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  I put an arm around her, turning us to face north, and pointed to a light starting to rise above the water. “Do you know what that is?” I pointed.

  “The north star, sir.”

  “I knew you were a clever girl.”

  She smiled, seeming embarrassed. It broke my heart how she seemed unnerved by a compliment.

  “We need to plot our course for the next few days, and the boys have a lot of work to do before dark. There are no extra hammocks down in the bunk room, and I cannot let a delicate lass sleep anywhere but a proper bed. However, the only bed on board is my own.”

  Her wide eyes were so beautiful, even as she looked terrified. I chuckled softly, which seemed to calm her. “Don’t panic, lassie. You’ll be sleeping in my bed, but I won’t be ravishing you. I’m going to care for you.”

  Her blue eyes widened again, but then she nodded resolutely. “You’ve purchased me, sir. I am yours to do with what you will.”

  I took her hands in mine, and looked at her quite seriously. “You’ll have to share my bed, but I won’t be touching you. I think it’s best if you get your sea legs, and learn about the workings of this ship, for your own safety. Alright?”

  She released a long breath, visibly relieved. “Yes, sir.”

  “Right. I’m going to hand you over to Little Larry, and he can show you around the ship while I go over some charts with O’Doule.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  I grinned, unable to resist running my thumb along her fair cheek. “I’m Captain Samuels. But I must admit, I rather like being called sir.”

  She blushed, perhaps not used to this much attention. Lifting her skirts slightly to step over the ropes and down the steps, she followed me as quickly as she could.

  ~ Chapter 3 ~ Flora ~

  * The Fortune’s Favor *

  What have I done? Or should I say, what has happened to me? I had no choice, but still, I had to wonder. Would the Captain have still taken me on board had I tried to refuse? It was hard to say.

  He actually seemed like a decent man. I took notice that he tried to soften his tone with me, and not frighten me more than need be. Those deep eyes made me feel completely drawn to him, in an oddly exciting way. His thick arms and massive chest made me feel something new. Something deep, and strange.

  Although a part of me felt humiliated for crying in his arms, it was reassuring that he comforted me. Even now, as he took my hand to help me step down to the lower deck without tripping on my skirts, his focus seemed to be on keeping me safe, and nothing else.

  Though his face was rugged, he was incredibly striking as he said with a huge grin, “Flora, this is Little Larry, our first mate.”

  I smiled as I looked up at the enormous man. He had very short dark hair, warm brown eyes, and a noticeable scar that ran straight across his cheek to where a large part of the top of his ear was missing. Carefully looking only at his eyes, I held out my hand politely. He shook mine gently. “Hello, Larry.”

  “Hello, Miss. Nice to officially meet you.”

  “Larry, I need to go over the charts with O’Doule . Could you show Flora around, introduce her to the boys, and I’ll meet you in the galley shortly?”

  “Aye, sir.”

  The second the Captain left, Larry gave me a cautious smile. “Miss, you’re a brave girl to join a ragged crew like this. Have you been on a ship before?”

  “Not a real ship, sir, never.”

  He looked amused, then his warm brown eyes softened. “Titles are much more casual on The Fortune’s Favor. Only the Captain is ‘sir’, Miss. I’m just Larry.”

  “I’m sorry I nearly giggled when he called you Little Larry.”

  “It’s okay,” he chuckled. “Half of the crew does.”

  He began leading me to the back of the ship, pausing as I stepped carefully over some coiled ropes.

  “Miss, tomorrow we might need to shorten your skirts.” I must have made an expression of surprise, as he laughed lightly. “No, Miss, not to be cheeky. Just a few inches so that they don’t get filthy dragging around the deck, and so you don’t trip on ropes, or tools or the like.”

  “Oh. Of course.”

  “Or we might find you a pair of slops in the old clothing chest.”

  I nodded, though just the thought of wearing men’s pants was exceedingly uncomfortable.

  “There are many rules on this ship. Not falling overboard is pretty much number two, after no thievin’ from crewmates.”

  I nodded, trying not to laugh. “Okay.”

  “But if you do fall into the water, be sure to scream bloody murder on the way down.”

  That sounded strange. “You don’t scream after you’re in the water?”

  “Then too, yes. But you might be knocked out, or the cold water might seize up your lungs for a second. So if you ever think you’re going over, scream quick and loud. We can’t fish you out if we’re miles away by the time we know you’re missing.”

  I nodded. “That’s sensible.”

  Looking around, two of the men were beginning to hoist the sails, and we were already gliding away from the dock. I wasn’t used to men punching each other on the shoulders, and acting so rough. But this was their home, and nobody should change because a girl like me was here.

  “Miss, I feel that I need to tell you something. It might be awkward, but I see that you’re a bit nervous around all of these men.”

  I nodded, noticing how the corner of Larry’s eyes tightened, not wanting to say whatever it was he felt he needed to share.

