by Andrea Jones
Grasping the taffrail, Cecco peered down into the depths of the sea. The big wing of the rudder stood at attention, stock-still. His ship was moving, unalterably, away from L’Ormonde. Away from Jill. Looking out over the water, Cecco could distinguish only a blur of black silk, receding into the distance. The vast sea loomed between them. Cursing, he yanked the spyglass open again. Within its brief round space, Jill’s dark dress faded to blend with beige.
Cecco stared, his wild eyes aching, until the very last moment…when she was gone.
Chapter 33
Flights of Fancy
Tom was watching. Jill laughed and he caught her signal; her black gloves slipped the doctor’s coat from his shoulders. Tom turned to Liza and surprised her, taking the cup from her hands.
“That’s enough for now, Miss. Let’s set the drinks down.” Exchanging a significant glance with Nibs, Tom leaned an elbow on the portside rail. He unbuttoned his blue jacket. “You know, Miss, Nibs and me, we’re your brothers now.”
“Aye, Miss Liza. And your father’s ours.” Nibs adjusted his kerchief, making ready.
Liza’s wide-eyed look showed astonishment. Clearly she hadn’t thought of this. As if seeking reassurance, she looked over her shoulder toward the surgeon. Unfettered by his coat, he held Jill tightly in his arms. The newlyweds swayed together still. Their dance had slowed when they moved toward the stern. Alone on the quarterdeck, they seemed to have abandoned their every concern with the Roger. Tom allowed Liza a moment to collect herself, then recalled her attention.
“I think it’s fine. A fresh start for the two of us. Don’t you think so?”
Liza’s uncertain expression remained. Her gray gaze wandered toward the dwindling pirate ship, where the unpleasantness between her and Tom had taken place.
Tom’s gaze followed. Already the Roger was more distant than he liked. “She’s a fine vessel, the Jolly Roger. I’m sorry to be parting company with her.”
Behind Liza’s back, Nibs craned his neck to monitor the progress of the party. Having rigged the sails, the men on duty had descended for a cup of cheer, and ship’s company made merry around the cask. Cheeky music from the fiddles joined with the wheeze of a concertina. Like his men, LeCorbeau was relaxed, enjoying himself. With one fluid arm, he kept time to the music. His other arm linked through Guillaume’s. The second mate was keeping his promise, ensuring that his captain’s back remained turned to the stern. Guillaume had engaged Renaud, too, in a conversation. As also arranged, Tom was keeping Liza occupied. With a final glance at the crow’s nest, Nibs swung a long leg over the port rail, balanced for one moment, then slid seaward. His departure made not a sound.
Tom hiked himself up to perch on the rail. “Might as well get comfortable, Miss. This party looks as if it has a mind to go on all day.” He inspected the decks. All clear. Jill was managing just fine, luring Hanover’s attention well away from his daughter. When the man on watch pointed his spyglass over the bow, Tom aimed a stare behind Liza. “Well, look at that!”
She turned. Moving quickly, Tom slapped his hand over Liza’s lips. Yanking her against his chest, he leaned back and rolled over the rail, dragging her with him. He let gravity tug them down, then he directed his thoughts to the sky.
Liza stiffened, and as her fingers tore in panic at the hand over her mouth, Nibs’ hold secured Tom. The two men hung over the water, rearranging their grasps so that each brother gripped one of Liza’s arms. Nibs supported her hips. Tom made sure to keep her mouth covered. She’d never made a peep before, but he wasn’t about to gamble today— she’d never flown before, either. She wouldn’t get a chance to holler.
Keeping low to the brine, the brothers and their terrified captive made straight for the Roger. The rest of the raid on L’Ormonde was up to Jill. Even with her weighty message for Cecco in Nibs’ pocket, the young men weren’t sure of the welcome with which the captain would greet his prodigals. But they knew, without a doubt, Mr. Yulunga would be eager to see them. Jill had told them all about the scheme she and Yulunga concocted alone in his quarters. She’d appeared at Nibs’ cabin window last night, looking as blown and wild as she’d ever done upon the Island. Once she slid inside, she outlined her instructions. She had negotiated a shrewd bargain with Cecco’s mate. One girl— for two boys.
