Harlequin Historical September 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Lord Havelock's ListSaved by the Viking WarriorThe Pirate Hunter

by Annie Burrows

  They were sailing silently through the early morning darkness, making good speed towards the ship they supposed to be The Flaming Dragon. Mia could see the outline of the mast against the inky blackness of the sky and wondered what her brother was doing. Probably he was fast asleep. Jorge had never been an early riser, even as a boy, and she doubted the pirate life, heavy in copious amounts of rum and revelling, had done much to remedy that.

  She could feel the nervous anticipation emanating from every man quietly preparing for the attack. As she watched them she wondered who would survive the upcoming battle and who would fall. Mia wished there was something she could do to avoid the bloodshed, but she knew it was hopeless. Men on both sides would die today, men who had been kind, law-abiding citizens and men who had given their lives to piracy and lawlessness.

  She watched as Will stepped up to the prow of the ship and raised the telescope to his eye. He stood completely still for at least a minute, surveying the ship, then whispered something to Captain Little. The Captain took the telescope from him and looked for himself.

  Silently Will turned and held up a hand. Around the ship Mia saw the crewmen return his signal. They all understood: they were coming up upon The Flaming Dragon and at the first sign of life on board the pirate ship they were to attack.

  Her heart pounding in her chest, Mia waited. She held her breath as every second took them that little bit nearer. She wished Will would step away from the prow—surely he was a very obvious target to anyone who glanced over from the pirate ship. She couldn’t bear it if he got shot down in the first minute of the battle.

  Suddenly she heard a shout from across the water and all hell broke loose.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Will heard the shout as the pirate lookout finally stirred from his sleep and spotted the big ship bearing down on The Flaming Dragon.

  ‘Fire!’ Will shouted.

  The order was relayed across the ship and Will heard the telltale thud of the cannons being readied. Within seconds the cannons fired, one after another in quick succession. He watched as the cannonballs flew through the air. Three hit their targets, but the others fell short. He could imagine Redding below decks, adjusting each cannon as the men reloaded, ready for the next onslaught.

  They were close enough now Will could see the activity on the pirate ship. Men were swarming about on the deck, no doubt responding to Del Torres’s orders for retaliation. They seemed calm given the circumstances—from what he could see the Captain of The Flaming Dragon ran a disciplined ship.

  The cannons fired for a second time and this time most of the balls hit their mark. One of the masts of the pirate ship was hit, and even from across the water Will could hear the unmistakable groan of splintering wood.

  Despite the barrage of cannonballs the men on The Flaming Dragon seemed to be getting themselves organised. To Will’s dismay he could see hatches opening and the tips of cannons poking out. They were going to be attacked.

  He heard the first boom and shouted, ‘Brace for impact.’

  The pirates were skilled, he had to give them that. The very first cannonball hit its mark and rocked the ship as it punched through the wood.

  Will felt a blinding panic. He’d seen Mia standing up near the wheel just seconds before The Flaming Dragon had fired. He spun to check she was still there and still upright, knowing he wouldn’t forgive himself if she was harmed.

  Mia stood next to the young man at the wheel. She wasn’t cowering or ducking as the cannonballs thudded into the ship, instead she stood proud and tall. Will had an awful premonition; she was going to get hit. Surely she presented too much of a target for the pirates to miss. He could see her silhouetted against the rapidly lightening sky, her hair blowing free around her shoulders.

  The ships were two or three minutes away from each other now. He had to get Mia to safety before they were able to board.

  He strode across the deck, resisting the urge to duck every time he heard the boom of the cannon. He saw Mia turn towards him and felt his heart leap. She was still safe.

  Will took the stairs up to the small deck where the young man continued to steer faithfully towards The Flaming Dragon, seemingly ignoring the cannon fire. He barely flinched when the wood a few inches from his head splintered, sending jagged shards flying in every direction. Will admired Captain Little’s crew. They were experienced and well trained and had accepted this mission with the cool certainty they would prevail.

