by Kitty Margo
Her eyes were red and swollen when Michael returned late in the afternoon. “What is this?” She eyed the bowl that he placed before her suspiciously.
“It is called salmagundi.” Michael’s anger toward her seemed to have abated for the time being. His voice was almost gentle. “Try it.”
She shoved the bowl away, refusing to eat anything that had been prepared by a filthy pirate, no matter that she was starving. “What’s in it?”
“Oh, a little bit of everything. Fish, chicken, pork, beef, and pigeon is roasted and cut into chunks. Then you add cabbage, pickled herring, mangoes, onions, grapes and anything else you can find. You then pour in a little wine, add salt and pepper and voila.” He laughed heartily at her shocked expression of distaste. “Don’t make such a face. It really is very tasty. Just try it, Lynna. You might like it.”
“I’m not hungry,” she lied, although she had to admit that the stew smelled awfully tempting.
“Take my advice and eat while you can. Once we’re out to sea and our fresh food supply has been exhausted, you will find the fare far from palatable. You can look forward to gruel, which is a mixture of wheat and water, or boiled and salted beef, and biscuits that are alive with maggots and weevils. You will regret passing up this fine meal.”
Lynna turned her head in distaste. “I would find it impossible to eat any food that had been prepared aboard this stinking, infested ship.”
The cabin was alive with vermin. Cockroaches crawled the floor and walls around her, and the tiny bunk where she was supposed to sleep was covered with crawling insects. A large number of the pests were on her now. She clawed at her head with her fingernails where the lice and God only knows what else were digging into her scalp. Her entire body was covered with itching red spots where the insects had fed upon her tender flesh.
“I will leave the meal with you,” Michael warned solemnly before turning to leave. “Heed my advice and eat, Lynna. You will need your strength where we are going.”
“Where are you going, Michael?” She jumped up to run after him, afraid to be left alone to fend for herself against an entire ship filled with degenerates. “Please, do not leave me alone.”
“I must go on deck, Lynna. Being the Captain’s brother does not mean that I don’t pull my share of the weight, quite the opposite. I am expected to do twice the work of any other man.”
“But why, Michael?” She motioned toward the box. “You have more money than you could ever need. Don’t join up with this vile gang of cutthroats.”
“Exactly, I do have more money than I could ever need, for now. But how long do you think I would live if the men onboard this ship found out? Our lives would mean nothing. So if you treasure your life, you will keep this bit of information to yourself until we reach port. No one must learn of the money, Lynna. Not even my brother.”
“When will we reach port?” she asked, saying a silent prayer that it would be soon. She had to get off this wretched ship and find a way to get word to Joshua.
“Not in the near future, I would suspect. Once Sean puts out to sea, he doesn’t return until the hold is overflowing with riches.”
“Where is his home?”
“Sean and I were raised in Trinidad with our grandmother after the death of our parents. But since my brother wouldn’t want our grandmother to know of his… law breaking activities, he now calls Tortuga home.”
Tortuga? The name brought to mind lurid tales of the pirate stronghold, unspeakable tales of horror. A place where the scum of the earth congregated to torture their helpless victims.
Michael grinned. “I can tell from your expression that you know what to expect when we arrive.”
She merely nodded, acknowledging that her future would not be a pleasant one, if indeed she had a future. Only one hope kept her from giving up completely. Joshua. He would rescue her. He had to. She would not permit herself to think otherwise. Her only problem would be surviving until he did.
Michael had opened the door to leave when she grabbed his sleeve. “Michael, would it be possible to perhaps have a bucket of water and a sponge?” She slapped at a cockroach boldly making its way up her skirt and watched as Michael swiped it off to crush beneath his boot.
“I will see what I can do,” he answered, mumbling a remark about the foolishness of women as he locked the door behind him.
After he left, Lynna moved to the porthole, breathing deeply of the fresh sea air. It was the only thing around her on this godforsaken ship that was clean. Glancing at the table she noticed a steady stream of ants and other creepy crawlies advancing on the stew and greedily grabbed the bowl. If they were to be at sea as long as Michael had suggested, she had better learn to eat what was offered. Either that or starve.
Surprisingly, the concoction of meat, fruit and vegetables was a meal to be savored, and she did. She was tipping the bowl to get the last spoonful when a timid knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?”
