Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (33 page)

“Cecco and Yulunga are outside, Sir. They’ll be standing guard when the lady and the surgeon come back from their morning constitutional.”

“Before that, Mr. Smee, a small item to address.” In his most subdued suit of chestnut brown, the captain stood behind his desk. “As Mr. Tootles and Mr. Nibs are as yet unknown, they may join the men rowing you to shore this morning. After you have established that the streets are clear of the law, you will see the young men to the appropriate taverns.” Hook reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden coin. He clapped it on his desktop. “You know what to do.”

A smile struck Smee’s rugged face as he picked up the coin. “Aye, Captain! I’m knowing exactly what to do.”

“They have passed their trials in weaponry of all sorts. Male
and
female. Spend it all.”

“You’re a generous man, Sir.”

As a knock sounded on the door, Hook lowered his chin. “That remains to be seen, Mr. Smee.”

The door opened, and Jill and her suitor stepped in. Keeping close behind the surgeon, Mr. Cecco also entered. Jill nearly flew to Hook’s side and grasped the hand he held out to her. In preparation for strolling the streets of the port town, she had dressed in crocodile skin boots and a long Turkish tunic, black, over loose crimson trousers, embroidered in scarlet and gold about the neck and cuffs. “Captain, it’s a lovely morning! So good to see hills and trees again. When shall we go ashore?”

“Madam, Mr. Smee will precede us and test the conditions. If the port is friendly, we shall disembark this afternoon. I have much to do before then.”

“Aye, Sir, and so have I.” Jill had a few discreet letters to write, to London. “I’m to tell you that Mason spotted
L’Ormonde
approaching. She’s mooring a little way up the coast.”

“Very good. I expect Captain LeCorbeau will dine with us this evening. I know of one or two establishments that are nearly fine enough for my lady.”

His lady smiled.

In his modest gray suit, Doctor Hanover stood like a soldier before the desk. Feeling he had waited long enough, he announced, “Well, Captain. I am prepared to begin our arrangement.”

Hook’s mood remained gracious. He waved his iron claw in an expansive gesture. “A fine day for new beginnings. I look forward to accepting your service, Doctor.”

“Now that I have made up my mind, I am eager to get on with it, Sir.”

“As am I, Hanover. I am afraid, however, I must disappoint you this morning.”

Hanover blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“I find it isn’t convenient today.”

Unable to believe his ears, the surgeon paled under his scar. “But I don’t understand, Sir.”

“Going over the ship’s articles is a serious matter, on which I judge it advisable to spend some time. Before signing them, you must fully understand the terms.”

“I have discussed your articles in detail with Mr. Cecco. I believe I already possess a clear understanding of them.”

“Excellent. Thus you hold some concept of their complexity.”

“Indeed. And I assure you, I will abide by the rules agreed upon by my shipmates.”

“And then of course, we must consider the subject of remuneration.”

“I am certain you will be fair, Captain.” Only the edge of desperation sharpened the doctor’s accent.

“I appreciate your confidence, but in the interests of all aboard, we shan’t be hasty in determining what percentage you will take from the spoils.”

“I will not object to any portion you deem proper. Please, do me the honor of accepting my service immediately!”

Jill avoided looking at her suitor during this exchange. She watched Mr. Cecco instead, knowing he pretended an amiability toward the surgeon that he did not feel. But the Italian’s expression was unreadable, even to the lady. While the other men were occupied, he returned her gaze, and smiled. Her eyes fastened on his golden earrings, which swung a little as he moved his head to admire her exotic attire.

As instructed earlier, Mr. Smee cleared his throat and interrupted the conversation. “Sir, the boats are ready to launch. The lads will be waiting in the hold.”

“Of course, Mr. Smee. Be at ease, Doctor Hanover. Given your present attitude, I find it unnecessary to keep you shackled during our entire anchorage. Mr. Cecco has volunteered to release you and stand guard whenever appropriate.”

Hanover heard the fateful clink of keys as Mr. Smee handed them over to Cecco. The surgeon’s face betrayed panic. His fist clenched on his walking stick, and only with difficulty did he conceal the full horror washing over him. “But, Sir. I— I have come to you this morning, fully prepared to submit to your command. I am ready to swear!”

