Other Oceans

by Andrea Jones

  Cecco looked at Jill. “You may answer.”

  “Yes, Mister Hanover. I now formally accept your offer.”

  Relishing the lady’s double meaning, Hanover smiled at the welcome in her sapphire eyes. After the long setback, he had won her at last. She had consented to his proposal. His gaze lingered on her face until Cecco’s voice prodded him.

  “And what do you offer my men, for the loss of a promising companion?”

  Although affronted, Hanover reserved his retort, deliberating instead. “As barbaric as the concept is, I will concede the point.” He weighed the profit he’d earned in his attempts to eradicate vice. Choosing to ignore the irony, he measured another handful. “This should buy your men any number of low female companions.” Magnanimous, he laid it on the desk.

  “Indeed.” Cecco’s grin began to emerge. A greedy gleam was growing in his eye, and in that of his officers. In spite of herself, Jill’s heart was hammering. The jewels winked at her in the morning light. They stirred a memory of a morning, months ago, when she lay with her lover in a bed lined with riches, never conceiving the trials she would soon endure.

  Smee peered over his spectacles at the captain. “Begging your pardon, Sir, but does this mean I’ll be doing the doctoring again?”

  “In the absence of a surgeon, yes.”

  “I haven’t the time to be mending every cut and ill. The Roger is a fine ship, but she isn’t getting any younger. I’ll be needing a mate, now, to be doing my job properly.”

  Resting his elbows on his chair, Cecco laced his fingers together. The wedding band that used to be Hanover’s shone there. “Mr. Smee makes a good point. He cannot be expected to do the work of two men. How shall we pay for the hire of a bo’sun’s mate, Doctor, to tend to the ship while Smee tends to the men you leave behind?”

  Hanover’s smirk decreased. He opened his bag again.

  “And, Sir,” Starkey joined in, “since I lost the lady’s boys to the Frenchman, I’ve a hard time keeping the weapons cleaned and oiled. And then there’s the brass to polish.”

  Firmly, Cecco shook his head. “I refuse to take those rebels back. Let LeCorbeau deal with their independent tendencies. It is enough that I have to deal with their mother’s.”

  Jill shot an offended look at Cecco, then stared at the diamonds.

  Starkey persisted, “We’ll be needing at least three cabin boys to take their places. And I’ll have to spend some time training them up.”

  All the men looked expectantly at the surgeon.

  “And why should I be responsible for this particular expense?”

  “You should not.” Cecco shrugged. “For the sake of fairness, I might make one exception. I will accept Mr. Nibs if he wishes to return to my service.”

  Hanover’s gaze wandered the far corners of the room. LeCorbeau had made his conditions clear: he wouldn’t weigh anchor with Liza on board unless Nibs was in his grasp. Hanover cleared his throat. “No. No, that won’t be necessary, Captain. Out of respect for your consideration, I shall see to it you don’t require Mr. Nibs.” Onto the desktop, he sprinkled some more solid drops.

  Mullins hitched his thumbs in his belt. “I don’t like to mention it, Captain.”

  “Well, Mr. Mullins?”

  “There’s been some talk, is all. Among the men.”

  “Please, tell us.”

  “When we took the Unity, Sir. It’s no bother to me, mind, but I’ve heard grumbling among the others. Mister Hanover was laid up that day, if you recall. After your, uh, discipline.”

  Cecco nodded and smiled. “Yes. I remember. With very great pleasure.”

  “It’s just that, well, he didn’t rightly earn his share that day. And I saw Mr. Smee patching up the injuries. Seems to me Smee should receive a surgeon’s share of the Unity takings.”

  “An excellent point, Mr. Mullins. You are quite right.” Cecco’s gaze bored into the doctor.

  Another cluster of gems joined the pile. Mullins smiled and sat back, grunting his approval.

  Hanover tied up the bag. “And now, Captain. I trust you are satisfied.”

  “Yes. Certainly.”

  “And what is the next step?”

  “I intend to negotiate the terms of your transfer with Captain LeCorbeau this afternoon. As you are aware, he must pay the company of the Roger for your release.”

