Splendor

by Catherine Hart

  “Isn’t that just like a man,” Jane declared, shaking her head. “Tell him he’s going to be a father, and he’s all set to order jackboots and breeches.”

  “Devlin wants a daughter,” Eden said, her eyes catching her husband’s. She rose from her chair to give her mother a belated kiss. “I can scarcely believe that I will soon have a baby brother or sister, after all these years. ’Us truly mir ... mir ... aculous.” Her words drifted off tremulously, but it wasn’t merely due to her roiling emotions. Suddenly, as she clung to Jane’s smaller frame, dizziness threatened to overcome her. Dark clouds swirled around her, her vision narrowing to a spiraling tunnel.

  “Devlin?” she called out fearfully, reaching for him.

  Feeling her daughter starting to sway, Jane promptly shoved Eden into Devlin’s ready arms. “Set her down and press her head betwixt her knees,” she instructed brusquely.

  Devlin did as Jane suggested. The irreverent thought crossed his mind that he’d rather have Eden’s head between his legs, but he didn’t imagine Jane would find that amusing at the moment. Actually, neither did he when he caught his first glimpse of Eden’s milk-white face.

  “Breathe deeply, pet,” he told her. “Nice deep breaths. Come on, Eden, I’ve got you. Cease fighting it. If you relax, ’twill soon pass.”

  Slowly Eden’s world began to right itself again, but no sooner did it stop spinning than she clamped a hand over her mouth and attempted to bolt from her chair. Realizing the problem, Jane grabbed a nearby vase, hastily dumped its bouquet of flowers onto the floor, and thrust the vessel under Eden’s nose.

  “Blessed saints!” she said chuckling dryly. “ ’Twould seem all our prayers are to be answered at once. Unless I miss my guess, I’d say we’ve two breeding women in the same house, and two untried fathers-to-be. What merry mayhem this heralds!”

  Despite the limitations imposed on him by his invisibility, Devlin strove to conduct as much business as possible without requiring Eden’s presence. His bride was often indisposed these days with recurring bouts of nausea and light-headedness, as was her mother. Jane had been correct in assuming that Eden was breeding, and as near as they could figure, the child was due sometime in June, with only a few weeks separating the birth of Nate and Jane’s babe from Devlin and Eden’s.

  Taking all this into consideration, Devlin concluded that it would be best to delay any search for Swift until after the arrival of the babies. Finding the fellow might prove a lengthy venture, and Devlin did not want to be separated from his wife just now. Nor did he wish to miss the momentous occasion of his first child’s birth, merely to mete out revenge on his old enemy. Besides, until the proper time came to go after Swift, there was plenty to keep him busy right here in Charles Town.

  In exchange for Devlin’s help at the warehouse, Nate reciprocated by aiding Devlin in the purchase of property along the wharf. With the two ships as a start, Devlin now had his sights set on developing a small shipping firm, in partnership with Nate, and employing many of their former shipmates. Putting his carpentry skills to work, Devlin was also renovating the Dame Anise, which Swift had allowed to fall into sad disrepair. Once the ship had been restored to his satisfaction, Devlin would rename her. By rearranging the letters, the Dame Anise would become the Sea Maiden, and be legally registered as such. For now, Devlin initiated new business with the Mirage as his only merchant ship. It was a beginning, the dawn of a new dream.

  Months earlier, when Jane and Eden had needed his support so badly, Devlin had bought into the warehouse; and upon his marriage to Jane, Nate owned part of the company as well. The two businesses went hand-in–glove, one complementing the other under the dual supervision of the two friends. Goods stored at the warehouse were often contracted to be transported by the new shipping company, which was titled Kanecock Shipping, a combination of the owners’ surnames. Likewise, goods arriving on the company ships would be regularly consigned to Winters Warehouse. Thus, both businesses benefitted, earning a handsome profit at both ends.

