Falcon's Angel

by Judith E. French

  "Hell, yes, she's mine!" Bett roared. "My blood and bone. And too good for the likes of you!"

  "Thought so," Will muttered. "Thought she was." Candle wax dripped onto his hand. "Owwlll! Damn it." He dropped the candlestick, then stamped on the flame. The cellar went dark.

  "Where is she?" Bett cried. "Where's my Angel?"

  Will didn't answer. Turning away, he returned to the staircase, fumbled for the railing, and walked unsteadily up the steps. "Knew it," he murmured. "Knew she wasn't Lizzy's girl... couldn't be. Lied... tricked us all."

  When he reached the top, he locked the hall door. He continued on upstairs to his chamber, where he fell into bed fully dressed and still wearing his boots. "No angel at all," he rasped. "Not my angel..." Will's words faded to sleepy mumbling before he dozed off to dream of Angel lying naked in his arms on a blanket.

  * * *

  She waited for more than a quarter of an hour before rising from the high-backed chair in the corner of Will's bedroom. Creeping barefoot past him and into the hall, Angel had little concern that she would wake him. From the smell of the liquor, he'd not have noticed had Moses parted the Red Sea outside the garden window.

  The last fifteen minutes had been easy; she'd sat here for hours. At first, she'd been hurt that Will hadn't come to Briarwood when he'd left his ship. Then, when the day had passed without seeing him, she'd realized he probably thought she was still at the country plantation with Lady Graymoor.

  Griffin had come to see that all was well with the house, and that the watchmen they'd hired to protect the property while Lady Graymoor was away were doing their jobs. He'd also wanted to order extra supplies for the ball her ladyship was hosting and to collect more of her formal clothing.

  Angel had welcomed the chance to return to Charleston in hopes of learning what had happened on the islands. She'd tried to convince herself that it was worry for Bett and Cap'n and her friends among the Brethren, not fear for Will's safety that had brought her here.

  She couldn't forgive him for what he'd done, any more than she'd expect him to understand the decision she'd made, to allow Lady Graymoor to make her her heir.

  Losing Will was difficult enough. She simply didn't have the strength to walk away from the countess's offer of a home and family... of the chance to finally belong to someone.

  Trapped at Lady Graymoor's plantation, she had suffered terribly, not knowing which of those she loved might have been killed or wounded.

  But then Griffin had returned to Briarwood and told her of the success of Will's mission. He said that all of Charleston was talking about the arrest of the pirates and their imprisonment in the town jail. And he'd added that their own William had taken charge of two women prisoners and was holding them in his own cellar until the trial.

  Angel wasn't certain if Griffin trusted her or not. But when she'd asked him for money that night after supper, he'd opened Lady Graymoor's strongbox. "Take what you like," he'd said, not unkindly. "In a few days, it will all be yours."

  She'd helped herself to gold Spanish doubloons, solid English guineas and crowns, Louis d'ors, and Portuguese crusadoes.

  "Is this enough to buy passage on a boat to Jamaica?"

  "And hire a crew to man it."

  "Good." She nodded. "Thank you."

  Griffin had given her a look that was part amusement and part respect, and then he'd bowed, locked the chest away, and retired to his own quarters in the servants' section of the house.

  She'd wrapped the money in a canvas sack, hid it near the fountain in Will's garden, and climbed the wall to his room to wait for his return.

  As she descended the stairs in the dark, Angel tried to tell herself that Bett wasn't one of the prisoners. Maybe she'd escaped in the fracas. Bett was savvy, a survivor. Probably she and Cap'n were sitting by a fire at Haunt's Cove, roasting a shoat, and laughing at their good fortune in avoiding capture with the others.

  A candle was still burning in the hall passageway. Angel took it, unlocked the cellar door, and hurried down the last flight. After a single false turn, she found the second locked door and the iron key.

  The key was rusty. It took all her strength to turn the tumbler. "Hallo," she called. "It's me, Angel. Who's there?"

  Bett rushed from the shadows, a wooden trencher in hand, and enveloped her in a crushing hug. "Angel! Faith, sweeting, I nearly brained ye with this treen."

  Angel clung to her. "You're all right? You're safe?" Vaguely, she was aware of Tamsey behind her, sniffling and wailing about their bad luck. But Angel paid her no attention. "Bett, Bett! I was so worried about ye. I was afraid ye'd been—"

  "We're right as rain. And ye've given yer old mam a head full of gray hair worryin' over you." She pushed away. "And look at ye! Fair dressed to nines and peart as a cricket! Ye've done well fer yerself among the outlanders. Keeps ye in style, does yer husband."

