Raised By Wolves Volume four- Wolves (6 page)

I could not sleep, even when my gaolers turned down the lamp and Lots took his turnat watchwhile Watkins slept ina hammock strunginthe other corner.

I listened hopefully for any sound of a rescue, and knew it was foolishness. It was quite possible I would see England before being delivered from imprisonment. The
Virgin Queen
might have been pursued, or the Bard and Cudro might have heard of the trouble at Sarah’s and sailed to safety to await the outcome. It could be days before all who would want us saved might rendezvous and devise a plan. And it was entirely possible that this vessel and her escort would sail on the morning wind. If she did, and the
Queen
was not in a position to observe her leaving the harbor, she might have to search for us; or race ahead and lie in wait in the most obvious straits we would traverse. I knew how bloody hard it could be to find a Spanish fleet with a dozen buccaneer vessels looking for it. One ship seeking another could be a fool’s errand, even if the pursuer

knew the routes the quarrymight take.

 

knew the routes the quarrymight take.

I was alone. I must accept that and make the best of it. I had spent most of my years as a man alone:and in truth, most of my childhood and adolescence alone as well. It was only in the past few years—since coming here—since meeting Gaston— that I had become accustomed to constant companionship and not just the constant presence of other men. My matelot was safe, and that was worth any discomfiture of heart or body I might experience onthis journey. And I doubted I faced death— even upon reaching my father. If he wanted me dead, I would already be dead. So, truly, other than what awaited me at my journey’s end if my friends were not able to rescue me first, I had nothing to fear. My Horse agreed with me in theory, but He did not like being in chains in the company of strangers. Such circumstances had always signaled our demise in days of old; eventhoughI had beenrescued inthose instances, too.

Through worrying about myself, I commenced gnashing my teeth about Gaston. If I was surprised at my sudden loneliness, I could only imagine how he must feel: he who had never known companionship prior to me. I hoped he would recover quickly from the bout he had succumbed to, and if not, that Agnes could care for him and he would allow it. I had faith in his ability to control himself now, even if I were not present, and especially if I was in need as I most surely was. Yet, this was quite the test and he must face it alone.

And Agnes could very well have been on the flyboat with Liamand the children, and not where we needed her. I told the Gods that Liam could sail, and he would meet up with the others before runningafoulofinclement weather or other vessels. others before runningafoulofinclement weather or other vessels. Of course, if the
Queen
spent her time looking for them, she would not be following this ship. The more I thought on all our children being adrift in the sea in a little boat, the more I hoped our friends would see to the children first. Sarah and I would be wellenough.

I was still awake, though calmer in spirit, when I heard the sounds of the sails being raised. The ship began to move as dim light from the hatch seeped around the barrels of the wall. I told the Gods I would survive this: nay, I would endure and conquer it.

Mygaolers offered me a pot and rag, and thena tankard of water and porridge. I saw to my body’s needs and settled in to wait.

Sunlight streamed in through what I could see of the hatch, and the ship was definitely under full sail in open water by the time Thorp arrived. He was followed by a small, moist man with pinched features and a fine suit of black wool tailored an inch or two too smallin nearly every dimension but height. Thorp wore onlya loose linenshirt, fine, thinwoolenbreeches, and high boots, and appeared confident and comfortable. This new man was stuffed into enough wool to keep a small flock warm in winter, and sweat marred the uniformly austere charcoal of it at every place an extremity met his torso. He was mopping at himself continuously with a lace handkerchief, and I was minded of Sir Christopher Vines at his most distraught—though this man seemed eager and not angst-ridden.

“Lord Marsdale, may I present Mister Collins,” Thorp said.

 

said.

