Call of the Sea

by Rebecca Hart

  “Take Gorgon with you.”

  Gorgon, half man, half stone wall. Ellie turned toward the bulging mass to the captain’s right. “This way.” She crossed the deck in determined strides and stepped through the hatch that led below deck. With Gorgon at her heels, she descended the dark stairway leading to the brig.

  Ellie fiddled with the ring for the right key, testing them one by one in the rusty lock. Nope. Not that one. She pushed another key into the mechanism and gave it a twist.

  A loud click echoed through the gangway.

  With her heart pounding like a rabbit’s, she pushed open the heavy, creaking door. Please let Papa be down here.

  The combined smells of moldy straw and unwashed bodies brought tears to her eyes as Ellie stepped into the dank prison. No portholes lit the space, the only illumination provided by smoky flickering oil lamps hanging from iron pegs at each end of the row of cells.

  “Over here.” A sailor called out from the first cage to her right. “Let us out, son.”

  Like a wave, the caged men rose to their feet, beckoning for Ellie and the ring of keys.

  “Open this one, boy” came another plea.

  Ellie lifted her hands. “Settle down, now. We’ll get to them all.” She jangled the key ring. “As soon as I figure out which key fits which lock.” She went to the first iron door, unlocked it with the third key she tried, and swung it wide.

  She stopped the first man out with a hand to his shoulder. “Where’s your captain, sailor?”

  The man’s shoulders fell, freezing her blood. He turned and pointed to the last cage on the left. “Back there.”

  Hope sparked to life in her chest. Her eyes followed his finger down the row, settled on the lone man standing in the last cage. Ellie’s breath hitched as her gaze locked on a set of familiar brown eyes.

  Daniel. Even though she’d not seen him in ten years, she’d recognize those eyes anywhere. But where’s Papa?

  Ignoring the grasping hands and cajoling voices clawing at her from the crew-filled cages she passed, Ellie forced leaden feet forward, fear curdling her stomach. Why isn’t Papa with him?

  When she reached Daniel’s cell, Ellie had to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. He’s certainly gotten much taller.

  But his height wasn’t the only way Daniel had changed. The peach fuzz cheeks of youth had been replaced by a wide jaw, scruffy with more than a few days of dark stubble. His scrawny frame had filled out as well, and his once spindle-thin arms were now corded, muscled-coated bronze from exposure to the sun. Would he recognize her?

  A lead weight in her stomach, Ellie gathered her courage and asked the question she was afraid to know the answer to. “Where is he?” Her voice cracked. She cringed, cleared her throat. “Where’s Captain Winters?”

  Daniel took a step toward the door, wrapped his fingers around the bars. “I’m sorry, lad, but–” His words trailed off. He squinted at her, tilted his head. A calloused hand slipped between the bars and touched the red strands poking out from beneath Ellie’s skullcap.

  Her breath caught as his warm knuckles brushed her cheek.

  Rich brown pools widened in shock. “Ellie?” Daniel jerked his hand away. Confusion clouded his features.

  Ellie tossed a quick glance over her shoulder. Gorgon still stood by the prison door, arms folded over his chest.

  “Aye, it’s me, Daniel. Where is my father?”

  The pain reflected in his eyes skewered her soul. “I’m sorry, Ellie. He died fighting for the ship when the pirates attacked.”

  Her fingers curled around the bars as her throat closed. Tears burned her eyelids. She blinked the searing heat away, swallowed hard. Her next words hissed through clenched teeth. “Where’s his body, Daniel?”

  Daniel dropped his gaze to his feet. “They tossed the dead overboard. Ellie, I did everything I co–”

  Ellie raised a shaking hand, halting his words. “Save your excuses. And it’s Ellis, not Ellie.” A wave of anger threatened to overwhelm her. She deflected it toward the man on the other side of the bars, the one who had the nerve to survive while her father lay at the bottom of the sea. “Did you happen to see which pirate bastard killed him?”

  “Aye.”

  “Good.” Ellie unlocked the cage. “Come with me.” She spun and stalked away from the open cell. When she reached Gorgon at the brig’s iron door, she shoved the key ring at him. “Open the rest, will ya?” She jerked a thumb at Daniel. “I’m taking this one to the captain.”

