Christine Dorsey - [Sea 01] by Sea Fires

And on each arm was a six-inch-long scar.
    “Miranda did that?” Henry couldn’t disguise the pride in his voice.
    “She and her Spanish friend, aye,” Jack said indignantly.
    Henry cleared his throat, trying to hide a chuckle. “Well, we shall simply have to keep sharp objects out of her hands.”
    Jerking down, his sleeves, Jack made to rise. “ ‘Tis no ‘we’ in this, Henry. She’s your daughter. You take care of her.”
    “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to remind you of this.”
    Jack took a step toward the tavern door and, though he hated himself for doing it, stopped. “Remind me of what?”
    “Our friendship.” Henry cocked his head. “The times I’ve helped you. My organizing men to go after you and your sister... to take vengeance on the Spaniards who killed your parents.”
    Jack crossed his arms. Everything Henry said was true. When Jack had finally escaped the Spaniards and returned to Charles Town, he’d learned an expedition had been formed to attack St. Augustine in retaliation for the Spanish assault on the Scottish settlement at Port Royal.
    The retaliatory attack had never been made because a new governor, James Colleton, had arrived in Charles Town and forbidden it. But Henry Chadwick had fought the decision and since then he’d done everything he could to help Jack find de Segovia, the Spaniard responsible for killing Jack’s parents and capturing his sister and himself.
    Knowing this and accepting what Henry wanted as payment for the old debt were two entirely different things. But with a grunt of resignation, Jack fell back into his chair. “What do you want me to do?”
    “I knew you’d think my plan a good one. I just —”
    “Let’s get one thing straight, Henry. I think you’re crazy to even suggest such a thing. I have no doubt the whole thing will explode in our faces. And—” Jack pointed his finger at Henry’s chest — “I still think as her father, it’s your duty to have a stern talk with Miranda, then lock the chit in her room if she doesn’t agree. I know, I know.” Jack held up his palm. “You don’t like me referring to this paragon of womanhood as a chit. From this moment on I shall hold her in the highest esteem. Guard her ladyship with my worthless life. Treat her as I would my own sister.”
    With that pledge Jack leaned forward. “Now quickly, before I have a change of heart, tell me the details of this idiotic plan of yours.”

    Miranda couldn’t sleep.
    She tried to tell herself it was the heat, though a sea breeze fluttered the mosquito netting draping her tester bed.
    “The bed’s too soft,” she mumbled. Though she’d found the feather-filled mattress quite comfortable until tonight.
    Finally, because she knew the best way to solve a problem was to first identify it, Miranda admitted the truth to herself. Her mind was too active for sleep to come. Too engrossed in thoughts about the pirate captain.
    How did he have the effrontery to walk into her father’s house and pretend to be a respectable citizen? It was simply beyond Miranda’s understanding. But then someone who would pirate would undoubtedly do anything. Steal, maim, kill.
    She had been very lucky during their encounter on the ship.
    Miranda scooted up against the walnut headboard and drew her night rail covered knees under her chin. Tomorrow she would go to the royal collector of revenues—her father had promised to take her— and have the pirate arrested. It was too bad her father couldn’t contact the constable or any of his deputies today, but she’d sent a servant down to the docks to check. And the pirate’s ship was still in the harbor.
    Yes, tomorrow he’d be captured. Then he’d be tried—found guilty, of course, and then... Miranda sat up straighter.
    She may never have seen a pirate before this one but she did recall a discussion with her grandfather when a notorious pirate was caught and tried.
    He was hanged.
    In chains.
    And his body was left swinging in