"The Commodore is happily married, madam. I doubt that is his goal," He hesitated and scowled down at her. "You say you're Abigail Robbins' aunt?"
Something about his tone of voice made Elena glance up at him directly, genuine concern in her eyes. "Yes, why?"
Chambers took up the note from the Governor. "This is addressed to the Commodore but in this situation, I don't believe there is anything amiss should I share this with you."
He handed her the note and watched as her face paled, genuine tears welling in her eyes though she refused to let one fall. She finished reading the lines then looked up at him. "Why-Why wasn’t I informed?"
Chambers shrugged. "My apologies, but I don't know. The Commodore left with all haste so he may simply not have had time to tell you. To be perfectly honest, madam, I was unaware of your whereabouts or I would have taken it upon myself to inform you as soon as I was given command. The Comm--James was dreadful upset about this, as you might well imagine. He considers Abigail a good friend to his family."
Drawing herself up, Elena rose and handed him back the note. She managed a shaky but tight smile and a nod of her head. "Thank you, Lieutenant Chambers, is it? I seem to recall meeting you once at Port Royal. My-I'm sorry for disrupting your duties. I must return to Port Royal at once. Please excuse me."
"Of course," Chambers answered, slipping his arm under hers to escort her to the door. "You have my deepest sympathies over this matter. God willing, Abigail will be returned to the bosom of her family in good spirits and fine health."
"Thank you," Lady Wendover said again then gave him a final look. "I'm afraid that I've been a dreadful gossip and maligned you bitterly, dear sir, over these last few months. I am ashamed of my behavior. Please, accept my apologies and extend them to the Dunbars as well? Especially Erin. I have been grievously unfair to her."
"As you wish, milady," Chambers said, taking the hand Wendover offered him and kissing her knuckles gallantly. "Godspeed."
With a final nod, Lady Wendover spun on her heel and marched out the door, a determination in her step that belied the very real sorrow she had to be feeling. He turned to see Andrews watching him. At that he shrugged. "I've always had a way with older women."
He was nearly ready to shut the door when he thought better of it. "Oh and, Andrews, bring me another coffee? I've another long night ahead of me."
)O(
Chapter 55:
Confrontation
Isaac Stern scanned the horizon with the spyglass, searching out the navy ships that he suspected were lying in wait for them. When he saw nothing, he turned his attention to the deck of the Swift as they approached. He found it difficult to believe that they would send one navy ship alone to the party. As he scanned the deck, he saw a face that made a smile appear on his own countenance. So, Commodore, you came to collect the girl yourself, Ike mused but he found no pleasure in the thought. Instead, the sight of the navy officer brought the agony back to him full force. God, Aaron, I miss you so very much. I hope you're happy wherever you are. Tears welled in his eyes and he wiped them quickly away. He knew for a fact that he would never be happy again.
"Archer!" He called and the first mate came to the foot of the stairs leading up to the helm, where he stood.
"Aye, sir?"
"Have Santana an' Oswald bring 'er up but tell 'em t' keep her out o' sight until I give the word, savvy? I don't want them tryin' anything stupid 'fore our business is done."
"Aye, sir," Archer nodded then hesitated. "Ye mean ye aren't goin' t' keep her fer yerself? She's a fine lookin' gal."
"She's a cunt," Ike spat. "She's worth nothin' more t' me than what's 'tween her legs."
Archer nodded and turned to do his captain's bidding. Ike turned his glower back on the navy ship as he imagined having Aaron beside him. How could any doxy, no matter how high-born, matter as much to him as Aaron? At best, it would be a poor trade; at worst, she could be a downright danger. The truth of the matter was he might have kept the girl. In the weeks she'd been aboard the Lady, she'd learned her place readily enough. She was smart and when he'd engaged her in conversation, she'd tried to make herself useful. But it felt wrong to him to care about her. He knew that if he did, it would just end badly. It seemed it happened that way with everyone he really cared for.
Making a decision, he signaled Archer back to him. "Should somethin' go wrong, I want ye t' make sure of something, eh?"
"An' that would be?"
"Make sure the girl dies," Ike didn't notice Archer's shudder at his words.
