms follow each other pretty regularly. There’s not a real good window to sail.”
    â€œBesides, Shane needs to get back. Albert has had to take care of everything while we have been gone,” Abigail said. “Now that the sun is up, it feels warm.”
    â€œFor now.” Robert pointed toward the northeast as the ship steered around a bend in the Isle of Dogs. “Those light-colored clouds will be dark before long. Hopefully, we will be in the Channel when the winds pick up.”
    â€œI have never really understood why open water is better,” Abigail admitted, “but Shane always says it is.”
    â€œOpen water allows the ship to maneuver,” Robert answered, “although out in the Atlantic, that doesn’t always help. Not when the waves are thirty or forty feet high.”
    Abigail’s eyes rounded. “I had not thought about that. Shane generally sails to Ireland or the continent.”
    â€œIs that the kind of weather ye will be facing when ye return to America?” Shauna asked.
    â€œPerhaps. I have a broken rudder to fix before the New Orleans is going anywhere though.”
    He wouldn’t be leaving right away? Shauna tried to keep the excitement out of her voice. “How long will that take?”
    â€œIt depends on the extent of the damage once I get her hauled to dry dock,” Robert replied, “but I am thinking of staying over until the spring when the shipping routes are a bit smoother.”
    â€œOh!” The word came out a surprised squeak. Not even in her wildest imaginings had she anticipated months.
    Robert gave her a quizzical look. “Was that approval or disapproval?”
    â€œAye, I mean, nae. Ah…” She was still squeaking. Shauna cleared her throat. “I mean, approval.” Her voice sounded more normal. “I would nae want ye to put yourself in danger.”
    A corner of his mouth turned up slightly. “Thank you. I offered to help Shane run his ships while mine is out of commission. He took me up on it.”
    Shauna’s breath caught. Captain Henderson was going to be helping Shane? That meant she’d probably see him at the dock’s office… She started to smile. So that was why Jamie had been so adamant she not come to Scotland right now. Shane must have told him about Captain Henderson’s plans. Her smile grew. And Jamie wasn’t here to hover over her.
    The happy feeling stayed with her until mid-afternoon when the winds picked up, the sea built to a chop, and Shane ordered her and Abigail below decks. While the women might very well argue with Shane on land, the captain’s word was law at sea.
    Unfortunately, the pitching and rolling of the ship was more pronounced when confined to a cabin, and it didn’t take long for Abigail to be reminded of her condition. She was soon in bed, clutching a tin basin while her stomach heaved. When Shauna went up on deck to inform Shane, his first impulse was to