by Marie Hall
“Get away from my property,” Gillmore yelled and grabbed for Mia. Devin’s hand clamped down on his arm before he touched her.
“You’ll lose more than a ship and property if you set a hand on my wife,” Devin warned him. The man, a coward in truth, backed down. He had no ability to command anything, not chained and abused into compliance.
“Keep her away from my cargo,” Gillmore said, then stepped around Mia to shove the man who’d spoken with her.
“They’re not yet slaves, Captain, you can’t let him,” Mia pleaded. She turned back and continued to speak with the man. She was barely acknowledged now, but Devin didn’t miss something passing between them.
“He has papers saying they are.” Devin waved over Grim who looked a little too eager to rip off Gillmore’s head, perhaps shove it up his ass. “Please return to quarters, Mia.” The helpless look that crossed her face might have reflected his. The bastard calling himself a captain was hardly even a member of the human race. As much as Devin, his crew, and his wife might want to let them be lost at sea, they were duty bound to follow the laws. He followed Mia and Grim back towards the quarterdeck and watched them retreat below, before turning to observe Gillmore and his crew.
“I see the appeal now,” Mr. Asher said, stepping up to Devin’s left.
“Of?”
“Piracy,” the man said without hesitation.
“Do you?”
“I do. Not to be restricted by rules set by a political structure that never sees the world they think to command.”
“It would be satisfying at the moment to shove a cannonball up their stern and kick them over,” Lieutenant Coventon said, as he stepped up to Devin’s right.
“It’s too easy for them to subvert the laws, subvert morality, and get away with this,” Mr. Brinks said from over Devin’s left shoulder.
“To see men as cargo?” The disgust in Mr. Wilshire’s voice was clear, the same as it was in the three other officers who’d gathered to stand around him. The display made it clear where lines were drawn. No one on the Iron Rose agreed with slavery, none would let abuses happen and they’d be watching closely until they could do more.
“It appeals to you?” Devin said looking straight ahead. “And yet do you acknowledge that it’s only with men following the rules, even when the rules seem to create more havoc than calm, the world maintains any order? How easy now to desire to fling it all to the winds. To disregard every law, every courtesy, every link in the chain of command and do to them what you consider just and fair. But what happens when what you do offends some other and they wish to also forgo obeying laws and it’s you with a pound of lead in your ass and sinking to the sea floor. Rule and laws, gentleman, as poorly as they may be constructed and enforced, are the only things preventing all of us from becoming the animals we see before us now.”
The murmur of ‘ayes’ sounded around him. He had a good crew, good men surrounding him. But even good men could be tempted to do wrong in the name of righteousness. Watching as Gillmore knocked the ladle from Mr. Hong’s hands as the man tried to feed the captives, Devin was strongly tempted. Strongly tempted.
Chapter 13
“Are you actually questioning my honor?” Governor Ravoix snarled, coming to his feet behind the desk.
“No,” Devin said without flinching. “I’m questioning your humanity.” The governor’s decision finding the paperwork legal and in order hadn’t sat well. Devin was glad he’d kept Mia on the ship. “I’ll be filing a grievance on this matter Governor, as I can’t say you’ve the knowledge needed if you find these,” Devin gestured to the scattered papers, “legitimate.” It was the last and only thing he could do, but he knew it wouldn’t save those people.
“You do as you see fit, though it could be I’d be willing to write a letter of commendation for how you saved a vessel. That would stand out on a captain’s record,” the man said.
“Being as it was my wife who spotted the ship, and also being we all wish she hadn’t, I’ll pass on your bribe,” Devin told him and prayed the governor would make a protest, perhaps report him to the admirals. Such a thing would bring a great deal of attention down on this man and the crew he was protecting.
The man huffed, causing his multiple chins to wobble. “Then I consider this matter closed. Have a nice day, Captain.” Devin pulled his hat from under his arm and set it on his head, then spun on his heels and marched out.
“Good day to you Captain, and thanks for the aid,” Gillmore jeered from where he waited, leaning against the building. “The cargo will bring in a nice price I think, lots of strong ones in there.”
