Beginning our hike up the barren crevice—where the heat of the day was radiating off of the loose and jagged boulders—I asked Kasey, “So how’s Charlie doing over there?”
Hopping from rock to rock, Kasey answered, “Fine, I suppose. That son of a bitch is treating her well. He keeps her sheltered. She’s in his room most of the time and I don’t think she has a clue about how rotten he truly is.” Kasey shuddered. “I saw him stab a man in the throat for annoying him, and then he cursed him for getting blood on his coat. Kicked him around until he bled out then made me throw his dead body overboard. I’m pretty sure he’s a lunatic, and I’ve tried to warn Charlie but she has no mind to talk to me. It’s like he has her under a spell.”
“That’s what I figured,” I shook my head as I followed behind him. “Baudin’s a manipulative son of a bitch and the mood she was in when she ran away from me made her a perfect pawn for his game.” Remembering the reason she’d ended up in the mood she was in, I began to wonder just how she would feel about ending up with me again. Ah, if she decides not to be with me I’ll take her home to her father. “Don’t bother saying anything else to her yet. I don’t need her knowing what I’m up to.”
While agreeing to keep quiet, Kasey removed his shirt and wiped his sweaty face with it.
Taking note of the arrow tattoo he had running up his chest, I said, “You got inked up, too, eh?”
“That I did. I wasn’t sure what I should get, but when Oliver threw his skinny arm out for an arrow, the ugly shirtless man with the needle practically shouted at me. You get arrow too. So, I got one pointing at my neck like the one you held me hostage with.”
“I like it.” I grinned.
“Me too.” He smiled proudly, then went on. “I also had a good night with a lovely young lady, but our fun was interrupted when I heard Langston crying like a little lassie outside the door. Apparently, his few minutes with Nadine turned out with him throwing up all over her room and her kicking him out on the porch. He sounded so pathetic, I went to help him.”
Trying to imagine the scene, I laughed, “So Langston’s getting tattoos and fucking whores, eh?”
“Not sure you could even consider it a full fuck.” Kasey chuckled, but his expression darkened when he said, “It was while I was helping him up that I saw those men taking Charlie. They were awful to her, Bentley. I wanted to fight them all right then, but there were so many of them. They would have killed me if I tried anything, then she would have had no hope at all. But I had to do something. Deciding that Oliver was in no state to help, I sent him to find you while I blended in with their crew, hoping to find a way to get her out of there.”
Regaining a hint of humor in his voice, he chuckled, “But I’ll tell you, you trained her well, matey. That little lady puts up a mean fight. Smashing blokes with her cuff chains and all. Hell, she even attacked Paul Redding and bit his leg like a wildcat right before Baudin marooned him.”
Apparently Kennedy was listening in on our talk, for he said, “Sounds like a bonny worth fighting for, mate.”
“Indeed she is.” I concurred, but while finishing the hike I hoped that Paul Redding was suffering to death during his well-deserved marooning.
Once we reached the clifftop, I thanked Kasey once again for taking care of my woman. Of all the people I’d met in my lifetime, I’d only known a handful of friends and Kasey Bolin was certainly one of them.
While I walked to the cliff’s edge, the others sat in the shade of a boulder to catch their breath. Lynden was begging them for rum to ease the pain of his beating, but before I had to remind them that he didn’t deserve a damn thing, Pete snapped, “The hell if I let that bloody mouth slurp on my precious bottle.”
Listening to them insult each other as they drank, I pulled out my spyglass. The sky above the sheer emerald bay was clear, making it easy for me to survey the identification marks of the island in view. Sure of that islands place on my map, I knew the ones just east of it—each bearing certain landmarks I had engrained in my mind—would lead me to the mysterious Ile De Amoureux.
With gracious winds we would reach the secret shore sometime the next afternoon, but the storm rolling in could change everything. The clouds were distant, and though they looked ominous, I smiled with satisfaction. A rain storm was just what I needed.
