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The roar that greeted this near deafened him.

He lowered his eyes modestly, to share a secret grin with the small face on his wrist. The revelry lasted long, not just the night but over into the morning.

Before it was over, most of Askew was reeling with the sour wine and Kennit’s gut was curdled from trying to drink it.

Not only had Sorcor found a quiet moment in which he had begged Kennit to forgive him for doubting him, but he admitted to his captain that he had believed him a heartless sort of man, cold as a serpent.

Kennit did not need to ask him what had changed his mind.

He had already heard, from several sources, how moved they had all been when he himself — by all accounts one of the most hardened captains of the Pirate Isles — had been reduced to tears at the sight of their misery in the hold.

He had rescued them, he had wept for them, and then he had restored to them not only their freedom but their lost families.

He realized too late that he could have claimed this place without giving them a ship as well, but what was done was done.

And half of whatever booty they managed to seize would come to him, without effort.

It was not a bad beginning. Not a bad beginning at all.

‘I’d just like to see him again before he sails. So would Mother.’ Keffria said this and then hastily took up her tea cup and sipped at it. She tried to look casual, as if this were a minor favour she asked of her husband rather than something of the greatest importance to her.

Kyle Haven wiped his mouth on his napkin and set the cloth aside on the breakfast table.

‘I know, my dear. I know it must be hard for you, not to see him for so long, and then to have him snatched away from you. What you have to remember is that at the end of this voyage, I’ll bring him back to you a healthy and hearty young man, a son to be proud of.

Right now, he scarce knows his own mind about anything.

The work he is learning is hard, he’s discouraged, I don’t doubt his body is sore every night.

’ He lifted his own cup, frowned into it, and set it down.

‘More tea. If I brought him home here to his mama and granny, he’d but take it as a sign he could whine to you.

He’d whimper and beg, you would both be upset, he’d be back to where he started.

No, Keffria. Trust me in this. It would not be good for either of you.

Or your mother. She’s had a hard enough time lately, losing Ephron. Let’s not make it worse for her.’

Keffria quickly leaned forward to replenish her husband’s cup.

She had been so pleased when he had joined her for breakfast, so sure she could beg this favour of him.

It seemed for ever since he had set aside any time for the two of them.

He came home exhausted each night and rose before each dawn to hasten back to his ship.

This morning when he had lingered in her bed, she had hoped it foretold an easing in his temperament.

When he had told her he had time to breakfast with her, her hopes had bubbled swiftly.

But she recognized that tone in his voice when he spoke of Wintrow.

There was no arguing with it. Best for the sake of peace to set her hopes aside.

Over two weeks had passed since the day Kyle had sent her son from the house to the ship.

In those two weeks, Kyle had volunteered no mention of her son, and replied but briefly to her queries.

It was almost as it had been in the days when he had been newly gone to the monastery.

Not knowing what his life had become, she could find no solid premises to anchor her worries.

Still, they loomed, nebulous and threatening, whenever her mind was not otherwise occupied with worrying about her mother’s grieving silence or Althea’s absolute disappearance.

At least, she comforted herself, she knew where he was.

And Kyle was his father. Surely he would let no harm come to him, and would tell her if there was any real reason for concern.

No doubt Kyle was right about the boy. Perhaps his firmness was what was called for.

After all, what did she know of boys that age?

She took a steadying breath and moved resolutely to her next topic of concern.

‘Have you… ’ she hesitated. ‘Has Althea been down to the ship?’

Kyle frowned. ‘Not since the day that fool Torg ran her off. I had given orders she was not to come aboard, but I never meant for him to chase her off. I truly wish he had had the wit to summon me. I can tell you right now, I would have hauled that young woman home here where she belongs.’ His tone left no doubt that Althea’s opinion in the matter would not have counted.

There was no one in the room with them save a serving maid, but Keffria lowered her voice nonetheless.

‘She has not been to see Mama. I know, for I asked her. And she has not come home at all. Kyle, where can she be? I’ve had nightmares.

