by Vale, Jennae
Jamie turned and bolted through the door, but Rourke’s long reach grabbed him by the shirt collar. “Is this why ye were so giddy?”
The lad ducked as though he expected to be pummeled.
“Well, answer me!”
“Aye.” Jamie wriggled free and ran.
Rourke turned his anger on Lizzie. “How dare ye come aboard my ship without permission.”
“You left me,” she said.
“Because I didn’t want ye with me,” he shouted.
“I see. So, all those pretty words ye said to me last night were lies.” She raised her voice to match his.
“Doona put words in my mouth, lass. Do ye ken how dangerous it is fer ye to be here? Do ye realize we’re on our way to battle a French vessel? There will be guns blasting, bloodshed, and this ship could possibly end up at the bottom of the sea.” He fought to control himself as he stalked across the floor to stand nose-to-nose with her, something he was becoming more and more familiar with.
“You didn’t say goodbye.”
“So ye decided to sneak aboard my ship to hear me say those words to ye.”
“Don’t raise your voice at me.”
“I’ll raise my voice as I see fit. Ye’re a headstrong lass who needs to understand ye can no’ always do as ye please.”
“My father never spoke to me this way.”
“I’m no’ yer father.” She was infuriating.
Lizzie backed away from him and he followed, forcing her up against his desk. “Leave me alone,” she said, shoving him.
It had little effect. He stood his ground. “Ye’re aboard my ship, and ye’ll do as I say. Do ye understand?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she glared at him with fire in her eyes and an angry pout on her lips.
“I’m yer captain and ye’ll obey me like any other member of my crew. I can no’ turn this ship around and bring ye back to Manta Cay. I’ve a rendezvous with Las Animas, so I’ve no choice but to allow ye to stay.”
She turned her face away from him, but he caught her chin and forced her to look at him. “Why was it so important to see me?”
“I was afraid I’d never see you again.” Her voice was soft and free of any anger. “I wanted…” Her voice trailed off.
“What did ye want?”
“I wanted to tell ye something I didn’t say last night.”
“Well, say it now.” He could see tears forming in her eyes, but she quickly blinked to stop them from falling.
“I no longer wish to,” she sniffled.
Damn it all, he’d made her cry. Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe he’d gotten through to her. She didn’t realize what she meant to him. If anything happened to her, he would never be able to forgive himself.
“Do no’ leave my quarters. That is an order from yer captain.” He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Lizzie was devastated. When she’d decided to surprise him, she hadn’t realized how angry he’d be, but she also didn’t realize the danger she’d be putting herself in. She slumped down on the edge of the bed. “Stop it,” she said to herself. She scrubbed at her eyes, wiping away the tears. It had been a mistake to think he’d be happy to see her. It was obviously a mistake to think he felt the same way she did, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She was on his ship, far away from home and her brother. Her impulsive act may have taken her away from Daniel forever.
“Miss?” Jamie’s voice was soft and filled with sympathy as he appeared out of nowhere with a kerchief in hand. “Doona cry. The captain gets angry with me and yells, but he’d never hit me, and he won’t hit ye.”
“I wasn’t worried he’d hit me, Jamie.” She took the kerchief from his hand and wiped her eyes and nose.
“He’s only angry because he cares for ye.”
She tipped her head, scrunching her brows. She had no experience with men other than her father, and so she wondered if this could be true. “I don’t understand.”
“If he didn’t care, why would he be so angry? He’s worried ye will no’ be safe here. Bad things can happen in the blink of an eye.”
“Do you really believe that?” she asked.
“All of it.” He took her hand in his, patting it gently if not awkwardly. “He asked me to come sit with ye. Said ye was upset.”
“Oh.” Maybe he did care.
“Do ye play cards?” Jamie asked, moving toward a box atop Rourke’s desk.
“I do.”
“We can pass the time with a game or two, if ye like,” he said. He lifted the top off the box and removed a deck of cards. “Come, sit here.” He sat in Rourke’s chair behind the desk after he moved another chair for Lizzie to join him.
