Cursing, Blake rubbed the back of his neck, attempting to stifle his rising doubts. But the ghoulish demons had only grown more intense, the nightmares more frightening. Even worse, his father kept appearing, each time more grotesque in form and more enraged with hatred. He hadn’t slept in over a week and he was truly starting to wonder if he’d lost all sense. He needed Miss Hyde…Emeline. She was a ray of light in a dark world. A goodness and innocence the world desperately needed.Heneeded. In truth, he could not get the kiss he’d stolen from her out of his mind. Nor the sensations it stirred.
Besides, he had the Ring. He’d not gone to such lengths to acquire it only to back down from the challenge of a mewling muckrake.
Pedro hopped on deck from the hatch amidships, hauling a bag of gunpowder for Charlie, along with some matchsticks. After handing them to the master gunner, he leapt up the quarterdeck and approached Blake.
“We’re rescuin’ Miss Hyde, Cap’n?” His blue eyes sparkled with excitement.
Finn groaned.
“That is the plan,” Blake said then shouted to Maston to take in fore and main. The bosun promptly brayed further orders to the crew, sending more men scrambling aloft.
“Hard a starboard, Rummy. Watch your luff. Bring her in nice and easy.”
Finn scratched beneath his bandana. “We’re headin’ into the bay? We’ll be prime fer the pickin’, like fish in a net!”
Rummy growled.
Pedro gazed at the island. “But we gotta rescue Miss Hyde. She’s a good lady.”
Stunned, Blake stared at the lad. He had no idea the woman had made such an impression. “Never fear, Pedro. I’ll do my best to keep her safe. Now, run along. Bring up more gunpowder in case we need it.”
Smiling, the boy sped away.
After casting Blake a look of scorn, Finn stuffed his pipe back in his mouth and ambled off to attend his duties. Blake, however, was not granted a moment’s peace as Maston eased beside him.
“The crew’s none too happy,Capitaine,” he whispered over the rush of wind. “There’s no treasure to be had and no reason to risk our lives.”
Squinting in the noonday sun, Blake scanned his raucous crew spread across the main and foredeck and those up in the yards. Fifty filthy, ill-mannered souls, bloodthirsty men who’d just as soon gut him like a fish if he didn’t keep them floating on gold. Aye, he supposed a few of them were loyal, but most he dared never turn his back on. “Will they obey for now?”
Removing his tricorn, Maston ran a hand through his damp hair. “Oui, but only because you’ve gained them much coin. Though none can quite grasp why you engage in this devil-may-care rescue.”
Wind tore over Blake, cooling his sweat and tossing his hair behind him. Devil-may-care, indeed. For if there was a devil, he’d definitely not want Miss Hyde rescued. The thought gave him some satisfaction.
“Janson!” Maston yelled aloft. “Ease the sheets, brace yards to larboard!” Then turning to Blake, he said, “You have your magical Ring. What need have you for the woman? There are wenches aplenty across the Caribbean.”
Suspicion rose as Blake studied his bosun. He hadn’t remembered telling him about the Ring, and especially not that it possessed power. Perhaps Emeline had spoken of it, or an unintentional mention had slipped through Blake’s inebriated lips. He would have to be more careful. “What now? A magical Ring? Have you taken to your cups early, Maston? And I do not rescue the lady to become my mistress.”
“Mon Dieu, what other reason could there be?” His brow furrowed as he shook his head at the utter ridiculousness of the thought. “But you are thecapitaine,non?” He shrugged.
“I am. Now enough of this.” He waved him away, and planting his hat atop his head, the bosun marched off.
Taking a deep breath, Blake gazed at the island. The fronds of palm trees lining golden sand waved at him in greeting. Through the narrow inlet, calm turquoise waters beckoned him. To victory or to death?
“Crank, take the soundings,” he ordered, and the man grabbed the log-and-line and flung it over the railing. ’Twould not do for Blake to run aground. Not only would he look a fool, but he’d be completely at the Jesuit’s mercy.
As Crank shouted out the measurements, theSummonseased through the inlet of the bay, passing the frigate off their starboard side. The ship’s guns winked at them in the sunlight as the eyes of the Jesuit crew followed his every move. Where was Della Morte? No doubt already on land.
Wind whipped off the turquoise waters, bringing the scent of earth and tropical flowers, normally pleasant odors that meant a break from the perils at sea.
He fingered the Ring. His plan relied on two critical things. One, this ancient jewel—a capricious relic that possessed both evil and good. And two, an even more capricious monkey. Would either of them obey him today? If not, they’d soon all be dead at the bottom of the sea.
b
No sooner did Emeline’s feet touch the sand than her legs turned to pudding. They would have folded beneath her if not for the two brutes gripping her arms. Their fingers clamped tighter as they dragged her from the water through a thick section of sea grape and mangroves out onto the shore of a small bay. They all but shoved her down onto the sand and ordered her to stay as one would order a dog. Other Jesuits emerged from the foliage behind them, including the infamous Father Della Morte, dressed in attire so fine one would think he attended a coronation rather than a savage parlay, save for the myriad weapons strapped about his waist. A string of Italian spilled from his lips as he ordered his men to hide amongst the greenery, weapons at the ready. At least that’s what Emeline assumed as she watched them scramble away.
Blinking, she continued adjusting her eyes to the bright sun overhead and her legs to being on land again. Stretching them out before her, she rubbed them and attempted to stand. Thankfully, Della Morte paid her little mind as he spoke to one of his Jesuits a few yards away. The palms that lined the shore danced in her vision, but finally the world around her settled and her legs grew firm.
Her heart was another matter. A light breeze stirred her skirts and slapped hair into her face. Flipping the strands away, she inhaled the sweet fragrance of fresh Caribbean air and lifted her head to the warm sun. Though ’twas truly wonderful to be out of that tiny cabin, she had no idea why she’d been brought here. But shedidknow the reason could not be good.
