A sail! A sail!” A man on the yards above Hope roared across the ship. She looked up from her spot sitting on a barrel beside Elise, reading her a copy of the Tales of Mother Goose that Mrs. Timmons had procured.
Captain Poole leapt upon the foredeck, grabbed the glass from Hawkins, and raised it to his eye.
Across the deck, Nathaniel instructed a group of pirates on the use of the quadrant. Glancing at her, he gave her a reassuring nod and gripped the hilt of the sword he wore constantly aboard the pirate vessel.
Gavin slid down the backstay and landed with a thud beside her. He tickled Elise beneath her chin, sending her into a flurry of giggles, and then winked at Hope. He’d taken the news of her and Nathaniel’s engagement with more joy than Hope would have expected. Either he had never harbored any affection for Hope, or he hid his feelings well beneath his usual facade of charm. Yet he seemed somehow different these past few days.
He sauntered over and stood beside Nathaniel, who clapped him on the back. The two had formed a close bond, one that Hope prayed would drive Gavin to his knees before God.
A band of pirates gathered on the main deck, awaiting their captain’s assessment of the intruder.
Within a day’s journey of Charles Towne, Hope could hardly contain her excitement at seeing her sisters again. She’d been praying for Faith, whom she’d last seen in the Watch Tower Dungeon, awaiting trial for piracy. Even now, Hope found it difficult to believe she’d been so self-centered as to leave Faith in such a predicament with her fate unknown. But thanks be to God, Hope was a different person now.
Putting the book aside, she shielded her eyes and peered in the direction of the men’s gazes. They’d not come across another vessel in two days, and she had been praying for a safe and uneventful passage home. Hope didn’t know if she could endure further excitement.
Lord, let this be a friend and not a foe.
“Scupper, sink, and burn me,” Captain Poole exclaimed. “’Tis the Red Siren.”
“The Red Siren.” Hope snatched the glass from Poole’s hand, as a foul curse spewed from his mouth.
Ignoring him, she held the telescope to her eye and twisted the ship into focus. The words Red Siren stood in bold red across the ship’s bow. Excitement soared through her. “’Tis my sister.”
“Yer sister?” Poole swung a startled gaze her way. “But the Red Siren be a pirate vessel.”
“Her sister is a pirate.” Nathaniel eased beside her, slipping a protective arm around her waist. “Or at least she was.”
“Your sister is the notorious Red Siren?” Poole’s eyes lit up, and he slapped his knee. “Well, upon me life.”
Gavin gripped the railing and stared at the fast-approaching ship. “Why, pray tell, would anyone withhold such an intriguing fact? Quite astonishing!” He pushed from the railing, his blue eyes alight with interest. “Will she fire upon us?”
Poole spit to the side and thrust his hands upon his waist. “I’ll introduce ‘er to the sharks, if she does.” He glanced at Hope. “Beggin’ yer pardon, miss, sister or no, no one fires upon Captain Poole without a sharp reply.”
“I would expect nothing less, Captain.” Hope forced a smile that belied her inner turmoil. “But I assure you, if it is my sister, and she spots me on your ship, she’ll not fire upon us.” Bracing her shoes against the heaving deck, Hope raised the spyglass once again, scanning the oncoming vessel, squinting into focus the people on board. What if it wasn’t Faith? She could have sold her ship, or it could have been stolen. Perhaps she had been sentenced to the gallows, after all. A sick brew welled in her stomach. Oh Lord, don’t let it be so.
A shock of red hair swept across her vision, and Hope swung it back and twisted the handle.
“’Tis my sister, indeed! She’s aboard.” Hope leapt for joy.
“Are you sure?” Nathaniel asked.
“Yes, and there’s a man beside her.” Hope hesitated, peering through the glass. “Captain Waite. ’Tis Captain Waite, I’m sure of it. Ah, this is good fortune indeed.”
“Who the blazes is Captain Waite?” Captain Poole tore the glass from her eye and pressed it against his own.
“A lieutenant in His Majesty’s Royal Navy.” Too late, Hope realized the implications of her words.
