by Hatch, Donna
She followed him back up to the quarterdeck. He raised an astrolabe to the horizon and sighted along it. After checking the reading and then both a timepiece and compass, he looked over the Nautical Almanac and carefully recorded his readings in a log.
“Is something wrong?” Elise ventured.
“Finding our bearings after a storm can be tricky. It’s difficult to determine how far off course we’ve been blown.”
At high noon, Jared checked the sextant, a timepiece, and compass again, and made a chalk mark on a chart.
He looked up at Dubois with a wry smile. “I think I know where we are. I used dead reckoning too, and both came in pretty close.”
Dubois shrugged. “I’d trust your best guess.”
“The Venture!” called a lookout.
Jared let out his breath in relief. “She weathered the storm.”
Elise smiled in bemusement. Yesterday, they’d been trying to kill one another and today they were glad to be together. She’d never understand men.
The Venture drew alongside and Jared leaped gracefully over to the other ship where the other crew crowded around him. “Are all hands accounted for?”
As they spoke animatedly, Elise shook her head, part puzzled, part amused. They were ill-kempt and rough-looking, but failed to fit the image she’d conjured of pirates. None looked particularly evil or bloodthirsty. They didn’t appear to be contemplating murdering Jared; instead they smiled and clapped him on the back. Perhaps the other crew was mostly his; most of Leandro’s crew had probably died in the bloodbath as the two pirate captains and crews battled. From what she’d heard, Leandro’s crew had suffered heavier casualties than Jared’s.
Jared laughed and talked with them, perfectly relaxed. He exuded confidence, authority, and an air of dignity the others lacked. Otherwise, except for his handsome face, he seemed little different than the others. He fit in with them as easily as he fit in with the landed gentry.
Did he play a role when he played the gentleman?
Or when he played the pirate?
How could one ever know? The man was a human chameleon.
Jared leaped back to the Mistress with the power of a great cat, landing lightly on deck. Some of the men traded places on the ships as they discussed storm damage. Jared gave the heading to the man holding the wheel and Dubois relayed the course to the other ship. Jared winked at her and returned to his work.
He was always moving, always active right along side his crew, as hard at work as they. He worked amid the men hoisting a sail, or moving ropes she’d been informed were called ‘lines.’ He climbed the rigging at dizzying heights.
Jared’s eyes sought her often, his face always softening, and sometimes when he passed by her, he touched her surreptitiously. Other times, he stopped to speak with her. Either Dubois or O’Brian checked on her frequently to inquire as to her needs.
Late that afternoon, the lookout called from above, “Land ho!”
Amid a flurry of activity spurred by the announcement, Elise shaded her eyes and looked out over the prow.
Jared shimmied down a rope and dropped lightly on deck, calling out orders to the helmsmen.
As land draw steadily closer, Jared appeared next to her. “Our safe harbor.”
“This is where you go when you aren’t plundering?” She winced. She hadn’t meant it to sound so harsh or judgmental.
He did not appear disturbed by her choice of words. “Our haven. Not exactly paradise, but it serves our needs.”
“Don’t you worry the navy will find you here?”
“We’re several leagues off a main shipping route.”
No vegetation grew on that wind-blasted island. She’d never imagined a more inhospitable place.
He pointed. “The lee side of the island, what we see now, looks totally uninhabitable, so even if someone were to get off course, they’d never look twice at this place. The cove and the habitable part lay on the other side of the island. The cove is deep enough for the Sea Mistress and sloops like the Venture, but not deep enough for a navy frigate. There are also several off-shore shoals which can be tricky to navigate for those unfamiliar with them.”
Darkness fell as they rounded the island and lights winked from the darkened land. As they put down anchor in the harbor and made ready to disembark, the men gathered up personal effects and pulled on coats and boots while others lowered longboats.
