Earl Interrupted

by Amanda Forester

  There could only be one conclusion. Either God wasn’t watching, or he just didn’t care. Perhaps Dare had been right all along.

  Tears sprang to her eyes. More from the thought that the Lord had abandoned her at the moment she needed divine protection most, than at the prospect of being mauled by some elderly lecher.

  Emma blinked back the tears in disgust. If this is what being good got her, it was time to start being bad. A cold, calculating chill spread through her, starting with her soul. She looked at the captain and forced a smile. “Why, Captain, I thought you would never ask. Can you assure our privacy?” She motioned to the cabin door.

  “No one will disturb us.”

  “Oh, but I do prefer a locked door.”

  “Well, what the lady wants, the lady gets,” said Captain Grimes, wiping a line of drool from his mouth. He stood and walked to the cabin door, and she took the opportunity of his momentary distraction to grab the heavy brass lantern off the table and creep up behind him. Her heart pounded, but she silenced it with disgust. She would not be anyone’s toy to use and throw away.

  Emma paused for a moment, but a cold fury at everything that had befallen her suddenly flooded her, starting with the accident that claimed her father’s life, the horrid way her stepfamily had treated her, the abuse hurled at her by Eustace on the dock, and ending with this man who could meet a vulnerable young woman and think only of how he could use her for his own despicable advantage.

  With an unladylike grunt, she swung the heavy lantern.

  “That should keep us—oh!” The man turned around just as the lantern glanced off the side of his head, bringing him down.

  Emma gulped air, staring at the man at her feet. She felt an instant pull to tend the cut on his head but pushed down the treacherous thought. She was going to look out for her own interests now. The only hope she had was to somehow hail someone on the shore and get them to rescue her.

  To signal for help meant going up to the deck with all the sailors. She took a steeling breath. Hiding here would not help her. She had to get off the ship. She held her back straight and wiped tears from her eyes. She would not cry before these men. This was her last shot. A long one, but it was all she had.

  She unlocked and opened the door to the cabin and walked boldly out, leaving the body of the still-breathing captain on the floor, shutting the door behind her. She held her skirts out of the way and climbed up steep, narrow steps to the deck. Immediately, her presence was noted.

  “Hey there!”

  “What’s doing, pretty lady?”

  “Come to spend some time with me?”

  A man who looked to be in charge grabbed her arm with a fierce scowl. “What are you doing up here? Get back below. You’re distracting the crew.”

  Emma held up her chin. “The captain is resting and gave me leave to get some fresh air.”

  The man did not release her, but the glint in his eye turned mercurial. “He done wi’ you, eh? You can let me have a turn.”

  Emma wrenched her arm from his gasp. “You best take that up with the captain. He wanted me back within the quarter hour.”

  The man glared but stepped back, and Emma quickly moved away. She walked along the length of the ship, all the while conscious of the heated stares of the men. She needed to escape…but how? She proceeded to the bow of the ship and squinted into the setting sun. She leaned against the railing, holding on as the ship gently rolled and pitched. Ahead of her she saw the outline of a ship. She could not identify it, but they were close enough that she could see the individual men as dark silhouettes against the sun, attending to their duties. Since she could see them, they must be able to see her. But how to hail them?

  She removed her bonnet and started to wave it back and forth, trying to catch the attention of the men of the far ship, without calling attention to herself. Of course this was no use, for immediately the men on the Rooster started to comment on her behavior.

  “What’s she doing?”

  “What you want, sweetheart?”

  “I think she wants someone on that ship.”

  “I got everything you need. Just lift your skirts and I’ll show you.”

  “I gots to have a turn too!”

  “Don’t worry. The captain probably let her come on deck so we all can have a turn.”

  Emma waved her bonnet furiously, trying to ignore the comments behind her. She took a chance and, holding tight with her white-gloved hand to some of the rigging, she pulled herself up until she was standing on the railing and waved her bonnet back and forth, the ribbons streaming in the wind. It was no use to scream, for they could not hear her. She was not even certain that they could see her.

  The ship pitched in the rolling waves, and she grabbed the rigging with both hands, her bonnet falling into the sea. She watched as it fell gracefully into the ocean and was immediately overrun by the bow of the ship, disappearing from sight. Would she be next?

  She was grabbed from behind and screamed as she was wrenched off the rail and thrown down on deck in a heap. She rolled back to face her attacker. It was the captain, with murder in his eyes and a stream of blood running down the side of his face.

  “Look what you did to me, wench!” the captain shouted. “You gonna regret that, I swear you will.”

  Emma struggled to her feet and ran away from him, desperate to escape, terror coursing through her. Her feet flew down the deck to the other end of the ship, though she knew with cold dread that there was nowhere to go. There was only one way to prevent her body from being used by these men. She would run off the back of the ship.

  The desperateness of the situation and her response shocked her, but she ran on. She was going to use her last seconds of freedom to make the only choice she had left to her. She was going to jump and try somehow to swim to shore. She knew she would most likely drown.

