Burke accompanied Odelia to the large table and pulled a chair out for her to sit down. She sat politely and turned toward him, “How kind of you, Burke. You must have missed me indeed.”
Odelia’s voice made Burke’s stomach turn. He winced at her phony version of flirting. “Is that your impression?” He asked dryly, scooting her chair toward the table for her.
She smirked and turned toward his chair to wait on him to sit. “Well, aren’t you going to…” She began as she turned to see Burke abruptly walking away instead of taking the chair next to hers. “Where on Earth are you going, Burke?”
“I have important matters to attend to right now, Odelia. I have not had a proper bath in days, I have been wearing these same clothes since I last saw you, and I need to prepare my men for the upcoming battle with Cori’s father. You’ve missed me this long; perhaps you won’t mind missing me just a little longer. I know I shall have no problem with it. You will excuse me, right?” He asked, giving her no time to object.
Odelia glared at him through squinted eyes, “What do you mean by ‘Cori’? I thought the lowly piece-of-garbage pirate was named ‘Corisanda’?”
“ODELIA!” He snapped loudly, marching back to point his finger in her face. “Do not ever let me hear you say another hateful word about her! Do you understand? You might become my wife and I may be stuck with you until death but if you do not watch your tongue when addressing Cori your death shall come much sooner than you expect!”
Odelia watched him storm through the dining room door as she silently planned her revenge against Burke and the dark haired sea nymph he brought with him.
“That did not take long, Captain.” Quain stated as Burke walked down the corridor leading to his spacious quarters.
Burke nodded impatiently, “Did Cori seem satisfied with her room?”
“Yes, she was fine with it. She is such a beautiful girl, is she not? Not to mention, agreeable and so friendly!” He answered.
Burke grunted, realizing that men would be dropping for Cori like flies from that point forward. “Yeah, she is pretty special, I guess.”
He dismissed Quain and knocked softly on his own master doorway. “Cori, can I come in?”
Burke heard a few shuffling footsteps then a hesitant, irritated reply, “It is your room, is it not?”
He pushed the door open slowly and smiled, “How do you like living in a space with a lock on the inside of the room instead of the outside?”
Cori did not bother with small talk or joking, “Why did you not tell me you were engaged?”
“Ah, Cori, it is a strained situation,” Burke began, closing the door behind him. “You see, it’s not a very happy union.”
“She sure seemed happy about it to me!” Cori quarreled.
Burke nodded, “She is. I’m not.”
“Then why are you marrying her?”
“She is a wealthy French Earl’s daughter and he does not plan to give me any choice in the matter. Odelia claimed a few untruths and I am the one paying the price,” he explained vaguely.
“That does not seem right at all. Why would an Earl want his daughter marrying a sea-faring man who will never be home?” Cori prompted.
“It is a long story and I shall tell you about it soon. I must go help Acel. If we attack The Beloved Loss I want you to stay in this room with the door locked, alright? I will take no chances on losing you to them again. Plus, if it gets rough you do not need to see that violence. Farewell,” he whispered, leaving her alone in the large room again.
NINE
“What are the plans, boss?” Acel asked Burke, giving his cousin another pat on the back.
Burke chuckled and hugged his best friend tightly, “I think you missed me a little.”
Acel scoffed, and punched Burke playfully in the arm. “I was a little worried. I did not know if I was capable of finding you or not. You know, if it had been me missing, I would have had faith that you would rescue me in no time. I just did not know if I could do the same for you! I’m relieved.”
“Oh, little Ace! I had faith in you, I had no doubt you would find me. Ask Cori, I kept telling her not to worry about anything. I knew you would handle it. I taught you well,” Burke teased.
Acel grew silent for a moment, “So, what is the deal with the girl?”
“She needed off that ship, Ace. She is not like them,” he explained in a whisper.
“Yeah, but Burke, is it really safe to feel sorry for a pirate? She tricked us once; this whole thing could be another ploy for the pirates to get to us or something. Who knows?” Acel reasoned nervously.
