A walk home seemed appropriate for the day, free from all confinements of carriage or any other barriers between myself and the fresh air of freedom. The day was not so awful for autumn in London, and a walk along Whitehall Street was a welcome task of spontaneity that I rarely gave in to. For a change, there was no rain or fierce winds. One might have even mistaken the season for spring, had the trees been in bloom instead of barren. I gazed at the ruins of the palace and wondered if perhaps its burning had been a sign of things to come for the ruling powers of the land and sea of the empire.
As I passed people in the street, I received varied looks without my wig, but no matter. I cared not about the indignant gawking of pious men, nor what might be considered the inquisitive gazes of the women. No longer was I under the hypocritical rule of men such as Admiral Chambers.
Plans had been made. Throughout the trial, my time away from my ship had not been spent simply awaiting my fate. I had been trained to prepare for anything and no loss of title or station changed who I was. The month had provided ample time to discover a great many things about those who’d been plotting against me and my family for far too long. It was time to utilize the knowledge I possessed and set my plans in motion.
Once reaching home, I sat in my mother’s favorite chair beside the garden window to contemplate the only task I had left before me. I retrieved my pistol from the side table drawer and rested it in my lap. What little trust I had left in the world wasn’t enough to allow me to relax in comfort without it. I knew my days in London had come to an end, but I also knew the angry eyes that had burned with revenge had pistols too. I’d set my course and had no choice but to follow it, and there would not be much I would miss other than my family home. However, those few things that I would have to leave behind brought an ache to my chest that drained the strength from my body and filled me with an ill feeling. However, at times there were things one needed to put before those aches.
Not everyone performing duties to the crown need wear powdered fluff. A month ago…an age ago…I received those two messages: one notifying me of my planned court-martial, and the other one of most importance, from my father's old friend.
The day spent at Hampton Court, learning of possible threats to the throne came rushing back to mind. A month of intrigue and questions followed, too many to think of now, with all pointing to one answer; I must do my duty to my country. The throne needed me in this most dire time, and I would not be found wanting; even if I must fight the Royal Navy itself to complete my mission.
The kindly housemaid, Mildred, brought my afternoon tea, and I watched the few remaining birds as they rested on the branches outside my window.
“Will there be anything else, Captain Wallace?” Mildred asked.
“No, thank you. Has Adam yet returned from his lessons?”
“Not as of yet, sir. I’m sure he’ll be along soon,” she answered.
“Thank you, Mildred. That will be all.”
“Captain Wallace, might I be excused this evening? A friend has inquired as to my joining her for a bit this evening. She is feeling under the weather, ye see. Dinner is prepared and…”
“Yes, yes, yes, please, Mildred. See to your friend. Adam and I are more than capable of warming a meal.”
She bowed to me and made her goodbyes.
At rest for the first time in as long as I could remember and spent of all mental abilities, I succumbed to fatigue and drifted to sleep.
The room was shrouded by nightfall when I abruptly awoke. I jerked and clasped the arms of the chair in confusion, wondering how long I’d slept and having no idea of the hour.
“No need to be alarmed as of yet, Captain.” I turned to the voice.
The young and dashing figure of Maddox Carbonale stood with his arms folded, leaning against the heavy oak desk once belonging to my father. I pulled my pistol and rubbed at my eyes to insure I was indeed awake, as he was the last person I’d expect to find in my home at any hour. “I’d have believed you were wiser, Maddox, and had taken your leave of London by now…or at least I’d hoped you had.”
“No. I do, however, somewhat regret I am not that wise, or that cowardly. I wasn’t pleased with Lieutenant Jacobs’s plan of us fighting as he shoved me toward the tavern door.” He lifted a book from my desk and flipped through the pages, as if reading by moonlight. “I understood the reasoning behind the action, but I don’t, nor have I ever, run from a fight.” The book slammed shut.
“You may have been able to win the battle; however, you would have lost the war, and far more than I did.” I stowed my pistol and watched as he strolled about the room, admiring the paintings my father had collected.
