Captured for the Captain's Pleasure

by Ann Lethbridge

  Gritting her teeth, she found the first rung with her foot and staring at the hull in front of her nose, her trembling legs worked their way down rung by rung. The side of the Gryphon soon towered over her head and Richard’s hands were around her waist helping her to a seat in the boat.

  She let go an unsteady breath and collapsed on the bench beside Selina. The launch pushed off. She gazed across the water to a similar boat departing from the stern. Michael caught her eyes and stood up and bowed with a devil-may-care smile. His men laughed.

  One of the soldiers swung out with his rifle stock. Michael crashed to his knees.

  Alice bit back her cry of outrage. How could they be so brutal to a man in chains? Anger rushed hot through her veins. She wasn’t sure who annoyed her most, the brutal soldier, or Michael and his ridiculous gallantry.

  ‘What will happen to them?’ she asked the sergeant seated on the facing bench.

  He grinned. ‘Don’t worry about that lot. The navy always needs experienced sailors. Of course, they’ll try the ringleaders the moment we reaches port,’ the man continued with far too much glee in his voice. ‘Bleedin’ pirates they are. Begging your pardon, miss. They’ll hang ’em fer sure.’

  Nausea filled her throat. Her stomach heaved. The gentle sea seemed to pitch the boat like a cork. She swallowed hard.

  This was not the time for a fit of the vapours.

  Alice and Selina stared at each other from their respective bunks in the cramped officers’ cabin.

  ‘Nothing but excitement on Fulton Shipping Lines,’ Selina said in a dry little voice. ‘Remind me to travel with you again.’

  ‘Perhaps we should start a new venture—adventures on the high seas, battles included,’ Alice replied in kind. Anything to take her mind off what might be happening to Michael and his crew.

  Selina laughed. ‘Gentlemen walk the plank at sword point, while the ladies are seduced by the handsome captain.’ She sobered. ‘Talking of handsome captains, you were gone all night. Did he seduce you?’

  She stared at her friend’s concerned face. Selina had proved herself a true friend over Andrew. Having discovered from his brother Andrew’s plan of seduction to keep her from crying off, she saved Alice before she made the worst mistake of her life. The seduction was done. But she’d cried off anyway. She might have stayed the course, if she hadn’t learned the poor boy loved his childhood sweetheart, but was prepared to make the sacrifice to save his family.

  When she’d confronted him and returned his ring, he’d been scathing about the way she’d thrown herself at him, and there had been some gossip. Selina had stood by her.

  Would Selina be as supportive now, if she thought Alice had made the same mistake with Michael? ‘I married him.’

  ‘What?’ Only Selina could make one quiet word sound like a shriek.

  ‘There was a ceremony conducted by Mr Bones, last night. I signed a document. Michael told me not to speak of it, but I had to tell someone. Promise you won’t tell anyone.’

  ‘But why marry him?’

  ‘He wouldn’t agree to forgo the ransom without a contract. There’s nothing more binding than marriage.’ She couldn’t help the doubt creeping into her voice at her friend’s worried expression. She winced and put her fear into words. ‘I’m not even sure it was a proper wedding.’

  Selina’s jaw dropped. ‘But that means…Alice, you spent the night with him.’

  A blissful night. Her body warmed. Her face felt hot, all the way to her hairline.

  ‘Alice,’ Selina said, her eyes popping open, ‘you look…besotted.’

  No hiding things of that nature from Selina. She lifted her chin. ‘It was lovely.’

  ‘So, you hope you are married.’

  ‘Yes.’ She pressed cool palms to hot cheeks. ‘But please say nothing until I’ve spoken to him.’

  Selina’s fair brow wrinkled. For a stomach-clenching moment, Alice thought she’d balk.

  ‘Oh, very well,’ Selina said. ‘I don’t quite see where all this is leading, but you can trust me to follow along.’

  There weren’t many true friends in a life and Selina was one. But even friends had lines beyond which they would not pass. And this was asking a lot. Alice reached out and took her hands. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘So now what do you plan to do?’

  ‘First I want to find the surgeon.’ At least one of Michael’s men had been injured in the fighting and she wasn’t sure the navy would bother to provide medical attention. Then she needed a word with the captain of the Essex.