  ‘Mia,’ Will shouted over the booming, ‘you need to get to safety.’

  ‘I’m staying here.’

  ‘You could get hurt.’

  Mia smiled at him sadly. ‘We all could get hurt.’

  ‘Please, go below decks,’ he begged her, knowing his heart would split in two if she was injured.

  ‘Don’t worry about me,’ Mia said bravely. ‘Focus on the men you’re going to lead into the fight.’

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him hard on the lips, then planted a hand on his chest and pushed him away. ‘Go,’ she commanded. ‘Make me proud.’

  Will hesitated, but he saw she wasn’t going to budge. He glanced over his shoulder and saw they were nearly upon the pirate ship, in the next minute or so they would be able to jump aboard. And the pirates would be able to jump to theirs. Most of Del Torres’s crew wouldn’t know who Mia was, but he hoped they wouldn’t kill a woman not involved in the fight when there were more than enough combatants to keep them occupied. He was more worried she might get hit by a stray bullet or crushed by a falling mast.

  Realising there was nothing more he could do, he darted back to the main deck and called the men to his side. They were waiting with planks of wood, ready to push them over to The Flaming Dragon as soon as they were close enough to board the pirate ship. The best thing he could do for Mia was to keep as many of the pirates on The Dragon as possible and engage them there.

  ‘Ready, men?’ he asked.

  His question was met by a collective roar. They waited, every second dragging as the ship inched closer. Will checked his pistol one last time and placed a hand on his sword. He was quick with both, but he had never been up against bloodthirsty pirates before. He would need every ounce of skill and swordsmanship he could muster.

  ‘Now,’ he shouted.

  The men responded immediately, pushing the planks of wood across. Will was the first to cross, nimbly hopping across the gap, making sure he didn’t fall into the churning sea below.

  The sight what met him was terrifying. Dozens of ferocious pirates roared as he and his men boarded their ship. A few of the wooden planks were pushed free and Will heard the cries of men as they plunged into the sea below.

  As he set foot on the deck of The Flaming Dragon he fired his pistol twice in quick succession. Two pirates fell. Then he was in too close quarters to use the gun and he drew his sword. With a battle cry he surged into the fight, only hoping the rest of the crew was behind him.

  Will engaged a giant of a man, covered from head to toe in crude tattoos. Will was faster than the giant and nimbly sidestepped quite a few of his strokes. As the man began to tire Will plunged his sword forward and heard the man scream in agony.

  There was no time for remorse, or even to check if the large man was still alive. His next assailant was upon him immediately. They fought hard and fast, using their fists when in close proximity. Eventually Will was close enough to headbutt the other man and as he fell to the floor Will expertly stepped over him and surveyed the scene.

  It was difficult to tell who was winning. Clusters of men were fighting and there were dead and injured men littering the deck. He glanced back over his shoulder at the pirates who were flocking over to the ship where he’d left Mia unguarded. He hoped he had left enough of Captain Little’s crew to hold off the pirates and for a second he doubted himself. Knowing that attitu
de would get him killed, he pushed Mia from his mind and set about his real mission. He needed to find Del Torres. If he could take the Captain he was sure the rest of the pirates would lose their nerve and maybe even surrender. They were outnumbered and it looked like they had taken significant losses during the bombardment with cannonballs. Now Will had to break their spirit by capturing their Captain.

  The problem was he didn’t have much idea what Del Torres looked like. All reports of the infamous pirate Captain were made by survivors following an attack on a town or a ship. If they were to be believed, Del Torres was approaching seven feet tall, had hair like a jet black lion’s mane, and was both devastatingly handsome and devilishly horrific at the same time.

  Instead of looking for a man fitting this fantastical description, Will looked for someone who bore a resemblance to the woman he loved. His eyes scanned the deck of and alighted on a handsome young man who was getting the better of two of Little’s crew. Will knew instantly this was Del Torres. He fought with the conviction of a Captain and the ferocity of a man who has everything to lose.

