Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (56 page)

“I am grateful. And now we’d best return to Mr. Yulunga—”

“Not yet. You will hear me out. Another such chance may prove rare.”

“A chance for what, Doctor? Captain Cecco made his orders clear. The life you and I might have shared is now impossible.”

“You know me better than to believe that. I have pledged to make an honest woman of you. I will keep my word.”

“But how—”

“You will know nothing of the details. I will arrange everything. Only trust me.”

“Trust you! It was you who ‘arranged’ my union with Captain Cecco.”

“And it is I who will separate you.”

“No.”

“My dear, do not let your disappointment obstruct our future. I will carry through with my promise.”

“I won’t say I am disappointed with Captain Cecco. It’s just that I can hardly bear the fact that Hook is—” Without effort, her eyes flooded with tears. She turned to the sea. The stair groaned as Yulunga stirred, raising himself up to observe. Hanover backed a pace, but his voice grew urgent.

“Jill.” As she flinched at this familiarity, his fingers searched for his watch. “The captain forbids it, I know, but I
will
call you my Jill. You shall find it necessary to come with me.”

“Why? You can’t tempt me with your diamonds any longer.”

“You speak out of bitterness. But I shall regain my fortune. You will obtain it for me.”

“I?” she asked, incredulous.

“Listen. When I leave the ship, under whatever circumstances I create, you will choose to accompany me.”

“Why should I not choose to remain with Captain Cecco? And your diamonds?”

“Because after LeCorbeau unites us in marriage, I will tell you where Hook has gone.”

It was the one thing she hadn’t expected. Backed against the rail, pressed tight against the braces, Jill faltered, assaulted by emotion— hope, alarm, despair.

Hanover had placed himself between Jill and Yulunga, blocking her shock from view. “I would hold you if I could. You know I cannot. Not yet.”

“Where is he?”
The panic surged from her closing throat.
“Where?”

“Ah, now I stir your interest! I knew I would recapture you.”

Yulunga angled his head, and Jill modulated her voice. “Don’t toy with me. Tell me where Hook is!”

“All in good time. When we are aboard
L’Ormonde
— and wed.”

“I’ll tell the captain. He’ll thrash it out of you.”

“Do you think so? I don’t believe he’ll welcome tidings of his old master. Think what he’d lose in the bargain.” Hanover had learned a thing or two from his partner. LeCorbeau couldn’t have said it better. “One word to the wrong party, and I will lose my memory. No, Jill, you will tell no one. And you will come to me, with my treasure, when I bid you.”

“He’s alive, then?”

Hanover shook his head slowly, backing away. “You will know what I know when you are mine. Oh, yes— and see that you greet me appropriately when I come calling. You will welcome your future husband…with open arms.” He bowed, turned toward Yulunga, and strode away.

Jill clung to the railing. Her heart threatened to batter its way out of her ribcage, but it couldn’t escape. However agitated, Jill’s heart was trapped, as surely as its lady.

She had believed the battle was over, that she was safe in Cecco’s care. But the handsome doctor, the wealthy pirate surgeon, found her weakness as easily as her pulse, and in his practiced hands, she was a prisoner.

Chapter 22

Dreams Come True

“W
ell, Mr. Yulunga! And where is my good friend Hook? The captain is engaged, no doubt, with his so-charming mistress.” LeCorbeau tapped his foot, his beady eyes observing the company as he waited to be greeted by the
Roger
’s master. Mr. Smee and Mr. Mullins flanked Yulunga, and crewmen lined the deck. The surgeon stood in attendance, formal, as befitting the occasion. Nibs and Tom were nowhere in sight.

Yulunga towered over the Frenchman, beaming. “Of course. But he will attend you—” As the door to the captain’s quarters swung open, Yulunga looked up. “Now.” LeCorbeau and his mates turned expectant faces toward the companionway, ready to humor Captain Hook’s flair for the dramatic.

Hook’s lady emerged, smiling her greetings. She was escorted by a man. A dark man and handsome, but otherwise very unlike the captain his guests expected to greet. The
Roger
’s visitors dropped their jaws as they observed the pair.

Cecco’s arm encircled Jill’s waist. He descended the steps of the companionway with an air of entitlement, touching Hook’s woman with every indication of possession. That this man was her lover, her master, and her captain, appeared indisputable. But where was Hook?

