As soon as the activity ceased, and the coast was clear, she would get off this boat and make her way to town. Her first goal had been achieved. She was off the boat and away from Uncle Titus, and that horrid man who she was supposed to marry. It had been relatively easy. Madeleine allowed herself a small smile as she watched the lantern lights play on the fast flowing waters of the muddy river.
Chapter Five
It was almost midnight by the time Sébastien made his way through the streets from Jackson Square back to the wharf. He’d passed the taverns without a sideways glance and ignored the temptation of a quick drink. There would be time for that when they were under sail later tonight. But perhaps it would not be fair to the crew if he allowed himself the pleasure of a drink, a meal, and the comfort of a soft, warm woman.
And that thought led him to think of the young woman from the frigate. He had been hurrying to meet the governor when she had stepped in front of him and he’d not been able to get her from his thoughts. She had seemed distressed and he wondered what was happening. New Orleans was a small town. He would be sure to find out who she was if they were still here when he returned from his mission.
After Carondelet had left him with the aide, they had plotted the route for his mission. The Maiden had to depart in three hours to catch the outgoing tide. Just enough time to sober up the crew who would surely have disregarded his orders and cracked open a keg. The muted voices of his men drifted over to him and the flickering light on the stern cast shadows against the wheelhouse. He stood to the side and let their conversation wash over him. Behind them, the Africans were sitting quietly with their backs to the side of the boat. He had requested of their leader that they look as though they were chained to keep up appearances and they had been strangely acquiescent.
“It was your fault, boy.” The distressed wail reached Sébastien as he stood at the top of the gangplank. “You shall pay.”
“Ow, let go.”
The devil-dodger from the British frigate was striding along the wharf in the darkness, dragging a small boy by the forearm.
“I couldn’t stop her.” The young voice ended on a wail as the man cuffed his chin.
“Her death is on your conscience.” Anger filled the man’s voice and Sébastien looked to the side as his first mate joined him at the side of the deck.
“Let. Me. Go.” The young high pitched voice floated up to them.
“What’s happening, Mr. Abrahams?” Sébastien turned to his trusted first mate. Despite being a river trader, they followed the seafaring protocols of address.
“The young woman on the British frigate went overboard while you were gone.”
“Young woman? The one in mourning dress?” Sébastien frowned. It must be her; that was her husband who was manhandling the cabin boy. His throat tightened and a hollow feeling gripped his gut.
“Yes, we have assisted in the search, but it was called off an hour ago. With the incoming tide, her body will be way up river by now.”
Slap! The sound of a fist hitting flesh was followed by a scream as the small lad fell to the ground.
“You will pay. I will ensure you have no position on this boat. I will talk to the captain as soon as he returns.” The man in the black coat was almost frothing at the mouth and Sébastien couldn’t help himself.
The mistreatment of any human being, of any color, age or creed, did not sit well with him. A slow anger began to simmer within his chest. “I won’t be long.” He turned from Mr. Abrahams and ran back down the gangplank to the wharf. The boy was curled on the ground with his hand against his mouth and a trickle of blood ran down from the corner of his eye. Sébastien ignored the man standing over the lad and bent over and lifted him to his feet. The boy appeared to be about thirteen, at most, and his grimy face was wet with tears.
“It weren’t my fault.” He sniffled and wiped the back of his hand across his face, smearing blood and tears in a long streak down his cheek.
“Leave the boy alone.” Sébastien stood in front of the lad as the man lifted his hand.
“Mind your business.” The man was wild-eyed and Sébastien knew if he didn’t intervene, he would hit the boy again.
He turned to the boy who was creeping away. “Go up on my vessel. My first mate will attend to your face. The boy’s eye was already swelling where the man had cuffed him.
He called up to his first mate. “Mr. Abrahams, see to the boy, please.”
