Unknown (19 page)

E
nglish Harbour was astir when
Drakkar
returned with her little flotilla. They were scarred, but victorious.

Much to everyone’s surprise,
Scythe
made the trip back.
Drakkar’s
carpenter and his mates had been able to staunch the flow of incoming seawater by fothering a doubled up tar soak topsail. Once the canvas patch was in place the prisoners were put on the pumps to keep the water level down. The majority of
Scythe’s
damage was between wind and water. The pumps were manned watch-and-watch at first. But by the time
Antigua
was sighted, the pumps only had to be manned one hour in four. Mr. Stokes had predicted
Scythe
could be completely repaired and declared seaworthy in no time at all.

Commodore Gardner was all nerves and apprehension. From the time Anthony’s ships had been sighted it seemed to have taken an eternity for them to beat into the harbor. However,
Drakkar
now stood bows onto the land. Unable to curb his impatience, Gardner had taken a guard boat out to meet Anthony, appearances be damned.

Now he sat silently, absently drinking a glass of claret, but never tasting it. He was totally engrossed in Anthony’s report.

The dialogue was eventually interrupted by a knock on the door. The sentry announced, “Midshipman Young, sir.” The lad entered the cabin and seemed to wilt from Commodore Gardner’s glare. His anger at having Anthony’s narrative interrupted was not lost on the boy.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Spit it out man.”

“Er—Mr. Buck’s compliments, sir. We’re about ready to drop anchor.” “Very well,” Anthony replied. “Tell Mr. Buck I’ll be on deck directly.” “Aye, sir.” The lad then scampered out of the cabin, glad to be out from under Gardner’s glare.

“Damn whelp,” Gardner remarked. “Well, duty calls, and I’ve kept you too long, Gil. But damme man, it sounds like you took care of the swines proper like. Here’s my hand and congratulations. The island is a buzz from here to St. Johns and back already. Every planter on the island will want to give you a reception to celebrate and share in your glory. Don’t know that I envy you there.”

***

Lady Deborah’s carriage was waiting at the jetty when Anthony finally made it ashore. He climbed in beside her and almost collapsed. She pulled him to her and listened attentively as Anthony summarized the events surrounding the battle.

He then told her if it were not for Dagan he’d be dead. “You would not believe the control he had over Jabot, till some damn rogue broke the trance. Then Dagan called down the raven. Where it had been lurking I don’t know. I do know I owe Dagan my life.” Turning and looking into his woman’s eyes Anthony said, “The only thing going through my mind when the blade was at my throat was that you were going to be widowed again, even before we married.”

“Oh, darling,” Deborah responded as she pulled Anthony to her breast and held him close. “What would I do without you?” Sensing her man’s needs, the carriage ride to the cottage had been made in silence with the two
holding each other. Anthony could sense a renewal in his body and soul that seemed to come with the closeness of Deborah’s body next to his. He could feel her heartbeat as his head lay upon her breast, and he seemed to breathe the very air she breathed. The breath of life.

Just before they arrived at the cottage Deborah sat up. “We have company, dear.”

“Company?”

“Yes! And now that you’re back we’ll have to
open up the big house. Our little love nest is too small for everyone.”

“Who’s here?” Anthony asked.

“Your family, you silly man. They arrived just as you left. Your sister has been helping with our wedding plans.”

“Oh,” groaned Anthony. He then said, “Our wedding’s still a month away and more.”

“And that’s no time at all for all the things a lady has to do to complete the arrangements,” Deborah replied. “Now straighten yourself up and see if that one area that’s too straight can be controlled before it causes embarrassment.”

Without realizing it, Anthony had become aroused with his head lying on Deborah’s breast. “See what you do to me?” Anthony exclaimed. “You prime my cannon then secure quarters without even allowing a ranging shot.”

Deborah giggled as he set to gather himself together to meet his family.

T
ime had flown by since
Drakkar
had defeated
Reaper
. Reports had been sent to the admiralty with several recommendations having been made. Commodore Gardner had favorably endorsed each. It was time Buck and Pope were made captain. Both had held commands and were more than capable to command a frigate. Earl deserved a small command. Maybe he could be made first lieutenant if ever Buck or Pope were promoted.

And Gabe! It had been Gabe in the
Shark
that initiated the assault on the brig that was attacking
Scythe
’s stern. He had evaluated the situation, sensed the opportunity, and seized it. Otherwise, had the brig been left unopposed,
Scythe
would have been destroyed or at least overwhelmed right from the start. Gabe’s actions not only ensured the outcome of the battle but probably saved a lot of blood. English blood. What would be best for Gabe and Dagan? This was a question Anthony still pondered.

After returning to English Harbour, Anthony had summoned Dagan. In the privacy of his cabin to prevent embarrassment to Dagan, Anthony had thanked him for saving his life. He wanted Dagan to be assured of his status in the Anthony family. In a quiet moment the two men grasped each other’s hand. A knowing and understanding look passed between the two and then it was over. The incident had not and would not be mentioned again.

Two new lieutenants had arrived after
Drakkar
had sailed away toward her rendezvous with the
Reaper
. They would have been useful had they arrived earlier but at
least they could be of help with so many wounded and killed.