“I know she is being honest. I just know it in my heart. She needed away from The Beloved Loss. I am helping her get to safety somewhere to start her own life. She is a sweet girl with a loving heart.”
Acel believed Burke about Cori, but that made him even more afraid. “Speaking of hearts, is saving hers worth breaking yours?”
“What do you mean by that?” Burke asked in confusion.
“I know you. You’re my cousin. You are my best friend. You were there for me when no one else was. I know you, and I know that you brought that girl here for more than just pity. I think you’re in love with her,” he said, laying it all out on the table.
“What? Me? In love? No way! I just want to help her have a normal life, Ace! That’s all. She deserves happiness, freedom, a good man.” Burke grumbled in denial.
“And do you want to be that good man?” Acel argued stubbornly. Burke was silent for a moment. If it was anyone but Acel Belcourt fighting with him he could have easily lied and gotten away with it. No one had to know about Burke’s strange infatuation, but Acel knew Burke too well for lies or secrets.
He sighed exasperatedly, there was no way to lie to his cousin and be believed, “Okay, maybe a little bit. However, I know what you are going to say, so spare me! I am marrying Odelia, like it or not. I have no choice! And Cori is a good girl. She would never agree to be my mistress; I have already thought of that and ruled it out. So, all I am going to do is free her from Marin and Falco. They are horrible to her, Ace. I am just going to release her so she can live her own life and be happy. Then, I will marry Odelia as planned. Alright?”
“Well, I do not think you should marry Odie without a fight. I think you should keep looking for a way out of the union with her. I just think you should be careful trusting Corisanda, alright?” Acel begged.
“I’m not stupid, Ace.”
“Just promise you shall be careful.”
“I promise, happy?”
Acel smiled roguishly, “Yes, Captain, I am happy.”
Burke shook his head dramatically, “Since all your fears have been confronted, can we make some plans for attacking The Beloved Loss?”
“When we searched their ship yesterday evening they hid from us. They disappeared. The Hispaniola inhabitants are loyal to them, so we can trust no one for help. However, we did some damage to their vessel so they should still be making repairs. The only way they could be gone already is if they worked through the night. Even if they did, they should not be far ahead of us,” Acel considered.
Burke stood at the helm and steered his adored ship with ease, “If they are afraid of us Marin shall get them away. He is pretty wise for a pirate. However, I doubt they would give up on Cori that quickly. Falco really wants her.”
“How many men will we have to arrest for King Louis?” Quain asked as he joined the group.
“Marin, Falco, Sharlene, Klaas, and Zeeman. There are two Spanish servants, Guillermo and Novia, to be freed in Cuba. There are also two other pirates, Yvet and Laron, who we are pardoning as well. They deserve freedom with a warning that if I ever catch them pirating again I shall turn them in immediately. Those two, along with Cori will be released when we reach France. There are also a slew of children on that boat, Quain. They were all kidnapped from Argentina. Falco was going to sell them on the Barbary Coast of Africa as slaves. We must return them to their families.”
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Quain scribbled down Burke’s answer on an aging piece of paper. It was his job, as Second Mate, to work one on one with Garner and the other French Naval gunmen when they invaded The Beloved Loss. “Alright, we are arresting five, freeing five, and rescuing a boat load of traumatized children. We were once fearsome sea voyagers but we have recently become policemen, judges, and babysitters. I better go inform the men,” Quain shrugged as he walked away.
Cori sat in Burke’s spacious quarters trying not to cry. Why am I so upset? She wondered. It is none of my business whether Burke is engaged or not. I have no plans of marrying him, he’s a pirate. So why does it bother me? Someone knocking lightly on the wide, mahogany door jarred Cori out of her tiresome thoughts. “Come in,” she called.
The two maids she met a few minutes earlier bustled in. The older one, Leala, gave Cori a curious stare while the younger maid, Miette, smiled shyly. “Do you want a warm bath, Mademoiselle?” Leala questioned courteously.