  “None of the boys will touch you, Miss. I assure you, if any of the lads ever grabs you, it would be to save you from a swinging boom, or to stop you from tripping on the deck ropes. You’re under the protection of the Captain, which makes you a member of this crew. So even if the lads get rowdy and mouthy, you should know that you’re safe.”

  I smiled up at him, genuinely relieved at this news, and touched that the giant would be so thoughtful. “Thank you,” I nodded. “I truly appreciate that.”

  “I’ve been the Captain’s first mate for several years, Miss, and he’s a good man. But if you ever need to ask questions and he’s not around, I am at your service.” His deep scar creased higher as he grinned. “I’ll be very grateful with the stitchin’ help. I’m the only one with the patience to try my hand at it, but my hands...” He held one up. “Not really those of a seamstress.”

  I laughed, too loudly, I thought, but my voice was caught by the breeze and flew away. “I really have been sewing for years. Perhaps tomorrow you can give me a pile of work, and I can start earning my keep right away.”

  “Deal,” he said, shaking my lily-white palm in his huge, tanned hand.

  Larry gave me a quick tour of the mid decks. “You’ll have to learn a few things quickly, Miss. The back of the ship is the stern, the front is the bow. Instead of left and right, which switches depending on which way you’re facing, we have port and starboard.”

  He pointed, and I tried to think of the ship as a sketch in one of my geography books. “So if you’re facing the bow, the front,” I said, thinking, “Starboard would be the right.”

  “Yes,” he smiled.

  “And left is port.”

  “Correct.”

  “Port and left both have four letters. Starboard and right both have more letters.” Larry’s mouth fell open, but I continued. “As you sail away, people on the dock would give stern glances that you left them behind. When you bow to the King, you bow forward. So that all makes sense.”

  Larry blinked with what appeared to be shock. “You’re very quick, Miss. The Fortune’s Favor is a sloop – that’s the style of the ship. We’re able to run her with just six crewmen, or even less, since these men are all rather skilled.” His eyes suddenly sparkled in delight. “You’re lucky number seven, Miss.”

  I grinned back at him, relieved that speaking with these strange men was getting easier. I’d been painfully shy my whole life, but now it was almost like I was
outside myself looking in. Could I be a new person if I was in a different place?

  Larry led me across the decks, pointing out various features and dangers. I jumped when I heard a thump, and spun to see two of the men salute to the Captain, who had just appeared in the doorway.

  I turned west to see the last trails of orange and red streak across the enormous sky. I was in a new world of color now, where I could take a moment to enjoy the sunset without fear of being punished. Where people seemed to want to teach me, just for the sake of keeping me safe, and sharing knowledge.

  As I turned back to Larry, he smiled warmly. “Yes, Miss. You’ll see that the sky is far bigger out here. I’d say you’ll get used to it, but I never have.”

  Another thump made me jump, nearly squealing.

  “Easy, lass,” the Captain said. He was suddenly behind me, and I noticed that Larry instantly took a step back. “I want you to take one last look at Glenport.”

  Turning to see the hills of my home town growing smaller and dimmer, I could barely make out the dark blob with a brightly lit top window that used to be my house.

  The Captain’s heavy hand rested on my shoulder. “Are you okay so far, lass?”

  “Yes, sir. I promise you, I won’t get homesick.”

  His chuckle blended with Larry’s. “Aye, that I don’t doubt.”

  “She already knows her ship directions, sir,” Larry said, seeming proud.

  “Good girl. You two get down to the galley, and I’ll join the crew in a few minutes.”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  Larry went down the steep steps first, reaching out to hold my hand so that if I fell, he’d catch me. It was slightly odd that these strange men were more caring and considerate in my first hour of knowing them than my father had been my entire life.

  Most of the crew were already settled around a round wooden table, and Larry pulled out a barrel for me to sit on. “Flora, this is the crew,” Larry said. “McGee is the one stirring the stew, but maybe tomorrow you could help him with the cooking.”

  A short, slightly portly man with a wide mustache turned to give me a nod. “Miss.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I nodded back.

  “This ‘ere’s Teeth, obviously,” Larry grinned.

  I smiled back at the wiry man flashing three front teeth of gold.

  “And I’m Davy,” said the strong-looking younger man with a gray scarf around his head.

  The other men shot him a glance until Teeth grinned, “That’s Dirty Davy. Keep your distance, Miss. We’ve been told that he’s not bathed this year.”

  “Lies and half-truths with this lot,” he grinned saucily to me, leaning in. “Ye best not believe half of what these beggars tells ya.”

  “Aye, and here’s O’Doule,” Larry said quickly, nodding to an older man with spectacles. He looked hardy, nearly as strong as the rest. “He’s the one who reads the maps and charts, and knows the details and histories of the places we visit.”

