The Marooner

by Barbara Devlin

  “It is too soon to have arrived in London.” Smitty scratched his chin. “What does it mean, Cap’n? Would they try and execute us, at sea?”

  “I hope not.” Leland’s heart hammered in his chest, when a guard descended.

  “Captain Stryker, you are to come with me.” The soldier removed the leg shackles, but manacles remained at Leland’s wrists.

  “Why?” Given his confinement, his legs ached, and he shuffled up the companion ladder. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Captain Collingwood wishes a word.” The lobster gave Leland a none-too-gentle shove. “Now, move.”

  “All right.” After navigating the bowels of the ship, they emerged on deck, and he shielded his eyes, which watered at the burst of daylight. Searching for some sign of Sophia, he was disappointed to note only her absence. At the mainsail hull, a plank extended to the other ship, and he crossed to the man-o'-war.

  He had never been aboard a naval vessel, and the stark contrast was not lost on him. The grain of the polished boards shimmered, the falls were flemished in perfect hexagonals, and brass boasted a perfect shine. He could almost admire Captain Collingwood. Almost.

  At the door to the captain’s cabin, the soldier set wide the oak panel, and Leland walked inside. Immediately, he was beset by a froth of perfume and petticoats.

  “Oh, my darling, did they hurt you.” Sophia showered his face in kisses and then drew back, to assess him at arm’s length, and her expression sobered. “Why is my husband in shackles? Captain Collingwood, you will remove them, at once, or I shall be moved to violence. As it stands, I may still file a formal complaint with the Crown, given our poor treatment in your custody.”

  “My apologies, Lady Sophia. Permit me to make amends.” The blond bastard dipped his chin, and the soldier unlocked the manacles. “You are free, Captain Stryker, as there seems to be a gross misunderstanding.”

  Confused but grateful to see his wife, Leland simply hugged her to him. Burying his face in the curve of her neck, he fought stubborn tears. Then he recalled the horrible threats to her person, and he retreated to scrutinize her.

  “Are you all right?” He turned her about and then to face him. “Did they touch you?” To Collingwood, Leland said, “If you harmed a single hair on her head—”

  “What are you talking about?” Collingwood scowled. “This is a ship of His Majesty’s Navy, not some floating brothel.”

  “A guard told me you traded my wife as a whore.” Leland bared his teeth and tucked Sophia to his side. “That you used her and then passed her to your crew.”

  “Who told you that, specifically?” Collingwood stood and rested hands on hips. “Have you a name?”

  “Wilson.” In unchecked rage, Leland shuddered. “His name is Wilson, and he recounted his vicious tale at every meal.”

  Collingwood glanced at one of his soldiers. “Lively, Henderson.”

  “Aye, sir.” The lobster saluted and exited the cabin.

  “You have my deepest regrets, Captain Stryker.” Collingwood sat. “My duty is to enforce the laws of England and protect our waters, not to torture those in my care. Why did you not tell me of the pact you signed?”

  “The pact?” Leland searched his memory, and he recalled the agreement. “In truth, I forgot about it, but it offers no protection from past crimes, until the requisite year is completed.”

  “Indeed.” Captain Collingwood displayed the document atop his blotter. “You signed the accord in September of eighteen seventeen.”

  “So?” Leland shrugged and then caressed Sophia’s hair.

  “That means the full pardon went into effect, September last.” Collingwood pointed to the date beside Leland’s name. “You have enjoyed the protection of His Majesty and, thereby his servants, of which I am one, for months. Had you indicated as much, when I boarded the Cry Havoc, I would have let you pass with naught but a suggestion to secure the actual pardon, upon your arrival in London.”

  “To be honest, in the heat of battle, it never occurred to me.” Massaging Sophia’s spine, Leland claimed another quick kiss. “How did you come by the document?”

  “I gave it to him,” she replied. “And I demanded the release of the crew.”

  “They are being freed, as we speak.” Collingwood chuckled. “Stryker, I know not whether to congratulate or pity you, as I married one just like your bride, with the same fiery temperament, but you owe her your liberty, because she refused to be ignored.”

  At that bit of information, Leland caught his wife in a narrow stare. “What did you do?”

