"[i]More[/i] than ready - though Barlow's still likely pouting some up there in the nest. I did lay his bet on you though, Silverfish. That ought to keep him happy enough - when you win this thing, of course." A swift, glinting flash in those laughing grey eyes still said that Thomas' victory was still [i]anything[/i] but optional. 

That did not mean she resisted giving him a laughing wink though, mouthing the words [i]"Merci beaucoup"[/i] to her love, who had seen fit to ensure his lady was there to cheer him on.

Antonia's eyebrow arched in amusement though, arms still folded easily over her chest as she returned Jax' pointed gaze and wide smile without the least embarrassment. Captain Lightfoot had just yesterday, before his entire crew, announced his love for her - she hadn't the least shame on that fact. And her relieved embrace after Cooper's [i]very[/i] timely demise said all the words Antonia did not in the moment, that she returned his all his affections to the last, in full.

But that did [i]not[/i] mean she wanted the grinning helmsman with an earful of even [i]one[/i] of those delectable, delightful moments they had only just shared. Antonia's smile never slipped, though she let a long breath of a sigh escape through her teeth.

Despite herself, the rogue's smile grew wider still when Jax summarily "promoted" Luc from mere cabin boy, to a crew member trustworthy enough to officiate the start of this race, and call them to ready. For all that she was a bit irritated with the man at the moment - well [i]both[/i] men really, Jax and Thomas, unsure who had first decided the spoils of their wager - she was glad the helmsman helped make the close of Luc's first day at sea so full of laughter.

And truly, between [i]Capitaine[/i] Lightfoot's salute - the [i]captain[/i] saluting him! - and [i]Monsieur[/i] Jax's giving him such a genuinely important task? Oh, Luc forgot almost entirely, his disappointment concerning the angelic [i]Mademoiselle[/i] Beauchamp's attentions, even with the heavenly woman standing right beside them. He did not miss the pointed look the helmsman gave to his [i]Tante[/i] 'Tonia, though he truly did not understand the import at all. 

At least, not until after [i]Monsieur[/i] Jax finished proclaiming that should he win handily, he would wait for [i]Capitaine[/i] Lightfoot while kissing his beloved Lady Moon.

The boy's dark eyes widened, mouth falling open in a shocked little "o" as something very like horror crept over his face. His [i]Tante[/i] 'Tonia unfolded her arms to step up to the captain, wrapped them around his neck and then... Then she [i]kissed[/i] him! Luc felt that weird, kind of squidgy feeling in his belly, like when he caught his [i]Maman[/i] and [i]Papa[/i] in one of their endless, long kisses, because that was just... 

The boy shuddered. 

That was just [i]gross![/i] 

"Just a little... [i]Incentive.[/i]" Antonia whispered in Thomas' ear as she pulled back a bit, "Pick your side, Captain Silverfish - and it'd [i]best[/i] be the winning one... "