Free Pirate of My Heart: A Novel by Jamie Carie Page B

with the memory. “Thank you,” she choked out.
    Thinking to turn the conversation to safer ground, she clutched the coat under her chin and asked, “Why haven’t you prayed in so long?”
    The captain shifted against the side of the ship and shrugged. “I guess I haven’t found the need.”
    Kendra’s eyes widened. How could anyone not need to communicate with God?
    “I see I’ve shocked you. It’s just that life has been busy and . . . well . . . taking care of itself, I suppose.”
    “Don’t you miss Him? God, I mean?”
    He was quiet for a long moment. Then he looked at her with a flash of revelation in his eyes. “Now that you mention it, I guess I do.” His eyes turned teasing. “You will have me a reformed man, my lady. Indeed, I will say my bedtime prayers from hence forth.”
    Kendra wasn’t sure if he was making sport of her or not. She was just about to launch into the benefits of a prayerful life when they heard a shout. It was John’s voice, up in the crow’s next.
    “Ship to starboard!”
    The captain straightened, turned, and started to go, then turned back toward her. “Go to your cabin and lock the door. Do not let anyone in or come out until I come for you.”
    Fear and an excited panic jolted through Kendra. “Are they pirates?”
    Dorian shook his head at her with a small grin. “You have been reading too many novels, my lady. Let us hope not. But to be safe you must stay in your cabin. Understood?”
    Kendra nodded and hurried to obey.

    The ship turned out to be an American merchant ship. Dorian commanded his crew send out a longboat with the message that the captain was welcome to board the Angelina to exchange news if he had the time to spare. Instead of sending a message back, Captain Joseph Moore, booming with laughter and clutching a bottle of rum, arrived a few moments later.
    Dorian soon realized he was in a quandary. He usually entertained guests in his captain’s cabin where there was plenty of room and privacy. John’s first mate’s bunk was small, even more so since he had moved in with him. And the deck was growing chilly with the night air and the feel of rain coming. The only solution seemed to be to ask Lady Townsend if she minded hosting them.
    It wasn’t as if they would be unchaperoned with an old sea-salt like Captain Moore with them, but after his conversation with Kendra tonight, he wasn’t sure she would accept such a suggestion. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about their conversation on faith. Thankfully, Captain Moore had interrupted that line of talk, giving him time to dwell on the matter.
    Dorian sent John to make the request while he gave Captain Moore a tour of the ship. It was something he usually enjoyed, showing off the brigantine to like-minded men who appreciated the fine workmanship, but now he was anxious, tapping his toe against the freshly scrubbed deck boards, awaiting her reply.
    He took a breath of relief as John’s nodding face came into view at the stairwell. “Lady Townsend said she would be happy to host dinner for you, sir. Shall I have Tipper prepare a special supper for you?”
    Dorian nodded to his first mate, turning to Captain Moore. “Sir, allow me to introduce you to my passenger, Lady Townsend of Arundel.”
    Captain Moore gave him a wolfish smile. “A real English lady, eh? I can’t say that I’ve met a lady of the nobility. What’s she like?”
    Dorian swung out his arm toward the stairs leading down to the cabins. “If you care to follow me, sir, I will try and satisfy your curiosity.”
    The old captain chuckled and followed Dorian to the cabin.

    Kendra rushed about the cabin putting everything to rights and smoothing her hair in the looking glass. She was just pinching color into her cheeks as a knock sounded on the door. Oh, if only she’d had more time! She turned from her reflection thinking she looked as good as three minutes of primping could accomplish and strode to the door. She had not entertained in