  “I waited until the guard brought my meal, and then I stole a pistol from his waistband, as he carried a tray, pushed him aside, and forced my way on deck.” She pouted, and he wanted to kiss her silly. “Then I fired a round, and that got their attention.”

  “You have a bullet hole in your mainmast, to prove it.” Collingwood shook his head and laughed. “But she was never in any danger, Stryker. And no one put a hand on her, as I do not tolerate such behavior on the Intrepid. However, she pled her case, and I listened.”

  “So, what happens now?” Relieved to have Sophia in his embrace, but somewhat angry that she put herself at risk, he tightened his hold on her.

  “I will escort you to London, and I recommend you make an appointment with Sir Ross, to secure your new letters, to avoid such incidents in the future.” Collingwood opened his mouth and then closed it. “And I suggest you refit and rename your ship, which all but screams pirate. For god sakes, man, give your lady a coat of paint, fresh pitch at the devil, polish the boards and brass, and buy some new sheets. That, alone, will avert such mistakes.”

  “Collingwood, in that I cannot argue.” To Leland’s surprise, the naval man stood and extended his hand as would a gentleman, and he returned the gesture, measure for measure.

  With his bride on his arm, Leland made for the Cry Havoc, and he found his men gathered at the waist, as the soldiers made for the Intrepid.

  “Would you like to explain the situation, Cap’n?” Smitty rubbed his eyes. “Why did they let us go?”

  “Because we are now under the protect of His Majesty.” Leland rested his palm to the swell of his lady’s hip. “And my wife, of her own volition, confronted Captain Collingwood and saved us.”

  “Is that supposed to shock us?” Smitty guffawed, and the other crew members cheered. Then he whistled. “All right, you mangy plug tails, get back to work.” To Leland, the first mate said, “Carry on, Cap’n.”

  In that moment, Leland turned right into Sophia’s kiss.

  For several minutes, they shared a tender reunion, in full view of the tars, but he did not give a damn, because he had his woman in his arms. When she finally broke free, he was breathless and hungry—but not for food.

  “I love you.” She cupped his cheek. “I love you so very much, and I was terrified I would never get the chance to tell you.”

  “Do you honestly believe me unaware?” When she tugged on the heart-shaped pendant she gifted him, he smiled. “I carry your heart, as you carry mine. I love you, Sophia. I suspect I loved you from the instant you reprimanded those nasty debutantes, in Derbyshire.”

  “I am not sure when my devotion took root, because I feared you, at first.” Perched on tiptoes, she suckled his bottom lip and then tempted him with a flick of her tongue. “But I knew of my unshakeable love on the morning you lifted me to the tops, when you told me you were a pirate. Now, would you like to adjourn to our cabin and continue our happy reunion?”

  “As much as I desire you, there is something else I would prefer.” At her quizzical expression, he could not help but laugh, and it felt so good. “Come with me, darling.”

  Fingers entwined, he led her to the stern, where the vivid sky heralded a glorious finish to the day. As was their ritual, she hugged him about the waist, and they savored the sunset.

  When night fell on the ocean, the December wind howled, and Sophia shivered.

  “Shall I ring for a bath,
or are you hungry, as I expect Bateman will have prepared dinner.” To his abiding delight, his naughty wife trailed her fingers to his crotch and caressed him as he taught her, and he groaned, as the marauder emerged. “Of course, there is other fare.”

  “That sounds perfect.” Grasping the hair at her nape, he kissed her, hard and fast. “And then I will ride you until dawn.”

  ~

  In an elegantly appointed study, at one of Mayfair’s best addresses, Sophia sat in a chair and wiped a stray tear, as Leland signed the full pardon he earned. To her right, Lady Elaine, Sir Ross Logan’s wife, occupied another seat, and she glanced at Sophia and smiled.

  “I believe that will do it.” Sir Ross, an imposing figure, dropped a fair amount of wax on the parchment, into which he affixed a seal of his office. “Congratulations, Stryker. It appears another one of my bride’s converts has succeeded in securing a new future on the right side of the law.”

  “Thank you, Sir Ross.” Leland blushed, and Sophia ached to hold him. “But I must credit my wife for my triumph, because she gave me something to believe in. She gave me faith.”

