by Andrea Jones
Smee slumped forward, and he rested his forehead on his hand.
“What are you thinking, Mr. Smee?”
“I’m thinking of James Hook, of course. I don’t know what’s happened. But he’s out there somewhere. All alone— again.”
Tom opened the door, easing his shoulders in. “Mr. Smee. I think you’ll want to hear what Doctor Hanover has to say.”
Smee grunted his disgust and turned away.
“He’s got an idea.” Tom stepped back into the room. “Not a good one.”
“Tell the man to go to hell.”
Hanover’s curt voice cut in. “It concerns Red-Handed Jill.” With his shoulders square and his back taut, he entered the room, realizing and not caring that his presence was an insult to all its occupants. “Mr. Smee. I have been discussing the situation with Mr. Yulunga. I believe if we form a party, Captain Cecco will allow us to speak to the lady once more. Perhaps we can persuade her that she does have other options.” As no one responded, Hanover stepped forward and looked between them, his gray eyes urging. “Before it’s too late!”
Smee refused to look at him. “You mean the option of running off with you, Hanover?”
“A far preferable choice than giving herself to that— brute!” Regaining control of himself, the surgeon assumed a more reasonable tenor. “Mr. Nibs, you once told me you would never serve any captain but Hook. Perhaps you will now accept my offer and come with us. To Heidelberg.”
Nibs the Knife surprised even himself with his restraint. “You’re a fool if you think I’d model myself after you, Doctor, after what you did to Jill today. If it was up to me, you’d be lying dead with your throat slit.” The shining blade in his hand pierced the gloom, but remained still.
“Of course I excuse your hostility, Mr. Nibs. Most unfortunately, in my zeal to free the lady I misunderstood Mr. Cecco’s intentions. I now realize just how treacherous our new captain is. Naturally, I regret that I misplaced my confidence.”
Eyeing the surgeon at last, Smee snorted. “A shame you didn’t catch on before you shoved her into his arms, Hanover. I don’t know what you thought you were doing, but you made a right mess of it!”
Hanover brushed off Smee’s contempt. “If you care for the lady, I should think you would cease imbibing your vile spirits and come to her aid now, by striving to change her mind.”
Seeing the bo’sun sit resolute, Tom puffed up his chest and said, “Nibs, Mr. Smee. You said yourselves that the situation isn’t right. Here’s your chance to try to fix it. But me? I want no part of it.” He swung toward Hanover. “I trust Jill. She knows what she’s doing.” Tom strode from the cabin, leaving the three alone.
Ignoring his departure, the surgeon needled the others, stating, “And I trust she can be made to see reason, even if her sons and her stubborn ‘protector’ cannot.” He glared at Smee.
Nibs sighed and, with reluctance, thrust his knife in his belt. “I’ll come along with you, Hanover. To hear what Mr. Yulunga thinks. Whether we like it or not, he’s the first mate, now. We’ll have to get used to dealing with him.” He headed for the door and stopped. “The doctor’s right about one thing, Mr. Smee. You promised the captain you’d take care of her. Not long ago, you told me he stopped you playing the hero before a nasty fight.” The crease between Nibs’ brows deepened. “Maybe Hook saved you, then, so you can save Jill now.”
Recognizing that the situation called for discretion, Hanover kept silent. As he had done earlier in the day, he used the bo’sun’s conscience to do his work for him.
Nibs modeled himself after the doctor just this once, and did the same. While Smee poured himself another shot and downed it, Nibs judged that he’d found the only way around the Irishman’s wounds.
“You have to be her hero, Mr. Smee. It’s your duty.”
§ § §
In the familiar luxury of the master’s quarters, everything was the same, and everything was changed. Candlelight filled the room, but the night pressed in. His dark eyes, as always, clung to her. Yet where before they had been hopeful, they now touched her with an air of possession. But, as in the past, Captain Cecco held himself in check. He pulled Jill’s chair from the dining table, assisting her to rise, and then he ushered her toward the plush pillows of the window seat. Unlike their mistress, the cushions felt as comfortable as ever.