  I reached out to shake his hand. “Lovely to meet you, O’Doule.”

  “Miss Flora,” he smiled warmly. “Welcome to The Fortune’s Favor. I’m sorry the circumstances were a little… untoward. But you’re just in time for some quick voyages to rather beautiful, elegant towns. Some towns are more picturesque than others, you’ll find.”

  Teeth rolled his eyes. “He’s a poet, that one. Loves to stare at old buildings even more than the girls and the treasures.”

  “I’d like to learn a little history of the places we visit, if you don’t mind,” I said softly. He had to lean in to hear me.

  “Certainly, Miss. It’ll be nice to teach someone.” O’Doule nodded to me, then took a bowl and plate from McGee and left the galley. In a moment, the Captain returned, and I realized that the men must be taking turns at the wheel.

  As soon as the Captain sat down beside me, McGee served dinner. It was a light stew with lots of fresh vegetables, and bread that was obviously from Miss Celena’s bakery.

  “We eat light the first day out of port, so that tomorrow seems like a feast,” the Captain explained. “We’ll only be out five days but it’s our way. That gives us a better idea of how to ration our supplies as well.”

  I nodded. “I don’t need much food, really,” I said quickly. “I’m grateful for whatever you can spare.”

  The men seemed to glance around at each other, and I noticed a few frowns.

  “Here,” Teeth said, slipping an extra slice of bread onto my plate. “Larry was right as you came on board. You could do with a bit more food. And I don’t much like the dark grainy stuff anyway.”

  “Thank you very much,” I whispered, devouring every morsel. This was the first time in my life I didn’t feel judged for every bite I consumed.

  I noticed the Captain giving me an encouraging smile and nod. “That’s right, lassie. You eat as much as you need. It gets cold in the fall before we head south, and you’ll need a bit of meat on those little bones.”

  During dinner, the men got a bit rowdy, drinking deeply from their tin mugs. I sipped water from mine, even though Larry offered me a taste of his.

  “No, thank you,” I said, hoping I didn’t offend him.

  “Are you such a fancy lady that you don’t drink the devil’s water with the rest of us?” laughed Davy.

  “No,” I said quickly. “I’ve just never had it before. And as it’s my first night here, I don’t want to fall overboard quite yet.” The men laughed uproariously.

  Larry beamed. “Captain, you realize she makes this a seven-person crew?”

  I turned to see his eyes grow wide. “Aye, you’re right.” The Captain flashed me a wide grin. “She also touched my ripped collar without knowing what that meant.”

  Teeth and Davy clanked their mugs together.

  “That’s good luck indeed,” McGee said, wiping rum from his mustache. “Maybe with her as a lucky charm, we should look into running the straits with a load of–”

  “That’s not dinner table conversation,” the Captain said, cutting him off. “We’ll see what’s what after we visit Parrinport.”

  His head snapped up. “Bugger it. O’Doule was right. The wind changed.”

  He stood up quickly. “I’ll be back shortly,” the Captain said to me before dashing from the room.

  Larry explained, “We’re near a few relatively narrow passages, Miss. We’re totally safe, but the Captain wants to make sure our course is clear for Teeth and Davy to steer as they take the night shifts.”

  “Well,” Teeth drawled, “You’ll be safe on my watch. Come sunrise, who knows where Dirty Davy will have us.”

  “Don’t you start,” Davy sneered with a lopsided grin. “I’m not the one who nearly bottomed us near Fleeryville.”

  Larry and McGee both rolled their eyes, and the conversation went on for quite some time about who had a steadier hand at the wheel.

  I listened to every word with rapt attention. These men were already treating me like a friend, as one of their own. It was fascinating that they seemed to enjoy my company. This was the loudest, rowdiest, most wonderfully impolite dinner I’d ever attended, and I felt more welcomed than I ever had at my table at home.

  ~ Chapter 4 ~ The Captain ~

  * Stars *

  "You haven't had your say yet," I said to O’Doule as I met him by the wheel.

  "Did you want my honest opinion?” he said carefully, raising one eyebrow in the lamplight.

  "Always. You know that."

  O'Doule pretended to think very hard for a moment, but then his grin slipped out. "I think she's lovely, captain. I hate to say that she might need to toughen up a bit, but I think the boys will help her."

  He paused, regarding me carefully. "And you know, the timing is impeccable. With a delicate, proper lass such as Flora, it will certainly help sell the image that we are a respectable trading outfit. She could pose as a passenger if need be."

  I nodded. "Although that was never my intention, the same thought had crossed my m
ind."

  O'Doule shrugged as he laid out the maps. "Killing two birds with one stone," he said.

  "What do you have against birds?" I asked. "That's a terrible saying. How about, feeding two birds with one seed?"

  O’Doule smirked. "If I didn't have my personal safety in mind, Captain, I would say that the pretty lass has softened you already."