Within a Captain's Treasure

by Lisa A. Olech

  Closing her eyes, Alice sighed. Remembering days past tugged at her heart. When she returned to England with Jaxon Steele and Annalise, she wasn’t called back into service as Anna’s maid. They wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, they treated her as a treasured member of the family. She ate in the dining room and slept in her own chambers. Spent idle hours before Anna had their babe reading and riding through the miles of fields surrounding the manor.

  When she’d return, rose petals would be added to her bath. Fat bars of lavender soap and thick drying clothes waited alongside the deep copper tub filled with steaming water. Alice would sink down into the blissful warmth with only her head and the tops of her knees peeking out of the festooned water.

  It was heaven. Yet she couldn’t help but think, standing naked in a room little larger than that copper tub and washing with only a few handfuls of frigid water was almost as close. Beyond his insufferable rules and regulations, and questionable decisions where Bump was concerned, Quinn saw fit to give her what few comforts he could. A lock, a bed, and a bath.

  “Luxury, indeed.”

  Chapter 7

  A pounding startled Alice out of a deep sleep. The last thing she remembered was wrapping herself in a rough wool blanket and stretching out along the taut canvas of her cot. Bone-deep weariness claimed her, and gentle rocking combined with the song of ship’s wood creaking and the rush of water against the side of the hull had lulled her into a dreamless slumber.

  Another pounding. “All hands.”

  Was it still night? Without a window, it was hard to tell. She raised the oiled wick on the lantern until the smoke began to soot the glass.

  The blinding of the morning’s sun answered her day or night question when Alice arrived on deck. She hadn’t the chance to secure her hair before she jammed the hat upon her head. Land.

  Ribbons of sand stretched into turquoise water. Palms and shorter trees stood twisted and bent into the steady winds bringing the Scarlet Night closer. They’d reached the coast of Africa. A handful of men had come down to the water. Given the times, Alice didn’t think they were there to welcome them.

  The Scarlet Night anchored off shore, as there were no docks within the tranquil quiet cove. Men were placed in twin longboats and ferried to shore. Word must have spread as the first boats landed. Men and women soon lined the beach.

  Quinn called all hands to show respect for Kgosi and his people as they left the ship. The prince’s body would be the last to leave. Before lowering him into the waiting boat, Tau approached her. Saying a few words, he touched his chest and offered her a small bow. Alice looked once again to Neo for translation.

  “He owe ye a debt.”

  Alice held up her hand, “That’s not—”

  “To deny is to insult,” Neo clipped.

  Instead, Alice nodded her understanding and watched the proud man walk away. “Thank you, Neo. I’m grateful for your knowledge.”

  He jerked his chin toward the final boat heading for the beach before walking away from her. “They’re grateful for yer kindness.”

  As the shrouded body of their leader returned to their shores, the people stood shoulder to shoulder in silence. One by one, they dropped to kneel in their reverence for their prince as he was carried past. His were a noble, proud people. Alice wondered if they would ever know how much he had suffered for them.

  When the beach cleared, Quinn dismissed the crew and gave orders for the Scarlet Night to get back underway. The canvas overhead snapped as the sails were set, and each in turn caught the wind. Alice lifted her face to the cool rush of air as the ship lurched beneath her. Rigging creaked and ropes hummed from the strain of holding the great ship back when she wanted nothing more than to break free and become the wind herself.

  “Next port, Virginia.” Quinn came to stand beside her.

  Those three words brought a rush of jumbled thoughts and emotions. Anticipation, relief, fear. The most shocking was disappointment. What was wrong with her? Virginia was her future. Her safe, fresh future without the anchor of her past weighing her down. A new life. What she wanted and needed. Why was she debating this?

  Because it was all a lie. When she stepped on shore again, her life would be one of deceit and dishonesty that would dog her every step. Here she was free of the deception because every man onboard the Scarlet Night knew the truth. That was what was different, the illusive sensation she couldn’t put a name to. She was free here. Freer than she would be anywhere. They knew all her crimes and respected her for it. Told the tale like some gruesome bedtime story.

