The Sea Maiden

by Mary Speer

  Jonathan entered the shop, where Nate was already coming toward him with his hand stretched out to introduce himself as Lord Pembroke’s personal assistant and caregiver. Nate relayed the story of the false message that brought them to New England. He explained that he was not aware that Lord Harmon was involved until arriving at the cabin in the woods. He was there three weeks then a week ago he was told his services were no longer required and would be returning to England on the next ship but Nate sensed that his life was in danger and managed to escape off the ship when a fight broke out among the crew and a shot injured the man that held him. After hearing this Jonathan decided they needed to go to the authorities and have Nate make a statement implicating Lord Harmon in what now sounded to be more than one kidnapping.

  CHAPTER 43

  Rescue in the Woods

  Back in the cabin Lord Harmon came into the room Karina was with her father still asleep.

  “Well my dear looks like we have some time to spare.”

  Karina tensed. “What do you mean?”

  “I think you know exactly what I mean. I’m your husband and you’re my legally wedded wife.”

  “Only because you black mailed me! Leave me alone.”

  “Regardless, you have put me through enough and as your husband I have certain rights. After all you had enough wanton time with Eric. Now it’s my turn.”

  Karina moved away but he reached for her. She screamed, they struggled,

  “Be still and you won’t get hurt.” He growled as he tried to kiss her.

  Karina spit him in the face and he slapped her to the ground, she screamed. Gunther picked her up dragged her down the hallway to his room and threw her on the bed where he continued his assault. Karina fought furiously trying to remove him off her.

  Upon hearing Karina scream, Captain Drake and Peter sprung into action. Peter came up behind the man guarding the cabin and hit him over the head, knocking him unconscious. Captain Drake kicked down the door and went into the room where he yanked Gunther off Karina who continued to struggle from under him on the bed.

  “Get off her you slime!”

  “Eric!” Karina screamed in relief.

  Outside Peter was making his way inside the cabin when the semi-unconscious man on ground fired a shot at him hitting Peter behind his left knee. Peter yelled in pain. Inside Captain Drake struggled with Gunther as they continued to fight.

  “You made a mistake in coming here dear brother because now you will die much sooner!”

  “Worry about yourself!”

  Karina frantically looked around for something to hit Gunther with. Then she saw Peter come inside the cabin limping and bleeding across the room. Peter drew his sword as Karina came toward him; the man had re-loaded his pistol and aimed it at Peter but Karina miraculously pulled Peter out of the way as the bullet embedded itself on the wall behind his head. Peter was bleeding heavily from behind his left knee. The shot had apparently hit a major vein. He needed to stop the bleeding immediately. Peter was getting faint.

  “Karina…”

  He spoke her name rather than yell it out. Karina saw his pale face and knew at once he was not well. Karina took the sword from him and began lunging at the man before he had a chance to reload his pistol, and blocked her attacker’s blows as best as she could. He then took a pick from the fireplace but saw that he was no match for her excellent sword skills so he reached for a wood log and threw it at her, hitting her in the stomach. Karina fell back in pain, dropping the sword, which the man picked up to stab Peter already on the floor in a pool of blood. Then a shot rang out from doorway. The shot hit the man with the sword about to pierce Peter.

  Karina knew something was wrong, she was on the floor and she was bleeding too. The man who fired the shot from the doorway ran across to the room where Captain Drake and Gunther were fighting. Captain Drake had suffered a blow on the head from Gunther hitting him with a stool, which partially dazed him. Gunther ran to open a closet door and reached for a musket as he turned to fire it at Captain Drake, the man at the door drew a second pistol and a single shot was heard from the doorway, Gunther fell on his knees. Eric turned toward the doorway stunned to hear that the man who shot and killed Gunther and saved his life; identify himself as Officer Jacob Moore who was ordered to keep him under surveillance.

  “Eric!” Karina yelled.

