“Very well.”
Footsteps retreated from the door. He knew what it meant. He was to be smashed beneath the desk again and she was to be ogled by Shelby. The captain didn’t know it, but he was keeping a tally of the wrongs done to Magnolia. A reckoning was coming for the good captain. One he would never forget.
****
Vernon had purchased the clothing before setting sail. He shouldn’t have but after seeing Magnolia and knowing she would be aboard the ship, he couldn’t resist. She would look perfect by his side. The woman he’d always dreamed of. Feisty, adventurous, beautiful.
“How much longer?”
He sighed. Petulant child. “Mr. Cunning, as I’ve stated before we will be there when we get there. I cannot control the tides.”
“It seems you can’t control anything.”
He narrowed his eyes. The individual was getting on his nerves more and more every moment. He’d seriously considered throwing him overboard.
“Are you waiting for your woman to emerge from your quarters?”
“I am.”
He started to walk away. “I would be careful with that one. She is trickier than you would believe.”
He opened his mouth to comment but was stricken by a sight of loveliness. Magnolia Quinn attempted to jerk the edges of the shirt onto her shoulders, but the fabric wouldn’t budge. Just as he’d planned. Without the corset it wouldn’t fit, but with the corset it gave the most alluring view that couldn’t be changed.
“My dear, how do you feel?”
“Better.” She clasped her hands before her.
“Do you like the clothes?”
“Um, I would have preferred something a little less revealing,” she whispered, while flitting her eyes about the deck at his other shipmates. That was something he had not considered. Making her delectable for him was one thing—doing so for others was another.
“Wait just a moment.”
She stood still and he disappeared in the hold. When he returned, he handed her a shawl. “You may wear this when we are in mixed company.”
She placed it around her shoulders and drew the sides tight around her middle. A shame she had to be hidden from his view, but that would be over soon enough. Soon they could be together forever. The treasure would make him wanted by every woman, but he would only choose one and she was right before him.
Chapter Three: Ibiza???
Vernon escorted her around the deck. She attempted to keep the cabin door in view. Rove had arrived to remove the tub. How would Justin fair? Would Rove be curious? Would he find him hidden beneath the desk?
She’d laid the translated notes on the desk facing the door so no one had to step around to the other side. But would it be enough to keep Justin safe?
“You are distracted?”
She smiled crookedly and shifted her gaze to her companion. “It is hard not to be when I’m a prisoner.”
He stopped and clasped her hands; bringing them to his bared chest. His flesh was warm and she could feel his heartbeat. She should pull away.
He rubbed her knuckles. “You are no such thing. You are a welcome guest.”
She laughed—she couldn’t help it. “You keep me locked—”
“No, no, no. You are the one who locks yourself in my quarters. Perhaps you enjoy being around my things.” She drew in a swift breath. “You are free to roam the decks any time you please.”
She took her hands back and grabbed the folds of her skirts. “Am I also free to leave the ship?”
He sighed. “You know that I need you. Why would you ask such a question?”
“What about when I’m finished with the book? May I leave then?”
“Am I a fool to hope you will want to stay?”
He was actually pleading for her to stay? After everything that had transpired?
“Captain Shelby—”
“Please call me Vernon.”
A breeze lifted her hair from her neck. The temperature had warmed considerably. Perhaps they neared their destination. She could only hope.
Vernon waited for an answer. Perhaps she could be truthful. At least a little.
“Despite all that has occurred over the past several weeks, I do find you charming.” His smile broadened. She laid a gentle hand on his upper arm. The muscles moved beneath. What she planned to tell him could put her on the opposite side of his good graces.
“My heart hammers within my chest. Do you feel it?” He placed her hand against his chest once again. “Because I sense a but to your statement.”
She retook her hand and squeezed the railing. The sky darkened in the distance. Gray clouds drifted overhead. The ocean was vast. Land had been so long in her past she couldn’t remember what it looked like. The ginger tea held the seasickness at bay, but her stomach clenched at the thought of placing her feet on solid ground. It would be as if a piece of heaven on earth.
She should just tell him. Tell him that she loved another. If he went crazy and threw her overboard, then her torment would be over. She could stop worrying about Justin’s affections. About her own feelings. About the treasure.
He turned her to face him. “Please tell me.”
She dipped her chin to her chest. “I fear your wrath.”
He placed his hand to his chest. “Have I ever treated you poorly?”
She started to mention the neck grab, but it didn’t seem like the appropriate time. She smoothed her hand over the leather corset. Was it getting tighter?
“You look beautiful—you shouldn’t fret.”
She laughed. “Very well. The truth is—”
Wind raced across the forecastle deck and whipped her feet out from under her. She plopped hard onto the wooden planks. The ship tipped sideways and she slid toward the railing.
“Help!”
His hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Hold on!”
Shelby pulled her from the edge. They slid to the middle of the main deck and he wrapped her arms around a pole. “Don’t move!”
Wind whipped his words away, causing him to yell his orders. The ship turned into the wind. The sails puffed as far as they could stretch.