Her sons only hoped she could negotiate as successfully with the surgeon. But by the looks of the man as he married her, if he ever once got her alone below decks, she’d be lucky to see topside again this voyage.
And, unfortunately, Jill seemed just as ardent. Last night, insisting Mr. Yulunga was waiting with a lantern, she’d flown off into the darkness, leaving no explanation for her desire to carry through with the wedding. Their last glimpse of her aboard L’Ormonde was a worrisome image that lingered in their minds— her black gloves loosening the knot of Hanover’s white cravat. They had to trust that his good looks and his riches wouldn’t tempt her to get herself trapped in his cabin. Her sons knew of her weakness for pirate treasure.
The trouble was, so did the dashing doctor.
§ § §
The sails were reefed and Mullins secured his cable, preparing to inspect the Roger’s rudder. From his post at the stern, Cecco eyed the increasing sea between his ship and LeCorbeau’s.
“If my suspicions are correct, Mr. Mullins—”
“Ahoy, Captain!” Mr. Noodler called down from the crow’s nest. “Something approaching, Sir, to portside!”
Cecco had already seen it. As its movement became distinct from that of the waves, he leapt to the port rail, snatching a shroud for balance. Raising the spyglass, he waited for the image to clear. He felt his heart constrict. A wide skirt whipped in the wind. Two figures supported the female. Her dress was dark…but it wasn’t Jill’s.
It was Liza. With Nibs and Tom.
Scanning the sea behind them, Cecco found no sign of Jill. He hurtled down and threw the spyglass to Yulunga.
“Your girl.”
“Yes, Captain.”
The two men locked stares. Cecco drew out the moment, then, scathingly, he said, “Jill has kept her word to one of us, anyway.”
“You must give her time, Captain. As she requested.”
“I am finished with giving. Now I take something.”
“Sir?”
“If LeCorbeau wants Mr. Nibs, he will have to fight for him.”
Yulunga didn’t risk a smile. “The lady hoped you’d feel that way, Sir.”
“The lady presumes too much.”
Cheers from Cecco’s men interrupted, greeting Nibs and Tom. Cecco turned to glare at Jill’s boys.
Out of breath, the young sailors alighted on the rail. The girl swayed between them, weak-kneed and windblown.
Nibs panted, “Permission to board, Captain?” He lowered his chin, anticipating Cecco’s wrath. Tom’s shoulders heaved, too, but he couldn’t hold back a grin.
Cecco scowled at them. “Mr. Yulunga.”
Yulunga strode forward to pluck Liza from the rail. In shock, she collapsed into his arms. As Yulunga carried her down the steps, her frenzied gaze roved the deck of the ship she’d thought never to see again. Her captor settled her on the wooden deck to huddle before the mainmast. His huge hand swept the hair from her face, and he caught sight of her ears.
He grunted as he examined them. Two piercings, one on each lobe. But no earrings; Yulunga wore those. “You will stay here where I can watch you.” He gripped her wrists. “You should know. Before she left with your father, Red-Handed Jill gave you to me.”
In her panic, Liza clenched her hands. She looked everywhere, in case her father had appeared on the Roger as magically as she did, but she already knew the truth. He wasn’t here.
“You gave yourself to me, too, last night. You’ll do it again later.”
Liza gaped with widening eyes. That wasn’t what had happened. It was just the once. She’d only meant—
“I have work to do.” Yulunga released her wrists. “I think you know bet
ter than to make more trouble?” He leveled a stare at her.
Liza blinked. She nodded.
“I didn’t hear you.” Yulunga angled his head to bring an ear closer to her lips.
She was still bound to her father. He forbade her to speak, about anything. He trusted her to hold his secrets. And Liza trusted him; she trusted he would find her here and snatch her back. Wouldn’t he? Liza searched behind her but she couldn’t see L’Ormonde. She had no need to see it. She knew she couldn’t anger her father now. The two of them had come to an accord. Duty and pleasure had at last combined.
“You may speak. I’ll say it one more time.”
She wished Yulunga would order her to do something else— anything else.
“You know better than to make trouble.”
Liza knew better than to cross Yulunga. He squatted right in front of her, inches away. She could feel the heat of his body. Her father was far over the sea.
