Nathaniel grimaced as the anticipation on Hope’s face paled into bristling fear.
“Pirates?” she squeaked. Her gaze flashed back to the ship and her hand went to her throat.
Dread sank like an anchor into Nathaniel’s stomach as he once again studied the flag flapping in the light morning breeze, hoping, praying he’d made a mistake. But the white skull and crisscross of swords stark against the black background gave no room for error. Of all the ships to land on this island, why did it have to be a pirate ship? He eyed Hope again. Her breathing had sped to a rapid pace. As had his own. How was he to protect her and Abigail from these salacious brigands?
Oars splashed into the water, and the cockboats, overflowing with men, surged toward shore, jeering insults flying upon the wind, announcing their arrival.
O Lord, I need Your help. Give their captain some shred of decency toward us.
Gavin shot Nathaniel a wary glance, his jaw flexing. “Should I get Kreggs and Hanson?”
“Nay, ’Tis best they remain hidden. They’ve seen only us so far.”
Gavin nodded and planted his bare feet firmly upon the sand. “Any suggestions?”
“Stand our ground.” Nathaniel rubbed the rising ache on his side. “And pray.”
Gavin snorted and instead primed and cocked his pistol then shoved it down his breeches.
Hope gripped Nathaniel’s arm. Not Gavin’s arm, but his. He glanced down at her. “Go back to the hut.”
“Please. Let me stay with you.” She dug her fingers into his skin. “I don’t want to be alone.” Her brow wrinkled and she lifted pleading eyes to his. “Besides, they know I’m here.”
“Get behind me, then.” He took her hand from his arm and eased her back. Though he felt a quiver run through her, she didn’t whimper or swoon like most women would under similar circumstances. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.” His tone failed to carry the reassurance he hoped it would.
“As will I,” Gavin added.
Terror ripped holes in Nathaniel’s gut. He could not stand the thought of Hope or Abigail being hurt, not in this way, not by these men. Nevertheless, he lengthened his stance, planted the tip of his sword into the sand, and awaited his guests. He’d dealt with pirates before. They fed on fear, and he vowed to not give them their meal for the day.
One cockboat struck sand with a crunching thud, jolting the boisterous passengers from their seats and sending one man overboard. After the pirates recovered from their laughter and the one had risen from the shallows, looking more like a sea snake than a man, they spilled out of the boat like ants over an anthill and sloshed through the water toward shore. Greed dripped from their twisted lips as they scanned the island, searching for anything to satisfy their appetites. Their gazes swept over Nathaniel and Gavin in complete disregard and latched upon Hope as if they could see her right through him. Clutching Nathaniel’s arm again, she shrank farther behind him. He felt her tremble.
Though he did not raise it, Gavin gripped his sword and frowned at the crew of men, some of whom lined up before them, arms across their chests, while a few others wandered over the sand, surveying their new conquest. The men ranged in age, girth, and stature, but all wore the same scowl and the same devilish look on their sun-battered faces. Their colorful attire, though mismatched and filthy, bore the elements of nobility in the gold and silver embroidery, the silk lace, and the metallic threaded brocade and damask coats—all no doubt stolen. Armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols across his chest, each man wore the imperious facade of invincibility. They were masters of the sea, and they well knew it.
Though he could not squelch the fear racing through him, Nathaniel saw behind their masks of insolence. These were lost men wandering the seas in search not only of treasure but also of purpose, of meaning, of true life. No different from most men’s quest, save the method they chose to go about it.
The second boat hit shore, and more men leapt over her gunwales and splashed through the waves, some remaining in the water, while others lumbered onto the sand.
From their midst, a tall dark man sporting a blue plumed tricorn and black velvet waistcoat trimmed in silver marched toward Nathaniel, a jeering grin on his lips.
Doffing his hat, he bowed to the knee. The sun glinted off a gold earring in his ear. “Captain Poole of the pirate ship Enchantress at yer service.” He slapped the tricorn back atop his head. “And ye are?” he asked Nathaniel, but his gaze angled around him to where Hope huddled. His eyebrows rose.
“I am Mr. Nathaniel Mason, and this is Mr. Gavin Keese.”
Gavin slid his fingers over the silver handle of his pistol and inched closer to Nathaniel. Together they formed a wall in front of Hope. With a quick shake of his head, Nathaniel hoped to dissuade his impetuous companion from attempting anything foolish.
