“No.”
“What?”
“It is not a passenger ship. Believe me this, lass. Tis a favor I do ye, by not helping with this madness ye are set upon.”
With that, he stood and strolled away from her, once again whistling.
“Give me the glass. I will signal the ship while ye get us something to eat.” Dorian took the item from Reginald and made haste toward the beach where he could signal The Mawdelyn, moored just off the coast.
Luck was with them, it seemed. For whatever reason, Kevin kept the ship there longer than he’d been instructed. Then again, the days were beginning to blur together. Yet, Dorian knew without a doubt that his friend would leave at sunset.
Although there was a bit of cloud cover, he hoped for enough sunlight to enable him to get light to catch against the small looking glass in his hand.
Reginald hurried to a small inn from which the aroma of baking break beckoned. He took a quick look around to ensure no sentries were about that may have followed them.
“Sir, my mistress and I ask for ye to reconsider. Tis only a short jaunt. We promise to be no trouble at all. Why, ye see the wee lad is a good child, very quiet, indeed.” A woman’s light singsong voice came from the corner of the room when Reginald walked in.
As soon as his eyes became accustomed to the dimness of the room, he let out a sigh of relief. None other than Connor Barrington was the man that the woman spoke to. The Brit moved toward him but only took one step before frowning at the young woman who refused to release his arm.
It was hard to keep from laughing at the sight of the normally unmovable man not losing his temper with the wee wench.
“We were to set sail at sunset. Tis about time ye and the captain showed up.” Barrington, once again, glowered at the woman. She ignored his attempt to intimidate her and, instead, smiled up at him.
“And who is yer lovely friend?” Reginald asked the flat-eyed pirate. “She seems quite attached to ye.”
The girl finally released Barrington and neared. “Sir, I am Lily Rose Roberts, maid to the missus over there.” Lily motioned to a woman who sat against the wall holding a young boy. Although a beauty, she seemed on the verge of tears and watched them with hollow eyes.
Lily touched his arm. “Ye see, kind Sir, we must make haste away from here or else she and the lad will be killed. Tis a matter of the most urgency.”
Reginald met Barrington’s gaze before looking to the girl. “Miss, I do not think ye nor yer lady would want to board our ship.”
“Oh, but we are desperate, ye see.” She turned to her mistress who stood and approached. What had been a look of distress had transformed into determination.
“If ye would kindly point out yer captain, I wish to speak to him directly,” the woman, who’d yet to introduce herself, demanded. “I cannot believe he will be pleased to hear ye will turn down a paying customer.”
The young girl became animated. “I can be useful. I clean, cook and can sew very well. If there is anything else needed, I am sure…” She stopped talking when Barrington growled and made toward the doorway.
Reginald couldn’t believe his luck. Had the damned Brit left him alone with two women in need of rescue? He’d never been able to deny a woman anything, much less two.
“What is taking Reginald so long?” Dorian’s signal had been returned and a slender vessel made its way to the shoreline now. He turned once again and was surprised at spotting Barrington walking toward him. As usual, the man strolled in a leisurely way, never seeming to be in a hurry. And yet, Barrington was as lethal as a snake. Few could best him in battle and, for the most part, those he killed never even saw him.
“Good to see ye, Captain,” Barrington said, his dark eyes meeting Dorian’s. “Reginald will be along.”
Barrington stood silently looking to the ship.
Outside the inn where Reginald had gone, he stood now with a parcel in his hand. And he was flanked by two women who spoke animatedly, one waving her arms to emphasize her displeasure at whatever the man had said.
“What is going on?” Dorian asked a still silent Barrington.
Barrington shrugged. “Unless ye intervene, we will have two damsels and a child aboard The Mawdelyn. It seems they are in need of rescue. Offering to pay for passage to Ireland or England.”
Dorian swung around and narrowed his eyes. “Go tell him the reply is no.” Just then, the transport boat neared and Dorian waded to it, not looking back. Reginald could wait for the next one. He jumped aboard. “Let us go. Make haste, I have much to do.”
