Chapter 122: Boys will be Boys

Isabel's eyes popped open. She bolted up in bed. Focusing her sleepy gaze over the bright room, she tossed off her quilt and allowed air to cool her body, damp with perspiration. The heat had risen along with the sun that now glared through the window. She chided herself for sleeping so long and wondered why Hann had not woken her with breakfast. No doubt the young pirate was embarrassed about the incident at dinner last night. She couldn't blame him. It was a terrible thing to be accused of, especially if it wasn't true. Yet she had wondered herself what affections existed between Hann and Cutter.

Flinging off her nightdress, Isabel took a cloth and dabbed cool water from the basin over her face and neck. The red bumps littering her arms had not disappeared though she'd applied the ointment Cutter had given her. With a sigh, she opened the jar and rubbed more of the salve on them, then chose a fresh gown and pinned her hair atop her head in a loose bun.