  “Women have a way of doing that.” Sir Ross peered at Lady Elaine, and something in his expression softened in much the same manner as when Leland looked at Sophia. “And we are all the more fortunate for it.”

  “I could not agree more, sir.” Leland rolled the document. “I appreciate you seeing me on short notice, as my ship is offloaded, and we cast off for Port Royal, this evening.”

  “So soon?” Lady Elaine stood and walked to her husband, and he draped an arm about her shoulders. “I was hoping you might dine with us.”

  “You do us a great honor, Mrs. Logan, but we are due at the docks, even now.” Leland turned and flicked his fingers, and Sophia went to him. “Perhaps, another time.”

  “Consider it an open invitation.” Lady Elaine inclined her head. “Permit me to show you to the door.” As they ventured into the hall, she said to Sophia, “Please, give my best regard and compliments to Jean Marc and Madalene.”

  “Of course.” Sophia gave her back to Leland, as he secured her wool pelisse about her. “And we may see you during The Season, as we expect to return to London in the spring.”

  “Wonderful.” Lady Elaine clutched Sophia and pressed a kiss to each cheek. “You must visit us, I insist.”

  “And no one denies my wife.” Sir Ross shook his head. “Take care, and safe journey.”

  Outside, as a light snow fell, Leland ushered Sophia into a coach. As soon as they hit the squabs, he pulled her into his lap and claimed her mouth in a searing attack, and she anticipated nothing less.

  Fumbling with the folds of his greatcoat, she finally yielded the fight, yanked the leather tong, and grasped fistfuls of his thick black hair. Taunting him with her tongue, and teasing him with playful bites, she ground her hips to his in a bold invitation, yet he made no move to touch her where she wanted it most. Instead, he pulled back and rested his forehead to hers.

  “Oh, Leland, I am so proud of you.” She squeezed him. “Whatever you were, whatever your past crimes, it is behind you, and you are a free man. Your future is yours to own.”

  “Ours, my lady wife.” With his knuckles, he caressed her cheek, as was his habit. “I could not have done it without you.”

  “But you did.” She claimed a quick kiss. “Your pardon went into effect the very month we met, only you did not know it. Your victory is yours, my love, and I admire you so.”

  “It was a hallow victory, without you.” When he made no advance on her person, she settled his palm on her breast. “Do you not see, I was waiting for you? I may not have known you, but I knew the promise of you, and you saved me, sweetheart. In every way, you saved me, and now I have a surprise for you, although it pales in comparison with what you gave me.”

  “What have you done?” Sitting upright, she met him, nose to nose. “Do not tell me you purchased more jewelry, as I have no need of it.”

  “Not quite, my dear.” He winced. “Bloody hell, I was supposed to take you shopping for more lace garments.”

  “Fret not, my lusty buccaneer, as I never forget you.” After loosening her bodice, she inched down the material, to reveal the briefest peek at the erotic item she wore beneath her gown. “This is for you, and you alone.”

  Emitting a feral groan, he closed his eyes. “Sophia, once again you test the limits of my breeches, and I deuced near fired my seed.” Then he came alert. “Give me another glimpse.”

  “Not until we are safely locked in our cabin, else you will destroy my surprise, here and now, as I know you too well.” Ah, it was good to be a pirate’s wife, as he ravished her décolletage. “But I am glad you like it.”

  “Are you joking?” He snorted. “I love it—and you.”

  At St. Katharine docks, they descended the rig, and he steadied her as she descended into the long boat that would carry them to the Cry Havoc.

  “I wish we could have seen my family.” As the tars rowed into the harbor, she rued the fact that they had not yet traveled to London, but the few days spent in the city gave her the opportunity to dispatch letters, assuring her relations that she was hale, whole, and happy.

  “On the next trip, I promise, we will journey to Derbyshire or wherever they reside, so you can visit with them.” As the little craft wound its way through the myriad vessels at anchor, she searched for their floating home but could not find it. “Where are we going, and what happened to the Cry Havoc, as I do not see it.”

