"Not everyone must needs use your methods of deceit."
He laughed. "Are you telling me my empire's toppled for love? That's rich, I vow. Or are you trying your hand at comedy? It won't wash. Remember, I knew your husband, and we discussed your abilities—or lack thereof."
Cecilia blushed then paled at his vileness.
"Luckily, the customer you are destined for is not so particular in such matters. You shall be the fifth I've sent him. The others are all dead, though one did last as long as two years. He is quite voracious."
Cecilia gagged involuntarily. "You—you monster!"
He laughed heartily, taking a step closer. "Women are commodities. They have value like gems or precious metals. Unfortunately like fresh fruit, they are also perishable."
To the side and a little behind him, Angel stood. Cecilia could see her gathering herself for an attack. She stepped to the side, leaning against a beam as if she were sickened. His eyes followed her, away from Angel.
Suddenly there was shouting and the sound of running feet above.
"No!" Cecilia yelled, too late.
Elsdon was already turning toward the hatch and Angel just as she lunged for him. He saw her rush, his pistol jerking up as she threw herself at him, her arms descending over his head as the gun went off.
Screams from the other women drowned out Angel's little cry of surprise and pain as she sagged against him, smearing him with her blood. He cursed and tried to shove her dead body away, but her manacled arms were around him, imprisoning him in the circle of her arms. He stumbled awkwardly against a pillar.
Tears of rage and sorrow streamed down Cecilia's face. She would not let Angel die in vain! She came up behind Elsdon as he struggled to wriggle out from under Angel's grasp. She brought her arms over his head, crossing them so the chain formed a noose. His neck was caught in the loop. She pulled her arms apart with all the strength at her command. The chain bit savagely into his neck. He gagged, his eyes bulging. He clawed uselessly at the chain. Two women beat at his arms and legs with the slack of their chains.
"Sir Harry! Sir Harry!" cried a voice from above. "They're ignoring the big ship! They're ordering us to heave to! Sir Harry!" A man's boots appeared on the ladder.
Cecilia howled in rage and frustration as the man bent double to look into the hold.
"Holy Mother, they've up and kilt him!" he muttered. Hurriedly he climbed the ladder, pulling it up after him and slammed the hatch shut.
Sir Harry squawked once, feebly, but went unheard by the man. Then he went limp, falling to the floor, dragging Cecilia's and Angel's body with him.
Caught under the weight of his shoulders, Cecilia's arms quivered as she eased the pressure around his neck. "The key. Check his pockets," she croaked, her head falling back against the dirty floorboards.
Above them came the sounds of panic: shouting, gunshots, and the splash of men jumping into the river. The smell of smoke wafted into the hold.
"Hurry!". Cecilia urged the two women tentatively touching and poking his body. She struggled to free herself from his leaden weight.
"Here!" one of the women cried, pulling an iron key out of his waistcoat pocket. With trembling hands she unlocked her fetters and those of the other woman who stood over Elsdon. Then she freed Cecilia and rolled Elsdon's and Angel's bodies off of her.
Cecilia climbed painfully to her feet. Dark, acrid smoke curled into the hold through the grating. Cecilia coughed and held out her hand for the key.
"One of you climb onto the other's shoulders and see if you can push that hatch open. I'll unlock the others," she cried against the pain in her throat. Her eyes were stinging from the smoke.
Hands clutched at her to get free, knocking her down. Doggedly she continued. The women who were not drugged scrambled to help those at the hatch. They boosted one of the thirteen-year-old girls out of the opening. A blast of heat entered the hold, followed by great billows of smoke. A cry of thanks went up as the ladder descended, followed by pushing and shoving as each fought to be the first free of the hold.
"Wait! Stop! We've got to help these women!" yelled Cecilia as she frantically removed the last of the irons from three drugged women. Only the youngest child remained in chains. She was coughing and knuckling her eyes, but Cecilia freed her and managed to get her and one of the drugged women to stand. "Go! Go!" she urged the child, pushing her and the woman toward the ladder. Tears caused by the smoke mingled with tears of frustration. It couldn't end this way. "Oh, James, help me," she murmured as she crawled to the next woman and pulled at her, trying desperately to get her to respond. "Don't let any more die!"
Frantically she poured water on the woman's face and slapped her cheeks. "Please," she cried, sobbing, "please!"
"Cecilia!"
She paused and looked up toward the hatch.
"Cecilia!"
Her face grew bright with hope and joy. "I'm down here!" she yelled, her throat denying her sufficient volume. She swallowed. "Here!" she cried again, louder.
Her call was rewarded with the sound of boots on the ladder.
