“I knew you’d show up sooner or later,” Bonny said and smirked.
* * * *
“I thought you said you were going to keep my secret,” Dulac snarled. He had Jesse backed into a corner of the cell and towered threateningly over her. “I should’ve known better than to trust a pirate. Do you realize you’ve signed my death sentence? I’ll be dead before the week is out.”
Jesse let her anger swallow her tears. “I didn’t rat you out, Dulac.”
“Liar,” he spat. His hand enclosed around her throat.
“Why don’t you pick on someone yer own size?” Zach yelled from somewhere behind him.
Jesse tried to look past Dulac. He was too huge to do so without moving, and she was held firmly in place by his grip on her throat. Her hands wrapped around his wrist, and she tried unsuccessfully to remove his hand. “Let go of me.”
“What’d she give you in exchange for the looseness of your tongue?”
Zach jumped on Dulac’s back and slipped an arm around his neck. “I said, let him go.”
The act only irritated Dulac more, but he did let go of her, if only to fling the young man off. He turned his back on her and pointed at Zach. “Stay out of this.”
Jesse darted to the other side of the holding cell, but there was nowhere to run. He merely cornered her again. “Answer my question.”
Jesse stood tall and raised her chin a notch. “She didn’t give me nothing. She overheard us talking in the passageway. I swear on me father’s life.”
Dulac stared her down, but she held her ground. She told the truth whether he believed it or not. Her heart panged at the thought of how hard she was going to have to work to get his trust back.
“Bonny said you told her.”
“Oh, and I guess Bonny’s not a liar?” Jesse snapped. “Well, betcha didn’t know she’s been with Cap’n Jim.”
Dulac did a good job of hiding his shock, but his hesitation showed he was taken back a bit by the news. He shrugged. “So? I know she’s naught but a two-bit whore. You, on the other hand, I thought I could at least trust.”
Her throat dried, and she swallowed. “You still can.”
He backed away from her but held her gaze. “Yeah, right.”
Jesse blinked back tears, surprised at the sudden pain in her heart. Things between them had gotten completely messed up. She didn’t know if they’d ever patch things up and be friends again. But did she want to be friends with someone who was quick to think the worst of her?
Zach stepped between them. “He was coming to rescue you, you dolt.”
Dulac faltered, which gave Jesse an opportunity. “If the truth be known, I was to jump ship in exchange for Bonny’s silence. Guess we all know how that worked out.”
The cell filled with silence, but Jesse could feel Dulac’s rage and fear. The pirates were sure to execute him, and she was powerless to help him escape. It suddenly occurred to her that she and Zach would be punished for attempting to rescue Dulac.
Her eyes widened as she looked at her accomplice. “Blast it, Zach. They’ll lash us for sure. I’m sorry.”
Then another, more humiliating thought occurred to her. If they lashed her, they’d have to remove her shirt, and while she wasn’t as buxom as Bonny, there was enough to fill a hand. The blood rushed from her face to her toes, and she struggled not to show it. Zach noticed, however, and grabbed her arm. “It’s okay, Jesse, really. Don’t worry. I can handle it.”
Dulac snorted. “Welcome to manhood, boys.”
* * * *
Jolly Jim peered down from the quarterdeck. Jesse stood between Dulac and Zach on the main deck. Her hands were bound behind her, and she was gagged. Dulac and Zach were trussed up in the same fashion as they were all to stand trial together. They faced the angry crew, and fear throbbed in her veins.
The pirates’ voices boomed around them and only stopped when the captain banged his sword against the rail. “Enough!”
All talking ceased immediately. Jim nodded. “Let the hearing begin. These three before you stand trial today. Dulac for conspiring to turn us all in to the Lifesaving Service, and the two lads for attempting to set him free.”
Jesse could not look at the angry pirates before her. So she searched the sea, hoping for signs of another ship. The horizon remained void.
“Hang him high,” someone called from the middle of the crowd. Words of agreement echoed all around. Jim held up his hand.
“Ye all know the rules. Let the man have his say. Then we’ll decide.”
