Dubhdara O’Malley chuckled with pleasure from the doorway.
”Then you like it, lovey? There’s earbobs, and a ring to match in
the other.”

“Like it? Oh, Dubh, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever owned!
Where…?

“Portuguese galleon got itself blown off course and then wrecked
aways up the coast. We were just in time to save the captain from
the scavengers. He was most grateful.”

Anne said no more, but she read between the lines. It was obvious
that her husband and his crew had battled coastal wreckers for pos-
session of the damaged galleon. The O’Malleys had been pirates for
centuries. It was their way of life. Undoubtedly the captain of the
unfortunate ship and the survivors among his crew were now housed
in the dungeons below, where they would spend the next several
months awaiting ransom. Anne shuddered and reminded herself that
such thoughts were not her concern.

“And where’s my wee lass?” demanded the O’Malley.

“Here, Da.” Skye rose from her chair and came forward.

Seeing her garb, he frowned with disapproval. “Still riding
astride, poppet?”

“Don’t scold me, Da,” she wheedled him prettily. “It was you
who taught me, and I simply can’t gallop Finn sitting sideways. It’s
most unnatural.”

The O’Malley cocked an eyebrow. “Must you gallop him?
Wouldn’t a nice trot do you? You must think of the babes you’re
going to bear Dom now, poppet.”

She ignored his last remark. “Have you ever tried to trot with
one leg slung over a pommel, Da? The last time I tried it I ended
up with bruises all over my-“

“Skye! We’ve guests!”