Chapter 3

 

Reena entered her cabin and gestured to the sailor guiding Freddy to a chair. Fred, her parrot, shifted over his perch, squawking, “Take no prisoners, take no prisoners.”

“I don’t need help. ’Tis but a flesh wound.” Freddy, stubborn as always, jerked from the man’s grip and moved to the side, pain tightening his face as he scanned his surroundings.

Abraham dipped his head beneath the low beams and marched through the door, followed by two more of her men, who stopped short to ogle her.

She glanced down, temporarily forgetting her revealing gown. “What are you looking at, you pig-faced rats. Get back to work! Call Brodie. Tell him a man’s been shot.” Snatching her waistcoat from a chair, she eased into it and covered her chest.

Freddy hobbled to a chair, leaving bloody footprints on the deck.

“Tell him to bring salve and bandages as well,” Reena added. Shrugging off a sudden wave of guilt, she faced Abraham. “Weigh anchor and raise all sail. We need to get far away from the Royal Navy. Set a course north-northwest.”

“Raise all sails!” the parrot exclaimed.

“Ye alrigh’, Cap’n?” Sedley, her bosun, pushed past the departing sailors, addressing her, but his eyes were on Freddy. He adjusted the ever-present blue kerchief tied around his neck and hopped back and forth as if he were standing on hot coals. The man was almost twice her age and skinnier than an anchor chain.

“Aye, all is well. Back to your duties.” She nodded toward Abraham, who gave her one of his I hope you know what you’re doing looks before he grabbed Sedley by the collar and dragged him off.

Michael came bursting through the door, his blond hair sticking out in all directions.

Reena gave a heavy sigh and placed a hand on her hip. “And what are you doing up at this hour?”

Ten-year-old Michael rubbed his eyes. “I couldn’t sleep. I was worried about you. Is this him?” He blinked and stared at Freddy.

Freddy only cocked a brow at him as if he were an oddity.

“Aye. Now back to bed.” Reena reached out to grab the boy, but he spun and darted to Freddy.

“Are you the famous pirate captain Freddy Carlton?” The boy's eyes lit up in wonder.

“I’m Frederick Carlton, lad, but I’m no longer a pirate.”

Michael’s gaze dropped to the gunshot wound on Freddy’s shoulder. “You’re hurt.” Then with all the gentleness of a nursemaid, the boy brushed his hand over the bloody area.

“Enough.” Reena took him by the shoulders. “You can talk to Captain Carlton tomorrow. Now, out.” She gave him a slight shove out the door and closed it behind him.

“So, you took over as captain.” ’Twas more of a statement than a question as Freddy lifted his hand and stared at his shoulder curiously.

Reena sashayed back to her desk and toyed with the feathers of a quill pen. “What did you expect after you left me? Was I to go live with my parents? Take up some tiresome skill such as knitting, painting, or playing the pianoforte?”

He snorted. “Now that I would have loved to have seen.” But his jovial tone soon soured. “I hope you’re quite pleased with yourself. The Royal Navy will hunt me down for desertion. Should they find me, at best they will lash me, at worst, they will court-martial and hang me.”

“Hang ’im by the yardarm!” Fred squawked.

“Then we shall ensure they do not find you.” Reena spun to face him, a grin on her lips. “And aye, I am quite pleased with myself. I have saved you from a life of drudgery and misery. A measure of thanks would be in order.”

“Thanks!” He spit out. “I’m shot and my feet are in shreds!”

“A small pittance to pay.” She shrugged.

“Mayhap for you!”

Ah, but the man was handsome. And it was so good to see him, especially here in this cabin where they’d shared many a good time—many a loving time. She approached him, unable to keep her distance for another minute. Kneeling before him, she took his hands in hers. “I missed you so much, Freddy. Tell me ’tis good to see me again. I know you have missed me. Your eyes betray you.”

Freddy slowly pulled his hands away and closed those eyes. His lips twisted and turned and finally flattened into a snarl. “I was doing well, Reena. I was making a life for myself.”

“Poppycock.” She shot up. “We already had a wonderful life together.”

Shouts echoed from above, along with the thunder of feet as Abraham woke the crew to their tasks.

Freddy opened his eyes, but there was none of the affection, the spark, the light of love that she’d seen moments before. It was as if a monster had absconded away with her Freddy and left a carcass of loathing behind.

“If that were true”—his tone was heartless—“If we had a wonderful life together, I would not have left.”

A crack etched its way across Reena’s heart, ripping away flesh, spilling blood and hope onto the floor. Against her will, a mist covered her eyes, and she turned her back to him.

A knock rescued her from betraying her weakness.

“Enter.”

The door creaked open and in walked Brodie, a black satchel in hand. Wiping her eyes, Reena gestured toward Freddy.

The young Scot shook his head. “I didna know ye’d hae injuries, Captain, or I wouldna be weel into me cups.”

“Bottoms up. Bottoms up,” Fred squawked.