  Without waiting for an answer, Ellie stepped past the massive sailor and swept up the stairs. At the top, she scanned the deck for Captain Harris.

  Daniel emerged from the hatch, squinting in the sunlight. He lifted a forearm to shield his eyes.

  Guilt tickled the hair at the nape of her neck. She cast Daniel a quick glance. “How long were you down there?”

  He shrugged and lowered his arm. “I don’t know. A few days, I guess. I was unconscious until your cannons started blowing holes in the hull.”

  Ellie opened her mouth, clamped it shut. What could she say? She turned and led the way in silence.

  They reached Captain Harris as he was giving orders to a pair of deckhands. Once finished, he turned toward Ellie and smiled. “What did ye find, Ellis?” His eyes skimmed over Daniel. “Who’s this fella?”

  She needed a plan, and fast. She couldn’t very well tell him the truth. If Captain Harris had any idea she was really a female, she’d be lucky to escape with her life. Ellie suppressed a shudder at the visual, glanced at Daniel, then back to her captain. She swallowed a lump from her throat and prayed the tension locked between her shoulder blades didn’t show.

  “This bloke here–” She thumbed a finger in Daniel’s direction.

  Is what, Ellie? Think of something!

  “Is…um, Captain Winters’ son, sir.”

  ***

  Daniel forced the look of shock from his face and plastered on a smile. The captain’s son? What in the hell is she doing?

  Daniel extended a hand toward the man. “Nice to meet you, Captain…Harris, was it?” When the captain clasped it, he continued. “Thank you for saving our ship.”

  Captain Harris waved a hand at him. “Think nothin’ of it, lad. Yer Pa woulda done the same fer me. I’m just sorry we came upon ye too late to save ’im. Winters was a fine man and one ’ell of a sailor.”

  “Aye, sir. That he was.” Daniel cast a quick glance at Ellie. Her pale cheeks and wide eyes tore at his heart and her hands shook as if she were about to collapse. He wished he’d some inkling what she expected him to say to her Captain.

  Without a clue, he struck out on his own. “Ellie…er, Ellis mentioned to me you might have a few crewmen you could spare to help us get back to Newquay? As you see, our numbers are quite small, and with the damage…”

  “Say no more, lad.” Captain Harris grinned. “Take Ellis ’ere. The lad can steer a ship like few I’ve seen and is a natural in the rigging. I’ll send over a few more volunteers once I ’ave a chance to speak with me crew. How many do ye think ye need to make it back to Newquay?”

  Daniel rubbed the growth of scruff on his chin. “With the lad here–” He nodded toward Ellie. “–I’d say maybe a half dozen more.”

  “Fair enough.” Captain Harris looked left, down the length of the deck to the huddled group of captured pirates. “What about the prisoners? Shall we take them, or did ye want to…” He lifted a furry brow. “…question them yerself?”

  Daniel smiled. “I have plans for them. For now, they can enjoy the hospitality of my brig and the same kindness they showed us when we were their guests.”

  Captain Harris tossed back his head and rolled with laughter. “Just what yer pa woulda said. I can’t believe I missed the family resemblance.”

  Ellie stiffened at his side. A glance her way told him fire sparked in her blue eyes. They’d darkened to the color of stormy seas, and after years at sea with her father, Daniel recognized the look. Her tempe
r was about to blow.

  Daniel jumped forward, blocking her from Captain Harris. I don’t know why she’s ruffled, this was her idea. He slapped the man on the back, chortling as he guided him a safe distance away. “I appreciate the assistance, Captain. I’ll return your men to you as soon as we’re able to limp her home.”

  Captain Harris nodded. “If ye’re sure ye don’t need an escort–”

  “That won’t be necessary. We’re only a few days from port. It will take me that long to question the captives.” Daniel curled his lips in what he hoped was a sinister grin.

  “All right, then. I’ll get back to me ship. Expect me crewmen within the hour.”

  “Very good. Thank you, Captain.”

