Splendor

by Catherine Hart

  “And how long would you stay with me?”

  “As long as you continue to desire me.”

  “That long, eh?” he mused, cocking a brow at her.

  “You do realize that you could be in your dotage by then.”

  She awarded him a saucy grin. “And you could be cocking up your toes long before.”

  His countenance turned more reflective. “Why would you offer to spend an indeterminate amount of time with me as my mistress, yet claim not to want marriage? I fail to see your reasoning, Eden, for surely a wife has the better lot.”

  Her smile melted away. “Unfortunately, I cannot foresee marriage working well for us, even should you decide to settle down. As I said before, Devlin, as long as you remain disembodied, there would be too many obstacles to a normal life. Were I to marry, I would want children.”

  “You could very well be carrying my child even as we speak, or has that thought not crossed your mind?”

  “How would that be possible?”

  “Come now, sweetling,” he scoffed. “With bedding comes begetting. Surely, by now, you realize how offspring are conceived.”

  Eden blushed. “But you are a ghost. A spirit. At least by half. Certainly, such a thing is not possible. Is it?”

  “How in blazes should I know?” he retorted. “Becoming invisible as I have done is supposed to be equally inconceivable. However, I assume we’ll discover the truth of the matter sooner or later, particularly if we continue to enjoy one another as passionately as we have of late.”

  “Oh, dear!” Eden murmured, her eyes wide. “That puts quite a different light on things, doesn’t it?”

  “If you are thinking of recanting on your delightful proposition, forget it,” he advised her. “The offer shall stand as originally tendered. I’ll let you know my decision upon docking in New Providence.”

  Chapter 25

  Devlin examined the hole in the cabin wall where Eden’s shot had ended, rather than hitting her attackers. It was just above the perch where his falcon so often roosted. “Damn me, Eden!” he exclaimed. “If Zeus had been tethered here when you fired, you might have blown his poor head off!”

  She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. “Another opportunity lost! However, with a bit of practice, I suppose my aim would improve. It was, after all, the first time I’ve ever fired a gun.”

  He frowned. “When I handed the pistol to you, I asked if you knew how to fire it, and I distinctly recall an affirmative nod from you.”

  She returned his scowl. “I did manage to discharge it, Devlin,” she reminded him tartly. “You didn’t question my aim.”

  He sketched a mock bow toward her. “My fault entirely, Miss Winters. An error we shall soon remedy. You are quite right, my dear. If you have aspirations of keeping company with me, you should become more proficient with the weapon. We shall begin practice sessions immediately.”

  First he taught her how to check the load, how to clean the pistol, how to load it herself and check the prime. Then he had her carry it on deck, where he set up targets for her. Standing behind her—the safest place to be now that she sported a loaded gun in her shaking hands—he showed her how to position her body correctly, how to steady the heavy weapon with both hands, and how to take aim.

  “Do try not to destroy too much of my ship while you are about this, or cause undue damage to our newest prize, which presently rides to the aft.” Swift’s captured ship, the Dame Anise, was being manned by a portion of Devlin’s crew, and would accompany the Gai Mer to New Providence. Later they would decide if the ship should be sold or kept, the total worth of the vessel and its cargo split amongst the crew. “Also, I would prefer no new wounds to any of my crew, if you don’t mind, sweetling,” he instructed wryly.

  She tossed him a grin over her shoulder. “Have you considered what a chance you are taking, arming me with a weapon? Upon reaching New Providence, I could very well hold you at gunpoint until you sign the governor’s proposal.”

  One blond brow rose in challenge. “You would shoot the man you love?” For a moment, she stared at him, nonplussed. “You’re not going to deny your love for me, are you, Eden?”

  Finding her voice, she asked, “Would you believe me if I did?”

  He smiled. “Nay, darling. I would not.”

  Eden had but two days to sharpen her shooting skills before they reached the Bahamas. They sailed past the first large island and numerous smaller ones, wending a route between them toward New Providence Island, where the new governor now resided. The cays and islands were lushly tropical, with vivid flowers and bright-plumed birds, but for the most part they were uninhabited.

