They rode the waves together, Scott taking her with him every step of the way. Two bodies moving as one, entwined, glistened in the beams of moonlight coming through the stern-bay window. Their coming together was gentle but no less pleasing because of it. The peak was an easy climb and release brought them down together fully spent. They fell into peaceful slumber in each other’s arms.
All too soon the day arrived when they had to part. They were nearing the coast of England and Danielle had insisted Scott would have to leave her side so she could fulfill her promise of getting the refugees to the coast of England.
She lay sleeping in his arms in the pre-dawn hour of their last night together. Scott held her tightly against him. "To you I pledge my life, my sweet gypsy witch. You alone can heal the wounds of my ravaged soul." Scott looked down at the lovely vision of her face resting on his shoulder and wished he could keep her so forever. Here in his embrace, safe from all harm. But he knew she would leave him with the sun and he ached for the loneliness he knew would then come. But for this night he held her tight, closing his eyes. The joy of feeling her cuddled next to him was burned in his memory to be brought out at a later date to help him through the days ahead.
They were both more solemn the next morning as they dressed and she was ready to leave for her ship. They both kept touching each other not wanting their time together to end. Scott was the first to break away.
He went over to his desk. "Come here Danielle, I would show you something."
She crossed the room to stand by his side.
He spread the map out flat on its surface and took a pen and pointed to Lizard Point on the coast of England. "This will be our home one day. My mother lives in the small village there. It has a small cove, but the water is deep and it is an easy access for a ship to anchor."
Danielle’s heart skipped a beat. She knew the village well, but said nothing.
"If you ever need me for anything, get a message to her there. Her name is Jenny Dominion. And when you are through with your obligation, go to her. I will find you there." He looked down at the top of her head at his shoulder. "Agreed?"
"Agreed!" she looked up and smiled contented that she would see him again soon.
They left the cabin to find Ricardo crossing the deck to their side. "Take care of yourself, Danielle. I fear the captain will be hard to live with after today."
"Well if he is too hard on you, Ricardo, you can always find a place on The Gypsy Witch."
Ricardo laughed at the scowl on Scott’s face. "I’ll remember that."
Scott pulled her against him for one last long kiss, before finally releasing her to crawl down to the longboat, waiting to transfer her across the short space to her own ship. His eyes never left her as she climbed aboard her vessel and jumped up on its side, hanging onto the ratlines. The breeze off the water molded her perfect figure as she waved at him.
Her voice carried easily over the water. "Hey, pirate! May your foes be weak and their holds be full!"
Scott smiled and yelled back. "Aye, witch! And may your foes be sluggish and your vessel be swift!" He waved a farewell and stood staring at the rail as Danielle’s vessel moved away from him. He did not move until it was a small speck on the horizon. A lump formed in his throat as he watched her disappear. How long must he wait to see her once again? He turned his back to the sea and went to his cabin.
~ * ~
As The Gypsy Witch drew closer to England, Danielle turned her attention to the far horizon. The rolling waves left her dizzy and she grasped hold of the ship’s railing to keep upright. She tried to steady herself, her legs turning to rubber. When she looked down to the starboard side of the ship the gentle swells passing beneath the bow only served to make her feel worse. Mentally she counted on her fingers and the nagging thought that had ridden in the back of her mind came to full realization. It had been three months since she had first been with Scott. It was not seasickness that was plaguing her. She was pregnant! She was filled with shock and wonder. A low moan of nausea came over her once again.
Danielle made record time in arriving back at Lizard Point and the patiently waiting Jenny. She stayed on board until the last of the passengers had been seen safely to shore. As the last trip of the longboat nosed gently onto the sandy beach Danielle found herself engulfed in the embraces of Jenny Dominion.
"Thank God you’ve returned safely." Jenny smiled through those familiar grey-green eyes. Not wanting to turn loose of her, she wrapped her arm around her shoulders and led her up the beach toward the house.