The moment we returned to Endless Horizon, I reported the day’s events to Faron and Oliver. Thrilled with the success of my mission, Faron happily hollered at the crew to sail for the southeast horizon. Spotting Kennedy on his way to the helm, I cut him off. Grabbing the tiller I casually informed him, “This is my throne, today, mate.”
Though we had been grunting over who was a better man at the helm through this entire sail, this time Kennedy laughed as he raised his hands to surrender. “After that show you put on back at the beach, I’m not going to argue with you. I’d much rather have a hellfire like that on my side than at my throat.”
As we sailed on, we talked about Endless Horizon and what we liked about sailing her. Admiring the way he adored her, and enjoying the way he told his sea stories about his travels behind her helm, I told him, “You know, arse-wart? You aren’t half bad for a filthy rotten pirate.”
X
Having nominated myself to take the night watch, I stood at the taffrail to observe the pattern of the falling rain. The visibility was completely marred by the downpour, but the sea was only mild with turbulence. Every now and then a flash of lightning would crash across the sky. The brief moments of electric illumination gave me subtle glimpses of Persuasion’s position. I watched her like a hawk stalking its prey.
While waiting patiently for the crew to retire, I took the time to prepare my weapons. I had already cleaned the barrels of my pistols, wrapped them in cloth, and stored them inside my coat so they would stay dry in the rain. Next, I took the time to see that each of my daggers were sharpened and strategically stashed. And of course, I cleaned and sharpened my cutlass. Once I was sure everything was in place, I headed to the bow after the other watchman, Law Dog.
In the pouring rain, he didn’t see or hear me coming until I was close enough to startle him. As soon as he noticed me, that paranoid ol’ dog reached for his knife. Fanning my hand at him, I hollered over the sound of raindrops barraging the deck. “Put that shit down.”
Lowering his weapon, Law Dog shook his head. “What do you want, Sterling?”
“I’m going to get her.”
“What? Right now? Only a madman would row out in a storm.”
“You know, I’ve been questioning my sanity since I fell for that woman, and I suppose the fact that I’m rowing through a storm to get to her proves that I’ve lost my sense for good.” I laughed. “Plus, they won’t see or expect me in this rain. Just like you didn’t. I reckon they won’t hear me either. Especially with the thunder roaring.”
After a long exhale, he patted my back. “You’re a good man, Sterling Bentley. I know this sticky situation has been hard on you, but you have never once given up on her. I am truly astounded by your relentless determination.”
“Ah, if it was in my blood to give up I would have been hanging limp at the gallows long ago.”
Law Dog smiled. “What can I do to help?”
“After I leave, you have to let the captain know I set out for her. He already knows I’m going, but the men have no clue. Between the both of you, I can only hope you can persuade them to come after me. If they want their gold, they’re going to have to help finish this war I’ll be starting. Otherwise, me and Charlie are going to have a long ride in a little boat, because no matter what, she and I are going to see the sunrise alive and together.”
He nodded. “I can assure you that my friends will vote in your favor and I hereby promise you that this ship will come after you. Even if I have to rally a mutiny against those dastardly pirates and sail it myself.” He reached out to shake my hand.
Upon our handshake, I thought about another Bible verse my father had engrained in my
mind. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. I never would have thought I’d befriend a damn lawyer, but while walking towards the boats I chuckled about how Lawrence Braddock had showed me otherwise.
I waited for the next crash of thunder to lower the rowboat. The sounds of my departure were well suppressed by the billowing rumble and I was able to escape without being noticed.
Along my way, the swells were still fairly low, but were picking up quickly. Between the rising waves and pummeling rain I could hardly see Persuasion ahead of my boat. Lightning flickered through the misty thickness—the electric glow of the temporary flashes offering just enough light to lead me on my way. Setting my course far behind the stern, I measured the counts between the sprawling streaks of lightning and crashing sound of the angry heavens that followed.