Taken aback, LeCorbeau watched in silence as the couple strolled toward him. Raising his eyebrows, he said at last, “
Alors
…I am amazed,
Monsieur!
But what have you done with the elegant Captain Hook, who for so long has dominated the
Roger?
Surely, you have not vanquished him in some duel over the fair one?” Yet both the admiration and the amusement in LeCorbeau’s voice showed that he believed this circumstance to be exactly what had happened. He could read the triumph in Mr. Cecco’s eyes, and the passion, as the Italian looked at the woman. The eyes of Hook’s man, Mr. Smee, also smoldered, but with discontent. As LeCorbeau ascertained earlier, the woman’s sons were conspicuous in their absence. With utmost restraint, the French captain refrained from turning a questioning gaze on the surgeon, who he was certain must have had a hand in this miracle. A hand! No, a hook! LeCorbeau stifled his humor. His hopes were on the rise as Cecco answered.

“Surely you cannot believe me guilty of mutiny, Captain LeCorbeau. Only an unfortunate event could gift me with the good fortune I now enjoy.” Cecco directed Yulunga with a look, and his first mate took up his cue.

“Captain LeCorbeau, I present Captain Cecco. And his lady, Red-Handed Jill.”

LeCorbeau cut a bow. “Captain. I congratulate you! But, eh, one cannot help but wonder how you came to this position, which a week ago one could not have predicted?”

“The circumstances remain a mystery. Our noble captain disappeared from our midst, and the indications lead us to believe that he is drowned.”

As LeCorbeau listened, he stole quick glances at Jill, studying her without seeming to do so. He observed that although she maintained her composure, her lovely face seemed frozen. Quick to read any emotion he could use to his advantage, LeCorbeau determined Red-Handed Jill was mourning, but wise enough to submerge the fact. The Frenchman arranged his features to sympathize. “Ah, my condolences to all the company! But I see a new regime is now in place. One that, perhaps, will prove fortuitous for one and all.”

“Yes. And as captain of the
Roger
, I wish to forge a new partnership with
L’Ormonde
’s master and crew. It is my hope that you will listen to my proposals this very evening, Captain LeCorbeau. Not only will we discuss our mutual profit, but there is another, more personal matter, with which I hope you will assist me.”

Jill winced, but her expression remained pleasant. She and Cecco had prepared their roles for the Frenchman’s benefit— Cecco to be the brutal conqueror, Jill, his helpless inheritance.

LeCorbeau’s cuffs fluttered with his gestures. “But of course, Captain! I should be most honored to host such a meeting, and, eh, assist you in any way possible. And the personal matter? Am I to anticipate…?”

As Jill averted her face, Cecco tugged her closer. “Yes, LeCorbeau. If you will hear me out, your wishes and mine will be fulfilled. As I establish command over the
Roger
, I must discard some cargo that has proven troublesome to me— but of interest to you.” Jill attempted to pull away from Cecco, but he cinched her waist and gripped her chin. As her eyes rose to meet her captain’s, LeCorbeau perceived two large tears on the brink of spilling. His questions were answered. Cecco smiled coldly at Jill, as if defying her to object. When she remained silent, he released her chin.

LeCorbeau leered. “
Vraiment, Monsieur
, you have your ship in order! I shall be most happy to discuss the situation with you. Bring your officers, and your cargo. I will now take my leave to make all things ready. Until tonight.” The French captain turned on his heel and signaled to his men. Licking his lips, he paraded over the boards to his ship. Renaud and Guillaume exchanged smirks, then departed after their captain.

As LeCorbeau descended to his own deck, he spun to observe the woman once more. Cecco perused the French ship, admiring, while Jill stood unsmiling at his side, glowing with golden jewelry— and staring at the surgeon. Again, LeCorbeau read the emotions. The angle of her head and the hand at her breast informed him. He smiled.

From all appearances, the man fated to succeed Captain Hook was not, after all, the master of the
Roger
.

§ § §

The day was ending. As the sun faded, the captain departed the cabin, his dusky gaze turning toward his Jill where she stood before her sons. She looked away and down, at the leather-bound book on his desk. Just below her signature, the surgeon’s was inscribed, brash in its bold lines. Above her name, the ink glistened wet. As she listened for the click of the door, Jill’s soul felt scored, as if the boys had dipped the quill in her heart’s blood before striking out their names. She thought of the anguish she and her sons would soon endure, all for devotion to Hook. The boys at the hands of LeCorbeau, but Jill— sinking into despair, she felt the grasp of the manicured hands that had appropriated her. She pressed her fingers to her temples, her hope fading with the sunlight.