Hook smiled half-way. “No doubt you
will
swear, Hanover…but not to me this morning. You may be prepared, but I am not. I find that with the business of unloading our cargo and replenishing supplies, I am much too pressed to deal with you. When, in a few days’ time, we are back at sea, I will be at liberty to discuss our terms in depth, and then, in honor of your wise decision, we shall celebrate in grand style. Until that time, however…” He nodded to Cecco.

With a respectful manner, Cecco stepped forward. “I regret, Doctor, that I must now escort you to your quarters. But as I have found this particular port not to my taste, I will be pleased to keep you company while our shipmates go ashore.”

“But— but…” Hanover sent a desperate look to Jill. “After all this time, when I have swallowed my pride and…realized that my professional skills can be put to best use aboard the
Roger
…” The lady’s face remained clear, as if she didn’t comprehend his dilemma. Turning to Hook once again, the surgeon glared, his anger surfacing. “Captain, you can’t deny me—”

“Shore leave? But you are very much at home aboard the
Roger
by now.” Hook’s eyes glittered, like his claw. “I perceive that you have found all you desire right here. Anything else you require, any tinctures from an apothecary, for instance, Mr. Yulunga will obtain for you. Make a list; you’ll have plenty of time. Now I must see to the doings in the hold. My love…” Taking Jill’s chin in his hand, Hook kissed her, and then he strode from the cabin, followed by Smee.

Too surprised as yet for the outrage he would soon feel, the surgeon sank into a chair, his shoulders almost slumping. As he leaned forward on his walking stick, its ivory edges pressed into his hands. He ached to talk to Jill alone. But what could he tell her? Respecting the awkwardness of her position, he hadn’t confided the details of their escape to her. Her fluid measure of right and wrong seemed easily to accommodate his need to swear allegiance to Hook. She had, in fact, been pleased by the depths to which her virtuous suitor would sink to free her— indeed, it was this flaw in his character, rather than his integrity, that finally won her!

For Hanover had lost the duel, but not the lady’s love. Jill had yielded suddenly, during the usual break in one of Liza’s lessons. After pledging to join her pirates, Hanover was astonished to feel Jill insinuate herself into his arms. Declining to hear the specifics of his design, she had promised that, if he found a way off the ship, she would follow him. Guided by LeCorbeau’s plan, Hanover intended to slip out of sight in town.
L’Ormonde
’s boat would find him later. Then, in the dark of night, LeCorbeau would watch for a signal from the starboard quarters and pluck Mr. Nibs and the ‘drowning’ females from the pirate ship. Hanover had outlined his instructions and sealed them in a secret letter for Jill to open in private as the
Roger
next weighed anchor—
sans
her surgeon.

But, except for an unusually tender scene when Liza left the two lovers alone yesterday morning, Hanover hadn’t indicated to Jill that he would soon be absent. Now, in an instant, LeCorbeau’s grand scheme had gone up in smoke. Devastated, the usually self-possessed surgeon was at a loss as to what to do. And Jill had been quite correct. Hook was three steps ahead of him. Even in his current state of shock, Hanover realized her predictions had been accurate— and he almost admired the man!

Watching him struggle, Jill disguised the fact that she had guessed his plan of escape and prevented it. Accordingly, she wouldn’t lift a finger to help him. The delicacy of her situation was eased by the fact that Hook had arranged for Mr. Cecco to stand guard. Cecco’s presence curtailed discussion of the surgeon’s dilemma. As ever, Jill had been strictly honest with Hanover. She fully intended he should belong to her. It was just that she had her own plans for the man. Now, she simply waited for her fiancé to recover, and trusted her instincts.

“And…exactly where are we?” Dazed, it was all the doctor could think to say.

Standing behind him, Cecco shrugged, and Jill became suddenly alert. She watched the gypsy closely. His casual speech didn’t fool her.

“A dismal place, of little importance. A tropical settlement founded long ago by Venetian merchants. From my own country.”

Despondent, Hanover shook his head. “I am not familiar with these islands.” He had to gather information, pull himself together. Think of another way. “What…what is the name of the port?”

Mr. Cecco turned to the lady, his disquieting eyes daring her to speak. Showing no sign of her apprehension, she returned Cecco’s stare and answered his challenge.

“You may have heard of it, Mister Hanover. This place is known for its interesting history. And it is notorious also…for its prison.”

