by Haley Travis
As his hands roughly gripped my shoulders, my vision began to blur and swim as if I were underwater. It was hard to breathe, just knowing what was coming.
Then colors began to fade as everything turned gray.
~ Chapter 24 ~ The Captain ~
* Blood in the Waves *
Bursting from the dim filtered light of the forest into the bright sunshine of the beach, my boots crunched on the rocks as I raced toward the horrible sight before me.
My sweet Maggie. Helpless. In another man’s arms.
Her tiny gasp of terror was a dagger through my guts.
Tearing Maggie from his arms as gently as I could, as soon as I held her safely, I kicked the stranger in the stomach, sending him tumbling backward.
Laying her down gently, she was too pale. Too still.
Yet she was breathing, and didn’t seem to be badly hurt.
“Dryer, Dobbs, here!” I bellowed at the top of my voice.
Jumping to my feet, I watched as if in a dream as my fists pummeled the kidnapper’s face. The meaty, thudding sound was unbelievably satisfying. His nose was gushing blood, his jaw becoming deformed. His eyes were puffy and couldn’t open fully.
“Stop, Captain.”
Slowly turning, Dobbs laid a hand on my shoulder. “Let us take care of this scoundrel. You tend to Maggie.”
Quickly rinsing the blood off my hands in the water, I tried to compose myself as the chilly waves turned red for a moment. Then I turned to my sweet girl. Cookie had an arm around her, helping her to slowly sit up.
He had already cut the ropes bindings, the red streaks across her wrists making my rage surge again.
“Look at me carefully, lass. Are things clear?” Cookie asked her.
She nodded slowly as I knelt beside her, taking her hand.
“Almost.” She blinked, staring into the water as if drunk. Then she took a deep breath, seeming to come to her senses.
“My darling girl,” I said gently, “are you hurt?”
She began to shake her head, then thought better of it and put one hand to her temple. “I’m all right.”
She paused, then looked up at me with a half smile. “Have you ever had a bad stomach flu? When it’s over, you feel better, but you’re still weak as a kitten and fuzzy minded. It’s like that.”
Cookie chuckled. “That sounds about right for having such a terrible scare.”
He turned her head toward him, looking back and forth into her eyes. “I don’t think she’s been knocked on the head, Captain. Just scared to pieces.”
I could hear a bit of a commotion behind me and turned to see Willy joining the other lads.
“What do you want done with him, Captain?” Willy asked.
“Send him wherever garbage belongs,” I said calmly, even though rage was still roiling in my guts.
The fewer people who actually knew what happened the better, in all cases. I knew the men would take care of it properly. My only thoughts were for Maggie.
Gently scooping her into my arms, I kept her head against my shoulder so that she couldn’t look back at the others.
Cookie walked ahead, clearing the path as best he could as we made our way through the forest.
“Do you know who that man was?” I asked.
“Yes. Mr. Helsby. My betrothed.”
Cookie looked back over his shoulder in alarm, then back at Maggie in surprise.
“My father agreed to it because he would accept the smallest dowry,” she explained to him. “No matter that he was a drunk and a mean, unpleasant man.”
“It’s all over now,” I said soothingly. “I’m so sorry, my darling girl. I should never have left you alone.”
Her little hand reached up to pat my chest. “I was in your aunt’s garden. A place that should be perfectly safe. It’s not your fault. My father should never have made promises to such a horrid man. But it’s over now. He’s the only one crazy enough to ever come after me.”
“He’ll certainly not be coming after anyone ever again,” Cookie muttered.
As we stepped out of the forest, Maggie flinched at the bright sunlight. “Keep your eyes closed a few more moments, my darling,” I murmured against her forehead.
Cookie hurried to the herb garden, tearing off a few sections of leaves, then rubbing them together roughly. He came over to wave it under Maggie’s nose.
“Oh!” she cried in surprise. “That smells so pretty.”
“Lemongrass,” he explained. “Invigorating for the mind. Should clear out some of the dizzy cobwebs.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“Can you go tell Clementine she’s safe?” I said to Cookie.
“Aye, sir.”
Cookie handed me the leaves so I could keep waving them under her nose. I set her on her feet, but kept my arm around her, holding her weight against me.
“I’m sorry to be such a bother,” Maggie murmured.
I tickled her with the leaves until her nose crinkled and she giggled. “My darling girl, you will never be a bother. You’re mine now. And apparently the only way to keep you safe is to keep you right beside me at all times.”
I was rewarded with a genuine smile.