“And now, Lady, we must attend to our business.” Cecco watched impassively as she settled, but he himself remained standing. “I am certain you know the questions on my mind. You will please answer them.”
Before supper, Jill had removed her boots and her weapons, more in token of her fearlessness than her capitulation. The gesture had had its effect on Cecco; he had voiced his admiration— and he hadn’t laid a finger on her. Rather, throughout the meal, of which she had partaken only to show that she could, he engaged in light conversation designed to set her at her ease. But supper was over now.
Jill’s tone was flat. “Your first question is in regard to the surgeon.”
Cecco watched her.
“As you have discovered, Doctor Hanover is a useful man. Not only is he a brilliant physician and a skilled swordsman. He also possesses great wealth which the captain—” She looked down and collected herself. “Which Hook determined to take. My task was to persuade Doctor Hanover to join us. Failing that, I was to find the source of his riches, and steal it.”
“You seduced him?”
“Only in his imagination.”
The suspicion in Cecco’s eyes evaporated. “And so, the physician means nothing to you.”
“On the contrary. He means a great deal to me.”
With a grunt of amusement, Cecco laid his hand on his dagger. “So he has not enjoyed the full pleasure of you, yet I am to have the pleasure of carving him, after all.”
“You swore it. He touched me, many times. I hold you to your word.”
“You want his blood, then?”
“I want my name cut into his back.” For the first time, her devoted sailor felt the full force of her sapphire eyes. “But I don’t want you to kill him.”
He tilted his head. “I am warned, Lady. Your passions run deep.”
“As deep as your knife.”
“Well. I will make no promises. No doubt the man himself will make the decision for us. Go on.”
Shadows from the candlelight flickered across her face. “I don’t know where Hook is. I only know he lives.”
“Lovely storyteller, I have heard this tale before.” Her eyes still affected him. “And I see you believe it to be true. And my next question?” He turned to walk a few paces, running his fingers over the sleek wood of the harpsichord, then lifting his gaze to assess the opulence of the captain’s quarters. The long laces binding his hair swung across his back, and the marred flesh beneath the leather assaulted Jill’s eyes— just as the gash of Hook’s wrist had done at first— setting off a coiling in the pit of her stomach. It was she who was responsible for the damage to both of these men. Hook had taken his revenge. Now that Cecco had his chance, what price might he exact?
When she didn’t answer his question, Cecco turned back to her, his eyes narrowed. Diverting her gaze, she rubbed her right wrist.
His face cleared. “Ah, I see. You are still fascinated with the scars you have caused. And is there another who deserves such stripes?”
“No! He made his feelings clear to everyone. It cost him the captaincy. Mr. Smee would never betray Hook.” She had to wrench the bo’sun’s name from her lips. It hurt to speak of him.
“He has never touched you?”
Holding silence, Jill stared into his smoky eyes.
“You have defied me before this, when I was not in a position to object. As on those occasions, I find your courage most provocative.” Wryly, he smiled, “If sometimes painful. But I will let it go. After tonight, the Irishman will be no longer an issue. What of the letters you posted in Gao?”
He had succeeded in surprising her. “The letters? On
ly messages to my family, to assure them of my welfare.”
“Nothing else? No hints of your whereabouts to be passed along to the authorities? I understand Hook’s capture carries a heavy bounty in England. To say nothing of my own.”
Jill rushed to her feet, her eyes blazing. “Never! I have been loyal to Hook, and to all my shipmates.”
“So I have finally turned your ice to fire! Be reassured, Lady. I have always known the fuel that warms your heart. And as I once told you, I aspire to make your voyage— on whatever ocean— enjoyable.”
Her chest heaved. “Other oceans—” The words tasted like chalk on her tongue.
“As I foretold. But I will prove to you that the situation in which you find yourself today is not so very different as you may imagine.”