  "Nay... aye, I suppose he does." Explaining to Bett would take too long. "But tell me of the others? Is Cap'n safe? Nehemiah?"

  "Safe enough. Six foot under," Tamsey said. "Cap'n took a bullet through the head two days after we left ye on thet island."

  Bett's eyes grew teary. "Aye, Nehemiah's gone to his reward as well. Dyce appointed hisself captain, he did. No proper vote. Nehemiah pointed out the wrong of it, and Dyce called him into the circle. Cut his throat, he did, the swivin' bastard."

  Angel stared at them in stunned disbelief. "I knew it could happen," she murmured thickly. "Knew it could, but never really thought... I hope Dyce got some of his own medicine. Did they catch him?"

  "That bugger?" Tamsey shook her head. "Hell, no."

  "We got a message from Charleston by pigeon, same as always. But with Cap'n and Nehemiah dead, none could read it. I 'spect it was a warnin' that the raid was coming," Bett said. "That fool Dyce was roastin' all the birds, anyway. I tried to tell him that that's how we knew what ships to hit, but he said he didn't need anybody tellin' him how to run his business."

  "Tom was killed in the fight, but Dyce got clean away," Tamsey said. "And he'd promised to handfast with me."

  Angel noticed for the first time that the girl was no longer pregnant. "What of your babe?" she asked.

  "Born dead," Tamsey answered. "Never drew breath, poor mite."

  "I'm sorry," Angel said. "To lose a child must be—"

  Bett frowned. "Off alone she was, when it happened. A pretty lass, it was, not puny or sickly lookin'."

  "'Tis luck, I say," Tamsey said. "I don't need no wailin' brat to tend to."

  Angel turned to Bett. "I'm that sorry about Cap'n."

  Her mother shrugged. "Sad, it is, but it's our way. Cap'n was gettin' old. A man can hold his place among the free brotherhood only so long."

  "Do you know who in Charleston sent the messages? Who bought our salvaged goods?"

  "Nope, only Cap'n knew," Bett replied. "Someone bigwig, I know that much. Cap'n always kept mum on his name. Said he was a powerful man, and it be worth my life to hear it. You was with Brother once, when he went to a meeting with his buyer on the mainland. Didn't you see him?"

  "No. Cap'n told me to wait in the boat. I saw them talking, but it was dark. I couldn't see the man's face."

  "That's Cap'n fer ye," Bett said. "He was afraid you'd be in danger if ye knew too much. He didn't even share that with Nehemiah, and he was his best friend."

  "I always liked Nehemiah," Angel said. "He was good to me. Always had time to listen to my chatter."

  "Aye, he was a listener. And he did favor the poppets. Never could father none hisself, because of his vows. Them Catholic priests can't lie with women."

  "Nehemiah was a real priest?"

  "Got sand in your ears, sweeting. Said it, didn't I? Who did the prayin' and the buryin' amongst us? I was there when Cap'n dragged him out of the surf thirty year ago. And Nehemiah was wearin' them black robes."

  "But why did he stay with the Brethren?"

  "Said he was a shepherd. And he'd found a flock what needed one. An odd one
was Nehemiah, but sound in a fight. Ye could trust yer back to him."

  "So my wedding to Will—'twas real, not just a hand-fastin'?"

  Bett grimaced. "Be there a difference? A handfasted man is easier to get shet of, do ye sicken of him. Marry one in the church, yer stuck with him till kingdom come."

  Tamsey fingered the satin cloak Angel wore. "Flothery, this," she said. Then she glanced down at her own torn skirt and bodice. "Seems yer luck's better than mine, Angel."

  "You can have it, if ye like," Angel said.

  Tamsey quickly donned the cape. It was long on her, coming down almost to the tops of her dirty bare feet. "Look good fer a shroud. They'll hang us, certain."

  "Neither of you will hang if I have anything to say of it," Angel said. "I've come to free you. I don't know if I can help the men, but—"

  "Devil take'm," Tamsey said. "They're a sorry lot. Get us out of here."

  "She's right," Bett said. "The one's got caught should have been hung long ago. Most are Dyce's kind. More scum than real men. Not fit to be called Brethren."