“Hold your feathers,” Reena said to the bird then turned to Brodie, smiling. “When are you not well into your cups?”

He gave her that charming grin of his and laughed. “Aye, that.” Stumbling over to Freddy, he plopped down beside him. “Off wit’ yer shirt.” He attempted to help Freddy, but the stubborn man would have none of it. Instead, with great difficulty and obvious pain, Freddy tore the shirt over his head.

Freddy had always been well-built and strong, but Reena was not prepared for the extra muscles he’d obtained whilst in the navy—muscles that rounded his arms and rippled down his stomach. Power. Sheer power. Add to that honor, kindness, and love. Such a wonderful man! And she would have him. Despite the cross hanging around his neck. By God, she would have him.

 

♥♥♥

 

Pushing the besotted fool’s hands away, Frederick attempted to rise, but the throbbing in his feet forbade him. Above, sails snapped as they filled with wind, and the brig jerked and started on its way, evident by the rush of water against the hull.

“You have naught to fear from Brodie,” Reena said. “He does his best work inebriated.”

“Comforting,” Frederick snapped back, though for some reason, most of the pain had left after the young lad, Michael, had touched him.

“Ach now, hold still, Captain Carlton.” Brodie slurred as he examined the gunshot wound on Frederick’s shoulder. “Shot clean through,” he announced as he opened his satchel, put away the knife, and pulled out a small bottle, bandages, and a jar.

The Scot was young—mayhap mid-twenties—with red hair and blue eyes that would be the crisp color of the Caribbean if they weren’t hazed with alcohol.

Without warning, he poured liquid from the bottle over Frederick’s shoulder. He might as well have stuffed hot coals into the wound, but Frederick forced back a shout of agony, closed his eyes, and growled instead.

“Weel, ’tis a strong man we hae here, jist as ye said, Captain.” Brodie continued his ministrations. Despite his fumbling, he made quick work of Frederick’s shoulder, bandaged it up, then moved on to examine his feet.

While the drunken surgeon patched up the cuts and scrapes, Frederick distracted himself from the pain by glancing at Reena. Reena…he could hardly believe she was standing before him. Or more like fidgeting before him as she shuffled parchment on her desk, moved trinkets around, picked up her pistol and set it down again. A parrot as big as a bottle of rum sat on a tall perch beside her desk, moving side to side, as fidgety as she. Reena Hyde, nervous? Nay, that wasn’t the woman he knew.

He’d hurt her with his harsh comments. He knew it. And despite hating himself for the pain he caused her, he had no choice but to be callous. For his own sake. And hers. Thunderation! She’d stolen him off a Royal Navy Ship! Her courage, her bravery, her foolishness… this woman would be the death of him. He thought he was in the safest place possible—a place she could never reach him. But the woman never failed to surprise him.

A lantern hanging above trickled golden light down her lustrous dark hair that tumbled to her waist and then rolled over her curves, so evident even with the waistcoat she’d donned. It glistened over her high cheeks, the delicate line of her jaw, and those…sweet lips. He gulped. Gads, but he had missed her! Not a day had gone by in which he had not thought of her, prayed for her, and wondered how she fared. Hoping beyond hope that she was not getting into trouble, that she had gone home as he'd told her to do, spent time with her parents, and took up a womanly skill. And most of all, committed her life to God.

Aside from the parrot, the cabin looked much the same as it had the last time he’d been here, save for a few feminine touches—a crystal vase of fresh flowers on the desk, a spill of lace and silk peeking from within a fine Flanders chest, a painted porcelain tea set on a rack attached to the bulkhead, and a comb and jars of perfumes and ointments strewn haphazardly on a table perched before a looking glass. But the large oak desk, mahogany sideboard, racks of books, and heavy twenty-pounder perched before the bed—the bed, he gulped and snapped his gaze away—were all the same.

“Egad, man!” He jerked his foot from the so-called doctor’s ministrations.

“Ach now, quit bein’ sich a goose-livered squid.” A waft of rum drifted from the man as he reached in his bag for more bandages.

“Mayhap if you were sober, you wouldn’t dig your nails into my wounds.”

The parrot squawked. “Fetch the rum!”

Reena looked up and smiled.

Brodie applied the last bit of salve to Frederick’s foot and bandaged it up before gathering his things and rising. The deck canted and the man stumbled sideways, but caught his balance, and swerved to bow before Reena with an exaggerated flourish. “Weel there be anythin’ else, Captain?”

She laughed and waved him off. “Out with you, now, Brodie. Go sleep it off.”

After the man left, Reena circled her desk and started toward Frederick.

He leapt to his feet, winced at the pain, and held up a palm to stop her. She wasn't the only one whose heart felt like it had been keelhauled. “What do you want from me?”

Halting, she stared at him. Sorrow clouded her expression, but only for a moment before she gave a half grin and the twinkle returned to her eyes. “It has come to my attention that there is a vast amount of hidden treasure to be found on Saint-Domingue.”

Frederick growled and rubbed his eyes.