“I suppose,”I answered literally.
“How very pleased I am to meet you, my lord,” Collins gushed and then frowned with consternation and turned to Thorp. “Where are his clothes?”
“He was wearing no more or less when I made his acquaintance,” Thorp said with amusement. “I am told many of the buccaneers—as the privateers are styled—dress in this manner.”
“I usuallywear a tunic inadditionto the breeches,”I said helpfully, “but as this hold will be quite hot until we clear the tropics, I ampleased withmylack ofattire.”
Collins was peering at me intensely. “And what is that on his ears? That willnot do,”Collins told Thorp, and thenturned to someone I could not see beyond the doorway. “Hedley, fetch Lord Marsdale a shirt.”
“Do not bark at me,”Thorp was saying. “His attire is not myconcern.”
“Nay, it is not in this matter,” Collins said. “You are correct, but it is the duty of every Christian man to insure propriety.”
Thorp seemed to have a great number ofthoughts on the matter, all of an amusing nature judging by the tight smile he displayed, but he voiced none ofthem.
I said, “I feel that no impropriety will occur unless someone here cannot help but look upon a man’s naked chest and experience lust.”
This elicited a bark of indignation from Collins, and a guffaw of laughter from Thorp. Watkins and Lots studied the ceilingwithperplexed frowns.
“Do not flatter yourself,”Thorp said.
I was tempted to tell him to find flattery in my gaze in order to observe his reaction. And my comment would not be totally disingenuous: I did find him handsome and his manner charming, evenifhe was the Devil. I found ironic amusement that mycock’s taste inmenwas oftenso poor.
“I do not,” I assured him with a smile. “If I for one moment thought any man here might view me with lust, I would gladly cover myself in as much sweat-soaked wool as Collins. I would even don his suit—that is how very appalling I would find that situation.”
Thorp looked to Collins and grimaced for comic affect, and Watkins evenfought a smile.
Collins puffed his chest out. “Propriety, gentlemen, is far more important than comfort. I would rather swelter in this Hellishheat thanburninthe fires ofdamnation.”
I grinned. “I think it very likely, sir, that by the
judgment
of such a proper man as yourself, I will burn in the fires of damnation no matter what I do, and thus I might as well enjoy what comfort I canfind while caught inthis mortalcoil.”
“Nay, my lord, I will not allow it,” Collins said earnestly. “Your father sent me here to save your soul, and save your soulI will.”
My Horse bridled, and alarmcrept through my balls and bowels, but I kept a pleasant smile on my face. I could very well guess why my father had sent this man, but I was determined to playit out. “Did he now? Well, I assure you, Mister Collins, I am wellwith God and He with me; and ifwe have anything to say to one another, I am sure He is more than capable of addressing the matter. I need no arrogant little parsoninvolved.”
Collins flinched and frowned. “I am not a parson, but I am a man of God. And sometimes men of God are God’s instruments inthe instructionofHis wayward children.”
“And sometimes God grants little men enough rope to hang themselves for the sin of hubris come Judgment Day,” I countered. “If you are not a priest, then you are of little use to me inabsolvingmysins.”
“My lord, you have lived too long amongst Papists,” Collins spat.
I sighed. “Perhaps, but in truth, I do not feel those arrogant
men
have the right to speak for God either. So, if you cannot absolve me ofmy sins, but you are to save my soul, what are you going to do? Instruct me in Bible passages and a gentleman’s attire—on which, let me assure you, I will take no instructionfromyou.”
“I am not to absolve your sins,” he said, “but to pull the Devil’s hooks from your soul, and steer you onto the path of righteousness so that youare no longer compelled to sin.”
I gave a snort of contempt. “I have broken all ten of the commandments; and as a lord, I will be expected to continue to do so if I am to maintain any standing with my peers. I can assure you, God knows my father breaks most of those commandments in spirit ifnot the flesh. And ifmy father has truly gone to all this effort to bring me back to his fold, I do not see where he would be so delusional as to expect me to behave in a manner unlike himor other lords. So what are youonabout?”
Collins was appalled, even more so because Thorp was laughing. “Mister Thorp, how canyou…”
“Laugh? Easily, my good man, quite easily,” Thorp assured him. “Youshould tryit.”
Collins swung his bulk back to me. “And my lord, how dare you…”
“Break a commandment so?”I teased. “I assure you, my father has given me little reason to honor him these past years, and I have failed to do so withabandon.”
He mopped his brow frantically and sputtered, “This is not… Youare not… MyLord!”
I was not sure if he was referring to me or the Almighty in that utterance, and I laughed. “You come here with orders frommy father to killallI hold dear and you expect me to honor

him?” “Kill?” Collins sputtered and looked to Thorp before

frowningand lookingquicklyaway.
“Aye, kill,”I spat. “Myfather wished to have mymatelot
and my sister’s husband killed. And my wife, I suppose she was
to die on the voyage. Thorp was handing her to his men. Thank
the… I am glad she escaped such as she did. Tell me, Thorp,
were there to be hangings once we were at sea, or were the
unwanted souls to be poisoned or beaten to death and slipped
over the railing in the night so the crew would not talk? Or did
my esteemed father want all alive so he could witness the deaths

himself?”Thorp regarded the table withbemusement. “Your father

wished for all to reach England alive—if that could be managed. He expressed greater interest in being given the chance to meet some more thanothers.”