  For an instant their eyes locked and Will felt a shiver run down his spine. He had no doubt only one of them would leave this ship alive.

  He started to approach Del Torres, sidestepping pairs locked in mortal combat, deflecting pirates who ran at him roaring with anger and rage. Del Torres was doing the same. Slowly he was making his way towards Will, fighting anyone who got in his way.

  As Will progressed across the ship he saw Captain Little’s crew were slowly prevailing. The fighting was still going strong, but the pirates were outnumbered and one by one were being subdued. He felt a flurry of anticipation; if he could take Del Torres this would all be over.

  Will and Del Torres stopped only when they were a couple feet apart. Will studied the man he was preparing to kill and Del Torres regarded him with interest in return.

  ‘Surrender,’ Will demanded.

  Del Torres laughed. Will found himself smiling. It probably was a bit of a naive demand.

  ‘Who do I have the pleasure of fighting today?’ the pirate Captain asked.

  ‘My name is Will Greenacre.’

  Del Torres narrowed his eyes as he recognised the name, but obviously couldn’t quite place it.

  ‘You abducted my brother,’ Will said, helping him out.

  ‘Of course. He died.’

  ‘He died.’

  Del Torres nodded in understanding and raised his sword.

  ‘I must congratulate you,’ he said, ‘The Navy have been after us for years and have never even been close to finding us. Do you mind if I ask how you did it?’

  Will was fascinated by his voice. He had the same tone as Mia and the same inflection. For a pirate he sounded quite well educated.

  ‘I had a little help,’ Will said cryptically and lunged.

  Del Torres parried easily and the fight began.

  Will could tell from the very first this man was an excellent sword fighter. He was light on his feet, didn’t waste his lunges and seemed to be able to read his opponents’ moves easily. They were well matched. Will had always excelled at swordsmanship. He and his brother had been given wooden swords by their father at a very young age and they had loved playing at knights and villains. He’d had lessons, of course, like all young men of his social class, but Will had always preferred learning on his own, picking up new techniques and experimenting on what worked for him.

  Del Torres fought effortlessly. Will could see why this man had become the Captain of The Flaming Dragon at such a young age.

  Sword clashed with sword and Will jumped back as Del Torres quickly ducked and sliced Will’s arm on the recovery. The wound was not deep, but his shirtsleeve quickly turned a deep crimson colour and the wound throbbed.

  Will was running on adrenaline now, throwing himself into the attack. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his side was still winning. Most of Del Torres’s crew had been subdued and were either lying injured on the floor or surrounded by Little’s men, brandishing swords. Small pockets of pirates remained, viciously striking out like wounded animals, knowing the end was close.

  Will lunged and caught Del Torres in the abdomen. He felt his blade slice through flesh, but knew it was just a superficial wound. The young pirate had been quick enough to jump back and consequently had avoided a more serious outcome.

  Del Torres growled and threw himself into the fight, hacking blows at Will and forcing him backwards. Will retreated, parrying every blow, but knowing he had to end this soon or his energy would be spent. Already the muscles in his arms screamed from the exertion.

  He felt his back hit the rail beside him and suddenly there was nowhere else to retreat. With a primal roar he flung himself forward, catching Del Torres on the cheek. Blood dripped down his opponent’s face, but Del Torres hardly seemed to notice.

  Will pushed forward, taking advantage of Del Torres’s momentary distraction. He was just about to strike when Mia rushed between them.

  Both men froze. She faced her brother, but Will had seen the tears streaming down her face and the anguish in her eyes as she’d inserted herself between them.

  ‘Stop,’ she whispered. ‘Please stop.’

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  ‘Stop,’ Mia repeated, unsure who she should be addressing.

  Both men just stared at her in shock.

