The Pirate's Bride

by Skendrovich, Cathy

  Using the element of surprise, he rushed in low, head-butting Limey in the gut, sending the younger pirate staggering back a few paces. Limey grabbed Andre’s loose shirt and pulled it up over his head lightning quick, constricting Andre’s arms in the material. Through brute force, Andre swung his fists, landing hits fueled by angry, guttural cursing.

  Limey started pummeling Andre’s back, and then raised a knee to disable his attack. Twisting like a snake, Andre managed to deflect the blow, but opened his ribcage to Limey’s fists, which landed with loud thuds and grunts. Before the fight could go any farther and the ring of men could begin laying wagers, a pistol shot rang out. Fists raised, both Andre and Limey’s heads popped up.

  Le Commandant stood center deck, right arm raised high with his smoking pistol pointing skyward, looking every bit the menacing pirate leader. He glared at his son and first mate while they stumbled apart, panting from their exertions.

  Blowing the smoke from his upright weapon, Dubois paced toward the two of them. His boots thumped ominously on the boards as the on-looking hands stepped away, some even fading below to avoid notice. At last, the senior Dubois reached Limey and Andre. He drew up to his full height and studied both of them. They stepped farther apart.

  “Mon dieu, what is this ruckus all about, gentlemen? It’s four bells and you’re out here engaging in fisticuffs? Do we not have enough excitement awaiting us that you must begin beating the holy stuffing of each other?"

  Rotating about, he pinned the remaining men on deck with his narrowed gaze. “Back to your stations, you pack of jackals. There’s nothing more here for you to see.”

  The crew scrambled to depart in record time. Soon the four leaders were the only ones remaining on deck. Shoving his pistol into his belt and crossing his arms over his chest, Louis skewered Andre with a glare before transferring it to Limey. Finally, he spoke.

  “You are both fighting over the same woman, oui?"

  Andre replied, “No. He disregarded orders and chose to—”

  “Bah, that’s a ruse. You both love her, no?” The older pirate persisted. “But she is dead, is she not?” This time Louis looked to Limey, and then back at Andre. They nodded, ignoring each other. “Then what is there to fight about? She is dead. Aye, she was your wife,” and Louis nodded toward Andre, “so that made her yours, but she’s dead.”

  Andre opened his mouth to speak, but his father plowed on, centering his dark gaze on his new first mate. “You loved her as well, but did she ever give you cause to think she returned your feelings in the same way as you?”

  Limey shook his head, eyes downcast. Andre watched him, but his attention snapped to his father as that man addressed him. “Did she ever give you cause to think she was cuckolding you?”

  Without hesitation Andre replied, “No.”

  “Then there is no reason to be fighting over someone you both loved, when that someone is gone. I, of all people, know what it’s like to lose the one you love. The two of you should be banding together to find her murderer, not dividing the crew in their loyalties by tussling like two fractious bear cubs. Your battling allows Zheng to become the victor. Is that what you want, for Sophie’s death to go unpunished?”

  “No.”

  “No.”

  Louis cupped a hand behind his ear. “That was a piss-poor response from two men who moments ago were trying to tear each other apart.”

  “No, sir,” Andre and Limey both shouted, bringing a smug grin to Louis’ face.

  “That’s better. Now, since we’re all up anyway, Master Limey, come with me to my cabin. Captain Dubois?”

  Andre met his father’s raised brow look with one of his own.

  “You have some fence mending to do with your first mate. Your behavior was deplorable and unbefitting a leader, as well as a Dubois. See that you make proper amends, and then both of you meet in my quarters at half-past the hour.” With a swirl of his coat tails, he strode toward his cabin, Limey trailing behind him.

  Andre looked toward his first mate, who stood down the deck from him, hand still cupping his cheek. Walking in his direction, he wondered if he would ever return to the type of person he’d been before Sophie’s death because, after self-examination, he realized he didn’t like himself much anymore. He doubted Sophie would like him either. That realization stung.