“Keelhaul the bastard, then hang him high,” cried an angry voice.
Jesse’s heart stopped at the thought of Dulac suffering such a fate. He would be hoisted up to the end of the main yard by his wrists and a weighted line would be tied to his ankles. The other end of the line would be run under the hull and tied to the other end of the main yard. An oil-soaked cloth would be tied around his nose and mouth to prevent drowning as he was dropped into the sea and hauled under the hull to the other side. The skin on his back would be torn from the barnacles growing on the ship.
A guard stepped up to Dulac and pulled down his gag. Jim pointed at him. “Speak yer peace.”
“I never intended to turn any of you in,” Dulac growled. “In fact, I was going to jump ship, but Bonny stopped that plan. All I ask is you let me go at the next port or even maroon me.”
“Liar,” someone yelled.
“I swear on my mother’s life ’tis true,” Dulac pleaded.
The pirates fell quiet, and a flare of hope for Dulac’s life burst over Jesse. One could swear all they wanted against their father, but an oath on their mother was a different matter. Most of the crew held their mothers in high regard and blamed their impoverished lives on their fathers.
“So that be all?” Jim asked from above. “Anything else ye’d like to add?”
Dulac looked up and shook his head. “Nay.”
The gag was replaced as Jim bellowed, “Awright, men, cast yer votes. White marble for marooning; black for hanging.”
“What about keelhauling?” someone yelled.
“Not today, mate.”
The locked box was brought before Dulac, and one by one, each pirate dropped in their marble. Some chose to show their black mark to Dulac before casting their vote.
Jesse, Dulac and Zach were forced to stand while the box was brought to the captain and his first mate. They counted them right there and in silence. It seemed even the ship held its breath.
“Well, it’s practically unanimous,” the captain stated at long last.
Jesse watched Jim in fear as she prayed over and over one single word. Please.
“The traitor hangs in two days hence.”
Jesse’s anguish roared to the surface as she bit back a cry. With wide eyes, she looked at Dulac. His face seemed paler, and he spread his legs farther apart to steady himself. She looked into his eyes and saw the despair that matched her own. He raised his chin and held his composure. Only his eyes told of his fear.
Jesse’s stomach burned, and her legs quivered. But if he could manage to stay composed, so could she. Try as she might, though, a single tear slipped out of the corner of her right eye and slid down her cheek.
Her and Zach’s trial was less dramatic. In fact, when she was asked to speak on her own behalf, she couldn’t get a single word past her lips. Zach did the talking for both of them.
“Dulac’s been like a brother to us,” the youth said. “We couldn’t let him rot in a cell for something he used to be.”
The box was pushed in front of them, and once again, the crew determined their punishment. White marbles were for being clamped in irons on the deck for one week. Black marbles were for ten lashes.
Jesse was so lost in despair over Dulac’s impending death she nearly missed the results of their jury. She almost sagged in relief at the captain’s words.
“Clap ’em in irons, mates.”
Chapter 16
June 16, 1900
&nb
sp; Evening
Jesse leaned her head against the side of the ship. She had been chained on the quarterdeck. She had enough leeway to move around, but she couldn’t stand up. She was also still gagged and had been warned not to remove it lest her hands be chained behind her back. She was quick to comply as having them chained in front of her was bad enough.
She tried to catch a glimpse of Zach as he had been tied to the foremast. All she could see were his hands as he faced the oncoming sea and was vulnerable to the kiss of the winds.
Jesse tried not to think of Dulac and how he had twenty-four hours left on earth. Sunset tomorrow would see him hanging from the mainsail. She choked on the bitter tears and turned her anger to the one person who had caused all this misery—Bonny. She’d see the vixen pay for Dulac’s death if it was the last thing she did.
“Cap’n, there’s a ship headed toward us from the starboard side.”
Captain Jim stood beside Jesse as he smoked his night cheroot. “Is it the Lifesaving Service?”
The scruffy man shook his head. “Nay, sir, it’s flying colors. ’Tis black and gold with a devil’s head.”