  The surrounding waters were a sparkling turquoise, much the same color as Eden’s eyes, a fact Devlin was quick to point out to her. “The first moment I saw you, I fell in love with your eyes. They remind me of these sun-kissed seas, so very beautiful and full of mystery.”

  The largest of the islands they passed was dotted with huge stands of enormous pine trees. But the bright-pink birds lining the shore were what caught Eden’s attention. “Oh, look!” she exclaimed, almost jumping in glee. “Why, I declare, I’ve never seen a rose-hued stork before!”

  Devlin chuckled and shook his head. “Those aren’t storks, sweetling. They’re called flamingos. A different bird altogether.”

  “I don’t care. I think they’re marvelous!” She yanked at his arm. “Stop the ship, Devlin. I want one of those birds!”

  At this he laughed harder. “Eden, you’ll see more of them on New Providence. There is no need to drop anchor here. Besides, I imagine they’re a bit tricky to bag, love.”

  “Right,” Nate put in from a few feet away. “And if ye’re gonna run amok tryin’ to catch one, ’twon’t be on that island. ’Tis said to be haunted by wee creatures nestin’ in the pines.”

  Even more intrigued, Eden asked, “What sort of wee creatures?”

  “They call ’em Chickcharnies, and they be like leprechauns.”

  “Oh, how exciting! I want to see one!”

  The men shook their heads in tandem. “Nay. They’re fey things, and fickle, too. One minute as good as little cherubs, the next as evil as demons,” Devlin told her.

  “And no tellin’ which mood they’ll be in if ye chance across ’em,” Nate added. “Ye can go chasin’ yer flamingos on New Providence, lass, but forget the Chickcharnies.”

  New Providence Island was much smaller than Eden had expected. Along its northeastern coast, another tiny island lay within shouting distance, helping to create a natural harbor between the two. This was where the Gai Mer and Dame Anise dropped anchor.

  The town itself was something of a disappointment, after Eden’s great anticipation. Actually, it was little more than a village, though a busy one. There were more ships at anchor, and more seamen rushing about, than Eden had ever seen at one time in Charles Town.

  “The place hasn’t had time to prosper as it should have done,” Devlin explained when he saw her disillusionment “Both the French and Spanish launched attacks just ten and five years past, and since then it’s been more of a pirate haven than aught else. The Bahamas are within easy reach of the trade lanes, and a convenient place to rest and relax between raids.” “More’n likely the reason ’twas chosen for this meet” Nate added. “Where else would ye gather so many brigands in one place at the same time?”

  “Aye,” Devlin agreed solemnly, his dark gaze alert for anything amiss. “I imagine ’tis also the reason they set Woodes Rogers in charge, since he was one of us a few years ago, though he has always claimed that he was into legitimate privateering more than actual piracy. A dubious distinction, at best. I suppose he is to be our shining example, for the rest of us to trust and follow. We can only hope this is not all an elaborate trap.” .

  No sooner had they rowed ashore than Devlin’s mind was set at ease on that score. The offer was legitimate. Governor Rogers was on the island, and doing a brisk business in reform. As the three of them mad
e their way to his offices, Nate and Devlin were stopped by a fellow buccaneer. “Ye gonna apply for the King’s pardon?” he asked.

  At Devlin’s reply, Eden’s knees went limp. “Aye,” he answered with a wide grin, slanting a wink in her direction. “ ’Tis an offer I can’t refuse.”

  Nate nearly danced in the street. “I knew ye’d see the right of it!” he proclaimed gladly, little knowing the full extent of Eden’s persuasive measures. “Ye won’t regret it, Dev.”

  “ ’Twill be up to Eden to see that I don’t,” he said dryly, “since she’s gone to such lengths to convince me. Also, agreeing to reform my ways does not mean I am willing to forego my revenge against Swift, you understand, for that is private business, and no concern of the King’s, nor that of his men.”

  There was a long line at the governor’s offices, and Eden feared Devlin would not have the patience to wait so long. Eventually, they faced a harried clerk, who was busily scribbling names into a ledger and setting up audiences with Rogers as quickly as possible.

  “The soonest you can speak with him will be three days hence,” the man advised them sourly. “Ten o’clock in the morn.” He handed Devlin a paper. “List the name of your vessel, and those of your crewmen. Bring the list back with you at that time, and Governor Rogers will see all of you then.”