My fingertips glided along her cheekbone, then I dragged my thumb along her bottom lip. “So beautiful. And not just because your color is coming back.”
“I think I can walk, Captain,” she said softly.
We began moving slowly toward the house, as Clementine came barreling out. “My poor little lamb,” she cried, holding Maggie’s face in her hands. “What can I do? What do you need?”
“A cup of tea?” Maggie asked weakly.
“Of course, honey.”
A small pang rang through my heart. Clementine only used that word with family. I loved that she already knew how important Maggie was to me.
Clementine hurried into the house, as Cookie returned. “How can I help, Captain?”
“The dockmaster should be told immediately that there’s no need to hold up the ships anymore.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Thank you, Cookie,” Maggie said softly.
He returned her kind smile. “Rest, lass.”
I took her inside and laid her across a settee so that Clementine could fawn all over her. Standing back, it was a relief that my aunt seemed to know precisely what to do, from taking her shoes off to putting a cold cloth on her forehead.
When I heard the lads in the back garden, I popped out for the news about Helsby. They always had a knack for telling me exactly what they’d done without quite incriminating themselves.
“The thing about that terrible old skiff, Captain,” Dobbs said slowly, “is that those boats tend to get scraped up along the bottom when on rough shores.”
“And the way back to Claytonsfield has a very treacherous turn around the point,” Willy said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s almost as if anywhere the boat had been repaired would suddenly come loose when faced with those strong waves.”
“A man would have to be very sharp to both navigate that area and bail out his boat,” Dobbs said carefully.
“And very drunk men usually aren’t sharp,” Dwyer chuckled. “Especially if someone had just poured his whole flask of liquor down his throat.”
The other two gave him pointed glares, but I just laughed.
“So what I’m hearing is, it would be terribly difficult for anyone to pass the point in a rotted, leaking boat. And if a man were incapacitated, it would be nearly impossible.”
“Quite impossible, Captain,” Willy said with a wink.
“Well done, men. Much appreciated.”
“Who was that bastard?” Willy asked.
“Maggie’s former suitor,” I explained.
Dwyer shook his head. “I’m so glad she’s with you now, Captain. And us.”
“Me too, lad,” I said, ruffling his sandy hair as we went inside to check on Maggie. “Me too.”
~ Chapte r 25 ~ Maggie ~
; * A Good Night’s Sleep is the Best Medicine *
It was very odd to be the focus of everyone’s attention, laid out on a settee as if I were the Queen.
Clementine served me tea, Dwyer brought me biscuits, and Cookie checked my eyes again twice to make sure that my pupils were even, and the right size.
All the while, the Captain sat at the end of the sofa, gently rubbing my bare feet.
I’d never been so pampered, or felt so cared for by so many people.
My heart was filled with love for all of them, but the way the Captain kept staring into my eyes made me realize our love was different than anything I’d ever felt before.
It was huge. Gigantic. A sensation that was too big for my body or mind.
I insisted on walking on my own to the dining room, yet allowed the Captain to hold my hand.
Clementine’s cooking was absolutely astounding, from the roasted chicken to the herbed biscuits to the apple and raspberry pies.
After supper, the men settled in for rum and cards, as the Captain and Clementine led me upstairs. I had to hide my disappointment as we entered a guest bedroom. It was lovely, with pretty faint yellow curtains, and light wooden furniture. A deep burgundy and gold carpet was in the center of the floor.
But there were two small beds.
I understood.It wasn’t proper for an unmarried couple to be sleeping in the same room at all, and certainly not the same bed. We had to behave as civilized townsfolk while in Clementine’s house.
“Here you are, Maggie,” she said brightly, pulling a lovely blue cotton nightdress from a drawer.
Opening a cupboard, she rustled through some dresses, then set out one that was such a light pink it was almost white. “You can wear this tomorrow,” she said.
To my surprise, she gave me a big hug, and a kiss on the forehead. “Rest well, honey. You had quite the scare, but it’s best to shake these things off as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you.”
Clementine gave the Captain a glance. “Levi’s mother always said that a good night’s sleep was the best medicine in the world.”
The smile that passed between them warmed my heart. She closed the door behind her, leaving us alone. I turned to where the Captain was sitting on the far bed.
“I could sleep in this room with you tonight, or just down the hall,” he said, that deep voice so gentle. “Which would you prefer?”
“Whatever is best,” I said. “I wouldn’t want your aunt to be offended.”
I stepped into his arms as he laughed lightly. “Clementine is practically seafarin’ folk when it comes to levels of propriety.” He rolled his eyes. “Except for the no liquor before three business.”