  “Yes, of course. I am sure the commandant will be generous. When will Liza and I be leaving the Roger, then?” Hanover tasted victory already.

  “Tomorrow. After you have compensated me for your freedom.”

  Hanover’s eyebrows lifted. “My freedom?” He darted a glance at Jill. She had warned him, in her smuggled letter to LeCorbeau, to prepare to bid for his own liberty as well as hers. “I see.”

  Avoiding any disturbance of the diamonds, Cecco slid the Roger’s book of articles across his desk. It lay open to Doctor Hanover’s handsome signature, just below Jill’s. “When you signed our book, you became as valuable as any other crew member.”

  “Yes. Yes, I understand. Let us dispense with the issue now.” Untying his pouch strings, Hanover managed to maintain his equanimity. He measured another cascade of jewels and held it up for Cecco’s inspection. Cecco snorted. Hanover braced his back and poured a few more. Not bothering to utter his contempt, Cecco turned to gaze out the window. Smee coughed.

  Hanover looked at Jill again. She lifted her several necklaces from her breast, rubbing them between her fingers. Hanover stared at the pouch in his lap. He poured another helping. Casting her eyes down, Jill smiled. But she shook her head.

  Intruding on the surgeon’s inner debate, Yulunga said, “Perhaps, Doctor, you are having second thoughts about leaving us? You are welcome to remain aboard. Miss Liza can sail to France on L’Ormonde. I am sure she will fare just as well on LeCorbeau’s ship as she has done here. I know for a fact that two or three of the French sailors have expressed interest in her. She will not be alone.”

  “There is no question of that. As her father, I will continue to care for her.” Recklessly, the surgeon plunked down another heap.

  “And of course,” Yulunga couldn’t help smirking, “there is the matter of the dress I gave her. If I can’t have the pleasure of watching her wear it, I want to be repaid.”

  “She will return it immediately.”

  “So that I can wear it?” Yulunga laughed, and his mirth was infectious. The room resounded with guffaws. “I think not, Doctor!”

  Hanover knew he was beaten. He gave again.

  In good temper once more, Cecco came to his relief. “On behalf of your shipmates, I thank you, Doctor.”

  Again Hanover tied up the bag, feeling at last that, whatever the cost, he was well rid of the long, insufferable imprisonment Captain Hook had imposed. He cherished the extra pleasure of knowing that his sea chest secreted just compensation, snatched from the very man who had begun his bondage. He sighed in satisfaction, then said, “And now, Captain. I will make another offer.”

  The men perked up. This proposition was what they wanted to hear.

  “I cannot help but overhear the gossip. I understand that a sensitive situation arose yesterday. It is that incident, to which you allude as the latest stroke of bad luck, that has pushed you to this point.”

  Cecco frowned.

  “I don’t wish to be indelicate, Captain, but I believe I can relieve you of your anxiety.”

  “To what ‘anxiety’ do you refer?”

  “I will be blunt. Much as you desire her, Red-Handed Jill has become a liability.”

  Jill’s head jerked up. Cecco drew back, and his face hardened into a mask. The officers surrounding him sucked in their breaths. Cecco let the silence blister before he answered.

  “You dare to say this?”

  “I dare to speak the truth. Your exclusive possession of the lady has become a bone of contention between you and your officers.”

  “It is a lie.”

  “You nearly murdered a man over her.”
/>
  Mr. Smee startled, and then he charged at the surgeon. He had no difficulty in acting this role. “You bloody—”

  “Silence!” Cecco pounded his desk. The diamonds danced. “I will not have a brawl within my quarters!”

  Yulunga had stepped forward to make a show of restraining Mr. Smee. The bo’sun shoved him away, but continued his attack with words. “We never had trouble on the Roger until you came aboard, Hanover!”

  “Yes. I believe the lady was quite content. Until she met me.”

  “You’re an arrogant one, and no doubt about it. Captain Cecco did us an ill turn when he let you sign on. Now all hell’s broken loose.”

  Cecco sprang up, his fingers in fists. “Mr. Smee, do you insinuate that I do not maintain the discipline? Or are you disappointed that I don’t allow you the favors our former captain—” Cecco glared at Jill, “and his courtesan— once awarded you?”