  “What are we supposed to do till then?” Nate demanded.

  “That is entirely your problem,” the clerk responded irritably. “But if you want amnesty, you’ll appear promptly at the appointed hour.”

  Devlin flipped a gold coin in the air. It landed with a soft thunk on the fellow’s ledger. “Would that help you find an earlier interview for us?”

  “Nay, but four more of its kind might,” came the reply.

  Devlin produced the necessary coins.

  “Tomorrow. Same time. That’s the best I can do.”

  “Good enough.”

  They walked off, Nate grumbling. “And they call us thieves!”

  While Nate returned to the ships to give the news to the crew, to post the watch and release the rest of the men from their usual duties, Eden and Devlin meandered through the streets. Eden’s mood brightened considerably when they came upon the market square. Devlin’s did likewise.

  “What shall I buy you, wench?” He dragged her to a nearby stall, where woven hats and baskets were displayed. Eden gasped at the price of the simple straw hat he purchased for her, and laughed when he plopped it atop her head. “Can’t have you getting that pretty nose burned,” he quipped. “The sun is much hotter here than you are used to.”

  Eden saw huge displays of big, perfectly shaped conch shells. There were mounds of sea sponges, and she bought several of these to take home to friends and her mother. For Jane, as a wedding gift, she purchased delicate coral ear bobs and a matching necklace. Alongside were several similar items made of tortoiseshell.

  “Is this where you got the hair combs you gave me?” she asked Devlin.

  He nodded, his dark eyes twinkling. “Did you think they were stolen?” he teased.

  “The thought crossed my mind a time or two,” she admitted sheepishly. “I also wondered about the cargo you stored at the warehouse. You can’t imagine my relief when I discovered ’twas mostly innocent trade goods to be bartered to local merchants.”

  “What did you think it was?”

  “The skeletal remains of your victims, of course,” she announced with a wry grin. “After all, you are a pirate of some repute, are you not?”

  They dined on crayfish stew, a spicy native mixture that set Eden’s eyes to watering, and washed it down with banana-flavored rum drinks. For dessert, they treated themselves to flaky coconut tarts, still warm from the oven, and more banana rum.

  By the time they encountered the stall offering parrots for sale, Eden was more than a little giddy. Poking her lips into a pout, she asked the proprietor, “Don’t you have any of those darling flamingos? I had my heart set on one.”

  “Those birds are nice to look at,” the man told her, “but you wouldn’t want one for a pet. Now, if ’tis their bright feathers you want, I have a friend who hunts them. But you can’t catch them and keep them penned up. They die right off.”

  Eden frowned. “I don’t want feathers. I want a live bird. Devlin has his falcon, and I want a bird of my own.”

  The man grinned and winked at her. “Why, a falcon’s nothing compared with a fine bird like this,” he said, producing a big green-and-blue parrot. “Give this fellow enough of your time and attention, and he’ll soon learn to talk. That’s something a hawk will never do.”

  “Truly?” she asked in amazement. “He can be taught to speak?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Eden gave a brisk nod. “I’ll take him.” Turning to Devlin, she ordered, “Pay the man, Devlin.”

  “Now wait just a blarsted minute, Eden,” Devlin replied, in a huff. “After all the grumbling you’ve done about Zeus, you expect me to buy this ragtag parrot? I’d rather be shot than take this moth-eaten thing aboard the Gai Mer. ”

  “In that case, would you care to lend me your pistol?” she mumbled. Immediately, she changed tactics, gazing up at him with soft, pleading eyes. “Please, Devlin? Buy the damned bird.”

  He never knew whether it was that beseeching look or her unexpected curse that turned the trick. Whichever, Eden got her pet.

  “Well, as I live and breathe,” Rogers said, leaning back in his chair with a huge grin. “Look who we have here. ‘Devil’ Kane in the flesh. I must admit, I doubted you would come.”

  “I could walk out as easily as I entered,” Devlin was quick to reply.

  “Don’t you dare!” Eden hissed. “I swear I’ll shoot you with your own gun if you change your mind now.”

