On February thirteenth news of the peace treaty reached New Orleans, and on the sixteenth, Congress ratified it and the War of 1812 was officially ended. All British prisoners were pardoned and released; they were placed aboard a Spanish merchant ship to work their way home, Daniel Redford among them. Still Jared did not return, and Maren did not know what to think. She had last seen him on January nineteenth of 1815; it was now February eighteenth.
As she turned to leave the wharf, for it was growing late, her heart was heavy. She felt that something terrible had happened because Jared would not willingly stay away now that peace was assured. She wondered if he was searching for her cousin, if her cousin had found him, had harmed him. Her spirits lagged as she returned to Lady Luck.
It was a busy night and a noisy one. People were celebrating America’s victory and the end of the war. Maren tried to join in the fun, but she could not. Finally she went upstairs and lay across her bed.
Around two in the morning, a hand was clamped over her mouth and she was shaken into full consciousness. The night candle revealed the ragetwisted face of her assailant: Eric James.
He glared at Maren and whispered, “It’s your day of reckoning, you traitorous bitch.”
Chapter Eighteen
Eric bound and gagged Maren, threatening her as he did so. She tried to resist him, failed; and panic surged through her as she was rendered helpless. She had to keep a clear head to foil such a hostile foe, but Eric had given her no chance to dupe him.
“After all I told you and how I trusted you, I come here to find you living with that bastard again,” he muttered as he worked. “I’ll find out later how you got away from Ben. No doubt he’s dead, damn you. Lewis is gone, Marc’s vanished, and Dan’s turned against me. But I’ll kill you all,” he ranted.
“Did you think Sam and Dan were my only loyal men? Fool,” he berated her. “Did you forget about Andrews? Of course you did. And I sprung Daniel, so he’s on my side now. Don’t expect him to help you.”
Maren knew Daniel Redford had been pardoned Wednesday and placed on a Spanish ship. She had watched her ex-fiancé sail, so she did not know why Eric had mentioned him.
“All because of that damned Captain Hawk and Lady Luck! You could have had the world with me, Maren. But you betrayed me, so you’ll have to pay. Morgan is dead and this place will be burned to the ground before we sail. When I finish with you, you’ll be as good as dead. But not by my hand,” he said, and laughed wildly.
“My little false cousin, I’m selling you into slavery. You’ll be an asset to some foreign brothel. Every time you’re pierced, you’ll curse the day you betrayed the only man who truly loved you. You’ll know endless days and nights of torment, and you’ll reflecton your wickedness.”
As Eric carried her downstairs wrapped securely in the quilt from her bed, Maren noticed Dan Myers’s battered body near the front door. It was obvious that the manager had put up a terrible struggle. Maren reflected on the ironic reality that he was now fully vindicated, but she could not tell whether Dan was alive or dead. Mary was nowhere in sight, and Maren wondered frantically whether she was alive.
Eric halted long enough for her to watch his men toss whale oil here and there. Then he ordered, “Give me ten minutes head start; then set the place ablaze. Be aboard on time or we’ll sail without you.”
Maren was carried to Eric’s ship and taken to his cabin. He then forced her to stand at the porthole and watch smoke roll heavenward as flames brightened the dark sky. Tears gathered in Maren’s eyes, but she contained them. Everything that had belonged to her parents was at Lady Luck. A sentimental and a monetary fortune was going up in vengeful flames, and two of her friends were probably dead. Maren gazed sadly at the blaze illuminating the night.
When a knock told him they were ready to sail, Eric pulled her over to the bed, and laughing devilishly, he declared, “I’ll return later, my false little cousin.” He then left quickly and bolted the door from the outside.
Maren lay on her side, trying to think. Since Eric had installed a bolt on the outside of the door, she could not sneak topside and jump overboard. Her world was coming apart, and it seemed there was nothing she could do to prevent catastrophe, at least not yet. She did not believe Jared was dead, but she could not imagine where he was. No doubt, Eric had discovered how long Jared had been gone, so he had lied about him as he had lied about Daniel Redford. She did fear she had seen her love for the last time, however, for locating her might not be possible if Eric carried out his horrible threat.