I fear she may be murdered, or something worse.

I did have one other idea the other night…

could she have sneaked aboard the Vivacia?

She always had such a strong bond with the ship.

She is just stubborn enough, perhaps, to creep aboard and hide herself until you were out to sea and turning back would be difficult, and then… ’

‘She’s not on the ship,’ Kyle said shortly.

His whole tone dismissed Keffria’s conjectures as female silliness.

‘She’s probably staying somewhere in town.

She’ll be home as soon as her ready cash runs out.

And when she does come home, I want you to be strict with her.

Don’t fuss over her and tell her you were worried.

And don’t scold like an angry hen. She’ll ignore that.

You need to be hard with her. Leave her without a coin to her name until she starts behaving herself.

Then keep the leash short.’ He reached across the table and took her hand gently, his touch belying the firmness of his tone.

‘Can I trust you in this? To do what is wisest and best for her?’

‘It will not be easy… ’ Keffria faltered. ‘Althea is used to getting her own way. And Mother—’

‘I know. Your mother is having second thoughts about all of this. Her judgement is not the best at this time. She has lost her husband, and fears to lose her daughter as well. But she will only truly lose Althea if she gives into her and lets her go her own wild way. If she wants to keep her, she must force her to come home and live her life properly. But I know that is not how your mother sees it just now. Still. Give her time, Keffria. Give them both time, for that matter, and they will see how right we are and come to thank us. What is it?’

They both turned to the tap at the door. Malta peeked around the corner. ‘May I come in?’ she asked timorously.

‘Your mother and I are having a conversation,’ Kyle announced.

He considered that an answer to the question.

Without another glance at his daughter, he turned back to his wife.

‘I’ve had time to look over the accountings for the north properties.

The tenants on the Ingleby farm have not paid a full rent for the last three years.

They should be moved out. Or the whole farm should be sold. One of the two.’

Keffria took up her teacup and held it firmly in both hands.

Sometimes when she had to correct her husband, it made her nervous and her hands trembled.

Kyle disliked that. ‘The Ingleby farm is Mother’s, Kyle.

It was part of her bridal portion. And the tenants are her old nanny and her husband.

They are getting on in years, and Mother had always promised Tetna that she would be provided for, so—’

Kyle set his own cup down so firmly the tea sloshed out onto the white cloth.

He gave an exasperated sigh. ‘And that is just the type of reasoning that will bring us all down. I have nothing against charity, Keffria, or loyalty. But if she must take care of some doddering old couple, have her bring them here and put them up in the servant’s wing and give them whatever tasks they can still manage.

No doubt they’d be more useful here, as well as more comfortable.

There is no reason to waste a whole farm on them. ’

‘Tetna grew up there —’ Keffria began again, then jumped and gasped as Kyle’s calloused palm struck the table in front of him.

‘And I grew up in Frommers, but no one will give me a house there when I am old and we are destitute because we managed our wealth poorly. Keffria. Be silent a moment and let me finish what I am trying to say to you. I know it is your mother’s.

I know you have no direct say in what she does with it.

I merely desire that you pass on to her my advice.

And with it, the warning that no more monies will be forthcoming to support it from your father’s estate.

If she cannot force it to yield enough money to keep up the repairs to it, then she will have to let it decay.

But no more good money thrown after bad.

That’s all.’ He turned suddenly in his chair and pointed an accusing finger at the door.

‘You. Malta. Are you eavesdropping on your elders? If you want to act like a spying serving girl, I can see that you have the chores of one as well.’

Malta peered around the corner of the door into the room. She looked appropriately daunted. ‘I beg your pardon, Papa. I wanted to wait until you and Mama had finished speaking, so that I could talk to you.’

Kyle gave a long-suffering sigh, and rolled his eyes at his wife. ‘The children must be taught not to interrupt, Keffria. Come in, Malta, as you cannot seem to wait in a patient and seemly way. What do you want?’