  Harris wobbled across the planks connecting the two ships like a drunkard, surprising Daniel when he didn’t topple overboard. Chuckling, he turned to where he’d left Ellie. His eyes widened and he emitted a long sigh.

  The little minx had disappeared.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ellie stood outside the captain’s cabin of The Siren’s Call, unable to make her feet move across the threshold. Beyond lay his domain. The place Papa had always tried to keep her far away from. Her eyes welled with tears. She swiped them away with the heel of her hand, took a deep breath, and stepped into her father’s quarters.

  The overwhelming stench of sweat and rum attacked her nostrils. Ellie waved a hand in front of her face. The Corsair bastards. She huffed a sigh. No chance of the lingering scent of Papa’s pipe, or the rich smell of the special soap Mama made for him, nothing exclusively Papa. A small part of her had even hoped she’d find Papa himself, sitting in his chair at the giant desk in the corner, bent over one of his charts.

  The stifling emptiness of the room swallowed her, ate at her soul. He’s gone.

  Heavy steps took her to the intricately carved desk dominating the room, the surface littered with all manner of papers, books and scrolls. Had Papa left it this way, or had the pirates rummaged through it for anything of value? Her hands balled into fists at her sides. The idea of their dirty hands soiling her father’s things set her teeth on edge.

  She ran her fingers along the smooth walnut surface of her father’s chair. Her gaze returned to the stacks of papers on the desk. Was he looking for me?

  “I’m so sorry, Papa.” Ellie swiped at her wet cheek with her sleeve.

  “It was he who was sorry.”

  Ellie’s heartbeat faltered. Her head jerked up to find Daniel standing in the doorway. The late afternoon sun poured in behind him, casting all but his brilliant eyes in shadow, and giving him the appearance of a gilded god from some ancient mariner’s tale.

  A delicious tingle danced along her flesh. “S-sorry for what?

  Daniel stepped into the cabin. His large frame seemed to fill the modest compartment.

  She took an instinctive step backward, despite the giant desk separating them.

  His eyes registered her retreat and a frown pulled at his lips. “He thought he drove you away from him.”

  “He never would’ve let me sail. You know that as well as I.” A childhood of frustration threatened to pour from her in a rushing torrent. Her legs quivered beneath her. “I just wanted him to take me along, to be with him.” She dug her nails into her palms. “I wanted him to teach me to sail.” Her voice cracked. “Instead he took you. Always you! He never needed me because he had Perfect Daniel, the son he always wanted.”

  Daniel just stood there, open-mouthed.

  She regretted her last words the moment they’d slipped past her lips, but what was said was said, and she refused to take it back. Besides, wasn’t it how she really felt? Ellie ignored the mumblings of her internal voice and set her hands on her hips. “Say something, for heaven’s sake.”

  Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “What’s there to say?” His eyes turned cold, like frozen winter mud. “It’s obvious you know all there is to know about everything. Then you always have, haven’t you? And you’re absolutely right—as usual, Queen Elysandra. He never would have taken you with him.” The words came out in a whispered hiss. “He wanted more for you than a lonely life at sea pretending to be something you’re not.”

  A harsh laugh burst from her. “More? Yeah, I guess. Like more pretty dresses, more years sequestered away at boarding school, more time at home with Mama, waiting for him to come back.” Her stomach churned. “Or maybe more potential husbands, more wasting away locked on land? More of what Papa wanted. Never what I wanted. I had to leave. He left me no choice.” Was she trying to convince Daniel, or herself?

  Her ire spent, a sense of wariness washed over Ellie. “I miss him.” Her shoulders slumped and the tears she’d held back all day finally crested the dam of her defenses, sliding hot trails down her cheeks.

  Before she could register movement, Daniel’s strong arms and rich cinnamon scent surrounded her. The heat of his body seeped into hers. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Ellie laid her cheek against his hard chest. She closed her tired eyes and let herself sink into the comfort of his protective embrace.

  ***

  “I tried to save him, Ellie. I swear to God I did.” Daniel had been unable to stop himself from reaching for her when she gave in to her grief. But he’d been unprepared for his own body’s reaction to her nearness. His heart rate accelerated and his fingers ached to explore the lithe muscles of her back.

  Get hold of yourself.