)O(
"Commodore, we're being hailed," Lieutenant Riggins seemed exceptionally pale and James remembered the boy had only been a lieutenant for a few days. He smiled reassuringly at the lad.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. The Captain and I will be up presently," James turned back to Henry.
"Going to let the bastard stew a bit, eh?" Hyde seemed quite confident about the whole matter.
"Actually," James replied. "I just don't want to seem overanxious. I should have anticipated that he would not come unaided. As much as I would prefer to destroy this man, our goal in this matter is to retrieve the girl to her father. No matter what else happens, Captain, bear that in mind."
"Yes, sir," Hyde nodded then followed the Commodore as he headed up on deck.
"Ahoy, navy ship, 'ave ye the ransom?" One of two men in a jolly boat that had been rowed up to the Swift called up.
James nodded to Hyde, who responded. "And what business is it of yours? Are ye this Captain Stern we need to speak to?"
"Nay," The other man answered, punching the first man in the arm. "We're here t' bring ye to 'im."
Hyde glanced back at James. "I’ll escort the treasure over, sir, and the girl back."
James sighed. "That won't be necessary, Captain. I will take the risk."
As James headed for the ladder to climb down to the boat, Hyde ordered two of the men to prepare the treasure for loading into one of the longboats. He then ordered a full complement of marines into the longboat to accompany the treasure over before starting down the ladder himself. As James reached the jolly boat, he glanced up to see Hyde descending.
"Captain, what the devil are you doing?" He didn't raise his voice, but the two pirates laughed at the idea that Hyde was defying his commander. The Commodore glowered at them. "Silence you!"
"Accompanying you, sir, as Lieutenant Chambers requested. Seems a certain lass of our mutual acquaintance asked him to do so. I would hate to disappoint Lady Dunbar," Hyde smiled grimly as he took a seat opposite the Commodore in the jolly boat.
At Hyde's mention of Aaron, James sighed. "Very well."
The truth was that James was far more nervous than he anticipated he would be. Aaron's illness had him truly frightened. He hadn't wanted to leave Aaron but that was the lot of a career navy officer, to do his duty no matter what. Perhaps he could talk some sense into Ike Stern, on Aaron's behalf. He could only try.
They arrived after just a few moments and climbed easily up to the rail of the Masked Lady. The longboat was ordered to maintain a position about halfway between the Swift and the Lady; Dunbar or Hyde would signal them to approach to deliver the treasure if all went well.
"Commodore, Captain," A tall dark-haired man with an impressively full beard and surprisingly gentle grey eyes greeted them. "I'm first-mate 'board th' Masked Lady. The name is Archer. Cap'n Stern is lookin' forward t' meetin' with ye. If ye'll follow me?"
"We are under parlay," James warned. "Captain Stern is aware of this?"
"Aye, sir," Archer answered and indicated for the two of them to follow him.
"This captain of yours," Hyde said as they crossed the deck. "He's got quite the repute, has he not?"
"Aye, sir," The voice was quiet. "Well deserved it is, too. Captain Stern's brought us some fine luck. Our shares should be a pretty sum."
"And the deaths don't bother you?" James couldn't help himself. He'd heard too much, seen too many reports, to let it slide.
Archer glanced back at him. "Ike's got a mean streak, aye, but he's a good man, deep down. He's been hurt and it's turned 'im, though, someday, I hope he'll be able t' change."
As the grey eyes held James', the Commodore grew amazed. "You hold him in some regard then?"
Archer smiled wryly. "Ye could say that, sir."
James nodded and tried not to reveal anything by the look on his face. He supposed that it was always possible that Ike Stern knew his first mate loved him deeply but he seriously doubted the feelings were reciprocated. The honest truth was that he was shocked that anyone could love someone who had committed the kinds of atrocities Ike Stern had been accused of. Still, Stern had loved Aaron with an intense devotion that James to this day found touching. James wondered if there was some way he could speak to Archer alone. If, perhaps, Archer had some influence over Stern, maybe that would be another way to reach him.
They were nearly to the captain's door when James spoke. "Archer, might I have a word with you? Privately?"
The first mate's eyes widened in both terror and surprise. On his own part, Hyde looked mightily appalled but held his tongue at a look from James. After brief consideration, Archer nodded and drew James off a few paces. "Aye, sir?"