He tipped my chin up with his finger to search my eyes. “I need you to sleep well tonight, my darling. I know that being tied up and confined like that must have been very difficult for you.”
Leaning in, I kissed him gently, caressing his shoulders as my hands slipped up to his collar. “I’m all right. Really.”
He glared at me so suspiciously that I giggled. “Still, I’d feel better if you had a good night’s sleep,” he said.
“At least stay in this room with me,” I begged.
“Of course, my darling. I’ll be back shortly.”
He left the room to check on the men as I changed, marveling in the comfort of such a soft nightdress. The bed was cozy and warm, and I drifted off straight away.
The Captain must have returned at some point, as I felt his lips gliding across my forehead, his thumb caressing my cheek.
“Sleep well, my beautiful love,” he murmured. I was too far under to speak, yet I tried to smile up at him.
As I heard him get into the other bed, I was relieved that he was close by.
I did indeed feel safe now that Mr. Helsby had been run off. I doubted that we’d ever see him again, as he would never dare show his face in Tegarren Point after today. And I was nearly certain that we would never travel to my hometown, at least not for a long while. There was simply no reason anymore.
My happy new life was aboard the Midnight Treasure .
~ Chapt er 26 ~ The Captain ~
* Bottom of the Pantry *
Although I certainly didn’t want to leave Maggie alone, I felt that she should have as much space as possible.
Checking in with the men, Willy and Dwyer had decided to bunk back on the ship, while Cookie and Dobbs would enjoy Clementine’s other guest bedroom.
As I started to say good night, Clementine gave me a pointed look, then ushered me into the kitchen.
“You need to marry that girl,” she said plainly.
My grin felt like it was splitting my face in two. “Yes. That I do.”
“Well, what’s stopping you then?” she asked.
“Nothing, really. As soon as I get my hands on a suitable ring, I’ll ask her.”
Clementine turned and stepped into the pantry, kneeling down to pull out some metal canisters. I’d always had the impression that my aunt kept many secrets and treasures hidden in this old house. She seemed to have everything she could ever need at her fingertips.
After rummaging for a moment, she stood up with a little velvet bag in her hand. She held it out to me, dropping it into my palm.
“Gertie left it to me, but now that you need it, it’s yours.”
I didn’t even need to open the bag to know what was inside. My mother’s gold and ruby ring. Her prized possession.
Swallowing hard, I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Maggie is absolutely lovely, Levi. I think she’s a perfect match for you. Is she truly happy on the Midnight Treasure ?” Clementine asked gently.
“I think so. She certainly seems to be thriving. There are still a few things that need a bit of getting used to, but she’s coming right along.”
“Good. You know I’m always here if she needs a lady to speak to.”
“I appreciate that. You’re a good woman, Clementine.”
“So good that I need five fine men to visit me as often as possible,” she laughed.
I went back upstairs, tucking the little bag into my pocket.
The room was silent and dark as I crept in. My eyes adjusted quickly, as Maggie’s delicate face was just barely visible from the glow of moonlight creeping in the window.
“Sleep well, my beautiful love,” I whispered, stroking her soft cheek with my hand. It almost seemed like she smiled at me in her sleep.
As I slipped into the bed next to hers as silently as possible, I was soothed by the tiny tranquil murmur of her breathing.
It was incredible how much my life had changed so quickly. Just as me and the crew had decided to temper our wicked ways, an angel appeared.
There could be no more thieving from dangerous places. Only fair trading and shipping, and...well...possibly the odd nicked bit of cargo from large company ships now and then. They always had so many crew members that nobody actually knew what was going on. It was as if they were asking for a few things to go missing.
But no more real danger. No more risking our lives in foul weather. No more crossing paths with dangerous, violent outfits.
There was going to be a lady on board, and we were all going to learn how to behave appropriately.
Not just a lady… my lady.
A plan began to formulate in my mind. Maggie was always the one trying to take care of everyone else. It was time for me to take care of everything for her.
~ Ch apter 27 ~ Maggie ~
* Sunlight and Roses *
Blinking, I sat up slowly, looking around in bewilderment. It took a few seconds to remember where I was, then the events of yesterday came flooding back.
How could a single day be so wonderful and terrible at the same time. The Captain loved me. He wanted to keep me. But he had needed to save me from…
Standing up, I gave my head a shake. I wasn’t even going to think about that anymore. Only happy thoughts.
Looking out the window to the back garden, th
e sun was already high in the sky. I must have overslept terribly.