  Like changing her skirts for breeches, she had stripped away all the pretense of what she wanted the world to believe. In doing so, she had become what she was truly meant to be.

  Oh my God, I’m a pirate!

  Alice shot Quinn a look of shock at her realization. He had his gaze fixed upon the horizon. Her heart pounded. This was foolishness. She was insane. Quite mad—and she could prove it.

  Standing there, the desire to be a pirate and serve upon the Scarlet Night paled only slightly to another desire that washed over her like a rogue wave. It was sheer craziness to want Gavin Quinn, of all men, to sweep her into his arms, crush her against his chest, beg her to stay with him, and then capture her mouth in a searing kiss. Insanity made her want to pull the lacing from his hair and…and ruffle his pristine appearance. She suddenly needed to untidy him.

  To keep her hands from acting on such a ludicrous suggestion, she twisted at her ring. Good Lord, what had come over her? Gavin Quinn and a life of piracy? Perhaps there had been something in last night’s rum. Next, she’d be swinging from the rigging and singing a sea shanty. She stifled an amused cough. Heat rose to her face. Her ears threatened to burst into flames. She must be the color of a bloody radish.

  Gavin looked over at her. “Are you unwell? You’re flushed.”

  Alice tipped her chin and tried to hide beneath her hat. “Yes. No,” she stammered. “I’m, fine.” She put the back of her hand to her burning cheek. “The sun is warm today, don’t you think?”

  “We’re standing in the shade of the mainsail. Are you ill?”

  “That would explain it,” she conceded before raising her chin and meeting his gaze. Alice was quick to lower hers, convinced the clear gray of his eyes could see deep into her soul and read the wild ramblings of her mind. However, focusing on his mouth was a mistake. It only made the urge to kiss him stronger.

  “Tupper?”

  Watching his lips form her name tipped her world. She released a slight gasp. He grabbed her arm to steady her. He smelled of spice and salt air.

  “Rough seas.” Alice came close to laying a hand to his chest, but checked herself. His buttons winked in the daylight. Without his baldric, the crisp white of his shirt fairly glowed.

  He frowned. “The waters are calm.”

  Not mine.

  Gavin gave her arm a squeeze. “It’s fitting you’re off duty. Take the day and rest.”

  She held his gaze for a scant moment longer than was prudent. “Is that an order, Captain?” Her voice turned low and breathy. Alice cleared her throat.

  Gavin cocked one golden eyebrow. “If it needs to, so be it.”

  Oh yes, he was much too tidy. Her lips twitched as she stifled a grin. “Aye, aye,” she whispered.

  Walking away with a newfound brazen attitude put an extra ounce of sway to her hips. Was he watching her? She didn’t look back to check, but took off her hat and slapped it against her thigh. The sea breeze lifted her hair. Are you watching now?

  Back in her speck of a cabin, Alice finished off the rum from last night. She was wound tighter than a child’s spinning top. Pacing in a room three strides deep only added to her growing frustration until she flopped into her cot with a groan and covered her eyes with her arm. She had to stop this ridiculous thinking. Her. A pirate? And the captain? When had flirting with him become an option? Gavin Quinn was about as attracted to her as a mul
e was attracted to a moth.

  She played out the comic scene of seduction in her mind. After a day of swashbuckling and pillaging, she’d return to their luxurious cabin, lush with carved oak furniture and deep feather ticking upon the large, four-posted bed. Stripping out of her battle-stained clothing, she’d stand naked before the finely painted pitcher and bowl to bathe, creating handfuls of silky bubbles from the thick bar of perfumed soap.

  Gavin would enter. His pistols still smoking from the battle. Not a hair out of place. His gaze taking in the scene before him. A look of pure, heated lust spreading across his handsome face. Crossing the room in two wide strides, he’d take the sponge from her hand and toss it heedlessly over one shoulder. His fingers would spread a swath of rich suds across the curve of her breast. She’d melt beneath his touch. Arch her back and sigh.