Devin drew in a breath, let it out and started walking away. He saw Mr. Asher and Mr. Brinks fall in beside him.
“Tell that bitch wife of yours I’ll sell her one, cheap. She can set it free if she’s so inclined,” Gillmore called. “Best teach her to keep her abolitionist mouth shut though, people don’t much like talk like hers.”
Devin stopped dead in his tracks, his fists balling at his sides.
“Captain,” Mr. Asher warned.
“Maybe you just ain’t screwing her right proper,” the man continued. “Give me a go, I’ll show her a real man.”
“Captain,” Mr. Asher called, even as Devin turned around and started back towards the man.
“Perhaps what I’ll show you is a ball of lead in your gut. I’m sure my wife would like to spit on your corpse,” Devin said, knowing what he suggested would end his career. “Sunrise?”
“Captains,” Ravoix called, stepping out of the building and between the men.
“I think I’ve been challenged to a duel, gov’ner,” Gillmore said.
“Captain Winthrop need I remind you dueling is against the law?” Ravoix said. “You’ll be reported to the Admiralty if you persist with this.”
“Come on, Captain,” Mr. Asher urged. “You’re almost retired. Don’t ruin it over this piece of shit.”
“Captain Winthrop, best you return to your ship,” Ravoix said.
“Run along,” Gillmore gloated.
Devin ground his teeth and made to walk away. But the man couldn’t keep his mouth shut long enough.
“When she’s done spreading her legs for you, let me know. I’ll put her in the hold with the cargo and she can see if they’re still as she believes—people, not animals.”
Devin’s fist hit the man square under the chin. The second blow hit him across the left cheek and he heard the cracking of bones. Devin’s last punch caved in the man’s nose and eye socket, lifted him off his feet and sent him tumbling off the walk, down the embankment and into the water of the bay where he landed face down. As he walked away, Devin hoped he’d drown before he could be pulled out.
He didn’t pause in his long stride. Brinks and Asher snickered as they boarded ship and Devin called to ready to sail. Mia sat in the bow staring out into the distance. He took up position behind the helm. The sooner they could be gone, the better for all. He saw Mia perk up as they reached the breakwaters. Following her stare, he saw a woman waving from the shore. Mia lifted her hand in return and when she settled back he could see a smile on her face.
“Mrs. Winthrop’s visitor from earlier.” Devin turned to see the ship’s surgeon, Krebs, climbing up to the helm. “Perked her up quite a bit while she was aboard. Perhaps your wife needs some female companionship. Heard you busted some knuckles on that bastard,” the surgeon said, carrying water, rags, and a tin of salve for Devin’s knuckles. “Not the best way to end a fine career, but I’d have loved to have been there.”
Devin only sighed. He’d have some explaining to do to the board if Ravoix filed a complaint, but what the hell was he supposed to do? Let the man insult and threaten his wife? If he ended up getting reprimanded it would be worth it. “Mia and her visitor, do you know what they talked about?” There was more than one reason Devin kept Mia on the ship today. She may well be enjoying married life in some manner, but he doubted their last days together really sec
ured those lines. His inability to do more for those men put him in her disfavor, he was sure. He wouldn’t be shocked if he found she’d jumped ship.
“No, Mr. Hong served them tea. The lady was here less than an hour. It couldn’t be anything much. They giggled quite a bit.”
Again Devin only sighed. He sighed a lot for the next few days, even as Mia seemed to move quickly past the incident. If she thought less of him for not doing more, it didn’t show in her actions. Mia threw herself into scrubbing decks, polishing the brightwork, mending nets, and sewing sails. She became so integrated with the crew Devin caught everyone, even himself, giving her orders to attend something that should be done by crew. And she reached for him, rolled into his embrace and welcomed his attention every night. She grew bolder in her acts and in her demands. It was as if something was driving her. Devin thought she was trying to find a place and a duty to fit into. It couldn’t be easy having once been the captain herself not to even have power to command the midshipmen. Over the next several weeks though, Mia carried with her a pensive look and often became enraged when he disallowed her disembarking at the small ports. She’d no more visitors on ship and Devin wondered if he needed to give in and take her ashore someplace. Mr. Hong was no help because all he said was ‘Mia not happy’ and ‘Mia waiting’. He didn’t say what Mia waited for and like always Devin couldn’t even guess what would make Mia happy. The answer sailed alongside a few days later.