  Aside from this, Devlin’s improvements to the Dame Anise so impressed other ship owners that he was soon besieged with requests for similar repairs to other vessels. Eden found this latest development vastly amusing. “For a man who once claimed that piracy was the easiest road to riches, you are fast disproving your own words. You now have three profitable means of income, and if things keep on as they are, you’ll own half of Charles Town in short order.”

  Devlin laughed, but admitted to further aspirations. “I’ve considered building a rooming house, mostly for use by the men working for us. They are currently letting rooms all over town, wherever they can find space, and some are living in deplorable conditions. There simply aren’t enough accommodations available. They need a decent place to lay their heads at night, and edible food, at considerably less cost than they are being charged now, or they’ll be back at brigandry before you can shake a stick. Even if they don’t resort to their former trade, they won’t be worth their wages if they are ill-fed and weary from lack of a proper bed.”

  “Ah, I see yet another enterprise in the offing,” Eden predicted with an impish look. “You shall have to form your own building company. Then, if the price of lumber is too high for your liking, you’ll start a timber business and a lumber mill, and God knows when I’ll ever see your face again, let alone any other part of your anatomy. Despite my complaints of late, mayhap ’twas a good thing you got me with child when you did, for you’ll soon be much too busy and fatigued to attend to such a vigorous activity as bedding your wife.”

  She pulled a mockingly mournful face, throwing a forearm over her brow. “Woe is me, the wedded widow of an ambitious man!”

  Devlin laughed at her antics, playfully tossing her to the mattress and smothering her with kisses. “You sassy, lusty wench!” he growled, nipping at her nose. “If ever I fail to satisfy your needs, you have permission to box my ears. Until then, kindly stifle your imagined grievances and apply yourself to salving the wounds you have inflicted upon me with your rapier-sharp tongue.”

  “What wounds?” she countered, giggling. “I see no obvious evidence of any.”

  He cocked a brow at her in comic dismay, his gaze traveling downward to his upstanding manhood. “But, sweetling, note how painfully swollen I am, and ’tis all your doing.”

  They spent a pleasant interlude relieving his lamentable state.

  At the start, like many an expectant father Devlin was reluctant to continue their amorous ventures, afraid some harm might come to Eden or the babe nestled in her womb. Nate had similar notions, and it was left to Jane, the only one with previous experience in these matters, to educate them. Though she managed this feat in ladylike fashion, she was necessarily forthright. Witnessing two burly pirates of dangerous repute stammering and stuttering and blushing like schoolboys caused her untold amusement.

  While their husbands were about the business of earning a living, the two women settled down to serious sewing. Both would soon need clothing more suited to their expanding figures. They also had scores of diapers and wee ruffled gowns to create, baby blankets and lace-edged bonnets to crochet and booties to knit. Eden’s old cradle was brought down from the attic and dusted, the old mattress thrown out and a new one made for it in anticipation of Jane’s delivery. Rather than purchase another cradle for his and Eden’s child, Devlin had promised to craft a new one himself, and Eden was eager to see the finished product certain it would be the finest ever built.

  Since their return from New Providence, and following Jane and Nate’s hasty wedding, the two couples had resided beneath the same roof. For the most part, this was convenient, the four of them getting on very companionably. There were times, however, when privacy was at a premium, and every time the bedsprings creaked loudly in the still of the night, whether they be hers or those in the room across the hall, Eden cringed with mortification. There was also the matter of continuing to conceal Devlin’s invisibility from Dora, no mean feat these days, wi
th Eden plagued by nausea and dashing off in search of a slop jar at any given moment.

  Devlin decided it was time to consider acquiring a home of their own. The problem was the lack of suitable housing currently available. Nearly every standing dwelling already had a family residing within its walls, and the few that didn’t weren’t fit for habitation. The obvious solution was to build a house, which, to be done correctly, would take many months.

  Devlin applied himself to the task immediately, drawing up the plans himself and sending for the necessary materials, many of which had to be transported from elsewhere in the colonies and from as far away as England. Though he intended to do most of the carpentry work himself, and to oversee that which he could not fit into his busy schedule, much of the labor fell beyond his expertise.