“What shall we play for?” Lizzie asked. She often played with Daniel. He was too young for any games of skill, but they played simple games that he could win.
“Have ye any silver?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then we’ll play for buttons. He removed a coin bag from the box and dumped it onto the desk. He then divided the buttons up into two piles, pushing one toward Lizzie.
Jamie dealt the first hand, and Lizzie relaxed. Rourke was kind to send him to sit with her. He would help take her mind off of their argument and the dangers they might be facing.
Chapter Twelve
“Sail ho!” Jordy called from the crow’s nest.
Hawes handed Rourke his spyglass, and the captain scanned the horizon until he saw the sails of The Rebecca come into view. Pargo’s ship was running alongside The Dagger as they moved in tandem toward their target. Far in the distance behind them, another ship sailed. Rourke’s gut told him it would be La Sirène, although they weren’t close enough yet to be sure.
He instructed his men to head toward The Rebecca, and signaled Pargo’s crew to do the same. They would catch her in no time. The merchant ship was larger and therefore slower. Both Rourke and Pargo sailed sloops which were faster and more maneuverable. If they meant to chase a ship like The Rebecca, her crew wouldn’t stand a chance of escape. Red flags were hoisted up on both ships. This would signal the merchant that if they surrendered without a fight, the crew would be spared, but no quarter would be given to any who resisted. Normally the sight of the red flag was enough, but not in all cases. They would find out soon enough.
As they approached, it was apparent the crew of The Rebecca would allow them to board freely. Rourke’s ship approached from starboard, and Pargo from the port side. Once The Rebecca was between them, and her crew was visible on deck, men from both The Dagger and Las Animas began boarding, some swinging across on ropes and others using gangplanks laid between the ships. The crew of The Rebecca had dropped their weapons on deck and were not planning to resist.
Once Rourke and Pargo were aboard, they sought out the captain who was in his quarters with two other men, who must be the passengers they’d been told about.
Captain Forsythe stood in front of the other men, bravely guarding them from Rourke and Pargo.
“Captain,” Rourke said. “I am Rourke Mackall and this is Amaro Pargo. We come in peace and will leave yer ship as we’ve found it.”
“Then why have you boarded us, sir?” Forsythe asked, appearing puzzled.
“We have no quarrel with ye, but with another ship that has its sights set on The Rebecca. We offer ye our protection in exchange for yer help,” Ross explained.
“How may we assist you?”
“We wish to remain unseen until the French ship is upon ye.”
“So you want us to be a sacrificial lamb for your purposes.”
“That is one way to put it, but there will be no sacrifice on yer part.”
“We will do our part. I must see that these gentlemen arrive in the Carolinas unharmed. They are emissaries of the king headed to Charleston to visit the governor there.”
“I’ll personally see to it,” Rourke assured him. “Once we have taken care of the French, I will be happy to escort ye the re
st of the way to Charleston.”
“You will be rewarded handsomely, sir,” one of the emissaries said. “The king will be pleased to know of your willingness to help us.”
Rourke didn’t really care what the king thought, but it couldn’t hurt to have these two men put in a good word for him and his crew. “The plan is to position ourselves so we will not be visible as they approach. Once the French ship is just beyond where they can reach us with their canons, I will signal to ye. Ye will sail away from us as quickly as possible, and we will engage them.”
The captain nodded. “I’ll prepare the crew.”
Rourke and Pargo, along with their crews, went back to their ships to wait. As luck would have it, a low fog rolled in, limiting visibility. La Sirène’s approach was silent, but she could be seen through the murkiness as she neared. It wouldn’t be long now. Rourke was sure Agustin and the captain must be wondering why the English merchant was sitting dead in the water, but they would likely look on that as lucky for them. They would soon find out just how unlucky they truly were.
