Sibylla and the Privateer

by Marina Oliver

  “It is large enough to have a boat on, and I imagine you need one to get to the islands, but I did not see one.”

  “It is being repaired. I would have taken you to see them otherwise. I plan to build a grotto like the one you found on one of the islands, and mayhap a temple on another.”

  “You have many plans for it all?” she asked a little wistfully, thinking she was never likely to see the results.

  “Many, but they are ill formed as yet. My parents built the house, which I will show you after dinner, and designed the gardens, but I believe each generation has something to add, and a duty to improve what they will leave to their children.”

  They had reached the house, and during dinner he talked about the portraits in the dining room. He told her about his ancestors, making her laugh with his irreverent remarks about some of them, though she could tell that beneath his levity was a deep pride in his family. Occasionally she relapsed into silence as she wondered how she could ever, in her wildest dreams, have hoped such a man would condescend to marry the daughter of an impoverished Devonshire squire.

  Trying to dismiss these thoughts, she made the appropriate responses. Later he took her on a tour of the house, which had large, well lit rooms, and was beautifully, if sparsely furnished. Some of the rooms lacked tapestries, and he explained that here also he was adding to his parents’ beginnings.

  “My mother wished to leave me some choice, but I have not made much progress, though both my parents died five years since. It is time I saw to it. What do you think of my half-furnished Chateau?”

  “I do not like too much furniture,” she declared. “No, I am not being polite, I mean it. Yes, you need some more, but the pieces you have are so lovely it would be a pity to buy a great deal in a rush and spoil what you have. Each piece should be planned and chosen with care. With such lofty rooms and wide windows, you must keep the feeling of spaciousness. It is beautiful, and will become more so. My own home is much older, not nearly so large, of course. The rooms are small and dark, and the windows do not let in enough light. I love it, but it sometimes oppresses me.”

  “You will be happy to go home?”

  “Yes. I have rarely been away, and miss it.”

  “Have you forgiven me for taking you from the fishing boat by force?”

  “Rather that, than what would have become of me if you had not. And Gerard, I have not yet tried to thank you for all you have done for us. What of your own concerns? You must have much to do, yet you give up your time to help me.”

  “Do not try to thank me. Do you not see I have felt responsible for you?”

  She tried to smile. “You will soon be rid of me. When do we sail?”

  “The boat will be ready to leave in the morning. Would you like to pack your belongings now? Marie will assist you.”

  “I seem to have acquired a considerable amount, with the dresses you have provided for me!” She laughed, and looked up at him. “To be able to clothe your prisoners so well must be an unusual attribute for a pirate captain!”

  “Indeed it is!” He seemed about to add something, then changed his mind, and led the way back to the stairs.

  “Wear your blue gown for me tonight,” he said, smiling at her as she parted from him at the foot of the stairs. “It is so perfect a match for your eyes.”

  * * * *

  She did as he requested, and they sat down for supper at the same table as on the first night. This time he dispensed with the footmen, and served her himself. It was an equally lavish meal and they drank a great deal of wine, but despite her efforts to appear cheerful, Sibylla was afraid she was making a poor showing.

  Josselin did not seem to notice however, and chatted amusingly on many subjects. He was telling an anecdote about one of his great-uncles, whose portrait she had commented on, when, as on that other evening, there was an altercation in the corridor outside.

  He raised his eyebrows. “What must you think of my servants? I assure you, supper is not normally so regularly interrupted!”

  It was with little surprise that Sibylla watched the same Captain march into the room again, followed by other soldiers who thrust the protesting footmen out of the way.

  “Really, Montjoie, this grows a little tedious! What do you want this time?”

  He sat at the table, calmly surveying the Captain, who was looking exceedingly embarrassed.

  “Josselin, my dear fellow, I regret this exceedingly,” he faltered, and Josselin laughed slightly.

  “Come to the point. You interrupt us, if you have not noticed.”

  The Captain glanced at Sibylla, and she felt herself flush to the roots of her hair as she read his thoughts.

  “I have no wish to interrupt your tête-à-tête with the lady.” He bowed to Sibylla, but she regarded him stonily. “I have brought a warrant for your arrest I am afraid, and you will have to come with us.”

  “Oh?”

  It was said so quietly Sibylla wondered if he had spoken. She looked in fear at the Captain.

  “I did not wish the task, but you know, orders have to be obeyed,” the Captain was blustering.

  “Oh yes, I appreciate your dilemma. On what charge am I to be arrested?”

  “For attacking and sinking an English fishing boat while our countries are at peace.”

  “Who brings such a charge?”

  The Captain beckoned, and one of the soldiers escorted Randolph Stern into the room. He looked across at Sibylla, and his hands clenched as he saw the intimate scene they had interrupted.

  “Mr. Stern was on the boat and has given us all the details and laid the charges, which also include attacking him and abducting a young lady. I presume this is the lady, Mr. Stern?”

  He turned to Randolph, who, with a smile of triumph towards Josselin, nodded.

  “This is Mistress Hurst, who was in my charge when we were attacked by this villain.”

