The Silence of Deceit by Jillian Eagan

“You left your book lying around.” She picked it up and held it out to him. “Don’t want to lose one of your precious first editions.”

“I didn’t—I left that for you to read.” He didn’t move from the doorway to take it from her.

“You said—”

“I know what I said. But that’s not a first edition, and I was being generous. Don’t get used to it,” he said, and backed out of the cabin.

Rosalie lowered the book but didn’t release her grip.

“Every time I think I have him figured out,” she muttered.

Silence didn’t seem to hear her as she stifled a yawn. “I was up all night, so I’m going to take a nap.”

“Thank you for keeping me safe.” All the doubt in the world couldn’t put a wedge between her and Silence. “I wish I could do something for you in return.”

“I don’t need anything in return because I know you’d do the same for me.” She squeezed Rosalie’s shoulder before heading over to the pile of furs.

Rosalie’s legs were shaky as she stood and left the cabin. After a night of suffering a fever, the ocean air felt incredible on her skin. She found Crowe watching Danny spar with another crew member. She stood next to the captain and pressed the book to her chest.

They watched the duel side by side without saying a word. It was fun to watch two experienced fighters without the threat of harm. It almost looked like a dance—an art of quick steps and clever maneuvers. Out of nowhere, she felt a burning passion to wield a blade. The thought had never crossed her mind before. Before, she had only wanted to take

on the role of a lady who didn’t need any weapons aside from wit and charm.

But seeing the sabers glint in the sunlight sparked a deep desire. Maybe she’d spent too much time among pirates.

“Can I help you?” Crowe broke her fixation.

“What’s the book about?”

“I suppose the point of reading books is to find out what

they’re about,” he replied without looking at her.

“What changed your mind?”

“Nothing changed my mind. It’s an act of grace; savor it, because that’s the only book you’re getting.”

Although he was back to acting prickly, the gesture of giving her a book said more than his words did. “Why did you pick this one? Is it your least favorite?”

“On the contrary,” he said, still avoiding eye contact. “It’s my favorite, so I’d prefer nothing happen to it.”

She made a noise of interest but didn’t say anything else. The captain had lent her a book—not just any book, but his favorite one. It was hard to unravel, but in a way, she felt like she had won at least one round of bickering.

In her victory, she threw Crowe a smirk. But it faded when she saw the late morning sun beaming down on him. His eye color warmed, and the wave of his dark hair caught every ray and rustled a bit in the wind.

At the worst possible moment, he looked her way. When their eyes met, he looked… nervous? “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Huh?” she blurted with too much gusto. “Why are you looking at me?” When his eyebrow quirked up, she shuffled backward. “Thanks for the book.” She ducked her head and made a quick escape to hide her blush.