Jamie was doing his best to continue entertaining Lizzie as his captain had no doubt ordered, but Lizzie was becoming increasingly uneasy. It was clear the ships were no longer moving. The sounds of men scrambling around on deck told her something was about to happen.
“Doona worry, Miss. Cap’n Rourke be a good cap’n.” Jamie said, obviously noticing that she was nervous.
“What’s going on?” she asked, peering at the cabin door.
“They’re boarding another ship.” He gathered up the cards from the desk.
“Are they planning to plunder it?” she asked.
“The cap’n didn’t tell me. ’Tis usually what happens.”
Lizzie bit her lower lip. She couldn’t possibly concentrate on a card game now. At any rate, Jamie had won all her buttons. She couldn’t be sure if he was cheating or not, but it didn’t matter. He was a sweet young man and he’d done exactly what he’d been asked to do. Unfortunately, she was now all too aware that something was happening on deck and she had no idea what.
“Jamie can we see what’s going on?” she asked.
“No, Miss. The cap’n would have me head.”
“I understand,” she said. “But you could leave me for a few minutes to find out though, couldn’t you?”
Jamie tipped his head, seeming to think about what she’d said. “I could.”
“Would you?”
“I’ll be right back.” He was out the door in the blink of an eye.
Lizzie waited for him to come back, resisting the urge to open the door and see for herself. When he didn’t return right away, she began to worry. What if he didn’t come back? What if something happened to Rourke? She had to make sure that wasn’t the case. She opened the door a crack, but couldn’t see anything, so she opened the door further and stepped out onto the quarterdeck. Before she had a chance to move, she was knocked to the ground and held down as a cannon ball whizzed overhead.
“Jamie!” Rourke roared. “Lizzie, I told ye to stay in my quarters.” There was anger in his voice, but also concern. “Ye could have been killed.” He rolled off of her and stood. “Take my hand.” She did, and he helped her up and then hurried her back inside.
“Cap’n,” Jamie said as he came through the door. “Ye were looking for me.”
“Why did ye leave her alone?”
“Don’t be angry with him. I asked him to see what was happening. I was worried.”
“Ye are not his captain. He does no’ take orders from ye.” He ran his hand down his face. “Stay here. If I see either of ye out on deck again, there’ll be hell to pay. Do ye ken?”
“Aye,” Jamie said.
Lizzie nodded.
Rourke grabbed a pistol and handed it to Jamie. “Protect her.”
He slipped out the door to the sound of bullets, cannon fire, and shouts.
They’d caught the French ship by surprise. Rourke gave Pargo cover so that Las Animas could approach unnoticed in the midst of cannon fire and fog. Care was taken not to hit the Spanish corsair, and to this point, he’d accomplished his goal. Pargo and his men were boarding the ship. Sounds of gunfire, the clanging of swords, and the cries of the men all echoed eerily through the fog.
Rourke knifed his ship through the water, getting close enough to board La Sirène from the starboard side. As The Dagger approached, the crew of the French vessel, in an effort to avoid certain death at the hands of Pargo’s crew, leaped aboard The Dagger and engaged Rourke and his men. Agustin was among them. Rourke fought his way through man after man, eventually reaching the one he sought.
“Agustin!” Rourke would never kill a man whose back was to him.
Pargo’s first mate turned to face him with venom in his eyes.
The two men stared silently at each other, ready for a fight. Rourke nodded to Agustin who lunged toward him with deadly speed and accuracy, but Rourke was just as fast. He parried the blow by blocking it with his sword. They slashed at each other, dancing back and forth across the deck. The crew, having dispatched the French aboard The Dagger, swung into action aboard La Sirène, leaving Rourke to battle Agustin on his own.
Rourke stepped back to avoid Agustin’s sword, but as he did, he tripped over a body and found himself falling back with Agustin’s sword at his throat.
“Adios, Señor,” Agustin raised his sword and at the same time, Rourke kicked his legs out from under him, a shot rang out. Agustin’s sword flew from his hand as he fell to the deck wounded.
