Isle of Fire by Wayne Thomas Batson Read Free Book Online Page B

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    â€œStede,” came Ross’s sleepy grumble from inside. “This had better be blasted important!”
    â€œIt’s Cat, sir.”
    The door opened and there stood Declan Ross, squinting and blinking. “Cat?” he said. “It’s rather late.”
    Cat had never seen the captain of the Robert Bruce look so bedraggled. His coppery corona of hair stood in some places and bent wildly in others. His beard was nearly twisted in a knot, and his shirt and breeches looked like they’d been balled up before Ross put them on.
    Cat resisted the urge to smile and said, “I’m sorry, Captain, but this couldn’t wait anymore.”
    Ross opened the door wide for Cat. The captain wondered what could be so important that it had to be said in the middle of the night. It had to be something rather private, else Cat could have mentioned it at dinner. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel like good news. Ross lit a candle and brought it over to a square table near the window. When he and his visitor were seated, he said, “What’s this about, Cat?”
    Cat squirmed a little in his chair. “Well, sir, I’ve really learned a great deal about sailing from you and the crew of the Bruce .”
    â€œYou knew a great deal before you met us,” said Ross, completely awake now and curious.
    â€œTrue enough, Captain, but I really appreciate all you—you and the crew—have done for me. You . . . you’ve become like family to me.”
    This? Ross wondered. This is what you woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me? There had to be more, so Ross waited.
    Cat sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy. “All to say that, well . . . I’ve become quite fond of you all . . . Anne especially.”
    Anne? Ross thought urgently. Wait just a moment. What does Anne—
    Cat continued. “I’m really not sure how to ask you this . . .”
    Ask me what? Ross sat up much straighter.
    â€œI mean, I wouldn’t move forward without your permission.”
    Permission . . . Anne? Ross gasped. Oh, dear Lord, no. He’s not—
    â€œCaptain, I’m not entirely sure how old I am, you understand,” Cat stammered, “with my memory and all, but I must be seventeen, eighteen at the least. I’m a man now.”
    He is, Ross decided. He’s going to ask for my blessing for him to marry my daughter. Ross stood up abruptly and paced around the room.
    Cat watched the captain fearfully. “But, sir, if you’ll just let—”
    Ross scowled and held up a hand. His first thought was an emphatic NO . But then, as Cat fumbled for words, Ross looked him up and down. Cat was a natural sailor, a fine young man—much better than some Anne had taken a fancy to in the past. Of course, he was the son of a bloodthirsty—no, Ross decided, Cat was nothing like his father. He’d already saved Anne’s life . . . he’d no doubt look after her well. Declan Ross closed his eyes and said the most difficult words he could ever remember saying. “Very well then, Cat, you have my permission.”
    Cat was stunned. “But you haven’t even heard what I’m asking.”
    Ross raised a hand. “Oh, I think you’ve made your intentions perfectly clear. And I want you to know that I think it’s right noble of you to ask me before you propose.”
    â€œPropose?” Cat nearly fell out of his chair. “Wait, Captain Ross, I . . . I don’t want to marry Anne.”
    â€œWhat?” It was Captain Ross’s turn to be dumbfounded. “Well, why not?” Then he turned angry. “I’ll have you know my Anne is of the finest moral quality! She’d make a fine wife for any man—any man worthy of her, that is.”
    â€œWell, it’s not that someday . . . I mean, she’s smart and beautiful, and I guess I like her quite well, but I don’t think we’re quite ready