The transport crew waited for Barrington, who waved them away. “Come back for me and Reginald. Only one of ye.”
He met Dorian’s gaze. “Ye know he will not leave them behind Captain.”
“If they cross my path, they will go overboard,” Dorian snapped.
Dorian’s chest felt about ready to explode wide open. He needed time alone. A reprieve to grieve his mother was all he wished for. Not to talk to anyone or to care about what happened with the women or anything else for that matter. Why should he care about any peril that could befall two strangers?
There was nobody who cared for him. If he died that day, would his brother and family even mourn?
Upon boarding the ship, Kevin took one look at him and knew his captain enough to not speak. The men on deck stood silently by as Dorian stalked to his cabin. He had absolutely no care as to what they thought. Just as he reached the entryway, he turned to Kevin.
“Thank ye.”
His second nodded, his gaze filled with understanding.
There was enough light through the porthole to see across the dim cabin and not much more. It suited his mood perfectly. Dorian poured whiskey into a glass and drank it down like water. Instead of pouring a second, he took the bottle with him and leaned back in a plush chair. The world could end now. Nothing mattered without his mother. She was the one person who had always seen the best in him and who never once doubted that he’d become a great man.
The irony of it. That he was great, indeed, but nothing like his mother ever hoped for. He’d amassed wealth beyond his wildest expectations. If he so desired, he could purchase two castles and still have enough to buy a third. He commanded three ships that traversed thousands of miles gaining valuable cargo and not all as pirates.
His other ships were manned by trusted men who dealt in trade, selling spices and other valuable items from faraway lands.
On occasion, Dorian was prone to spells of melancholy. But in this moment, he knew his emotions were far different. It was the first time since leaving home that he lost someone so dear. Yes, over the years he’d lost close friends who were part of his crew to either illness or battle. However, none had cut him so deeply as this.
Much later, he doubled over and fell to the floor, dropping the nearly empty bottle onto the thick rug and sobbed.
How much time passed didn’t matter to him at all. It became dark outside and in a dazed stupor, he managed to drag himself to a bedpan where he emptied what little there was in his stomach. Feeling like a child in need of care, his long sigh filled the space.
Outside, the sounds of life continued. His crew managing whatever needed to be done filled him with resentment. How dare life continue?
How or when he finally fell into a drunken slumber Dorian wasn’t sure. He had fought to remain awake, not wanting to be drawn from the reality that his mother was gone.
“Dorian?” A face swam above him. It was Kevin, of course. He was the only crew member who dared trespass the captain’s quarters without invite. “Wake up.”
None too gently, the man grabbed him under the arms and dragged him to sit. “Look at me.”
“Leave me be.” His arms were heavy as he batted Kevin away. “See about the crew and the ship. I can take care of myself.” His thick tongue and slurred speech betrayed his words.
“Ye’re ill,” Kevin said, bringing a cup of hot liquid that smelled of spice to his mouth. “Drink.”
If he were able, Dorian would have laughed. He was rarely ill and the fact his nursemaid was a grumbling pirate with a misshapen face made the scene even more comical.
After drinking the vile tea, he chuckled. But it was short lived when coughing racked his chest.
“What happens to me?” He blinked in an attempt to focus. A thought occurred to him. If he died, it was possible he would see his mother again. The second imagining stopped him short. It was very doubtful he’d end up in the same afterlife as her.
“Could be whatever ye were exposed to.” Kevin left out where, but it was clear by his concerned eyes that he feared Dorian had acquired whatever illness killed his mother.
Lips in a tight line, Kevin pulled open Dorian’s tunic to inspect his abdomen. Both knew if there were any red blotches, Dorian would be kept locked up and taken to the nearest port where, hopefully, they could find someone to care for him. He would demand it. A transmittable disease on a ship could kill the entire crew in a matter of weeks.