Mia looked up from the rail she had waxed, and scanned the horizon. Dropping her rag on the deck next to the bucket she was sharing with the young sailor, she turned and made her way towards the stern.
As she passed the helm where Devin stood, she rounded back and snatched his glass from the box, barely stopping.
“Mia?”
She heard him call as she extended the telescope and started her search.
“Mia?”
Devin stepped up beside her as the ship came into view and she groaned. Taking focus on the stem, Mia saw what she really hoped she wouldn’t see. She groaned again.
“Mia what is it?” Devin said taking the glass and looking out over the waters.
“Can we out run her?” Mia asked, knowing a brig could get good speed but the sleek sloop coming up aft was much faster.
Beside her Devin laughed, a bit nervously before stepping back to look at her.
“Please can we try?”
“Mia, it’s a sloop, no guns, hardly a crew, and,” he lifted the glass again, “flying British colors. Of course we’re not going to run. Stop thinking like a pirate.” He winked.
“I’m not, I’m thinking like someone who likes her allowance,” she grumbled, not thinking Devin would hear as he’d turned to give orders to the crew. He turned back sharply at her remark.
“What did you do, Mia?” he asked.
Mia felt that chill crawl up her skin. “What? I couldn’t have done anything. I’ve been on the ship this whole time.” She reached up and took back the glass, looking again towards the bow of the ship headed for them. She saw him looking at her. This was going to go rather badly if Papa sent him.
“Mia?” Devin started, but the call that a ship approached went out from above and he stepped away to order the sails hauled in and preparations for the ship to be boarded at sea.
Mia was standing at his side when the four men—two navy bigwigs and two from papa’s crew—stepped on deck. She knew instantly by the sneer on Mr. Smithe’s face that Papa found out what she’d done. Now would Devin learn of it? She got her answer pretty fast.
“Captain Winthrop,” the admiral called, having to withdraw his hand to adjust his powdered wig in the wind that gusted by. He held out his hand again and Devin shook it even though he looked completely lost as to what would bring a lubber like this man out to sea.
“Admiral Dorsher, welcome aboard the Iron Rose,” Devin said, reaching out to shake the second man’s hand but being only a captain, Devin did not extend him the same niceties. “You’ll pardon us, we were in the middle of weekly maintenance,” Devin said, waving his arm around to indicate the half-dressed crew, buckets, and such before extending his hand to the two people Mia knew. Smithe had run the keel off catching them. That hardly left time to bring in the sails let alone clean up.
“Oh, oh yes. No worries. Couldn’t expect less from a captain with your reputation,” the rather jolly man said. “And this must be the lovely Mrs. Winthrop.” He reached out and Mia offered her hand. He placed a kiss in the air above her knuckles.
“Yes, of course she is. Pardon me, I’m not at all used to making such introductions, sir,” Devin said, startled he’d been so remiss. “Perhaps you might step aboard and tell us why we’ve this honor to have you aboard, today?”
“Oh, oh yes. Of course,” the man said, again adjusting his wig. “How about some introductions. Yes, I think that would be nice as well.”
The group of men started for middeck and Mia let them go past. “The commodore knows what you did, sea witch, and he’s not pleased,” Mr. Smithe said as he brought up the stern.
“Don’t tell Devin,” Mia hissed.
“Oh he’s going to find out, and you’re not going to like it.” The man smirked and Mia stomped her foot before taking a deep breath and joining the men.
“Now that we’ve all been introduced,” Admiral Dorsher was saying, “the reason for this visit is the board thought it best you should know straight away that you’ve been awarded the great distinction of Companion of the Order of the Bath.”
Mia saw Devin’s jaw drop open and bit her lip. What had Papa done now? The other captain was handing the admiral a rolled parchment and Mia worked to catch Smithe’s eye. The man was purposefully looking away.