Maren warned herself that she mustn’t lose hope, mustn’t surrender to terror. Until she was dead, she was not defeated. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt the ship move. God, help me, she prayed.
Then she wriggled and squirmed until she forced her bound hands past her buttocks, beneath her legs, and over her secured feet. Removing her gag, she worked at the knotted ropes until her teeth and gums were sore. At last she freed her wrists. She then untied her ankles. But the door was locked. She considered using a chair to break out the large porthole, intending to jump overboard and swim ashore, but when she looked out, she realized they had sailed too far for her to attempt such a feat. She decided she had no choice but to endure this torment until she had a better chance to escape.
Barefoot and clad only in a flannel nightgown, she cuddled into the heavy quilt in which Eric had brought her to his ship. The February night was cold, and the coals on the sturdy brazier had gone out. She did not see more wood, so she endured the everincreasing chill, thinking it one of Eric’s torments.
For some inexplicable reason, he did not return to his quarters that night. Having had plenty of time to poke about the cabin, Maren knew she was not aboard the Martha J. How, she wondered, could Jared pursue an unknown ship? And if there had been no witnesses to Eric’s evil deeds, what were the chances that her husband would realize what had happened? Did she even want her love to come after her? she asked herself. Jared would be reluctant to attack this ship and endanger her, and so he might endanger his life, his crew, and his ship by trying to rescue her. She would rather confront Eric’s treachery than be responsible for the destruction of the man she loved. She tossed and plotted, and occasionally dozed, until morning was well underway, as was the ship on which she was held captive.
A few hours later, she heard the bolt being released. A cautious man slid a wooden tray into the room and quickly bolted the door again. Maren gazed at the unappetizing meal and then rolled onto her side and snuggled into the warm confines of the bedcovers. She wondered when Eric would appear and what he would do.
At midafternoon, the animal-like feeding procedure was repeated. Once more she refused to eat the unappealing fare. Instead, she boldly searched Eric’s closet for his smallest shirt and trousers and donned them, along with two pairs of fuzzy socks. It was not unbearably cold during the day, but she knew the temperature would drop swiftly at night. She paced the cabin in an attempt to keep her wits sharp and her muscles warm and agile, so she might seize an opportunity to escape. However, she did not intend to be reckless. She knew she would be permitted only one chance. After her attempt failed, Eric would make certain no more were presented, and he would be extremely hostile.
At dusk, the second tray was recovered, but a new one was not left. After that, Maren was brought neither food or water, nor any fuel for the brazier. She longed to bathe, but her water supply was miniscule and she feared an intrusion. She used Eric’s brush on her hair to relax herself a little. Then she wrapped herself in the covers and reclined on the bed. The later it got, the cooler it got. It seemed she was being ignored, and Maren could not figure out Eric’s intent.
He came to visit Maren the next morning, and he grinned wickedly when he saw that she had managed to free herself and had found something to wear. He had assumed her intelligence and her courage would not fail her. “Hungry and cold, my fetching bitch?” he inquired hatefully.
Having plotted her strategy during his absence,
Maren glared at him and then turned away. “Don’t even speak to me, you hateful traitor!” she said haughtily, though she was waiting for her torment to begin.
Eric James rushed to her and yanked her around so she faced him. Then he slapped her, and she struggled with him. Freeing herself from his grip, Maren backed away and cursed him, “You vile bastard, you’re lower than I imagined! You’ll pay for this and your many crimes.”
“How so, bitch? Your husband is dead. I caught up with him in Savannah and had my men slit his throat. You’re a widow, Maren, and you deserve to be after your final betrayal.”
“My betrayal?” she scoffed. “Eric James, you—”
“What happened to Ben?” he asked, his green eyes cold.