  He stopped by the Spaniard’s side, noting with a sidelong glance that his first mate didn’t acknowledge him. The man had every right to shy away from him. Andre knew he’d acted like a bastard, and now he had to right the wrong he’d inflicted upon his one true friend.

  Moving to the rail beside de Gallo, he leaned against it, rested one fist on the brass fitting. “I’m sorry, Pedro.”

  His first mate’s gaze flew to his. Andre never used his first name. It was always “Master G,” or “de Gallo,” or “mate.” Andre continued, glancing out at the white-capped sea. “I’ll understand if you want to part company after this journey. What I did was uncalled for, especially with you, mon meilleur ami, mon confident. All I ask is that you find it in your heart to stay for this last encounter. As much harm as I did to you, I still need you at my side to face Zheng. I don’t think I could do it without mate."

  Silence.

  Andre studied the shy Spaniard who had made a home upon the Jade Princess these past many years. He hated that he’d taken that cherished friendship and shit it away in a fit of temper. All he knew was that by losing Sophie he himself was losing his sanity. What little he had left.

  Finally, de Gallo spoke, Andre’s brutal handprint a vicious reminder upon his cheek. “To lose someone you love so violently can change a man, Señor. However, it is up to the man what type of person he becomes after loss. Would Señora Dubois like the person you’ve become, or she turn from you in disgust, Capitán? That is what you need to decide."

  “As for me, it will take more than a dislocated jaw to rid you of my presence. I will always watch your back, unless you tell me otherwise.”

  He raised his chin at Andre, who leaned forward and hugged de Gallo, patting the rotund man’s back. He squeezed his eyes shut, thankful for his first mate’s forgiving nature, and vowed never to betray that trust again. Sophie would have been disgusted with his angry attack. Andre knew he had come to a crossroads and needed to make the right choice.

  As they broke apart, he pointed to his father’s cabin. “C’mon, then, mate. We need to see what Le Commandant wants of us this time.”

  After knocking and receiving admittance, they entered his father’s small cabin. They found him seated behind a desk covered with a map of Formosa. Limey leaned over Louis’ shoulder, studying the illustrations.

  Andre swallowed his continued irritation over Limey’s presence, and attempted a neutral tone. “You asked for us, sir?”

  Louis gave them a searching look before nodding and pointing to the map. “I was just telling Limey that if we can get around the Cape in the next day or so we should make Formosa within a fortnight.”

  Andre moved to the opposite side of the desk, studied the harbor drawn in great detail upon his father’s map. He noticed the close distance between Zheng’s compound and the island’s main harbor. “It’s going to be a challenge slipping into that harbor undetected, Papa. We may have to disguise the Princess and—”

  “Oh, we’re not going into Tainan, mon fils."

  All of them stared at Louis. He sat back in his chair, stretching the silence, enjoying being center stage. “We’re going to sail in here.” He indicated with one gnarled finger a little inlet drawn around the bend of the harbor, out of sight of Zheng’s boundaries.

  Limey frowned at Andre, who asked his father, “Why? I mean, I see its advantages, but . . .”

  The old pirate grinned, puffing up like a player with a card up his sleeve. “The rightful ruler of Formosa lives there, with her daughter, that’s why.” He held everyone’s attention and made the most of it, leaning back in his chair with steepled fingers.

  “Papa,”
Andre warned. His father sat up.

  “Zheng took her father’s territory and his life by force some years ago, killed her husband as a warning, and then ostracized her and her daughter from Formosan society. She does have quite a secret following, I hear. I think, with our help, it’s exactly the right time for the Liu family to return to power, don’t you?”

  Louis grinned like a hyena.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Welcome to Anping City, Formosa, Commandant, gentlemen.”

  Andre, Le Commandant, Pedro de Gallo, and Limey, stared at the diminutive cluster of females greeting them. With a quick survey, Andre digested the fact that they were the only males in this gathering. The others had already figured that out, and were grinning in appreciation.

  The female leaders of the welcoming committee stood apart from their entourage, gowned in brightly colored silk pantaloons and flowing tunics topped with matching vests. Their hair hung straight to their shoulders, dark and glossy looking, while their almond-shaped eyes sparkled with invitation.