"Whatever took you so long? I’d almost given up hope. David said you had some delays, but that’s all he would say." Jenny looked closely at the petite woman beside her, her womanly intuition already hard at work. "You are all right, aren’t you, Danielle?" She asked with concern.
Danielle laughed. "Oh yes, Jenny, I’m fine," she lied. "We had a few problems but things have worked out for the best."
Jenny studied her, delving for the hidden meaning in her words. Patience being the better virtue, the gray haired woman did not press for further explanation.
As they entered the house, Danielle turned to the other woman and kissed her warmly on the cheek. "It really is good to be home."
Jenny quickly blinked back the mistiness threatening to cloud her vision and ushered Danielle toward her room. "As much as I would love to sit and hear about your exploits this trip, I know you would like a hot bath and a rest even more. Am I right?’
"Oh, Jenny, you’re a mind-reading angel. I think right now I’d be tempted to sell the plume in my hat for a freshwater bath," she giggled.
She opened the door to Danielle’s familiar room. "You make yourself comfortable and I’ll bring the water. I’ve had it heating since I first spotted your ship coming round the point. And a little snack before you rest probably would not come amiss, either."
"You are very special to me, Jenny."
"Because you are very special, Danielle."
Jenny left the room for the kitchen leaving Danielle to stroll across the floor. Almost instantly Scott’s presence assaulted her, rushing her senses with the scent and feel of him.
Luckily, it wasn’t long before Jenny returned to the room carrying buckets of water for her bath. This brought Danielle out of her lethargy and she jumped to take the heavy containers out of her hands to pour it into the brass tub.
Danielle refused to relinquish the empty buckets as Jenny reached out to take them. "Oh no." Danielle led the way through the door. "You bring the food I’ll carry the water." She smiled over her shoulder at the woman following her. "You’re not my lady’s maid you know."
"Very well, Captain. I can see you are used to having your orders carried out." Jenny chuckled.
Once replete and soaking in a hot sudsy bath, Danielle insisted that Jenny stay and fill her in on all that had happened while she was away. She wanted someone to keep her thoughts from dwelling on Scott and the ache she felt with his absence.
Jenny did not realize how she had missed having someone around until she watched the young woman sudsing her shoulders.
"Sailing the seas must agree with you," Jenny smiled. "You’ve put on a little weight."
Danielle’s hand stopped half way down her arm and glanced quickly at the other woman.
Jenny hadn’t noticed the startled expression that had flitted across Danielle’s face and continued. "I always told you, you were too thin. You look healthier this way."
Something had happened on this last trip to France. She’d had a strange look ever since she had stepped from the prow. Jenny figured Danielle would tell her when and if she wanted her to know.
Danielle decided to tell Scott’s mother part of the reason they were late. "I met your son," she blurted out. She watched Jenny’s face light up, her fingers clasping together in her lap.
"How? When?" The barrage of questions came immediately to the fore.
Danielle explained about her rescue against the French ship of the line. She purposely neglecte
d to tell her of her previous knowledge of Scott and naturally omitted the time spent alone in the cabin.
"Thank God he was there, Danielle! You could have been killed! I feel warm in my heart though, that it was my son that saved you… How is he?" The love for her only child was very evident on her face.
"He looked well." What an understatement that was. He was magnificent!
"Did you tell him of me?" Jenny whispered.
"No, Jenny. I feel that is something you must inform him, yourself. But I feel he would take your involvement not as harshly as you may think." She explained that Scott had ‘found out’ about her passengers and had showed no hate against them.
Jenny sighed. Maybe Scott had softened a little over the years.
"He did tell me of you and where you lived. He even told me to leave him a message in your hands if I needed to." Danielle watched the woman peruse her out of the corners of her eyes.
Jenny sat back and digested this information. Why would her son want to have knowledge of a small vessel coming and going from France? Unless he knew somehow that the captain of said vessel was a beautiful, desirable female. There was a definite intrigue to this story, but it was one she could wait and watch it unfold. She would not question Danielle.