“Pleased to make yer acquaintance.” Cocking his head, Captain Poole studied them; then he glanced over his shoulder and lifted his lace-covered hand.
Splashing sounded, and the mob of pirates in the water parted. Major Paine, Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick, and Elise emerged in the grip of four men, who dragged them toward their captain. Salt encrusted their filthy clothing, and their faces bore the marks of an arduous journey.
Hope gasped and rushed forward, but Nathaniel reached out and forced her back.
“Do these wretched creatures belong to ye?”
Laughter broke out among the pirates.
Nathaniel shifted his stance. His yes and Gavin’s no echoed at the same time above the lapping waves, causing further hilarity among the ribald crew.
“Well, since they told us where to find ye, I’ll expect yer the one tellin’ the truth.” Captain Poole pointed to Nathaniel, then surveyed Gavin. “And ye the liar.” His eyes landed on Gavin’s pistol, and he snorted as if it were naught but a stick.
“Unhand me.” The major’s sullen command drew Nathaniel’s attention his way. Stripped down to his white shirt and breeches, his hair hanging in saturated strands about his face, the major looked more like an uprooted kelp than a man wielding the king’s authority. Nevertheless, he tossed his chin in the air, as was the habit of all men bred to power, regardless of whether they still held it.
Mr. Hendrick fared no better. His sopping red beard clung to his chin like a sea urchin, and both shock and dread swam in his eyes. White faced, his wife and child huddled by his side.
“We found ‘em floatin’ in the sea, hangin’ on for dear life to shreds of wood.” Captain Poole chortled, waving a hand in their direction. “We wanted to have some sport with ‘em, but since we found ourselves in need of fresh water and fruit, and they swore they knew of a place close by laden with such amenities, we decided not to kill ‘em.”
“Very kind of you.” Nathaniel bowed.
“Aye, we pirates are not without mercy, are we, men?”
Ayes and curses filled the air.
“But since we are here now …” A malicious look burned in the captain’s dark gaze as he eyed the captives.
The pirates shoved the major and Mr. Hendrick to the sand and released Mrs. Hendrick and Elise. The little girl gripped her mother’s skirts like a lifeline, her eyes big as portholes, but not a sound escaped her lips. Her mother, however, sobbed, clutching her stomach, and fell into a heap.
Shoving Nathaniel aside, Hope squeezed between him and Gavin and dashed toward Mrs. Hendrick before Nathaniel could stop her. She brushed past the pirates, unaware of the multitude of eyes following her. When she reached Mrs. Hendrick, she knelt and put her arm around her shoulders. Elise fell into Hope’s embrace, and she squeezed the girl and planted a kiss on her head. Nathaniel didn’t know whether to be amazed at her bravery or appalled at her foolishness.
Captain Poole’s eyes lit up. “I see you have other delicacies on the island as well.”
“Some delicacies you are welcome to.” Nathaniel forced a commanding tone into his voice. “Others you are not.”
The captain belched. “Indeed?” He cocked his head at Nathaniel as if he were studying a specimen under a quizzing glass. He snapped his fingers in the air. “Spread out and search for others,” he ordered. As some of his men dispersed, he swaggered up to Nathaniel. “Rather bold for a man with only one sword.”
“Two swords and a pistol.” Gavin cast a look of challenge his way.
“Ah, I stand corrected. Did ye hear that, men? Two swords and a pistol.” The crew chuckled as Captain Poole shoved his face into Gavin’s, but the man did not blink. “Against thirty blades and twice as many pistols, not to mention me guns aboard the ship. Are ye that cocky or jest plain stupid?”
Nathaniel clenched his fists and prayed Gavin would hold his tongue, but the young man returned the captain’s glare with equal intensity and a spark of playfulness. “Perhaps a bit of both.”
Captain Poole’s hard features softened into a grin, and a deep chuckle bellowed from within his gut. “Aye, that be a true word ye spoke. But I’ll have to ask ye to hand over yer weapons, in any case.”
Nathaniel handed his sword, hilt first, to a pirate who came forward to retrieve it. He prayed Gavin would do the same. Though a groan emanated from his lips, his young second mate followed suit. Relieved, the captain seemed to possess a sense of humor and, for the moment, was disinclined to do them harm. Nathaniel wondered how long that intent would last.
