Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (48 page)

“Never mind, Lady. We both know what’ll happen. Someone will end skewered on a sword.
If
Captain Hook comes back.”

Her eyes flamed. “Don’t ever doubt it!” Then her gaze fell to the tool in his hand. As she realized what he held in the other, anguish twisted her face. She backed away. Smee smiled ironically and held it up for her to see. It flashed, one last time, in the morning sun pouring through the doorway. He read it for her.

“‘Capt. Jas. Hook.’”

Jill whirled to face the door. Even needing a coat of paint it was, as always, the majestic entrance to a master’s quarters. But it was only that and nothing more; Hook was gone. The hollow inside her heart broke open. She faltered, and staggered back a step.

Seeing the sincerity of the lady’s distress, Smee felt the bitterness in his soul budge just a little. He remembered how alone the captain was before he found this woman, and how determinedly Hook worked to win her. How the simple act of desiring her had called forth a mercy for her and her sons that the ruthless man hadn’t shown in years. Except for the threatening tears, Jill’s eyes still matched the captain’s to perfection, and however the struggle ended, Smee had seen her fight with all her strength to hold on to Hook’s power.

From the first night of his service to Hook, Smee rooted his faith in the captain’s judgment. Hook had interested himself in the feisty Irishman, kept him out of trouble and given him a position of trust. Smee had never known James Hook to misplace his confidence. Hook had been right to trust that young sailor; he had to be right in trusting Jill, too.

Smee relented. And as he did, he felt the relief of sharing his pain. Pain that confirmed the fact that, even in the captain’s absence, Hook’s two closest companions were linked. As Smee’s gaze gentled to really see Jill, her beauty hit him like a sledge. The old urge to hold her returned in force, along with his protective instincts. His thoughts turned again to the lady’s needs. Comforting as it might be for her— for both of them— Smee wouldn’t touch her. Cecco would tolerate no more interference from the bo’sun who had so publicly objected to Jill’s choice. Smee knew the chain of trouble even being seen with her would set in motion. Instead of wrapping his arms around her, he spoke softly and nodded his understanding.

“I’ll do what you ask, Lady. For the sake of James Hook, I’ll serve the new captain as well as I may. And I’ll keep away from you. But if you’re ever needing me, how will I know it?”

In grateful relief, Jill sighed. It was good to feel Smee’s support sustaining her once more. “I will always need you, Mr. Smee. Just as the captain does. But you will know I’m in trouble… when I wear Hook’s ruby necklace.”

“
Hook’s
necklace?”

“Aye, Smee. If I can only have him back, he can keep his treasure. I’ll never want to wear another jewel.”

“He’d say that
you’re
his treasure, Ma’am.” The tears in her eyes made her harder to resist. Smee pressed his arms to his sides. “If I see the rubies, I’ll find a way to talk with you. I’d best be going now.”

His eyes touched her. Restraining the urge to reach out to him, she smiled in return. It was the best they could do.

While Smee packed up his tools, Liza, wearing a knowing smile, materialized from nowhere to sweep up after him. When Smee left a few moments later, the brass plate nestled in his box, the lady worked at her escritoire across the room, and Captain Cecco was striding toward his quarters. Cecco halted on the companionway to await the bo’sun’s greeting. The men of the ship were on guard for this encounter, and many sailors watched from the deck and the rigging.

Smee stopped. With his box slung at his side, he raised his eyes to Cecco’s. He awarded him a brief nod. “Cap’n.” Aware of the watchers, Smee waited to be dismissed. It hurt his pride, but he’d done worse work for Hook.

As was his habit in earlier days, Cecco read the look on the Irishman’s face as the man left the master’s cabin. Cecco smiled to himself, confident that his new mistress had put his bo’sun in his place. From now on, business could be conducted in civility. Jill was adept in the ways of leadership; she had handled Mr. Smee. Cecco returned Smee’s greeting, and the two men passed.

Cecco was adept, too. He had known Jill also needed that moment with Smee to settle herself. And now she needed Cecco. Her devoted captain would have recognized her need even if she hadn’t risen immediately upon his entrance, or her arms decked in his gold hadn’t stretched toward him, nor her beautiful eyes begged for his comfort.

He shunted Liza out, noting the absence of Hook’s plaque as he did so. Shutting the door, he tried it to be sure the bo’sun had properly performed the job, and then he turned to his woman. His voice was tender.