  “Were you on the boat?” the Captain asked Sibylla, but Josselin interposed.

  “I do not think you have the right to question Mistress Hurst now. This fellow lies, and the charges are false.”

  “You must come with us to prove it.”

  “I stopped the boat, yes, and I removed Mistress Hurst and Mr. Stern; but I did not destroy the boat. I released it, and as far as I know, it went straight back to England.”

  “You did detain the lady?”

  “She was not, as Mr. Stern claims, under his charge, but had been forcibly removed from her home and carried off by him.”

  “Is this true?”

  Sibylla nodded. The Captain turned to Randolph.

  “What do you say to that?”

  “You are not here to judge the case, but to carry out orders to arrest this man.”

  “True, but this is more intriguing than I thought. Josselin, tell me more.”

  “With pleasure. Be seated. Some wine?”

  Despite Randolph’s furious protests the Captain accepted, and Josselin waved his men, who were handed wine by the interested footmen, to chairs about the large table.

  “I suggest you ask the lady whether she considers I abducted her.”

  “I have been placed in his lordship’s care by my brother,” Sibylla said, smiling sweetly at the Captain, who goggled as she turned her eyes to look into his.

  “Then this seems to be quite other than I thought. Josselin, what am I to do?”

  “This is abominable!” Randolph exclaimed in fury. “You have orders to arrest him, and if you do not carry them out, you will be disgraced!”

  The Captain looked most unhappy. “He speaks the truth, I am afraid.”

  “How did the charge come to be believed?” Josselin asked calmly. “Have some more wine.”

  “Thank you. Well, I suppose with your reputation, and the complain
t we had last month about the Spanish ship...”

  “I can give evidence about that, too,” Randolph put in viciously, but he was ignored.

  “The authorities are a little sensitive where your exploits are concerned,” the Captain went on. “We have begun to agree terms with the Spanish, and they were angry at that complaint however unjustified,” he said hurriedly, remembering he had been satisfied on that score earlier, and having no wish to have the question reopened.

  Josselin remained silent, considering. After a moment he looked up and smiled at the Captain.

  “I have no wish to cause you difficulties and I appreciate you have your duty to do. I must obviously come with you.”

  Sibylla gave a little gasp of dismay, and he threw her a smile of encouragement.

  “I would like however, to lay charges before your men as witnesses, against Mr. Stern. The charge of abducting Mistress Hurst is one, I suppose, for the English Courts, but he has stolen a horse of mine, stolen a boat, and attempted to murder Mistress Hurst’s brother, as well as killing one of my men.”

  “You lie!” Randolph cut in a burst of wrath, but Josselin looked him up and down coolly.

  “We will see,” he said softly. “Well, Montjoie, if you will arrest Mr. Stern on those charges, I will come with you. You know my servants are loyal, and will do as I command?” he asked silkily, and the Captain looked relieved, for he had not relished having to deal with the resistance of Josselin’s men with the half dozen men at his disposal.

  “You are being cooperative and I thank you. I am sure it will be sorted out in the morning, and you will be able to return to your charming companion.”

  He rose, and bowed to Sibylla. She gave him her hand, so he had the opportunity, which he was not slow to take, of kissing it.

  His men had also risen. Two of them had placed themselves on either side of a protesting Randolph, and two others moved towards Josselin, who was still seated in the chair where he had remained, relaxed and calm, throughout the conversation.

  Josselin rose slowly and suddenly grinned at the Captain. “Louis, as an old comrade, allow me a few moments to make my farewells to Mistress Hurst?”

  After a moment’s indecision, the Captain regretfully began shook his head.

  “We are betrothed. I ask you, have some feeling!”

  Sibylla gasped, and looked wildly at Josselin, but her agitation was taken as the natural fear of a girl seeing her lover arrested.

  The Captain paused then nodded.

  “I cannot leave you alone, but you may withdraw to the far end of the room.”

  “Come, my love.”

  Josselin clasped Sibylla’s hand and drew her to her feet, then, his arm firmly round her waist, led her to the other end of the room where he placed himself with his back to the soldiers and drew her into his arms.

  He bent down and with his lips close to hers, began to speak quietly but rapidly.

  “Forgive me. I had to make an excuse for private speech with you. Now listen, it is most important. Jean, my second in command on the boat, will have come to the house the moment he heard of the arrival of the soldiers. As soon as we have gone, tell him you are to leave at once for the boat and he is to have the Falcon ready to sail in three hours. If I have not managed to rejoin you before then, he is to sail anyway, and take you home. Is that clear?”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Will you swear to obey me?”

  Again, after a pause she nodded.

  “What if you fail?” she whispered, “What will happen to you?”

  “I do not fail,” he said. By the way he spoke, she knew he had complete confidence in himself, and some of it flowed into her, so she smiled bravely at him.

  He breathed deeply and let his lips, which had been only an inch away from hers while he gave her his rapid instructions, brush hers for a moment. Then he smiled at her, and straightened. He turned to the Captain.

  “I am ready.”

  Sibylla remained where she was as they filed out of the room, then crossed slowly back to the table and sank onto her chair, her fingers touching her lips, and a smile on her face.