Reaching Persuasion’s ornate hull, I struggled to steady the small boat against the stern without making too much of a ruckus. During my preparation I had wrapped a gaff hook in a rag, and as the next strike of lightning lit the sky I wound the hook over my head, releasing the tension according to the expected crash of thunder. As planned, the thump of the hook grabbing onto the balcony rail was muffled by the sound of the rumbling sky.
Scaling the hull as stealthily as I could, I waited for another roar of thunder to get myself over the rail. Once I was clear on the deck I backed against the bulkhead and took a moment to catch my breath and reassess my plan. The relentless downpour had soaked me to the bone and my wet guns would leave me no better off than a savage with a club. It would just be me and my cutlass.
Once my breath was stable again, I slowly stepped towards the stern doors, eagerly anticipating the fight of my life. Yet the sight before me quickly threw all my well strategized plans off course. The curtains were open, and in the candlelit room, I could see Charlie lying beneath Baudin on his bed. Standing there like an idiot in the pouring rain, I watched her wrap her legs around his waist and pull him into her kiss.
My nuisance of a heart seemed to stop beating in my chest. Though it felt like my mind had caught on fire, my blood seemed to turn to ice. The hatred blackening my soul blockaded my vision of the obvious advantage. He had no weapons on his person, he had no indication of my stealth, but he had her. And she wanted him. The haze of my vision cleared just enough for me to watch that son of a bitch move his hand up her thigh.
Hating this more than I had ever hated anything, I turned around and walked away.
PART IV
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Chapter 11
Shattered
As Told By Charlotte Wetherby
While running his hand through my hair, Derouex kissed on my neck and whispered, “Ma belle fleur, je ne peux pas attendre de vous avoir.”
I had no idea what he was saying, but with that accent he could tell me I smelled bad and I would blush.
The lighting was beautiful and the mood was right, his touch was amazing and his kiss was divine. Yet, the moment he slid his hand up the inside of my thigh, the wild sensation buzzed loud enough to wake me from my drunken haze. What the hell was I thinking? I still wasn’t married and I hadn’t waited all this time to sacrifice myself for petty pleasure.
Figuring a gentleman like him would understand, I slowly pulled his hand out of my dress. “No, Derouex. Not yet.”
A flash of lightning flickered through the glass door, and in the glow I saw his eye twitch. Frustration showed clearly in his expression, but he contained it well enough as he tried to persuade me. “Ah, ma belle, you will enjoy it much more than you know.”
Pushing my knees together, I shook my head. “I am not ready.”
Holding my arms over my head, he kissed my neck. “You will be…”
As the thunder rumbled, his kiss intensified with an aggressive force. Not liking the way he kept my arms still, I tried to wriggle loose as I contested, “I don’t want to be ready.”
Holding me firm with one hand, he grabbed my face with the other. “The choice is not for you to make, mon cher. You belong to me now and you will do as I say.” His handsome face became completely monstrous as he squeezed my jaw and forced me to look at him. “Don’t fight me, Charlotte. The delight you will find in pleasing me will be much greater than the pain you will discover by denying me.”
His wicked glare pierced my soul. Fear seared through my body and sickness engulfed my heart. Mary said there were men who wouldn’t take no for an answer, and it was now painfully apparent that Derouex was one of them. With no other choice, I calmed my fight beneath him and whispered through my shame. “As you wish, Monsieur.”
Loosening his grip on my face, he resumed his effort to undo his breeches. My life flashed before my eyes. All of it. How the hell had I ended up here? Not wanting to be here for a moment longer, I grabbed my wine bottle from the nightstand and hit him across the face. As his head whipped to the side I jumped off the bed. My plan of escape was interrupted when he grabbed me by the hair and yanked me back towards him.