Turning away, she cast her gaze all round the room. Everything was in its place. The comfortable furnishings, the tasteful trappings remained. But even surrounded by her own belongings in her own quarters, Jill was keenly aware that the most important thing had, indeed, changed. His successor stood before her now, waiting patiently. The wave of anxiety washed over her, and then, composing herself, she renewed her determination to prevail. As her eyes settled on him again, Cecco bowed and reached out in the gesture that was becoming familiar. In time, Jill thought, her response might come more easily. Slowly, she placed her hand in his, expecting him to kiss it as he had done in the past. Surely that much hadn’t changed.
But he held her fingers lightly, caressing them with his thumb, and the memory of his magic sent a shiver up her arm. Cecco was remembering, too. “The first time I touched your fingers, you had come to parley with Captain Hook.” While his bracelets made music, he raised her hand and brushed her fingers with his lips. “Now we will discuss the terms of our own accord.”
“Accord? But we are not enemies.”
“Far from it. Still, agreement must be reached.”
“Yes…” Outside the cabin, darkness had won over the twilight. Inside, the candles fought on.
“As you yourself have said, there is no reason to delay your duty.” He retained possession of her fingers, tightening his hold. “Here are my demands. First, you will reserve yourself for me alone. We have seen today what ill feeling may arise if you favor certain of the men, and not all.”
“Yes, of course, there is no question.” As usual, Cecco indicated no reserve whatever, but now that the subject of their approaching intimacy was under discussion, Jill felt another surge of alarm. Until this moment, she had succeeded in conducting herself with composure, believing this liaison to be a rational act. An act with which she might regain a measure of control over the ship— but already, she was having difficulty keeping her pulse steady.
“Second,” Cecco went on, “if you wish him to live, you will have no association with the surgeon.”
The look in Cecco’s eye was much colder than his hand. Quickly, she answered. “Agreed.”
“Third, as you are a working member of ship’s company, you will continue to receive your designated percentage of plunder. I will, however, grant you a share of my own in addition, as recompense for your support and favor.”
With her cheeks burning, Jill retorted, “That is hardly necessary. I have made my choice. I seek no payment.”
His smile, as he kissed her fingers again, was gratified. “I am pleased that our arrangement is mutually agreeable. But I insist that you profit by it.” Jill pulled her hand away, speechless, now fully understanding why Mr. Smee’s Lily had at first scorned that gift of golden bracelets. But Jill couldn’t think of Smee anymore. It was too painful.
As if he read her thoughts, Cecco said, “Next, you will restrict your relations with Mr. Smee. He has already shown himself to be opposed to our union, and the history between you will naturally cause my crewmen to watch the two of you closely.”
“Your crewmen?”
Cecco merely waited.
As the seconds passed, she looked down at Hook’s costly carpets, and then up again at the new captain’s face. “Your crewmen. Yes.”
“Yes. And last, if I am to rule them, I must rule you first. You will show me every respect and attention you exhibited toward Hook. I have observed that you are shrewd, adept in the ways of leadership. You will understand this requirement.”
“Yes, I understand.” Instinct told her she must be firm now. “But my demands are these. I will be allowed full freedom of the ship and among its company.” Cecco started to speak, but she went on. “I shall, of course, be discreet. Aloof, if you will.”
He inclined his head.
“Second. You will show no favoritism toward my sons.”
“Agreed.”
“Nor will you demonstrate any prejudice against them.”
“An unnecessary point, but also agreed.”
Jill paused to gather the proper words. “You have pledged to me that the welfare of the ship will be your first priority. I must be allowed to make suggestions to that end, without threat of punishment.”
“Granted. You should dread only a breach of our terms. And this, I will punish severely.”
Jill pulled back a little, fighting the fear shooting through her heart. She managed, for the moment, to tame it. “I respect your candor, and honor it with my own.” She drew herself up. “Lastly, and most important. I have already told you I believe James Hook to be alive. I insist upon this article: when he returns, the alliance between you and me will be ended. I will harbor no ill will toward you, but you will no longer have any claim on me. Our prior bonds will preclude all we agree today.”
