Raven Quest

by Jo Ann Ferguson

  “Olive—”

  “Go while you can.”

  Rory gave her a quick embrace and ran down the stairs, stuffing her hair back under her kerchief. She had to hide. Although Yellow Hal would not know who hit him, Rory would be the one to pay. She must risk going to the Blindman and having him help her.

  The dawn colored the sky with pale wisps of light as she raced out onto the street. An arm snaked around her waist and she shrieked.

  “Quiet, Rory.”

  The hushed whisper sent heat through her. “Nathan!”

  “Hush.” He spun her to face him. His smile faded when he put a finger out toward her bruised cheek. “Where did you get this?”

  “Where do you think?” She tugged against his grip on her. “Let me go! I have to get to the Blind-as untamed as a feral cat, butman.”

  “He’s not there.”

  She stiffened. “What do you mean?”

  “I went out there tonight to let him know we’d speak with him tomorrow night. No one was there.”

  “He never goes anywhere.”

  “Maybe he went after the Raven’s gold.” Nathan did not give Rory a chance to answer as he herded her toward the harbor. The old man might have betrayed him, but the Blindman did not have Rory.

  He glanced again at her bruise-shadowed cheek. To perdition with Yellow Hal for striking her! Steering her toward where Alfred waited with the lighter, he saw the cook talking to a group of sailors. He cursed. He did not want anyone seeing him sneak Rory out of here.

  Alfred waved toward him, and the men walked away. Good! He was glad he could trust the cook, who had signed on only a few months ago.

  “I should go to see if the Blindman left me a message,” Rory said.

  “You can read?”

  She scowled at him, then winced with pain. He fought the yearning to go back and repay Yellow Hal for hurting her. Shoving her ahead of him toward the lighter, he climbed in behind her. He pushed it off and handed one oar to Alfred as he took the other.

  “Nathan, I should—”

  “If you stay here, Yellow Hal will kill you.”

  Her eyes widened. “How do you know?”

  “I was watching from outside the taproom. When he followed you upstairs, I knew you were in trouble. Olive told me to wait, and she would get you out.” He slammed the oar against the water. Could she guess how difficult it had been to stand there and do nothing but wait?

  He gazed at her soft lips. A pulse of fury coursed through him as he imagined the pirate tasting them. Rory might be as untamed as a feral cat, but Yellow Hal was not the one to tame her. Another throb rushed along him, but this one was of pleasurable anticipation. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to hold her again.

  Following him up the rope ladder, she said nothing as he held out his hand. She looked from it to him, her eyes again wide. Slowly her fingers rose to his. With a grim smile, he led her to his cabin. This conversation would not be easy, but maybe she would be willing to listen to the truth now. His smile faded when he lit a lamp against the dawn’s shadows.

  Rory put her hand up to her cheek. “It’s not so painful.”

  “You’re lying.”

  She squared her shoulders. “I’m grateful this is all he did to me.”

  “Does Warwick know you’re a woman, or does he have a taste for young boys?”

  “He knows. Caroline told him.”

  “Does he know you are Powell’s daughter?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Tonight, Warwick was asking about the Raven.” He grinned as he sat on the bed. “He asked before I had a chance to mention the ship to him. If I had, I’d be dead now.”

  When he took her hand and drew her down to sit beside him, she closed her eyes and placed her head against his chest, listening to the comforting sound of his heartbeat. It terrified her to think of what Yellow Hal would do to his rivals.

  He chuckled darkly. “He’s going to be furious when he learns Stuart Powell’s daughter has been working for him all this time. It’ll be more than your virginity he’ll be interested in.”

  “He doesn’t know who I am. Not yet, but it won’t take him long to find out.”

  He caressed her unbruised cheek. “You are lucky he has no idea that you are the key to this.”

  “You keep saying that. I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “I told you. You’re the first line of your father’s poem.”

  “I want nothing to do with Stuart Powell.”

  “Or with me?”

