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always did when he kissed her. She slapped his arm and wagged a finger at him. “Your charm doesn’t work with me, Luke.” Shaking her head, she turned toward the kitchen. “You forget how often I took a strap to your bottom when you were but a child, and I’ll do so again if needs be.”
    Despite her threat, warmth flooded Luke. He had indeed received many a swat from Mrs. Aldora Barnes as he had grown to manhood. Not one of them undeserved. Truth be told, the old housekeeper had been more of a mother to him than his real mother, who had so often been gone on trips with his father to “redeem the dark-hearted savages.”
    Redeem the savages, indeed.
    John stared up at him wide eyed. “I think she means it.”
    Luke chuckled. “Then I shall have to behave myself, won’t I? As you will, as well.”
    John shrugged. “I always behave.”
    Pulling out one of the chairs, Luke dropped onto the soft cushion and eyed his brother. Yes, John did always behave. So unlike Luke. John’sface twisted as he limped over and struggled to sit in the chair next to Luke’s. He stretched out his leg before him, the steel brackets bending the boy’s trousers at odd angles. Where one leg was thick and strong and normal, the other was thin and frail and twisted to the right. Luke cringed. He should have been the one with rickets, not his kindhearted brother. “How does your leg fare today?”
    “Good.” John rubbed his withered thigh.
    Always the same response no matter what discomfort the boy was enduring.
    “When I get a new brace, I’ll be able to walk much faster,” John continued. Then casting a glance over his shoulder, he leaned toward Luke and whispered, “Perhaps I can come with you on your ship then?” Excitement sparked in his eyes.
    Luke fingered a spoon on the table. “I’m afraid it won’t be seaworthy for quite some time.”
If ever.
He shifted his gaze from the disappointment tugging on John’s face. The boy loved the sea as much as Luke did—had repeatedly begged Luke to take him out on Noah’s ship, the
Defender.
But of course that was not possible. A privateer was no place for a lad, especially a crippled one. And with Noah losing his own brother in a ship accident some years ago, he wasn’t about to risk Luke’s. After a while, John had stopped asking. Until Luke had won his own ship in a game of Piquet two weeks ago, resurrecting the boy’s petitions. If John had anything in common with Luke, besides his love of the sea, it was persistence.
    “Shall we make a bargain?” Luke said. “If I ever get my ship seaworthy, you may come sailing with me.” Luke knew he shouldn’t make such a promise, but the chances of acquiring enough money to repair the
Agitation
were less than impossible. And the look of delight now beaming in the boy’s eyes was well worth the risk.
    “You promise?” John held out his hand. “A gentleman’s honor.”
    Luke chuckled and took John’s hand in a firm grip. “Aye, I promise.” Though he cringed at pledging upon an honor he did not possess.
    Mrs. Barnes swept into the room, her arms loaded with platters of steaming food. “What’s this we are pledging to each other?”
    “Nothing, Mrs. Barnes.” John gazed at the broiled fish, biscuits, rice, and platter of sweet pickles and fried greens that Mrs. Barnes set upon the table. He licked his lips.
    Luke’s stomach leapt at the succulent smells, reminding him that he’d imbibed nothing but rum all day. While Mrs. Barnes said a prayer overthe food, Luke glanced over the dining room, small by comparison with other homes: whitewashed walls devoid of decoration, save three sconces wherein candles flickered; a small brick fireplace with a cloth of painted canvas before it; a chipped wooden buffet that lined the wall beneath a rectangular window framed by dull linen curtains. A silver service tray complete with teapot, china cups, and silverware sat upon it, should company grace their home. Which rarely happened.
    Luke