Hope continued comforting Mrs. Hendrick and Elise. The major struggled to his feet and attempted to brush the sand from his breeches. A jagged wound marred Mr. Hendrick’s left cheek as he stared at the proceedings, mouth agape and a look of horror on his face.
“There were others, Captain,” Nathaniel said, remembering the other men who’d left with the major. “Four sailors, I believe.”
“Aye.” Captain Poole stuck his thumbs into his breeches. He nodded toward his ship. “They guard me ship with the rest o’ me men.”
Nathaniel nodded. When given the choice of turning pirate or dying, most seamen chose the former. But Nathaniel would never consider such an option. He must find another way to convince this man not only to let them live but also to rescue them from this island. “Our ship went down in the storm, and we’ve been stranded on this island for weeks.”
Captain Poole doffed his hat and ran a hand through his coal black hair. “And what d’ye want me to do about it?”
“Since you are merciful pirates, give us safe passage to Kingstown.”
Captain Poole grinned, revealing an unusually full set of teeth, then kicked sand up with his boot. “And what will ye give me in return?” His gaze locked upon Hope. “We’ve been out t’ sea for quite some time, if ye know what I mean.”
“Our undying gratitude, Captain.” Nathaniel bowed, hoping to draw the man’s gaze off of Hope.
“Strike me down.” The captain snickered, but his eyes never left her. “But I was thinkin’ of something a tad more warm and soft.”
Mrs. Hendrick’s sobs shot up in volume. Nathaniel ground his foot into the sand, eyeing her protruding belly. Surely these cretins were not cruel enough to harm a woman in her delicate condition.
“Haven’t you had enough rapine?” Gavin voiced Nathaniel’s concern with more disgust than Nathaniel would have liked.
Captain Poole seemed unaffected by his tone. Instead his face scrunched, and his eyes moved from Hope to Mrs. Hendrick. “Her? Nay. A bit of a shrew, if ye ask me, but I make it a habit never to steal another man’s wife. Was done to me once by a motherless Judas, and I’ll not stand for it.”
Nathaniel shook his head at the pirate’s odd sense of decency.
Without warning, Captain Poole grabbed Hope by the arm and hauled her to her feet. “I’ll grant ye safe passage for the woman.” He flung an arm around her waist and pressed her against him. Her face paled, and her frenzied gaze met Nathaniel’s. The pirate sniffed her hair, recoiled, then fingered it. “Doesn’t smell like a lady, but she feels like one.”
Blood drained from Nathaniel’s head. His chest tightened, and his mind reeled, searching for a way to save her. “You cannot have her.”
Captain Poole flinched and his eyes narrowed. “And why not?”
“She’s my wife.” The thought had barely passed through his mind before it formed on his tongue and left his lips.
Hope’s jaw dropped.
“Yer wife, you say?” Captain Poole eyed him suspiciously, then examined Hope again.
Major Paine snorted, and for a moment Nathaniel thought he would reveal the ruse. But one stern glance silenced him, and he turned away.
“Very well. Take yer wife.” He shoved Hope toward Nathaniel, and she barreled into him. Grabbing her, he eased her behind him again.
“I’m beginnin’ to hate that code o’ mine.” Captain Poole spat onto the sand, then crossed his arms over his chest. “But now ye have naught to bargain with, sir.”
Hoots and hollers blared from behind Nathaniel, where Captain Poole’s men broke through the line of trees, Hanson, Kreggs, and Abigail struggling in their grasps. At the sight of Abigail, Captain Poole’s eyes once again glinted with delight.
“What have we here?” He sauntered up the beach to meet his men and halted before Abigail. Her chestnut hair flowed in ringlets over her shoulders, and she met the pirate’s gaze with brazen confidence. Nathaniel’s throat went dry.
“And who might you be?”
“Abigail Sheldon.” She raised her chin toward him as the pirates released her arms.
Captain Poole eased a finger toward her cheek, but she flinched and backed away, making him cock his head in interest. “And are ye married as well, Miss Sheldon?”
Nathaniel nodded a frenzied yes in her direction, hoping she’d see him over the pirate’s shoulder. When she didn’t, he faced Gavin, using his eyes to urge the man to claim her. Gavin furrowed his brow, then nodded and opened his mouth, but Abigail’s voice rang across the beach.
“Nay, I am not married, sir,” she replied, her chest heaving. “What is that to you?”