  Her fury faltered. “What do you mean?”

  “This has nothing to do with your father any longer, Rory. This is my quest.”

  “But not mine.”

  He scowled. “I just saved you. The least you could do is help me.”

  “As I see it, we’re even.”

  Grasping her shoulders, his hands curved up along her face. He did not touch her bruises but whispered, “If you believe that, I can have you rowed back to shore and Yellow Hal.”

  Fear struck her like the pirate’s fist. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Not if you will listen and tell me if you understand any of it.”

  Staring into his midnight eyes, she realized this quest was more than a search for gold for him. This was the search for a dream. “I’ll listen, Nathan.”

  “Good. Listen well.” Taking a deep breath, he released her and whispered, “Look for the blackbird of the dawn. The sheperd’s tale will give you the clue to steer on between the low gods and Spain. Seek the coral key if treasure you yearn to gain.”

  She waited for him to continue. When he arched an ebony brow, she laughed.

  “What is so funny?” he demanded.

  “You! Have you really been searching for years with only that as a clue?”

  “It is all the clue I need,” he answered in the same tight voice.

  “How do you expect me to know the answer to nonsense?”

  “The Blindman didn’t think it was nonsense!”

  Rory did not have a quick answer. Although she wanted to accuse him of lying, she was sure he was being honest. Why hadn’t the Blindman told her what Nathan had said? Why hadn’t he warned her?

  The door burst open. She whirled, reaching for her knife but recognized the bald man as Nathan’s first mate. As Ernest stepped into the light brightening through the window, she saw blood on his face.

  “We’ve got to sail,” he shouted. “Now!”

  Nathan put his hand on her arm. Did he think she was going to flee out the door? She had no place to go. “What happened? The Blindman?”

  “Never got there.” Ernest wiped blood from his face. “We were attacked and chased back to the city. I think we lost them.”

  “Did they know who you were?”

  Ernest shook his head. “How could they?”

  “Set the sails.” Nathan glanced at her. “Make ready to leave Port Royal. We have all we need.”

  Rory took a step back from his intense stare. “I thought you wanted to talk to the Blindman first.”

  “I’m willing to gamble that he won’t be able to tell me any more than you can, Aurora Raven Mullins.” He sat again, folding his arms over his chest, and said, “You can tell me what you know now, and I’ll have you put ashore.”

  She looked from him to his first mate, who had paused in the door, an expression of amazement on his face. At her name or Nathan’s offer? Scraping her tongue along her lips, she whispered, “I can’t go back there. Take me with you.”

  “That could be very costly for me and the Vengeance when you claim you understand none of the poem.”

  “I will give you back the gold you paid me.” She pulled the pouch from under her shirt.

  “That much gold will not satisfy Warwick if he wants the Raven’s treasure.” He looked past her. “Ernest, convey my orders to the crew.”

  The first mate nodded, his lips taut. “Cap’n, if you’d like my opinion—”

  �
��Not now.”

  The door closed after Ernest, and she heard him shouting to the crew. When Nathan stood, she swallowed roughly and asked, “What will it cost for you to take me from here?”

  “You know well the price.”

  “But I don’t have any answers for you.”

  “I think you do.” He smiled coolly. “Even though you may not believe it. However, the answers are only part of what I want from you.” He ran his finger along her arm.

  “Is that all you can think of? Bedding me, and the gold?”

  “’Tis more than enough to fill a man’s mind.”

  “I won’t sell myself to you.”

  As he had before, he put his hand on the door to keep her from opening it. “I thought you wanted me to help you,” he said.

  “You have made it quite clear you aren’t willing to do so. Not at a price I can pay.” She fought to keep her defiance from wavering, but fear taunted her. Once she stepped ashore, she would be Yellow Hal’s prey.

  Nathan stepped closer. Her soft gasp disappeared into his mouth as he held her against the door. Unlike Yellow Hal’s, his lips were gentle. Her hands gripped his arms as he drew her into his embrace. A moan of delight rumbled from her as his mouth caressed her throat. When his tongue touched her ear, her knees grew weak with yearning.

