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CHAPTER SEVEN

Maxwell stood, pulled his cloak around him and, cocking a dark brow questioningly, he strode the few paces to the place where Aileen waited, his eyes piercing her.

“Aye, lass. What is it ye wish of me?”

She shivered under his gaze. “D’ye play chess MacNeil?”

His lips moved in a slow half-smile. “Yes. Havenae we two been engaged in a game of chess since we first met?”

She huffed. “Of course, ye answer me question with one of yer own. I have long been hoping tae find someone tae match wits wi’ me over the chessboard. Finn and Séamus have nay inclination fer the game and I hoped that ye, being a man of intellect, might be familiar with the rules.”

He laughed. “As it happens, me grandfaither taught me tae play when I was but a lad. As ye’re offering me yet another opportunity tae best ye, methinks I’ll accept yer challenge.

After casting him a scathing look, she gave a curt nod, turned, and headed along the deck toward her cabin. Maxwell hastened behind her, smiling at the prospect of escaping – for however short a time – from the icy wind and sleet.

The board was on the table, the sturdy carved-bone pieces already arranged. Maxwell reached for the king and inspected it. “This is the same as the set me grandfaither brought with him from Harris. Where did ye get it?”

She shrugged. “Me faither gave it tae me. Mayhap it was stolen from one of yer cousins from Harris.”

He replaced the piece and seated himself at the table. “D’ye never tire of piracy? Dinnae ye long fer a different life? Where there’s nay need fer ye tae risk yer life every day?”

She looked at him with ice in her eyes. “Are ye here tae match yer wits wi’ mine over a game of chess or tae question me about me life. Fer, if ‘tis the latter I’ll ask ye tae leave.”

Maxwell rubbed his raw hands over the brazier, noting how his question had unsettled her. On the one hand, she appeared complacent at the theft of the chess pieces, yet, at the same time she seemed uncertain. There was much to discover about Captain Aileen MacAlpin, but it was clear this was not the time for questions.

“Fergive me lass, I was merely curious.”

She folded her arms, covered as they were in fine kidskin gloves, tucking them at her waist as if withdrawing from him. The few moments of lightness between them had melted away and he cursed himself for his clumsiness in asking the question of her.

He was left with a sense that he had struck a raw place in her soul, one that had been wounded in some way. She’d spoken of a brother who had been murdered and he wondered if that was a key to her swift aloofness.

Is she afraid of whoever the villain was that killed her braither?

Aileen took two pieces, one black and one white, and placed them in a small sack which she spun around several times on the table.

“You choose one.”

Maxwell put his hand into the sack, took a chess piece in his hand withdrew it. It was black.

Aileen gave a gloating laugh. “I get the first move.”

He leaned back in his chair, ankles crossed, lending himself an air of unconcern even though, all the while, he was quietly calculating. “I prefer me opponent tae move first, lass. It gives me more time tae observe them.”

Her smile faded as she concentrated on the board, alternately glancing up at him before she moved one of her pawns forward one square.

He followed with a similar move and then the play commenced in earnest.

As they played, Maxwell kept a watchful eye on Aileen. It was not long before he had the advantage. He was not surprised that she played with a certain recklessness and once or twice made a move that left her vulnerable. Instead of taking the advantage that opened up, he moved his knight in a different direction, enabling Aileen to capture his bishop.

She laughed, crowing over what she perceived as her win.

They played on, each of them protecting their king with calculated moves, Maxwell taking care not to take advantage of Aileen’s vulnerability every time she made an impulsive move. Keeping his focus on his own king he resisted her attacks, warding them off with his own superior moves.

She clicked her tongue. “I dae believe ye have the better of me MacNeil and ye’re holding back.”

He laughed. “Captain, I dinnae ken how ye could think such a thing of me.”

Sitting back in her seat she eyed him with amusement. “There have been times when ye could have taken me, but ye didnae.Other times I see ye’re a canny player and more than a match fer me. Why are ye letting me win?”