“Yes, captain.” Sébastien waited until the boy had reached the deck. Taking the arm of the angry man, a ripple of distaste shuddered through Sébastien. “I understand you have suffered your wife’s loss but—”
“My wife? I have no wife.” The man pulled away from him “It is my niece who went overboard. Did she not know it is a sin in the eyes of the Lord to take your own life?”
“I am sorry for your loss but there is no need to take it out on the young boy.” Sébastien dropped the man’s arm. He had little time for missionaries and their fervor. “I suggest you go back to your boat and have a swig of something to calm you.”
The man’s cold, dark eyes looked back at him vacantly for a moment before he turned on his heel and walked away. “I will pray for calm, and I will pray for her soul. She was a spoiled young woman from a wealthy family who did not worship our Lord.”
Sébastien shrugged and went slowly back up to the deck. It was sad that a life had been lost. It seemed that the man was more concerned with his own state of mind and his niece taking her life than her actual death.
Such a waste. She had seemed like a young woman of spirit. Her face had hovered on the edge of his mind since he had first seen her, and he knew it was one of the reasons he’d intended to lose himself in one of the willing girls on shore tonight. She had made him think of Lisette and it sounded as though she had grown up in a similar privileged family. He wondered briefly why she had travelled with her uncle but soon forgot about her as the first mate beckoned him over.
He was attending to the swollen eye of the young lad who now held a damp rag to his face. Sébastien looked him up and down. “You’re a cabin boy, lad?” he asked kindly.
The boy nodded.
“I am in need of a good lad for my next voyage. Are you a good worker? Would you like to join my crew?”
“Oh, yes, Captain. I am one of the hardest workers you will ever find.”
He held out his hand and the boy’s small hand was almost lost in his grip.
“Welcome to the Maiden. My name is Leclerc. Sébastien Leclerc.”
Sébastien grinned at Mr. Abrahams as the boy’s mouth dropped open.
“Leclerc? Sébastien Leclerc? The pirate?”
Chapter Six
As Sébastien had anticipated, his crew was less than happy with the news that they would be heading out to sea in the middle of that night. A promise of extra grog rations when they restocked the boat at Barataria Bay had placated them to some extent and they got to work setting the sails as they waited for the tide to turn.
“I want our departure to attract as little attention as possible.” He instructed the first mate who quietly conveyed the message to the crewmen already climbing the rigging.
Sébastien made his way over to the group of slaves who were sitting on the upper deck and inclined his head for their leader to join him by the side of the deck.
“Those of you who wish to join me will remain on the Maiden and assist with this miss—voyage.” He held the man’s gaze as the lantern light from the crew up in the rigging danced around them. “Those of your group who do not wish to stay on board can disembark at Barataria Bay. But if all goes well, you may be able to join a vessel that will be returning to your homeland.”
“I will speak to my brothers.” The man left him and Sébastien walked back over to his first mate, glancing down at the new cabin boy who was curled up asleep on the deck.
“See that the young lad has a decent bed for the night.” He stared back over to the frigate. “I do not like to see
anyone treated so.”
###
Two hours later, as the tide slowly turned, the ropes securing the vessel to the wharf were thrown from the bollards and the gangplank quietly raised. Sébastien nodded with satisfaction as the outgoing tide caught them and the lights of New Orleans were left behind as the vessel headed swiftly for the delta on the racing ebb tide.
“A good departure, Mr. Abrahams. Please convey my appreciation to the crew.” He let go of the wheel and looked up at the rigging. “I presume the foul in the rope has been attended to?’
“Yes, Captain.”
The crewmen on his vessel were a rowdy, lusty group of men, but he knew that the majority were loyal to him, though a couple of the newer crew who had joined the vessel when they’d stopped at Barataria Bay had yet to prove their worth, as did the Africans.
But Sébastien was satisfied for the most part. Before they reached the Ann Marie he would brief the first mate and he could convey their intentions to the men, but they had a week or so before that would need to happen. Once they left the bay, there was a risk of bad weather. It would be unfortunate if a hurricane were to jeopardize this, his final mission.
