Faith slid her arm through Hope’s. “As in, what you’re doing with my sister? And who these people are?” She gestured toward Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, Elise, and Gavin. “And isn’t that a pirate ship? Captain Poole’s, I believe?”
Hope glanced at the Enchantress. Poole’s pirates scrambled to unfurl sail as soon as the cockboat returned. “Yes. But how did you know?”
“I’ve heard of him.” A wind thick with moisture swirled around them and seemed to wash away the anger from Faith’s face.
Elise inched her way to Hope, grabbed onto her skirt, and hid herself among the folds.
Faith eyed the little girl, then she knelt and smiled at her. “And who might this be?”
The little girl curtsied. “My name is Elise, and Hope is my new mother.”
“Indeed?” Faith took her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Elise.” Faith stood and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You do have much to tell me.”
“And I will in good time.” Hope sighed, then she clutched her sister’s arm. “Did you receive the pardon from the governor? I was so frightened for you.”
“I did.” She glanced at Mr. Waite conversing with Nathaniel.
Gavin approached and gave a gentlemanly bow. “I am honored to finally meet the notorious Red Siren.” His blue eyes took her in with interest.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Waite slipped beside Faith, laid a hand on her back, and glared at the young upstart.
Hope giggled. “Faith, Mr. Waite, may I present Mr. Gavin Keese. Mr. Keese, my sister, Miss Westcott, and Captain Dajon Waite.”
Faith smiled. “Mr. Keese, my pleasure, but my sister errs. I am no longer Miss Westcott. I am Mrs. Waite.” She smiled at Dajon.
“Married?” Hope flew into her sister’s arms, laughter bubbling from her lips. “Oh, I knew it. I knew it! I’m so happy for you.” Withdrawing from Faith, Hope took Mr. Waite’s hands in hers. “For you both!”
“Thank you, Miss Hope.” Mr. Waite gazed at his wife, his eyes warming with love—a love Hope had never dreamed she’d experience, not until Nathaniel.
“God has abundantly blessed us,” he said.
“God has blessed us as well.” Hope slipped her hand into Nathaniel’s.
“Did I hear you say God?” Faith gave her a questioning look.
“You did.”
“And does this blessing include Mr. Mason?” Mr. Waite asked.
Hope gazed up at Nathaniel and nodded. Warmth flooded her at the consuming look in his eyes.
“I am truly happy.” Faith hugged her. “I cannot wait to hear all that has happened.” The Red Siren careened over a wave, drenching them with salty spray. The joyful exuberance slipped from Faith’s face. “But there is a matter of grave importance we must attend to first.”
Hope’s heart shrank.
Faith’s jaw tensed. “It is the reason we have set sail.”
“Pray tell, do not hold it from me.” Hope clung to Nathaniel.
“’Tis our sister, Grace.” Faith swallowed and glanced at Mr. Waite. Her face twisted in fear. “She’s been kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Hope felt the blood rush from her head. “By whom? For what purpose?”
Faith swallowed and glanced at her husband. “We do not know. Her ladies’ maid, Alice, was quite distraught when she returned home yesterday evening without her.”
“Without her? Where was she?”
“On another one of her errands of mercy.” Faith drew a shaky breath, then frowned.
Mr. Waite crossed his arms over his chest. “Alice said a band of ruffians came and carried her away.”
The ship began to spin around Hope, and she grabbed Nathaniel’s arm for support. He wrapped his other one around her back to steady her. “How do we know where...?” Hope gasped for breath. “How can we find—”
“We know they set sail from Charles Towne and headed south.” Mr. Waite glanced off the bow of the ship.
Elise snuggled against Hope, perhaps sensing the tension, and Hope rubbed her back to reassure her even as tears burned behind her own eyes. Squaring her shoulders, she held them at bay. “Then we must go after her right away.”
Faith gave her a nod of encouragement. “We are, dear sister, we are. Never fear. We will find her.”
“Are you up for another adventure, Mason?” Mr. Waite laughed and slapped Nathaniel on the back.
Hope glanced up at her betrothed, wondering if perhaps he’d had enough excitement for a time, wondering if he wouldn’t prefer to just go home. But a playful spark flickered across his dark brown eyes. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He planted a kiss on Hope’s forehead, and she leaned against his chest, loving him now more than ever.
Faith swung about on her heels just as Mr. Waite glanced upward. “Away aloft!” they shouted simultaneously, then glanced at each other and chuckled. Finally, Faith dipped her head toward her husband in abeyance.
“Let fall the main and foretopsails!” Mr. Waite barked. Then he lowered his gaze to them and winked. “We have a lady to rescue.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Figure I: M.L. TYNDALL
MaryLu Tyndall dreamed of pirates and seafaring adventures during her childhood days on Florida’s coast. She holds a degree in math and worked as a software engineer for fifteen years before testing the waters as a writer. Her love of history and passion for storytelling drew her to create the Legacy of the King’s Pirates series. MaryLu now writes full-time and makes her home with her husband, six children, and four cats on California’s coast, where her imagination still surges with the sea. Her passion is to write page-turning, romantic adventures that not only entertain but expose Christians to their full potential in Christ. For more information on MaryLu and her upcoming releases, please visit her Web site at www.mltyndall.com or her blog at crossandcutlass.blogspot.com.
If you enjoyed
the Blue ENCHANTRESS
then be sure to read
The Raven Saint
by
M.L. TYNDALL
Coming Spring 2010
BACK COVER MATERIAL
AN ADVENTURE-SEEKING WOMAN AND A SECURITY-MINDED SHIP BUILDER ARE SHIPWRECKED TOGETHER.
Still grieving the loss of her mother—and private tragedies of her own—Hope Westcott plays the part of a dutiful admiral's daughter. But longing for the love and acceptance she never felt at home, Hope plunges into Charles Towne society ... and an illicit affair with Lord Falkland.
For Captain Nathaniel Mason, wealth means security, so he is determined to build his shipping business—ignoring God's call on his life to become an impoverished pastor. He also ignores his attraction to the frivolous, vain Hope Westcott.
Hope's adventure seeking lands her in the hands of an unscrupulous ship captain who wants to sell her to the highest bidder. When Nathaniel sees Hope on the auction block, will he listen to God and sacrifice his ship, cargo, and security to save her?
From the Carolina Coast to the Caribbean, through stormy seas and shipwreck, can Hope and Nathaniel put aside their painful pasts, listen to God's voice, and find true love and acceptance?
M.L. TYNDALL, a Christy Award finalist, lives in California with her husband, six grown children, and four cats.
The Blue Enchantress Page 36