Leopard (Fighting Anthonys Book 7)

by Michael Aye

Dagan had entered the Rathskeller, and seeing Ariel, he had taken her, killing her bodyguard in the process. The act had been done to draw out Witzenfeld. However, the renegade had been at sea. Dagan did kill his lieutenant, though. Looking at her, hardly more than a child, he knew he could never return her to such a life where she’d be used up, addicted to opium and probably dead by the time she reached her mid twenties. That was all behind her now…that life of hell and degradation. Davy met her at Gabe and Faith’s house and had instantly fallen in love.

  Dagan had watched the boy grow up from the first day he boarded Drakkar as a snot nosed midshipman to now, captain of his own ship. A small ten gun sloop, in truth, but it was a start. He was a good man, a seasoned officer and he loved Ariel. Above all, he loved her and she loved him. What Ariel didn’t know was that her young naval officer husband was a very wealthy man. Prize money had done that. Prize money made during an unnecessary war. Would the war come between them as it had Gabe and Faith? Dagan hoped not, prayed even that it wouldn’t.

  The ceremony was now over. The bride and groom were walking down the aisle of the church. Stepping outside, Davy’s band of brothers held their swords high in an arch as they passed and climbed into Lord Anthony’s carriage to be swept away to a private cottage for their honeymoon. Only Lady Deborah and Faith knew exactly where the couple was headed. Of course, the carriage driver and the servant sent to take care of their needs also knew the destination.

  While Dagan had taken Ariel, it had been Lady Deborah and Faith, along with Livi, Admiral Buck’s lady, and of course, Lady Ragland, who had transformed Ariel into the lady she now was. She had been educated as a lady and comfortably interacted with the upper crust of Barbados’ society. Not that that mattered to Dagan. He was just happy she’d been given the opportunity to see what life offered. A real life, free of the deprivation by black-hearted rogues.

  Lord Ragland walked up and shook Dagan’s hand. “A fine day, Dagan, I congratulate you.” Dagan was polite and smiled, as he shook the governor’s hand.

  The ladies came over then. They were all dressed in gowns of various colors and the latest style. Some of the ladies were showing more wares than a gypsy peddler. All of them were fanning themselves. One lady was bold enough to say, “Well, there goes one of the islands most eligible bachelors.” Dagan smiled at this comment. A young naval officer would indeed be considered quite a catch for some planters’ daughters; as Ariel would be for their sons.

  As the carriage pulled away, amid all the flower throwing, rice tossing, and good wishes, Dagan saw a sign had been attached to the back of the carriage…She got him today, he’ll get her tonight.

  “Don’t let it bother you,” Gabe said. He’d seen the sign as well. After a moment, the two looked at each other and smiled.

  “Aye, young love,” Dagan said. Still, the sod who did it better hope it never got out, he thought.

  As the crowd dispersed, Gabe watched Faith taking their son from Nanny as she seated herself in their carriage. Davy was a lucky man. However, he was also a realist and knew first hand the hardships that the war, the Navy, and one’s duty put on a man’s marriage. He and Faith were just now building a bridge to repair the strain on their relationship caused by the war. Did Ariel know Davy’s ship, Tomahawk, was set to sail with Lord Anthony in a few weeks? Could she handle the separation? At least, Faith, Deborah, and Livi would be there for her.

  ***

  IT WAS THE LATTER part of March, 1780. Almost four months since he’d brought in the captured French 74 Le’ Comete, two frigates, a corvette, and a sloop; plus they had retaken HMS Foxfire. They had destroyed a French eighty gun ship of the line and sunk or destroyed a dozen ships and craft belonging to American privateers at Isle St. Marie, thereby ending the threat to England’s merchant ships in the Indian Ocean. “A complete victory,” Lord Skalla had declared. So had Lord Ragland and even Gil, his brother, Vice Admiral Lord Gilbert Anthony.

  Dagan had been wounded, but survived and had promised better days for Faith and him. However, returning did not turn out as expected. Faith was there with open arms. But so was Admiral Buck’s replacement, Sir Winston Kirkstatter. He was quick to damn Gabe’s actions. He cared not for what Gabe and his squadron had succeeded in doing. He’d overstepped his authority assuming command of “his” squadron and using his flagship so that she could be called a hulk and nothing more. Who had made him a commodore?

