“Ye have the clue t’ Dempster’s treasure.”Durwin rubbed his hands together.“I says we go find it!”
Cadan circled his desk and stared at the map.He had checked the clue already and found it still legible even after he dove into the water.He’d not thought of it at that moment.All he could think about was saving Matthew.But thank God, he’d tucked it deep in the pocket of his leather waistcoat or the entire trip would have been for naught.
“Nay,” Pell said adamantly.“Surely you know you must go rescue the women.”
“Aye!”Moses added as he dribbled slop into the babe’s mouth.
Cadan drew a deep breath and glanced over his men.“The treasure will remain.The women’s safety will not.We go after them first.”
The only trouble was, he had no idea where they were.
Chapter 22
Gabrielle sat huddled in the corner of the cabin.Thankfully Omphile had finally fallen asleep on the single cot in the room.They’d spent a frightful morning clinging to each otherandto the bedpost during a violent storm that felt as though it would split the ship in two.Lightning flashed across the porthole, giving them brief glimpses of angry foam-topped waves curling above the ship.During one such flash, Gabrielle could have sworn she’d seen the pirate Cadan had ordered to watch over her standing in the cabin.But how could that be?No doubt theResolutewas far away, even farther now due to the tossing of the sea, for even if Cadan had thought to follow them, he’d have lost them by now.
A shiver snaked through her.Her gown, damp from the rain coming through the window, clung to her uncomfortably.Her breasts ached with milk, her stomach begged for food, and her broken heart yearned for her son.
She stared across the tiny cabin, numb from sorrow, numb from pain, and numb from a hopelessness that drained her of the will to go on.For what was the purpose?
God had granted her a beautiful son—a blessing in the midst of so much horror and pain.
And then He had taken him away.
She’d cry if she had any tears left.
Omphile stirred, moaned, then pushed to sit up on the bed.Blinking, her gaze finally found Gabrielle.
“Oh, Child.I’s so sorry to have fallen asleep on de bed.”Quickly sweeping her feet over the edge, a look of true horror marred her lovely features.
Gabrielle shook her head.“I was unable to sleep anyway.I’m glad you got some rest.”
The woman looked at her as if she’d told her she was a mermaid.“You are not like most noble white women.”
Gabrielle smiled.She supposed not, having been raised on a pirate ship among all colors and ranks of people and where all were treated equally.
Footsteps clomped on the deck above, along with shouts to lay aloft and loose all sail.The mighty crash of water against the hull had finally faded to a swish as the ship ceased its violent rocking.
“We should pray, Miss.”Omphile patted a spot next to her for Gabrielle to sit.
“To what end?”she snapped back.
Omphile’s brows collided.“To ask for de Laud’s help, o’ course.To thank Him for His blessings.”
“Blessings?”Gabrielle spat, then stood and brushed off her damp gown.“We are both prisoners of a madman, and I’ve lost my son.”The last words came out with a whimper as tears burned in her eyes.“I see no blessings!”she sobbed out.
Instead of cringing at the anger in Gabrielle’s tone, Omphile merely stared at her with more peace than the woman should have.“We are alive, Miss.Unharmed thus far, an’ Matthew is in a safe place.”
“Bah!On a pirate ship with a captain who used him as bait to get his revenge.I hardly call that safe.”
“You don’t know de captain like I’s do.He’ll do no harm to de babe, you’ll see.”
Too tired to argue, Gabrielle sat beside Omphile.“You can pray if you want, but God and I are not on speaking terms at the moment.”
“Ah, but He still has His eye on you.”Omphile smiled.
Gabrielle dropped her head in her hands, sorting through her thoughts.“I spent my entire life serving God.My parents were missionaries, and we spent much of our time preaching the Gospel and helping the poor.”
Omphile gripped her arm.“What a wonderful childhood.You are blessed, Child.”