Jared steadied her as she stepped into the longboat. She sat between Jared and young O’Brian, with Dubois at the prow. Moonlight rippled on the water and the oars made a soft slosh as they rowed toward shore. The shimmering lights grew progressively larger and brighter. As they reached the island, several men jumped out and pulled the longboats up onto the beach. The sand made a scraping sound on the bottom of the boat.
Jared’s hand steadied her as she stepped out. “This way.”
He put a hand under her elbow and guided her, holding up a lantern. He led her through the darkness with the men tramping behind, following a path through overgrown vegetation. Jared, O’Brian, and Dubois parted branches and held them aside for her to pass through so nothing touched her. After climbing a steady rise, they broke through the brush to a clearing. Lights and music greeted them. Small buildings crouched drunkenly along the road, light spilling out of their shuttered windows to illuminate patches of the bare ground.
All the men broke off into different directions, calling out farewells, or predictions of the greeting they anticipated receiving. A group of the men headed for the open doors of a large, noisy tavern with tawdry women lounging about in various inviting poses that made Elise’s cheeks burn.
She and Jared were alone by the time they arrived in front of a two-story building at the end of the road. Candlelight flickered in the windows and laughter rang out from inside.
Jared gestured. “Home. Sometimes.”
“You live here?”
“I only come to the island for repairs and to sell my plunder. I sleep at the tavern while I’m here. There are several rooms on the second floor.”
Alarm arose and she took an involuntary step back. “You don’t sleep in a brothel, do you?”
Amusement danced in his face. “You’d be surprised where I’ve slept. But in all seriousness, I would never bring you to a brothel. It’s a perfectly respectable tavern with soft beds and decent food. The locals come for the exceptional ale.” He opened the door and led her inside.
Smoke hung in the air, mingled with the pungent odor of bodies, tar, and cheap wine.
“Jack! Yer ’ome!” A portly woman with a broad, toothless grin wove among tables filled with bearded men and lumbered to Jared and clapped his arm.
“How’s business, Nan?” Jared asked in a hearty voice.
“Can’t complain. ’Ungry?”
“Aye. Bring us a bowl of whatever you’ve got that smells so good.”
She chuckled. “Don’t never get ’customed to yer fancy talk, Jack. Ye almost sound like a confounded gentleman.” Her gaze slid to Elise.
“Mrs. Berkley, meet Nan,” Jared said by way of introduction.
Elise nodded.
Nan eyed her slowly with a look of speculation. “Welcome, Mrs. Berkley.” After sending Jared a sly smile, she trundled off into another room.
Jared exchanged greetings with two nearby men drinking. At another table, three men played cards. Jared guided Elise to a vacant table as Nan returned balancing two bowls of stew and a board of bread. Onions, beef, and a hint of basil wafted from the bowls. Elise tasted the stew and smiled at Nan who hovered expectantly.
“It’s very good, thank you,” Elise said.
Nan’s toothless grin appeared again. “Glad ta ’ear it.” She turned to Jared. “Lor, Jack, she talks jus’ like ye. Ye gonna give up a-piratin’ and settle down wiff ’er?”
Jared grinned and glanced at Elise before returning his gaze to Nan. “What makes you think she’ll have the likes of me?”
Nan snorted. “Shor, Jack, she ain
’t blind. I’d take ye and I’m old ‘nuff to be yer dam.”
Elise choked on her bread. Nan waddled off to bring more drinks to the other patrons.
After they finished their dinner, Jared took a lamp and led Elise upstairs under Nan’s knowing grin. Elise’s cheeks heated in embarrassment, knowing Nan assumed they were lovers. Elise found the idea not objectionable. She stole a glance at Jared as he unlocked a door at the end of the passageway.
He stepped back and waited for her to precede him. “This is my room.”
“You have your own room? You must be a generous customer.”
“I own the place. Nan just runs it for me. The agreement was a fifty-fifty split, but she hasn’t paid me my honest portion in years. Still, I always have a room and a meal when I come, and I can trust her. Except with my money.” He set the lantern on a small table.
The clean and aired room held a large, comfortable bed. The linens appeared freshly laundered and crisp.