“It be Rob, ma’am, de cook,” someone answered in a low whisper. “Let’s me in.”
She opened the door to find the biggest, blackest man she had ever seen smiling down at her. “I brung you dis heah watah an’ sponge you done axk fo.” He sat the bucket inside the door and stepping inside, closed it quietly behind him. “I put a cup of vinegar in dis bucket, cuz you ain’t gits too far wit’ jus’ plain watah.” She saw the fear register briefly on his face. “But, please, ma’am, you cain say nothin’ to de Cap’n bout it, heah have me flog’ if’n he foun’ out.”
“Thank you, Rob. You are most kind,” she said, smiling brightly. “And rest assured that the Captain will never learn of your generosity from me. I pray that I never even have to see him again.” As Rob opened the door and looked up and down the corridor, she whispered, “Thank you again. I simply could not live with this pestilence.”
Rob left the cabin with pity for the slip of the girl strong inside him. She would meet the Captain. Of that he was certain. Probably before the day was over.
First Lynna washed the bedclothes in the bucket of vinegar and water and hung them on hooks to dry. Then, she vigorously scrubbed every inch of the floor and walls, squashing hundreds of bugs in the process, until she was satisfied that the cabin was as clean as possible. Now for her. She simply had to have another bucket of water to bathe and wash her hair. Perhaps she could find Rob and ask him.
She tried the door and was amazed to find that Rob had left it unlocked. Looking into the corridor to the right, she saw the hatchway leading to the deck. She definitely didn’t want to go that way. Turning left, she ran headlong into Captain Sean Devereux, alleged to be the most ruthless pirate alive.
He was a strikingly handsome, well turned out man with his leather waistcoat, three-inch wide black belt with silver buckle, and cutlass strapped bandolier. He wore no bandana and surprisingly, with appropriate attire, would not have looked out of place in the parlor of some of Georgia’s more refined homes.
“Well, shiver me timbers.” He laughed and winked as his eyes slid appreciatively over her slender form, lingering on the soft swell of breast above the bodice of her gown. “So you are the wife of my brother.”
“Yes, I am Michael’s… wife,” she stammered. “Now, if you will excuse me, I will return to my cabin.” Rushing back inside, she swiftly trying to bolt the door only to find it blocked by his booted foot.
“Not so fast, little one. I have a desire to become better acquainted with my new sister.” He smiled, shoving the door open. His dark eyes were menacing as he licked his lips and added, “Much better acquainted.”
Lynna read the intent in his eyes and looked around in search of a weapon, but none were to be found. The only objects in the room being a bunk, a table, and a chair, all too heavy to be lifted by her. “Don’t come near me,” she warned.
His bold laughter filled the room, sending chills over her even though the heat in the cabin was sweltering. “And what, pray tell, will you do if I come near you?” he asked in a soothing
voice. “Beat me to death with those tiny fists?” He stood looking out the porthole. “You have a long voyage ahead of you, Madame Devereux.” Turning to face her, his dancing eyes fused with hers. “You will need a man.”
“You forget, sir. I have a husband.” Did his brother know that Michael had never shared her bed? That he refused to touch her?
“No. I did not forget that you have a husband,” the pirate smirked. “If you will recall, I said that you will need a man.”
“But, sir, Michael is a man,” she replied anxiously, trying her utmost to sound convincing. “And I might add that I find him most satisfactory in every way.”
He laughed heartily at her words, “And might I suggest that it takes very little, indeed, to satisfy you.” His ridicule of his brother was lost on her. “But you will soon see that unlike my little brother, I have what it takes to please a woman.”
She tried frantically to run past him, but was halted by his steely voice. “Stay where you are.”
Too frightened to remain still, she again bolted for the door. He jerked her around roughly to face him, causing her to cry out as his fingers dug into the tender flesh of her arm. “I am not accustomed to having my orders disobeyed,” he warned ominously.
“And I am not accustomed to following orders,” she replied defiantly.
“My brother should have taught you better manners.” His fingers were like vises around her arms. “You see, you have no choice whatsoever in the matter, little one. This is my ship and everyone onboard must either obey or suffer the consequences, which I can assure you would be severe.”