  She reached the back of the ship and climbed up the railing on the stern. Her skirts got tangled, and she wrenched them free, but before she could jump, more hands grabbed her from behind and dragged her off the railing. She fought them off with desperation, tears streaming down her face, unable to see what she was doing or who she hit.

  “Get her!”

  “Tame that hellcat.”

  “I likes ’em feisty!”

  Emma punched and kicked and somehow managed to wrench herself free and run along the length of the boat once more toward the bow. The men laughed and let her go, enjoying her panic. She turned to the side and blinked back her tears, looking to the other ship. Had they seen her? Did they even care? They sailed along without notice.

  No one was going to help her now.

  Once more, she pulled herself over the side, and once more, rough hands dragged her back, laughing when she struck at them, mocking her misery.

  Suddenly, an explosive noise shocked everyone into stunned silence. They all looked over at the far ship, which was coming about and drawing near.

  “What are they doing?”

  “They shot at us.”

  “Take that doxy down and lock her in my cabin. I’ll deal with the wench later,” growled the captain.

  Once more, hands were all over her, grabbing, pulling, squeezing, forcing her down the hatch. She was shoved into the captain’s cabin and the hatch slammed behind her.

  Had the other ship seen her? Were they coming to rescue her or just doing some military exercises? Repenting her earlier lapse of faith, she sank to her knees and prayed.

  She could hear men’s shouting above her and she wondered what was happening. The ship shuddered and bounced awkwardly in the waves. An unlatched window swung open.

  Emma went to the window and looked out. Land was still in sight. Could she swim to it? She did know how to swim, thanks to her local pond and a father who thought it a harmless amusement. But could she survive the icy winter waves?

 
She knew her chances were slim, but her chances with the captain were slimmer. She quickly divested herself of her gown, knowing it would only drag her under. She searched the room for something that would float.

  She would wait to see who entered the cabin next. If she were rescued, she would explain why she was in her chemise later. If it were Captain Grimes…she would jump.

  Thirty-three

  “Mr. Everett, tell me, did the Rooster offload her cargo when she was in port?” Dare asked evenly, making an effort to keep his voice calm.

  “I do not believe so.”

  “Mr. Everett, think very carefully, for your answer may be the difference of your life or hanging from a yardarm. Did or did not the Rooster offload her cargo?”

  Everett paled at the seriousness of his comment. “No, they did not. At least, not that I noticed.”

  “Let us hope you are right. All hands, prepare to come about.”

  “But…what are we…?”

  Dare glared at Everett, who stifled the question. He passed on the order, and the men, though confused, obeyed. Dare feared they were more curious than faithful, but it would have to do. He took one last, fleeting glance at the Kestrel on the horizon. He did not wish to let go of his one chance, but given the choice, he would protect his Emma.

  Hold on, Emma. Keep fighting. I’m on my way.

  “All hands, come about!” shouted Dare.

  Lord, please protect her. Keep her safe. And please let that hold be full! It was the first prayer he had said in a very long time. For some reason, he believed God might hear him now, for God would surely want to help Emma. Emma trusted the Lord, and Dare trusted Emma, thus Dare’s sudden turn to faith.

  The ship turned more sloppily than Dare would have liked, but it was done, and they began sailing toward the Rooster.

  “All hands to quarters!”

  Everett saw it done but came close to whisper, “What are we doing, Cap’n?”

  “I will ensure the record shows that you have counseled me against this,” said Dare, striding to his cabin to secure his sword and a brace of pistols.

  “Against what?” asked Everett, strapping on his own sword and pistol, and following Dare back onto the deck.

  “Mr. Bean,” Dare called to the older man who had been made master gunner. “Run out your gun and prime.”

  “You want me to shoot on an English ship?” Even Tom Bean was shocked.

  “I expect you to follow orders.”

  Everett’s eyes widened. “Cap’n Dare—”

  “Duly noted, Mr. Everett,” said Dare to his first mate in an undertone. He turned and continued to shout orders to the master gunner. “Let’s get the attention of the Rooster. Aim out to sea. Fire!”

  A loud boom echoed across the water, and smoke rolled down the deck. He was committed now.

  “Hail the Rooster and tell her to drop sail and prepare to be boarded,” commanded Darington.

  “Heaven’s bells, we’re still within sight of the shore,” pleaded Everett.

  “Can’t be helped.”

  “They ain’t slowing,” called Pricket. “Making a run for it.”

  “Put one over the bow, if you please, Mr. Bean,” said Dare calmly, hoping his crew were better gunners than sailors.

  A loud blast rocked the ship and a cannonball sailed across the deck of the Rooster, splintering a railing and causing the captain and crew to hit the deck.

  “I said over the bow, Mr. Bean,” growled Dare.

  “Sorry, Captain!”

  “Well, at least we have his full attention,” Dare muttered. “Put us alongside her. Prepare to board.” Dare raised an eyebrow as his first mate crossed himself. “Wasn’t aware you were a Papist.”

  “I’m not, but I’m thinking of converting. You’ve gone mad.”