Sébastien turned his attention back to the river as they slowed; it was widening as they approached the delta. As soon as they were into the Gulf, he would hand the steering over to Mr. Abrahams and go below deck for some much needed sleep. He shook his head as he thought of the sad fate of the young woman. Life could be cruel.
***
Madeleine had stood on her toes and peered through the narrow opening in the hull until her legs ached. She leaned down, twisted the back of her skirt into one hand and rubbed the back of each leg in turn. Her muscles burned from standing too long, and she stood and stretched as a yawn overcame her. She cast a glance at the wide bed beside her and dismissed the brief idea of lying down on it. But a quick rest would reinvigorate her for the walk into town, when all was quiet. She stepped over to the alcove where the small bunk was hidden and cast her eye around for something soft to lie on. A coarse woolen blanket, folded into a large square sat atop a small cupboard and she took it down before shaking it and spreading it on the timber on the small bunk. She slipped her shoes off and climbed up and lay there, placing her bonnet beside her. Sleep was not an option, and she would keep her eyes open so she didn’t fall asleep. She would count to one thousand to pass the time and then she would go carefully back on the deck and prepare to leave the boat. Surely they would abandon the search for her soon?
###
A loud creak of timber woke Madeleine and she sat up like a shot. She rubbed her eyes and frowned. She must have fallen asleep. Just as she realized that the boat was rocking from side to side, the door to the cabin opened and closed with a soft click. Another creak and her hand flew to her mouth.
It shouldn’t be moving so much, wasn’t it moored on the river? They had left behind the rocking swells of the ocean when they had turned into the wide river mouth yesterday.
Now she had the same sensation of movement that she’d had on the frigate she’d spent the last month on. And on top of that, she could hear soft noises as someone moved quietly through the cabin, and she held her breath.
Thank the Lord she hadn’t given in to the temptation of lying on the wide bed. She would have been in full view of anyone who had entered the room and she certainly would have been discovered by now by whoever was there, even in the darkness of the cabin. If she stayed as quiet as a church mouse, she may be safe. Fear prickled her skin and she clenched her fingers, too frightened to move, almost too frightened to breathe. A lantern spluttered to life and she leaned back as far as she could when a soft light bathed the space and shone through the thin curtain. That was all that there was between her and discovery. A thin piece of material hanging from three brass hooks at the top of the alcove. Now that there was a soft light she could see the space she had hidden in. She glanced down and stifled a groan by biting down on her fingers as she noticed the blanket was hanging below the edge of the bunk, beneath the protection of the curtain. Her gaze settled on her bare toes and she bit down harder. Oh damnation. Her shoes were still on the floor beside the alcove.
A rustling of clothes was followed by the sound of water being poured and she waited.
And waited…and waited.
After what seemed an eternity, footsteps passed by her hiding place and she held her breath as a shadow paused and blocked the light. She lifted her hands to cover her mouth as she waited for the curtain to be pulled aside. But the footsteps continued on, and a further creak was followed by more rustling. He, whoever it was, must have gotten into the bed.
Now all she had to do was wait him out and hope to God that whoever he was, he snored like Uncle Titus and she could soon make her escape. The problem uppermost in her mind, though, was where she would escape to. With each loud creak and rock of the boat, Madeleine became more certain it was no longer moored in New Orleans.
A sneeze tickled her nose and tears filled her eyes as she pinched her nose until it passed. A few moments later her throat tickled and she swallowed as she fought the need to cough. Minutes passed and her legs began to cramp again. She had pulled them beneath her as she’d hunched against the side of the hull when the door had opened.
All was quiet and Madeleine decided it was now or never. Perhaps he had lain with his back to the alcove? Perhaps he had fallen asleep? She had never been overly religious but now she sent a silent prayer heavenward.
Please, Lord, let me get out of this situation. Perhaps she was being punished for pretending to drown?