  When Gabe tried to explain Buck had given his approval, Kirkstatter snarled, “A wounded man on the verge of death could hardly know what he was approving.” When Lord Skalla was mentioned, Kirkstatter went into another tirade, “Just who the hell gave this spy the authority to interfere with Admiralty orders? By God and dammit sir, did you not know the Dons are out? They’ve taken British forts in Louisiana and are marching toward Mobile and Pensacola. The governor in St. Augustine is demanding more troops and ships. The Dons are sailing here with a fleet while you, by God, played admiral and headed to the Indian Ocean.”

  Kirkstatter wrote a scathing report to London recommending that both Gabe and Lord Skalla be broken. The report was flashed in Lord Anthony’s face with both Admiral Buck and Lord Ragland protesting.

  Kirkstatter snarled, “I’d expect you to cover for your brother, Lord Anthony, but he exceeded his authority. He caused my station to be undefended and harm to come to his Majesty’s ships. He’ll not command a bum boat when I’m through with him. I will have to take Le’ Comete as my flagship.”

  Lord Anthony had remained quiet, realizing that to argue was futile. He’d write his own letters and so would Buck, Lord Skalla, and Lord Ragland. But for now, he’d had enough. Kirkstatter’s last threats and comments went too far. Anthony rose quickly, knocking his table chair backwards and landing on the deck with a loud bang. His face was flushed in anger, and his knuckles were white as he pushed down on the thick mahogany table. There was menace in his voice as he spoke, “You, sir, you forget yourself. You forget you are at this moment under my command. You have no flagship, you have no command, and you have nothing unless I say you do. You’ll not take Le’ Comete unless I say so. It is I, sir, who decides if she is to be bought into the service and where she is to be sent. I may send the ship to England and let the Admiralty decide her fate.”

  Kirkstatter swallowed hard. Had he gone too far? It was known Anthony was in with the First Lord. “My apologies, my Lord,” Kirkstatter replied, deciding it was better to sound contrite. He’d already mailed his report. In fact, it was on the same dispatch vessel that carried Lord Skalla. He had been recalled immediately. What he didn’t know was that several letters praising Gabe’s actions had also been sent.

  In the meantime, Gabe waited. Gil had bought Le’ Comete, now Comete, into the service and sent Kirkstatter away. Barbados had had its fill of the man. Gabe’s relationship with Faith had indeed mended as Dagan promised. She apologized for her actions. Actions brought on by fear. Doctor Cornish said being a new mother had a lot to do with her feelings. Faith’s involvement in the wedding had seemed to make her more loving. At times, when she was away helping, he’d kept little James. It was a pleasure getting to know his son…his son; the heir to the title and the only male heir.

  He’d attended several social functions with Faith. He’d dined and danced at the homes of planters, the governor, and even at his brother’s. Would he ever want to go to sea again? Well, that decision might be made for him. In two weeks, Gil would sail to deal with the privateers and whatever force he came up on. It had been a while since Gil had sailed in harm’s way. How would Lady Deborah handle him being away? She had little Macayla, of course, still…still.

  CHAPTER TWO

  LAZY PUFFY WHITE CLOUDS floated overhead, casting fleeting shadows below. A pelican rose up, flapped its wings a few times, and then settled back down on the piling it was perched on. Sanderlings, or as some called them, scurry birds, were out in flocks. Their little black legs were a blur as they ran back and forth on the beach picking and probing with
their bills for some tiny morsel left in the sand by receding waves. Pyramids of sails could be seen as a convoy set sail to Antigua, and now Lord Anthony’s squadron made its way out of Carlisle Bay.

  Dagan stood next to Ariel, who stood next to Faith and Lady Deborah. They’d stand there until the last ship was out of sight, and then take Lady Deborah’s carriage home. Dagan would then join up with Gabe, and after Ariel’s things were packed up from their lodging at the Islander, the two would meet up with their comrades for a wet.

  “She’s going to miss Davy,” Dagan volunteered as Gabe approached him.

  “Aye, but she’ll return to her room at our house and Faith will keep her busy, especially with little James starting to crawl about. Besides, Uncle, do you recall what Stephen Earl said when the subject of marriage came up?” Smiling, the two repeated the words in unison, “If the Navy wanted a man to have a wife, they’d have made room in his sea chest.”