But Liza’s voice was imprisoned. It couldn’t escape, not even in a whisper. Slowly, Yulunga shook his head, a malevolent gleam in his eye. Liza shuddered.
“As I said. Later.” He touched her earlobe, the one he himself hadn’t pierced. Looking down on her, he rose to his full, terrifying height, blocking out the sky.
He was a mountain of a man. Liza felt herself go weak. She could smell his power. She felt dizzier now than when Nibs and Tom had somehow spirited her across the water. At last Yulunga turned away and charged up the steps to his captain’s side, leaving Liza to sit stunned, in continuing silence, wondering what would happen to her next.
As Yulunga had borne his captive from the rail, Cecco signaled to Nibs and Tom. They’d jumped down to stand penitent before their captain.
“I have no time to deal with you young rebels. Your mother sails farther every moment, and our rudder is jammed.” He strode away to the stern.
Nibs and Tom gawked at one another. At the same instant, the answer dawned on each of them. They bent down and hauled at their boots. When their feet were free, they scrambled for the stern, peeling off their French blue jackets as they ran. Nibs sent his orange kerchief fluttering to the deck, then dug in his pocket to toss the pouch holding Jill’s message on top of it. Bounding over the rail, the brothers dove.
Cecco, Mullins, and an increasing crowd of pirates hung over the stern, peering into the water where the lady’s sons had splashed and vanished. The white water churned, then settled. A few bubbles broke the surface. The Roger rode up and down on the waves.
After a minute Nibs’ head emerged from the brine, sleek as a seal. “Captain,” he gasped. He drew breath to shout. “It’s those wedges! The ones we used on the Dutchman.” Tom’s wet head bounced up beside him, spitting.
Cecco leaned over the rail. “As I suspected. You know what to do— if you wish to make yourselves indispensable.”
Nibs dark face lit with determination. “Aye, aye, Sir!”
Tom grinned. “Right away, Captain!” Drawing deep gulps of air, Cecco’s sailors bobbed up, then sank into the depths.
As the salty water swallowed them up, they hardly noticed the chill. Their captain wasn’t satisfied with his rebels yet. But it sure felt good to be home.
§ § §
Jill had observed her sons over Hanover’s shoulder, while she loosened his cravat. At the prearranged time, Nibs disappeared from the deck. Tom and Liza followed, more clumsily. Soon Jill spied them speeding away, an awkward flock heading out to sea, aiming for the pearl on the horizon that was the Roger. All according to plan, the tightness around her heart relaxed. She felt almost faint with relief, as light as a water bird, nearly soaring herself. Her boys had escaped.
Jill had only to pry herself from the surgeon now, along with his information. She retied his cravat.
“My dear Doctor. You have had your wedding. Now I must have my answers.”
Hanover clasped her hands and raised them to his lips. Kissing each, he looked sorrowfully into Jill’s blue eyes. “My darling. How I regret to be the bearer of sad tidings.”
“If the news is sad, it matters little who brings it. Where is Captain Hook?”
“I am afraid the man you loved no longer exists. Perhaps he never lived.”
“I ask for truth. You give me riddles.”
Hanover bowed his head. “I am sorry. Quite simply, then. On the day he disappeared, I learned that your captain had defiled my daughter— ravished her…more than once.”
Jill was stabbed by an ache in her gut. She resisted the impulse to double up. Hanover clung to her hands.
“Yes, I understand how difficult it is for you to hear the truth.” He waited for her eyes to meet his again. “Liza was afraid to come to me. Ashamed. It was only when I came upon them, in my quarters, that I comprehended.” The scar upon his face tightened at the memory, and his voice grew bitter with disgust. “Hook had torn her clothing away. He was covering her, like some kind of beast. Of course I had to stop him. I acted immediately. I struck him, with my cane…” Hanover’s voice softened. “A blow to the head.”
Jill’s hand, masked in black, rushed to cover her eyes. She had tried to prepare herself for news of Hook’s death. She had expected it. But this news was worse.
“Only long after I dealt with him did Liza indicate the extent of the captain’s violations.”
Jill shook her head. She had prepared, also, to discard untruth.
“I am sorry, my darling. I would spare you if I could.”