  All at once he’d be naked. His clothing vanishing as if by magic. She’d boldly appraise his manly gifts. There’d be a mere second of disenchantment. Confusion. Uncertainty. Weren’t men’s…um…shoulders supposed to be…bigger? Hard to envision, not knowing. The other maids in Weatherington used to boast about their lovers girth. Hung like a horse did not describe what she was imagining. She always suspected they lied. How would men’s pants fit if they were sporting huge barnyard appendages? Besides, size didn’t matter, did it? He was perfect in every other way. Given her lack of experience, whatever size his shoulders happened to be would be more than adequate. Who wanted a horse anyway? No her. This fantasy had taken an odd turn. Alice rubbed a weary hand over her eyes. Where was she? Oh, yes… Naked. Soapy.

  Sweeping her into his arms, he’d place her on the bed and lay his body next to hers. She imagined golden hair carpeting his chest and she’d rake her fingers through the crisp curls while his hand continued to caress her breast. “Kiss me,” he’d whisper, “I order you.”

  “Aye, aye, my captain….”

  His mouth would lower toward hers with a slowness that was shear torture. It would make her ache with the desire to taste his lips upon hers. Arching her back she’d rise up desperate to end the torment of waiting. Feeling his warm breath brush across her mouth, her lips would part in sublime anticipation.

  A blast of cannon fire lifted Alice from her cot. Her heart nearly leapt from her chest. Sweat made her clothes cling to her. She trembled as a rush flooded her limbs. Good God, they were under attack.

  The scene on deck was a familiar one, like a recurring nightmare. But instead of the Scarlet Night being the one under attack, the brilliance of red sails told her they were the ones attacking. An unfortunate ship had crossed their path, and their crew was doing their best to fight them off.

  “Fire!” The roar of the port-side cannons made her ears ring. Pirates filled the rigging of the Scarlet Night, their howls and screams raising the hairs on the back of her neck. They were a frightening swarm of bloodthirsty men waiting for their chance to lay claim to the other ship.

  Red smoke curled around her boots. The smell of sulfur burned in her nose as each cannon was swabbed, reloaded, pricked, and maneuvered back into place. Powder monkeys ran sacks of black powder waiting for the next round of fire. The entire procedure like a well-choreographed dance.

  Through the chaos, Quinn stormed toward her. “Get below.”

  In the bow, Robbins maneuvered his cannon and fired a shot across the other ship’s bow. Alice ducked. “I can fight.”

  Quinn shook his head. “Not on my ship.”

  “You’ve seen me in battle.”

  “I’ve seen you swing blindly and get lucky. Go below.” He grabbed her arm and shoved her behind him as he drew his sword.

  The two ships moved closer. Boarding ladders swung into place. The crew began firing smoke pots onto the other deck to disorient their prey as they shot their muskets into the fog.

  She tugged at him. “Give me a weapon and I’ll prove you wrong.”

  Gavin growled through clenched teeth. “I’ve no time to argue with a bullheaded woman, get below, that’s an—”

  “Oh my God, Bump.” Alice caught sight of the boy scrambling up the rigging.

  Gavin followed her line of sight. “He’s high and away from the battle.”

  Her jaw dropped at his lack of concern. “High and away?”

  The crew started to swing across the open water to drop down upon the deck of the other ship. The battle was on. Through the smoke, the clang of blade meeting blade rang out.

  “I’ll not tell you again—” He pointed toward the ladder way.

  The fight intensified. The other crew was not backing down. Several made it past the initial flood of pirates and fought their way onto the decks of the Scarlet Night. Quinn pulled his cutlass and a long dirk from his boot and ordered again over his shoulder. “Go.”

  Alice hadn’t taken her eyes off the child clinging to the rigging. Her heart clogged her throat. Either the child would fall to his death or be killed by a random shot. She had to get him down and to safety.

  “Bump, come down,” she shouted above the fray. What was the use? The boy couldn’t hear her. She’d have to go up after him. Before she could get there, another had taken notice of the lad and had same idea, but this man was not a member of the Scarlet Night crew. He pulled a dagger, narrowed his gaze, and began to climb for the child.