  Jill pushed herself from her chair, protesting, “Captain Cecco, I—”

  “I have warned you. Be silent.”

  Feigned rage spurred Smee on. “The only wise move you’ve made in your captaincy is to rid us of this bastard! Begging your pardon, Ma’am.”

  Hanover leapt to his feet. “My point is made! Sir, you can end this argument now. Accept my offer to purchase liberty for Red-Handed Jill.”

  Jill sat down hard. Her mouth hung open as, seemingly astonished, she viewed the chaos erupting around her.

  “No!” Cecco shouted. “From the very first, Hanover, you have wormed your way into my lady’s affections. I won’t give her to you. Not for any amount of treasure.”

  The officers all shammed restlessness now, shuffling their feet and shaking their heads. Yulunga looked around, gesturing to the men. “Sir? You can see how we feel. We don’t want this opportunity to slip through our fingers.”

  Accusingly, Cecco said, “Opportunity, Mr. Yulunga? The only opportunity for which you angle is to slip yourself— between the lady and her lover!”

  Yulunga’s face turned ominous. “You command her to be quiet. Let us hear what the ‘courtesan’ has to say for herself. After all, she’ll soon be the only female left on board.”

  “Mr. Yulunga. Let me be clear. Losing the girl does not bring you closer to taking my Jill. I will never give her up.”

  “That decision is not up to you, Captain. We men have a say, too.”

  Mullins was standing now. “Aye, Captain. Just look at that bag of diamonds!”

  Starkey shoved back his chair, his scar-covered face obligingly turned purple. “You can’t rightly keep us from treasure, Sir, not if the doctor’s willing to part with it!”

  The gypsy fire flared. “Not even a mountain of gold—”

  “If it’s gold you want, by god, I’ll be buying her myself!” Smee’s angry red face loomed over Cecco’s desk.

  Cecco’s hands shot out and he snatched Smee by the neck of his shirt, dragging him until he bent over the desktop. Smee’s fists rushed to grip Cecco’s. The captain’s brown eyes smoldered. “Do not test me, Irishman. I should have sliced you up yesterday when—”

  “Stop!” Jill rose, her eyes blazing. At the sound of her anger, Cecco released Smee and swung around to face her. All the men fell silent, staring.

  “I see that my usefulness aboard the Roger is at an end.” With her scarlet hand, Jill hoisted the leather-bound book from Cecco’s desk. She thumped it down before her. As the men gaped in disbelief, she seized a quill and dipped it in the inkwell.

  Cecco closed his powerful hand over hers. “No, lovely one. You will not leave me.”

  Jill looked him straight in the eye. She thrust his hand away. “I’m already gone.” She bent, pressed the pen to the paper, and slashed a black line through her name. The pirates gasped.

  Cecco stared down at her mark. A look of genuine horror grew upon his features. This gesture, this act of finality, was no part of their plan. He had never intended for Jill to take the charade as far as this. Slowly, his eyes traveled upward to search her face. The sting of his own declaration pricked his soul. With courage she defies me…His magnificent queen. He barely comprehended her next words.

  “Mr. Yulunga, I will send Liza to fetch my things. You will kindly assist her to move them to the spare cabin.”

  Hanover smiled. His satisfaction swelled as Jill moved to his side. Laying her stained hand on his shoulder, she held his gaze with her own— and eased the bag of diamonds from his fingers. Upending it over the desk, she released the bulk of its remaining contents to skitter over the surface. Leaving a healthy fistful in reserve, she snapped the strings tight, rolled up the bag, and thrust it in her bosom.

  She crossed to the wardrobe to fling its door wide. From the interior she withdrew a single kid glove. The men watched, amazed, while her distinctive red hand disappeared within its confines. As the silence ached, Jill strode to the door. Standing there in her golden gown, her gloved hand on the handle, she was the picture of defiance. She turned to face her captain, one last time.

  “My dear Sir. I give you the Roger. First, last, and always.”

  Casting her gaze to each of the men, she smiled, stroking the diamonds beneath her bodice. “Gentlemen. It has been a pleasure.”

