Merrick waited for some sign from Brighton on Edward’s condition. Yet after patching his wound as best he could, the doctor looked up and shook his head. Charlisse dropped to her father’s shoulder and sobbed.
Sorrow weighing down his own heart, Merrick kissed her cheek, and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’ll be on deck if you need me,” he whispered. She nodded without looking up
♥♥♥
Charlisse lifted her head from her father’s shoulder and attempted to wipe her tears, but they kept pouring down her cheeks. Edward peered at her through half-open lids. “Naw, don’t be crying now, girl,” he said with difficulty. “I’m not worth your tears.”
Dipping a cloth in a basin of water, she wiped blood from his lips. “You are still my father.”
Edward tried to laugh but managed only a raspy cough. “And a fine father I’ve been to you, to be sure,” he sputtered.
“It doesn’t matter now. I love you.”
His eyes widened. Shock and sorrow battled on his expression. “You love me? After I abandoned you as a babe, kidnapped you …” He coughed up more blood and took a labored breath. “Then threw you in the hold with barely anything to eat?”
“Now, shhh … You protected me from Kent. You stood up for me.” She dabbed his forehead.
His eyes moistened. “That was the only decent thing I done in my whole life.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “That, and marry your mother.”
Charlisse smiled.
“You’re the spittin’ image of her you know.”
“Did you love her?”
Closing his eyes, Edward murmured, “With all my heart.” A long silence ensued as if he were in another place and time. But then his breathing became labored. “If I could just make things up to you and your mom, I would.”
Charlisse batted tears from her cheeks, trying to remain strong.
Opening his eyes, he gazed at her. “I would do things so differently—so very differently.” He gasped for air. “You have her sweetness, her forgiveness.”
Heart breaking, Charlisse wiped the blood dripping from his mouth.
“I’ve made such a mess of things,” he whispered, “such a mess of my life.”
Something within Charlisse awoke—a hope, a light, a gentle urging. “Father,” she began softly, “are you truly sorry for the things you’ve done?”
“I am now.” He coughed. “Things become clear, I suppose, when you’re close to death. Oh, what a wicked man I have been, my girl!” He took a desperate gasp for air.
“It’s not too late for you.” She took his hand again. “All the horrid things you’ve done can be forgiven—and forgotten—just as if you’d never done them.”
Edward cocked a brow. “Naw, not for the likes of me.”
“The Son of God came to earth and paid the price for all of our wrongdoings. All we have to do is call on his name and repent. Will you, Father? Then you can have eternal life,” she said, excitement stirring within her, “and see Mother again too!”
Was it possible that after her father had spent years wallowing in the darkness of evil, his eyes could finally be opened to the truth? Was it too late, or could she penetrate the enemy’s strongholds in his mind and shine God’s love through the shroud of wickedness? Then his death wouldn’t be a good-bye. She would see him again in a far better place. Oh, Lord, please open his heart.
A glimmer of hope sparkled in Edward’s clouded eyes, but then it disappeared. “It’s too late for me, girl. I’ve been far too evil.” He struggled to breathe as his grasp on Charlisse’s hand weakened.
Chapter 43: A True Pirate
Charlisse could not bear to watch her father die. Yet with each labored heave of his chest and each fade of luster from his eyes, she knew it was close. With one final moment of clarity, he looked at her and said, “I love you, my sweet Charlisse.”
She squeezed his hand—a hand that now grew cold beneath the inescapable pull of eternity. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the life slowly slip from his gaze. Finally, his grip on her hand loosened. He turned and stared into the room, past her, above her, as if he were looking for something. Finally, his eyes steadied, and a trace of a smile appeared on his lips. “I see him,” he whispered. “Jesus, I repent.” Then with a groan and a sigh, he released his last breath, leaving this world.
♥♥♥
Brighton prepared Edward’s body for burial at sea. At twilight, as angry clouds gathered around the two ships, Captain Merrick, Charlisse, and a crowd of miscreant pirates stood around the wrapped form of Edward the Terror as it lay on the plank, ready to slide into its watery grave.