  “Are you sure you aren’t willing to pay this sweet price?” he whispered.

  She took a deep breath to clear her mind. On the Vengeance she had a chance of surviving, although this was not the life she dreamed of.

  “Very well, Nathan. It’s a deal.” She held out her hand.

  He raised it to his lips and smiled as his tongue teased the tip of her finger. A streak of lightning seared her.

  His eyes twinkled. “I think you and I are going to have grand times together, Aurora Raven Mullins, but you must be half-asleep if you’re so ready to agree with me without negotiating.”

  “I know what I’m doing!”

  “Do you? I wonder if you’ll feel the same after you have slept. Now, go to sleep.”

  “Go to sleep? I thought you wanted to … That is …”

  “You sleep while I get us out of Port Royal with our skins. I want to be gone before the Scourge or anyone else raises sail to follow us.” He glanced at the door as the shouts of the crew and the banging of ropes warned the ship was almost ready to get under way. He kissed her cheek before he grinned and slapped her on the bottom. “Pleasant dreams, Rory.”

  So exhausted she did not argue, she simply nodded as he went out to oversee his crew. She did not care where they went as long as it was beyond Yellow Hal’s reach. She hoped the Blindman was safe and wished she could think of a way to tell him she was. Kicking off her slippers, she curled up on the soft mattress. The boat’s gentle rocking brought back distant memories of a time when life was simple and sweet.

  She feared it never would be again.

  Five

  When Rory awoke, she looked out the windows over the bed. She guessed she had been sleeping about seven hours, for the sun was directly overhead. All signs of land were gone. She pushed herself away from the wall, trying not to think of what she had agreed to trade for her life.

  She found a comb on the shelf and began to untangle her hair. There was no reason to wear the hot handkerchief over her braids any longer. Everyone on the Vengeance knew she was not a lad. She longed to wash her face but grimaced as she touched the bruise left by Yellow Hal.

  Maybe in the cupboard. She went to it and opened the door. “Oh, goodness!”

  A lavender frock hung there. Pinned to it was a folded paper with her name printed in bold letters. Her fingers shook as she unhooked the note and opened it.

  Rory,

  Please wear this. It is time for you to be the lady you should be. I hope you like it. The modiste told me it was fashionable.

  Nathan’s signature was as bold as he was.

  Behind the dress hung petticoats. With delight, she stepped into the lacy petticoats and tied the ribbons around her. She pulled the dress over them. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she longed for a mirror. She touched the double row of lace that hid the hooks closing it. The sleeves ended in a ruffle at her elbows. The skirt was embroidered with silken flowers and split to show the lace on her petticoats. Her mother’s locket glittered over the modest neckline.

  A long piece of blue ribbon had fallen to the floor. She cut it into two uneven lengths and put her knife in its sheath under her skirt. The longer piece of ribbon she wound through her hair. The other she tied around her right wrist as the fine ladies of Port Royal did.

  When she heard a bolt being thrown, she realized she had been locked in. Did Nathan think she would agree to what she had agreed to and then flee? Her sharp question evaporated in the heat of his gaze.

  A smile uncurled along her lips as she discovered a sudden, intoxicating power. She had seen men looking at Olive and Caroline with this yearning, and she had seen the gifts those men had been eager to give them. “Good morning, Nathan”

  “Good afternoon.” Grinning, he said, “In that dress, you look like the answer to a man’s fantasy.”

  “It’s nice to be a woman again.” Letting her hips sway, which she had fought for the last two years, she stepped closer. “Thank you.” On tiptoe, she stretched up and kissed him on the cheek.

  His dark eyes narrowed, and she knew he was suspicious of her ploy. “The dressmaker was curious why I wanted to purchase this gown and have it tailored to fit you.” With a husky laugh, he added, “No more breeches. I want to see you as a lady. As my lady.”

