The Countess' Lucky Charm Read Online Free

help her up the last few rungs.
    With his aid, she clambered over the rail. Relieved, she clung to it for a few seconds to catch her breath then turned about to get her bearings.
    A hatchet-faced man sporting a battered tri-corn and neatly trimmed grey beard bore down on them as fast as two bowed legs could carry him.
      “Get that tart off my ship!” he shouted. “I am the captain and this, this….” He stopped, wheezing for breath a few seconds before continuing his tirade. “She’s not welcome. Get that scurvy strumpet off my ship. Or else.”
    Simone’s heart sank at the glowering face and querulous voice. Captain Featherstone was not at all pleased to see her. Her first instinct was to dart away but the railing pressed into the small of her back, reminding her she had nowhere to run. A frantic peek at the oily, black liquid swirling below confirmed that.
    Apprehension welled within her for she knew very well the captain could make things unpleasant for her. She risked a glance at Temple. The question was, how badly did he need the package? He could repudiate her here and now, leading to consequences she didn’t even want to think about. She sagged back against the rail. A snippet of advice from Gentry Ted swirled through her mind: Never show your fear .
    She pulled herself upright and boldly met the captain’s gaze.
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    The captain’s reaction didn’t surprise Temple and he stepped forward, unperturbed.
      “Captain Featherstone, Lord Temple Wellington.” He bowed. “May I present my travelling companion, Miss Simone Dougherty.” He pulled Simone up beside him, pleased to see her drop a curtsy, albeit a little shaky. Thankfully, she kept her mouth shut—he didn’t need her interfering in his conversation with the obviously unenthusiastic captain.
    “I don’t have passage for her,” growled the captain, eyes harsh and unyielding. “This is a cargo ship and what few cabins I have are full.”
    “Perhaps she could share my cabin, Captain. Name your figure.” Share his cabin? What had come over him to suggest that? No, that wasn’t true. He knew why. He felt a certain kinship with her for they had something in common: they were both running from a “spot of trouble”.
    Either that or impudent eyes paired with a scruffy cloak of defiance had addled his wits.
    Whatever the reason, there was no backing down now. He dangled the money sack in front of the captain’s face, giving it a little shake so the clinking of coins could be heard.
    The captain shook his head. “This is a respectable ship, my lord. My wife sails with me and she’s a god-fearing woman.” He pointed a gnarled finger at Simone. “I don’t have a cabin for her. The tart shall have to be returned to shore at once.”
    Temple groaned inwardly. Damnation, what was he to do now? He couldn’t return to shore with Simone or his life would be forfeit. And if she didn’t accompany him, he would lose any chance of retrieving his goods.
    He turned around to scowl at her. She gave him a look of pure innocence and lifted her shoulders a little. Resigned, he turned back to the captain. “Surely we can come to an agreement.”
    “Well, now, if she were your wife….” The captain’s voice trailed away.
    “What? Preposterous.” His wife? Pass Simone off as his wife? Not only was her clothing outrageous, but the second she opened her mouth, everyone would know her for what she was—a street urchin.
    “I could look the other way and make things smooth with the mistress.” The captain stared greedily at the bag of money still hanging from Temple’s fist. He rubbed his chin then named an outrageous sum.
    “What?” Temple was appalled.
    The captain shrugged. “That’s what it will cost you.”
    “You must be mistaken," he sputtered, scarce believing his ears. The amount named would almost deplete him of coins.
    “Not mistaken at all, my lord. This is my ship. That is what it will