I had known that, and hearing it admitted did nothing except make me thank the Gods ferventlythat Gastonwas safe.
Collins had collected himself and pasted a wan smile on his thin lips. “My lord, I was told you were quite quick-witted, but youshallnot tangle us inthings that did not occur.”
“Nay, let us not worry over those who were delivered from this evil,” I spat and glared at him. “So, Collins, did you think the sonofyour employer would be dim-witted?”
“Nay, my lord, I did not. But I have met many men of excellent intellect, and they do not possess the Devil’s tongue suchas you.”
“Were theylords?”I chided. “Do not misunderstand me, I have met many dim-witted lords in my travels, but I have found that all men who do well in a monarch’s court have this
Devil’s tongue
—as you choose to call my facility for debate. I feel you do not comprehend what you were sent here to do, because you cannot comprehend who and what you are dealing with when it comes to lords and their sons.”
Thorp found quiet amusement in that, and watched Collins expectantly.
Collins flushed and balled his fists. “You are wrong, my lord. I do know. And I should not bandy words with the Devilin your soul. I amhere to cure you of the affliction that mars you in the eyes ofanymanofworth, lord or not.”
The chill returned to my belly, but I was very much devoted to the game now. “Truly, and what might that be?”
“Your sodomiacaltendencies,”Collins spat.
Despite my assurances that this was a matter we could handle, my Horse started and reared. I stood. “And how do you propose to do that, geld me?”I roared.
Collins jumped back, and Watkins waved a club at me menacinglythoughI could reachnone ofthem.
“Nay, nay!” Thorp called and stepped between me and the others. “There will be no gelding, my lord; or any other damage to your privates. Your father specifically forbade that.” He shrugged. “He wishes for heirs. However, Mister Collins is empowered to do whatever else he feels necessary to convince you to become a good Christian man with no interest in other

men.” I stared into his eyes and saw that—as he had shown—

 

he obviously thought this was foolishness; however, he would do as he had beenpaid to do withlittle thought ofme.

I calmed myself and returned to my seat on the pallet. Thorp stood before me still, regarding me with more concern now thanhe had duringmysuddenire.

I ignored him, and looked around his legs to address Collins. “How muchdid myfather payyou, Mister Collins?”
“That is not…”
“What value did youplace onyour life?”I added.
“Mylord?”
“If all of this is being done to bring me back into my father’s favor, then it is assumed that I will become the next Earl ofDorshire, is it not?”

“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.

 

“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.

Thorp sighed heavily and returned to his seat with a knowingsmile.
“Well, Mister Collins,” I continued calmly. “If you do anything to my person other than bore me with Bible verses in your attempt to rectify my deficiencies ofpropriety, I willkillyou at the first opportunity: be that on this voyage, or ten years from now when I can use my position as Earl to hire men such as Mister Thorp to do it for me.”
Collins’ mouth fell open, and he stammered for a bit before marshaling his convictions. “You will not, my lord, because I will succeed in freeing you from the Devil’s influence, and then you will not wish to do such a thing. You will thank me.”
I snorted disparagingly and looked to Thorp. “And how muchis your life worth?”
He smiled. “My lord, I asked for a great deal of money from your father for this business, enough for me to disappear. Please understand, when I was first contracted, I thought you to be some little fop sodomite, and I rather thought Mister Collins could not help but be successful. But now…” He shrugged and met mygaze levelly. “I see I was wise to ask for the sumI did.”
I smiled. “Even if I die: even if Collins is successful in breaking me such that I will not seek your head: there are those who willnot forgive you.”
He looked away. “I have come to realize that.”
“And so… Youare a fool, or youfear myfather more?”
Thorp smirked. “I like myjob.”

I recalled his words about deriving pleasure fromcruelty