“No punishment could be worse than being raped by a filthy disgusting pirate.”
“We shall see, Madame. We shall see.” The pirate’s eyes shone with desire. “If you prefer the cat-o-nine-tails to me, I will be happy to oblige.”
She stood her ground, preferring the whip to his lust.
Sean hated the thought of marring her perfect flesh. Flesh that would be most pleasing in the long, lonely weeks ahead. Little did Lynna know that Sean was a hard man, but soft where beautiful women were concerned. And he could never remember seeing one more beautiful.
She was caught unaware as his hand snaked out to rip her bodice open to the waist, exposing her bosom to his hungering gaze. His hand trailed up her arm to lightly caress her breast, but he squeezed painfully when her fist crashed into his jaw with a force that stunned him. His huge hands moved to the slim column of her neck closing around it, applying gentle yet firm pressure. “I could snap your neck with one twist, as I have done so many times in the past for far less crimes than you just committed.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched angrily. “It might behoove you to consider who you are dealing with the next time you feel the urge to strike a man, for all men might not be as lenient, or as swayed by your beauty as I am. Nonetheless, you must be punished for your carelessness, but that can wait until after I have had my fill of you.”
Lowering his head to hers, his lips demanded a response that she refused to give. “And I cannot see that deed being accomplished anytime in the foreseeable future. Now, allow me to demonstrate the pleasures to be found in the arms of a real man.”
Lynna knew she had to think fast, but her mind seemed to be scrambled and racing in several directions at once. “I am your brother’s wife, Captain Devereux. Do you feel no loyalty toward him?”
“The answer to your question is no. Believe me, at this moment, my feelings do not run toward family.” His eyes rested on her bosom. “No, that’s not true. I have rather pronounced feelings for the newest member of my family.” Without another word, he lifted her easily, carrying her flailing and screaming to the bunk where she clawed at his face and bit into his shoulder, causing him to wince painfully, but not release her. She cowered, expecting to feel the blows from his fist, but none were forthcoming. Instead he gazed down at her, deep in thought.
What Sean would not give to have this lovely lady come to him of her own volition. The hold of his ship was overflowing with bounty. Therefore, if he was of a mind, and he was, he could take the lady to his island and lock them both in his bedroom until his lust for the captivating creature had been satisfied. By then, she would be his and he would devote his entire life to pleasing her. But even as he was contemplating his possible devotion to her, she continued with her assault, pulling fistfuls of hair and trying to dig her long nails into his skin.
Once on the bed, the strong smell of vinegar assaulted him and a workable plan began to take shape in his mind. “Who gave you vinegar?” he snapped.
Lynna immediately stilled, taking the look of one completely innocent of all crimes. “Sir, I do not know what you are referring to. What vinegar?” The lie fell from her lips with ease as she was suddenly more frightened for Rob than herself.
“Answer me.” He jerked her face around to look into her eyes. “I will know who onboard my ship so carelessly wastes supplies.” He interpreted the fear clearly in her eyes. “Rob. That impudent darky. He is the only one stupid enough to go against my orders and give in to a woman’s foolish whims.” He had used her fear for Rob to his advantage and the ploy was working beautifully. “He must be punished. He will receive twenty lashes for the theft.”
“Twenty lashes!” Lynna cried, incredulously. Temporarily forgetting the danger that she faced, she shoved him off her and jumped up to stand beside the bunk. “Twenty lashes for a cup of vinegar? Surely, you cannot be serious.”
“Alas, I see that your memory has not fled you after all, little one.”
Ignoring his remark, she scrambled through her pockets for Michael’s gold doubloon that she had found while cleaning under the bunk. “Here, I will pay for the vinegar that I used. This should more than cover…”
“I will prove to you that I do not issue false threats!” he roared theatrically as he strode angrily out the door, slamming it behind him. “The man must be punished for this disobedience.”
Lynna sat at the table, attempting to reassure herself that the pirate captain would not execute his vicious threat. Of course he wouldn’t. No man could be so heartless. But within a few short minutes she heard footsteps and clutching the torn bodice of her dress, she cracked open the door to find a stoic Rob in the hall with a glowering Sean behind him. Sean had a sharp cutlass pointed at Rob’s back.