Jared opened the window and leaned out for a long time, silhouetted by the pale moon. He turned back and looked at her thoughtfully, leaning against the windowsill. The sound of the waves crashing on the beach reached her ears in a soothing cadence, and a gentle, balmy breeze stirred the curtains.
“I don’t dare sleep in the room next door,” Jared finally said. “We’re on the second floor so the casual passerby wouldn’t think of entering. Still, a ladder would make for an easy climb. And this is the first night on land, so there’s likely to be a lot of revelry. There might be trouble.”
The wolfish, plotting pirate with seduction on his mind was nowhere to be found. In his place stood a gentleman who hesitated, torn between wishing to honor her morality and protecting her from others by remaining with her.
She should assure him she would be well here in her own room and remind him she could always call out for help if she needed aid. Yet she wanted him near. She’d grown accustomed to curling up against him listening to the sound of his breathing. She trusted him. He hadn’t ravished her before. He wouldn’t do it now.
But if he tried seduction, would she have the fortitude to resist? Did she care?
She moistened her lips. “Perhaps you should stay here.”
He gazed steadily at her. “I shouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t trust me.”
She held back a smile. “No, indeed. You are indisputably a rogue and a pirate.”
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” With disappointment in his eyes, he pushed off from the window and pulled a blanket off the bed.
She put a hand on his arm, halting him. “If you give me your word you’ll continue to behave as a gentleman, you may sleep on the bed.”
He eyed her, part hopeful, part disbelieving. “I won’t lay a hand on you.”
“Perhaps I am a bit touched in the head, but I do trust you,” she whispered.
Gratitude and relief leaped into his eyes. He skimmed one finger down the side of her face. Then one corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Your trust doesn’t say much for my virility.”
“I doubt there’s any question of that.”
“Men don’t normally like to be told by a beautiful woman that she trusts him not to seduce her while they’re sleeping in the same bed.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, I know. You want to be seen as a dangerous rake. But even though I believed that of you at first, I think that was just another act.”
“Another act?”
“You seem to play many roles. You seldom let down your guard and show your true self.”
Jared digested her words silently. “You’re surprisingly astute.” He stood lost in thought, and she wished she understood this man she loved. He slipped into his irrepressible pirate persona and grinned wickedly. “But remember that there’s a limit to my ability to withstand temptation.”
She nodded, only barely repressing a smile.
Jared sat on the bed and pulled off his boots. “You needn’t fear for your reputation. No one here has ever mingled with the beau monde. Word of your circumstances here will never reach the ears of polite company.”
“I daresay, my reputation is already tarnished. Once it’s discovered I’ve been captured by pirates, people will assume I’m a fallen woman.”
He looked sharply at her. “Will they make trouble for you?”
“I’m a widow. The scandal won’t be as damaging as if I were an unmarried miss.”
He leaned over and rested his arms on his thighs. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. Because of me, Leandro took you from your home and your son. He frightened you. Ruined you socially.”
“My true friends will stand by me. Lady Standwich will probably view it all as a great adventure. And she’s influential enough that if she remains my ally, the others will eventually come around. And Charlotte Greymore will be at my side. My questionable adventure will be forgotten by the time Colin is old enough to be affected by it.”
She tried to keep her tone light, but many would give her the cut direct. The reputation of a fallen woman and the inevitable rejection would not only hurt her, but may affect Colin’s future. Probably more than she could predict.
Jared sat with his head in his hands. “It’s my fault. I knew Leandro was after me. That you’d be in danger if he found me again. I should have stayed away. Kept you safe. He could have killed you. Or let his men have you. They could have hurt your son.” The last word was spoken with dismay.
She sat next to him on the bed and rubbed circles on his back. His muscles tensed under her hand.
“I hold you blameless.”
He looked away. After a moment, he stood and pulled his shirt over his head. “Don’t hog the covers again.” His gruff tone failed to fool her.
“Perhaps you’d stay warmer if you wore more to bed.”
