Loves' Conqueror. Renee Hand

not decent.” It was night now, and Davy was alone with Locand discussing the treatment of Miranda. Earlier he had seen the crazy look in Locand’s eyes and knew he was angry with her. Knowing that it was not his ship, Davy knew that there was little he could do to stop him if he were to confront Miranda about her behavior. She had done what she wanted without discussing it with the captain first, as if she had full reign of the ship instead of him. Davy had to respect the captain’s rules aboard his ship, if he wanted to or not, and so did Miranda. All day he had waited for the right moment to bring up the topic, but the captain was never alone and he didn’t choose to make himself available until now. The night was calm, and the crew was talking quietly amongst themselves, some taking turns on deck while others slept.

      Locand knew Davy wanted to speak with him, so he motioned for him to follow him into the galley where there was an empty table and a door they could close for privacy. Earlier it had been filled with food, but now it just had a bowl of apples in the center. The cook was now sleeping in his bed.

      “She disrespected me, Davy. You know she did. Locking her into my cabin was the least I could do. I could flog her for the way she spoke to me earlier, or lock her in a cell. I could have given her twenty lashes for striking me alone. You know that I am well within my rights to do so.” Locand sat down at the table, his hands folded together on top of it.

      “I agree with you on that point, Miranda did disrespect you. She knows better than to behave the way she did. This being your ship, she should have consulted you about the ginger instead of doing what she pleased. Her words to you in your cabin—well—I can’t defend those, though I am sure she was prodded.” Locand glared at Davy, his eyebrows raising. “I don’t disagree with you; she deserves the punishment you have given her by staying below deck until she feels contrite. But Lord Hammil will not like it if you keep Miranda in your cabin while you stay in there. It is inappropriate for her and will bring you trouble with Lord Hammil.” Davy pushed the point, but knew that Locand was right. “Why don’t you lock her into my cabin, I—?”

      “No!” spoke Locand firmly. “It would not feel like punishment if she were to have you to save her.” Davy pursed his lips together in disapproval. “Besides, I explained to you already what we had discussed when I came on deck earlier and you had approached me. I told her that I would be staying in the cabin with her, but it was only to shut her up. I don’t desire her. I won’t cross that line, you have my word. I will be sleeping somewhere else for the week. Lord Hammil will not press the issue, for he will most likely still be ill. If he does I will then explain to him what I have just explained to you, though I really shouldn’t have to.” Locand stood up from the table and moved to stand in front of Davy. Frustration showing in every movement he made.

      “We have been friends for a long time, Davy. Why you didn’t want me to act like I knew you earlier is beyond me, but I am sure that you have your reasons for doing so. I take it that Lord Hammil doesn’t know of us being mates?” Davy shook his head; his eyes firmly upon Locand.

      “He mustn’t know, either. Your father and Stratton Mayne were good friends, and they sailed together often. He still mourns him and is thankful that you weren’t caught in the blasting of his ship.” Davy shook his head as he remembered what had happened. “You were so young when that happened, a child striving to become a man, and yet your father was so proud of you.” Locand smiled slightly, his eyes becoming sad upon hearing Davy speak of his father.

      “I remember it as if it were yesterday, Davy. Father was determined to overtake a frigate that was coming from Africa. He wanted to steal the slaves it contained so we could sell them over in the Americas. I protested against it, but he didn’t care. He just kept telling me that it would be our biggest treasure yet and that we could retire and live off the money we would receive. He was a fool to think that only two ships could overtake it. One was ours; the other was Stratton’s. Unbeknownst to us, the frigate was heavily armed, and though we had fast ships loaded with guns and were able to wound the frigate, we couldn’t take the slaves and sadly, most of them drowned. They fired upon us and blew up our ship. I jumped overboard to escape it, but my father didn’t make it, and was blown into a thousand pieces, sinking to the bottom of the sea with all of his sins.” Locand ran his fingers through his hair at the memories he was recalling in his mind.

      “Stratton saved me and took me in for a few months after that until I was ready to move on with my life. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know where I would be right now. It feels like it was only yesterday, and yet it has been many years since my father died.” Davy stared at Locand, his eyes roaming over his appearance. For a man who was strong and commanding, Davy remembered a boy whose heart was broken over his father’s death. His black hair was shorter then, and he did not have as much muscle or well defined tone as he did now. He had grown much over the years and was now a well thought of man, a great man whom many people admired. Though Locand was hard on the outside, like a captain had to be, his insides were still that impressionable little boy Davy remembered.

      “There are times when I reminisce about those days. Every once in awhile I find myself aboard his ship again, with his young daughter taking care of all the men. I think she was twelve when all of this happened. She was a pretty girl with a kind heart. I remember the crew looking upon her as if she were an angel, and they obeyed her every command without question. She cooked sometimes for them and made conversation with them all, including me. She was kind to me, well, to us and though she never spent much time with me during my brief stay, she showed me much sympathy. Her heart went out to me and she tried to heal the pain I was feeling after the loss of my father. She never realized that it was a pain she could not heal. I remember how much Stratton loved her, how we all sort of loved her. I wish I could remember her name. Do you know where she is now?” Davy smiled at Locand, realizing that he didn’t know who Miranda really was.

      “With Stratton’s reputation preceding him everywhere he goes, she is kept safe from harm and tries to live a normal life away from all this.”

      “I understand completely and can empathize. I was merely curious. I didn’t mean to pry.” Davy shook his head and changed the topic smoothly.

      “I remember those days as well, Locand. You have grown into a fine man, your father would be proud of you for what you have accomplished.” Locand snorted loudly.

      “I don’t know if that is a compliment or an insult, Davy.” Davy narrowed his eyes as he stared at Locand.

      “Your father loved you, boy.”

      “My father was selfish, Davy. He thought of no one but himself and what he wanted. He cared not for my mother or anyone else who should have meant more to him than some booty from a ship.” Locand again snorted as he shook his head. “The man was a pig.” Davy could see the pain in Locand’s eyes and reached out and grabbed him into a hearty hug, catching him by surprise. Locand wasn’t sure how to react at first, but then he returned the gesture. Slapping Davy’s back as they parted from the embrace.

      “Don’t let any of my men see you do that to me,” Locand sputtered as he smiled and pushed him away.

      “Of course not, Captain. I rarely show such emotion to other people. I only feel the need when I see men who are young and of twenty-eight years of age whose hearts are filled with so much pain.” Davy winked at Locand as he laughed aloud, though he knew it was the truth. “Now Locand, let’s talk about Miranda.”

      “How did you get involved with her anyway?” Davy was taken off guard, not quite sure how to answer the question.

      “It’s a long story to be told, too long to go into it right now, but I am her guardian and protector regardless.”

      “Look, Davy, this woman may be in your care, but she’s becoming a pain in my backside. I can’t let her behave the way she did and have it go unpunished. I have killed men for less than what she has done. As the captain of this ship, I need to show the men that no one can behave inappropriately and get away with it. She needs to learn a lesson. I will not hurt or harm her, but she has to know who is captain of this vessel. Right now she thinks she is—that sassy bit of goods.” Locand spurted out his last words with frustration.

      “I