Jesse snapped to attention, realizing instantly who it was. She turned on her knees and peered through the railing. She could see the ship, but it was too far away to see anything else. LeBlanc.
“Spyglass,” Captain Jim ordered. “Rat bastard. It’s LeBlanc. I’d wager the entire ship he heard we’ve got treasure aboard. He must’ve been at Charlotte Amalie.”
“I didn’t see his ship there,” the scraggily man said.
“There were too many ships there, Santos, but he was there. He more than likely overheard one of the crew bragging in their cups.”
Jim rapidly tapped the spyglass against his left hand. Jesse could see the wheels spinning in his head and was not comforted by the expression on his face. She much preferred his contagious laughter to his ominous scowl.
“I know for a fact his ship is faster than mine,” Jim stated.
“How’s that, sir?”
“It was once mine.” He grunted in dissatisfaction. “Lost it to LeBlanc in a card game, and I’ll be damned if I lose another to that devil.”
Jim paused in thought. “Furl the sails, mate. We’ll wait for him to get close, then loose our canons on him. He won’t return fire as he wants our loot.”
* * * *
Midnight
Both ships were now doused in darkness as no one had been allowed to light a single lantern. However, the light of the moon showered down on them. The ethereal light made a night time battle plausible. Captain Jim had done his best to sink LeBlanc’s ship, but The Devil’s Lair remained just out of reach.
Jesse and Zach were still clapped in irons. She figured they’d remain so until it came time for hand-to-hand combat. She thought about the time she had fought with LeBlanc and was worried because she had not practiced in quite some time.
Her thoughts were disrupted when one of the crew came running onto the quarterdeck. Jim looked at him in agitation. “What?”
“We’re out of cannon fire, cap’n.”
Jim’s bad mood seemed to emanate from every pore of his skin. “Lucky bastard must have a horse shoe up his arse.”
“What’ll we do now, cap’n?”
Jim looked around. “Too late to run. It’ll only make this worse.”
He crossed his arms, and for the first time, he looked down at Jesse. His words, however, were for the crewmate. “Set the lads free, and prepare for battle, mate. ’Tis all we can do.”
Within no time, Jesse was set lose. She rubbed her wrists to get the blood flowing, then gingerly stretched out her legs and shook the numbness out of them. It was several minutes before she could get to her feet. Then she had to grab the rail to steady her wobbly legs.
The captain patted her back. “Go get some grub, lad. We’ve a long night ahead.”
Tentatively, Jesse started toward the galley, but the captain’s next words stopped her. “And lad...”
She looked over her right shoulder. “Sir?”
“I’m sorry about your brother. I voted for marooning.” Then he smiled ruefully. “Of course, if all goes as I fear, your brother may live yet.”
Not likely. She looked into Jim’s eyes and saw no trace of the mirth usually there. He did indeed know well of LeBlanc, and, unfortunately, so did she.
Having no desire to explain how she knew LeBlanc, Jesse merely nodded. “Perhaps.”
She hurried off to eat. She planned on hiding in the dumbwaiter once all the fighting began but had to let Dulac know LeBlanc was about to take over the ship.
* * * *
Hours passed while Jesse battled her cowardliness. Half of her desperately wanted to fight, but the other half was ruled by fear. She was deathly afraid of what LeBlanc would do to her if he found her. So she sat in the dumbwaiter and listened to the cries of battle.
Earlier, she had tried to get to Dulac, but despite the need for all men to fight, one had been spared to guard him. So she had slipped away unseen.
Now, the ship was quiet, and she knew the battle was over. She had to find out who was victorious, so she used the pulley system to get up to the galley. Slowly, she pushed the cabinet door open to a mere crack. She heard a muffled voice and reluctantly crawled out of her hiding spot. Luckily, the galley was empty, and she crept close to the open door.
“I have no need for more crewmates.”
Jesse’s heart stopped at the sound of LeBlanc’s voice. She strained to hear despite the blood pumping loudly in her ears.
“All I want is the treasure you took from the sheik’s ship...and the lad that would have been with him as well.”