  As his lips created soft melodies of ecstasy on her skin, her hands moved to his chest. When he took her hands in his, she glanced up in surprise to see his smile. He raised her fingers to his lips, and she closed her eyes to savor the pleasure surrounding her in a flush.

  She forced the warmth aside. “Why are you locking me in here? I told you I’d stay. I don’t go back on my word.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Your word? Is that the only reason you are acting so sweetly?”

  “I told you I’d do what you wished.” She drew away and offered him a frosty smile. “You’re getting what you want, aren’t you?”

  Disgust crossed his face. “Don’t think you are the most irresistible woman I’ve ever met. Although you look much better now, you’re still an urchin.”

  “Who has no interest in sharing your bed and your quest.” That was a lie, but revealing the truth of how she trembled at his fiery touch left her too vulnerable. She would not be so careless again.

  “And? Does that mean you’ll share one with me?”

  She moved away from him. What game was he playing now? She had known the rules in Port Royal until Nathan came into her life with a whole new set. Running her finger along the windowsill, she said, “Maybe.”

  “If you’ll share only one, help me find the Raven’s treasure.”

  Her finger froze on the sill as pain riveted her. He wanted the gold more than he wanted her. Not that she should care. In fact, this should make things much less complicated. “Very well, Nathan. You’ll have my cooperation in solving your puzzle. Nothing else.”

  “I expected you’d say that, Rory.” He chuckled without humor. “That will be our bargain. I take you away from Warwick, and you help me find your father’s ship while you sleep here and I bunk with the crew.”

  “All right. No more than that.”

  “And no less.” Holding out his arm to her, he said, “Let’s go for a walk around the deck.”

  “Walk?”

  “Walk,” Nathan repeated. “You know. Placing your feet one after another. It’s simple.” Taking her right hand, he placed it on his arm. He touched her wrist and said softly, “This looks lovely here. I’d hoped the shade of this ribbon would match your blue eyes. It’s close, but I doubt if anything can mimic that color.”

  “Why are you being so kind to me?”

  “It’s all part of a scheme. The gold is y
ours by right of inheritance. If I’m generous to you now, you’ll feel obligated to give that gold to me when we find it.”

  “And if we don’t?”

  All humor dissolved from his voice. “We must.”

  “Why do you travel with so little in your hold?” Rory asked as she sat with her back against the mainmast. Her hair was tied with a single piece of ribbon but blew about her face in the sturdy breeze.

  “We aren’t traders.” Nathan leaned one hand against the mast and watched the men cleaning the decks. Raising his voice, he shouted, “Muir, check the bowsprit.”

  The bos’n called from the upper deck, “Aye, Cap’n.”

  “He’s a hard worker,” Rory said.

  “He is hungry for gold.”

  “You’re wasting an opportunity to finance your expedition. The merchants in Port Royal always look for honest captains.”

  “Good!” When she stared at him in astonishment, he continued, “I don’t want to be at some rich man’s beck and call.”

  “Why not?”

  “Why not?” he retorted. “Because I spent too much of my life answering to wealthy men who tried to tell me what I could plant and how much I could sell it for at the market.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “Listen to yourself! You hate them, but you want to be just like them.”

  “You’re right!”

  “Why?”

  This time he did not have a quick answer. “What do you mean?”

  “Just what I said.” Flinging out her hands, she went on. “Nathan, you’ve a grand life. Free to follow the wind. Free to seek your dreams anywhere you wish. You should realize how lucky you are.”

  “Lucky? I’ve spent years chasing the Raven. I can’t continue past the end of the summer. I’ll have to sell the Vengeance then—the dream will die.”

  “Why not gain more time by trading?”

  He sighed. “I’ll talk to Ernest about it.”

  “Talk to me about what?” Ernest smiled.

  Before Nathan could reply, Alfred called him to look at the supplies in the galley. Rory quickly explained to Ernest.

  He shook his head in dismay. “’Twould kill the cap’n to do that.”