Out of respect for Charlisse, Merrick had demanded his crew attend the ceremony. They stood on deck, hats off, and maintained an attitude of solemn decorum—more difficult for some than others. After all, none of them had kind feelings toward Edward. Most, in fact, had reason to hate him, but Merrick could plainly see from Charlisse’s sorrow that there was more to his nemesis than Merrick had thought. According to her, the man may have been able to squeeze through the pearly gates at the last minute. He grimaced at the thought, and prayed that should their paths cross in heaven, he would no longer have the desire to skewer Edward with a sword.
The wind picked up, and thunder echoed in the distance as Merrick read a long passage from his Bible. Finally, he concluded: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The plank was lifted and Edward’s body slid into the churning waters. A flash of lightning lit the western horizon in recognition of a soul passing from time into eternity.
The men disbanded and Charlisse fell against Merrick. He held her for several minutes until the thunder increased and rain spiced the air.
“You must be exhausted,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s get you below before the storm hits.”
She looked up at him. “I love you, Merrick.”
He thought he would never hear those words from her lips. A burst of joy warmed his heart and radiated through his body as he leaned down to kiss her.
A downpour of rain interrupted them, and Merrick lifted her in his arms and carried her to the Redemption.
♥♥♥
While Merrick attended business, Brighton bandaged Charlisse’s neck, and Sloane brought her water and fresh clothes. Elated to be back aboard the Redemption, she had to keep assuring herself it was not a dream—that she wouldn’t wake up to find herself in the hold of the Hades’ Revenge, or worse, in Kent’s cabin.
Then she remembered her father and realized she could never have dreamed a parting such as his. Although saddened by his death, she knew with certainty he had called on the name of Jesus. No one left this world with such a peaceful, happy look on their face unless they saw a vision of where they were going, or of the One who guided them there. Now, after all the lonely, miserable years apart, her father and mother were together again. And not her uncle, nor any force on earth, could pull them asunder.
Later in the evening, as the rain pounded on the deck above her, Merrick joined Charlisse for dinner. They laughed and talked and basked in each other’s presence, sharing everything that had happened to them since the last time they had seen each other—Merrick’s daring escape from prison, Charlisse’s kidnapping, her confinement in the hold, and her terrifying ordeal with Kent. Merrick sat on the edge of his chair, his eyes brimming with excitement at the miraculous ways God had rescued her—especially the circle of light.
“We know we serve an all-powerful God,” he said, shaking his head, “and with him, nothing is impossible. Yet when he performs such astonishing feats, we still find ourselves baffled.” He took her hands in his. Bowing his head, he prayed aloud, thanking God for keeping Charlisse safe and for bringing them together again.
By midnight, the storm had passed, and Charlisse could hardly keep her eyes open. Desperately, she tried to stay awake, not wanting to miss a moment of her time with Merrick. She savored hearing his deep voice, his chuckle, seeing the love in hi
s eyes as he sprawled on the leather chair next to the bed. How many times had he sat in that same spot, raking a hand through his hair and gazing at her with that same grin on his face? Yet back then, Charlisse had been terrified of him. Now she knew he would never hurt her.
He rose from the chair. “I’ve kept you up too long. You need your rest.”
Charlisse reached out for him. “Please don’t go. I fear this is just a dream and soon I’ll wake and find you gone.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He took her hand in his. “See, I’m real.”
She pulled herself into his arms, desperate for more of this man before her. His gaze lowered to her lips and her pulse leapt in anticipation of his kiss. With the first brush of his mouth on hers, her world exploded. Flames swept through her, igniting every fiber, creating an ache for him she’d not thought possible. Melting against him, she abandoned herself to the hunger of his kiss. She felt the firm muscles underneath his shirt and the strength of his arms as they encircled her. He ran his fingers through her long curls, and then withdrew, leaving her breathless. He cupped her chin lovingly and smiled. “God willing, I’m never leaving you again, Charlisse. You’ve been braver than most men I know.” He kissed her forehead, and sighed. “And if the Lord allows me the privilege, I will take care of you forever.”
