Within a Captain's Treasure Read Online Free PDF Page A

question,” shouted one man, “toss her over.”
    “I’ll take care of her fer ye, Capt’n,” shouted another. Laughter and lewd jibs followed.
    Quinn waited. “Some will recognize her name. She’s known to those who served aboard the Scarlet Night under Captain Jaxon Steele. Her name is Alice Tupper.”
    The men all spoke at once. “Blimey, Alice Tupper?” “Looked familiar, she did.” “Wild chit what saved Capt’n Steele’s neck?” “One in the same.” “Swings a cutlass like no woman I e’er seen.” “See the shiner she give Cole?” “Killed a duke. What was the bastard’s name? One did in Cookie Burrows, remember?”
    Appreciative murmurs ran through the crowd. Several regaled them with the tale of her daring in Port Royal. Others told what they’d witnessed on the Delmar . The fierceness with which she fought. Still, while those men sang her praises, there were a few who argued the curse of women aboard ship. Was this woman the exception? Sure as hell didn’t fight like any woman they’d seen.
    Debating continued until Quinn called for the vote. Majority ruled. Alice Tupper was free to stay. A cheer rose. Above the noise, Quinn added, “Any man lays a finger on her will answer to me.”
    Talk of Mistress Tupper continued even after the crew had been dismissed back to their duties. Quinn could pick out those men who had served on the Scarlet Night for many years. Jaxon Steele had been a popular captain among them.
    The day Jaxon tracked him down at that tavern in Port Royal and turned over the ship seemed like a scene from a play. Quinn served for years under Captain Steele, but he’d left large boots to fill. The responsibility wasn’t something Quinn took to lightly.
    Some had grumbled about the shift of power, but the majority agreed. The crew voted Gavin Quinn as their new captain. Most who objected still had the sense to pledge their loyalty, but as a show of respect, Quinn gave each man the opportunity to re-sign their agreement to the ship’s Articles.
    A handful left the crew. Given the abundance of ships in Port Royal, it was easy for them to gain new positions on another. Replacements were not hard to find. The Scarlet Night had a fierce reputation. They were a force of strength in the Caribbean, and men were eager to join her.
    Crewmen like White, Jessup, Summer, and Finch. Robbins, of course, and Bellamy had been aboard for years. They were old hands at how to get every ounce of power and speed out of the ship. When it came to battle, they fought like the very devil. Gavin was pleased they stayed.
    Still, they respected Jaxon Steele and his years as captain. Alice Tupper made a name for herself with these men, and they’d never forget what she did.
    Quinn moved through the crew. He could also spot those who cared little if Alice was a saint or a slut. She was a woman, and women weren’t allowed aboard under any circumstance. He’d keep a close watch on those. Jessup in particular.
    The man hadn’t stopped grumbling since the vote. He marched up deck holding Bump by the scuff of his neck. “Now we git te deal with a woman? It ain’t enough to put up with this useless pile of bones?” Jessup pushed the sniffling boy toward Robbins.
    “Give ’im a chance. He can’t be helpin’ it.” Robbins checked a reddened lump on the boy’s forehead.
    “End up dead, he will.”
    Quinn crouched next to the young orphan lad he’d pulled from the gutters of Port Royal. “What’s happened here?”
    “Good ole Bump ,” Jessup spat. “Came close te havin’ his skull cracked in two. Again. Block got te swingin.’ Dinna hear the shouts. Why we got a deaf cabin boy aboard, I’ll ne’re know.”
    “He’s a good lad. Works ’imself to draggin’, Capt’n.” Robbins wiped the grim off the boys face. “Needs time te adjust, is all.”
    Quinn tipped the small pinched face to check the growing knot on the side of his head. “Keep an extra eye on him. Have a man be his ears when