“He’s aware of that, Captain.” Miles’s large frame appeared from the darkness of the adjoining dining room carrying a plate of my supper. “I made certain of that. He just didn’t approve of the idea of striking me to cloak his escape. He felt it cowardly. I can’t say as I blame him. I informed him, of course, that his blow did me no harm—I hardly felt it.” He winked. “But enough of that; we have more important matters to discuss. Our new acquaintance, Maddox, has some news for us. With the information he provided, I felt it best if we came as quickly as we could.” Miles smiled and then stuffed his mouth with meat.
“What news?” I asked, as I lit the lantern on the sideboard and watched Miles’s jaw working through my food. All I could do was roll my eyes and scratch at my head. He grinned, tight-lipped, as he chewed and groaned, and he lost his next mouthful when it fell from his plate onto the rug at his feet. Poor Mildred would have extra housework in the morning, collecting all the crumbs Miles had dropped on his way from the kitchen.
Maddox crossed his arms tightly and raised an eyebrow at Miles. I wondered if he was displeased at the idea that his blow had barely been felt by the rugged Scotsman, or if he was appalled at Miles’s manners.
“Most of those in the tavern that night were too drunk to remember my face. Not to mention, once the Admiral had obviously…well…to put it nicely, expired, the tavern cleared out quickly. Indeed it wasn’t the place for any man to be found, least of all me.”
The moonlight from the windows cast shadows across his face. It was as though his recent life had drawn him to seek out the protection of dark corners in which to hide.
“And what have you been doing during your time of anonymity that now brings you here?” I detected the scent of spice and flowers. Perhaps Lady Agatha’s perfume had not solely been responsible for the overpowering scent that night in the tavern.
“I have been frequenting the pubs to clandestinely gather any information that might be of use. Rumors, both true and false, flow freely after a few tankards have been emptied. Be that as it may, what I have in fact learned is…disturbing.”
“Such as?” I leaned forward and inquired.
“Such as, you will be subject to a search of your home and the examination of your finances, with the results to prove you have been stealing from the Royal Navy and the Crown itself. The objective of this inquisition is, of course, that you will be imprisoned and, ultimately, executed.” He paused and stared at me. I could only assume he was attempting to gauge my reaction to his revelations. “If their plan fails, you are to be executed in the public forum, or perhaps persecuted would be a better word. In other words, what is left of your reputation will be ruined.”
“Not surprising. Admiral Hawthorne had many friends and within their own realms of position and reputation, ridding themselves of me stands to also rid themselves of Hawthorne’s scandalous demise.” I stood and stretched the aches away from both my body and mind.
“Captain, he’s got it right.” Miles swallowed a bite of bread. “It would seem Admiral Hawthorne had more to hide than just a cheating wife. It appears that many of his closest confidants lost opportunities for a great deal of wealth with his death.”
“I understand. His banking connections made for some interesting prospects. And there is no need to worry about my finances or my pr
operty. Neither has ever been in his family’s considerate hands.” I smirked.
“May I suggest we leave now, Captain Wallace?” Maddox moved to the desk and retrieved his cavalier. “Unless, of course, you have ties here that you cannot bear to sever.”
Maddox held my eyes without wavering. I searched his gaze for any sign that he’d been places during the past month and heard rumors which did not pertain solely to the Admiral. “I need only to retrieve my duffle from my bedchamber. I imagine the only other matter of importance has been seen to by Mister Jacobs.”
“Ready?” Miles asked through his final mouthful of bread.
“I’ll collect Adam and we’ll be on our way,” I said and turned, heading for the stairs.
“There’s the matter of the boy we should discuss,” Miles said, taking me by the arm and holding me from the stairs.
“What matter? Adam! Adam!” I shouted, pulling free of Miles’s clutch.
“Gabriel, the boy isn’t here!” Miles shouted back.
“Then where in God’s name is he?” I snatched Miles by the front of his coat and jerked him to and fro.