"His first mate, Ricardo. You saw him, too?" Jenny asked, once more picking up her sampler and tried to be vaguely interested in Danielle’s answer.
"Yes, Jenny a first rate seaman. And I could tell he and your son were very close."
Jenny only nodded and said no more on the subject.
"How are all the refugees doing in a strange country?’ Danielle changed the subject. "Are they all finding homes and positions?"
"It’s been so exciting, Danielle," Jenny warmed to her favorite subject. "They are fitting in so well. Most of the immigrants have skills that are needed here in Britain and are very much in demand. I’m just sorry there isn’t some way to get them out quicker."
"Quicker? Is the persecution getting worse?"
"I forgot that you’ve been gone and probably haven’t heard. Last week in France there were thousands of Protestants killed throughout the provinces. Many who haven’t been able to find a way to escape are fleeing into the mountains, hiding out like animals."
Danielle grabbed a towel and rose from the tub, wrapping it around her. "There must be something we can do!" Danielle ached with sorrow and heartache for her fellow countrymen.
Jenny rose from the side of the bed and walked over to put her hand on Danielle’s shoulder. "You are doing more than anyone, my dear. With your help we know at least some of them are starting a new life this day. I shouldn’t have mentioned it to you. I should have known you would be upset. Why don’t we just leave the tub until tomorrow and go straight to bed. I know you must be tired."
Danielle agreed and watched Jenny leave the room. How would she ever be able to sleep? Mercifully, when Danielle climbed into bed, the memories were gentle and she drifted into a deep sleep comforted protectively in a pair of strong arms.
The month was over all too soon, and Danielle had ordered the men back on board. By the evening tide they were under sail once more. This would be her last trip to France. When she returned she would tell Jenny and let Sir Francis know. The health of her baby must come first.
Eight
The Scarlet Eagle sailed majestically upon a calm sea, her brilliant white sails billowing gently before a light southwesterly breeze. For weeks Scott had searched in the waters Danielle would normally be sailing and there had been no sign of The Gypsy Witch.
His disappointment at not finding her on her next trip was reflected in every movement of his body. The tall, self-assured young man usually found standing proudly on the quarter deck, was lately seen wondering listlessly, his spirit floundering in a sea of frustration.
Scott moved up beside Ricardo at the helm and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Change course to north-northeast, Ricardo." He spoke into the wind, feeling the muscles tense in the man next to him.
"And our destination, Captain?" Ricardo stared straight ahead not looking at the captain.
Scott watched him out of the corner of his eye. He knew how desperately tired Ricardo was. They’d been longer than usual and the tension of searching the waters for Danielle was telling on them all. His first mate deserved a rest and Scott with his obsession had not noticed the tired lines around Ricardo’s eyes until today.
"Lizard Point, Ricardo." He felt more than saw the man next to him snap his head around to stare at him. Scott looked his way and smiled broadly. "The men need shore leave and we’ve been gone from home too long. I’ve got to get you back before my mother forgets what you look like."
"Nae, never that, Scott. Our Jenny would never forget the likes of either of us."
Scott pounded him on his back feeling suddenly weary. "Just in case, we’d better refresh her memory. I need a rest, my friend and it will be good to spend some time ashore. I have some business I’d like to take care of anyway." Wearily, he turned from the helm and moved across the quarterdeck. "Take us home, Ricardo," he gave the order and started down the ladder to his cabin.
As they rounded the rocky spit of land called Lizard Point, the familiar presence of Polpeor Cove came into view. The evening tide pushed the black-hulled frigate closer to the shore.
"Take in the topgallant sails!" Ricardo ordered the men.
"Aye, aye, sir," echoed across the deck.
"Back the main topsail!" He watched the shore grow ever nearer.
"Aye, sir."
"Bring her into the wind, mates!" Ricardo shouted the final order, bringing The Scarlet Eagle to a stop, the large ship still rocking on the waves.