Furious, Maren shouted, “Peter Thomas said you killed Murray just to get his inheritance. You were only duping me until you could kill me and take mine too, weren’t you? And to think I actually believed your pretty words! How dare you tell that beast Horben Wolfe he could have me once a week, even after we were wed! He told me all about your filthy little scheme when he tried to rape me on the way to Jamaica! That’s when he was shot by that pirate, while he was tearing my clothes off! But what do you care? You were behind it all.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Eric demanded angrily.
Having decided how to handle this man, she revealed how the Martha J had been attacked by pirates and she had been taken to Barataria. She described in detail the destruction of his ship and the killing of Horben Wolfe, elaborating on what the man had disclosed while trying to ravish her. She told Eric her pirate captor had been the raider who had supplied Lady Luck with wine and liquor, so he had rescued her and had freed her for a price. She mentioned that, after she’d returned to New Orleans, Daniel Redford had contacted her and had offered to help her retake the gambling house from Dan Myers. But she said that Jared Morgan had arrived before they could act. He had arrested Daniel and had forced her to move into Lady Luck with him. Then she had remained at home while Captain Hawk had gone off to battle. He had not returned. Maren claimed she had been unable to do anything except obey Jared in order to avoid exposure and punishment.
She scolded Eric harshly. “You have no right or reason to mistreat me, Eric James! What was I supposed to do, tell Morgan the truth? When we talked in Savannah, you told me to pretend I was your captive if I was caught escaping Morgan! You said to act as if I were terrified of you so he wouldn’t harm me for taking off with you. I did what you suggested, but look where it’s gotten me! Damn you, Eric!”
“Who killed Samuel Lewis and shot Dan Myers?” he questioned.
“I don’t know about Mr. Lewis; that happened before I reached New Orleans. As for Dan, he tried to kill himself, probably because of guilt. He told Jared in front of me that you paid him to harass me.”
“What was Dan doing at Lady Luck? Surely Morgan was on to him.”
“He told us everything he knew, Eric, and asked for our forgiveness. Jared believed him and put him back to work when he was well. Damn it, I don’t know who or what to believe anymore. You and Morgan both give me different stories! Dan said you never wanted me harmed, just frightened out of Lady Luck. Is that true?” she queried, guilefully softening her gaze and tone.
“I told you, my fiery vixen, that you were going to get everything back by marrying me. Now everything is spoiled.”
“And you blame me?” she asked in a dejected voice.
“If you had trusted me and been loyal, things would be fine.”
“If you had truly loved me and trusted me, I wouldn’t have intruded, wouldn’t have doubted you. But what was I supposed to think and to feel when people were terrorizing me? Your people, Eric James!”
“I told you I didn’t give those orders! But that doesn’t matter now. It’s too late to change my plans. I’ve been exposed and lots of people will be after me. After I take care of you, I’ll have to disappear.”
“You hate me that much?” she asked, staring sadly at him.
“You must be punished.”
“For your crimes and failures? That isn’t fair, Eric.”
“Life hasn’t been fair to me either.” He sneered.
“But I’m not the one to blame! I’m caught in the middle of a private war between you and Morgan. Why hurt me?”
“If you think I’ll let Morgan have—” He halted and glared at her.
“You said he was dead,” she reminded him, unwisely.
“He will be if he comes after us. I’ll blast him out of the water. I swear he’ll never see you again, Mrs. Morgan. And if he settles down somewhere and drops his guard, I’ll track him and slay him.”
“Let it go, Eric, or you’ll be killed. Find a safe place and begin a new life, with or without me,” she urged, wanting to protect her love.
“What do you care if I’m killed!” he stormed.
“We were so close for years, Eric, and I loved you. Stop this madness before it’s too late.”
“I told you, bitch; it is too late—for all of us.”
Before Maren could argue further, Eric left the cabin and locked it.