  Rogers’s attention swung to her. “Ah, and who is this fetching lady? The person responsible for your sudden change of heart, mayhap?”

  “I make my own decisions, Rogers, as well you know,” Devlin responded stiffly. He did, however, bend to propriety enough to introduce the two. “This is Miss Eden Winters, of the Carolinas. Eden, may I present the slightly less than honorable Woodes Rogers.”

  Rogers laughed. “My pleasure, Miss Winters.” His brow furrowed thoughtfully. “Winters. That name sounds familiar. Are you associated with the family that owns the warehouse in Charles Town?”

  Eden blinked in surprise. “Aye. ’Twas my late father’s establishment, which my mother and I now hold. In fact, we’ve just sailed from there, after concluding a rather nasty bit of business with thieves who were attempting to destroy the company. Captain Kane and Mr. Hancock were most helpful in routing the scoundrels from our midst,” she added in the men’s defense.

  “Is that so?”

  Nate stepped forward. “The lass tells ye true. An’ I’m not just sayin’ that b’cause her ma and I are plannin’ to wed, soon as we get our pardons and return to Charles Town.”

  “Ah, so you are going to become a legitimate businessman, Mr. Hancock,” Rogers said with an approving nod. “That does relieve my mind, knowing that you will have decent employment to keep you on an honest keel. And what of you, Devlin? Have you similar plans?”

  “Nothing so solidly decided,” Devlin admitted. “I may continue to sail.”

  “With what?” Rogers asked congenially. He sat forward, elbows on his desk, hands together in a prayer-like pose, fingers tapping his long chin. “Your frigate may be required as forfeit, to ensure your compliance with the terms of your amnesty.”

  “What?” Devlin roared, taking a threatening step forward, forcing Eden along with him to remain in touch. “There was nothing of this mentioned to me!” Of course, Devlin himself had heretofore failed to disclose the news that he now commanded a second ship, a fact he intended to keep quiet, especially in light of this recent development, which Rogers seemed to find so amusing.

  To his credit, Rogers didn’t even flinch. “The matter is being left to my discretion,” he explained calmly. “If you can
convince me of your sincerity, you may still retain possession of your vessel. However,” he added, waving a hand for silence when Devlin would have spoken, “you will have to register the ship under British dominion, and choose a new name and flag for her.”

  Devlin looked as if he had just received another jolt of lightning, and the thunder accompanying it. His handsome face was dark with suppressed anger. “You know as well as I that ’tis bad fortune to change the name of a ship. You’re a fool even to ask it. ’Twill not gain you many entries on your precious roster, Rogers, should you place such stout restrictions on brigands yet leery of your offer. While I expected the request to sail under the Crown, and will even agree to relinquish my present flag, the Gai Mer must retain her present appellation.” As would the Dame Anise, he thought, with Rogers none the wiser.

  “Then, as much as I regret it, I am afraid I must reject your application for pardon,” Rogers said. “If the rest of your crew still wish theirs, and agree not to sail under your command, theirs will be granted. As will Mr. Hancock’s, if he forfeits his claim to the ship.”

  Eden was thinking frantically. She could not allow this to happen! Surely there was some way around this problem, if only she could conceive it quickly enough. “Wait!” she exclaimed. “There must be another solution which would satisfy everyone, if we just apply ourselves to finding it.”

  Devlin scowled. “I see none. The Gai Mer will remain as such.”

  “ ‘Gai Mer’ means what, in English?” Eden asked, unable to recall her smattering of self-taught French under such a stressful situation.

  “It translates to ‘Joyous Sea,’ or ‘Gay Sea,’ if you prefer,” Rogers supplied.

  “Would that suffice? The name, after all, would mean the same,” Eden suggested hopefully.

  “Aye.” Rogers nodded.

  “Nay.” This from Devlin. “To my mind, the letters painted on a ship’s side must remain true, the same number and the same characters she was christened under.”

  “Blast you for a stubborn jackass!” Eden exploded. “Devlin Kane, you are the most obstinate man ever born! Is it not enough that ‘Gay Sea’ has the correct amount of letters? Must you demand a complete miracle, when half of one will do quite nicely?”