Jumping to his feet, Rourke was shocked to see Lizzie standing there with the pistol he’d given Jamie. She had it pointed at Agustin.
“Lizzie,” Rourke said. He looked down at Agustin, who was writhing in pain on the deck, no longer a threat.
“He killed my father. I wasn’t about to let him kill you,” she said.
Her face was without emotion. Rourke went to her and took the pistol from her quivering hands. She fell into his arms, tears bursting forth as she cried uncontrollably. He handed the gun to Jamie. “Keep an eye on him.” He motioned to Agustin.
Glancing around, he noted the fighting had come to an end. The crew were returning to the ship with sacks full of treasure. Pargo joined them.
“I’ll take care of him,” he said, looking down at Agustin.
“Did you find your treasure?” Rourke asked.
“Sí. The French captain was happy to surrender it to me.” Two of his men dragged Agustin across the deck. “He will pay for what he’s done.” He turned and crossed back to the French ship where the men were busy dividing up the loot they’d found.
Rourke led Lizzie back to his quarters. Jamie followed, but stopped at the door.
“Ye ken what needs to be done,” Rourke said. “Get to work.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” Jamie turned and began retrieving weapons from the bodies lying on deck.
Once inside his cabin, Rourke poured whisky for himself and Lizzie. “Drink this,” he said, handing it to her. “Ye’ll feel better.”
She wrinkled her nose at it, but he insisted, and she didn’t resist. He gently wiped the tears from her eyes with his kerchief. “Thank ye for saving me. Though I was about to get the better of the man.”
Lizzie appeared amused by this as a small smile appeared on her lips.
“I imagine in the future, ye’re never going to listen to me. Is that true?”
“It’s possible.”
There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
“Cap’n, we’ve some new crew members aboard.” Hawes reported. “Pargo will scuttle the French ship. All our men are accounted for and back aboard.”
“Let’s set sail then. Follow the English merchant.”
“Are we going to take her, sir?”
“We’re escorting her to port in the Carolinas.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” As Hawes left, Jamie hurried in.
“Sir, the Spanish cap’n tossed this to me. Said it belonged to Miss Lizzie.”
Jamie handed her a velvet pouch.
When she opened it, her hand flew to her mouth. “It’s my father’s pocket watch.”
Rourke took it from her. It was engraved on the back with the name Governor William Wickham. “Agustin must have taken it from him.”
He handed it back to her, and she held it to her heart. “I will treasure it always.”
“Is the deck clear?” Rourke asked Jamie.
“Aye, sir.”
“We’ll be underway then.”
Jamie stood smiling at the two of them. Rourke shooed him back out the door, closing it behind him.
Lizzie gasped. “You’re bleeding.” She ran to his side. “Let me help you.”
“It’s nothing. A mere scratch.”
“Let me clean it for you. Take your shirt off.”
“Lass, if ye wish me to undress, ye doona need to find reasons. All ye must do is ask.” He undid his shirt and winced as he shrugged out of it.
Lizzie had him sit with his back to her. “It’s not deep,” she reported.
“I told ye, ’tis a scratch.”
She located a pitcher of water and poured some on the kerchief she’d been holding. “Let me know if I’m hurting you,” she said.
Rourke laughed, but agreed. “I will.”
With tender, light touches, she wiped away the blood.
“Ye’ve the hands of an angel, lass. I hardly felt a thing.”
She dried it off. “I don’t think it will bleed much more, but perhaps you should leave your shirt off for a while longer.”
He turned to find her wearing a mischievous grin. “Come here,” he ordered, and for once, she did as he said.
Chapter Thirteen
They arrived in the port of Charleston. Rourke gave his men leave to explore the city, but ordered they stay out of trouble. This wasn’t Manta Cay or Scarba Island. It was best they not draw attention to themselves.
Rourke and Lizzie stood on the dock beside The Rebecca. They were joined by Captain Forsythe and the gentlemen who Rourke had met aboard the ship.