  Her sweet scent, a mix of honeysuckle and lilacs, tickled his nose. Daniel exhaled quickly, as if he could force the intoxicating smell, along with its heady effect, away at his whim. He concentrated on his breathing and slowing his heartbeat. “Don’t worry. We’ll find the pirate that killed your father. I’ll not be forgetting him anytime soon.” He reached down and lifted her chin. His eyes searched hers. “I promise I’ll avenge him.”

  Ellie sniffed and swiped at her damp cheeks, fire lighting her blue eyes—eyes so like her father’s. “We’ll need a plan.”

  Daniel nodded. “By the way, why did you tell Harris I was Captain Winters’ son?”

  Ellie offered a shy smile and stepped from his arms.

  His fingers itched to reach for her, pull her back against his chest. Does she have to look so good in men’s breeches?

  “Captain Harris knew and respected my father. If he thinks you’re his son, there’s much less chance he’ll keep The Siren’s Call and risk repercussions from Papa’s allies. You know as well as I how well-connected my father was. On both sides of the law.”

  “Harris agreed to lend me another half dozen hands to get us back to Newquay. I think you should select the others. You know them all, have lived and worked beside them. Who better to know who will aid us the most?”

  A smile lit her face, sending a jolt of warmth through his body.

  “I can take care of that, but I only plan to bring one of them with us when we head out again to chase down the corsair dog that killed my father. We’ll use our own men for that.”

  Daniel quirked a brow. “Our men?”

  Ellie’s eyes flashed sapphire. “For now, Captain O’Roarke, I need you. Papa’s men won’t take orders from me, even if they knew who I really was.” She settled herself on the cushioned chair behind the giant desk. “So, yes, our men.”

  The ornate throne dwarfed her, reminding Daniel of the little girl he’d seen storm the beach to greet her father over ten years ago. Even then, he’d been drawn to her, wanted to protect her.

  She flipped through the layers of paperwork stacked on the desk, lifting a pile and looking beneath it before setting it back down. She picked up another.

  “What are you looking for?”

  Ellie continued with her search, brow furrowed. She yanked open a drawer, rummaged through it. “His journal. Papa always kept a log.”

  “Bottom drawer on the right.” A grin spread across his lips when her head shot up, brows raised. He shrugged. “I’ve worked for your father a long time.”

  She
leaned down and opened the bottom drawer. Ellie removed a thin leather-bound book and dropped it on the desk. She smoothed a hand over the surface, eyes taking on a faraway look.

  Daniel studied her bowed head as she opened the book with delicate fingers. Even with her flaming red locks cropped short, she was breathtaking. How could anyone mistake her for a boy? “What do you think you’ll find in there?”

  “Nothing specific…something…everything.” She didn’t bother to look up from the journal. “I just have to read it.”

  He could find no fault in her logic, only in her timing. “Can you read it after we select the men from Harris’s crew? I’m anxious to cast off and get underway.”

  Ellie glanced up. Her cheeks reddened. “Oh. Yes, of course.” She closed the logbook and rose from the chair. Coming around the desk, she bowed with a flourish. “After you, Captain.”

  Daniel stiffened at the words, but relaxed when he caught her teasing smile.

  The journey back to Newquay would be interesting, indeed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Once Ellie selected the men who’d sail with them back to Newquay, Captain Harris and the rest of his crew returned to The Surf Runner. They cast off the tether lines connecting the two vessels. She watched from the bulwark as the ship she’d called home for the last five years sailed away.

  “Do you plan to tell these folks who you really are? Or are we going to pretend that Daniel fellow is really the captain’s brood?” Nelson joined her at the rail, his dark eyes reflecting the worry lacing his voice.

  Ellie shrugged her shoulders. “Why not? They don’t know us, and Papa’s crew respects Daniel. Besides, if I tell them who I am, they’ll just leave me behind in Newquay after rattling off some nonsense about women aboard being bad luck. If my own father couldn’t accept my being on this ship, I doubt a bunch of old set-in-their-ways sea salts will.”

  Nelson glanced across the deck to where Daniel stood talking with a group of crewmembers. “Does he know the truth?”