  The pirate queen turned on her heel and vanished. She left behind her a pair of manicured hands emptied of their treasures, an imploding gypsy heart, and a set of smiling eyes behind gold-rimmed spectacles, full of the sight of Red-Handed Jill. The master’s mate.

  Chapter 31

  Deal with the Devil

  Jill sat on the bunk of the spare quarters, watching darkness dim the water behind her beloved Roger. Moored a short distance off, the sister ship was fading to a shadowy shape in the sea. The room in which Jill would sleep tonight was comfortably furnished, but to her, it felt empty. Echoing.

  A heavy knock sounded, intruding on her thoughts. She rose and, holding her head erect, opened the door to face the dark figure of Yulunga. He threw a pallet and a blanket to the floor of the gun deck. A gust of air blew up from them, ruffling the skirt of Jill’s black Turkish tunic. She smoothed it down with one gloved hand.

  “Good evening, Ma’am. Captain’s orders I should look after you tonight.”

  “I see.”

  “And a good thing, too. Already, the jackals are prowling. I just shooed off both of your neighbors.”

  “Mister Hanover and Mr. Smee. The best protection I could require.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. They seem to have been watching each other.” Yulunga smiled. “But no longer.” He glanced at the quarters his captain had promised him, occupied now with the fragrance of Jill’s perfume, her weapons, and the few feminine trappings she had requested Liza to gather. “You didn’t ask for many of your things.”

  “I won’t be needing much.” She touched her bodice, where the diamonds dwelled. She would have to find a safer place for them.

  “You put on quite a performance for us this morning.”

  “Yes….Tell me, Mr. Yulunga. How is the captain?”

  “How do you think?”

  Jill looked away. “I hope his meeting with Captain LeCorbeau went smoothly.”

  “There was not much work for him to do. The Frenchman was agreeable to our terms.”

  “Even a share of future profits?”

  “He didn’t like it. But a rendezvous was established. One year from now.”

  “So we may proceed as planned.”

  “No. You can proceed with your plans. Captain Cecco is finished.”

  “Of course.” Jill remembered the look on Cecco’s face when she deserted him. His agony arrested her. Still aching, she brought herself back to the present. “Thank you, Mr. Yulunga, for the use of both your quarters and your girl.”

  “Lady, it is my pleasure.” But instead of saying good night, Yulunga lingered. His body filled the doorway, and his fluid voice grew insistent. “And now, I want something in return.”

  In spite of her tension, Jill remained steady. “Yes. I thought
you might.”

  “Something that is sure to satisfy the both of us.” With his warm black eyes, Yulunga watched her, waiting.

  Jill considered. She searched the gun deck, what she could see of it behind the massive form of the mate. And then she took one step back.

  “You may come in, Mr. Yulunga.”

  The man bent his head to stride through the doorway of his new quarters. He cast a look around as he shut the door. Then he locked it. He smiled. The place felt like home already.

  On the gun deck, another dark figure broke away from the shadows. He raised his dusky hand to his lips, bunching his fingertips to send a kiss flying toward the just-closed door.

  Inside, Jill observed Yulunga’s smile. She said, “You’ll need one more thing to make the comfort of these quarters complete.”

  His look was shrewd. “And you can give it to me.”

  “Mister Hanover has Liza.” Jill settled herself on the bunk. “And you have the captain’s ear.”

  “That’s so.” He lowered his bulk to the chair and leaned back, stretching his legs out before him. “Exactly what do you suggest I tell him, Lady?”

  “The truth, Mr. Yulunga. He gave you the girl in good faith. He will listen to the truth.”

  “He would rather hear it from you. Shall I open the door?”

  “No. No, I can’t take a chance that my fiancé will overhear. The truth must come to Mister Hanover only gradually.”

  “All right then, Lady.” Yulunga bent forward. “Let’s see what we can do for one another.”

  In the gloom of the gun deck, Cecco ended his vigil, divining now that the door would not reopen to him. He turned and made his way slowly up the steps, toward the captain’s quarters. The room in which he would not sleep at all was comfortably furnished. But to Cecco, this long night, it seemed empty. Echoing.