The few stairs leading to the top deck were just ahead. Gabe went up the stairs first, nearly pulling Emmie’s hand as she followed. As Gabe’s head cleared topside, several clicks of pistols resounded in the night. Gabe froze, and her heart sank.
They’d been caught!
“Welcome to my ship, Captain Hawk,” Billingsford’s voice boomed in the quiet night. “Please come up and bring your friends with you.”
Emmie blinked back the tears as she followed behind Gabe. His hand tightened around her fingers, and she clutched his overcoat with her other hand. Once they were on deck, he pulled her close against his body, protecting her.
Mr. Hampton followed behind, his head lowered in defeat. Her heart went out to him as well. He still had yet to learn about what his own daughter did to bring all of this about.
She glanced around the deck. Only three other men stood beside Billingsford, and Rufus was not one of them. Pressing against her side, she felt the weapons Gabe had on him. If only they could attack these other men back, they might get out of here alive.
Billingsford released a grating laugh. “Now see, Lady Sarah. Did I not tell you that Mr. Lawrence would come tonight?”
“Yes, you did,” she answered softly.
“And I’m so very happy you are both together, once again. I want Captain Hawk to watch the woman he loves die a slow and painful death.”
She sobbed and buried her head in Gabe’s chest. His arms tightened around her.
“I’m afraid, Commodore Billingsford, that your plans will not happen that way. You see, Captain Hawk never loses a fight, and he for certain, doesn’t have those he loves die in front of him.”
Emmie turned her head slightly to look at the commodore to see his reaction.
He laughed again. “Oh, but you have not been Captain Hawk as long as the others before you. I’m quite sure I can best you yet again.”
“And I’m quite sure you cannot,” Gabe replied boldly.
Commodore Billingsford’s attention moved away from Emmie and Gabe onto Mr. Hampton. “And what a pleasure it is to see you again, Henry. I thank you for assisting me with the capture of Captain Hawk. I’m so glad you brought him here. Well done, my good friend.”
Emmie’s heart sank once again. Beside her, Gabe’s frame stiffened in shock.
No! Not Mr. Hampton!
Chapter Twenty
Gabe’s mind turned numb. And he stopped breathing. This couldn’t be right. His uncle wouldn’t betray Gabe’s trust. Would he?
He swung in his uncle’s direction, still holding Emmie against him. Henry, who had been standing with his head lowered, suddenly jerked his head up and glared at Billingsford.
“How dare you tell that outright lie!” Henry squared his shoulders. “I am not your good friend, Commodore Billingsford. And the only reason I agreed to bring Gabe to you was because you threatened to kill my daughter if I didn’t heed your command.”
Henry turned and looked at Gabe. Tears filled his uncle’s eyes.
“You must believe me, Gabriel. I would never hurt or betray you, but…” A tear slid down the older man’s cheek as he swallowed hard. “Billingsford told me he would kill Rebecca if I didn’t bring you here. Please, believe me—and forgive me.”
Gabe’s heart tugged from his uncle’s pleading. He’d already been hurt by his friend, Rufus. Yet, things did add up where Rufus was concerned. When Gabe pieced together all the times he though there was a traitor on his ship, at least he knew he was right to suspect someone. But now… Now things didn’t add up with his uncle. That could only mean one thing.
Gabe nodded. “I believe you, Uncle. And I forgive you.” He turned and glared at Billingsford. “Only men like this can sink low enough to threaten family members do go against each other. Commodore Billingsford, you are not human. You have no heart.”
The man marched up to Gabe with hatred in his evil eyes. “It’s because of you that I have no heart. You killed my brother!”
Gabe shrugged. “I can only assume that your brother deserved to die, because I don’t kill unless to protect myself or my friends. Who was your brother, may I ask?”
“He was one of the King’s soldiers. His name was Harold Billingsford, but you probably don’t even remember him.”
“You are correct, I don’t recall that name, but if he was one of the King’s soldiers, and he tried to harm me or one of my friends, then indeed, he deserved to die.”
Growling, the commodore lifted his pistol and pointed it to Gabe’s forehead. He held his breath, tightening Emmie in his embrace.
“You deserve to die,” Billingsford grounded through his teeth. “Right here and now.”
“Oh, but you forget. You were not going to kill me right away. Remember?”
The other man scowled and jerked his weapon away from Gabe’s head. He dared breathe in relief. Now, if he could only figure out a way to get out of this situation without being killed, he’d be doing better than he first thought.
He surveyed the other three men standing around them, their pistols aimed at Gabe and his uncle. It surprised him to see Rufus wasn’t with them, but he figured his first-mate wasn’t present because he was trying to remain the traitor amongst the crew. Well, Gabe would deal with him soon enough. First things first. He needed to somehow figure out how he could draw his own pistol and kill at least one of these idiots here without getting Emmie or Uncle Henry shot in the process.
Slowly, Gabe’s hand moved toward his pistol, but Billingsford saw and shook his head.