  Eric stepped over his dead half-brother’s body. Officer Moore checked Gunther for a pulse but didn’t find one. Eric ran to Karina and was shocked to find both Karina and Peter sitting in a pool of blood.

  “Darling your head, you’re bleeding.”

  “I’m fine sweetheart, were you shot? Where is the bleeding coming from?”

  “No, it’s internal. The man threw a log at me and I began to bleed…I think I lost the baby!” She cried.

  “Sweetheart don’t think like that I will get you to a doctor.”

  “Help Peter he’s so weak. He got shot in the leg.”

  Then Officer Moore came to assess Peter’s wound.

  “He needs a tourniquet. How is she? Was she shot as well?” Eric immediately removed his belt and handed it to Officer Moore, who placed it around Peter’s leg and secured it tightly.

  “No.” He hesitated for a moment. “She was hit with a log in the stomach…she’s with child, my child.”

  Officer more finished putting on the tourniquet, then looked up at him and then at Karina. He looked away; he didn’t want to cause Karina any embarrassment regarding her condition.

  “You looked like you took a pretty good blow on the head yourself Captain Drake. There could be swelling so you need medical attention as well. We need to get you all some medical attention right away. I shall get the carriage in the back.” Moore said as he went out the door.

  “I lost the baby!” Karina cried. Eric embraced Karina she was heartbroken.

  “You must not think that Karina! Everything will be alright!” He took her chin in his hand, “I want you to be strong and positive like I know you to be. I’m going to get you and Peter to a doctor and you’re both going be fine. Just remember that I love you.” Eric went to fetch some blankets for Karina and Peter,

  “Peter stay with me my friend we're getting you some help. Lynnette will be anxious to see you.” Eric hoped to keep Peter awake; Peter was drifting in and out consciousness.

  Officer more brought the carriage from around the back. Eric lifted and carried Karina to the carriage, then helped Officer Moore carry Peter to the carriage, who was now semi-unconscious. Finally they both carried Lord Pembroke who was still sedated. They rode off at full speed to get them medical attention. Eric sat next to Karina, trying to console her and talked to Peter trying to keep him awake. Officer more drove the carriage and arrived for medical help. Lord Pembroke who was still sedated was placed in a room as well and Eric himself was seen for the cut on his head then waited to hear from the doctor regarding Karina and Peter. Officer Moore was making his report. Eric described the two men Gunther hired to kill him and would be going to seek him out at his own home today. Officer Moore wrote it down in his report and added the two dead men left at the cabin in the woods. Finally Eric thanked him for all his help and Officer Moore assured him he would dispatch officers to his residence and wished him and his family good luck. A young doctor came out to speak with Captain Drake.

  “Captain Drake I’m Dr. Luther Ross. Are you the young lady’s husband?”

  “I will be.”

  “She has been through a great deal of trauma?” He paused. “Were you aware of her condition? She was with child.”

  “Yes…she was taken under false circumstances and held hostage.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that Captain and to say she has lost the baby.” Eric clenched his jaw at the confirmation of what he already knew.

  “How is she?”

  “Very emotionally distraught…I gave her a sedative so she can sleep for a now.”

  “And Peter? How is he?”

  “He’s ver
y weak due to the loss of blood but is slowly recovering. There is a chance he may lose his lower limb. He has been asking for his wife.”

  “His wife does not know yet. I will bring her. Is there anything I can do?”

  “Pray.”

  CHAPTER 44

  Message for the Captain

  The two men, Lord Harmon hired to kill Captain Drake arrived at River Oaks Court. The man assigned the task of shooting Captain Drake had bathed and shaved and changed into gentleman’s clothing. The other waited in the brush nearby. He knocked on the door and when Elliot answered the door he asked to see Captain Drake regarding important information concerning Karina. Elliot informed him that Captain Drake was not available but was welcomed to wait for him. The man said he would return later.

  “What time do you expect him?”

  “That would be hard to say sir; he has had pressing business to attend to. Would you care to leave a message for him?”

  “Thank you but that shall not be necessary.”