“
Bellezza
. Your captain is here.” He accepted her crimson hand and guided her to the window seat, and as they sat there, the sunshine of their first day together soaked into their backs.

When she was sure his arms wouldn’t abandon her, she asked, “Sir, may I tell you a lie?”

“Certainly. As I myself know, if one wishes to tell the truth, nothing is so useful as a lie.”

Hesitant, she smiled, then the words burst out with a sigh. “I wish with all my heart that you were still my sailor!”

Cecco laughed. “You, lovely storyteller, are too truthful to lie successfully. I will say it for you. You wish that you could remain faithful to each of the men you love.”

As her lips parted in surprise, he kissed them, and he collected the fervent surge of her gratitude. As he had boasted, Captain Cecco was a man who understood women. His understanding served him well.

She returned his embrace. Sometimes she kissed him; sometimes she kissed Hook. And sometimes…

§ § §

“Mr. Smee.” Captain Cecco’s medallions stirred as he cocked his head. “You have a concern to mention?”

Smee watched as the afternoon sunlight bounced off the sea to swirl on the ceiling. He stood before the desk, his hands clasped behind his waist. Next to him were Mr. Mullins and Mr. Starkey, who had accepted chairs. Mr. Yulunga stood at the side of the desk, at the captain’s left. Jill sat enthroned on Cecco’s right, opposite Mr. Smee.

The bo’sun pulled his gaze from the ceiling to focus on the captain. “I’m agreeing with all you’ve said, Sir. I only have one question— about the post of ship’s surgeon.”

“Ah, yes. Doctor Hanover. The lady has informed me of Captain Hook’s plans regarding him. Like our former commander, I find the ‘gentleman’ to be untrustworthy. Be that as it may, the surgeon is of value to me. I intend to make him a member of ship’s company this afternoon.”

All the officers registered surprise. Only Smee voiced it. He cleared his throat first.

“You mean to be saying, Sir, that you
know
his intentions toward the lady, and you’ll be letting him live?”

“I have found it rewarding to keep my enemies close. But it is the lady who asked me to spare him.” Cecco turned to her. “Jill has my full permission to end his life at whatever time and in whatever manner she sees fit.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Jill’s crimson hand fingered her dagger. Her smile was colder than any of these men had ever seen it. Even so, Smee had to fight the instinct to protest on the grounds of her safety. He knew he’d have to trust her judgment, and watch for the rubies.

But it seemed the new captain was ahead of him, and equally concerned for Jill’s welfare. “On Captain Hook’s orders, the lady led Hanover to believe she would leave the ship with him and become his wife. On
my
orders, Mr. Yulunga informed him otherwise. Ever since I assumed the captaincy, Hanover has known that the lady deceived him. If he signs the ship’s articles, he will remain at liberty.”

Smee stepped closer to the desk. “But Captain, we know from the lady’s conversations with Hanover that his pledge means nothing!”

“This is the reason I want you all to be on guard for treachery. Until he shows himself to be dangerous, we will use him to our advantage.”

Jill didn’t question the wisdom of allowing Hanover to sign on. Instead, her prompting worked more subtly. “Sir, what of his partner, Captain LeCorbeau?”

“Another reason not to alienate our surgeon. As long as Hanover is nominally free and in good health, LeCorbeau is at my mercy. The Frenchman cannot reap enough plunder by simply following the
Roger
. No doubt he anxiously awaits the moment he can take Hanover aboard
L’Ormonde
to resume their very lucrative trade in the doctor’s love potion.”

“But how does this delay benefit us?” asked Jill. “If you intend for the surgeon to purchase his freedom, why not offer it now?”

“My lovely one, I have a larger prize in mind.” Cecco turned to face his men. “It will be highly profitable for us when, in the end, LeCorbeau gives up and in desperation agrees to pay— not only the ransom I will demand for the surgeon’s return, but a continuing tribute from their future earnings.”

As Cecco cast his gaze from officer to officer, his sly smile spread. He watched the gratification grow in each set of eyes. Clearly, he had impressed them with his canny plan. Even Mr. Smee looked upon him with admiration.

“Captain!” Jill’s face lit up with a reverent warmth that increased as she anticipated the riches Cecco would haul in at the conclusion of his scheme. “An admirable strategy.”

“Aye!” said Mullins. But he speculated, “Still, it might have been easier to keep the man in check, Sir, had he not been advised of the lady’s deception.”

