Guardian Angel - Garwood Julie - Страница 55

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The two unsavory-looking men lounging by the terrace doors both nodded. Just as they turned to leave, Jade prodded Harry's shoulder. "Oh, all right, girl," he muttered. "No pillaging, men," he shouted then. "We're too close to home."

"Aye, Black Harry," one of the men called out.

"Did they jump to do my bidding?" Harry asked Jade in a whisper.

"They did," she answered. "As quick as lightning."

Harry nodded. He clasped his knees with his hands and leaned forward. "Now then, I was hearing talk

of mutiny when I came inside. You'd think this was a time for rejoicing, but I ain't hearing any cheering. You hearing any cheering, girl?"

"No, Harry."

"Could it be that the Dolphin's such a bother, you ain't glad to have him back?" he asked Caine. "Can't say I blame you. The boy can't even play a decent game of chess."

"I was half out of my mind when we last played," Colin reminded him.

Harry snorted. "You only got half a mind, twit."

Colin grinned. "Caine? Do you know why this sorry piece of flesh is called Black Harry?"

"I'll be telling it," Harry announced. "It's because I got me a black heart."

He made that statement as a boast, then waited a full minute for Caine to appreciate his explanation.

"I gave myself that nickname. It's fitting, ain't it, girl?"

"Yes, Uncle, it's very fitting. Your heart's as black as night."

"It's good of you to say so," Harry replied. He reached up and patted her hand. "As soon as me men get back from their errand, I'm leaving for the Wharf. I could use a spot of supper to hold me over."

"I shall see to it at once," Jade said. She immediately moved toward the doors, deliberately making a

wide path of Caine's chair. When she reached the entrance to the foyer, she turned back to her uncle. "Please don't let Nathan and Caine fight while I'm gone, Harry."

"I wouldn't be caring," Harry called out.

"But I would care," she returned. "Please, Harry?"

"All right then, I won't let them fight."

As soon as the door shut behind Jade, Harry whispered, "She's a piece of work, that one. I should have cut her face years ago. She's too pretty for her own safety. 'Tis the reason I had to leave her behind so many times. Couldn't trust me men when my back was turned."

"She's so pretty," Nathan snapped, "that some dishonorable men would take advantage."

"Let it go for now, Nathan," Colin interjected. He opened his eyes and looked at Caine. "My brother's

an honorable man."

"Like hell," Nathan growled.

Caine wasn't paying any attention to the conversation now. He'd homed in on Harry's casually stated comment that he'd left Jade behind. Where did he leave her? Who watched over her when he was away? There sure as hell hadn't been a woman there, or she would have known a little more about the facts of life.

"What's all this talk about?" Harry demanded, drawing Caine's attention again.

"Although it isn't in your nature, I'm asking you to be patient, Harry," Colin requested. "There's been a little misunderstanding, that's all."

"Clear it up quick then," Harry ordered. "Damn it, Colin, I know all I need to know," Nathan said.

"Your brother's a bastard…"

"You were born out of wedlock, son?" Harry interrupted. He looked absolutely thrilled by that possibility.

Caine sighed. "No, I wasn't born out of wedlock."

Harry didn't even try to hide his disappointment, another fact that made absolutely no sense to Caine.

"Then you can't be going by that nickname," he instructed. "Only those born with the stigma can boast

of it. A man's only as good as his nickname," he added with a nod.

"Or a woman," Colin interjected.

Caine looked incredulous. Colin tried not to laugh. "Harry? Tell him about Bastard Bull," he suggested.

"Colin, for God's sake," Caine began.

"In time, Caine," his brother whispered. "I need a little more time to gather my thoughts."

Caine nodded. "All right," he said. He turned to Harry then. "Tell me about Bastard Bull."

"He weren't a bastard after all," Harry stated with a scowl. "He just said he was so he could sign on with us. He knew the store I put in nicknames. When we found out he'd lied, we tossed him overboard with the garbage."

"They happened to be in the middle of the ocean at the time," Colin drawled out. "Pagan wouldn't let

him drown, though."

"How very considerate of you," Caine muttered to Nathan.

"Now there was this other bloke, a good, strong man…"

Caine let out a long sigh. He leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and decided he was going to have to wait until all this ridiculous talk about nicknames was finished. Colin seemed to be enjoying the conversation and he had asked for time. His brother looked half asleep now… and so damned pale.

For a good ten minutes or more Harry continued with his dissertation. When he finally finished, Nathan said, "Jade has a special nickname, too."

"I'll be telling it," Harry stated. "I'm the one who came up with the special name, after all."

Nathan nodded. "All right, Harry, you tell it."

Everyone was watching Caine now. If he'd bothered to open his eyes, he would have seen their smiles.

Caine was having difficulty holding onto his patience. "And what is her special nickname, Harry?" he finally asked, his tone weary.

"Well now, me boy," Harry drawled out. "We like to call her Pagan."

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