“I did?”
The barmaid brought the drinks and placed them on the table. Gabe threw her some coins and she smiled and left their side.
“Aye, Captain. Yesterday, Stephens and I were told that you no longer needed our presence here, and to meet you back at the ship in a fortnight because we’d be sailing again.”
“You received this information yesterday? What time were you told this?”
“In the evening.”
This was not right. A painful throb began in the base of Gabe’s skull as he collected his thoughts. There was only one man who would give such instructions. And because they were deliberately false and meant to lead Gabe astray, this only meant one thing.
With a sinking, saddened heart, he realized he had finally found the traitor amongst his crew.
Chapter Nineteen
Gabriel tried not to let the betrayal from his crew member show on his face—or in his speech or actions. He took a sip of his port before answering. “I see. Well, I have changed my mind. Something has happened to the woman I have been trying to protect.”
Ben leaned forward on the table, a frown touching his face. “What happened?”
“Commodore Billingsford has captured her and is using her as bait to get to me.”
“No! What can we do?”
“I still have not figured that out.” He took another drink, longer this time. “Although I want to rescue her myself, I need to know I have someone helping to rescue me when Billingsford captures me.”
“Count me in. I will try to locate Stephens and Humphries, as well. They left earlier this afternoon, but I’m sure I can find them.” He chuckled lightly. “Especially if there are taverns around.”
Gabe nodded. “And there are taverns at every corner.”
“Exactly.”
Gabe finished the rest of his drink then nodded. “Consider this an important mission, if you will. We are running out of time, and I need to save Lady Sarah. Lord only knows what Billingsford has done to her already.” He shuddered.
“I shall get on it immediately.” Ben downed the rest of his drink then stood. “May God be with you.”
Gabe stood and nodded. “And you as well.”
When he left the inn, night had taken over and darkness blanketed the town. Disheartened, Gabe wearily walked back to his inn. There wasn’t any more he could do tonight. Although he would be unable to sleep, he still must return to his room.
It hurt to know he must do something about his traitorous crew member…the man Gabe had considered a friend for over a year now. Rufus Daughtery.
Sighing heavily, he shook his head. Why had his friend sided with the enemy? Together, Gabe and Rufus had attacked ships, taken some of the King’s sailors as prisoners, and attended meetings with other members of Sons of Liberty. There were several occasions Gabe had even saved his friend’s life. At what time during the past year had Rufus decided he wanted to be a Loyalist instead? And of all people to chum with, why did it have to be Commodore Billingsford?
Gabe’s stomach churned at the betrayal. Somehow Gabe had to catch his so-called friend in a lie, and Gabe prayed he would never have to fight him. How could he kill someone who had been like a brother to him all this time?
He walked into the inn and slowly made his way upstairs to his room. His legs were heavy with fatigue, and his heart even heavier. As he withdrew his key to open the door, up the hallway, the door to Henry’s room opened and his uncle peeked out. When the older man saw Gabe, relief flooded his face and he rushed out, closing the door behind him.
“Oh, thank the Lord you are back!”
“Uncle? What’s amiss?”
“I think I know where Emiline is being held.”
Gabe clutched his uncle’s hands. “Where?”
“Well…I got to pondering where Billingsford could hide her that nobody would know about. The commodore wants to capture you, and he wants to be somewhere he can feel safe and would know the area well in case you tried to get away.”
“Yes, the commodore would think this way.”
“Well, where else could he be holding Emiline except on his ship.”
Gabe paused, thinking about what his uncle had said. Inwardly, he groaned. If Gabe had been thinking clearly, he would have come to that same conclusion, but his panic for Emmie overrode his own logic. “I believe you are correct. That would be the perfect place.”
“Let us go there first thing in the morning and capture your lady-love.” Henry smiled.
“It’s not that easy, unfortunately. I have recently discovered a traitor amongst us.”
Henry’s eyes widened, his face paled. “Who?”
“He is Captain Hawk’s first-mate, Rufus Daughtery. Worse, he is also Billingsford’s right hand man.”
Releasing a ragged breath, Henry shook his head. “This news is not good at all.”
“Exactly. I know he’s watching me to see what move I make next—just as he’s been watching me this whole time.”
“Then what shall we do?” Henry folded his arms. “We cannot let Emiline be kept as his prisoner any longer.”