  He wanted the place built of stone, to withstand the seasonal storms and lessen the chance of damage from fire. That, and the fireplaces, required the skills of a mason. The twisted ironwork he desired as enhancement for the veranda and porch had to be specially contracted with a master forger. Extra laborers would be needed to install the flooring, the interior structure, and the roof. There was a well and a root cellar to be dug, windows to place, doors to be made, not to mention furniture to fill the dozen rooms he was including in the plans. Altogether, this house was the largest endeavor he ever hoped to undertake, and Devlin shook his head in wonder that he’d ever thought life ashore would be dull.

  Chapter 29

  They hadn’t been back from New Providence a month when pirate ships once more appeared in the harbor. With the memory of Blackbeard’s attack still fresh in their minds, the irate townspeople immediately sent up a hue and cry. They were tired of constandy being harassed by these lawless cutthroats, and were bound and determined to have no more of it.

  With the ink hardly dry on their pardons, and a portion of their sympathies still leaning toward their fellow brigands, Nate and Devlin were satisfied to sit back and let others handle the problem. They recognized the lead ship as that of Stede Bonnet, a comrade with whom they’d worked in the past on a few ventures. Though notorious for his success as a sea robber, he was not noted for being particularly bloodthirsty or vengeful. For the most part, he and his crew preyed on trade vessels, rarely bothering common citizens, and Devlin expected no different now from the man whom many called a “gentleman pirate.”

  For the first couple of hours things were peaceful enough, and it looked as if the buccaneers meant to do no more than replenish their supplies and go on about their business elsewhere. Then all hell broke loose. From their prime position near the mouth of the harbor, the pirates began to waylay all incoming and outgoing ships. Cannon shot flew hot and heavy, the smoke so thick that ships began colliding with one another in the harbor.

  The brigands boarded several merchant vessels, carrying the bloody fight to the decks. In the ensuing fray, men on both sides were wounded, though fatalities remained remarkably few considering the extent of the conflict In the end, the pirates confiscated two of the most seaworthy trade ships and ordered the defeated sailors into dinghies, that they might safely reach shore. The remaining ships were plundered of all worthwhile cargo before more shot was leveled their way in an effort to scuttle them sufficiently to make it impossible for them to give chase.

  From the warehouse dock, Devlin and Nate watched the battle unfold, casually making wagers on who would win the day, pirates or merchants. Neither felt inclined to join a fight which was not theirs, and possibly forfeit their pardons.

  Then the volley of cannon fire began to rake those ships anchored closer in, and those tied up at the docks. Whether the shots were going wild, or deliberately aimed toward damaging every ship in the harbor, mattered not. Most particularly when one of the frigates last hit was the Dame Anise.

  Want it or not the battle had now been brought to Devlin and Nate’s doorstep, and the two friends were furious. No one, but no one, got away with scuttling their property! Especially not Stede Bonnet whom they had considered a decent rogue and a jolly mate. The Dame Anise might not be the best vessel afloat but they had plans to renovate her into a fine little cargo ship. She and the Mirage were to be the foundation of their joint venture into the shipping business, and they certainly didn’t need anyone delaying their progress before they’d gotten a decent start of it.

  “Hellfire!” Devlin let loose with an enraged curse. He gave a final glower at the departing pirates, then turned to Nate. “Despite all our good intentions, it seems you and I can’t stay out of the fray. Ready the Mirage. We’re going after those blackguards.”

  “Cap’n, the Mirage is on a run to Boston, and not due back for a fortnight,” Nate reminded him. “We’re as land-bound as beached whales.”

  “Damnation!” Devlin raked his fingers through his hair. “Now’s a hell of a time to be stranded ashore, one ship gone and the other damaged!” He heaved an exasperated sigh. “There’s no help for it, I suppose, but I swear as soon as the Mirage makes port, we’re after that sorry lot. Bonnet will not get away with this!”

  It soon became apparent that others of the townspeople were of the same mind. Disgruntled and longing to fight back, merchants were quickly gathering under the command of Colonel William Rhett. They set about outfitting two sloops and assembling enough sailors to chase after the fleeing pirates.