  Selina swung her legs up on the bunk and put her hands behind her head. ‘Liversedge said we weren’t to leave here without an escort. For our own safety.’ She mimicked the fussy voice of the lieutenant. ‘Why not speak to the surgeon when we dine with the officers?’ She sounded as if she felt it was the right thing to say, even if she knew it was hopeless.

  ‘If I wait, it might be too late. I don’t trust the lieutenant.’

  ‘I agree. There is something about him one cannot quite like.’

  Selina’s instincts about men were infallible. The echo of her own feelings about the lieutenant served to deepen her fears. Alice kept her face cheerful. ‘I won’t be gone long.’

  ‘Perhaps I ought to come with you. As a chaperon.’

  ‘No.’

  Selina’s elegant brows rose at her abruptness.

  ‘You wandering around the ship is sure to attract attention. No one will notice me.’

  Selina grimaced. ‘Be careful, Alice. You don’t want to make things worse than they are for Captain Lionhawk.’

  Alice drew in a deep breath. ‘I know. But I can’t sit here not knowing if he is all right.’

  ‘Ah, now we get to the heart of the matter. After all your talk of bargains, you’ve fallen for the man.’ Selina tapped her lip with her forefinger. ‘Tell me, was it love at first sight?’

  Alice couldn’t restrain her grin. ‘You are impossibly romantic.’

  ‘Me? Not likely. Find your pirate. But, Alice, don’t let him break your heart.’

  Hearts were not involved. Definitely not. She was just worried about his health and that of his men.

  She opened the cabin door and peered out. The stink of pitch and the smoke from lanterns along the length of the dim passageway filled her nostrils. No one in sight. At least Liversedge hadn’t placed a guard at their door. Why would he? In his view, they were guests, not prisoners.

  With a quick wave to Selina, Alice closed the door. Surgeons usually operated their sick berth on the gun deck, which meant she had to go down. She took a few hesitant steps in the direction of the bow. Where was Richard when she needed him? Having a good time following a new captain around, no doubt. No confined-to-quarters order for him. Because he was male.

  ‘Pardon me, ma’am’

  Heart in her mouth, Alice spun around to face a red-haired boy of about Richard’s age in the uniform of a midshipman.

  He saluted smartly. ‘Permission to pass you, ma’am?’

  Ma’am. She must have the appearance of some ancient crone to this youth. She stepped back. He ducked his head and hurried past.

  ‘Wait,’ Alice said.

  He halted and turned.

  ‘Can you direct me to the infirmary?’ she asked, smiling.

  ‘Seasick, miss?’ The boy’s squeaking adolescent voice held sympathy.

  Memory of Michael saying much the same thing only two days before struck a painful nerve. She shook her head. ‘Can you point me in the right direction?’

  ‘Aye, miss.’ He pointed back the way she came. ‘If you take the first turn to starboard, go down the last companionway before you reach the stern, then two turns to port and one to starboard, you will find Mr Smollet’s surgery.’

  Alice must have shown her instant confusion because he grinned. ‘May I escort you, ma’am?’

  ‘Thank you.’

  The boy squeezed passed her and trotted ahead.

  ‘Have you met my brother, Rich
ard?’

  ‘The civilian? He’s berthing with the middys. Seems like a good sort. Of course, he’s under the care of one of the older men.’

  ‘And the prisoners?’

  ‘They got them safely in irons.’

  Alice held her impatience in check and kept her voice light and easy. ‘I’m glad to hear it. And just where would they be?’

  ‘Just below the marines’ wardroom. They mount a guard day and night.’ He dived into a companionway. ‘This way,’ he called back. When she reached the bottom step, he jerked his thumb over his shoulder. ‘The lobsters’ berth is that way.’

  Men’s voices and laughter emanated from an open door. ‘They ain’t got nothing to do all day except play cards.’

  ‘And guard the prisoners.’

  ‘Hah. They’re all locked up. They only need one man down there. Get off with it light, they do.’ He forged ahead.

  Alice followed him. Away from the marines and away from Michael. Alice glanced over her shoulder, trying to memorise the wardroom’s location.

  The midshipman knocked on a door and opened it. ‘Visitor, sir.’