“He’s fine now, Gabriel! We found him and released him!” Miles held my gaze and returned my grasp of him with a firm yet reassuring clutch. However, I wanted answers immediately.
“Released him from what? Speak now man, or I’ll have your tongue!” My heart pounded in my chest and my face was flushed with fire.
“Mister Wallace, please listen! Chambers and his men took the boy. They abducted him as he walked from his lessons. I followed them to an abandoned storehouse where the man himself threatened and then whipped the poor lad,” Maddox explained. The words shot from his mouth like claps of thunder. “The second their backs were turned, I swooped in and freed the lad.”
My hands flew to my head in a slap. I could barely stand. Miles supported me beneath my arm and lowered me until I sat on the stairs. “God bless you, sir. He’s all I have in the world. But, how did you know what they were going to do?” I caught my breath and sighed with relief, wondering how I’d repay the man one moment and then imagining how many pieces I could carve Chambers into the next.
“I have my sources. I assure you, my activities are not restricted to courting and carousing, especially when my neck could be stretched at some disgruntled admiral’s will.” Carbonale folded his arms across his chest and winked. “Be that as it may, we really must go. They’ll have found the boy escaped by now and I’m certain they’re plotting worse against you,” Carbonale softly said.
“He will pay for this. He will pay in every way known to man. His suffering shall go on for as long as my own, and I have suffered immeasurably.”
The smell of smoke began to fill my nostrils as I watched Miles race down the hallway towards the kitchen. I leapt to my feet and followed, finding it completely engulfed in flames. “The bastards!” Miles shouted.
“I suppose they may have meant to kill me after all! Unfortunately for them, they’ll have to burn London to the ground to kill me!”
“It’s too late, Gabriel! We must go!” Miles insisted.
The choking smoke began filling the house within seconds. I watched my family home being eaten swiftly by the spreading flames, as the three of us ran back towards the library.
“Wait here!” I shouted as I bounded up the stairs and returned with my and Adam’s belongings swung over my shoulder.
“Shall we, gentlemen?” Maddox moved to the front window and pulled back the curtains for a quick peek. Being unfamiliar with the man other than his prowess at the seduction of married women and his skills as a sleuth, I wondered if he was looking for those who’d set upon me this night to reduce my life to ashes, or for some more personal reason. With the house seconds from burning down around us, I no longer cared. I wanted only to stay alive and lay eyes on Adam.
“Might I be informed as to where we are going?” I shouted as we burst from the house into the darkness.
“The Majesty’s Venture!” Miles shouted back.
Three
“Where is he? I must see the boy!” I ordered, slamming my duffle on the deck.
“He’s well, Cap’n. We took good care a’ the lad. He’s been tended to. He’s laid up and restin’ in his hammock since Mister Jacobs and Mister Carbonale brung him to me,” said Mister Gimby, upon meeting me at the gangplank as I boarded the ship.
“What are you men playing at here? Once I assess Adam’s condition, I’ll be on my way with him. I believe Chambers will be expecting me!” I shouted at the men gathering around me. “What are you standing about for? Out of my way! What the hell are you all doing?”
“No point makin’ objections, Cap’n Wallace. We done taken a vote, which by the way was a mighty big change from what we’s used to,” Gimby said. “The fact remains, you’re the Cap’n, and the Majesty’s Venture is your ship.”
“Mister Gimby, this ship belongs to the Royal Navy.” The main deck of the sixty-gun ship was now crowded with her crew. I was surrounded. The dim lantern light illuminated the whites of their eyes, all of which were focused on me. I imagined they were waiting for my objections, but instead, I found myself full of gratitude. Suddenly, I was consumed with a fire of my own. The burn reached my head with bloody and enlightened thoughts of murderous revenge. Ruin me and burn me out, my Irish ass! If Chambers and Hawthorne’s cronies had it in for me, I’d gladly give them the criminal they desired.