“I agree.” Gabe growled and raked his fingers through his hair. “If only I trusted her father, I would contact him. Unfortunately, since he is Oliver Townshend’s brother, I don’t dare let them know about Emmie. I cannot trust either one of them to not turn me in.”
Rubbing his forehead, his mind was going in every direction, searching for a possible solution to this quandary. Growling, he turned to his room, unlocked the door, and marched inside. He grabbed his pistols, gunpowder, and sword, then walked back out.
“Uncle, we must face them ourselves. Tonight.”
Henry gasped. “Tonight?”
“Yes. They will not expect us. It will be dark and we can sneak around, and catch them unawares.”
“But…should we not wait? I mean, we will certainly need more men to help us.”
“More men would be helpful, but we cannot wait. As you mentioned before, Emiline has been kept prisoner long enough.” He paused in deep thought, then added, “Tell Aunt Martha where we are going. Tell her to give the information to three men only—Stephens, Humphries, and Spencer.”
Slowly, Henry nodded, his hands twisted against his stomach. Gabe sighed in frustration and shook his head. “Uncle, if you don’t wish to go with me, I will understand. But know this now, I will go tonight with or without your help.”
Henry scratched his head. “I will go with you. I pray the Lord will be with us.”
“He will, I’m certain of it. We are fighting for a good and right cause. The Lord has been with me many times throughout my life, and I feel He will be with us tonight.”
It took Henry a moment, but he finally turned and walked back to his room. Gabe followed, but stayed out in the hall. From the other side of the door, Gabe heard his uncle giving Martha the names of the men. Within minutes, Henry came out carrying a musket and sword.
“I’m ready,” said decisively.
“Then let’s go.”
* * * *
Emmie didn’t know how she could doze off and on sitting in an uncomfortable chair with her arms and legs tied with ropes, but she had. When she awoke this time, she shook her head, forcing herself to wake up. Her stomach growled, and she really didn’t want to have to ask Billingsford for something to eat, yet she needed food in her stomach. When someone finally came to rescue her, how else could she help if she didn’t have the strength?
Listening for any sounds around her, she couldn’t detect any. It had been a while now since she’d heard Rebecca’s whiny voice, and Emmie’s fear returned. Had Billingsford killed the poor, misguided, stubborn-headed woman? She prayed for Mr. and Mrs. Hampton’s sake that their daughter was still alive.
Emmie also couldn’t hear anything right now. The room seemed to be still with silence. Once in a while she heard the waves slapping against the ship, but by the slow rock of the vessel, she could tell they were not sailing. Perhaps there was a wi
nd tonight.
What worried her was she couldn’t hear Billingsford at this moment. Earlier, he had been talking to another man, but as before, they whispered their conversation so she couldn’t hear any words. Not knowing what time had passed, she could only hope that Billingsford had retired for bed. But if he expected Gabe, she was certain the commodore would not sleep until the man she loved was captured.
“Is anyone there?” she asked softly and waited.
No noise. Nothing different was detected from a few moments earlier. So perhaps she was by herself after all.
Her arms and legs were pretty much numb by now, but she tried to struggle out of the ropes binding her wrists. She tugged and tugged with all her might, and after a few minutes, had to stop and catch her breath. Definitely, she needed food to gain more strength. With her being so weak, there was no way she could get out of these ropes.
Tears pooled in her eyes, and she didn’t have the willpower to hold them back from falling down her face. It didn’t matter since her blindfold soaked up the moisture anyway. She knew crying wouldn’t help, but she couldn’t stop the tears this time.
Helplessness swept over her, and for the first time since she was kidnapped, she felt as if her doom was very near. Billingsford would kill her just as soon as Gabe arrived. And she had no doubt he would come for her, not thinking about his own safety at all. She at least hoped the commodore would let her tell Gabe she loved him before he killed her. If only she could have told her mother, brother, and father the same thing. If only…
Her thoughts skidded to a halt. Had she just heard a noise? Holding her breath, she listened again. After a few moments, came the same scrape she’d heard.
She held still, listening intently. Although she wasn’t really frightened of mice, she was tied up and so wouldn’t be able to shoo the rodent away if it neared her. The noise definitely couldn’t be Billingsford, because he definitely made enough commotion to let the whole ship—and the fishes under the sea—know he was walking. So, what could that noise be coming from?
Another scrape sounded, coming from the door this time. Maybe Rebecca was returning. Emmie almost hoped so because then she’d be reassured Gabe’s cousin hadn’t been killed after all.