“Everyone hold onto something. We are in for a bumpy ride!”
Justin stood at the open cabin door. His face was pale. He held his arms outstretched as if he was coming for her. She shook her head and he stopped.
He mouthed, “You need me.”
She shook her head again. He couldn’t rescue her without giving himself up. And she wouldn’t have that on her conscience.
****
Justin moved behind the wall next to the cabin door. If he was needed, he was going out whether Magnolia approved or not. He’d watched through the slits in the desk as Shelby had paraded her around on deck. He’d seen the man rescue her. But now she was swaying with the ship, barely keeping her feet beneath her. If she let go of the pole she would be overboard within seconds. He wouldn’t let that happen, even if it meant his life.
The book with the notes was stuffed inside the waist of his borrowed trousers just in case he left the safety of the cabin.
The wind shifted and the boat rocked left then right. Magnolia squeezed her eyes shut and tightened her grip on the pole. The crew fought loosening ropes and rigging. The main topsail ripped in half and flapped in the wind. The main topmast was splitting. The ship would rip apart if they didn’t reach land soon.
A man peeped his head up from the hold. Cunning. So he was hiding away with the rats while the ship went under. Justin expected nothing less of the scoundrel.
The ship careened onto its side. He planted his feet against the wall and used the doorjamb to pull himself up. Magnolia hung to the pole by her arms, her feet no longer on a solid surface. She wasn’t screaming—yet.
Where was that blasted island? They should be close.
The ship came to a sudden halt, sending him into the back wall of the captain’s cabin. His vision blurred. Had they found land? Or had they hit something else?
> He blinked. His vision cleared—some.
“Captain, the ship is breaking apart! We must abandon her!”
Shelby hung his head and moved his lips as if muttering then lifted his head and pushed his chin upward. “Abandon ship! All hands abandon ship!”
Men scrambled to the side deck. One dingy was attached. One. All the men aboard wouldn’t fit.
“Allow Miss Quinn passage onto the boat.” Captain Shelby had disentangled her fingers from the pole and was escorting her to the dingy. She kept glancing at the cabin.
“What about the book?”
Thankfully the wind carried her voice to him.
“Aye, the book. I’ll retrieve it.”
“No, let me.” She lifted her skirts and ran toward the cabin.
He squatted behind the desk and handed the book up to her. She flipped it open and pretended to flip through the notes.
“What are you going to do?”
“Don’t worry about me. Go. I’ll meet you there.”
“But Justin, I can’t leave you.” Her voice was desperate.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Do as I say. I’ll find you.”
He didn’t know how yet, but he meant every word.
She held the book to her chest and ran from the cabin. He felt the dingy knocking against the ship’s side as it was lowered. Those unable to ride on the dingy climbed down a rope ladder that hung from the side of the ship. As long as the waters weren’t shark invested, perhaps they would make it ashore.
The deck was empty before he stepped out of hiding and climbed on top of the captain’s cabin. Now only the quarterdeck remained above water.
A board floated by, and he grabbed hold and lay on his stomach. At least he wouldn’t need to kick too hard to stay above water.
****
Magnolia clung to the sides of the dingy as Charlie and Rove rowed toward a distant shoreline.
“We must have hit a shoal. I didn’t even see it.”
“None of us did.” Shelby shook his head even as his ship sank beneath the ocean depths.
She looked over Vernon’s shoulder. When he moved into her line of sight, she arched her neck.
“Are you looking for something, dear?”
“I-I just wanted to make sure the crew made it off safely.”
Charlie humphed, but Rove smiled.
Where was he?
Black fabric had billowed in the breeze as Justin had stood atop the quarterdeck and held to the main boom. Then he’d disappeared.
She strained her neck further. Where had he gone? She couldn’t make it without him. She didn’t want to make it without him.
Shelby appeared in her line of sight. “I don’t believe you need to worry so much about my crew. You might make me jealous.”
She fluttered her lashes and lowered her chin. Why hadn’t she told Justin how she felt when they’d been holed up together? She’d missed her opportunity. Now she might never have another. She lowered her head and blinked back tears.
And there he was. Floating on a board and heading toward the other crew members. While everyone was distracted he might be able to blend, but once they hit land he would be without protection. She needed to find a way to protect him as he’d protected her.
Shelby went to turn. She grabbed his arm. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
He smiled and rubbed the spot between her thumb and forefinger. “But of course. The trip wouldn’t be possible without your assistance.”
She smiled, and the fakeness hurt her cheeks but she continued. “I don’t know that I’ll be much assistance when we reach the mainland.”
“Why is that?” He narrowed his gaze and his hold tightened.
She pretended not to notice his display of anger. “Because the instructions are vague.”
“What do they say to do once we reach Ibiza?”
“That we should look for an oasis. There we will find the treasure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Trees, water, grass, in the middle of nowhere.”
Rove pointed. “The land is too rocky to have an oasis.”