  “But it is right in front of you, dearest and most beautiful Sophia.” Groping her bottom, as she sat beside him, Leland nuzzled her temple. “She is right there.”

  Magnificent with a fresh coat of paint, the frigate boasted a new figurehead at the prow, which bore more than a passing resemblance to the lady of the ship. But it was the name that added to her confusion, and when she met her husband’s gaze, tears welled. “You named it for me?”

  “Welcome to the Lady Sophia.” Leland daubed her face with a handkerchief. “Captain Collingwood was right, and we were past due for a renovation. The crew voted, thus I cannot take credit for it, and it was a unanimous decision.”

  Together, the two tars saluted, and she collapsed in her husband’s embrace. Moved beyond words, Sophia could scarcely climb the Jacob’s ladder, but the men provided steadfast support.

  “Good to have you aboard, ma’am.” Smitty saluted, as did the other sailors.

  “Thank you, as it is always good to be home.” Sophia sniffed and acknowledged the crew with a curtsey. “I am honored by the gift you bestow upon me, and I pledge to do credit to this ship and her crew.”

  “You could never do any less.” Leland glanced at his men and nodded, and they resumed their tasks, as the Lady Sophia prepared to set sail. “Are you all right?”

  “I am fine.” And in that instant she regained her footing. “Now, I suggest you get us underway, as I shall be waiting for you, in our cabin.” In play, she sank her teeth into his chin. “Prepare to be boarded.”

  THE MAROONER

  EPILOGUE

  London

  March, 1819

  As the elegant carriage drew to a halt before a posh townhouse in Berkley Square, Sophia checked her appearance and then adjusted Leland’s cravat.

  “Please, stop scowling.” She favored him with a quick kiss, which always made him smile. “And quit fidgeting, as your cravat resembles a noose.”

  “You know I hate the bloody neck cloth, and I do not understand why you insist I wear it.” To her expression of disapproval, he tugged at his collar and groaned. “I hate this thing. You know what I am, so I do not see why I must dress as one of those perfumed peacocks I detest.”

  “Because I will not have you frightening my brother and sister, and you introduced yourself as a gentleman, of a sort, so you must play your part.” When he pinched her bottom through her gown, she yelped. “Behave, please. I promise, you may unleash my bawdy buccaneer when we return to our rooms
at Mivart’s, and I shall welcome him, on my knees.” Then she cast a side-glance. “And if you are very good, I just may treat you to a peek at one of your surprises.”

  “Oh?” That garnered his attention, and he came alert and erect, because he knew her well. “What are you wearing under that gown?”

  “Something lacy, in your favorite color.” When he pulled at her bodice, she slapped his hand. “You are incorrigible.”

  “You encourage me.” He tried again, but she brushed him aside. “Show me, now, else I will run amok, as my cannon is primed and ready to fire.”

  “Patience, my darling.” With a graceful shimmy, she revealed a tantalizing glimpse of black lace, and he sucked in a breath. “This one has no crotch. Think about that, as we dine with polite society, and what I plan to do with Sophia’s pipe, later.”

  “Forget dinner.” He tried but failed to pull her into his lap. “Let us go back to the hotel.”

  “No.” She giggled, and when a footman opened the door to the rig, she swept outside, leaving Leland painfully aroused. “We accepted the invitation, I have not seen my family since our wedding day, and we are going to socialize.”

  Trailing in her wake, he followed her into the foyer, where Lord Ferrers lingered, along with Gabriel and Wilhelmine. While Sophia enjoyed the reunion, Leland hugged the shadows and savored her unmasked delight, as she shimmered with happiness, and that was all that mattered to him.

  At last, Lord Ferrers neared.

  “Mr. Stryker, I cannot thank you enough, for taking care of my daughter, despite the inauspicious circumstances of your betrothal.” He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “I knew not what to expect at this meeting, and I must admit I feared the worst, but Sophia glows with joy, and her letters speak of little else but that she is a vast deal more than content in her marriage. I owe you a debt.”

  “Sir, I may have exchanged a trunk filled with gold and gems for her, but I could never pay you what she is worth, so the debt is mine.” They shook hands, and Leland admired his wife’s inimitable beauty. “If it is any consolation, know that I love her.”