Lieutenant Markham had been placed in command of
LeCroix
after Lieutenant Mainard’s death.

Anthony’s family had also arrived while
Drakkar
had been sailing toward her rendezvous with the
Reaper
. His sister Becky, her husband Hugh and little Gretchen (who had grown but was still a spoiled little snit) had all made the trip. Anthony’s mother had been too ill to travel, but Gabe’s mother Maria had made the voyage with Becky and her family. Maria seemed to fit in well enough, and the three women kept the men busy as the wedding day grew near. During one of the few private moments Deborah was able to share with Anthony she commented, “It’s no wonder your father was infatuated with Maria. She’s beautiful, sincere and can be very humorous.. At times I’m absolutely jealous.”

Gabe spent as much time with his mother as duty allowed, and Anthony was suddenly very glad she came, partly because of Gabe, but also because of Dagan. Dagan had been very subdued ever since the incident with the pirate. Anthony had become worried. However, since Maria had arrived Dagan had spent numerous hours with his sister and he appeared rejuvenated.

Only young Lieutenant Graf, one of the new officers, had been stupid enough to question Dagan’s departure from the ship. As Dagan was climbing down to a jolly boat, Graf called to him. “I say Dagan, where are you about?” Dagan’s stoic reply was “Ashore.” Graf should have dropped it then but didn’t. Instead, he said, “I don’t recall anyone giving you leave to depart the ship.” Anthony had been in conversation with Mr. Stokes, the carpenter, and overheard Graf’s remarks. So had Buck.

Not wanting Anthony to be involved, Buck called to Graf. “Excuse me sir, but do you have the watch?”

“Aye, sir,” Graf replied to the first lieutenant.

“Well, I wish you’d tend to your duties and leave Dagan to attend his. I declare sir, this watch is as loose as a whore’s drawers. I’m not sure you’re fit to stand watch over a bumboat.”

Stokes grinned at Anthony. “I think Mr. Buck’s got the boy’s attention, sir. They get to feeling important at that stage and ‘as to be taken down a peg or two from time to time.”

***

When Anthony got the chance to talk privately with his sister he asked about their mother. He had the feeling Becky had been hiding something, evading any conversation about their mother. “What is wrong?” he finally demanded.

Becky sighed and said, “Mother’s going mad. She goes into fits of delirium. She curses and imagines all sorts of creatures are after her, especially snakes. The doctors give her opium when she’s at her worst. Her skin has turned yellow. Jaundiced, the doctors call it. They’ve bled her, but nothing seems to help—except brandy and the opium.”

“It may be the brandy that’s caused it,” Anthony replied. “I’ve seen it in a few ship’s surgeons.”

T
he small church was packed. People were even gathered outside around open windows and the back door. The sun was dipping over the horizon, but still the inside of the church was sweltering hot. A heavy haze hung over the anchorage. “So much for a quaint little wedding,” Anthony thought. He was standing at the altar with Gabe as best man beside him. Greta stood opposite to Anthony, as she was Deborah’s maid of honor. Watching Deborah walk slowly down the aisle with her escort, Commodore Gardner, made Anthony realize how much he loved this woman. He also realized how lonely his life had been. He’d never be able to put to sea again without regret and concern. He now understood why the Admiralty frowned on young officers getting married.

When the kiss was complete, the reverend addressed the guests. “I present to you his Lordship and Lady Anthony.”

Lieutenant Dunn’s marines had turned out as honor guards. Their immaculate dress did much to impress Lady Deborah.

“They’re good fighters too,” Anthony whispered to his new wife.

The reception at Commodore Gardner’s residence seemed to drag on forever. The newlyweds were worn out by the time they’d drunk the evening’s last toast.

Deborah was giddy as the carriage took them back to the little cottage where they’d first made love. Well, you’ve ruined the gossip for the time being, my husband.”

“How so?”

“By making an honest woman of me,” she giggled. A certain look came into Deborah’s eyes as she nudged still closer to Anthony. “But I’m still as wanton as a tavern wench where you’re concerned, sir.” Reaching down and grabbing Anthony to add effect, she asked in a coarse whisper, “Are you ready to bed me, sir?” As he became aroused Deborah commented before Anthony could reply. “Oh, me thinks so,” she said, trying to mimic Bart.

“Aye, me thinks so indeed,” Anthony replied. He was more than ready.

***

As Bart and Silas made their way back to
Drakkar
after the wedding reception was over they could see the
Royal Chatham
had activity aboard. “They’s getting ready to take the newlyweds on their honeymoon, I reckon,” Bart commented.

“It appears so,” Silas answered. “But what do ye think of ‘is Lordship taken ‘us’ns along. They got servants a plenty and a full crew for the
Royal Chatham.”

“What difference do it make why we’s going?” Bart answered. “Didn’t ye see Lady Deborah’s servant girls? They’s a pair of lookers, they be. This trip could be like a honeymoon for ‘us’ns if we’s able to get them servant girls in a cooperative like mood. What ye think Silas?”

“We’ll see mate, we’ll see!”