Poole lowered the glass. “Be ye out of yer head?” He swore, then stomped to the foredeck railing and stared at the mob of pirates clustered on the main deck. “Load the guns! Clear the deck! Run up our colors.”
As the men scrambled to do their captain’s bidding, Hope dashed to Poole’s side, daring to touch the raging pirate’s sleeve. “Nay, Captain. He is not in uniform. And he does not sail under British colors. I assure you he will not fire upon us.” At least Hope prayed he would not.
Captain Poole’s narrowed eyes sent a chill through her as he shifted his gaze between her and the ship.
Nathaniel approached, nudging Hope behind him. “They’ve no doubt seen us by now, Captain, and their gun ports are still closed. Lend us a boat and send us to their ship. If their intent is anything but friendly, you have my word, we will convince them otherwise. In either case, you shall be relieved of our company, as I am confident Miss Westcott and Captain Waite will be happy to escort us into Charles Towne harbor.”
“I’ll join you,” Gavin shot over his shoulder from the railing.
“I thought you were turning pirate.” Nathaniel faced him, a faint smirk on his lips. “Or have I managed to persuade you to change your course?”
“Perhaps.” Gavin gave one of his boyish grins. He scratched his whiskers and gazed at the Red Siren. “But truth be told, I can’t pass up the opportunity to meet a lady pirate.”
“Belay me orders,” Poole shouted below; then he grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. “So be it. But if she fires upon me, I’ll hold to no bargain.”
Nathaniel extended his hand. The pirate gripped it. “’Tis been quite an experience, Captain. I shall not forget you.”
Captain Poole snapped his hand back and shifted uncomfortably.
“Be gone wit’ ye now before I change me mind.”
Hope had grown fond of the beastly pirate. “Where will you go now, Captain?”
He scratched his chin, the twinkle in his eyes matching the glitter of the ring piercing his ear. “I hear there be a pretty young missionary back in Kingstown. I have it in me mind to pay her a visit.”
Moments later, Hope gripped Nathaniel’s hand as he assisted her over the railing of the Red Siren, her heart lodged permanently in her throat. Before she placed both feet on the deck, a flash of red filled her vision, and Faith barreled into her, wrapped her arms around her, and squeezed the breath from Hope’s lungs.
“Hope, Hope. I cannot believe ’Tis you.” She held her out for a moment and inspected her from head to toe, then pressed her close again, her voice a cacophony of sobs and laughter. “Where have you been? We’ve been searching for you!” Her joy snapped to anger in seconds—as only Faith could do—and she released Hope and took a step back, placing her hands on her hips. Curls of flaming red fluttered around her face in the ocean breeze—a face that now grew tight with anger. Her white cotton shirt flapped beneath a leather baldric. Brown breeches were stuffed into dark boots that tapped an ominous chant over the wooden deck.
Hope couldn’t help but smile. “I’m glad to see you, too, even if you do look like a pirate.” She swiped a tear slipping from her eye and placed a hand on her sister’s arm. “Never fear. I am well.”
Faith’s gaze shot to Nathaniel, who assisted Mr. and Mrs. Timmons and Elise on board, then it swung to Gavin as he swept over the bulwarks after them, plopping to the deck with a smile. She cocked a curious brow at Hope, awaiting an explanation.
Mr. Waite’s imposing figure stomped past them and gripped Nathaniel’s shoulders. “Nathaniel. How did you … What are you doing here?”
Hope smiled. “You remember Mr. Nathaniel Mason, Faith, do you not?”
Nathaniel nodded at Faith. “Miss Westcott. We have much to tell you.”
Faith slid her arm through Hope’s. “As in, what you’re doing with my sister? And who these people are?” She gestured toward Mr. and Mrs.
Timmons, Elise, and Gavin. “And isn’t that a pirate ship? Captain Poole’s, I believe?”
Hope glanced at the Enchantress. Poole’s pirates scrambled to unfurl sail as soon as the cockboat returned. “Yes. But how did you know?”
“I’ve heard of him.” A wind thick with moisture swirled around them and seemed to wash away the anger from Faith’s face.
Elise inched her way to Hope, grabbed onto her skirt, and hid herself among the folds.