“Yes, if it is not too much trouble. A bath would be wonderful. I can heat my own water though if you will just show me where everything is,” Cori answered politely. She was used to acting as a ship’s maid just as Leala and Miette were.
Leala was confused at the pretty woman’s offer. Odelia would have never offered to do anything for herself, “No, Mademoiselle. That is our job, we shall be happy to help you.”
“Oh, I really do not feel right letting you help me. I am no privileged Lady, as Burke’s fiancé is. I have been a ship maid since I was five years old,” she informed them.
“Really?” Miette gasped. “Burke said you were a pirate princess!”
Leala scowled darkly at Miette but Cori only giggled, “Oh, did he? Well, that may be his term for me because I’m a pirate captain’s daughter. However, I was a burden to him, not special like most daughters are to their father. My stepmother put me to work as soon as she married my father. I am no princess of any kind.”
This time it was Leala who seemed surprised, “You poor girl! You are no longer a pirate! You are now a guest aboard The Heart of Calais and we will treat you as such. Just get comfortable and we shall be right back with warm bath water and scented soaps.”
“Are you sure you do not mind?” Cori asked.
Leala did not answer; she just hurried out of the room on a mission. Miette lingered for a moment with another shy grin. “You are very beautiful, Mademoiselle!”
“Oh, thank you, Miette. You are too, but you may call me by my name,” she replied.
“Okay, Corisanda!” Miette whispered as she rushed from the room to help her mother.
Minutes later, Cori was relaxing in a large bathtub for the first time in her life, soaking in luxurious vanilla scented soap. Miette washed Cori’s long black hair and combed through it until it was glossy and straight. “This is so much nicer than a little bucket of cold water and a scratchy bar of soap!” Cori sighed, sinking deeper into the warm water and closing her eyes.
“Mother says that Burke looks at you like he never does with any woman,” Miette whispered.
Cori’s eyes popped open, “No, she must be mistaken. Burke does not care about me.”
“Yes, he must! Mother has known Burke since he was a young boy! My father has too! I heard Daddy tell my mother that Burke was smitten with you and she actually agreed with him! They never agree on anything,” Miette rattled.
Cori felt her heart beat speed up momentarily and a light blush come to her cheeks. “Burke and I are only friends. We helped each other escape and that is all. He is marrying Lady Odelia, right?”
“Right, but he does not want to marry her. He cannot stand Lady Odelia! She’s hateful and mean, no one likes her. Mother is preparing Lady Odelia’s bath right now. She takes two baths a day in lavender oil, eats all of her meals in her quarters, and rarely leaves her bed! She gets seasick,” Miette whispered nervously.
“How is she going to handle marriage to a captain then? If she ever plans to see Burke she will have to travel with him. Surely she shall not choose to stay home alone,” Cori prompted curiously.
“Well, I heard my father saying that Burke plans to give up his career as a captain to stay home in France with her. He does not want to and seems sick about it! I think he will keep all of his ships and own his company, he shall only handle the business end and let Acel take care of sailing,” Miette explained sadly.
Cori was in complete shock that Burke would give up something he enjoyed so much. “What do you mean by his company or the business end?” She asked.
Miette tried to remember the explanation her father had given her before about Burke’s career, “Well, Burke is a trader, you know. He trades goods from Japan to Africa, France to America! The only place we do not deal with often is here, the Caribbean! He says that this is controlled by to many pirates and buccaneers to interfere with. Anyway, people place orders all over the world and Burke collects the merchandise they request, whether it is rugs, spices, or jewels. Then we bring it to them! That takes a lot of work.”
Cori nodded her head in amusement, “I see.” Burke is not a normal pirate; he is a very good one! How does he trade and make orders like that without being caught or arrested? People actually trust Burke to steal things they request and bring it to them reliably! What strange behavior for a sea-criminal.
The two sat in silence for several minutes until Miette finally spoke up, “Well, Mother probably needs my help. She said we were getting closer to The Beloved Loss and that we would be waging war with them. I will have to help with anything they need. Just call when you are ready to get out and I shall help you dry off!”