Still trembling from his kiss, Charlisse hadn’t the strength to respond, though joy flooded her.
He pushed her back, grabbed his weapons, and headed for the door. “Get some rest.”
“But where are you going?” Charlisse felt the familiar clench of dread around her heart.
“It wouldn’t be prudent for me to stay here with you tonight.”
“You never thought so before.”
“You shunned my advances before, milady. Resisting you now would be impossible.” His lips curved in a provocative grin.
She returned his smile, but her uneasy feeling remained. Perhaps nerves left over from her recent ordeal. “What about your crew?”
“Believe me, I have no trouble resisting them.” His eyes glinted with amusement.
Charlisse grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it across the room, just missing Merrick as he ducked out of the way.
Chuckling, Merrick opened the door. “I’ll remain close, I promise.” He winked then closed the door behind him.
Charlisse sank back onto the bed. As tired as she was, she felt like dancing around the cabin. Just yesterday, she had feared for her virtue under the lecherous hands of Kent. Days before, she had faced rats and near starvation in the hold of the Hades’ Revenge. And in each situation, God had protected her. Even so, she never dared to hope that she would be reunited with Merrick. Truly God was all-powerful and all-loving and he cared for His children as Reverend Thomas had said.
Falling back onto the coverlet, Charlisse gave thanks to the Lord for all his mercies and quickly fell asleep.
♥♥♥
Warm sunlight danced over Charlisse’s closed lids, startling her from the deepest sleep she’d had in weeks. She sprang up, rubbing her eyes, and focused on her surroundings. Merrick’s cabin. She hadn’t dreamt her rescue after all.
After splashing water on her face and fixing her hair, she donned the gown Merrick had left for her, ran up the companionway stairs, and burst forth onto the main deck, silk and lace fluttering in the breeze. Dozens of eyes turned her way, but only one pair interested her—the ones that now followed her from the quarterdeck.
Merrick stood, spyglass in hand, next to Jackson and another pirate she had not seen before. He smiled as she bounced up the ladder and approached. “Perhaps I should keep you hidden below or I fear I’ll have to fight every rogue on board this ship before sundown.”
His flattery left her speechless as she stopped before him, noting that the red-haired pirate next to Merrick stared at her as if she were a chest of doubloons.
“My apologies,” Merrick said. “Miss Charlisse Bristol, meet Rusty, our new helmsman.” He nodded toward the man, who promptly bowed and said, “Nice to meet ye, miss, especially since ye’re the cap’n’s lady.” He grinned, revealing a set of straight, pearly-white teeth.
“Rusty was in prison with me,” Merrick added.
“Indeed,” Charlisse said. “Then I am glad to make your acquaintance, sir.” She curtsied, and Rusty turned a shade of red to match his hair.
Something jumped onto Charlisse’s shoulder. Shrieking, she tried to bat what she now saw was a monkey away as chuckles bounded over the ship.
“Sorry, miss.” Sloane darted over. “I haven’t quite got him trained.”
Catching her breath, Charlisse reached up and scratched the monkey’s head. “It’s perfectly all right. He’s a charming little fellow, aren’t you, little one?” The creature grinned and leaned against her cheek.
“He likes ye, miss.” Sloane grinned. “He don’t take to most people so quickly.”
“I believe I’ve met this little guy before.” She examined the monkey as he played with her hair. “At the Dead Reckoning.” A shiver ran through her at the thought of the place.
Sloane nodded. “Aye, that be where I found him. He belonged to a pirate named Flint.”
The horrifying vision of her father stabbing Flint with his cutlass invaded her mind. Her father had been a brutal man, without any regard for life, but she knew that he was now with his heavenly Father. And all had been forgiven.