Two long and agonizing days passed without another visit from Eric. Food and water were placed inside the door twice a day, and now Maren consumed them to keep up her strength. They had sailed farther south, and the weather had warmed. She knew, even if she could get the door open, she would not jump overboard in the middle of the ocean. So she waited tensely, and she prayed constantly.
At dawn on February twenty-fourth, Maren heard shouts and boots scraping the deck. She hurried to the porthole, gazed out and saw a ship on the horizon. Her heart pounded wildly, for its sails were the color of the sky and its hull was painted to match the sea. Eric entered the cabin, laughing wickedly. Maren frantically eyed him as he casually stripped to the skin before her and changed into clean clothes. As he brushed his freshly clipped hair, she could see that he had shaved recently. His curious behavior intrigued and dismayed her.
He glanced at her and said, “You might want to witness this battle, Maren. Your husband’s ship is gaining on us, and I’m going to kill him today.”
“Jared…” she murmured fearfully. She knew it was futile to beg or bargain for her love’s life.
“I thought so,” Eric concluded aloud. “But whata superb little liar you are. I’ll let you watch me send him below before you meet your own fate.”
Maren watched from the large porthole as the Sea Mist closed the distance between the two ships, then slowed its pace and rode the waves just out of cannon range. The two vessels continued their crafty cat-andmouse game for over an hour, and Maren feared her heart would explode from tension before the first shot was fired. She could not guess either man’s strategy, so she kept her eyes on the ship trailing them.
Eric’s vessel abruptly slowed and made a half-turn, placing her broadside to Jared’s stern, and suddenly it shuddered as several cannons were fired simultaneously at Jared’s ship. Maren screamed, and panic flooded her. She was relieved to see that her husband’s vessel was not hit; nonetheless she was breathing so rapidly that she became dizzy. She felt hot, then cold, then hot again. Moisture glistened on her face and dampened her flesh. Her entire body was trembling.
Eric’s ship blasted away again, and made a hit on Jared’s vessel at railing level on the port side. Maren gripped the porthole frame so tightly that her knuckles blanched. Then, nothing happened for a while.
Jared’s ship had ceased its forward progress and its sails were now lowered, as were those on Eric’s vessel. Yet, Jared did not fire, no doubt because his wife was aboard and could be injured. Knowing he was at a grave disadvantage, Maren was alarmed, and she prayed he would abandon the attack and sail away.
As the opposing ships waited each other out, the sun grew hotter. Maren was not served any food or water, and no one came to check on her. But finally Eric’s vessel began to move once more, and so did Jared’s.
Not much later, Eric came to Maren’s ca
bin. “He must want you badly, and alive,” he teased. “Let’s see how badly. We’ll sail down his throat. Come with me. I want to make certain you’re in full view.”
Maren fought him wildly, not wanting to aid him in his attack on her beloved, but Eric called two of his men and had them bind her snugly. They hauled her topside and secured her hands to the rail on the starboard side.
Eric then commanded his steersman to turn the ship and head for the Sea Mist so that the starboard side faced her, and he ordered the cannons to be loaded with shot. “When we’re in range, fire at my signal, not before!” he shouted.
Maren heard grumblings to her right and left, for Eric’s crew dreaded to challenge Captain Hawk. She noted that the closer they got to Jared’s ship, the greater was their apprehension. She shouted, “If you obey Eric James, Captain Hawk will sink you! My husband will kill me before allowing Eric to keep me! Throw me overboard and get out of here!”
Eric ran to her side and slapped her several times. “Shut up, bitch! My men won’t mutiny.” He looked at his disgruntled crew and shouted, “She’s our only hope of survival! Even if we gave up our beautiful shield, he’d come after us and sink us!”
Upon hearing that Maren was Captain Hawk’s wife, and knowing the man’s reputation, some crewmen protested aloud, saying Captain Hawk could be trusted to keep his word not to attack if they released their captive. Others said they could never escape the Hawk’s wrath if she was harmed or slain.
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