“Tsk, tsk, Captain Hawk. I would not do that if I were you. Keep your hand away or the woman dies now, in your arms.” The commodore tilted his head and produced a faux frown. “Wouldn’t that be romantic?”
If Gabe could strangle the man now, he would, but shooting him and having a quick death would be more to Gabe’s liking. He must remember the lessons in patience his friends William and Marcus had taught him.
“Then again,” Billingsford continued, “perhaps dying in each other’s arms would be more romantic? The perfect way to die. Eh, Captain Hawk?”
Subtly, Emmie’s hand slid into the pocket of his overcoat…the same pocket where he had tucked one of his pistols. “I’m not going to die, and neither is Lady Sarah.” Gabe hoped to keep Billingsford and the other three focused on him and not Emmie. “Is that not correct, Uncle? None of us will die tonight—only the ones with the commodore.”
“Uh…yes, my nephew.”
Gabe’s ploy worked because all four men switched their attention to Henry. Emmie slowly slid the pistol out. Gabe sneaked his free hand around his back as she handed him the weapon.
“It is not my intention to die tonight.” Henry lifted his chin. “And from all the things I have heard about Captain Hawk, I happen to think that my nephew will prevail this evening as well. Have you not ever heard that the bad guys always receive their comeuppance?” His gaze moved from one man to the other. “And believe me, your just reward will not be a place saved for you in heaven.”
Billingsford moved closer to Henry and gave him an evil stare. “You are too much like your nephew, too cocky. And, your daughter is a lot like you as well—stubborn to a fault.”
Henry took a shaky breath. “Where is she?”
The commodore motioned his head down toward the floor. “She’s below deck sleeping. I was tired of her complaining, so I knocked her out.”
Henry’s jaw tightened, and Gabe prayed his uncle wouldn’t do anything foolish yet.
“You hit her?”
Billingsford shrugged. “How else could I knock her unconscious?” He shook his head. “I’m surprised you have not done that to your daughter a time or two. She is certainly annoying enough.”
Emmie slipped her hand inside of Gabe’s overcoat this time, sneaking her way to his other pistol. He hoped his uncle kept talking to keep the men focused on him instead of what Emmie was doing.
“I swear, Commodore, if you lay one more hand on her, I’ll…” He stepped close
r to the other man, nearly nose to nose.
“You’ll what, pray tell?” Billingsford snickered.
“I’ll kill you.”
Billingsford threw back his head and laughed. “What humor you possess, Mr. Hampton. From what I have learned about you is that you cannot harm a flea.”
“That’s because a flea has never given me the momentum to do so.”
Growling, Henry lunged forward. His hands wrapped around Billingsford’s throat. The commodore gasped and dropped his pistol as he tried to pull Henry’s fingers away from his neck. Two of Billingsford’s men stepped closer, pointing their weapons at Henry.
“Let him go,” one shouted.
Just as Emmie closed her fingers around one of the pistols, Gabe moved away from her, aimed, and shot the man who was about to kill Henry. Within seconds, the second man swung and aimed his pistol at Gabe, but before he could pull the trigger, Emmie shot him in the chest.
Not wasting any time, Gabe reached for his sword, but the third man had turned his weapon on Emmie.
“Drop your sword or I’ll shoot her,” the other man warned.
Emmie’s eyes met Gabe’s and she shook her head. “Kill him. Don’t worry about me.”
Before Gabe knew what was happening, Henry was knocked to the ground, holding his knee as Billingsford loomed over him, still gasping for air. He quickly bent and retrieved his pistol before glancing at the two men who lay dead on the deck in a pool of their own blood.
“Hawk!” he shouted. “You have not won! You will never win again!”
“Actually, I think you are wrong, Billingsford. Captain Hawk will win!”
The familiar voice that boomed through the air was followed by several clicks from pistols. Gabe swung his head to look in the direction of the voice to see Rufus standing with two other crew members, Spencer and Stephens, all holding pistols and pointing them to Billingsford and the other man.
“Daughtery, what in the blazes are you doing?” shouted Billingsford. “Kill Gabriel Lawrence! And for heaven’s sake, shoot Mr. Hampton and Lady Sarah as well. I’m fed up with this game, and I want them all dead now!”
Billingsford’s last man turned his weapon toward Rufus, but Spencer shot the bloke before the man had a chance. He too, fell by his deceased comrades.
Smiling, Rufus walked toward Billingsford, shaking his head. “Looks like you are all alone now.”
“What is wrong with you?” the commodore yelled.
“I’m not going to kill my best friend, Gabriel Lawrence, and I’m never again going to do what you tell me to do.”
“What?” Billingsford asked, but both Gabe and Emmie’s voice echoed the same word.
Rufus glanced briefly at Gabe, then focused on the commodore once more. “You see, Billingsford, I have never been a traitor. But the only way to bring you to your knees and capture you was to make you believe I was a traitor, and in doing so, helping you to get Captain Hawk.”