Hot fear flared over her, and she panicked. She had hoped he would have forgotten her. She looked left and right and was about to slip back into the dumbwaiter when Jim’s voice boomed over the deck.
“And you’ll let us go, then?”
There was a second of silence as LeBlanc contemplated his answer. “Aye, old friend, I’ll let ye go.”
More silence. “Ye’ll not take me ship?”
“I’ve done that once before, Jim. I’ve no use for another ship. The one I have is faster than this.”
“Then ’tis a deal.”
Jesse forced herself to move. She opened the cabinet door, but it was too late. A body filled the doorway. “I thought I heard a rat in here.”
The man grabbed her arm and hauled her onto the deck. All eyes looked at them. “Found another one, Cap’n LeBlanc.”
“Bring him here,” LeBlanc ordered.
Jesse gathered her courage as she was pulled up the stairs to where LeBlanc stood. She stood unflinching as he smirked at her.
“Why, hello, Jesse.”
“LeBlanc.”
“Did you miss me?”
“Like a rat misses a cat.”
He busted out in laughter, then grabbed her arm and pulled her close. His breath surprisingly smelled of mint. “I can’t tell you how much I regretted selling you.”
“I can’t tell you how much that warms my heart,” she snarled and snatched her arm out of his grasp.
LeBlanc smiled wide. “Yes, I definitely missed your feisty nature. I’ll not let you go so easy this time...lad.”
There was a commotion behind her, but before she could turn around, someone was pushed past her and shoved onto his knees in front of LeBlanc. She looked down on black hair highlighted by the moon’s beams. She wished she could see Dulac’s face.
“I can’t say I feel the same about you, Dulac,” LeBlanc stated.
“What do you mean?” Dulac growled as he had not heard the recent conversation.
“That I missed you.” LeBlanc looked at Jim, who stood to his left. “Why was he locked up?”
“It was discovered that he is part of the Lifesaving Service. The crew voted to hang him on tomorrow’s eve.”
LeBlanc crossed his arms and smirked at Dulac. “Well well well. Seems you’re in quite a pickle, Dulac. Sho
uld I save you from the noose, or let you swing with the seagulls? Decisions, decisions.”
LeBlanc’s eyes met Jesse’s, and she found she couldn’t look away. She dared not hope he would spare Dulac’s life.
“Take the lad to my ship and lock him in my quarters,” LeBlanc ordered. “And go ahead and tie him to the bedpost. He’s a wiley sort, and I don’t want him slipping out the windows. I have much to discuss with him.”
Two hands grabbed Jesse’s shoulders, and she struggled free. “No. LeBlanc, what are you going to do with Dulac?”
LeBlanc’s smile reeked of deceit. “That’s to be part of our discussion.”
He shooed at them. “Now, off w’ ye, then.”
* * * *
Jesse sat on the end of the bed and inspected the cuff around her wrist. The other end was tied to the headboard. She tried to pull her hand free but only succeeded in irritating her skin. She sighed and crossed her arms. Could be worse. At least all my limbs aren’t tied.
She sat back against the pillows, and her tired body seemed to shut down. Her mind warred with the desire to curl up and sleep. Her eyes didn’t seem to care either as they closed on their own and refused to open.
The look on Dulac’s face haunted her. She had longed to throw her arms around him. She imagined doing just that. If she couldn’t do it in reality, at least she could in her dreams.
Jesse fell to her knees in front of Dulac and took his face in her hands. A fog rolled over them and hid them from their captors. “I have a confession.”
Then, with her heart pounding, she brazenly lifted her shirt. The anger on his face dissipated into wander, then lust. Without a word, he rose up on his knees. The cuffs magically slipped off his wrists, and he pulled her into a hug. She buried her face in his chest and snuggled into his warmth. His deep voice rumbled through her.
“That’s all right, love. I already know.”
Jesse’s eyes snapped open, and reality rushed back. LeBlanc had his arms wrapped comfortably around her. She pushed at his bare, hairy chest, but he held her firmly. “Let go.”
“But you were enjoying my attentions a minute ago,” he whined softly.
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