Cori sat still in the tub until Miette walked out, closing the door behind her. She quickly stood up, wrapped herself in the towel and dressed in the spare outfit she brought in her bag. There is no way I could relax when Burke is attacking my father’s ship! Besides, I like to dry myself off. Cori thought hurriedly.
Cori paced the room, too afraid to leave but too nervous to sit. She was being bombarded with thoughts and felt unable to sort any of them out. Are we close to The Beloved Loss? My father could be killed! What if Burke loses? Falco will kill me! Burke’s engaged! We shall no longer even be allowed to speak. If Burke planned to give up pirating for Odelia, would he give it up for someone like me?
Forcing herself to sit and calm down, Cori leaned back in Burke’s bed. It was the only one she had ever laid in besides her own aboard The Beloved Loss. Burke’s bed was nearly three times the size of her meager bunk. It was much more comfortable too! His pillows were soft and fluffy instead of hard and flat. His sheets and covers were soft and expensive instead of old and scratchy. I could get used to this lifestyle, she considered dreamily.
As content as she was, even the newfound comfort was not enough to make Cori relax. Bounding off the bed, she made her way to the grand door. Cori paused for a moment, took a deep breath, swung the door open, closed it behind her and bounded down the elegant hallway to the ornate set of stairs that led to the main deck of Burke’s grand ship. She walked cautiously up the stairs and peeked meekly onto the deck.
Burke was at the helm, proudly looking over the bright blue Caribbean Sea. Acel stood smiling at Burke’s side, animatedly unfolding some lavish story he was telling with the use of his arms, legs and feet. Quain, Burke’s redheaded Second Mate, was discussing battle plans with Garner and Karoly, Miette’s father.
Garner is handsome, Cori consented to herself. Although he is not as masculine and breathtaking as Burke, there is something about Garner that seems mysterious, gentle, and easy to be around. He will make some lucky woman a fine husband, but I do not want him to be mine. She shook her head, wondering why Burke came to mind every time she thought about marriage, love or romance.
Davet, the French cook Cori had been introduced to an hour earlier, was bringing samples of food around from person to person. Cori did not understand why everyone politely declined a sample of Davet’s snacks but after agreeing to taste one of his appe
tizers she had a clear understanding of the carefree man’s lack of cooking skills.
Continuing onto the deck, Cori walked bravely to one side of the ship and sat down on a long, intricately designed, ivory bench. Overlooking the sea was nothing new to Cori but seeing it for the beauty, freedom, and happiness it now symbolized was something she was not accustomed to. For as long as she could remember, the sea had been her prison and The Beloved Loss was her barred cell. Now, it seemed tranquil and inviting, as if washing away Cori’s past and opening up countless doors for her to open and explore.
“Excuse me, Mademoiselle.” A familiar voice called strongly from the helm.
Cori looked toward the powerful wheel and the captain who controlled it with a smile. She rose from her seat and left her thoughts behind as she walked across the mahogany covered deck, up a sturdy set of stairs, stopping when she reached Burke’s side. “Do you need something from me, Captain Belcourt?” Cori asked with a shy smile.
Burke could see pain, fear, and confusion behind Cori’s big brown eyes. He wanted so badly to hold her in his arms, tell her all would be fine soon, and promise her a long, happy, carefree life to make up for the one she had been cheated of so far. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, Burke. I’m just a little nervous. Any sign of The Beloved Loss?” She asked.
He chuckled at her concern, “We are almost back to the beach where your father’s ship sat the last time we saw it. Can you believe that we were sneaking through the village, stealing fruit and fish this time yesterday morning?”
She shook her head negatively, “No, it all feels like a dream.”
“Well, it’s not. We’re here, safe and sound. Speaking of dreams, it would be best for you to go lay down for a while. We should be closing in on that part of the island any minute now. I’m not sure what to expect, but do you remember what I asked you to do?” Burke prompted gently.
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