“Yes, ma’am,”the man named Angus replied dutifully.
Henry’s armsshifted as he hoisted me into his grasp, cradling me tight to hisstrong chest while he carried me inside with ease. It was all Icould do to wrap my own arms around his neck. My heavy head lulledback; my neck unable to support it. Through the cloudy tunnelvision, I caught glimpses of The Siren’s Call; elaborate paintingsas large and gaudy as the house itself, perfect Victorian furnituredisplaying delicate vases and sculptures. The floors were some sortof stone. White like marble, from what I could tell. And the soundof footsteps rang loud through the halls. Finally, we turned acorner and entered a large, brightly lit room.
“Set her overthere on the chaise,” Wallace instructed as she stood in front of awall of bookcases. “I’ll have Ansley fetch her some water and abite to eat.”
Henry gentlylaid my limp body down on a velvety surface and I immediately beganto feel better. The blanket of nausea slowly melting away. Withgreat difficulty, I tried to sit up.
“No, no,”Henry told me. “Lay down.”
I waved hishand away. “I’m fine, really,” I insisted stubbornly and shifted myback to rest against the arm of the chaise. “I’m starting to feelbetter.”
I must havelooked it because Henry allowed me to remain sitting up. But hetook a seat right by my side. “Are you sure?” I nodded and gave ashaky smile. His hand cupped my cheek as his thumb caressed theskin under my eye. “What happened back there?”
I shrugged. “Ithink… perhaps I overdid it today?With the walking and–” I searched around me in a panic. My satchel.It was gone.
“Here,” Lottiesaid and stepped closer before handing me the bag. “You dropped itoutside.”
I gave her anappreciative smile as I felt my shoulders relax and I eased back.“Thank you.”
“Is it thebaby?” she asked with concern.
“No, I don’tthink so.” I fumbled nervously with the drawstring, wrapping itaround my hand. “Like I said, I think I just… the exhaustion of theday caught up with me. That’s all.”
My friendsstill remained unconvinced, that much I could tell by theirlingering looks of concern. Thankfully, I was saved from endlessprying as Roselyn Wallace came back into the room, carrying withher a shiny metal tray. We all stopped and watched as she set it ona thick, gaudy desk of darkened wood. The woman grabbed a cup ofsomething steaming and came toward me.
“Here, shesaid, holding out the cup. “Some warm broth from Ansley’s soup.Drink it. You’ll feel better.”
I looked toHenry and he gave a faint nod, so I accepted the cup of soup with asmile.
“Uh, thanks.”I gently placed the rim to my lips and inhaled the surprisinglydelicious aroma. Definitely some sort of chicken-like meat andveggies, from what I could smell. The broth was a creamy brown,inviting me to drink up. I did. The delightful taste, and almostimmediate feeling of nausea passing, tempted me to drink more andmore until the large ceramic cup was empty.
Roselynsmiled, a gesture that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Excellent.”She walked around the backside of her oversized desk. “Now, let’stalk business.”
Henry steppedforward. “Wallace, let me–”
“CaptainBarrett.” She glared toward him. “I will do the talking and askingof questions. I’ve played nice long enough. I watched your shipsail into port. I saw your mismatched crew step off and head totown. For days, I waited. Expecting that you’d come see me onceyou’d settled in.” Her hand reached out and grabbed a small daggerfrom the surface of the desk, toyed with it in her hand. “Afterall, if the rumors about your crew ring true, you’d owe me quitethe duty. I’d hate to think you were planning on leaving withoutpaying it.”
“And whatrumors would that be, exactly?” Henry crossed him arms sternly overhis chest.
Wallacenarrowed her eyes and grinned, pointing the tiny dagger around theroom, its tip hovering in front of each one of my crew. “A littlebirdie told me you paid a visit to Shell Bird Island. Thereal one.”
“And what ofit?” my pirate king asked.
“We all knowof Peter Easton’s treasure, the one said to have been hidden atShell Bird Island down in Newfoundland. Many a man have traveled in search of it. I admit, even I’vesent a crew or two down. But no one’s ever been able to find it.”Her voice lowered. “But I’m betting you did.” She walked back andforth, dragging the dagger across the desk. “Didn’t you?”
A tightsilence held the room, moments passing before anyone spoke.Finally, Henry let out an impatient sigh. “No, we didn’t.”
Wallace’s eyesbulged as her long legs swiveled in front of the desk and advancedon our group. “Lies!”
Finn and Henrypushed at the space between them and Wallace. Henry’s nostrilsflared in anger. “Watch it, Roselyn.”
She shot him aglare, but he refused to correct himself. A wide range ofexpressions and emotions passed between the two but neither backeddown. Finally, unable to take the tension in the room, I opened mymouth and blurted out whatever came to mind.
“We found thedamn island!” I shouted. My crew seethed in my direction. ButWallace only smirked. “We had the treasure. But our ship caught amassive storm on the way here. We lost everything and just aboutourselves, too. That’s why the ship has been in repair.”
“’Tis true,Wallace,” Finn added as he rolled back on his heels and adjustedthe heavy leather belt around his waist.
“FinniganArtair.” Wallace turned her attention to the giant Scot in theroom. “It’s good to see you alive and well. The last time we spoke,my father still owned The Siren’s Call, I believe.”
Finn waggledhis thick red brows. “Aye, was a fine establishment. I enjoyedmyself many nights ‘ere.”
She pursed herlips in an unconvincing attempt to smile. “Huh, yes. I’m sure youdid. As did many pigs of men my father let through the doors.”
She tossed thedagger down on the desk where it hit with a loud ting.Roselyn then plopped down into the massive brown leather wingbackbehind the desk with a tired sigh. “So, you have no spoils toclaim? No treasure to protect?”
Henry clearedhis throat. “No, we do not.”
“Well, then. Ican’t very well make you pay