Water crashed onto the rocky shoreline. How lucky could they be to wash up on the island she’d hoped to reach? Hopefully her luck wouldn’t run out. Only a few places were decent for landing. The rest could crush them.
“Row! Row toward the beach!” Vernon stood up, but the dingy rocked and he quickly sat back down.
Rove’s forehead beaded with sweat. Charlie’s shirt dripped. They worked hard to keep them from hitting the rocks. Magnolia prayed for Justin. He wouldn’t have as easy a time on his board raft.
The two men jumped over the side and dragged the dingy onto the sand. Shelby stepped out next and offered her his hand. She took it and stepped over the side.
Now the real deception would begin. She just hoped that Justin was close enough to help her escape before Shelby discovered the truth that she didn’t know how to read Russian and they were on the wrong island.
Chapter Four: The Search Is On
Justin kept his head down. Magnolia, Shelby, and two of his men had just arrived on the white sandy shore of Ibiza. The island was much larger than he’d imagined. Trees sprouted in several places. That would mean that Shelby and his crew would have a hard time finding the oasis that held the treasure they sought. He just hoped Magnolia could keep them busy until he found a means of escape.
No ships floated off the shore, which meant he’d have to explore the island. Maybe a ship for hire would be on the opposite side. How he would hire them he wasn’t sure, yet.
The crew dragged themselves from the water and lay on the beach gasping for breath. He couldn’t join them. They would know from his clothing that he didn’t belong. He favored their captain too much.
He paddled farther down the coastline and allowed the wood piece to drift onto shore.
The crew had risen and moved toward their captain. He was too far away to make out what was being said. So he moved closer, squatting behind a row of boulders.
“Captain, what do we do now?”
Shelby lifted his hands and the crowd quieted. “Do not despair. First we’ll find the treasure and then we’ll find a new ship. I’m sure the gold will be adequate in providing new transport.”
Gold? Who had said anything about gold? Perhaps that was something that Shelby’s father had told him. The book never mentioned gold or anything specifically about the treasure at all.
“Where is the treasure?”
“I’m getting to that. Miss Quinn will be leading us exactly where we need to go.”
Shelby faced Magnolia. “Isn’t that right, Miss Quinn?”
She swallowed. She was worried. Their goal to lead the ship astray may have been a mistake. Once Magnolia ran out of places to take the captain then her life would be in danger. His time to rescue her was running out fast.
****
Magnolia motioned for Shelby to lean closer. “I don’t have precise directions.”
Shelby continued to smile even though he gritted his teeth. “Pretend you do. The crew won’t be happy if they believe the treasure is elusive.”
Why was he helping her? He’d kidnapped her, thrown her on a ship, and now he was trying to protect her? It didn’t make any sense.
Cunning waddled from the surf. His hair had come undone and lay dripping and wet on his shoulders. His clothes sagged, keeping him in a hunched position. He removed his coat and twisted it with his hands.
Shelby snapped and Rove ran to assist. “The man is hopeless.”
“Why is he here?” She’d not meant to speak aloud, even though she’d wondered since she first saw him on the ship.
“Because ventures of this sort are expensive.”
She hadn’t expected an answer, but she was surprised by the result. How had Cunning acquired funds? Didn’t he struggle to pay for Eudora’s expensive tastes?
“We should move farther up the shore. You will tell the men what to search for and we will
split into four groups. Remember—be specific.” He squeezed her hand.
She’d already told him she didn’t have specifics. That part was true. The book was vague on the location of the garden, even if it had revealed the island—which they weren’t really on. At least she didn’t think they were. The island they stood on was large, much larger than Formentera and the island that joined it should be.
They gathered around the captain. She’d yet to witness Justin emerge from the water but he must have because no other heads bobbed above the waves. All were accounted for and she refused to believe that he’d not made it.
Shelby raised his arms. “May I have your attention?”
The crew squeezed water from their clothing, and looked in their direction. Beady, shifty eyes stared at her for answers. She hoped she gave them directions they would accept.
“Miss Quinn will describe what you are to search for. Then we shall split into four groups and comb the island.” Shelby lifted his hand palm up giving her the indication to proceed.
She stepped forward. Her voice shook. “Somewhere o-on the island is a rock formation secreted in the center of a garden. Within that formation is the treasure.”
“How are we supposed to find that?”
“This island is a hundred miles wide.”
“More like 200.”
“Needle in a haystack.”
Apparently they didn’t care for her description. She moved closer to Shelby.
He ignored the complaints and began splitting up the men. Rove’s group was to travel north. Charlie’s was to head east and Cunning’s to the west. Shelby would direct his group to search the south quadrant. She was to stay with him. Maybe Justin would appear. With so few people in their group, it would be easy to overpower them. Or maybe it would make it harder, because they couldn’t sneak away quietly. She hoped her first assessment was more correct.
“Come, Miss Quinn. Your garden oasis waits.”
****
Justin put his back to the boulders and moved closer to the ocean side to avoid the crew members that were headed out to search the island.
The Case of the Hidden Treasure (A Justice and Miss Quinn Mystery Book 5) Page 2