In silent warning to change the subject, Cecco fingered the knife in his belt and aimed a black look, first at Jill, then at the surgeon’s back. Jill marked his motions, but refusing to be intimidated, she managed a smile for Hanover. “It is called…” Once again, her eyes met those of her dangerous, devoted sailor. She spoke softly. “Gao.”

“Such courage.” Cecco, too, spoke softly, struck to the heart. She was his ideal woman! “I never thought I would enjoy to be reminded of this place, but your voice, Lady, gives it music. One day I will command my own ship, and I hope very much that a brave storyteller like yourself will join me.”

Holding sway but still wary, she smiled again. “ ‘Captain Cecco?’ The name does have a pleasant ring.”

“A ring, yes. A golden one! Waiting for the
right hand
to claim it.” With reluctance, Cecco pulled his gaze from Jill. “Now if you please, Doctor, Mr. Yulunga is waiting, and we must follow our captain’s orders.” He bowed to his lady. Only she heard the music in his own voice.

“Bellezza
.
”

Mr. Cecco’s magic this morning was a dark magic, yet, once again, he succeeded in distracting Jill. Finding she had given her demoralized fiancé hardly a thought as he left, she gathered her wits. She drew a folded parchment from its hiding place within her sleeve, picked up the captain’s dagger, and ripped open the seal, four days early. Settling into Hook’s chair, she rested her feet in their crocodile boots on the edge of the desk, and began to read her affianced husband’s itinerary for her ‘death’— and subsequent departure.

And then her senses pricked as a bundle of gray velvet fell from a fold of the letter into her lap, and with a surge of pleasure, she smiled, and thought only of him as she unwrapped it. The heat of passion swept through her as the contents trickled like solid little raindrops into her crimson palm. A dozen perfect diamonds. Rich with sincerity, the surgeon’s pledge to his betrothed.

Doctor Hanover
had
sworn his oath of loyalty this morning, after all.

§ § §

The tantrum under the French flag that evening was ugly. As LeCorbeau stamped and railed at Renaud, Guillaume hid himself away under the canvas cover of
L’Ormonde
’s dinghy, to wait until the storm passed over. The skeleton crew of sailors not yet enjoying shore leave gave their captain a wide berth, looking forward to the morning, when their mates would return to duty and they could escape for a day.

The Frenchman’s first impulse was to recall his men from port, up anchor and heave to, and blast the
Roger
until the surgeon was released. But, as usual, LeCorbeau’s sense of self-interest prevailed. Even with sober gunners and the advantage of surprise,
L’Ormonde
commanded only twenty-four cannon. The
Roger
was a forty-gunner. And deep down inside, LeCorbeau suspected that Hook would not, in fact, be surprised at all.

And so he swore, and he sweated. Conducting his business on shore each day, LeCorbeau feasted with his enemy in a sumptuous tavern each night, and laid his plans again. On the final evening, he insisted that Hook and all his officers dine aboard
L’Ormonde
. Guillaume was privately attended by the physician and his condition found unimproved— in need of more frequent professional attention.

When DéDé LeCorbeau made his move this time, nothing would go wrong. James Hook would raise no objection as his surgeon, his servant, his step-son, and even his mistress paraded across to LeCorbeau’s ship. Hook wouldn’t be in a position to prevent them.

He would lie at the bottom of the sea.

§ § §

As he fastened her bracelet, Mr. Cecco’s hands were gentler that Smee’s. His smile was gentler, too, and when he looked at her, she felt interesting. But he didn’t look at her much. He talked to her father.

Lying on her bunk with her wrist in iron jewelry, Liza watched the big gypsy sailor. He wasn’t as tall as Captain Hook. He was heavier, more compact, and his skin was darker. He smelled like an olive tree, or how Liza imagined such a tree might smell, growing in Italy, under the hot sun. When Mr. Cecco moved, his bracelets made melodious tones, similar to those of Liza’s chain. She remembered hearing those tones when he kissed her fingers and stole her ring that first day in the brig. She would know him in the dark, by his melody.

Twisting the ring, she rolled over in her bed so that she wouldn’t be diverted. She had to be ready, maybe as soon as tomorrow, when the gently bobbing ship would leave port and head out to sea, when the crew’s regular routine would be reestablished. Ignoring the voices of the men— Cecco’s low accent and her father’s clipped responses— she went over her plans in detail, one more time.