  Lady Deborah’s carriage rolled by with little Macayla hanging out the window waving. “Bye, Uncle Gabe.” He waved back, thinking how fast the girl had grown.

  “Faith seems to be in a good mood,” Dagan said. He’d seen how happy she’d been at the wedding.

  Gabe recalled Faith asking, “Do you not think the wedding was just grand?” He’d just grunted. He’d learned when Faith wanted an answer, and when a grunt was enough. But looking at his wife in her gown and all prettied up made him understand why men were so willing to tie the knot. He’d been smart enough to tell her that she was the most beautiful bride at the wedding. The compliment paid dividends that night when, in truth, he was again awed by her natural beauty. No wonder poor sailors didn’t stand a chance when beautiful young vixens cast their spells on them.

  ***

  THE PALMS RUSTLED ON the thatched stoop as Gabe and Dagan entered the Anchor Tavern. They paused to let their eyes get accustomed to the dark tavern after leaving the bright sun.

  “Ah, Dr. Cornish, you’ve a tankard already,” Gabe said in greeting. The good doctor raised his tankard in salute as Jonah Hex, Gabe’s cox’n, motioned to the girl at the bar for two more tankards. It was a sassy little wench she was, swaying her body as she approached the table.

  Leaning low enough to give Hex a good view of her wares, she ran her hand up and across his shoulder and face. “You be needing anything else, love, you call me.” Smiling, Hex answered, “No worries.”

  Cornish shook his head, “You’d think we were in a brothel the way those two have been going on.” This was not true, of course.

  The men had been discussing the way Kirkstatter had treated Gabe. “I’m glad the man has left,” Doctor Cornish had volunteered. “Seems like I’ve had enough of his kind to last me a lifetime.” However, the subject of Kirkstatter was not broached in Gabe’s presence.

  “Do you think his Lordship was ready to feel a little water under his keel?” Cornish asked.

  “Aye,” Gabe replied, “Said it was time to get Bart to sea and give Barbados a break.” This brought a chuckle as Gabe knew it would. The admiral’s burly cox’n had gained a reputation at the card tables. Not that he’d really hurt anyone but he never ran out of carousing money, and he never spent his own.

  “It looks like the bay is empty now that the convoy has sailed and the admiral is taking his squadron out.”

  “It does look suddenly deserted but there’s a good force still left to make life miserable for anyone looking for a little action,” Gabe responded.

  “Has Barbados ever been attacked?” Cornish asked. “I know several other islands that have been attacked.”

  “Not to my knowledge,” Gabe answered. After another round was brought to the table, Gabe said, “I’ve been ordered to take Trident to the yards at Antigua. They‘ve done all they can for her here. We will have Bulldog escort us.”

  Cornish laughed at this, “A sloop escorting a warship, now I’ve heard it all.”

  “Would you rather we sail alone and chance sinking?” Gabe asked.

  “No,” Cornish replied, suddenly very somber.

  “Have you told Faith?” Dagan asked.

  “Yes,” Gabe replied. Nothing else was mentioned on the subject; Dagan would hear the rest later. “In truth, Doctor,” Gabe was saying, “you don’t have to make the trip. You are still Trident’s surgeon, but you may come or stay as you wish.”

  “I’ll go,” he replied. “I’ve stepped on enough toes caring for Admiral Buck.”

  “I saw him at the wedding and he seems almost his old self,” Gabe said.

  “Aye, he’ll raise his flag again,” Cornish replied. “He and Livi will seek passage back to England soon. They have decided to get married when they return.”

  Dagan suddenly nudged Gabe and nodded toward the tavern entrance. Once Laqua’s eyes adjusted to the dimness and he was able to make out the patrons, he quickly found the table he was looking for, and made his way over. “You sent for me, Captain?”

  “Aye, Lieutenant Laqua. Let me be the first to congratulate you.” Laqua stood for a moment, and then a smile broke out on his face.

  “It shouldn’t be a surprise,” Dagan joked, “having Gabe as one of the three captains on the board.”

  Smiling, Laqua said, “Can you guess who asked the most difficult questions?”

  “I didn’t want it to look like I was playing favorites,” Gabe said.

  “You didn’t,” Laqua admitted. “I guess I can safely return your books.”