  The man left. Elliot wondered about him to be on the safe side he decided to send a message to the ship in regards to the man.

  After talking to the doctor Eric went to see Karina. Eric’s presence greatly comforted her, she had been through so much and the loss of her baby was still heavy on her heart. Upon seeing him enter the room, her eyes welled up with tears they embraced.

  “How is Peter?”

  “He’s recovering like you darling.”

  Eric didn’t say more regarding Peter, he didn’t want to place any more worries on her. They would both need to remain under observation for a few days. Karina asked about her father, Eric informed her he had been placed in another room and was so heavily sedated he had not awaken yet and was totally unaware of what happened. After spending some time comforting Karina, Eric kissed her and promised to come back to her soon.

  “Darling I have to go to the ship and inform James Caleb, my 1st mate, of what has happened. He needs to know that neither Peter nor I will be available the next few days. Then I need to go get Lynnette, Peter is asking for her.”

  “Oh Eric please don’t be long and please be careful!”

  “I will darling; I shall be back as soon as possible…. I promise.”

  Captain Drake left the hospital and headed toward the peer. Once on the ship he was given Elliot’s note regarding the man who came looking for him at home with news of Karina, but had not left his name or a message. Elliot mentioned the man would be returning later. Captain Drake then remembered the conversation where he overheard Gunther talking with two rough looking men and how he instructed one of them to clean up and shave. They were his late half-brother’s hired hit men still under orders.

  After speaking with James Caleb at length he instructed that under no circumstances should anyone give any information regarding his whereabouts.

  Before returning to River Oaks Court Eric stopped at the police station and gave his account of what happened at Gunther’s Cabin and about the hit man now on his trail. Jacob Moore, the officer assigned to keep watch over Captain Drake, had also made a similar report earlier, which confirmed the Captain’s story. Eric was advised that officials had been dispatched to the cabin in the woods and to River oaks Court.

  The hit men hired by Lord Harmon to kill Captain Drake remained in the woods near River Oaks Court awaiting his return. Not knowing what Captain Drake looked like they only had a general idea. Officers dispatched to Captain Drake’s home, Joseph Glover and Alan Fogerty had also made their way to River Oaks Court and were on the lookout for suspicious characters. They decided not to travel through the common road to River Oaks instead they made their way through the brush and woods. Once in the area, the younger man, Officer Fogerty stayed in the woods lying in wait while Officer Glover made his way to the house. Once inside the house he informed Elliott of the man looking for Captain Drake was a potential hit man hired by Lord Harmon. Elliot gave the officer a brief description of the man who came looking for the Captain.

  Barnabas Cox, the hit man hired by Lord Harmon had been waiting in the brush several hours when he saw a man enter the house and assumed it was Captain Drake. He scolded himself for missing his arrival; he had not expected him to take a different path. Barnabas readied his pistol under his coat waited a few minutes then approached the house to call on Captain Drake.

  Officer Fogerty, Glover’s backup, was also hidden in the woods and noticed the activity and reached for his pistol as well and came closer. Unaware of the official across the road Barnabas partner, Courtney Wheeler, also moved closer. Barnabas knocked on the door. Elliot looked over at Glover, who showed him his pistol as re-assurance. Elliott nervously answered the door. Glover reached for his pistol.

  “Yes?” Elliot asked.

  “Hello I was here earlier may I speak with Captain Drake please?”

  Lynnette who was unaware of the situation made her way across the side of the house from the cottage. Upon seeing a man in the brush she screamed, setting off the chaos that followed. Courtney turned toward her; Lynnette began running back to the cottage

  “STOP!”

  Upon hearing the scream Barnabas pulled out his pistol and assumed the man standing inside the house was Captain Drake, and fired hitting Glover who moved but the bullet still struck him on the arm. In turn Glover countered back by firing his own weapon at Barnabas hitting him in the stomach. Barnabas who sustained a more serious wound fell on the floor.

