Prologue
The French colony of Tortuga
July 1803
Everything happened fora reason.
At least that’s what Josephine reminded herself as the mockingbird outside her window increased the tempo of his song. Definitely a he. No reasonable female of any creature would be so rude for so long this late at night. Hours had passed since she’d lost track of the passing minutes. Even opening her shutters and throwing an old slipper at the palm tree where the bird perched hadn’t convinced him to take his amorous tune elsewhere.
With a groan, she rolled over and pressed her fingers to her temple. Speaking of birds, Lola slept soundly in her cage, her head tucked tight beneath a green wing. Damn parrot could sleep through a hurricane.
Must be nice.
A loud thump interrupted her thoughts and she went perfectly still. Again and again it sounded. The front door.
Josephine bolted upright, mind racing. At this hour, it must be a true emergency. Living on an island frequented by pirates and smugglers, “true emergency” always meant something dire. She would have heard cannons if two ships had started a fight. So not that. Perhaps a fire? Her stomach twisted at the thought. Almost all the homes in town were wood. A fire would be devastating.
Swinging her feet to the floor, she pulled her nightgown off andstruggled into the skirt and blouse she’d laid out before going to bed. The pounding began anew as she found her slippers in the muted moonlight. Heavy footsteps came from the hallway and she opened the door just in time to catch the top of her father’s head disappearing down the stairs, bathed in warm lantern light. She followed, pausing halfway down to stay in the shadows.
He opened the door and a man rushed in. “Governor?”
Her father nodded and the man sagged against the doorframe. “First officer, Isaac Caldwell, US Navy. I’m in desperate need of help.”
The US Navy? What in heaven’s name were they doing here? Though the states made their displeasure well known about Tortuga’s relationship with pirates, they had no jurisdiction on the island. Although… A vision of a dark ship flashed across her mind. Captain Thorne had arrived in port last night. The Navy had made it clear the capture of the notorious pirate had become a top priority.
Would they risk a battle in the harbor?
Her father lifted his lantern while the man caught his breath and all thoughts left Josephine.
She blinked to make sure her eyes were not deceiving her. They were not. The most handsome man she had ever seen stood in their foyer. Grateful for the shadows, she let her eyes soak him in. Golden hair fell in messy waves around a chiseled face, and with his shirt sleeves rolled up, tanned muscles demanded her attention. Dirt stained his rumpled clothing, a far cry from what she’d expect for a Navy uniform. She swallowed as her sight dropped to tan breeches, which clung to him in a way some might deem scandalous.
“I’m in desperate need of a ship. It’s life or death.”
Her father cleared his throat. “A ship?”
The lines on the sailor’s face hardened. “My captain is being pursued by Thorne. We were captured by him two days back and escaped tonight.”
“Captured by Thorne, you say? I thought he didn’t take prisoners.”
“Well, he did. By order of the United States of America, I require your assistance.”
“I don’t understand. Why are you not with your captain?”
Officer Caldwell hesitated the slightest moment. “He departed with another pirate. Thorne’s ship left in pursuit shortly after.”
“I don’t have a ship. At least not one capable of going after theReckoning.”
“I will take anything. I must try. You’ll be compensated very well, I assure you.”
Josephine took another step down toward the men. The stair tread creaked under her weight and she went still as her father spoke again. “And when your rescue mission is unsuccessful? How will I be assured of my funds?”
“Draw up a contract to send to Washington if you must, but be quick about it.”
Her father studied the man for a long moment before giving a curt nod. “My daughter, Josephine, will take care of the contract.” He waved a hand in her direction. “I will go find you your ship.”
Blue eyes fixed on her and she fought back a gasp. They seemed to pierce through her very soul. She stood frozen, her pulse thundering in her ears until he turned back to her father.
“It would be better if I went with you. The rest of our men are waiting at the docks, and will be ready to sail at a moment’s notice.”