  Andre‘s father stepped forward and bowed, sweeping his feathered hat off. “Greetings, Madame;Liu. I thank you for your gracious generosity in allowing us, your most humble servants, to visit you and partake of your munificent hospitality. May introduce my son our first mates?"

  As both sets of women’s eyes flew to Andre, he also bowed, taking each woman’s hand in turn, brushing his lips and mustache across their backs. “Captain Andre Dubois, at your service. These fine gentlemen are Masters Pedro de Gallo, and—” he ground to a halt, not quite sure how to introduce someone nicknamed “Limey.”

  The youth interrupted, startling everyone by saying, “Master Liam Wharton. But you may call me Limey if you wish.”

  Andre’s jaw dropped. The Brit had a name? Unbelievable. No one had ever heard his name before, except maybe Le Commandant. He was the only one who didn’t look surprised.

  Limey shrugged at his companions before returning his gaze to the Oriental women, the younger one specifically. He seemed mesmerized by her petite beauty. Andre looked at both of them. His nemesis was interested in her. That was good information to have.

  Madame Liu clasped her hands together and dipped her head. “We are most appreciative of your company, gentlemen, and wish to extend to you our most gracious hospitality. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Madame Lui Qiao,and this is my daughter, Ting. Please, accompany us to our village, where you may make yourselves at home and rest before the festivities we have planned this evening in your honor."

  She and her daughter turned as one, footsteps leaving imprints in the sand. Their ranks dropped back to allow the pirates room to follow. Andre and his father trailed close behind the mother and daughter, with de Gallo and Limey bringing up the rear.

  Andre spoke into his father’s ear. “They could only prepare a celebration in our honor if they first knew we were coming, eh, Papa?”

  The old pirate tipped a grin. “I may have sent a messenger ahead of us.”

  Andre rolled his eyes. “How do you know this family? You didn’t—?”

  “Don’t go there, boy,” Louis’ voice was steely. “Qiao and I became...friends...after her husband and your mother died. A long time after. If we...consoled...each other from time to time, what business is it of yours? You are not one to—”

  Andre raised a halting hand. “Relax, Papa. I’m not finding fault. I’m trying to organize events in my head. I suppose you knew your first mate’s given name as well.” At his father’s nod, Andre heaved a sigh. “What else haven’t you divulged, I wonder?”

  His father’s crafty grin was his only reply. Andre gave another sigh.

  ~*~

  The evening’s celebration took place on a grassy area located just off the beach where Andre and his companions had landed. Graceful palm trees swayed in the humid breeze while the sunset clouds filtered the evening light behind the flickering torchlight.

  Andre watched his crew celebrate amongst their feminine hosts, seated under paper lanterns strung across the patio, while attempting to eat with chopsticks, or making music with harmonicas. He spied Limey, also alone, off to his right, studying someone with rapt attention. Following the youth’s gaze, he noted that the younger Liu seemed to be the object of his concentration. He moved to the Brit’s side with a grin.

  “Be careful, son. You stare any harder you may trip on your tongue. Or something else.”

  Limey was so focused on the younger Liu that he jumped when Andre spoke. He covered his surprise with a shrug.

  “Unlike you, Dubois, I neither have to say or act upon all my thoughts. Now, if you’ll excuse—”

  “Funny, isn’t it, how you can profess love for my dead wife all these past months, yet be bowled over by the first proper miss you come across. What does that say about your type of love, hmm?”

  Limey’s gaze shot to Andre’s, but there was no anger in it.

  “It says I’ve accepted the fact Sophie is gone, Captain. Perhaps it’s time for you to do the same.” He strode off, heading for the younger Liu woman as she stood with her mother and Louis.

  Standing at the water’s edge beneath the now overcast twilight sky and letting the gentle waves lap at the toes of his boots, Andre contemplated Limey’s suggestion. Was it time to move on? Did he need to leave Sophie behind and get on with his miserable pirating life? It had been four long months, yet it felt like yesterday.