“Please, Ma’am. Don’t take on so.” Tom tried to engage her with a smile. “Nibs and I have always watched over each other. We’ll be fine. And we’ll learn French in the bargain.”

Nibs’ grim countenance cracked a smile. “Aye. Think of it. Mr. Starkey won’t know where to have us when—” He couldn’t finish.

Jill looked up at Nibs. “When you come back?”

Nibs tilted his head.

“The captain hasn’t said anything, even to me, to indicate he would welcome you. You are on your own. When our business is finished and LeCorbeau sails off, we may never see each other again.” Part of her even hoped this was true. Where Jill had to go, she didn’t want her boys to follow.

Taking her hand, Nibs said, “No. He hasn’t asked us back. That’s to be expected. But there’s no point worrying. We’ll all be doing what we have to do, and there’s comfort in that.”

Jill felt the reassurance of his grip. “Aye. What we have to do. Even if it means leaving inclination behind.”

Tom observed her face. “You’ve had a bit of time to get used to our leaving. It’s not your way, Ma’am, to bemoan the unavoidable. Is something else awry?”

Nibs’ gaze fell on Jill’s leather bracelets, and the pinkish skin beneath. “Is it Cecco? Has he punished you for our decision?” The crease between his brows deepened, and his hand strayed to his knife.

“
Captain
Cecco, Nibs, and no. You mustn’t think it. The captain has been firm, but understanding. He’s not at all pleased with you, but he’s true to his word.”

“He promised to look after you. Otherwise, we’d never leave.”

“Then I’m sorry I told you the truth.”

Tom massaged his scar. “Tell us the truth again. What’s on your mind, besides our going?”

“Concern for the ship. As always.” And the ship’s captains, both of them. How could she do her duty to one, and remain faithful to her accord with the other? Since this morning’s talk with the surgeon, Jill felt smothered by that endless question. Until today, her accord with Cecco seemed the best way to serve Captain Hook. But now…Shaking herself from her apprehension, Jill returned her thoughts to her farewell to her sons, who, like she, were about to risk their safety for Hook’s sake.

She said, “I’d rest easier if I was certain you could fly. But you’ll have to hide that, and who knows if after sailing under LeCorbeau, you’ll be able to summon the spirit? Pleasant thoughts may not be easy to find aboard
L’Ormonde
. But I’ve given you my counsel. I hope you’ll remember what I’ve advised. And Nibs. Keep this in your pocket.” From within her bodice, Jill pulled a small glass vial.

The young men examined its contents. An amber liquid. Glancing at each other first, they looked inquiringly to Jill.

“It is a sleeping draught. One half teaspoon in a few ounces of water, I’ve been told, will stop a man in his tracks. I hope you never need it, but if you do, you must handle it discreetly. If LeCorbeau understood you’d used it against him…”

Nibs accepted the vial. “I understand. But how do you know this? Do you mean to say you’ve used it?”

“No.” And again, her thoughts turned to the nightmare ahead. “Not yet.”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Ma’am? Will we be staying after all?”

“The captain won’t allow it. And he’s promised you to LeCorbeau. No, you have to go. And perhaps it is better if you leave the
Roger
.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Only that I’ve got my duty to do, too, and it’s best to just get on with it.”

Tom said, “We regret to leave you. It’s that much easier that you understand.”

“Aye, Ma’am,” added Nibs, “But take care of yourself. We’ll send word to you, somehow, whatever we find.” But for each of them, the hope of recovering Hook alive was ebbing.

Jill opened her arms, and first Tom, then Nibs, took comfort in their mother’s embraces, one last time. Blinking back her tears, she didn’t try to smile. “We may meet again. Sooner than we think.” She didn’t burden the boys with her knowledge. The certain knowledge, now, that the family
would
reunite, and soon. Too soon, Captain Cecco would seethe to find the ink still wet in a slash across his lady’s name. One day in the not-so-distant future, Jill would join her sons aboard
L’Ormonde
. On a day they would all regret.