Faith eyed the little girl, then she knelt and smiled at her. “And who might this be?”
The little girl curtsied. “My name is Elise, and Hope is my new mother.”
“Indeed?” Faith took her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Elise.” Faith stood and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “You do have much to tell me.”
“And I will in good time.” Hope sighed, then she clutched her sister’s arm. “Did you receive the pardon from the governor? I was so frightened for you.”
“I did.” She glanced at Mr. Waite conversing with Nathaniel.
Gavin approached and gave a gentlemanly bow. “I am honored to finally meet the notorious Red Siren.” His blue eyes took her in with interest.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Waite slipped beside Faith, laid a hand on her back, and glared at the young upstart.
Hope giggled. “Faith, Mr. Waite, may I present Mr. Gavin Keese. Mr. Keese, my sister, Miss Westcott, and Captain Dajon Waite.”
Faith smiled. “Mr. Keese, my pleasure, but my sister errs. I am no longer Miss Westcott. I am Mrs. Waite.” She smiled at Dajon.
“Married?” Hope flew into her sister’s arms, laughter bubbling from her lips. “Oh, I knew it. I knew it! I’m so happy for you.” Withdrawing from Faith, Hope took Mr. Waite’s hands in hers. “For you both!”
“Thank you, Miss Hope.” Mr. Waite gazed at his wife, his eyes warming with love—a love Hope had never dreamed she’d experience, not until Nathaniel.
“God has abundantly blessed us,” he said.
“God has blessed us as well.” Hope slipped her hand into Nathaniel’s.
“Did I hear you say God?” Faith gave her a questioning look.
“You did.”
“And does this blessing include Mr. Mason?” Mr. Waite asked.
Hope gazed up at Nathaniel and nodded. Warmth flooded her at the consuming look in his eyes.
“I am truly happy.” Faith hugged her. “I cannot wait to hear all that has happened.” The Red Siren careened over a wave, drenching them with salty spray. The joyful exuberance slipped from Faith’s face. “But there is a matter of grave importance we must attend to first.”
Hope’s heart shrank.
Faith’s jaw tensed. “It is the reason we have set sail.”
“Pray tell, do not hold it from me.” Hope clung to Nathaniel.
“’Tis our sister, Grace.” Faith swallowed and glanced at Mr. Waite. Her face twisted in fear. “She’s been kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Hope felt the blood rush from her head. “By whom? For what purpose?”
Faith swallowed and glanced at her husband. “We do not know. Her ladies’ maid, Alice, was quite distraught when she returned home yesterday evening without her.”
“Without her? Where was she?”
“On another one of her errands of mercy.” Faith drew a shaky breath, then frowned.
Mr. Waite crossed his arms over his chest. “Alice said a band of ruffians came and carried her away.”
The ship began to spin around Hope, and she grabbed Nathaniel’s arm for support. He wrapped his other one around her back to steady her. “How do we know where …?” Hope gasped for breath. “How can we find—”
“We know they set sail from Charles Towne and headed south.” Mr. Waite glanced off the bow of the ship.
Elise snuggled against Hope, perhaps sensing the tension, and Hope rubbed her back to reassure her even as tears burned behind her own eyes. Squaring her shoulders, she held them at bay. “Then we must go after her right away.”
Faith gave her a nod of encouragement. “We are, dear sister, we are. Never fear. We will find her.”
“Are you up for another adventure, Mason?” Mr. Waite laughed and slapped Nathaniel on the back.
Hope glanced up at her betrothed, wondering if perhaps he’d had enough excitement for a time, wondering if he wouldn’t prefer to just go home. But a playful spark flickered across his dark brown eyes. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He planted a kiss on Hope’s forehead, and she leaned against his chest, loving him now more than ever.
Faith swung about on her heels just as Mr. Waite glanced upward. “Away aloft!” they shouted simultaneously, then glanced at each other and chuckled. Finally, Faith dipped her head toward her husband in abeyance.
“Let fall the main and foretopsails!” Mr. Waite barked. Then he lowered his gaze to them and winked. “We have a lady to rescue.”