“It’s what she deserves, if you ask me,” Rebecca answered matter-of-factly.
When Emmie was finally free of these binds, she’d be sorely tempted to claw the other woman’s eyes out for that comment.
Two hands grasped Emmie’s shoulders and shook. Her head rocked with the movement and made her headache that much worse. She groaned loud enough for them to hear her this time.
“She is waking up now,” the lieutenant said. “Lady Sarah? Can you hear me?”
She moaned again. “Yes.” Struggling against her ties, she tried to put on a good performance. “What… what is going on? Why can’t I move? Where am I?” she ended, her voice pitched higher than before.
“Lady Sarah, you are my prisoner. Where you are is of no consequence, since you cannot do anything about it.”
“Why am I here? What have I done to become your prisoner?”
“You have done nothing—except capture the heart of the notorious pirate, Captain Hawk. Because I would like to kill him, I’m using you as bait.”
She struggled against her ties again for show. “I’m afraid you are wrong. I don’t know Captain Hawk. I have never met the pirate.”
Mercer laughed loudly. “Oh, you have met him, I assure you. His real name is Broderick Worthington.”
She paused for effect, and then slowly chuckled. “As much as I know you might not like me proving you wrong, I fear I must. I heard stories of Captain Hawk fifteen years ago. The man would have to be at least eighty years old. Mr. Worthington is certainlynotthat age.”
“Lady Sarah, you must believe me to be addled. I assure you, I’m not. Would I have made it to the rank of lieutenant if I were that futile? Mr. Worthington wasn’t the first Captain Hawk, and I’m certain that after he dies, another man will take his place.”
“Then why are you so willing to kill Mr. Worthington if you know another man will take his place?”
“Because I want the recognition of capturing the elusive man. Since he has stepped into the role of pirate, he has captured many of my men. My brother was one of those who lost their life at Mr. Worthington’s hand. Several years ago, I vowed to do all I could to stop him and slowly torture him until he dies.”
A cold shiver ran over her. Lieutenant Mercer’s voice was evil and unfeeling. She didn’t need to be told how ruthless he was. Indeed, he would do as he’d planned. But who would stop him? Did Broderick know what kind of danger he was in?
And most importantly, would she be able to save him?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Broderick combed mostof Brighton, even going into every shop just to inquire about Lady Sarah’s whereabouts. For those few who knew her or had seen her with Lady Langston, they couldn’t tell him where Emiline was, and they certainly couldn’t remember when they had seen her last. As the day passed, his hopes of finding her sank lower, and he feared he would never find her. Thankfully, Uncle Henry helped him search. If Broderick had had to do this all by himself, it would have taken much longer.
As the sun began its descent, Broderick knew he wouldn’t give up until she was found. He had asked Elias over and over again what exactly Mercer and the other man had told him, hoping there would be a clue as to where they had taken Emiline, but they had left no clue.
Feeling frustrated, Broderick wanted to scream and find a random person in town just to shake them until he got some answers. But he feared that wouldn’t work. Mercer must know of Broderick’s love for Emiline, which was why the lieutenant played this game of cat and mouse. Broderick didn’t like this game. He wanted to be one step ahead of Mercer, as he’d always been. Unfortunately, the naval officer had now bested him.
Humiliation was a hard emotion to swallow.
From down the street, a familiar face caught his attention. Without making a scene, Broderick hurried toward his friend.When Phillip noticed him, his eyes widened first, then seconds later, his forehead creased in worry.
“I’m so relieved I found you,” Broderick said breathlessly.
“Good heavens, captain. What is wrong? You don’t look like yourself. Your face is white.”
Broderick nodded. “I’m not myself at all. Emiline has been taken by Mercer.”
A loud gasp exploded out of Phillip’s mouth. “No. Tell me you are jesting.”
“I’m not. I have been searching for her for hours, and I cannot find her.”
“What can I do to help?”
“I don’t know. My uncle and I have been all over town.” Broderick shook his head. “But I know that when I finally locate her, Mercer will be waiting to capture me.” He took a deep breath. “Can you locate as many crew members as possible? We must formulate a plan for my escape.”
“I can. But as I told you last night, only a handful are here.”