  "They're charging all of you with piracy," Angel explained. "Even Will believes it. I've told him that we were honest wreckers, that—"

  "Shit," Bett answered. "Open yer eyes, Angel. Are ye so fey that ye've gone blind?"

  A sour taste flooded Angel's mouth. "What are ye saying? The Brethren aren't pirates. They never murdered..."

  Tamsey's scoffed. "Yer daft. I seen murder done many a night. Sailor washes up on the beach, him half drowned. No need to cut his throat. Hold his head under; after a while he quits kickin'. Shit, done it meself, once or twice."

  Angel felt sick. "Bett... you said..."

  "Softhearted, I was. Still am. Cap'n didn't urge killin', but he didn't make too much fuss if it happened. Me, I steered clear. No blood on my hands." She shook her head, and her gray eyes filled with sadness. "Done things I ain't proud of. Things I reckon I'll burn in hell for."

  "How could I have been such a fool?" Angel asked. "Why didn't I know? Why didn't ye tell me?"

  "Ye always were one to see a thing the way ye wanted to," Bett replied. "But I loved you, sweeting. And anything I could do to protect you, I did." She shrugged. "And if it meant a few lies here and there... no need for a poppet to see the worst in men, be there?"

  Gooseflesh rose on Angel's arms. "I... never... Will was right. We were pirates."

  "Shit," Bett replied. "Piss-poor pirates, I'd say. Now ye take Billy Kidd or Edward Teach, they was real buccaneers. We was never more than half-arse pirates." She grinned. "But we give a good run, didn't we?"

  "I've got money," Angel said. "You can buy passage south to the Indies. Make a new start there."

  "Hell, yes," Tamsey said. "Show me yer coin."

  "Ye ain't comin' with us, are ye, sweeting?" Bett said.

  Angel shook her head. "No, I'm not. I—"

  "Don't blame ye," Bett replied. "Ye got a warm berth here, a good man. Ye'd be a fool to give it up."

  "I love you," Angel said. "I'll miss you... I'll miss you terribly."

  "Like poison ivy," Bett said. "Time we parted, girl. We'll be fine, me and Tamsey. I've always had a mind to go south and find me a young husband. Mayhap I'll open a dockside tavern and make an honest livin' in some port where the sun shines every day."

  "We'd best hurry," Angel said. "There's only a few servants in the house, and Will's passed out drunk. But the sooner you get to the dock, the better. I've gold coin hidden outside in the garden. That should buy you passage."

  "That, it will," Bett agreed. "Gold talks."

  "I want my share now," Tamsey said.

  "Shut up, ye stupid cow," Bett snapped. "I'll carry the coin. You've not brains enough to be trusted with it." She hugged Angel again. "Sure ye won't change yer mind and sail with us. T'will be an adventure."

  "Nay," Angel said. "Charleston's adventure enough for me."

  "'Tis not this town what's holdin' ye, I reckon," Bett said. "'Tis that fine young gentleman upstairs."

  "I'm through with him. He betrayed me. Locked me up and led the others to you—"

  "You're more fool if you let him slip through your fingers," Bett said sharply. "Did you think we'd go on like we always had, livin' the old wild ways? Didn't ye think they'd come with cannon and shot to put an end to the Brethren? If not Will Falcon, then another."

  "Hell, he saved our lives, me and Bett's," Tamsey said.

  "Aye," Bett agreed. "Them others would have strung us all up on the beach if it weren't for your Will. He stood alone against the pack of them. Said he'd come for justice, not murder. Stopped the killin' and made them take us prisoners."

  "He let Maude and Hannah and their pack of brats get away in a longboat," Tamsey added. "Pushed it off the sand with his own two hands. I seen him. Could have been me with'm if I'd dropped my musket and run sooner."

  "It doesn't matter," Angel answered with a catch in her voice. "I'm no better match for him than he is for me." And when he finds out what I've done, she thought, I'll be lucky if he doesn't hang me with the rest.

  "Bless you, child," Bett said. "Don't let that stubborn pride of yours keep you from finding real treasure." She grinned. "Now, best we cast off before the wind and tide changes."

  "Godspeed," Angel murmured. And pray I'll not regret this scheme tomorrow.