Captain Poole threw back his head as a deep chuckle rose from his belly. Scanning his crew, he snapped his fingers, and the pirates released Kreggs and Hanson. “Is that all o’ them?”
“Aye, Cap’n.”
“Very good.” He grabbed Abigail’s arm and turned to Nathaniel. “This girl will suffice for your fare.”
Nathaniel’s heart cramped. He started toward the captain when Hope wove around him and darted to Abigail and Captain Poole, all the while shouting, “Release her at once! She is not for sale.”
The captain and his crew froze in mid-stride and gaped at this slip of a woman who dared defy a band of pirates.
Clenching his fists, Nathaniel stormed after Hope. Lord, I need Your help.
Hope grabbed Abigail’s other arm, attempting to pull her from the pirate’s grasp.
“You should control your wife, sir.” The captain huffed, a look of shock still on his face.
“Believe me, I have tried.” Nathaniel took a stand beside her. “Nevertheless, she is correct. We will not use a human being as barter.”
Gavin came alongside him, his face red with fury.
“Then I’ll take her for free.” The captain jerked Abigail from Hope’s grasp and turned toward the seclusion of the forest.
“Captain, please do not.” Hope cornered him and threw herself in his path. “Take me instead.”
“No, Hope.” Nathaniel barreled after her.
Abigail shook her head, her eyes moistening. “Do not do this.”
Captain Poole’s lips twisted as his malevolent gaze flickered over Hope. “As I’ve told ye, I’ll not be touchin’ another man’s wife.” Pushing Hope aside, he stormed forward.
“But she is on her way to Kingstown to be a missionary.” Hope grabbed his arm, stopping him once again. “I am nobody, but she will do great things for God.”
“God, you say?” The pirate’s face contorted, and his head jerked back as if someone had punched him. “A missionary?” He dropped Abigail’s arm and slowly retreated from her. She fell into Hope’s embrace, and Nathaniel threw himself between the ladies and Poole, not caring at the moment by what odd turn of events they had been delivered.
“’Tis a godly woman!” Captain Poole bellowed to his crew crowding around them.
Groans of disappointment and gasps of trepidation filled the air as if the captain had just informed the band of men they were outgunned. Nathaniel shook his head at the madness but offered a silent prayer of thanks just the same.
Doffing his hat, Poole wiped the sweat from his brow. “No one touches ‘er, or the other one neither, or ye’ll answer t’ me!”
A mixture of fear and respect alighted upon the pirate captain’s face. “I’ll not be riskin’ the anger o’ the Almighty,” he mumbled to himself, his gaze locked upon Abigail. “Well, no matter.” He shrugged and faced Nathaniel. “Give us food and water. We shall partake of yer hospitality for a few days and then be on our way. An’ if ye do not give us trouble, we may permit ye to live.”
Gavin started toward him, his mouth a firm line of protest, but Nathaniel held up a hand to stop him.
The captain huffed out his disgust, then directed a probing gaze at Nathaniel. “I see the same anger burns in yer eyes as in yer friend’s, yet ye keep it under hatches. The sign of strength.” He slapped Nathaniel on the back. “I like ye, Mr. Mason. I may yet let ye live.” With that, he sauntered toward the camp, his crew ambling after him.
Nathaniel released a heavy sigh. At least the women were safe, though he had no idea how long this pirate’s moral code would stand up against his lewd desires. Nor did he know how to convince him to take them to Kingstown. With the fruit on the island nearly gone and the fishing uncertain, they would not last much longer. And if they were delayed another week or two, Nathaniel’s ship, the Illusive Hope, that was to meet him in Kingstown, might leave without him. Then he would have no way to get back to Charles Towne.
Hope released Abigail and raised her eyes to Nathaniel, appreciation beaming from their blue depths.
A hideous scream filled the air, jolting him and drawing their attention to the shore.
Nathaniel charged across the sand, Gavin, Hope, and Abigail on his heels.
Mrs. Hendrick lay folded on the ground, her arms clutching her belly. Mr. Hendrick had his hand on her back and a look of fright on his face. Little Elise sat beside her mother, tears streaming down her face.
Hope and Abigail dropped to Mrs. Hendrick’s side and whispered to her. She uttered a loud, sickly moan that sent shivers down Nathaniel’s back.
“What is the matter? Is she ill?” Mr. Hendrick asked.
Hope glanced at him and then over to Nathaniel. “Nay, I fear the baby comes.”