So. She truly didn’t care who knew and might be going out of her way to be sure that everyone knew. He tried to think of the problems that might cause and again decided that it wouldn’t change his mind. Was he captain on this ship or not? He’d deal with anyone sooner rather than later. She had already closed her eyes and pulled his blankets up to her chin. He looked at her for a long moment, at her red hair spilling across his pillow and the wonderful shape she made in his bunk. Then he pulled on his boots and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

He smelled the fresh coffee before he reached the galley. Skelly was there before him, sitting at the table, a white mug of thick black coffee in front of her. She looked up at him as he came in. He avoided her glance, fearing to see accusation there. Coward. He poured himself a mug of the coffee she’d made and sat down opposite her. “You used up a lot of our coffee to make this. Didn’t I tell you we’d have to be careful of our supplies?”

She cocked her head at him. “Maybe I’m like you. Maybe I think it’s better to make the best of what you have right now rather than giving yourself stingy bits of happiness.” A crooked smile crawled across her face as she dared to ask him, “Don’t you agree?”

He met her gaze. “Yes.” There wasn’t much treacle left. He scooped a big spoonful into his mug and then asked conversationally, “How did you know?”

“I saw you walking in the streets of Kelsingra. I was trapped in the crowd, trying to catch up with you. I called your name, but you didn’t hear me.”

“Our Tarman was a busy fellow last night.” He took a sip of his coffee and weighed his thoughts. “If I were just your uncle and not your captain, what might you say to me about it?”

She looked down at her mug. “I’m happy for you. Happy you get to be with someone you choose.”

Nice little jab there. “I’m not promised to anyone else.”

“She’s married.”

“She was.”

“And now she’s not?”

He considered. “I trust her to know what she’s free to do.”

She thought about that and gave a slow nod. He was trying to be absolutely fair when he said to her, “This could change things for you, you know. A lot. If we have a child.”

Her smiled widened. “I know that.”

“Have you thought about what it might mean?”

“Since before dawn.”

“And?”

“That boy back in Trehaug? The one my parents promised could marry me? He thinks he’s been promised the heir to the Tarman. If he finds out that might not be so, he might look for a more promising bride.”