Slowly and silently, she stretched her legs, taking care not to move the blanket or the curtain. Turning her body so that she was facing the end of the cabin where the bed was situated, she reached for the curtain.
Madeleine closed her eyes tightly as her fingers curled around the thin fabric and fear lodged in her throat like a stone. She listened before she moved the curtain open a tiny distance.
There was no sound.
Opening her eyes, she swallowed down her trepidation and took a deep breath to fortify her courage as she leaned to the left. She moved the curtain a little more and dropped it back with a loud gasp as she encountered the amused stare of a bare-chested man who was reclining on the bed with his hands tucked casually behind his head. His gaze was fixed on her hiding place.
“Unless a ghost has taken residence in my cabin, I presume I am looking at one supposedly drowned niece?” His voice was deep and resonated though the cabin. Despite her predicament a strange feeling ran through her. It was like a shiver but it was warm and pleasant. She ignored the butterflies that were fluttering around in her chest and forced herself to look at him again. When she met his gaze, the warm feeling came flooding back and she cast her eyes down as she lowered her feet slowly to the floor. She searched for her slippers. Perhaps she may yet be able to escape the cabin but she wouldn’t get far without her slippers. There was nothing more she could do, apart from throwing herself on his mercy.
Her slippers were nowhere to be seen. Heat filled her cheeks as she lifted her gaze again to meet that of the handsome man who had grinned at her as he’d swum to this very boat. The same man whose hands had gripped her shoulders in the street just a few hours ago. Was she destined to meet him at every turn?
Was it only a few hours ago? It was as though she’d lived a hundred days while she’d been hiding.
Her soft slippers dangled from his fingertips as he pushed himself up from the bed to stand. “I presume you are looking for these?”
He moved closer and Madeleine tried to step away from him but the hull was already hard up against her back. She lifted her chin and met his steady gaze. Any amusement that may have been on his face had disappeared and his dark eyes pinned hers. She gasped as he raised his hand, but he put it on the wall above her head as he leaned closer.
“Now, although I am very pleased that you are not drowned, perhaps you would like to tell me what you are doing on my
boat and more particularly, why you are hiding in my cabin”
“I didn’t know it was your cabin.” Madeleine kept her voice steady. Every horror story that Jake had told her about sea captains, pirates, and life on board ship crowded her thoughts. The last thing she would do was show him her fear.
She smiled and reached for her shoes dangling by his side. “And if you would kindly give me my slippers back, I will be out of your way and off your vessel.”
“You intend to have another swim?” His eyes crinkled with amusement as his gaze bore into hers and she caught her breath. She felt pinned, as though she was like one of the butterflies that were still dancing in her stomach. But it was not fear that she felt. Instinctively she knew he would not harm her.
“Or perhaps you never had one in the first place?”
“What do you mean?” She shook her head as she stared back at him, unable to pull her eyes away from his intent gaze. She’d not taken heed of what he had been saying. All she knew was, his voice was deep and when he spoke his words were tinged with a musical accent which she didn’t recognize. He certainly wasn’t British and she had heard no speech like his before. Not that she had had a vast experience in her sheltered life back at Bellerose Hall. His accent reminded her of a French governess who Father had employed to teach her a language when she was much younger, but he sounded his words differently.
She tried to take another step away from him but he lowered one hand and his fingers curled around her wrist. She stared down at his hand. He wore a large ring on his middle finger and if she wasn’t mistaken, it was a ruby as large as a pigeon’s egg.
“It will be very hard to leave the Maiden and go ashore as we are now approximately ten miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.”
Black lights danced behind Madeleine’s eyes and she struggled for breath as a cold prickly feeling worked its way from her chest to her throat. “The Maiden?” she croaked.
“Yes, the Maiden. I am Captain Sébastien Leclerc and the Maiden is my vessel.”
Capturing the Pirate's Heart (The Emerald Quest Book 1) Page 5