  The staff screamed and scattered, hiding throughout the house. Once Courtney saw his partner down he tried to escape by heading toward his horse. Officer Fogerty then charged Courtney who decided to use Lynnette as a hostage to ensure his escape. He quickly caught up to her and pointed his pistol at her head. Lynnette screamed and tried to fight him off her.

  “SHUT UP IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE DEAD GIRL!” He threatened. Terrified Lynnette obeyed. Using her as a shield he moved toward his horse.

  “For the love of God please don’t hurt me! I’m with child.”

  “QUIET I SAID!” He shouted at Lynnette. “COME ANY CLOSER AND I’LL SHOOT HER!” He shouted at Fogerty hiding behind a tree.

  “LET HER GO IF YOU WANT TO LIVE, YOUR PARTNER IS ALREADY DEAD!” Fogerty shouted back, as he tried to get closer and to see if he had a clear shot. Courtney was sweating and scared, he continued pointing his pistol at Lynnette.

  “STAY WHERE YOU ARE MISTER IF YOU BE WANTING HER TO LIVE!”

  Courtney got them close enough to mount his horse, he needed her alive until he got out of the area, then he would shoot her to keep her from identifying him. Officer Fogerty lost sight of them among the trees.

  Inside the house when Barnabas fell on the floor, Elliot took no chances and broke a vase on his head. Joseph Glover’s arm was bleeding; Elliot helped him wrap a cloth around the wound then helped Officer Glover tie Barnabas hands behind his back. Glover reloaded his pistol then went outside the back way. He met up with Fogerty still trying to get a shot at Courtney without endangering the young woman taken hostage. They moved quietly through the woods but could not see them.

  Fogerty grabbed a rock and threw it across the road in an effort to startle the man and get him to reveal his location. Still threatening her with his pistol, Lynnette mounted the horse. At the sound of the rock hitting a nearby tree the man was momentarily distracted and Lynnette who was already mounted kicked the pistol out of his hands. Being an experienced rider she took off like the wind. While the man fumbled around looking for the pistol on ground, cursing and swearing he would kill her. Both Glover and Fogerty ran toward him. Courtney found his pistol on ground and fired it at them but didn’t hit anyone. Fogerty and Glover fired back at Courtney still on the ground. Fogerty who was younger and lighter quickly caught up to him and pressed him down in the dirt both men were able to subdue the man once on the ground and tied his hands behind his back.

  Lynnette was scared to death and kept riding at full speed for some time until she saw the shadow of a man on horseba
ck approaching. Not sure if he was friend or foe she slowed her pace. She was about to ride away when she heard her name called. She instantly recognized the deep masculine voice as that of Captain Drake’s. Relieved to see a friendly face she sped toward him.

  “CAPTAIN DRAKE!” Seeing her on horseback and alarmed he knew there was trouble.

  “Lynnette are you alright? What’s happened? Where are you riding to?”

  “Yes, there are men on the property with pistols I got away from one of them we have to get out of here! Where is Peter?”

  Then they heard the voice of a man approaching on horseback. Lynnette became newly alarmed and was about to ride away when the voice said,

  “I’m Officer Glover, put your hands over your head where I can see them and identify yourself!” Glover ordered pointing his pistol at Captain Drake. Captain Drake did as ordered and raised his hands above his head.

  “I’m Captain Eric Drake I own this property and the lady is Lynnette De Marco.”

  “Excuse me sir, I can attest to that, he’s the owner of River Oaks Court and Captain of the Sea Maiden.” Lynnette added

  “My apologies Captain but the last hour has been quite eventful. I’m Officer Joseph Glover and my partner Alan Fogerty, is just a few feet behind me holding down the unpleasant fellow who threatened this young lady. It seems you had a price on your head tonight Captain.” Turning toward Lynnette, “Ma’am are you alright?”

  “Yes thank you officer.” Lynnette answered.

  “Thank you officer, I hope nobody was hurt. I was notified while aboard my ship of some suspicious man looking for me.”