"Does your captain listen to you?" James nearly whispered.
"Betimes," Archer said, unable to look James in the eye. "But mostly not. He keeps 'is own counsel mostly."
"Has he told you," James had to swallow before he could continue. "Has he told you what happened to him? Aboard the Saucy Maid?"
Archer's eyes raised to meet James' finally and he frowned. "You know 'bout that?"
James nodded. "I was the one who captured the Maid and brought her crew to justice."
"He tells me nothin' but I've seen 'im havin' the nightmares, an' held 'im after," Archer sighed. "Jus' don't hang 'im without hangin' me, sir, if ye please."
"I understand," James answered then straightened himself. "Shall we meet Captain Stern?"
)O(
Chapter 55:
Archer
The first time he'd ever seen Ike Stern, it had been in a Tortuga tavern. One of his cohorts at the time had told Archer that there was a new pirate captain they had to meet with, that he was young but smart and ruthless. He'd already taken Pete Durant's ship from him and renamed her the Masked Lady with lots of talk that he'd have a pirate fleet before it was over. By the time their meeting with Stern was over, his friend had lost all interest but Archer had fallen in love.
When it had grown very late and Stern had gotten very drunk, Archer offered him his bed. Stern seemed interested at first, warming to Archer and smiling coyly at him. But something he'd done, something he'd thought harmless enough, made Ike turn on him, lashing out with his fists. Archer, despite his better instincts, hadn't fought back, letting Stern take his terror and fury out on him. When it was over, Stern had wept bitterly, apologizing repeatedly until he fell asleep with his head on Archer's shoulder. When he woke the next morning, Ike had spoken taciturnly to him.
"Need a first-mate, ye know. What d' ye say?"
"Aye, sir, I'd be honored," He had answered and that was the end of it.
He didn't know how Ike felt toward him. He suspected that the captain held some affection for him, else he wouldn't still be here. He spoke too frankly to Stern at times when another man might earn a sword through the guts. He had also spent too many nights comforting Ike when the nightmares were too difficult for him to bear. But that was where it all ended. Ike Stern revealed nothing to anyone.
The first raid Ike led them on had been on a small merchant ship. It surprised Archer when Stern ordered the ship scuttled and the crew marooned on a tiny island. As bad as that was, Ike decided it wasn't enough. They'd raided a small village next and Stern had ordered all the men put to death. Archer hadn't questioned that order but as things progressed and worsened, he finally spoke up. He'd waited until they were alone in the great-cabin and Ike was in a good mood. He poured the Captain a mug of rum and sat down opposite him at the table.
"Captain, I got a question,"
"Ye always do, mate. What is it this time?" Stern was looking at a map laid before him with a series of Xs drawn on it. He carefully wrote a word on the X that corresponded with the last place they'd raided. Archer resolved to get a better look at that map at some point to see what Ike had written.
"This last raid--Why did ye have 'em set fire t' the church?" Archer had been horrified at the notion and stole around behind the building to make sure the pastor and his family got out alive though he didn't inform Stern of that.
Stern shrugged. "I have me reasons, Matt. Ain't nothin' I care t' talk about."
"'Tis wrong, Ike, an' you know it. Pillagin' and thievin' are one thing but murderin' outright--it's a bad business," Archer had hoped to make Ike aware of how bad things were but he could see in the golden eyes that there was no reaching him.
"Ye want t' mutiny, Archer? You can make the decisions then," Stern had slowly straightened in his seat, his hand dropping to the pistol Matt knew he carried in his belt. "You'll have t' go through me though."
"Nay, Cap'n," Archer had answered, raising his hands in surrender. "'Tis not my purpose. I jus'--I worry that it's hurtin' you."
For a moment, Ike stared at him then he smiled grimly and looked away. "Ye needn't worry about me, Matt. My hurtin' was done a long time ago. It--."
They were interrupted at that point by the quartermaster and the bosun who were each representing aggrieved parties in a dispute about loot. When Ike went up on deck to settle the matter, Archer hesitated and studied the map as quickly as he dared. Some of the Xs on the map corresponded to the places they had already raided--and done some of the worst things. Those Xs had one word written next to each of them: "Aaron." He recalled that Stern had spoken that name during some of his nightmares. Whatever was compelling Red Ike Stern, it had a lot to do with someone named Aaron.