“Of course, let us do this right.” The admiral took the parchment and from somewhere a whistle sounded and all on deck came to attention, mops and buckets forgotten for the time. Mia stood quietly and fumed. Papa couldn’t let it be. Never a man to waste an opportunity, he did nothing small. And as the man droned on and Mia saw Devin flash several looks in her direction, each increasingly annoyed, she knew he’d done this to run her aground. “And now,” the admiral finished exchanging the roll for a lovely box which he opened as he presented Devin with the medal, “congratulations, Captain Winthrop.”
“Thank you, sir,” Devin said, taking the box as cheers when up around the ship. “Perhaps you’ll join us for lunch?”
“Oh, grand, yes, I believe we will.”
“Admiral, I don’t know that we can keep commandeering this vessel as we have, even though he commodore was most kind to allow her use.”
“Quite right, quite right. But, I believe Mr. Smithe has something to give you as well. It seems he knows your wife’s father and so kindly offered to run us out here.” The admiral turned to look at Smithe.
“Ah ain’t no pardon Gov’ner, if we stay a while. The commodore told me to make sure his daughter was right’n happy afore I leave,” Mr. Smithe said and gave Mia a look she knew as warning to prepare for the tsunami to hit.
“Please, gentleman,” Lieutenant Coventon stepped up and ushered the two navy men away. “Captain Winthrop might need a moment to assure the young lady’s father all is well with her.”
“You’re one of those…” Devin stopped before he could say too much. “You were there the night…” Again he stopped speaking, this time he looked over his shoulder, maybe to make sure they were mostly alone. “What’s going on?”
“Avast, Captain.” Smithe stepped towards him. “This isn’t about you.” Smithe’s demeanor changed as he no longer needed to behave like a simple merchant ship crew member with the others out of earshot. “Mia, the commodore is very unhappy with you. You’ve been warned not to make trouble or bring attention,” Smithe chided. Mia saw Devin looking between the two of them. “What you did could’ve caused quite the storm if he’d not gone round and tied up loose ends.”
“What did she do?” Devin asked. Mia warmed at his ready defense. “How could she
have done anything? She’s not been off the ship since I got her.”
“What, you think the little sea witch needs to go ashore to wreak havoc and sink fleets?”
Devin turned and glared at her. “Does this have something to do with this commendation I received for ‘revealing a deceptive practice which was in violation of all treaties and accords in relation to the Abolition Act of 1807’?”
“Devin,” Mia started, then tried to laugh. “You did make a formal complaint about what happened in St. Eustatius. Someone looked into the matter.”
“Mia,” both men growled at her.
“Oh shut your portal you blowhard,” Mia said and stomped her foot at Smithe. Always he was the one to advise Papa against her.
“Mrs. Winthrop,” Devin snapped.
Mia opened her mouth to beg Devin not to hear the man out, but one look and she bit her tongue.
“Do tell, Mr. Smithe.”
“That ship you hauled into harbor…” And so began the tale. Mia never heard a man gasp or groan or cry for mercy like Devin did as Smithe explained how the damaged ship was sunk in port, mysteriously blown up. The ship Captain Gillmore took to finish his delivery was reported missing. When found it was abandoned, anchored and intact, but stripped of sails and lines, even the brightwork was pulled out. The crew was found a few days later, nearly dead and worked over. Devin looked to faint when he was told how Gillmore required a surgeon to remove the belaying pin from his ass. They claimed someone boarded their ship, stole their cargo, and stranded them on the sand shoal. All of it causing an investigation. Mia knew it was helped along by Papa. When Devin’s report on the matter and his suspicions on the corruption were added in, a few of Gillmore’s crew broke and revealed how papers were being created and used to move captives without risk of prosecution. “And your wife ordered it all,” Smithe finished.
“No one can prove that. No one can prove who had anything to do with what. I never left the ship. There was no one who could identify who went on board, who these men might have been. For all anyone knows, Gillmore committed barratry and his buyers turned on him,” Mia said. She knew she’d been careful to keep any connection to her and Papa unestablished. She might have given thought to keeping Devin’s name disconnected as well but it turned out well for him that his part was recognized. Even if it did steal all her bragging rights. “No one can name me for anything.”
