The Merchant's Yield

by Lorri Dudley

  A barrel of water hit her with the force of a wave. She screamed as it drenched her gown and soaked her hair. She sputtered, spitting out the dirty salt water that had probably been used to swab the deck. The burly man and the crewman cackled with laughter as she wiped the water from her eyes.

  The sky darkened as the Amory fell under the shadow of the other ship. A shiver raised the hair on her arms. She swallowed against the rising panic that gripped her throat and threatened to suffocate her. On the other ship, grisly-looking men tossed ropes over the Amory’s rails to secure the sides, then raised planks to connect the two ships.

  Captain Fielding was going to sell her to these men.

  Lord, I need a miracle.

  God spoke Nathan’s words into her heart. Problems are the soil in which miracles happen.

  A plank slammed against the rail, and Lottie jumped back. The man with the scar across his face clutched her upper arm to keep her from running. Three men stepped up onto the planks from the other ship. In a feat of balance, they crossed over to the Amory like cats on a rooftop ledge.

  Captain Fielding’s voice boomed behind her. “Welcome, friends. We have many dealings to do this day.”

  Chapter 33

  I never meant it to come to this, I can no longer justify my husband’s actions.

  ~ Missive from Julia Fielding to Winthrop

  A nudge jarred Lottie awake. She lifted her head off of its warm cushion. The burly man snarled down at her.

  Merciful Heavens. Had she drifted off to sleep while standing up? And, leaning against the man’s arm, no less?

  The sun had been setting when Captain Fielding and the pirates went below deck to inspect the barrels of sugar, molasses, and other cargo stolen from Nathan. Now the stars were bright in the night sky. Her barely-damp hair whipped about in the breeze. Captain Fielding and Phelps emerged from below deck, followed by the three pirates.

  The shortest one, as thick as he was tall, laughed and wacked Fielding on his back. “Your best bottle of port and finest meal won’t persuade me to go against Lafitte’s orders. He’s bloomin’ mad about the damage you did to Beluche’s ship, and he’ll be speaking to you in person about it.”

  It might only be the moonlight, but Captain Fielding’s face appeared deathly pale.

  “Is this the woman yer sellin’?” The thick pirate pointed at her and stepped forward.

  “Indeed.” Captain Fielding nodded and stood behind the pirate. “This lady-bird is a mite timid, but clean her up a bit, and she’ll warm any man’s bed.”

  The pirate held his lantern high over Lottie’s head and nodded.

  The burly man’s fingers squeezed Lottie’s cheeks so hard, her mouth opened with a gasp.

  The pirate shifted her head this way and that. “She’s got all her teeth and is fair of face, but not everyone likes red hair.”

  Burly-man released her, and Lottie rubbed her cheeks.

  “What’ll you pay for her?” Captain Fielding crossed his arms over his chest, and the frill of his cuffs hung down.

  Each battle prepares you for the next one. Lottie lifted her chin and faced the pirate the way she’d always wanted to confront her mother, and with the same bravery she’d used to confront Nathan. “I demand to see Jean Lafitte.” Her voice echoed in the night air.

  Stunned silence fell over the crew, and all eyes peered in her direction. Only the sloshing of the waves against the ships could be heard.

  The pirate rested fisted hands on his hips. “And who might be asking to speak with our leader?”

  A plan came to her in a flash, and the words flew out of her mouth before she could consider the repercussions. Lottie’s spine straightened, and she pulled her shoulders back into the best imitation of her mother. “Tell him Lady Winthrop requests his presence, daughter of Lord and Lady Etheridge and wife of Nathaniel Winthrop. He will remember his friend from their schooling at the military academy.”

  Captain Fielding stepped forward. “Pay her no heed. She’s a conniving actress.”

  The pirate raised a single brow. “Or is she a timid mouse? Which is it, Fielding? She certainly seems spirited, and if she’s an actress then, by Jove, she does a good impression of the English quality.”

  The loathing in Captain Fielding’s gaze fell upon her like a hangman’s noose, but Lottie’s spine locked into position, ready to battle. Would her plan work?

  “She’s coming with me.” The pirate turned and ambled away.