And now, here was this naval officer telling him that he knew about what happened to Ike. He cast a quick glance back at the green-eyed Commodore as he knocked on the door to Ike's quarters. "Cap'n, yer guests have arrived."
Matt indicated for them to have a seat at the table and the Commodore did but the Captain stood behind him. Archer had to suppress a smile when he recognized the same protectiveness directed toward Dunbar that he himself felt for Ike Stern. Several minutes passed then Captain Stern emerged from his cabin.
)O(
Chapter 56:
Red Ike
James inhaled sharply when Captain Stern rounded the corner. Wearing a vest that revealed a lean, hard abdomen and well-muscled arms, Stern's braids were long and serpentine. Only the fact that he kept them bound back with a scrap of cloth kept them from being unkempt. One very long braid hanged loose. Attached to it was a coin from the Orient. James recognized it as the same token Ike wore when he'd been rescued from the Saucy Maid.
Ike had filled out and now had a beard and mustache, neither very thick, which added a bit of maturity to his looks. Lines about Ike's eyes and forehead had also aged him a bit. The eyes, though dark now because of the dim lighting in the cabin, were much the same. Moreover, James couldn't help noting the misery in those eyes, especially when they looked at him. I have to tell him Aaron's alive, James realized. If he knows the truth, perhaps we can mitigate his villainy. But deep in James' heart, a voice cried out, "No!" as an image of Aaron, whimpering and terrified in a corner, rose before him. If told, James had to wonder what Ike Stern would do.
James stood and nodded stiffly as Ike approached. "Captain Stern."
Briefly, Ike glanced at him. "Dunbar. I see the Gov'nor o' Port Royal still holds yer leash."
Behind him, James heard Hyde inhale with outrage as he saw Archer's expression grow troubled. It was not the insult that Stern and the others thought it would be.
"No," James said coolly. "He made a personal request, one I am gratified to be able to honor. Where is Miss Robbins? I need to see
her."
"In good time. Bein' as we're old friends, we got some catchin' up t' do. Heard ye married a French slut," Stern slumped into a chair and indicated for James to sit down.
James felt heat rise in his face but worked hard at not letting himself react. "I married a woman of French blood, yes. We are quite happy."
"Glad t' hear it," Stern sneered. They fell silent for several minutes then Stern glowered up at Archer. "Take th' Cap'n and get out. Commodore Dunbar an' I need to talk--without somebody spyin' on us."
"Aye, sir," Archer said, throwing a concerned look Dunbar's way. He paused by Captain Hyde who cleared his throat.
"Commodore?"
James smiled reassuringly. "It will be all right, Captain. We are under parlay, after all."
"Very well, sir," Captain Hyde followed the first mate from the room.
The silence smothered James for several long seconds until he found his voice. "About Miss Robbins--."
Stern slammed his fist down on the table. "We ain't here t' talk about her. At this moment, she's the least o' yer worries."
"What do you mean?" James was cautious with his tone.
"I mean, I ought t' kill you where you sit, Commodore. You lied to me."
James said nothing. So Stern knew already? Why hadn't he come for Aaron? James nodded, admitting his guilt but held his tongue.
"When we went t' Port Royal t' give Robbins the ransom message, I had a talk with an old friend. Maybe ye remember him. Rodney, yer manservant?" Stern's mouth turned up with grim satisfaction at Dunbar's look of alarm. "I see ye do."
"If you did--."
"I had a nice long chat with 'im, nothin' more," Ike snapped. He stood abruptly and began to pace the room. "He-He told me Aaron ain't in that grave there. He said it was a deer carcass we laid t' rest. Where is he?"
Stern was facing him square on, standing with his feet braced against the roll of the ship, his hands behind him. James opened his mouth as if to speak then closed it. He knew he needed to tell Ike the truth, that Aaron was alive, but there was something about the look in the pirate's eyes that kept him silent. There was only so much he was willing to sacrifice for the sake of others; he drew the line at sacrificing Aaron.
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