His stomach was clear by Kevin’s relaxed expression. “I’ll get ye some fruit. When was the last time ye drank fresh juice?”
Dorian fought to remain awake. He knew what ailed him. It was a combination of exhaustion, lack of water, and drinking an entire bottle of rum. Or was it two? Then there were the hours of crying like a babe without its mother. The idea made his eyes well up and it angered him. He was not a child to pout and cry in his chamber.
“I’ll be fine. Please do bring me soup and fruit. I thank ye.” Dorian did his best to appear well although he knew it would be another day before he was able to function properly.
When Kevin returned, he was accompanied by another man, Cane, the ship’s cook, who carried a tray of food. Dorian had washed his face and was sitting up in bed. He’d attempted to sit in his favorite chair, but had almost fallen off.
Cane studied his face. “Ye will be well and up in a day or two.” There was no doubt in the man’s expression and Dorian chose to believe him.
“Thank ye.”
After Cane left, Kevin lowered to sit in a chair. Kevin’s gaze followed his movements. “The passengers, one of them requests to speak to ye.”
“Who?” Dorian asked.
His friend’s eyebrows shot up. “Did ye not know that Reginald brought aboard two women and a boy child? They are under his protection and he hovers over them like a mother hen. So far, he’s kept them locked up in his quarters only allowing them out once a day as he plays guard.”
He remembered now the two women on the shore. By his estimation, that had been two days earlier. “I remember, yes. What, pray, do our guests ask of us?” he said with a sneer.
“I do believe the lady request passage to Ireland or England. Both are out of our planned route as ye know.” Kevin crossed his long legs at the ankles. “There’s something else. It seems Connor has taken a liking to the young maid.”
At this revelation, Dorian stared blankly into space. “Get them off my ship.”
Chapter Five
If she were to pass another infernal day locked in the small space, Ileana was sure she’d go mad. Other than spending time doing the mending, which was plentiful, the hours dragged by slowly. Although they’d only been aboard three days, it seemed like an eternity.
Ileana couldn’t imagine having to spend weeks or however long it would take to get to their destination on this ship. Although Lily and Gregor were taken up to the deck regularly in order for her child to get fresh air, she’d yet to go up except for an hour in the evening. It would be too distracting for the crew Reginald had said as he closed the door in her face each time she asked to go out.
It had been a bright day from what she could see from the small porthole. It did little good to look out. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but water. Although the sight of the choppy ocean was beautiful, it didn’t sit well with her stomach to keep too long a watch.
Lily and Gregor were gone at the moment and she awaited word from the scarred man who’d introduced himself as Kevin. The captain had to see her. It was only fair that since she was prepared to pay for passage, they have a discussion about the destination.
Finally, a rap at the door was followed by Kevin peering in. He stepped inside, his large frame filling the space. Although the jagged scar on the left side of his face made one take a second look, he was not an unattractive man. Stoic with what she would describe as a gruff disposition, he did not, however, intimidate her like some of the other men had.
“Captain MacAlpin will not see ye.”
Her shoulders lowered and she tried her best to keep the tears at bay. It was exhausting to be at the mercy of people she didn’t know. What if they were to be taken to the Caribbean and sold in the slave market? She’d heard tales of women and children taken, never to return.
“Where is the ship heading?”
Kevin took a moment, his brown gaze studying her. “To the Caribbean Isles.”
“I do not wish to go there. I implore ye. Please, take us to England.” Before she could reach for his arm, Kevin moved back. “Sir, I beg of ye, tell the captain I will do anything if he would just allow me to take my son to safety.”
“I will see what I can do.” He turned and walked out, closing the door firmly behind him.
The tears fell and Ileana didn’t try to stop them. How had she managed to end up in such a horrible situation? Not only her, but also Lily and Gregor were in danger because of her husband’s horrible treatment of his people. None of it was her fault. As a matter of fact, she’d done what she could to help. Not that it mattered now. At the mercy of what looked to be pirates, there was no telling what their fates were now.