  Hex ordered another tankard and told the bar wench to be nice to Laqua, as he had just been promoted. After a while, Laqua asked, “You called me lieutenant, so I’m not a passed master’s mate? What ship have I been commissioned to?”

  “For now, the Trident,” Gabe replied, “but don’t worry, when I get a ship you will be one of my lieutenants. And…,” Gabe said, after a sigh, “Lord Anthony has promised you a spot should fate not be kind to me.”

  “Aye, aye,” the group said in unison.

  “Now, Lieutenant, I expect you’d better go see the tailor and get fitted out as a young lieutenant should be.”

  “Thank you, sir. I just wish Mr. Hays was here,” Laqua said.

  “He’s got a ship,” Cornish volunteered. “Though I’ve no doubt he’d have chosen different had he been given the opportunity. When do we sail?” Cornish asked.

  “As soon as our new lieutenant can get himself a set of uniforms,” Gabe replied. “Hex, you better go with Laqua and make sure the tailor doesn’t scam our new officer.”

  ***

  HMS BULLDOG WAS A sixteen gun sloop of war. She was ship-rigged, sleek, and had an appearance fitting her name…a feisty vessel. Lieutenant Gregory Kirk was her commanding officer. He was considered an able mariner and a good captain, firm but fair. He had been a midshipman on one of Lord Anthony’s ships. Now he was to escort Trident to the dockyard at Antigua. He’d heard of Trident’s last voyage. A proud and victorious voyage it was. He’d hate to see the ship scrapped after distinguishing herself as she had done. Would Kirkstatter, the arse or Admiral Arse as the men, officers and seaman alike had labeled him, cause her to go down in infamy because of his biased accusations? How many captains could have done what Sir Gabe had done? Was the man jealous of Sir Gabe’s accomplishments?

  Hopefully, Sir Gabe would overcome and rise above Kirkstatter’s slander. Slander, it just dawned on Kirk. Slander was exactly what it was. He’d been invited to Sir Gabe’s house to dine that evening. He was looking forward to it. He’d heard Captain Francis Markham say that Gabe was the luckiest man around. With a wife like he had, who needed the sea? Well, he’d see for himself. He’d bring a little gift for Sir Gabe’s little boy. One of his men had carved a whale out of a piece of whalebone…a white whale. He looked forward to the meeting but was nervous. After all, Gabe was Lord Anthony’s brother and he, Greg Kirk, was one of the admiral’s captains.

  ***

  GABE WOKE UP IN the predawn hours. A lifetime of habits at sea was hard to break, even when one had been asho
re these past few months. Lying next to him, Faith slept the sleep of contentment. When he’d went to sleep she had been nude, exhausted from their lovemaking. At some point, she had risen without waking him and put on her nightgown. It was in case she would have to get up with little James. Since Gabe had been home these past three months, he’d started sleeping the night through. “Knows his daddy is home,” Nanny had said. In some ways, being beached had been a good thing; a time to get to know his son, and getting to know his wife again.

  It was as Dagan had said, “Faith will be waiting with little James.” She had welcomed him home as a wife, mother, and as a woman who wanted to satisfy her lover. It had been a time of healing; both physical and mental healing, for him and Dagan. Since he’d been home, they’d gone out visiting, dancing, and to dinner as a family. Something he could only vaguely remember happening in his childhood. That had partly been due to society. Admiral Lord James Anthony was hardly concerned with his reputation but he did care greatly for that of his mistress and his son. The times he did remember were fond times…most of them, including Dagan. He went to sea then and he’d been at sea most of his life since going aboard his first ship as a middy. Trying hard, Gabe could only think of a few, a very few, times he’d been ashore this long. Would things change tomorrow? Faith seemed to understand that his leaving on the morrow might mean anything. It was not a peaceful time, it was war.

  When he’d tried to prepare her for the inevitable, she had put her finger across his lips and then kissed him. “We’ll be here when you get back,” she said. “No matter how long it takes. You just come home to me and James.”

  Ariel would be with her. Nanny and Lum were a big part of their lives but they did not provide the same companionship Faith got from Deborah, Ariel, and even Livi.

  Admiral Buck had spoken to Gabe when they’d had a minute alone. “I will take care of your family, Gabe. You keep your mind on the sea, the ship, and the enemy. I will keep an eye on your family.”