A Pirate's Ransom (8 page)

At first his kiss was gentle. His warm lips took mine in what seemed like a sweet embrace. He drew my bottom lip into his mouth and I gasped. My response pleased him and he deepened his kiss. His breath was ragged and he held me even closer. His tongue ran along the outline of my lips. My mouth opened and the tip of my tongue touched his, inviting, exciting. I wanted him to invade me, all of me. His body was warm and strong and his chest muscles tightened as I twisted in his arms and pressed my naked chest against him. The material of his wet shirt rubbed against my hard nipples. I wanted to feel his naked chest against mine. My breathing grew quick and ragged and his breathing matched mine. I was frantic with a need to touch his muscular chest. He drew his lips away from mine as a light rap sounded and the door opened.

“Ye best be gettin’ out o’ that water, Miss, afore ye ... Oh my!” Mary’s cheerful voice dropped to silence.

Edmund’s eyes bore into mine. For the first time in my life, I realized the danger he’d been trying to suppress behind his hooded gaze was that of deep desire, as I now felt it, too.

“Mary, thank heaven you are here,” I managed to say, in a breathless voice barely above a whisper.

“Thank heaven, indeed.” The maid’s voice took on a scolding tone.

“Yes, I-I fell ... ill, and strangely, by a-a lucky accident, the Captain happened i-in and rescued me from d-drowning in my bath,” I finished quickly as heat scalded my cheeks. I cleared my throat. “Mary, please hurry and bring me a drying cloth.”

Edmund shifted me until my bare feet touched the floor, then Mary rushed to cover my nakedness.

He ran a wet hand through his hair, hanging loosely about his shoulders, and bent to retrieve the ribbon from the floor.

“Thank you, Captain, for rescuing me,” I said, holding myself with as much dignity as anyone standing wet and nearly naked could muster.

“It was truly my pleasure, Countess. Now if you would kindly excuse me, I must change out of these wet clothes,” he answered, then, turning on his heel, retreated without another word.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Mary faced me. “Wot the devil be goin’ on here between ye and the Captain?” she demanded, her arms folded across her chest.

“Whatever do you mean? There is nothing going on.” The words sounded false, even to my ears.

“Don’t ye be lyin’ to me, Miss. The Captain fancies ye, that be plain to see, but to find ye in his arms wearin’ nothin’ but yer altogether.”

“Mary, as I told you, the Captain happened in just as I grew faint. He merely rescued me from drowning in my bath.”

“And I suppose he was revivin’ ye back to life with his kiss.”

“Mary, you forget your place.”

“Nay, Miss. My place is to watch out for ye and protect yer virtue from cads such as the Captain. How do ye expect to present yerself as an untouched maiden to the Duke of Devonshire if ye allow that scoundrel of a Captain to steal yer virtue?”

My stomach turned at the thought of the old duke’s intimate attention.
How could I bring myself to tolerate the touch of anyone other than Edmund?
I swallowed the lump of emotion that swelled in my throat.

“You’re right of course. I shall endeavor to keep my guard up against the Captain’s advances.”
Could I? Did I even want to?

“Aye, as shall I. Now, we best be gettin’ ye dressed. It nearly be time for our evenin’ meal.”

After she helped me into a fresh gown and brushed my wet hair, she said, “I shall be movin’ me things in here promptly, Miss.”

“What? Why?” The thought of never having another private moment with Edmund drained every ounce of joy from me.

“Aye, I can’t permit that cad another chance to ‘ave at ye.”

“That’s not necessary, Mary.”

“Aye, Miss, it be necessary, and from what I witnessed here today, well overdue.”

Arguing with her was pointless and would accomplish nothing but to further her resolve.

“Very well then. Please advise Mister Smith that we shall take our evening meal here, in the privacy of our cabin.”

Mary scurried across the deck to find Tobias Smith standing at the wheel while Captain Drake paced behind him, a dark scowl upon the Captain’s handsome face. She feared his stern rebuke as she approached, but was determined to have a word with Tobias. Much to her surprise, Captain Drake graced her with a smile.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Captain.”

“Good afternoon, Mary. What is it? Is something amiss?”

“Aye, Captain, might I have a private word with Mister Smith?”