“Captain,” Miles said with a grin. “The vote’s been cast. We’re no longer sailors of the Royal Navy, and…we’re taking this ship. Those who were in opposition of our choice to withdraw our commissions are now safely tucked away in places they won’t be found until morning. One look at what they’d done to the boy, and I’m afraid there was no other choice to make.”
“Nobody treats Adam that way, Cap’n. That boy’s an innocent, and these gents don’t hold with beatin’ on children,” Gimby said.
“Well, since they’ve set a torch to my home, I’ve nowhere else to go tonight anyway.” I rubbed my brow roughly and paced before them, imagining the hell I could raise with a Royal Navy patrol galley and a crew of skilled fighting men by the reins. At the conclusion of that thought, the decision was made. “So, gentlemen, if we’re no longer sailors of the Royal Navy, then what would you call us?” I asked, pressing my knuckles into my hips with a smirk.
“Well, I suppose that’s yet to be determined, old friend.” Miles rested his hand on my shoulder and glanced at me with a raised brow.
“Well, then, gentlemen; due to our change in circumstances, whoever the hell we are, I strongly advise we leave now!” I shouted, followed by a deafening round of cheers all around me.
“Aye, Cap’n,” Gimby said. “We’ll follow ye anywhere…as long as it ain’t up against that fleet in the harbor. We ain’t ready fer that fight—at least, not just yet.”
The helmsman’s wink and smile told me, however, that if necessary, he was more than ready to do battle when the time came. Gimby was the most seasoned of the crew and saw no reason to sit idly by, waiting to be shot like fish in a barrel. A seasoned sailor like Gimby would certainly never shy away from a good fight.
“Then we’ll set sail before the moon hits high.” With a spring in their step and more cheers, everyone scattered to their stations upon my word. “Mister Jacobs, I’ll be seeing Adam now.” I inhaled the comforting thickness of the ocean air and took the path I’d taken so many times before, down the gangway and beneath the quarterdeck.
A warm glow welcomed me into the sanctuary that was my quarters and my only true home. Having seen Adam whole, yet marred by Chambers’s whip, the plans I had made and my hunger for his blood on my hands were swirling in my thoughts and gnawing at me to act. The knowledge that I had the full backing of my men gave me even more strength to move forward with my original plans—plans I’d made to carry out on my own. Although Adam put on his bravest face and assured me he would be fine by morning, I knew the cut on his cheek, from what I surmis
ed to have been left by the tail end of Chambers’s whip, would leave a scar. His words burned into me when he said, “I didn’t tell him anything, sir. I swear it.” Although my original mission was set into motion based on my loyalty to the crown, my enemies had delivered my revenge right to my front door.
“I do hope my presence aboard your ship does not interfere with any plans you’ve made, Captain Wallace.” My thoughts were abruptly silenced when I clearly saw Maddox Carbonale sitting comfortably in a large chair, with his heels propped on the edge of my desk. There was a certain level of respect the young man would need to learn, and quickly. If he didn’t, the Majesty’s Venture would educate him soon enough.
“And have you chosen a destination?” I asked as I moved around my desk to the well-worn chair that brought me comfort like little else in the world.
“As far from here as possible, for the moment. I would think the colonies. A man can disappear there. The Majesty’s Venture is a fast ship, and we will have an ample head start.”
“Do you realize what you are getting into?” I asked. “They’ve taken their evil intentions to the highest level and underestimated me in the process. You may wish to re-examine the company you’ve chosen to keep.”
“I have tossed my lot in with yours, a somewhat enemy of powerful men, and now a thief of a prized ship of the Royal Navy. Besides, I am a member of this crew, aren’t I?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea what my lot is at the moment, and since this venture isn’t sanctioned by the Royal Navy, you owe no loyalty. However, being as you’ve made the decision to join us, I believe we can find a way to deliver you somewhere in one piece. My predicament is that I feel I owe you a debt. If keeping you on and assisting you in reaching a new life is repayment, then we shall find ourselves on level ground very soon.”
AMBER WAKE: Gabriel Falling (The Razor's Adventures Pirate Tales) Page 2