“I'm serious, Freddy. I have a very reliable source who told me its exact location. This could be the prize of a lifetime, and I need your help to get it.”

“Aye, thar be treasure,” the parrot interjected. “Thar be treasure!”

Retreating, Reena grabbed a peanut from a bowl on her desk and handed it to the bird. “Hush now, Fred.”

“Fred? You named your parrot after me?”

Reena shrugged. “The cabin was so empty without you. What else was I supposed to do? Besides,”—she gave the infernal bird a piece of mango—“he’s much nicer than you are. He agrees with everything I say.”

“You mean, he mimics everything you say.” Frederick huffed. “Which is what you always wanted of me.” Before she could respond, he added. “Since you already have a Freddy in your cabin, what need have you of me?”

She gave him a sideways grin. “Among other unmentionable things, he cannot help me dig up treasure.”

“Alas, you ruined my life for treasure, then?” He ran a hand through his hair. “And stop calling me Freddy. My name is Frederick.”

She pouted and twirled a strand of her hair. “You'll always be my Freddy.”

“I will never be your anything, Reena. Can you not understand that?”

At this, she turned her back to him and walked to the stern windows where gray lit the horizon, announcing the dawn of a new day. The brig leapt and Frederick balanced on the deck, ignoring the pain in his feet. It was no match for the pain in his heart.

“’Tis not simply the treasure, Freddy. But the adventure.” She swung about, eyes moist but sparkling with excitement. “Just like old times.”

Frederick ground his teeth. “I told you when I left a year ago that I had renounced piracy. Hence, we can no longer be together.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and faced the windows again. “Because you committed your life to Jesus?” Spite filled her tone. “Does He not want us to love each other? Isn’t God love? ’Tis what my parents always said.”

“Aye, God is love.” Frederick hesitated, searching for the right words. “But love within boundaries. And we broke every one of those boundaries.”

She waved a hand through the air. “Bah! How can love have boundaries?” She straightened her shoulders and fisted hands at her waist. “No matter. I will not let you go. I can't. We are meant to be together, you and I. I’ve known that since we were little when we played pirate on board our parents’ ships.”

Unbidden memories swamped him of chasing a brown-haired girl around his father’s brig, the Restitution—of sword fights with broken broom sticks and pretending to fire old empty pistols. How many times had they raced up the ratlines, stood in the crow’s nest, the wind blasting through their hair, and stared over the turquoise Caribbean.

He shook off the happy memories. “Even if we were meant for each other, ’tis certainly not God's will that we pirate.”

“Ah, I knew you would say that.” She smiled. “Being the righteous man you are now. But this particular treasure only belongs to thieves. Hence”—she cocked her head—“’tis not stealing.”

Frederick could only stare at her in wonder. “’Tis the taking something that is not ours, Reena. If you cannot understand that, then you know naught of God.”

“I know everything of God,” she shot back. “His ways were pounded into me since birth.”

“Jesus rules. Jesus reigns,” Fred squawked.

“Hush now, Fred!” Reena shouted.

“Seems the bird knows more than you do.” Frederick arched a brow. “But knowing and following are two different things.”

Reena sighed. “Look what following God has done for our parents, Freddy. They are poor, hated, and shunned by many. And they are growing old and feeble. I want to live life to its fullest before that happens. Like we used to do.” An urgent appeal filled her eyes.

He wanted to tell her that their parents were none of those things, but he sensed the futility of doing so. “And this treasure will help you do that?”

“Not the treasure exactly.” She leaned back against her deck. “But the delight of finding it, the adventure. While we are still young. Let us not waste our youth on piety and prudeness.” She spun a strand of hair around her finger and smiled. “I want to be young and beautiful forever. And I want you by my side.”

The brig pitched over a wave, sending its timbers creaking and groaning. He shifted his stance, sharp pains shooting up his legs—wounds from this misguided woman he’d once loved. “Don’t you understand, Reena? You will not be young and beautiful forever. And when this life is over, where you end up for all eternity is what is most important.”

“I know. I know. I’ll burn in hell.” She huffed.

“Burn in hell. Burn in hell,” the parrot repeated.

Ignoring the bird, Frederick grew serious. “It is a real place, Reena. I have seen it.”

“Aye, that infernal nightmare that caused you to leave me. I am well aware,” she snipped.

“That was not the only reason.”

She flattened her lips. “Alas, I have no intention of going to hell, Freddy. I simply wish to enjoy my youth and beauty while I have it. Then I shall repent right before I die.”

The pain in Frederick’s heart turned to sorrow. The woman had not changed a bit this past year. Not for all his praying and fasting and pleading with God. Mayhap the Almighty would not listen to the likes of him. Mayhap he was too evil, had made too many mistakes—was far too much like his father. He blew out a sigh. “I will pray for you, Reena. But as soon as we make port, I’m getting off this brig.”

She plucked her pistol from the desk and slid a finger down the barrel. “That’s the thing, Freddy, I cannot let you do that.”