  Dare was not surprised his first mate was baffled by this sudden attack on the Rooster. It was so out of character for himself he hardly knew what he was doing. He wanted to explain about Emma, but for her own privacy and reputation, he could not say a word.

  His mercenary crew, on the other hand, nodded and smiled. Perhaps they were even a bit impressed. They had been promised evil deeds, but none had anticipated their dive into criminality would proceed quite so quickly and without even leaving sight of the shore.

  The Rooster dropped her sails.

  “I’m Captain Grimes of the Rooster. What the hell do you think you’re doing?” demanded the captain, who stormed back and forth, a trickle of red blood down the right side of his face. Had they done that or Emma?

  Dare grasped his sword with a viselike grip. If Emma was hurt, Captain Grimes would die. “I am Captain Lord Darington of the Lady Kate. By the right of the King, I demand you allow me to board and inspect your ship for contraband. Refusal will be taken as an act of aggression and I will respond accordingly.”

  “You got no right to board this ship!” yelled the captain.

  It was the truth, but Dare proceeded anyway, bringing them alongside the Rooster. “Surrender your ship!” Dare had no idea if they would put up a fight, but he was ready for anything. The only thing worse than being a pirate was to be a bad one.

  Whatever happened, he would get Emma to safety. Nothing else mattered. She had been dragged belowdecks and he had not seen her again. If any one of those dogs was inconveniencing her in any manner, he had no qualms over killing them.

  “What is the meaning of this?” demanded Captain Grimes, wiping the sweat and the blood from his face. “This is an outrage!”

  “Surrender your ship!” Dare demanded again.

  “Have ye gone mad? Aye, I surrender. I surrender! But I swear the admiralty courts will hear of this!”

  Dare turned to his crew, who lined the railing of his ship, ready for him to give the order to attack. From the glint of glee in their eyes, they were ready for a fight. “The Rooster has surrendered. Anyone who does not respect this surrender will be strung up from the yardarm.” The last thing he needed was a fight between the crews. “We are going to board the Rooster and take her cargo, and we’re going to do it without violence. Is that clear?”

  This disappointed his crew, but they grudgingly nodded their heads.

  “Prepare to board!” commanded Dare.

  When it came to boarding ships, his questionable crew was well skilled. Grappling hooks flew, and they neatly pulled the ship to theirs. Dare jumped on board, followed by his boarding party. He towered over the sweating Captain Grimes.

  “I am Captain Lord Darington,” said Dare coolly. “I have reason to believe you are in possession of goods smuggled from our sworn enemy, France.”

  “I… That is a lie… You cannot board this ship!” spat Grimes.

  “I have already boarded this ship. I have the right to search and seize any goods smuggled into the country and to take the captain back to face justice.”

  “I… But…” the captain sputtered, his face turning a shade of magenta and then slightly green. Dare might have had sympathy for the man had he not seen the man’s hands on his Emma.

  “Search the ship!” Dare commanded and unleashed his swarm of unsavory characters. “No crew member or passenger is to be harmed.”

  “You cannot do this,” said Captain Grimes, but he was much less sure of himself.

  “The admiralty is concerned with flagrant disregard for the embargo. It has determined to increase patrols and bring captains who traffic in smuggling to justice.”

  Captain Grimes turned a shade of sickly green.

  “How many souls have you on board?” Dare asked the man quickly. “Have you any passengers?”

  “There be forty crew and…and one passenger.”

  “Where is this passenger?” Dare took a step closer, his hand on his pistol.

  “What can this have to do with her?”

  “She may be a w
itness to these proceedings. Where is she?” Dare demanded, his voice rising.

  “Looks like there be crates of French wine in the hold,” shouted up a man.

  “French wine?” Dare turned to Grimes.

  “I…I can explain.”

  “Save it for your trial. I shall arrest you on grounds of treason.”

  “Treason!” The captain went almost as white as a sheet.

  “Aye, unless I can speak to your passenger. Witness statement. Very important. Might be able to find extenuating circumstances in these cases.”

  “I…I… But …”

  Dare heard a female scream and pushed past the captain, catapulting himself down the hatch, toward the direction of the sound. He burst into the cabin to find Emma, wearing nothing but a thin chemise, fighting off one of his own men.

  Dare grabbed the man, wrenching him from Emma and sending him flying out the door.

  “But she’s the ladybird,” defended the man. “She was trying to jump from the window.”

  “Remove yourself from my sight before I kill you!” Dare slammed the door in the face of the man.

  Dare stared at Emma with a heart beating faster than he could ever remember. She was barely clothed. “Are you all right? Did they hurt you?”

  “Dare?” Emma gaped at him. “I…I am all right. How are you here?”

  “Saw you on the deck and so I had to take the ship. Your clothes…”

  “I was going to jump and try to swim for it, but I lost my nerve at the last second, and that man grabbed me.”

  “You were going to swim?” His Emma was going to drown herself?

  Emma shrugged “You were right. God doesn’t care.”

  His heart sank. He took her hands in his, needing her not to abandon her faith that had given him strength. “No, no, you are the one who was right. I prayed today that I could see you safe.”