She grew tired of praying for a miracle and yet, once again, she knelt. Covering her face, she cried through her prayers, her shoulders shuddering as she allowed emotions free rein.
“Tis a lovely day outside, Mistress,” Lily said, walking in holding Gregor by the hand. The boy held a carved boat one of the crew must have made for him. “I asked Reginald and he agreed to take ye out for a walk later today before sunset.”
A small reprieve from the room sounded glorious and Ileana smiled at Lily. “I do not know what I would do without ye. I am so thankful for ye, Lily.” She hugged the young woman who beamed.
“Tis all right. Ye will see. The men, although gruff, are not as horrible as they first seemed.” Lily bit her lip. “Well, most of them anyway.”
Thanks to the protection of Reginald and the captain’s second in command, Kevin, they would not be harmed or bothered by the crew. According to Reginald, Connor also had threatened the men against bothering them. The captain had yet to comment one way or the other and according to what Lily had overheard, he’d been sequestered in his cabin for days.
Ileana shuddered to think of meeting the man face-to-face. The Lion of the Seas is what he was referred to. She imagined the rogue to be a fearsome man who cared little for human life. Somehow, she would find the courage to face him. Protecting Gregor gave her courage that, up until recently, she wasn’t aware that she possessed.
Hours later, her lungs filled with the salty air. Although there was a slight chill in the air, the freshness of it was invigorating. Ileana leaned forward, her hands on the rails. “Tell me, Reginald. How did ye end up in this life?”
The man scratched at his beard and came to stand next to her. “Twas after losing everything. My family was dead, wife and child.” His gaze locked on the horizon and he stopped speaking. No doubt, the memory of it was too hard to form into words.
Ileana looked to him. “I am not sure how many were killed at my home. I suppose only my husband and the guardsmen loyal to him. The rest of the men overtook our home and, along with some of our own servants, fought to gain control.”
She sighed and looked to the man. “I am thankful that my son was spared. I would have gladly given my life that he would be.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. But when she turned to l
ook, there was no one about. It was probably just one of the crew insuring all was well.
Dorian stood frozen, his back against the cold wall as he absorbed what had happened. For the first time in days, he’d decided to leave his cabin and move about the ship. Although feeling better, he had little desire to take control of the ship yet, trusting Kevin to continue to take care of matters.
Tomorrow, he planned to once again return to the helm to ensure his crew did not think him too weak to do so.
Now, however, his knees threatened to buckle as he listened intently to the familiar voice of the woman who was single-handedly responsible for his fate. The life at sea. Away from family and all he’d ever known.
Whether he should detest her for it or be grateful, Dorian wasn’t sure. But one thing he did know was that he hated her for the betrayal of choosing someone else over him. For that, he’d never forgive her.
“…no, it was not unexpected now that I think about it. To everyone except my husband, it was obvious the staff and guards detested him. He was a cruel and unjust man.”
“…not to me. As much as I could complain about his ill treatment of others and, perhaps, his distant relationship with me, he did protect Gregor and me from harm and mistreatment…”
It seemed Ileana had found a confidant and friend in Reginald. Dorian wasn’t sure who Gregor was, but he assumed it was her son. He’d not noticed a child when spotting Reginald speaking with the two women at the shore but, then again, he’d not been of sound mind. Consumed with the need to get on the ship and be alone, he’d been desperate to get away.
Reginald’s deep voice sounded as the older man spoken to Ileana about whatever they were discussing and Dorian moved back toward the front of the ship to seek solace and quiet as he pondered what to do about the passengers aboard his ship. The one person he wished to never see again was now his guest. What a sick, merciless, vile creature fate was.
When he climbed up to the helm, Kevin was at the wheel. His friend studied his face for a moment and, seeming satisfied, nodded in greeting. “Good to see ye joining the living.”
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