Rogue of the High Seas Read Online Free Page B

helm?”
    â€œAye, for now.”
    Abigail raised her head. “Then you should get some sleep.”
    â€œI cannae,” Shane said, gently sliding her from him as he stood. “All hands are needed on deck.”
    â€œBut you need sleep.”
    â€œI will sleep on deck. Robert and I will switch the watches.” Shane went to the door. “Try to rest if ye can.”
    â€œâ€™Tis what I told her,” Shauna said and went over to the dresser to remove the cheese. “Here. Take this and the biscuits. The two of ye will need to eat.”
    Shane nodded. “I’ll be sending the men down one at a time to eat. There’s a few who still doona like women aboard, so keep the cabin door locked.”
    â€œAye, I will,” Shauna replied. As if they needed more trouble. She didn’t think any of Shane’s crew would be bold enough to defy him, but bad storms were seen as omens, and women aboard were considered bad luck.
    Toward the end of the second day, the winds lessened, but only slightly. Through the closed door, Shauna could hear the sailors muttering about being cursed. Robert and Shane took to sleeping on the floor in front of the cabin when either was off-watch just in case anyone took a notion to mutiny.
    Shauna did the best she could the next few days getting Abigail comfortable and insisting she take broth. Gradually, Abigail was able to keep the biscuits down, but by the time they finally reached port in Edinburgh, Shauna didn’t think she’d ever been so glad to see terra firma .
    Shane carried Abigail off the ship even though she insisted just feeling the fresh air on her face made her feel better. Robert was waiting at the gangplank when Shauna emerged from below.
    â€œIt has been a pretty miserable trip for you, hasn’t it?” he asked as he escorted her to the waiting carriage.
    â€œAll I can say is ’tis glad I am it is over.”
    â€œI would wager you are,” Robert said.
    â€œThank ye for guarding our door. ’Twas appreciated.” She wasn’t about to admit how sorely tempted she had been to open that door and invite him inside the cabin. They would have had Abigail as chaperone, after all.
    â€œIt was our duty to protect the two of you.”
    Duty wasn’t exactly the word Shauna wanted to hear, but what did she expect him to say? That he wanted or desired her? She’d always been clearheaded about men. She should never have listened to Abigail and read that book Pride and Prejudice . Captain Henderson was not Mr. Darcy, although Shauna did recall that Miss Bennet had some trouble in getting the man interested as well. She shook her head to clear it. Enough silliness. “I want a nice hot cup of steeped tea. Albert’s wife, Janet, makes the best.”
    Robert grinned. “You might want to put a drop of brandy in it after your ordeal.”
    Shauna smiled up at him. “’Tis whisky we use here.”
    His grin widened. “Even better. Perhaps I can join you later. Shane has invited me to dinner.”
    â€œThat would be wonderful.” To her relief, she didn’t squeak this time. “Ye will find Janet is a grand cook as well.”
    â€œI will look forward to it,” Robert said as he opened the door to the carriage and helped her with the step. “Until later then.”
    The glow of anticipation stayed with Shauna throughout the short ride to Moray Place. Abigail looked at her questioningly, but Shauna wanted to relish the thought of having dinner with Robert later. Luckily, Abigail didn’t press her.
    â€œWelcome home!” Janet hurried out of the kitchen as Shauna opened the front door. She stopped when she saw Shane carrying Abigail toward the parlor. “Oh, my goodness! Is she ill?”
    â€œWe were hit with a storm the entire trip,” Shauna said she followed them. “Abigail’s condition dinnae tolerate it well.”
    â€œHer condition?” The