“Don’t forget your lily-livered lackey, Mr. Aster,” Fin said referring to William.
“Be sure to say yer goodbyes—don’t imagine we’ll be seein’ the likes of ye folks again,” Fin said with a salute as they were escorted off the ship and onto the dock where their stuff was deposited next to them.
One man cut the ropes that bound William’s hands and he rubbed his wrists. Someone had at least been thoughtful enough to place the captain and Patience’s stuff in a wooden cart.
The men onboard laughed and waved to them then went back to their work. Patience checked on the animals, collected her father and glared at Jessop. As she stepped past him, she spit at his shoes to show her distaste. The captain had nothing to say and they both walked off behind the cart that Patience pushed.
Jessop watched the captain and his daughter until he could no longer see them and then turned to his father. No words were spoken. Jessop offered his hand but the gentleman pulled him in and hugged him tightly in silence. A pat on the back broke up the hug and his father turned to a man who waited in a dinghy at the end of the pier to take him to the other frigate docked in the bay that awaited him.
He waved with a smile once he was seated then he too was gone. When Jessop turned to William, he said, “How about we have a pint?”
Jessop nodded when they heard Olaf coming down the gangplank with a bag and the harsch crock of mead tucked under one arm shouting, “Wait for me.”
“What are you doing?” Jessop asked.
“I’ve had second thoughts about this pirate idea.”
“You sure you want to give up your dream?” Jessop said.
“Yes. It may have been good for my ancestors, but well, I just can’t imagine being a pirate without you two.”
They had a little laugh, which was a welcome change from what they’d just gone through. They collected their stuff and headed to the Cock and Bull.
* * *
They sat at a table in the empty tavern and ordered a round of ale.
After a ‘Skoll’ William asked, “I’m a little confused. Can you explain what happened on the ship? Did you really tell Fin about the captain and Miss Patti?”
“I did. I couldn’t see any other way.”
“But how will the captain and Patience get by without any money?”
“They’ll be receiving plenty of money later today.”
“They will?”
“Yes. They will be visited by a solicitor that will issue them a bank notice for one hundred sixty-five thousand pounds—the going rate for a used frigate named Hades’s Revenge.”
“Fin said he was confiscating the ship.”
“Yes, he did, but in reality my father owns the Revenge and will be a business partner with Fin and the crew.”
“But your father is a loyalist. How did you get him to invest in a ship that steals from merchants to help the rebels?”
“My father’s allegiance has changed a bit since we were abducted. Seems King George stripped my father of his title due to some clerical error, which turned out to be King George’s accountants’ mistake. My father is not a forgiving man and when King George wouldn’t admit the fault was with his own man, my father’s loyalties changed for good.”
“Well now, there’s something I never thought I’d see. Your dad supporting the patriots,” William said in wonder.
“Why didn’t you go home with your father?” Olaf asked.
“As I had suspected, in my absence my fiancé and my father became engaged. They’re a much better match than I would have been for Penelope. It’s really for the best, but I didn’t want to go back to all the social upheaval that would have gone with it had I returned. I think father is just as relieved.”
“So everyone will go on believing you’re dead?”
“Oh no. Just not willing to return. He’ll tell them I was outraged by their impending nuptials and I found a life elsewhere,” Jessop explained.
“Will you see him again?” William asked.
“I don’t see why not. There’s no ill feelings between us, I just explained I couldn’t possibly go back to the way things were and he agreed.”
“What about the captain and Miss Patti?” Olaf asked.
“I’ve arranged for a well-respected doctor to attend to the captain, have his foot dealt with, and make him as comfortable as possible for the rest of his life. As for Patience, she’ll have the money when he dies, so I think they’re set.”
“You’re just going to let them think you betrayed them?”
“Yes. I think it’s best to let them have their time together none the wiser.”
“I don’t agree,” William announced.
“And that’s your prerogative.”
“Why wouldn’t Fin just take the ship and the reward money and skip town?”
“The reward money was his promise that he would accept the terms of the agreement. Plus, he’s a good businessman. He knows having a resource with deep pockets to back you and pick up the maintenance expenses is partnership made in heaven.”
“Does Fin know what you did for him and the captain?” Olaf asked.
“Yes. He was an integral part of the charade today on the ship.”
“Why did you make it such an elaborate act?”
“I’ve learned the captain is a proud man. I don’t think he would have agreed to it.”
“What if he doesn’t accept the money?”
“He’s a proud man, not a stupid man. He’ll figure out it’s all been a ruse for his benefit. I imagine if he wants to know who orchestrated it, he could investigate where the money has come from, but I’m hoping he’ll just be at peace.”
“What will you do now?” Olaf asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve written David Bushnell since our meeting—remember the man we met designing the submersible?”
William nodded.
“He’s put me in contact with some other men, who are deep undercover in recovering intel from the British troops. I’ve sent them some ideas for inventions that might help in their pursuit and they’ve offered me a position to put a team together where we might make some real contributions to the rebel cause.”
“And who might that team be?” William asked.
“I don’t know yet, but I hoped you two might be.”
“Definitely,” William said.
“You know, Vikings were quite good at spying and interrogations.”
“Indeed they were, Olaf, indeed they were.”
They laughed and toasted once more to the new possibilities to come and the unknown horizons that lay before them.
<<<<>>>>
Special Thanks
To my loving husband for his support and input as well as his suggested character ‘Olaf’ which was a fun addition.
To my friend Trine Whelan who helped with some Norwegian translation for Olaf, though she would have rather he have another name.
About the Author
T. Lynne Tolles can be found most days, juggling one of two cat muses and a laptop, tripping over an ancient Newfoundland dog and washing a never-ending pile of laundry. When life doesn’t get in the way, she writes paranormal romances for new adults.
Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their happily ever after.
Website:
http://tlynnetolles.me
Other books by T. Lynne Tolles
Somber Island
Mirror of Shadows
Blood Series
The Hunted
Blood of a Werewolf
Blood Moon
Blood Lust
Bloodstone Heart
Deadman’s Blood
Sisters in Blood
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Hades's Revenge Page 14