“Bellezza…my poor little one! I admire your loyalty. I applaud it. You inspire me to win that loyalty for my own. But you must know how little chance exists that our brave captain will rise from the sea and take up his place between us.”
With a cool stare, Jill said, “Are we agreed then? Have we an accord?”
He gave a curt nod. “We have an accord.”
She felt relieved, but not for long. As before, her ice inflamed him.
“The bargain must be sealed.” He stepped closer. Cecco wasn’t as tall as her captain, but he stood so near she had to bend her neck to look into his eyes. Those clinging eyes.
“In regard to our personal relations, Madam, you have nothing to fear from me. In my country, it is a tradition that men strive to please their women. A point of pride, to bring pleasure where we take it.”
“I mean no insult to you, Mr. Cecco, but from our arrangement I expect only a moderate degree of contentment. My heart is otherwise engaged.”
“You think perhaps to compensate for your compliance? To deny yourself in honor of your late lover?”
Jill blinked. “I didn’t realize you were so versed in the ways of women.” He had guessed exactly what she planned— to give herself only so far, making up for her physical infidelity by withholding her passion, as if she could somehow shield herself and reserve her innermost recesses for Hook.
“A noble intention, to sacrifice your pleasure. But I tell you as a man. Such dishonesty can only dishonor him.”
Considering his meaning, Jill realized she had deceived only herself. Cecco’s words were true, and she swiftly understood. Cheating this man would not gain her absolution. She could acquit herself with honor only by accepting Cecco honestly, completely. In dissembling, she might in actuality earn the stipend he had granted. Better to be his partner— in every endeavor— than his prostitute.
And she was struck again by the thought she had had earlier on the companionway— How cleverly and how quickly he divested her of her armor!
Jill looked down. “Aye. You speak the truth.”
Gently, his fingers applied pressure under her chin. “You will please humor me, with the proper form of address.”
As she looked up at him, the ghost of a shadow passed over her face, but she acquiesced.
“Aye…Sir.”
“So we are clear.”
“We are.” The hollow within her ached again as
, under his vigilance, she awarded Cecco the title she longed to hold for Hook. “Captain.”
“And now all that restrains me is my courtesy, which you will find I hold in abundance— if we continue to agree as we have done so delightfully this evening.”
Jill controlled her expression, but at this velvet-gloved threat, doubt spilled inside her. “I will do my best to maintain harmony between us.” Had she been wrong about Cecco after all? Had he merely been biding his time until he could take revenge for his whipping? She searched his eyes to determine how he might back up his warning, but found only warmth and confidence there. Captain Cecco was, apparently, very sure of himself.
“You look for reassurance. And you wonder, perhaps, how I know so much of your feeling?”
Again, he had intuited her thoughts. Although hesitant to confirm his supposition, she nodded.
“I am naturally understanding of women. And you I have watched closely every day. Sometimes to my cost.” He threw off a shrug, indicative of his shredded back. “You took such pleasure in displaying your devotion to your former master. I remember every little touch and courtesy you lavished upon him. And your insistence that I be punished for his sake— a grand gesture!”
Jill drew back. Was Cecco expressing resentment, or adoration?
“It is my dream that I will move you to the same level of devotion.”
“And if not? Sir?”
“Let us not dwell on the improbable. It is enough that I have learned much of your inclinations, and can easily guess at your…disinclinations.” His even teeth showed in an indulgent smile. “You are far too intelligent to serve me other than satisfactorily.”
Jill ignored the rising panic. “I am anxious to learn more of your inclinations, that we may stand on an equal footing. I hope you will be patient with me.”
Cecco’s posture relaxed now. His compact, muscular frame seemed to Jill to melt a bit. “Madam. I doubt that patience will be necessary. I am not a difficult master to please! And I will be honored to please you. Perhaps in ways you have not experienced before.”