  A slight cough made her look round. Jean stood there, looking anxiously at her.

  “Mademoiselle, I saw the Marquis being taken away. What has happened?”

  Swiftly she explained and passed Josselin’s orders to his man. Jean looked relieved.

  “Are your things packed?”

  “Almost. It will take me but a minute to fetch them.”

  “Good. Marie will bring you to where I wait.”

  She sped up the stairs, and thrust the last of her belongings into the valise Josselin had given her. Before she had closed it Marie was with her. The maid wasted no time, but picked it up, and led the way down a flight of stairs at the back of the house and out into the stable yard, where ponies were saddled and waiting. Jean came out of the shadows and lifted her onto her pony, then sprang onto his.

  “Goodbye, Marie, and thank you,” she called softly, and the maid, beaming broadly, bobbed a curtsy.

  Jean led as they rode the way she had first come to the Chateau. Then Jean took her through the caves. She shivered as she thought of the hours of terror she had spent in them. They came out onto the platform and she saw the Falcon riding majestically alongside. Jean helped her to cross the narrow plank, and then, leaving her in Josselin’s cabin, he apologized for deserting her, but explained he had much to do.

  Chapter Twelve

  Josselin rode with his captors down the long drive, while Randolph was escorted, protesting constantly, between two of the soldiers. After a while Captain Montjoie beckoned Josselin to ride with him, and they chatted together, the Captain a little stiffly at first, but Josselin seemed completely at ease, and soon had the Captain chuckling as they recalled incidents of the campaigns they had served in together.

  “You should have made the army your life, Josselin,” the Captain remarked.

  “I have other responsibilities,” Josselin remarked lightly, “though I envy you fellows sometimes. Do you remember the time the Colonel was discovered in the bed of one of his officers, with the officer’s wife? She was a lively one, what was her name?”

  “Agnes, was it not?”

  “That was it!”

  “He was in such a hurry to leave he pulled his breeches on back to front, and they came off as he walked down the stairs!”

  “He then rolled to the bottom of the stairs!”

  They laughed uproariously, and continued for some time in this fashion.

  “You know, you are taking this remarkably well, Josselin. I cannot tell you how sorry I am I should have to be the one to drag you away from your charming Mistress Hurst.”

  Josselin shrugged. “You but do your duty, and it will not be for long, I trust.”

  “No, it should all be straightened out in the morning, without any further trouble.”

  “Indeed yes, and I know you but do your duty.”

  “You are a good fellow, and a good comrade.”

  “You also.”

  He fell silent, and did not answer the Captain’s next remark. The man looked at him curiously.

  “Does aught ail you?” he asked after a short silence.

  Josselin shook his head. “Nought but a raging thirst.”

  The Captain nodded in agreement. “I also, my friend.”

  After another silence, Josselin turned eagerly to the Captain. “There is a capital inn a little further on. What say you to a few glasses there? The landlord has some excellent wine.”

  “I ought not to do it,” the Captain said doubtfully, longing in his voice.

  “We have a long road to travel and it is late. You cannot expect your men to welcome such a ride without a drink to sustain them. And I, I am very t
hirsty. For old times’ sake, have a drink with me.”

  After a little more demur, the Captain agreed, and when they reached the inn they turned into the yard beside it.

  The landlord came bustling out to see what this large company might be and his eyes opened wide when he saw Josselin and his escort. He looked in puzzlement at Josselin and in a somewhat truculent voice asked what was happening.

  “Gaston, we are longing for some of your wine,” Josselin replied. “My, er, escort, needs some.”

  “Are you being taken off against your will, my lord?” the landlord asked bluntly, glaring round at the soldiers.

  “I am sure it is a mistake and will be cleared up in the morning. Do not be concerned for me. I go willingly, for I did not wish to cause any trouble at home.”

  “Are you certain, my lord?”

  “Yes Gaston. Now be a good man and bring out some of your special wine. I have been praising it to the Captain here, and he wishes to taste it, as do the rest of the men. Your best, the one we had at harvest time last year, do you remember?”

  “Aye, I do. That is very good wine, Captain. I will fetch some immediately. Go in, do.”

  He went off, and Josselin led the way into the inn, the Captain following closed behind. The soldiers trooped in after them and disposed themselves on settles and stools. It was some little while before the landlord came in with an armful of dusty bottles, but when he had poured out the first glasses, any irritation the soldiers may have felt at the delay was soothed as they tasted the excellent, and potent, wine.

  “To your duty, my friends,” Josselin cried, and tipped the wine down his throat. The soldiers cheered and followed suit. They were in no hurry to move while the wine lasted. The landlord had an inexhaustible supply and was eager to press more on to them and fill up the glasses as soon as they were emptied.

  Josselin began to entertain the company with bawdy stories until they roared with laughter and began to try and compete with him. Randolph protested once or twice at the delay, but was told in no uncertain terms to be quiet.

  “If you do not like it here, I am sure the landlord will put at our disposal a cellar, preferably empty,” the Captain told him curtly. Randolph subsided gloomily onto the settle and drank steadily.