“Is the Countess still feeling ill?”

“Nay, she be fine thank ye. I just be needin’ to speak with Mister Smith.”

“Certainly.” He glanced over to his Quartermaster. “I’ll take the wheel, Smith.”

The wiry pirate turned the wheel over to his Captain and took a few steps away with the maid for a private word.

“Wot be the problem?” he barked, yanking his cap off his scruff of white hair.

“Don’t ye be barkin’ at me, Tobias Smith.”

“Forgive me, me dear. The Captain be vexed and ridin’ me nerves.”

“Wot is amiss?”

“Nothin’s amiss. He said he’s in need to make port is all.” Smith shifted his weight from one foot to the other, casting his glance everywhere but to Mary’s face.

“Make port? As in visit an island?”

“Aye.”

“Did we not just spend a day upon an island?”

“Aye.” He fingered his cap.

“Do he have a hideout then in some secluded place?”

“Aye, but it ain’t seclusion he be wantin’.” The wiry sailor danced nervously when Mary raised an eyebrow in question.

“The Captain, he be in need o’ some female companionship, if ye gets me meanin’.”

“Indeed! The scoundrel.”
Rather he cool his lusts with some trollop than with Lady Catherine
.

“Wot brings ye in search o’ me?”

“Oh, I nearly forgot meself. The Countess wishes me to inform ye we’ll be takin’ our evenin’ meal in the privacy of her cabin.”

The corners of his mouth dropped upon hearing the news. “I be truly sorry, Tobias, but I cannot leave her side. After ...” She clamped a hand over her mouth, afraid she’d betray Catherine.

Tobias nodded, quickly catching what she’d left unsaid. “Aye, perhaps that be the cause of ‘is dark mood and ‘is pushin’ to make port.”

“Perhaps.”

She scurried away. Tobias returned to his place at the wheel.

“So, Mister Smith, Mary Chadwick thinks me a scoundrel?” Edmund raised a brow at his quartermaster.

“Aye. Ye heard then?”

“Aye, I heard.”

“Captain, ye gots ears wot can ‘ear a mouse fart, if ye don’t mind me sayin’. Still, ye be best served if ye keeps yerself clear o’ the Countess.”

The following day
The Lady Victoria
drew close to an island, but the Captain dropped anchor outside of the bay leading into port. Knowing we would be going ashore, I dressed in my most comfortable pale green gown and matching slippers. I knew with the lack of the ocean breeze, I would find the heat to be fierce while walking about on the island. When I came up on deck, the smells of spices, rich soil, leather, and the pungent odor of horse dung mixed with the brine of the sea as the scents traveled on the wind and carried toward the ship. Rushing along the deck to catch up with the Quartermaster, I called out, “Mister Smith?”

“Aye, Countess,” he answered, hardly slowing his pace.

“Why have we stopped here? I thought the Captain was anxious to make port,” I said breathlessly, running alongside the wiry pirate.

“Aye, Countess, that he is, but with ye aboard, we can’t pull into port. It be far too dangerous, that, so we be droppin’ anchor ‘ere and rowin’ a launch in.”

“I see. Well, Mary and I shall make ready to depart at your notice.”

“Nay, Miss, ye not be goin’ ashore.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Ye not be goin’ ashore,” he repeated.

“And why not, pray tell?”

“It be a rowdy place, that, full a trouble ... pirates, some who’ll not give a thought to ‘avin’ his way with ye and slittin’ yer throat after.”

“But it is my wish to go ashore.”

“Sorry, Countess. Captain’s orders.” Smith began his familiar dance from one foot to the other as he cast a sideways glance.

“To devil with the Captain and his orders.”

“Me Lady, I must insist.”

I realized too late that his sideways glance served as a warning.

“Is there a problem here, Mister Smith?” Captain Drake asked.

“Nay, Captain.”

“Yes, Captain, there most certainly is a problem,” I contradicted.

“Countess?” He raised an eyebrow.

I longed to slap that smirk from his face.

Mustering what I considered to be my most authoritative and condescending tone, I replied, “I wish to go ashore.”

“Unfortunately, that is not possible.”

“Why not?”