The irrepressible rake reappeared. “I can think of more interesting ways to stay warm.”
“I’ll just bet you can, you cad. Where’s my candlestick?”
He chuckled, his tension dissolving.
They lay on opposite sides of the bed, wrapped in separate blankets, but by morning, Elise found herself cradled within his arms. She opened her eyes to see him watching her.
Something akin to pain crossed his features. He rolled away and got up. “I need a bucket of cold water.” He closed the door behind him.
Elise arose and watched out the window as Jared stalked away amid the townspeople who carried out their tasks like in any other town. People of every color and manner of dress strolled about and snatches of conversation in a dozen different languages mingled. The buildings were all newer, and more ramshackle than Port Johns, but everything else seemed the same. She saw a fishmonger, a baker, a tanner, heard the clanging noises of a smith, everything one would normally find in a town like Brenniswick. Oddly, she felt at home in this simple, quiet place which harbored pirates.
If Jared asked her to stay here with him, would she be willing to give up her life as the widow of a gentleman, and live as the wife of a pirate? For Colin’s sake, she couldn’t. He deserved an education and a future.
But if she were alone, without the responsibility of a child? The answer would be a resounding yes. She’d stay with Jared. Whether here on the island, or on board his ship, it mattered little. She wanted to be with him. She would gladly give up her safe, stifling world for him.
She turned from the window. It didn’t matter. Since they’d left England, Jared had not professed love, nor had he asked her to stay with him. He desired her. Perhaps even cared for her. But nothing suggested he meant to settle down. On his ship, he was totally free, unbound by the strictures of polite society, and respected by his men. She doubted very much he’d give it up for her. Or anyone, for that matter.
Elise saw to her morning washing, dressing and grooming to the best of her ability, a fruitless effort considering she hadn’t changed her gown in a week and had no toiletries of any kind. After seeing to her personal needs, she went downstairs to the deserted dining roo
m.
Flecks of dust swam in the sunlight streaming through the open door and windows. The stamp and cries of animals, voices of shopkeepers and customers, the occasional rattle of a wagon or cart, the shouts and laughter of children carried over the balmy air.
Nan lumbered about trimming the lamps and wiping off tables. She greeted Elise with a grin, the effort distorting her wrinkled face. “Morning, yer ladyship. Don’t have nothin’ fancy, but there’s fruit and bread, if yer ’ungry.” She motioned to a table in the far corner near a window.
“Thank you, Nan. I am hungry.” Elise sat. Since no silverware graced the table, she ate with her fingers, feeling oddly barbaric.
“I ’spect yer be wantin’ a bath, too?”
“That would be lovely. I don’t suppose it would be possible to also find a change of clothes?”
She heard a footstep at the door a moment before Jared’s voice rang out. “It’s possible.” He tossed a bundle of clothing to her lap. “Not what you’re accustomed to, I’m sure, but it’s clean. Nan here would be happy to wash your things.”
Elise’s gaze flew to him. The man was simply stunning. Then he grinned and her heart nearly leaped from her breast.
She wondered again if he’d been truthful about truly being the real Jared Amesbury. In a moment of clarity, she realized it didn’t matter. She didn’t care if his father was a duke or a cobbler or a highwayman. She wanted to know about his family, where he’d grown up, what had driven him to this risky, illegal way of life. She wished to understand him, to know him, to see him when he did not play a charade. But whether his blood flowed from common or royal origins, it mattered not. She loved him as he was.
Nan stood. “I’ll just go get some water aheatin’ for yer bath, and wash yer things while ye git clean.” Jared pulled a chair out, flipped it around backwards and straddled it. His hair had gone wild, and a week’s worth of beard darkened his face. He wore an open shirt and breeches with a sword on one hip and a gun on the other. She wondered how many of their friends would even recognize the man they knew as Jared Amesbury.
He tore off a hunk of bread with his fingers and stuffed it into his mouth as if deliberately immersing himself into the uncivilized pirate guise.