Spencer took the pistol from Billingsford’s hand. Rufus turned to Gabe and frowned.
“Please forgive me for putting you through this turmoil. I had to make Billingsford believe I was working with him. That was the only way we—you and I and our crew—could finally win and be free of this imbecile.”
Gabe’s mind whirled with the unbelievable confession. He didn’t know whether or not to trust Rufus, yet his heart told him to believe. If Rufus had really been the traitor, he would have been standing with Billingsford, not Spencer and Stephens, and the pistol would be pointed at Gabe, instead.
Speechless, all he could do was nod at Rufus. Emmie came back to Gabe’s side and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his chest. Still, he was too stunned to do anything. He couldn’t even remember sliding his arms around her shoulders, but how else would she be in his embrace right now?
“You lied to me?” Billingsford yelled and lunged for Rufus.
Rufus tried to ward off the attack, but the commodore was able to grip onto Rufus’ weapon. They struggled, but Gabe knew Rufus was stronger. Within seconds, the pistol fired. Billingsford staggered back clutching his bleeding chest. He stared at his bloody fingers, then switched his shocked gaze back to Rufus before staggering to the ground in a dead heap beside the others.
Finally, Gabe was able to breathe a relieved sigh. Emmie did so as well before hugging him tight.
“We are alive,” she whispered brokenly.
“Yes, we are.” Gabe nodded, looking at Rufus as his friend walked closer. “Rufus…I don’t know how to thank you.”
His friend clapped his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “As many times as you have saved my life, this is the least I can do.”
Emmie lifted her head, tears filling her eyes as she stared at Rufus. “You really are not the traitor?”
“No. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about my plans, Gabe, but I had to make Billingsford believe I was with him and against you. If Billingsford thought I was lying, we would both be dead, my friend.”
Gabe nodded. “So very true. You are forgiven this time, but for the love of God, don’t put me through that agony ever again.”
Rufus chuckled. “I assure you, I went through agony too, and I will never do it again.”
“Pardon me,” Henry asked, walking up to Rufus. “But…do you know where my daughter is being held?”
“Yes. I shall take you below deck and show you. Once she awakens, she shall be fine—just with a splitting headache, I’m sure. Hopefully, she has learned her lesson and doesn’t want to make deals with the devil ever again.”
“I pray you are right,” Henry muttered.
Rufus asked Gabe, “Will you wait for us?”
“I will.”
After Rufus led Henry back down the stairs, Gabe moved Emmie away from the dead bodies, over to the corner of the deck behind some crates where it was more peaceful. He gathered her tighter in his arms and smiled down into her beautiful eyes…eyes still watery even through her smile. “I love you.”
“Oh, Gabe. I love you so much. The whole time I was kept prisoner, I prayed you would come rescue me, yet I knew if you did, you would be walking into a trap, and I didn’t want you to die.”
“No, my love.” He caressed her cheek. “I would never let you die for me.”
She arched an eyebrow. “And it’s all right for you to die for me? That makes no sense at all, Mr. Lawrence.”
He laughed and kissed her forehead. “I have a plan. Let us just forget about dying all together. We will marry, raise a family, and live together—happily forever and ever.”
Sighing, she leaned against him and shook her head. “That does sound wonderful, but I fear I cannot marry you.”
Not sure he heard her correctly, he withdrew enough to look down into her eyes. “What? You cannot marry me? Pray tell, why not?” His heart clenched, not sure he was going to like her answer.
“Because, my dear man…you have not asked me to marry you, yet. And for certain, you have not asked permission from my father or mother.”
Relief swept over him and he smiled. He stepped away from her and knelt on one knee, taking her hands in his. “Lady Sarah Emiline Townshend? Would you do me the great pleasure of becoming my wife? I promise to spend every waking moment making you as happy as you have made me since we first met. And I promise to move heaven and earth to please you. I will live with you here, or in England…wherever you want to live. I will accept the title as Earl if you wish me to, or I can remain being Captain Hawk. Your wish is my command.” He glanced up at the sky. The yellow moon floated high in the sky while stars hung suspended around it. The night was beautiful—and so perfect. If he listened closely, he knew he would hear heaven’s angels singing as well. “Emiline, my dearest,” he continued as he gazed back in her eyes. “Say yes and make this night our wonderland. Even though we have been through much turmoil tonight, all I want to do is remember me and you, and you accepting my marriage proposal.”
She sighed and nodded. “Yes, Gabriel Lawrence, C
aptain of my heart. I accept your proposal, and I will always remember tonight as our paradise, our wonderland by night. I will only want you to be an earl if that is what you wish. And I will accept you being a pirate if you can promise me you will not get yourself killed.” She grinned. “There is no way I want to lose you ever again!”
“Whatever our future is, we will decide together.” He winked. “Is that all right with you?”
“It’s perfect!”
Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 27