  Chapter 26

  Angel stood in the garden for a long time after Tamsey and Bett hurried off toward the harbor. She'd given them clear directions. Even if she hadn't, Bett would find a waterside tavern and a ship to carry her to the Caribbean. With her easy way with the men and her nerve, Angel wouldn't be surprised if Bett ended up governor of Jamaica.

  Lord, but she would miss Bett.

  "I could have done far worse when it came to mothers," she murmured. Whatever common sense she could claim, she supposed that it had come from Bett.

  Angel was glad she had freed Bett and Tamsey, and she didn't feel the least bit of guilt for doing it. What troubled her was how badly she'd wronged Will.

  She'd blamed him for going after the Brethren and for not believing her. She'd been furious with him. And he had been in the right.

  How had she been so blind for so many years? She, who prided herself on her instincts, had been completely deceived. Bett was right. She'd seen what she'd wanted, believed the excuses Bett had given her... because she'd wanted so badly to be part of the Brethren.

  But it wasn't reason that drove her tonight. It was something deeper. In the morning, when Will found out that his prisoners were gone, he would suspect she'd been the one to free them. She supposed he'd be in nearly as much trouble with the authorities as she would.

  Tomorrow, she'd ride home to Nottingham and tell Lady Graymoor what she'd done. She'd leave her old life behind and try to become Elizabeth Butler, granddaughter of a countess, gentry of Charleston, if the lady would still have her.

  She'd give over her fey, wrecker's ways, put on satin dancing shoes, and learn to wear petticoats and dresses. Angel sighed heavily. According to Griffin, she'd have to bend her mind to learning reading and writing as well.

  But for now, she was still a saltwater wench, a lass with seaweed in her hair and a lust for a man she couldn't have. Elizabeth Butler would think twice about seducing a sailor in his bedchamber. A pirate wench wouldn't hesitate.

  Since she, Bett, and Tamsey had let themselves out by way of the front door, getting back into Falcon's Nest was as slick as new butter. In less time than it took to rig a fishing line, she was up the wide staircase and slipping back into Will's room.

  He hadn't moved. Will was still lying flat on his back, sound asleep. She smiled, slid the bolt on the bedchamber door, and slipped out of Elizabeth's garments.

  * * *

  Will groaned as someone tugged off his boot. "Leave me alone," he said. He turned over and buried his head under a pillow. He was in the midst of a good dream and didn't want to be bothered.

  The annoyance persisted. Off went the second boot. Off came hi
s stockings.

  "Go away," he muttered. Angel was drifting farther away. Her image was fading just when he was about to...

  His trousers followed the boots. He tried to keep hold of them, but it was too much effort to put up a struggle. He felt cool air on his buttocks.

  "All right, all right." Will felt a weight on the mattress beside him. A woman's deft fingers undid his stock and pulled up his shirt. "Delphi. If it's you, you're a dead woman," he threatened weakly.

  Soft hands stoked his spine, rubbing and massaging, kneading the kinks and aches from his back and shoulders. Definitely not Delphi.

  "Mmmm, that's good." He was caught between wanting the back rub to continue and trying to retrieve his dream. "Ohh." He moaned as the strong, supple hands squeezed and pressed against the nape of his neck.

  A curtain of silken hair brushed his bare skin, and he twisted to inhale a scent of jessamine mixed with mint. Will turned over onto his back and reached up to touch a soft breast. "Angel?"

  "Shhh." Her mouth covered his.

  He groaned as she slid on top of him, and her warm tongue teased his lips and slid across his teeth. Her firm, rounded body fitted his like a glove, the heat of her sweet thighs bringing life to his fallen mast.

  Was this real or was he dreaming? He didn't know... didn't care. He cupped a full breast, closed his lips on a silken bud, and suckled.

  Desire hammered in his gut. His breaths came hard and fast. Tension tightened his muscles like coiled springs.

  She moved over him... teasing... enticing... wet. "Will," she whispered. "I'm going to..." She moved her lips close to his ear and uttered words that sent hot blood pulsing through his veins.

  And then his dream became real. Heaven and earth shook, and Angel swept him away to uncharted seas of erotic pleasure, where a man's fantasies came true and the woman he wanted more than anything in the world didn't slip through his fingers.

  Time became meaningless. Night faded into day. And Will woke with sunshine streaming across his face. Alone. Hung over. And wondering if what he'd thought had happened really had?

  Angel.

  He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. Had she come to him last night, or had he wanted her so badly that he'd imagined the whole episode?