  Panic roared in her head drowning out the bedlam of the battle around her. Her vision tunneled. Rushing to Quinn’s side, she dodged the swing of his left arm as he finished off his opponent. She yanked one of his pistols from his baldric, turned, aimed and fired. Bump’s attacker fell against the net of rigging before dropping to the deck. She shoved the smoking gun into her belt. The heat of the barrel scorched her blouse and burned her skin, but her only thought was to get to the boy before he lost his hold and careened to the deck below.

  Quinn grabbed for her. She wrenched herself from his grasp and rushed across the deck. His angry shouts followed her, but somehow Bump had seen her and she didn’t stop until the child was safely in her arms.

  Turning, she met Quinn’s furious glare with one of her own. He yanked his pistol from her belt and balled the front of her blouse in his fist.

  “My cabin, and stay there, or I’ll throw you from this ship.” He ground out the words through a clenched jaw. “Now.” He jerked her toward the ladder way before releasing her blouse.

  Blood still pounded in her ears. Angry tears threatened. The battle on deck was drawing to a close, but the battle to come was going to be epic.

  Chapter 8

  A lead ball zipped so close to his ear, the breeze brushed Quinn’s cheek. Lucky for him he had another loaded pistol strapped into his baldric, and he put a quick end to the man firing at him. Fury raged hot through his veins as the surrounding skirmish with the Spanish carrack reached its ultimate end. Victory was theirs.

  In the end, thirty men begged quarter. They’d lost ten in battle, including their captain and first officer, and the decision was made that Tom Bellamy would assume command of the ship called Ala de Cuervo or Raven Wing. The rich bounty was secured and orders given to divide the spoils, see to the wounded, and set the sails of the Scarlet Night once more.

  Quinn’s anger hadn’t lost any of its fiery edge as he stormed toward his quarters. The nerve of that…that woman. Had she been a man, he’d have her stripped, lashed to the mast, and be adding fifty stripes to her back. Her presence was treading on his last nerve. They were in the midst of a battle. Lives were at stake. Hers. Hell, his. If she continued to draw his attention, he was sure to die.

  She’d already attracted too much of his notice every time she stepped topside. It was bad enough she continued to strut across his decks looking like some seafaring siren in britches and boots. He blessed and cursed her each time she left his company because, for the life of him, he could not stop himself from watching her walk away. The tilt of her backside, the sway of her hips, the stretch of her legs. He was powerless. And now this.

  Slamm
ing into his quarters, Quinn found Alice sitting with the lad who was asleep in his bed. When the door hit the wall, Alice sprang to her feet.

  He planted his hands on his hips and shouted. “If you ever disobey an order given by me again, you will hit the water so fast you’ll think the ship disappeared beneath you.”

  Pink stained her cheeks. “I was not going to stand by and let this child be killed.”

  “This child is my responsibility.”

  She cocked her head as if she hadn’t heard him properly. “And how responsible is it having a child on a pirate ship? How long has he been here? What possessed you to allow him aboard?”

  Quinn threw his hat atop his desk. “I’m the captain of this ship. I don’t answer to you.”

  When he turned to remove his baldric, she stepped in front of him. “Does it give you the right to put an innocent child in harm’s way?”

  He snapped. “He wasn’t in harm’s way until you called attention to him.”

  Alice flung her arms wide. “It was a good thing someone was paying attention. He’d be dead now.”

  “You could both be dead now,” he bit out the words between clenched teeth.

  “All I needed was a weapon, but again you’re too narrow-minded to listen to reason.”

  Quinn slammed his baldric on its hook. “So you took mine.”

  The chit had the decency to tuck her chin and look guilty before glaring at him again. “I did what I had to do.”

  “I was in the middle of a battle.” His jaw ticked as his hands curled into fists. Had she been a man…

  She shrugged a shoulder at him and looked away. “You weren’t using your pistol. I needed it. I took it.”

  Forget flogging, she should be keel hauled. “You’re lucky you’re a woman.”

  She spun back. “That has nothing to do with this argument.”