  ‘Mia?’ Del Torres said with astonishment.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Jorge,’ Mia said.

  ‘You helped them?’

  She nodded and felt her heart contract in agony as the disbelief flooded over her brother’s face.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Jorge,’ Mia said taking a step towards him. She raised a hand and stroked his cheek gently. The skin was rough and salty from the sea air.

  ‘Why, Mia?’

  ‘I love you, Jorge. Or at least I loved the little boy you once were.’ She could still see the mischievous ruffian in the notorious pirate who stood before her and it made it all that much harder to do what she had to do. ‘But the things you’ve done...’

  For a moment she thought he looked a little sheepish, but then his new persona took over and he smiled a winning smile.

  ‘Just doing what a pirate is expected to do,’ he said.

  ‘You killed people, Jorge.’

  He shrugged. ‘I don’t place as much value on human life as you do.’

  He snatched her wrist and drew her closer to him. Behind her Mia could sense Will tense and hoped he wasn’t about to do something rash.

  ‘What about you, little sister, where was your family loyalty when they asked you to hunt me?’

  Mia felt the tears stinging her eyes.

  ‘Family loyalty.’ Will barked a harsh laugh behind her. ‘You speak of family loyalty, but where were you all those years your sister struggled on her own? Cast out by society, hunted by the authorities purely for the fact that she’s your sister.’

  Jorge had the decency to look a little ashamed, but only for a second.

  ‘They hunted you?’ he asked gently.

  She nodded, not knowing what else to do. This wasn’t going at all how she’d imagined.

  ‘Did he hunt you?’ Jorge pointed over her shoulder, seeming to want a focus for his rage.

  ‘Of course not,’ Mia said, rolling her eyes at her brother. ‘He has protected me.’

  ‘He’s used you,’ Jorge said, ‘to find me.’

  ‘Mia helped me,’ Will said, ‘but she did it because she’s ashamed of what you’ve done.’

  ‘You let him poison you against me.’

  Mia shook her head sadly, ‘He didn’t need to poison me, Jorge. I know what is right and what is wrong. Just like you do deep down. Mama brought us up with good values.’

  Jorge seeme
d to sag a little at the mention of their mother.

  ‘I never meant to leave you on your own,’ he said quietly.

  She didn’t know what to say. There was no doubt he was a ruthless killer, but underneath it all he was still her brother and he still cared for her.

  Suddenly he changed; he straightened and pointed an accusing finger at Will.

  ‘If you’ve harmed a hair on my sister’s head, I’ll kill you.’

  It seemed a strange declaration for a defeated man to make. Will doubted Del Torres would get anywhere near him without one of Captain Little’s men putting a bullet through his heart.

  ‘Oh, stop it, Jorge,’ Mia said, finding it ridiculous that that was what he would focus on at a time like this. ‘He hasn’t harmed me at all.’ She dropped her voice. ‘Quite the opposite.’

  Del Torres looked at her incredulously. ‘You care for this English aristocrat?’

  ‘I love this English aristocrat.’

  She saw Will grin out of the corner of her eye.

  Her brother took a step forward and dropped his voice, giving it a menacing quality.

  ‘You better not be toying with my sister’s heart,’ he said. ‘Tell me that you love her.’

  Mia could see Will’s eyes widen at the peculiar demand.

  ‘I love her,’ he said.

  Mia spun round in shock. She knew he was probably just saying it to appease Jorge, but she needed to be sure.

  ‘I love you,’ he said again, this time directing his words directly to her. ‘This wasn’t how I planned to tell you, but I love you, Mia Del Torres.’

  Mia didn’t know what to say. She thought her heart might burst with happiness.

  ‘You truly love me?’ she asked, just wanting him to say it one more time.

  ‘I truly love you.’

  She wanted nothing more than to bound into his arms and kiss him for evermore, but Mia was very conscious of her brother standing behind her and Captain Little’s crew watching their every move.