Smashing the wine bottle on the nightstand, I tried to stab him with the broken glass, but he easily yanked the makeshift weapon out of my hand and threw it across the room. My blood rushed with terror as he slammed me back on the bed. The harsh landing was quickly followed by a vicious slap across my face. I was blinded by the sizzling pain. During my momentary loss of vision he wrapped his hand around my throat and snarled, “This will not work if you fight me. I cannot have you battered. I will get my gold and I will have you as my own.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. As he squeezed tighter on my throat I worried I might not live to find out. I could not breathe. His face was demonic and his force was murderous. He was going to kill me.
Just as darkness encroached upon my senses, he released his pressure from my windpipe. While gasping in relief I saw Derouex reach for his coat. He pulled handcuffs out of his pocket. Still lightheaded from my near suffocation, I did what I could to fight my way out, but it was no use. He cuffed my hands to the bed post.
Cursing him to hell, I kicked and screamed, shaking the cuffs as if I could break through the wooden post with them.
Hollering at me to shut my mouth, he backhanded me with such force that I almost blacked out. My entire body weakened from the blow, leaving me helpless against his violent attack.
Within my hazy state of battered consciousness I heard a terrible crash. Looking towards the frightening sound, I saw Sterling Bentley busting through the glass of the stern door.
While I screamed his name at the top of my girlish lungs, Derouex jumped up to fight. Sterling caught his footing and then viciously swung his cutlass at Derouex. I had no idea where the hell Sterling had come from, but I had never been more happy to see him.
Derouex met Sterling’s blade with an anticipated smile. “And all this time I had her believing you didn’t care.”
Sterling didn’t say a word. As they began to thrash across the room, I heard a wild thumping on Derouex’s door. It was Kasey. He was hollering my name. I wanted to let him in and I wanted to help Sterling fight, but being chained up as I was, there was nothing I could do to help anyone.
While flopping around on the bed like a crazy woman making frivolous attempts to break loose, I watched Sterling tackle Derouex from the side and throw him onto the table. Glasses shattered, dishes went flying, and food splattered about. Sterling raised his blade to stab Derouex. The wiry hellion spun his body on the slick table top and evaded the blow, all the while balking about his shattered dishes.
As Sterling yanked his blade out of the wooden table I shouted to warn him that Derouex was coming from behind. He barely parried his swing. Forcing his weight at Sterling, Derouex taunted, “You swing like an ogre.”
The rumbling sound of thunder filled the room as Derouex feinted out of Sterling’s way. Sterling corrected the balance and swooshed his sword at Derouex’s side. Derouex swiftly dodged the blow and jumped up on a chair. “No grace.” He back-flipped off the chair, land
ed clean on his feet, and deflected Sterling’s thrust. Derouex twisted out of the way with a graceful whirl and used his safe distance to jeer, “No style.”
Sterling threw a chair over the table. I cheered as it hit Derouex and knocked him over.
All along, Kasey had been bashing at the door with an axe. As the blade began busting through the door, I heard a rowdy crowd chanting through the splintering shards of wood. The snarling threat reminded me that we were terribly outnumbered and I was still chained to the damn bed.
My frazzling angst was brashly interrupted by the sight of Derouex jumping up on the table. Sterling sliced the chandelier chain. Though I hoped the heavy glass lantern would fall on Derouex, he leapt out of the way just in time and it only smashed upon the table.
With the flame of the candles setting fire to the wadded up tablecloth behind him, Derouex flew through the air. Sterling intercepted his flight with a midair tackle and threw him into the bookcase. The shelf toppled over, hitting them both with books and sculptures. The candles fell from the top shelf and landed on the damn bed I was chained to. The spilled wine on the sheets instantly expanded the flames.
As the fire built around me, Sterling continued after Derouex like a rugged dog chasing an agile cat. While I attempted to kick away the burning sheets, Derouex squealed about the ruin of his precious linens.
Kasey finally busted in the room with a crew of raging pirates flooding in behind him. I worried that they were going to kill Sterling right in front of me, but they all seemed too busy fighting with each other to even notice he was there. Lynden appeared to be leading the surprising opposition.
Tarnished Persuasion (Justified Treason, Book 2): Endless Horizon Pirate Stories Page 20