She lowered her hand from her eyes. Her fingers curled. “You are telling me— that you killed him.”
“I confess it. I had to defend my daughter.”
Carefully, she blinked. The hilt of Hanover’s sword came into focus. “And…what then?”
“I sought out my closest ally at that time.”
“An…ally.”
“With the captain dead and my daughter despondent, I needed another man’s aid.”
For a long moment, Jill closed her eyes.
“Again, my dearest, I apologize.”
She stood dreading, expectant.
“I turned to Mr. Cecco.”
“Cecco.” Her jaw rose with her voice. “No. No, you couldn’t have.”
“I had no recourse but to enlist his assistance. He sympathized. He agreed that if the men discovered that Captain Hook had died at my hands, I would stand very little chance of explaining. I would be murdered.” The surgeon’s manner grew gentle again. “Cecco helped me to…to consign Hook’s remains. To the sea.”
“This cannot be true. I would know it.”
“My darling.” He gathered her into his arms. “I believe you do know.”
A cold breeze lifted the ringlet on her neck. “His hook—”
“Has disappeared. I set it aside to prove to you— but it is gone. I believe that Liza, in her torment, disposed of it.” Hanover reached within his waistcoat. “But I do have proof. It will be painful for you, yet I know you will wish to see it. Give me your hand.”
But Jill stood staring at nothing, her eyes searching for a place to settle. Hanover cupped her hand in his. Something golden dropped into her palm, bright against the black of her glove. Jill refused to look at it.
“His earring, my dear. I wouldn’t allow the gypsy to claim it.”
Her fingers closed over it. Her heart threatened to close, as well. “The gypsy.”
“I should have suspected then, when he demanded Captain Hook’s jewels. I only knew he had acted to help me. I owed him a great deal— my life, even. I followed his instructions, tipping the balance to win him the captaincy. He promised to protect me, and to protect Liza. I didn’t understand, then, to what depths he would sink to steal you.”
“Almost as deep as those into which you have sunk.”
“Jill. You are beside yourself, grieving. You will understand, in time.”
“I understand now.”
“Then you see, now, that your Captain Cecco has deceived you. He knew of Hook’s fate all along.”
“As did you.”
“Captain Cecco held the power. He held my diamonds. And he held you. I was in no position to reveal the truth. You will remember that he forbade me even to speak with you. Cecco might have turned on me at any moment. My darling, I am not proud of what I had to do, but surely you will forgive me. I acted for the best. I used my knowledge of Hook’s fate to draw you away from your new master. His own barbaric behavior helped. I was lucky to have escaped with my scars. Your pirate captain is a brutal man. Given time, I am certain he would have hurt you, too.”
“You wish me to believe that my first love assaulted your daughter, that my next withheld the truth. And now my husband—”
“Loves you beyond the capabilities of either.” He squeezed her hand. “We have both suffered damage. Yet the cruelest blow of all has descended upon the most innocent: our daughter. Our daughter needs you.”
Jill’s forehead creased with question.
“Liza requires a mother more than ever now. It is a matter of some delicacy. You see…I examined her, of course. She is as healthy as can be expected, under the circumstances. I have every reason to believe our daughter will carry Captain Hook’s child to term.”
For Jill, the brilliance of the mid-day sky went black. She reeled, pushing the back of her hand to her mouth. Hanover reached to support her, but she jerked up her elbows and tugged free. If she was ever going to escape this man, the time was now. She felt his lies weighing upon her. She couldn’t afford to become bogged down in his tales. The ship seemed to pitch as she backed away. Groping for the stern, Jill blinked to clear her vision. She sensed the ship’s rail at her back. She gripped it. Hanover caught up to her and took her in his grasp. As his body pressed against hers, his rapier prodded her hip.
“My Jill. My precious wife. You see why I wished you never to know. And why I am forced to inform you.”
Jill looked to the sky. It seemed clear now. Not a puff of cloud…just black.
She shook his hands from her shoulders. She felt the necklaces encircling her throat, choking her. Her arms ached, heavy with jewelry, but his grip had gone. Jill twisted to face the sea. She raised up on her toes. She felt the deck beneath them. She waited for the waves to rise, to nudge the ship upward and give her a boost.