Loudly, Ricardo banged on Scott’s cabin door with his fist. "We’re home!"
Jolted from a restless sleep by Ricardo’s call, Scott bolted from the bunk and stopped, swaying dizzily in the middle of the room, trying to get his bearings. He saw the familiar houses aglow in the evening sun from his window, and Ricardo’s words finally registered.
Scott grabbed his boots sitting on the floor at the end of the bunk and quickly pulled them on. He took his heavy wool coat from a rack and opened the door. He quickly put his arms in the coat. The freezing wind slapped against him.
"It’s good to be back," he said aloud to himself, watching the crew under Ricardo’s careful mastering, as they eased the ship into the cove a short distance off shore from his mother’s house.
He felt a weight lift from his shoulders and laughed heartily as he watched the longboat being lowered over the side, hitting the water even before the anchor touched bottom.
"You men in a hurry to get ashore, bosun?" Scott called, his weariness of past days suddenly gone.
"No, sir, wouldn’t want to keep you waiting, sir, in case the Captain’s in a hurry," the bosun replied, grinning sheepishly, unsure of his captain’s mood.
Scott smiled broadly and called back. "Stand by, I’ll be with you in a minute. "Ricardo! Bring your gear!"
Both men were over the side and into the longboat in record time. They were still only half the distance to the shore when Ricardo felt a sharp elbow in his ribs.
"Look my friend," Scott said pointing up the beach. "Our welcoming committee is on its way."
Ricardo strained his eyes against the sun. He made out the form of a woman, her blue skirts flapping behind her as she ran headlong down the beach.
Before the longboat touched ground, Jenny was at the water’s edge, heedless of the salt water soaking the hem of her skirts. She waved her shawl wildly in the air, calling to them, her words mixed with tears of joy.
Ricardo, not waiting for the boat to touch sand, waded through the surf, arriving at Jenny’s side a few paces ahead of the young man. He hugged her soundly and lifted her high, swinging her around, kissing away her tears of happiness.
"Put me down you, old fool!" She laughed.
"Not on your life, madam," he retorted, swooping her up in his arms, carrying her back to where the
sand was dry.
Scott, waiting on dry land, watched the interchange between two of his favorite people. As they approached him, he noticed the happiness of the older couple, Ricardo still carrying his mother in his arms. He shook his head in mock wonder.
"Have you two finally decided to come ashore?" Scott asked.
"It’s so good to have you both back home," Jenny smiled.
Scott bent low, kissing her cheek.
"Put me down, Ricardo," she implored, "so I can give my son a proper welcome."
"Your wish is my command." Still grinning broadly, he placed her feet gently on the sand, barely letting her go before she was once more lifted off her feet, engulfed in the strong arms of her son.
Together the threesome walked arm in arm up the beach in the direction of home, laughing and talking all at once.
Scott waited until they were sitting in the parlor having a warm drink and the excitement of their arrival had died down before he broached the subject dearest to his heart.
"Do you happen to have a message for me, from a Captain Rochette?" Scott tried to sound indifferent.
Ricardo jerked his head in Scott’s direction. What the hell was he talking about, he wondered? He was receiving mail from Danielle here? His eyes went to Jenny who looked like she was enjoying herself completely. How did she know Danielle? There was a lot going on here that he knew nothing about.
"Yes, I do," she answered not moving from her place next to Ricardo on the couch. Jenny watched him squirm and just sit smiling at him across the room.
"Well?" he insisted. What was the matter with her, for God’s sake. She was just sitting there with that stupid smile on her face.
"Well?" she repeated.
"Well, get it for me, damn it!" He yelled.
"Don’t yell at your mother!" Ricardo bellowed.
Scott stared at his friend and first mate. He had never heard that tone of voice from him before now. And when it involved his mother he found he was tickled to see Ricardo take up for her. "Sorry, Mother."
"Oh, all right," she winked at Ricardo and went to the desk across the room. She took out an envelope and handed it to him, putting him out of misery.
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