  Lottie glanced over her shoulder at the rough pirates manning the other ship. Had she caused her situation to go from bad to worse?

  Lord, protect me.

  Fielding blocked his path. “You haven’t paid for her yet.”

  The pirate’s assessing gaze roved from Lottie’s head to her kid boots. The all-too-familiar feeling of not measuring up to her mother’s expectations weakened her resolve. She hid her hands in the folds of her skirt.

  “I daresay, she’ll have more fitting accommodations on my ship. I will not allow her to be touched until we can get this whole thing sorted out with Lafitte.” The pirate raised a brow. “Stand aside, Captain.”

  Fielding’s face twisted into a snarl, and he reached for his cutlass.

  Five pirate men drew their swords faster than Lottie could blink and aimed the tips at Fielding’s throat.

  Captain Fielding’s crew wasn’t at the ready and struggled to pull their swords.

  “Stand down.” Fielding told his men as he stowed the weapon. He raised both hands. “Have it your way.”

  Two men each flanked Lottie like sentinels. The pirate leader stopped at the planks and helped Lottie up over the rail. He backed toward his ship with both her hands in one of his.

  The breeze whipped her skirts and tossed her hair about her face. The plank swayed as the ships bobbed in the swirling black waters. Her stomach lurched, and her fingers clamped down.

  “I gotcha now. Fielding gets off too easy if you become shark bait. I’d like to keep you around a while longer, if nothin’ else than ta watch Fielding have an apoplectic fit.” He walked backwards down the plank toward his ship, tugging her along after him.

  A splash sounded below, and she looked to see the white crest of a wave as it curled and dissolved against the side of the ship. Her heartbeat quickened to double time. Dizziness swept over her, and she teetered on the plank. A high-pitched squeak sounded in her throat.

  “Keep yer eyes up here.” He pointed two fingers at his own eyes. “It will help with yer balance.”

  She nodded. Her hair stuck to her lips and occasionally blocked her vision, but she focused on the man. God was her protector. He’d been faithful. He wouldn’t let her drown, and if He did, then she’d trust it was for a greater plan.

  In the lantern’s light, the man’s leathered face appeared harsh, and his tone was gruff, but a spark glowed in the depths of his eyes. “The name’s Captain Dominique You, but my crew calls me Captain Dominique.”

  She inched the soles of her boots down the wooden slat.

  Captain Dominique reached the other side and reeled her in.

  She stepped onto the pirate ship rail and exhaled a relieved breath. “Pleasure to meet you, Captain. I wish it were under better circumstances.”

  He grinned a wicked smile. “Rendezvous with danger makes for a well-lived life.”

  “Indeed.” She’d survived crossing the Atlantic, the fever, a black magic curse, and so far, being captured. All these things, had strengthened her faith. Captain Dominique’s words reinforced that God was protecting her. “I’m not in danger with you, am I?”

  “Yer either spirited or nicked in the nob.” His brows drew together. “What makes you say such a thing? Men three times yer size quiver with fear in my presence.”

  “I prayed for a rescue, and here you are. God sent you to be my champion.”

  Captain Dominique threw back his head and guffawed with deep, bellowing laughter. “Did you hear that?” He glanced over his shoulder at his men anchorin
g the plank. “I’m a knight in shining armor.”

  Lottie dared him with her eyes to disagree. “Am I wrong?”

  “That’s for Lafitte to determine, not me, but Cap’n Fielding wears his emotions. I’m not sure what you’ve done to wrong him, but there’s nothing but malice in his eyes.” His gaze shifted over her shoulder to the Amory. “Be prepared. You haven’t seen the last of Fielding yet. He’ll be following us to Barataria.”

  He aided her down onto the main deck. She could smell the salt on his skin. The scent was similar to Nathan’s when he was at sea. A pang of longing twisted her heart. Would she ever see him again? Please God, let Charlie be with him. Let him convince Nathan he isn’t cursed. Maybe now, God could redeem his heart and heal him of all his undeserved guilt.

  “Well done. You’ll be scaling the rat lines in a fortnight.” Captain Dominique laughed with a wheeze like Cobble. He passed her to a pair of meaty hands, who grabbed her upper arm. She peered up at a massive man who made Baby look like a child.