She turned, smiling at the little creature perched on her shoulder. “And if memory serves me, this is the little fellow who saved the day yesterday. Are you the same monkey who aided in Merrick’s escape as well?”
“Aye, that be true, miss. That he did.” He grabbed the monkey from Charlisse’s shoulder.
Merrick, who had been smiling at her the whole time, now excused himself and strode to the railing, lifting the glass to his eye.
“Is something amiss?” She glanced from Merrick back to the three pirates who stood beside her.
Jackson finally answered. “Royce sighted a sail on the starboard horizon just under an hour ago, but she’s not shown herself since.”
A call from above confirmed their fears. “Sail ho! Cap’n, sail ho!”
“Where stands she?” he returned.
“Nor’-nor’east, sir,” came the quick reply.
Merrick lifted the glass once more, intently scanning the horizon. Sloane and Jackson joined him with Charlisse on their heels. With a heavy sigh, he handed the glass to Jackson, who took a quick look before lowering the scope and nodding at Merrick.
“What is it?” Charlisse asked, sad that the gleeful mood from only a moment ago had dissipated. Not only dissipated, but had become tense.
Brow furrowing, Merrick gazed in the direction of the sails. “A British warship. At full sail and heading our way.”
Charlisse’s heart crumpled. “You’ll be hanged.”
“That, milady, is not my intention.” He issued a series of swift orders, sending the three men by his side rushing off to do his bidding. Then taking Charlisse aside, he gripped her shoulders. The sorrow filling his eyes frightened her. “I’m sorry, Charlisse. I had hoped they wouldn’t find me so soon. I had hoped to settle you safely in the Colonies until I could clear my name.”
“We can still do that!” Charlisse pleaded. “We can outrun them.”
“I would never put you in harm’s way. You will go with Sloane on the Hades’ Revenge and—”
“I will not! I won’t leave you.” Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Besides, my father’s ship cannot sail.”
“Not very fast, but with a few quick repairs, it can make some progress.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he laid a finger on her lips. “Listen. Sloane will take you to an island where the ship can be repaired while I draw the British away. It is me they want.”
She shook her head, trembling.
“I will deal with the British authorities,” he continued, his confident tone doing nothing to allay her fears. “I will clear my name
and I will return to get you.” He lifted her chin.
“You said you’d never leave me again.”
“I will return for you.”
Reluctantly, she nodded, and he drew her into his arms.
Charlisse could have stood forever in his strong embrace, but Sloane returned, and Merrick was forced to tend his duties. They didn’t have long before the British warship would be upon them.
Chapter 44: Sweet Sorrow
Standing on the foredeck of the Redemption, holding back her tears, Charlisse watched as Merrick and his men scrambled to make the Hades’ Revenge seaworthy. They gathered the scattered pieces of the mizzenmast and mainsail and stored them below, and then hoisted the fore- and aft sails to ensure they could still hold enough wind to propel the ship. A dark hole, outlined in charred, splintered wood, gaped at them from where one of Merrick’s cannons had blasted through the hull, but since it was above the waterline, the pirates took little note of it.
When the preparations were done, Merrick selected twenty of his crew and made Sloane their captain. He gave them instructions on both course and conduct, and put Charlisse under Sloane’s care, warning the others that if she were harmed in any way, they would answer to him.
Charlisse watched Merrick’s every move, memorizing the way he sauntered across the deck, his authoritative gestures, the flexing of his muscles beneath his shirt, the deep resonance of his voice. She didn’t want to forget anything about him lest she never see him again. She tried to pray, but could not. Nothing made sense anymore. Through all her terrifying trials, God had protected her—had proven his faithfulness, and then brought Merrick back to her. Why would he take him away now? She had thought they would be together forever. A tear slid down her cheek. What cruel joke was God playing on her? Just last night she had felt so assured of his love and care, but now she felt nothing but despair and loneliness.
The Redemption (Legacy of the King's Pirates Book 1) Page 30