  A tallish man with thinning sandy hair swung around, wiping his hands on his bloody apron. His gaunt long face set in a frown, he glared at the intruders over his eyeglasses. ‘Shut the bloody door, Mr Tib.’

  ‘Aye, aye, sir,’ Tib replied, ushering Alice in.

  Tib saluted. ‘I’ll be off now then, sir.’

  ‘Damn your eyes, boy. You’re here and here you’ll stay until I’m done with you.’

  ‘Aye, aye, sir, but Mr Meadows wants me on deck.’

  ‘I’ll deal with Meadows,’ Smollet muttered. He turned to Alice. ‘I lost my middy over the side last week and didn’t bother to replace him.’ He picked up a bottle from amongst his bloody instruments and took a deep swallow then squeezed his eyes shut before giving Alice a sharp look. ‘Now, young lady. What brings you to my corner of the Essex?’

  She smiled. ‘I came to ask about Mr Anderson, my father’s employee.’

  The doctor shook his head.

  ‘He had a broken arm.’

  ‘Oh, aye. I remember him. He didn’t need my attention. Whoever did the work on him did a good job. As good as I could do, if not better. He’s berthed with the officers.’

  Alice’s gaze skimmed over the bloody plank table behind him. ‘Were a great many men wounded in the fighting yesterday?’

  ‘Five. A cannon broke loose. Curse it.’

  ‘At least one of the men of the Gryphon was also injured.’

  Smollet grimaced, the lines on his face deepening. ‘I don’t know anything about the prisoners. Only when I have finished attending to every sailor on the Essex will I spend my time assisting a bunch of cutthroats.’

  Alice swallowed the angry reply that raced to her lips. Honey, not vinegar, she reminded herself. ‘They do have their own doctor. He was the one who set Mr Anderson’s arm. Perhaps I could take him some supplies?’ She held her gaze steady with the brown eyes observing her. The man looked exhausted.

  ‘I could come back and give you some help,’ she added, sensing a refusal on the tip of his tongue.

  ‘I don’t need females fainting all over my surgery, thank you kindly.’

  Alice glanced down at his apron. ‘I don’t faint at the sight of blood, I assure you.’

  ‘All right,’ Smollet said in grudging tones, ‘if you help me here, I’ll give you some supplies for the blasted prisoners.’

  Alice nodded. ‘Agreed.’

  ‘Here.’ Smollet turned and pulled bandages from a cupboard. ‘I’ll spare what I can. But, young lady, I warn you, be very careful. Those men are cornered and dangerous.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘Do you? Then you are more intelligent than most females I know.’ Smollet hauled out a couple of blankets and spread them on the floor. He dropped bandages and swabs in the centre and added basilica powder, unguent, needles and thread to the pile. He tied the four corners. ‘That should do.’

  ‘I’ll take some of that rum,’ Alice said, pointing at the row of flasks on the bottom shelf.

  ‘You drive a hard bargain, Miss Fulton.’

  Alice smiled. ‘So do you, Dr Smollet. Thank you.’

  ‘Hmmph. Tib, take Miss Fulton to the prisoners.’

  Tib, who had watched the exchange with a rather bemused expression, snapped to attention. ‘Aye, aye, sir.’

  ‘I want you back here on the double. No lolly-gagging with the prisoners, boy.’

  ‘I’ll have to ask Lieutenant Liversedge for the key, sir,’ Tib said a mite anxiously.

  ‘Nonsense,’ Smollet said. ‘Get the key from the wardroom. They’ve a spare. Look smart, boy. Don’t stand there or I’ll put you on a charge.’

  A flush stained the lad’s cheeks. ‘Aye, aye, sir.’ He dashed out of the door with the bundle in his arms. Alice hurried after him.

  ‘Miss Fulton, take this.’ She looked back to see Smollet holding out a battered leather bag. ‘Some spare surgical instruments. If he’s got shot to deal with, he’ll need it.’

  Clearly Smollet’s bark was far worse than his bite. She smiled her thanks and hustled after Mr Tib. She didn’t dare lose sight of the boy. She’d never find her way through this rabbit warren of timber.