  “This here is Shorty. He’ll show you yer accommodations.”

  The irony of his name raised a bubble of mirth to her throat. She pinched her lips together to force it back down.

  Captain Dominique whacked Shorty on the shoulder. “I believe she’s findin’ yer name amusing.”

  Shorty glared at her as if she were a bug he considered stepping on.

  The captain eyed the man. “Keep watch at her door. No comings or goings or funny business. She’s requested a meetin’ with Lafitte.”

  Shorty nodded. “This way.” He spoke in a deep voice and added a wave of his platter-sized hand.

  Lottie followed him past the leering eyes of the crew and below deck. A man in the galley whistled at her as his eyes lingered over her form. He spoke with jeering lips what she assumed was a lewd comment, but his accent was so thick she didn’t understand enough to be offended. Shorty silenced the man with a growl.

  He ushered her into a room and ducked his head to make it through the doorway. Lottie peeked around him. The chamber was sparse in furnishings. A desk was nailed to one wall and, above it, a painting of a scantily clad woman peered down at her with a coy smile. On the opposite side, an overly long bed spanned the length of the room.

  Only a very tall person would need a bed so large. She raised her gaze to meet Shorty’s. “Is this your chamber?”

  He didn’t answer, merely glowered at her.

  She released the sides of her gown and placed a hand on his sleeve. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to put you out.”

  He shrugged, but the creases in his frown lessened. He shuffled his feet and wiped his hands down his sides. “Captain’s dinner is at eight.”

  The coolness in his eyes reminded her of Adana. She, too, had protective walls and a toughness to her, but when Lottie looked closer, she saw a desperate need for acceptance. “Thank you. Perhaps at dinner you may tell me how you received the nickname Shorty.”

  He didn’t respond.

  “I bet you can’t guess what nickname they gave me on the Katherine?”

  He crossed his arms, and he grunted. “Red.”

  “No.”

  “Flame.”

  “They considered that, but no. It was Boss.”

  Shorty’s face cracked into a slow smile. He turned and strode out of the room, but before he slammed the door shut with those meaty hands, Lottie heard his chuckle.

  She sighed and resisted the urge to nibble out her nervousness on her fingernails. Instead, she folded her hands in prayer. All right God, now we only need to meet the infamous Caribbean pirate, Lafitte, win his favor, and convince him to provide me with passage back to St. Kitts.

  She sank onto the bed and peered out the small porthole window.

  Problems are the soil in which miracles flourish.

  Chapter 34

  We’ve acquired an interesting guest. She has requested an audience with you, and you may know her husband, Nathaniel Winthrop.

  ~ From Captain Dominique You to Captain Jean Lafitte

  The hazy morning sun warmed Lottie’s face as she strolled above deck. The ship had slowed, and the wind no longer whipped loose tendrils that had escaped the piece of twine she’d used as a hair tie.

  A strip of land emerged above the fog off their port bow. Her stomach flipped like a leaf before a rainstorm. They’d reached Barataria. She gripped the rail tighter. Galileo may have proved the earth was round, but the sensation of her life sailing off a precipice persisted.

  She set her shoulders. God was with her, and if The Almighty was for her, who could be against her? She was stronger now. The Lord had seen her through so much already.

  Captain Dominique and Shorty stood at the helm, deep in discussion, occasionally peering back at the shadow of the Amory trailing in their wake. As if sensing her presence, Captain Dominique tipped his hat and nudged Shorty. Shorty frowned, but raised his hand in a gentle wave. The beast of a man was as shy as they came around women, but Lottie had worked hard to set him at ease.

  Despite the circumstances, her voyage with Captain Dominique and his crew had been far better than her treatment under the hands of Captain Fielding. She’d been allowed her freedom to roam the ship during the day, but Captain Dominique had explained that, for her safety, she needed to stay in her room at night. The crew grew raucous after supper when the ale freely flowed.

