Moonwitch by Nicole Jordan

stammered.
    “Colin is a great admirer of yours, Captain,” Selena added. She hoped Captain Ramsey would understand such awe and be gentle, but after his earlier claim that children were an encumbrance in his line of work, she was afraid he might not.
    “Is that so, lad?” Kyle flashed a broad smile, putting Selena’s fears to rest. “I’ll wager you do me too much honor, but I’m flattered nonetheless. Did I hear you say you want to captain a ship?”
    “Yes, sir.” The boy nodded earnestly, seeming to gather courage. “I want to fight pirates like you.”
    “Well, I’ve fought a few in my time, but it’s dismal work and wretchedly hard, not the least exciting, the way I thought it would be when I was your age. But commanding your own ship—now that’s a fine ambition.”
    “Cap’m… do you suppose…? Could I go with you?”
    Selena winced when she heard her own words echoed in the boy’s request; she had made the same suggestion that morning and had been turned down. She was grateful when Kyle didn’t refuse outright but cocked his head, appearing to give Colin’s question serious consideration. “I should like to take such a fine lad with me,” he said after pause, “but I’m giving up command of my ship. After this voyage I won’t be sailing any longer.”
    His answer surprised Selena; she hadn’t thought him the kind of man who would ever give up the sea.
    “However,” Kyle was saying, “my ships will still continue in service—”
    “Ships?” Selena interjected curiously. “You have more than one?”
    He glanced briefly in her direction, “I own several.”
    Colin’s eyes grew round again. “And they are all yours?”
    “Yes, lad,” Kyle said gently. “And I’ll still have plenty of acquaintances when I retire from the sea. I expect when you grow a little older, I can find you a berth on a worthy vessel—if you’re still of the same mind, and if your father approves. Of course, you’ll have to decide whether you want a military career or one in the merchant marine. There’s money to be made in commerce, though some don’t think making money is a gentleman’s occupation.”
    “Oh, yes sir! How old, sir?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “How old must I grow?”
    Kyle’s expression remained sober, though Selena thought she could detect a gleam of laughter in his eyes. “Some apprentices sign on at twelve. You might do the same, only you would still have to complete your schooling. It can be arranged, though, so that you can study on board. It’s what I did.”
    When Colin beamed, Kyle reached down to ruffle his mop of black curls. “However,” he added with increasing sternness, “if you mean to become a seaman, the first and
most important
thing you must learn is how to obey orders. I expect your mama put you to bed hours ago, is that not so?”
    “Aye, sir!” His rosy, round face breaking out in a sheepish grin, Colin raised his hand in a clumsy salute.
    “No, lad, let me show you.” Kyle reached down to take the small hand in his large one and demonstrate the proper method. “Aye, that’s the way of it. Now lead the way to your bedchamber, and I’ll tuck you in—before your mama finds you still awake and gives us both a tongue-lashing.”
    Nodding wisely, Colin climbed the two steps to the gallery and proudly took the captain’s hand. But then he paused to glance over his shoulder. “Will you come, Miss Markham?”
    Selena smiled. “I think perhaps I should stay here,” she said gently. “Then if your mama happens to look for you, I can detain her.”
    Colin returned her gaze solemnly. “When I am a captain, you may ride on my ship.”
    Selena felt her heart melt. She hated the thought of riding on a ship,
any
ship, but she would cut out her tongue before she refused such a generous offer. “Thank you, my love,” she replied softly. “I shall remember your promise.”
    As the footsteps—one pair booted and sturdy, the other slippered and