With a ragged sigh, Blake faced Emeline and reached for Bandit.
Before he could grab him, Bandit extended his open paw toward the captain, squealing as if it contained a pouch of doubloons.
Lantern light flickered off the crimson jewel in the center of the Ring.
Emeline’s heart dropped like an anchor. Not that dastardly trinket again! A thousand doubts crowded out her recent joy. Now that Blake had his Ring back, would he go back to his old ways?
Chapter 33
One week later, Kingston Harbor, Jamaica
B
lake stood at the starboard railing of theSummons, gazing over the turquoise waters of the harbor toward the fledgling town of Kingston in the distance. Somewhere in that city or on its green slopes was the Hyde Estate orRedemption Manor,as Emeline had called it. And somewhere within its walls was Emeline Hyde, finally home where she belonged.
“Allow me to go to my family alone, Blake,” she had pleaded with him. “I will explain to them the circumstances that caused you to kidnap me. I shall tell them you’ve changed, relay the events of our adventure, tell them how you risked your life for me.”
Blake had crossed arms over his chest. “I don’t like it. Seems a coward’s way to me. I should face your father man to man.”
“He will most likely shoot you.” She gave a nervous chuckle and bit her lip. “He’s a godly man, but not one to tolerate any harm done his family.”
Blake’s heart had shriveled. “That does not bode well for him to accept our engagement.”
“Please, Blake. I will return.” A blast of wind tossed a strand of her hair across her cheek, and Blake had eased it aside.
“How long do you need?” His glance took in Fort Charles, knowing it might not take long for the Royal Navy to recognize his ship as the pirate shipSummons.
“A day or so.”
Three days had passed. Blake’s crew, nervous at being in a Royal Navy port, were itching to leave. He could hardly blame them. Hence, against everything within him, he’d finally promised to set sail on the morrow. Too much time had passed. ’Twas quite possible Alexander Merrick Hyde, the next Earl of Clarendon, had locked Emeline in her chamber until Blake would give up and sail away.
Or worse, he intended to alert the Royal Navy to Blake’s presence.
Surely if it were his own daughter, he would do the same.
Charlie moved to stand beside him. “She’ll return. I knows it. She loves you.”
“Perhaps, but ’tis becoming clear her godly family want naught to do with me.”
The smell of Finn’s pipe wafted on the breeze. “I says we set sail now, Cap’n, afore we be spotted fer the buccaneers we be an’ hung at the gibbet on the morrow.” He gripped his neck as if he could already feel the rope.
“Wewerebuccaneers, Finn. Were,” Blake said. “We will find new ways to gain our fortune from now on.”
Finn stared at him as if he’d grown fins and a tail. “What be this madness?”
“I’m giving up my evil ways, Finn.” Blake slapped him on the back, knowing full well the declaration might cost him a knife in the gut. But he must trust God, trust that if he did the right thing, God would protect him.
“Givin’ up the trade?” Straddling the bulwarks, Rummy took a swig of rum. “Scupper, sink, and burn me. The crew won’t go fer it, Cap’n.”
“Then they may find another pirate ship to join.”
Pedro slid down the backstay and landed on the deck, a wide grin on his face. “I think it’s a good idea, Cap’n.”
Before Blake could respond, Bandit, clinging to the ratlines, began squealing and flinging his arm through the air, pointing across the harbor.
Squinting against the bright sunlight, Blake glanced over the sparkling waters. There, in the distance, a cockboat rowed in their direction. He plucked the scope from his belt and positioned it on the craft. Was it possible for a heart to both leap and sink at the same time? Emeline sat among the thwarts, looking like a regal princess. Right beside her sat Alexander Merrick Hyde, looking none too happy. Two other men, fully armed, from what Blake could tell, sat next to them. Along with the rowers, that made six fighting men. The only consolation was that another woman sat on Emeline’s other side. Surely, Viscount Hyde would not bring his women along for a fight. Would he?
Regardless, on the promise they would not be arrested, Blake ordered his crew to stand down and offer no resistance. Not that they could do much in clear view of the fort. Still, despite their protests and grumbling, he prayed not only that he had made the right decision but that they would heed his, most likely, last command.