Cecco shrugged. “This is unimportant, Mr. Mullins. I have made a study of the man. His pride alone will keep him in check. The surgeon’s obstinacy is such that he will continue to strive for the lady’s favor, and his arrogance will find a reason to believe she wishes to escape with him. But this way, Jill is relieved of his attentions, and authorized to defend herself if need be.”

“And what exactly will the gentleman be told?” Yulunga asked. “He has found access to the lady before.”

“But only with the lady’s encouragement.” Cecco’s dark eyes rolled toward Jill. His voice was smooth. “And of course, as agreed in our accord, there will be no more of this.”

Jill looked down and, in a graceful motion, inclined her head.

“After I speak with him, the surgeon will be either a pirate or a prisoner. And he will understand that the lady is forbidden to communicate with him and he is forbidden to question her— with dire consequences if he dares. What better way to prolong a man’s fascination than to keep him guessing? Yes, men, I expect the doctor’s full cooperation.”

Less coolly this time, Yulunga said, “But Sir, what of the girl?”

“Ah, Mr. Yulunga. I have spoken with the lady.”

At the captain’s nod, Jill answered his mate. “I am considering the wisdom of granting your request, Mr. Yulunga. I acknowledge that the presence of a girl aboard ship has proven unlucky. Captain Cecco feels it is too soon to ask her consent, and as I made clear to you yesterday…there will be no slaves upon the
Roger
.”

The captain concurred. “Whatever the girl’s wishes, offending the doctor at this point would be unluckier than keeping things as they are. I am afraid you must exercise patience, my friend.” Cecco’s gaze caressed his own woman. “I myself can tell you that waiting for such a prize makes the taking of it sweeter.”

With obvious appreciation, Yulunga acknowledged his captain’s treasure. “Aye, Sir, so I see.”

Smee shifted his weight.

Cecco said, “Until then, the former prohibition applies. Any man who touches young Miss will find himself harshly punished. Mr. Yulunga, you will make this law known to the crew.”

“I will, Sir. But you should understand that the girl is growing bolder. And all the men are talking about her intrusion on your privacy.”

“Then the men must see to it that
she
exercises patience, as well. As for your request for quarters, Mr. Yulunga, I will put off that change for now. The surgeon enjoys to employ the spare cabin for consultations when his daughter is in his room, and I wish to use it as a balm to placate him when he learns of the restrictions I am imposing upon him. Those quarters will be yours once we have settled this business of Hanover and LeCorbeau. And we can afford to spend time on this scheme. If we play it out properly, Hanover will pay us a very high price…” he paused, “for the
lady’s
freedom, as well.”

Staring in surprise, Jill caught on immediately. “And once the price is paid and I am free, I will, of course, choose to stay aboard the
Roger
.” Her expression grew guarded. “There are, however, many ways to communicate beyond words. Does this mean, Captain, that you wish me to use indirect methods to encourage the surgeon?”

“There is no need. The man’s imagination will do this for us. I ask only that you try not to kill him before we can collect our reward.” Captain and lady smiled at one another.

Mullins sat back and tucked his thumbs in his belt, a broad smile across his face. “Captain Cecco, you’re as wily as Hook ever was, and that’s as high a compliment as I can give!”

“Aye, Sir.” Yulunga shook his head in wonderment, “I knew you were the man for the job! You always seize your opportunities. We will have more riches than we can spend, whether the hold is full or not.”

Reluctantly, Smee grinned. “Aye, Captain. A plan worthy of Hook himself.” As Smee’s gaze slid to the lady, he saw through her elation. Ready for her next adventure, she gazed adoringly at Cecco, impressed and pleased for the company’s good fortune. But now that Smee had forgiven her, he could plainly see that on the other side of her smile, she was grieving. Faced with the evidence of Cecco’s skill, Smee was beginning to understand how Hook’s Jill could feel two opposite things at once. Cecco was good for the
Roger
, and proving to be very like the man she loved. And the more Cecco resembled Hook, the more Jill must be tearing herself apart. In some ways, it might have been easier for her if the new captain was overbearing and incapable. Instead, intending only to wait for Hook, the lady sensed that circumstances were conspiring to replace him. Smee looked away from Jill before she might catch his eye and read the sympathy on his face. Knowing that Smee acknowledged the situation might make it too real for her to bear.