“It is far too dangerous. You and your maid shall remain here aboard
The Lady Victoria
together with a few of the crew, who have ever so graciously volunteered to remain aboard as your guards.”

“Guards? Surely you cannot believe I have any intention of trying to escape.”

“It is not an escape that worries me, but rather an abduction.” He started to walk away.

“Captain,” I called after him.

“Countess?” he said, facing me once more.

“Are you telling me that you fear someone will abscond with your kidnapped prisoners?”

“Yes.”

“And of course your men will be far too engaged in drinking and whoring to guard me so that I might be afforded the joy of a day ashore.”

“Precisely.”

“Captain, I demand to be allowed to go ashore.”

“Countess, why must I continually remind you that you are, in fact, my prisoner, and as such, you are in no possession to be making demands? Now, if you would kindly excuse me, my crew awaits.”

He left without another word or even a backward glance and climbed into the launch, which was lowered down to the water. I watched the men row away from the ship and toward the island, and anger burned deep in my gut.

“You shall be sorry, Captain. I know not how, but I swear it ... you will regret the day you denied me and left me behind,” I said aloud, slamming my fist on the rail.

“Ah, Miss, there ye be,” Mary called breathlessly as she rushed to my side. “Have we missed the launch?” She busied herself tying her purse closed and adjusting her skirts.

“Yes,” I snapped.

“When be the next one then? I be anxious to get ashore.” She adjusted her unadorned bonnet.

“There will be no next one. Captain Drake has forbidden us to go ashore.”

“Forbid us? But why?”

“He fears his kidnapped prisoners may be kidnapped.”

“Countess?” a young male voice interrupted.

“Yes, what is it?” I sighed, turning to find the cabin boy, Jake, who, since our climbing adventure, had been assigned to kitchen duty. Just the thought of my part in his demotion filled me with such guilt I couldn’t raise my eyes to meet his.

“Countess, the Captain he say to keeps me eye on ye and for me to keeps ye out of sight.”

“You mean to tell me not only am I not allowed to go ashore, but now I am to be confined to my cabin?”

“Aye.”

“Very well.” Turning to Mary, I said, “Since there is no threat, I shall retire to my cabin. I wish to have some time to myself, and I am sure you could find something to keep you occupied as well.”

In behavior befitting my station, I held myself tall and made my way down to my cabin. The only outward indication of my ire was my slamming the cabin door behind me.

Rage burned in me and I flung the books and maps from Edmund’s desk. And as his maps scattered to the floor, I stomped upon them. Rushing to the table, I took up the knife that lay on the forgotten tray of food and frantically stabbed the surface of the table until, panting for breath, I burst into tears.

Day faded into night and still no launch returned. Boredom won out, and I decided to go to bed, but tossed and turned as sleep eluded me. It was not yet dawn when I heard a shout from above, “Make ready, a launch approaches.”

Finally.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I rolled over to face the wall.

That was when the first pistol shot rang out and running footsteps echoed above me. The hair on my neck stood on end and I shot out of bed, recalling the day of my abduction from
The Tempest
as I pulled on a robe. In the dim predawn light, I stumbled toward the door. Mary, I must find Mary, I thought as I yanked the door opened and made my way to her cabin.

She and I huddled together in the middle of her cabin. The sound of approaching heavy foot falls echoed off the walls.

“Oh, Miss, ‘ere we go again. I pray we are not ill treated,” she whimpered.

Goose flesh rose on my arms as the door to the tiny cabin slowly opened.

“In here, there be women,” yelled a man dressed in black from head to toe.

Hoots and hollers came from the passage, and I held onto Mary as tightly as I could.

Rough hands pulled me and dragged me up to the main deck. Still my grip of Mary’s hand held firm. My gaze wandered over the deck. My breath quickened and heart thundered when I saw the lifeless bodies of those who had chosen to remain here as my guardians sprawled dead upon the deck. Tears stung my eyes as my glance fell upon Jake, who could not have been more than thirteen, lying in a pool of blood.

Rough hands pulled me away from Mary and tossed me into the launch.

“Mary,” I screamed.

“No, no. Ye can’t take her. Take me instead,” she screamed at the pirates.