  At the end of the passage, Tib dived into the wardroom. The smoke of strong-smelling cigars curled out of the door along with the noise of men in a rollicking mood. Tib ducked out a second later, gleefully holding a key aloft like a prize. ‘Got it,’ he whispered.

  ‘Where was it?’ she whispered back.

  Tib jerked his head. ‘Hanging on the wall just inside the door. They never even looked up.’ He grinned. ‘They’ll never notice it’s missing.’

  Alice peeped through the door at the group of men engrossed in a game of dice at a large wooden table. At the other end of the room a series of hammocks were slung between upright posts. ‘Surely it is better to seek permission if Dr Smollet gave instructions?’

  The boy glowered. ‘He might outrank Liversedge, but the lieutenant’s a stickler for the rules. No one crosses him. Not if he knows what’s good for him. Come on, miss, or the old sawbones’ll be after my hide.’

  Tib lit a torch and plunged ahead.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Damnation!’ Wishart threw his cards down. His manacles clanked against the battered table, punctuating his disgust.

  Michael grinned and scooped up the neat row of straws in the centre of the table. ‘That’s one year’s prize money you owe me.’

  Wishart grimaced. ‘If I live to collect it.’

  Michael shook his head in warning. He didn’t want the men to lose heart. He glanced at the group of six conspirators whispering in the corner out of sight of their guard. Men who’d been with him since he had bought the Gryphon. They’d bring their plan to him when they had worked it through. Trouble was, there really was no way off this hulk, not with a wounded man. Still, it kept them busy and hopeful. The rest of his twenty-five crew were doing their best to ensure the guard didn’t notice the plotters, singing, playing dice. At least they’d put them all together in one big cell, rather than locking them up in small cages.

  Bones, his face more craggy than usual in the flickering light of the lamp Jacko held, was doing what he could to staunch the bleeding in Simpson’s shoulder.

  Michael took a deep breath. He stifled a gasp. Damn Liversedge and his sergeant’s hobnailed boots. He had at least one broken rib. The bastards.

  Wishart glanced up. ‘Where’s Jacko with the water?’

  ‘Leave the boy, he’s helping Bones. Deal again.’

  Wishart stiffened, a look of shock on his face as he stared beyond Michael’s shoulder.

  Michael braced himself to stand whatever nasty surprise Liversedge had planned next and swivelled in his seat.

  ‘Bloody hell.’ For a moment, he thought he was delusional, that his mind had tipped over the brink of madness after the blow to his head, but Wishart
obviously saw her too.

  Alice, her face pale and her eyes huge, was peering through the bars as if they were wild animals.

  Careful to show none of the pain ripping through his battered chest, Michael eased to his feet and gathered his chains in his arms.

  ‘Michael,’ Wishart said with a warning in his voice.

  Michael brushed it off with a brief shake of his head. Wishart knew better than to betray Michael’s weakness. He shuffled to the iron bars of their cage, calling on all of his will-power not to lean against them for support.

  ‘Michael. Thank God. Are you all right?’

  Her fear for him was water to a parched soul. He stood in a hold stinking of unwashed men and blood and sickness and drank her in. Until this moment, he hadn’t realised how much she’d come to mean. If Liversedge learned of her visit, there would be hell to pay. Worse if he learned they had wed.

  ‘You shouldn’t be here.’

  She frowned. ‘I heard some of your men were injured. I brought medical supplies.’ Her gaze dropped to his arm where the blood had soaked through. ‘You’ve opened the cut.’

  Liversedge’s work. ‘It’s nothing. Bones will take care of it.’

  Bones reached Michael’s side. ‘Did I hear someone mention supplies?’

  Drunk or sober, the man had ears like a hawk when it came to his calling.

  ‘There are bandages and ointments and some surgical tools. Mr Tib, if you please.’ While she looked calm enough, her hand trembled as she gestured to the midshipman at her side.

  Michael clenched his hand around the cold metal bar to stop from reaching out to hold that shaking hand in his.

  ‘Step back, you!’ The guard shoved his bayonet in Michael’s face. ‘That ’un’s dangerous, miss.’

  Fury rose in Michael’s gullet and he all but snatched the weapon and turned it on the soldier. He dragged in a breath and stepped away. He wouldn’t risk harm to Alice. Or his men.