  Unfortunately, her stomach protested against the confines, and she fought to keep her supper down. Her mind swirled with the unknowns of her future and speculated on the horrors of a pirate’s lair. But worst of all, her heart ached to look on Nathan’s face one last time. She should have told him what he meant to her. Now she may never have the chance. Remorse dampened her pillow each night.

  In the wee morning hours, after her tears ran dry, after the crew had their fill of rum and the laughter and songs died away, the belly of the ship moaned.

  Captain Fielding’s words rang in her ears. If we prove ourselves, then they’ll let us deal in black ivory. Slaves. Their woeful cries raised the hairs on her arms. This was a smuggler’s ship, and although Captain Dominique had been hospitable, the early morning wails were a reminder that her escorts were dangerous men with wicked reputations. If she hadn’t been fair of skin, if Nathan hadn’t schooled with Lafitte himself, would she be sharing their fate?

  Might she still? It was yet to be determined.

  God’s plan is bigger than my fear. He’s bigger than Lafitte.

  “Would ya like ta have a look, mademoiselle?” Captain Dominique lifted the spy glass in the air and raised his heavy brows.

  She nodded and stepped up to the helm.

  “We’re still a ways from Barataria, but welcome to what the French named Louisiana.” The captain handed her the spy glass.

  It was heavier than she’d anticipated, and the end dipped in her hands, but Shorty helped her balance it. Lottie raised the piece to her eye and peered through. A strip of beach and a brackish inlet loomed before her. She stepped back.

  Shorty chuckled at her reaction.

  “Laugh at my expense again,” she studied the speckling of islands, “and I’ll switch the alligator emblem you requested embroidered on your shirtfront to a bouquet of flowers instead.”

  Shorty stiffened.

  Captain Dominique let out a hearty guffaw and pounded Shorty on the back. “Now I understand how she got her nom de guerre. Boss is perfect for such a formidable lady.”

  Thick waves of green sea grass covered the rich delta soil. She scanned the shoreline where fingers of rivers emptied into the gulf, culminating in a maze of little isles and fertile land masses. “Shorty, you never did tell me how you received your nickname.”

  He released his hold on the spy glass, and she could hear his feet shuffle as he shifted his weight.

  “Ah, now that’s a simple tale.” Captain Dominique’s deep voice hinted at a grin. “You see, the crew here, when they have to divvy up an unfavorable task on Barataria, they hold up a fistful of
reeds or sticks. One is cut shorter than the others, but you can’t tell by how it sits in a man’s fist. Each one chooses a reed. Whoever gets the shortest one loses the draw and has to take on the unfortunate chore. Shorty, here, notoriously drew the shortest one every time, earning himself the nickname.”

  “Truly?” Lottie lowered the spy glass and blinked at Shorty.

  Shorty stared straight ahead and adjusted the wheel as if it took all of his concentration.

  “It was either Shorty or Unlucky.” Captain Dominique stuck a fisted hand on his hip. “No one loses that many, but no one could prove foul play.”

  “But his hard work paid off.” She peered through the spy glass once more. “He’s now the first mate.”

  Shorty nodded with a grunt.

  “That does put a nice spin on it.” Captain Dominique rocked back on his heels. “The crew didn’t see it that way. They joked about a port woman putting a hex on him, which probably contributed to Shorty’s fear of women.”

  Lottie dropped the spy glass to her side. “It’s that kind of gibberish that got me into this predicament.”

  “Superstition weighs heavy in these parts.”

  She raised the spy glass, but this time she swung the wide end south toward the Amory. Captain Fielding stood at the helm with Captain Phelps. Fielding flung his hands in the air. The frill of his cuffs swung back and forth under his wrist. His lips curled as he hurled words at the younger captain. His sharp movement filled Lottie with courage. If Fielding was nervous, wouldn’t that be good for her?

  “I can see yer still worried about Fielding.” Captain Dominique gently tugged the spy glass out of her hands.

  Lottie sucked in a deep breath and released it. “The Lord is my defender. ‘God knows what is going on in the home of the wicked and heaps disaster upon them.’ I read that in Proverbs twenty-two this morning.”

  “You are une femme courageuse,” Captain Dominique said. “Means a brave woman. I wouldn’t be surprised if that husband of yours turns hell upside down looking for you.”