Read Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga for Free Online Page B

hair. “Aye! The captain has granted me the rubies today. He says they match my hand.”
    Smee’s roughened face showed his surprise. “You’re never telling me you won them from him?”
    “Only for a day. He’s a shrewd one, but I’ll have his treasure yet.” She moved to the looking glass hanging inside the wardrobe door. He followed close behind, and, with reverence, she lowered the precious necklace to his palm.
    Smee’s big fist closed on it. “If I didn’t know better, Ma’am—” If he didn’t know better, he’d believe her words. He’d believe that, maybe, her lust for pirate gold exceeded her lust for her pirate captain. It was a mark of her confidence that she could speak so openly to Smee. But he kept himself on guard. A body never knew when she’d go all royal. She could be cold as these jewels when she chose.
    He held the rubies up to the light of the windows bordering the captain’s quarters. The stones weren’t cold now. Each one glowed with red fire. Smee was reminded of a bonfire, and the last time he’d been ashore.
    Jill had turned to study him. “You can’t fool me, Mr. Smee. You’re thinking of your own treasure.”
    He laughed. “Leave it to a woman to know when a man’s mind’s a-straying! Aye. I was remembering the golden bracelets I brought her. The captain’s gift for the Indian ladies’ help in winning you. Lily fair turned up her nose, but she accepted them right quick enough.” His smile broadened. And she’d given as good as she got. Better.
    Jill turned her back to him again. “You’re missing her while we’re away, aren’t you?”
    Watching Jill’s reflection, Smee spoke over her shoulder. “It’s always worst at the outset. But she’ll not be lonely without me. And to be honest, when we get to port I’ll not pine away, either. Going from her makes us that much happier when I return.”
    “And your baby girl? Do you long for her?”
    “She’s just a wee thing now. Ask me when she’s older.”
    Jill understood. He was a pirate. Her own Hook had no tender tendencies toward children but, rather, an aversion to them. Hook had no use for children. And, until Wendy brought her influence to bear on the Lost Boys of the Neverland, they had proved his point. But she had raised those boys. That was enough.
    She smiled now at Mr. Smee’s indifference. In spite of their dissimilarities, Smee and Lily were a match. There were no strings between them except a warm, mutual regard. Lily was a graceful native woman on the island of the Neverland who enjoyed children and whose outlook on love was exceedingly inclusive. Smee’s daughter didn’t lack for fatherly attention in his absence. Upon leaving Pan’s band, Wendy’s Twins finished growing up in Lily’s care. The Twins still lived, in every sense of the word, with Lily and two other Indian women in what used to be Wendy’s house. It was Hook who ordained it, acting on his wish that Wendy should join him. Hook’s arrangement suited Mr. Smee’s inclinations, too.
    Stroking the gems at her throat, Jill brought her thoughts around to Hook’s more current wishes. “With regard to the girl’s father, Smee. What more have you learned?” She checked that the clasp of the necklace was fastened tightly, assuring that, whatever passion might grip her, these rubies wouldn’t slide from her throat again. Her eyes still reflected their fire.
    Smee’s hands could find no more excuses to touch her, so he removed them from her shoulders and drew himself up to his full and generous height, turning his mind to business. “He’s a widower, Ma’am. Name of Hanover. A gentleman. Lost his wife a few years ago. Illness, as near as I can figure it. He’d not talk much— Austrian. Not like my own countrymen! A cup of wine was all he’d take, and not much good it was to loosen his tongue.”
    “I don’t blame him. He’s lost his liberty. But we’ll make him come round, won’t we? Bring me the girl now. And Mr. Smee,