  The Mirage returned the day before Rhett’s expedition was due to set sail. All through the night, Devlin and his men worked to unload the incoming cargo and take on sufficient supplies to last throughout their search for Bonnet.

  The colonel was pleased that Devlin and his crew would be joining them on their mission. “We appreciate your help in this matter,” he told Devlin. Regardless of Eden’s presence at her husband’s side, the man felt compelled to add, “To be truthful, I wasn’t convinced you were serious about reforming your ways. For all our sakes, I’m glad you are. It’s good to have a man of your caliber on our side.”

  Devlin didn’t bother to explain that it had taken a broadside to his own ship to muster him to action. What Rhett didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, but playing defending heroes certainly put Devlin and his crew in a better light in the eyes of any citizens who still harbored similar doubts.

  Though she understood why she could not accompany the men, Eden could not help being disappointed at getting left behind. While she knew Devlin was more than capable of protecting himself, she also knew she would worry herself ragged until he returned safely. She did not even have the consolation of knowing that Devlin would be invisible to his enemy, for he intended to make use of his hooded disguise once more, and thoroughly relished the opportunity to employ it. For this short venture, it would suit admirably indeed as he temporarily assumed a role echoing that of his former pirate image, though presently in defense of justice. “Devil” Kane lived on—lawfully reborn.

  Before he left her, however, Eden intended to give him a time to remember, something to remind him what awaited him on his return. When he came dragging into the house in the wee hours of the morning he was to sail, after working so hard to ready the Mirage for the voyage, Eden was awake and waiting for him. He was so weary that he could scarcely stay afoot long enough to wash and haul his tired body onto the bed.

  Once he was there, Eden urged him onto his stomach. “You just relax, darling,” she whispered. “I’ve a cure for all those sore muscles.”

  He was half-asleep as she poured warm oil over his back. Naked herself, she straddled his hips, massaging the soothing liquid into his skin, leaning into her task until he groaned in grateful relief at the magic her slick hands were performing.

  As she applied like measures to his buttocks and thighs, he gave a muted laugh. “Sweetling, I might be bone-tired, but I’m not dead. Don’t start anything you aren’t prepared to finish.”

  “Oh, I’m not done by half yet,” she told him in sultry promise.

  A few minutes later, she rolled him onto his back and devoted herself to allaying the tension from
his neck, his aching arms and shoulders, and his broad, furred chest. “Sweet heaven, that feels marvelous!” He sighed. “I just might employ your skillful services more often.”

  She gave a low laugh, her fingers wandering downward, the massage quickly becoming temptation. “I am a woman of many talents, sir. Shall I demonstrate further?”

  “Please do,” he murmured encouragingly, his dark eyes slitting open to gleam at her.

  Soon they were both as slippery as wet seals, their bodies gliding smoothly together as Eden lowered her-self upon his rigid staff. Weariness became but a memory, their easy, lingering lovemaking assuming the ethereal softness of a sweet, sensual dream. As one, they drifted from ecstasy into slumber, their bodies still entwined.

  At last they sailed, with high hopes and great determination. Since Stede Bonnet was known to cruise the Carolina coastline, Devlin hoped they would soon encounter him and quickly conclude this business. First they headed south, thoroughly investigating every island, cove, inlet, and river mouth. There was no sign of Bonnet or the two ships he’d captured. Halfway through the first week, they turned north again, disappointed but undaunted. They made a brief stop in Charles Town to ensure that Bonnet had not put in another appearance there, then continued north the following morning.

  For five days they searched the coast. At dawn of the sixth day, their efforts were finally rewarded. They spotted Bonnet’s flagship and the two trading vessels lying at anchor at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. From the look of it, he’d stopped there to refit his small fleet, and to repair damages incurred in the fight in Charles Town Harbor.

  Rhett was in the lead sloop. Motioning for the others to follow, he headed his ship toward the mouth of the river. The second sloop followed close at hand, prepared to help block Bonnet’s passage to the sea.