  When he closed his eyes, he saw Sophie’s huge, sapphire ones staring back, as if pleading with him to find her. That was wishful nonsense. She was long gone, buried with the other pirate treasure of the Caribbean Sea.

  “Would Captain like some com-pany?”

  A soft, singsong voice interrupted his internal conflict. One of the female soldiers stood before him, dressed in the red silk pantaloons and creamy tunics of the island uniform. These people had been trained well in the art of stealth, for he hadn’t sensed her approach.

  He had to decide how to respond to this young woman. He understood what kind of “com-pany” she implied. Was he ready for a liaison with a woman not his wife? After all, he hadn’t been with a woman since Sophie. Physically, his body might be able to perform the act, but emotionally?

  He crooked a weak smile, shaking his head with regret. “Helas, ma chère,I fear I am in love with my wife. You are a beautiful young woman, but no. Je suis désolé. I am sorry."

  The Chinese warrior maiden cocked her head. She reached a hand behind his neck and pulled his head down to her, where she kissed him chastely on the cheek. “Your wife is a very lucky woman, Captain. Not many men say no to me.”

  He drew out of her grasp. “Not very lucky, Mademoiselle my wife, you see, is dead. Bonne soirée." He sketched a bow and moved down the sand, feeling her curious gaze on his back.

  ~*~

  “Zheng is rarely without protection, even in his private quarters,” informed Madame Liu after the celebration that evening as she displayed a diagram of pirate leader’s compound.

  Andre listened while she and Louis studied the drawing with narrowed eyes. After his meeting with the female warrior, he had managed to hunt his father down in Madame Liu’s well-lit study.

  “It will be very difficult to get inside,” she continued.

  “What about going in disguised as his fleet of pirates, in uniform?” queried Andre, moving the inkwell on the desk to set it on top of the map’s curled edge. Madame Liu shook her head.

  “Zheng knows them all, as do his commanders.”

  They stood in silence. How they would enter the Zheng compound undetected was the crux of the situation. No one had found a solution. While they thought, the inner door opened to allow in Limey and Ting.

  The elder leaders glanced up and nodded absent greetings. Andre took in Ting’s downturned head and bashful smile, and Limey’s possessive body language. The boy had made his move, and he’d been accepted. Andre gave a strained smirk before returning to the subject at hand—how to get past Zheng’s sentries.

/>   “I do know one way that is practically failsafe,” Madame Liu offered, straightening. she looked at her daughter, who smiled and nodded. obviously, they’d discussed this some point before.

  Louis, catching all the byplay between mother and daughter, harrumphed, “How?”

  Ting spoke for her mother. “Lord Zheng is wifeless at the moment.” She glanced at Andre, who avoided her look by studying the map, his guilt common knowledge.

  “So?” urged Louis.

  “So, he uses concubines. Many.” Ting bit her lip and looked at her mother, clearly embarrassed with the bend the conversation was taking before the men.

  “Get on with it, girl,” pressed Louis, earning a frown from Madame Liu, who picked up the explanation. her daughter leaned against limey, a movement not lost on Andre.

  “It is said he favors variety in his concubines. It’s well-known that he gets bored easily. If a slave trader were to approach the gates with some...beautiful, scantily clad concubines for sale or trade, that man and his entourage would most likely gain an audience with the mighty Zheng, and, consequently, access to his compound, at least for the day.”

  “And your female warriors would be the concubines,” Andre supplied, forgetting about Limey’s infatuation and grinning at the fantastically simple scheme.

  Madame Liu replied, “As would I."

  “And I.”

  Everyone stared at Ting while her mother shook her head. “No, I need you here.”

  Limey blurted, “I agree with your mother. It isn’t safe for you.”

  Ting’s eyes flashed.

  “No. What isn’t safe is living in exile all these years. What isn’t safe is learning self-defense because your mother is afraid one day you may be kidnapped, or killed. What isn’t safe is running and hiding as a young girl because your grandfather is being butchered in the other room, as is your father, while you cower and wonder if you will be next. Then, your mother slips into your room and wakes you, hides you, so you’re not next. That’s what isn’t safe, Master Wharton.”