Turning toward the maid, one of the pirates growled, “We be leavin’ ye ‘ere to tell yer Captain Drake that Blackbeard said if he tries to pursue us, the girl dies.”

The darkly clad men jumped into the launch and lowered the small boat to the sea.

Shaking uncontrollably, I sat huddled, hugging my knees as the black-clad men rowed the launch away from
The Lady Victoria
and into the fog that danced across the dark surface of the sea.

Finally, a man’s voice echoed over the water. “A launch approaches. Who goes there? Be ye friend or foe?”

“We be crew, Jacobs, ye idiot. Now lower the ropes.”

Before long, the launch was being hauled to the deck of a large ship that stood shrouded in the fog and predawn darkness.

Meaty hands grabbed me and passed me to someone who tossed me to the deck. Scrambling to my feet and gathering my courage, I was quick to find my voice.

“I demand to see your Captain.”

Their laughter filled the air.

“She got spirit, that she do,” one man said.

“Aye, that she do, but we best bring her to the Captain lest our heads roll.”

As they pushed me along before them, I chanced a look around. The ship was dark, as if it had been painted black and the men aboard were also dressed in black.

Someone shoved me from behind and I stumbled down the steps leading below deck. The dampness of the fog clung to me and pulling my nightclothes tighter around me, I made my way along the narrow passage with as much dignity as I could muster. My limbs shook visibly and I felt the flood of warm tears streamed down my cheeks.

One of the men shoved me aside and, stepping before me, knocked on the door at the end of the passageway.

“Enter.” The single word was uttered by a deep, rough voice, and a shiver ran down my spine at the sinister tone it held.

The pirate pushed the door opened and pulled me by my hair into the well-lit room.

A scream burst from me at the sight of the fearsome pirate who sat behind the large desk. He chuckled. “Please, Miss, have a seat.”

Still pulling me by the hair, my captor shoved me into the high-backed wooden chair before the great desk.

“She be quite a beauty, ain’t she, Captain?”

The dark Captain’s stare at his crewman could have frozen the devil himself. The pirate grew quiet and the Captain’s gaze shifted back to me.

“Welcome aboard
The
Queen Ann’s Revenge
,” the fearsome pirate captain said, but his voice held little welcome.

Like his crew, he was dressed completely in black. His long black hair and beard surrounded his rugged and deeply lined face, giving him a fierce and dangerous look.

“I am Edward Teach, Captain of this fine vessel. Perhaps you have heard tell of me?”

“No, I cannot say that I have,” I answered. My voice trembled and sounded strained and tight, as if someone other than me had answered.

“Forgive me, my dear, perhaps you would recognize another name that some have called me. Is the name Blackbeard known to you?”

I couldn’t suppress my gasp, and as it escaped me, I brought my hands up to cover my mouth.

He laughed. “I see that you find that name to be familiar. Now that you know who I am, would you kindly tell me who you might be?” he asked.

My throat closed and my mouth went dry, but I refused to give into the fear that threatened to render me helpless. I swallowed hard. “Lady Catherine Nettleton, Countess of Dorset,” I choked out.

“Countess, is it? Well, the information our spies provided has proved to be correct. I understand you, my dear, are worth a pirate’s ransom.” The humor in his voice was not reflected in his deep-set eyes.

I clasped my shaking hands together and placed them in my lap. Stiffening my spine, I replied sternly, “So it would seem.”

“We shall see.” He shifted the stare of his steel blue eyes to the rough pirate standing beside me.

“Make sail to Ocracoke Island, Mr. Newsome. That will be all,” he ordered.

When we were alone, he said, “I understand the Duke of Devonshire was quite distraught when he received word of your capture. Perhaps he shall be willing to negotiate a handsome price for your return.”

“Only if I am unharmed, and my virtue remains intact.”

“You are a naïve girl, but you do have spirit.” He laughed.

I gifted him with my most vicious glare, which only served to further fuel his humor.

“You are quite beautiful, Countess.”

“Do you plan to ravish me then?” My lip quivered despite my attempt at firm resolve.

“Ravish you? As appealing as that thought is, the answer is no, but I do have plans for you.”

“Plans?” The hair rose on my arms and up the back of my neck.

“Aye, Countess. I plan to school you in the art of pleasuring a man.”