Rob revealed no emotion, looking solemnly toward the deck, knowing exactly what excruciating fate awaited. He was no novice at having his skin laid open by the cat-o-nine tails. Seeing Lynna, he stopped to smile encouragingly.
“Move!” Sean ordered. “Or do you wish to be run through right here?”
“Please,” Lynna cried, rushing forward and attempting to pull him, and his sword, backward and away from Rob. “I implore you, sir, to cease this madness and not carry through with your threat.”
Sean pretended not to hear her as he marched Rob toward the hatchway. Lynna realized that once the crew discovered what was about, they would halt their work to urge their captain on, eager for any diversion from their tedious monotony. If she was to stop this vicious act of violence, it would have to be now.
“Wait!” she cried, tugging on Sean’s sleeve until he stopped prodding Rob with his sword and looked down at her. Dreading it, yet without hesitation, she timidly touched his bare chest where his shirt fell open. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered close to his ear, although even the words almost choked her, “I will do anything… you ask… if you do not flog this man.”
Sean rubbed his jaw and pretended to ponder her request when in truth he had hoped that this would be her reaction to his threat against an innocent man.
“No, Ma’am,” Rob stated adamantly, ignoring the cutlass at his back. “Don’t do dat.”
“Avast, you fool,” Sean commanded angrily, having no desire to whip a man without just cause. “Who do you think will be most apt to see the sun rise tomorrow morning? You, after twenty lashes from the cat-o-nine, or her after a night with me? Now shut your t
rap and return to the galley before I change my mind.”
With a sly grin curving his lips, Sean followed Lynna to her cabin. He was elated, while she felt dead, numb all over.
Could she carry through with her promise?
Where was her husband? Why didn’t he stop this insanity? Silent tears coursed down her cheeks as she heard the door close and nervously turned to face the pirate captain that she had bartered her body to.
But she wasn’t ready.
She had to stall him until she could devise a plan. “Tell me about your life, Captain Devereux. What makes a decent man turn to piracy?”
“I will be happy to discuss my upbringing with you at a later date.” The pirate grinned. “After I have made love to you to my heart’s content. Rest assured, little one, that your stall tactics will not work. I held up my end of the bargain, now come to me as you promised.”
There would be no turning back now. His eyes, glazed with lust, assured her of that.
Taking her in his arms, Sean’s hands were surprisingly gentle as he slowly began to unfasten her dress, stopping often to touch, caress, and stare in amazement as her exquisite beauty was unveiled to him. He desired this stunning lady with an urgency that he hadn’t felt in a long time and had a strong yearning to feel her soft, supple body beneath his.
“My husband will kill you for this,” she whispered, as he cupped a breast in each hand and nuzzled her neck.
“That is a risk that I am willing to take, little one.” He chuckled, realizing that she was most likely still a virgin, and he would most thoroughly enjoy her deflowering. Easing her down on the bunk, his lips had just found hers when the unmistakable sound of a cannon blast striking the ship made Sean forget his purpose. On his way out the door, he turned to her and vowed, “When I return, we will continue where we left off.”
Lynna had no doubt that his words were true as he hurried from the cabin, leaving the door open in his haste.
Now was her chance. Clutching her dress to her bosom, she was midway to the deck when Rob grabbed her arm and jerked her around to face him.
“Dis way, ma’am,” he shouted over the cries of injured men and the noise of shots being fired. The sharp smell of gunpowder and the frightening sound of wood splintering filled the air around them. The smoke from cannons being fired choked her as she jerked her arm free and headed for the deck. “I must see who is attacking us. It could be my rescuers.”
“Naw, Ma’am, I done seed dem an’ it jus’ another pi’ate ship. Our onliest chance is to jump ovah de side and swim fo it.” Without giving her a chance to refuse, Rob lifted her easily to the rail and tossed her over the side just before another cannon blast rocked the ship.
The deep, murky water came rushing forcefully up to meet her, filling her skirts and dragging her under. Within seconds, her lungs were aching, demanding that she breathe, and her chest was on fire.
For what seemed like an eternity, she struggled toward the surface against the heavy skirts that pulled her down, dragging her under until she could fight no longer. She longed for death to release her from this insufferable agony. Then, suddenly, Joshua’s face appeared in the black water and she swam toward him.
Chapter 33