Holding her breath, Emmie listened for more. Silence lasted another few minutes before she heard a different sound. It was the squeak of the door opening. She even felt the brush of cooler air across her feet. From underneath the blindfold, a tiny amount of light came into the room. It wasn’t until now that she realized how dark the room had been.
Very soft footsteps—more than one—came inside before the door squeaked again, followed by the click of the door closing. If Rebecca had returned, who was with her?
Within seconds, the footsteps quickened—but still kept light—and coming her way. Someone neared, and she somehow felt the warmth from another body kneeling beside her chair as tender hands touched her tied ones. A familiar masculine scent filled her scenes and made her reel…and made her heart sing with joy.
“Gabe?” she whispered.
His hands squeezed hers. “Yes, my love,” he replied softly. “Keep quiet. My uncle and I are here to get you out of this wretched place.”
Tears streamed from her eyes again like a waterfall. “No, Gabe. You must leave now. You have put yourself in danger by coming to rescue me,” she whispered with a broken voice.
His lips brushed hers briefly. “Do you honestly think I would let that stop me?”
Another pair of fingers worked the binds at her feet while Gabe untied her hands. “But it must. As long as you are alive, they will not hurt me.”
“And as soon as I get us out of here, they will not hurt either of us.”
“But Gabe—”
His mouth pressed against hers again, silencing her protests. The kiss was slightly longer, but not long enough for her to thoroughly enjoy. He pulled away and seconds later, her blindfold came off. Because her eyes had been hidden for most of the day, she squinted from the small amount of light coming from the tiny lantern. But Gabe’s face was before her, love glowing in his eyes. Her heartbeat flipped with excitement, and she prayed he could get them out of here safely.
“Shhh…” he whispered. “We don’t want to alert Billingsford or whoever else might be helping, that we are here.”
She nodded, then quickly glanced at Mr. Hampton. She couldn’t see his face since he was still bent over untying her feet. She needed to tell him about Rebecca, but then the poor man might get angry, or worse…make noise. Still, they could not leave here without Gabe’s idiotic cousin.
“Gabe, there is something you must know about who is helping Billingsford.”
“I already know, my love. Rufus is the traitor amongst us.”
She gasped as her heart broke for the man she loved. Not only has his friend betrayed him—but his cousin as well. Now she realized that was why the other man’s voice seemed so familiar. She had heard it before, if only once. “I’m sorry to hear that. But, there is more.”
“I’m quite certain there are more people assisting Billingsford, but let’s get you out of here first. I will return with other members of my crew, and we will fight them all.” He grinned.
“No, it’s not that—”
“There,” Mr. Hampton said as he rubbed her ankles, looking up at her. “The binds are off. Can you stand?”
She shrugged. “Considering my legs have been numb for hours, I don’t know how well I can stand, let alone walk.”
“I shall carry you,” Gabe told her softly.
“No. That will only slow us down. Give me a moment to regain feeling in my feet.”
She stood and tested her footing. Gabe’s muscular arm wrapped around her waist to help her to stand. Mr. Hampton tip-toed to the door and placed his ear on the weathered wood. She needed to tell Gabe now, without his uncle so close.
“Gabe,” she whispered and leaned up to his ear. “Rebecca is here.”
Gabe quickly pulled back, his eyes widened as he stared at her. Emmie took a quick peek at Mr. Hampton to make sure he was still by the door before leaning back to Gabe’s ear.
“Rebecca turned you in. She was the one responsible for getting me kidnapped, too.”
He pulled away again, shaking his head. She nodded, and leaned back to whisper in his ear. “Your cousin is not very wise, but she is still your cousin, and Mr. Hampton’s daughter. We cannot leave here without her.”
Gabe withdrew again, worry etched heavily on his brow. “Where is she?” he mouthed.
“I don’t know where Billingsford took her. She was here earlier.” She shrugged. “I don’t even know if she’s alive.”
Frowning, Gabe swiped a hand over his face. Her heart went out to him. He had too many people betray him lately. She prayed there were no others. She fear Gabe’s heart wouldn’t be able to bear it.
“I cannot think of that now,” he answered. “We must get you out of here and home safe. Then, and only then, will I be able to figure out how to return to save her.” He sighed heavily. “If she isn’t dead already.”
Emmie nodded. “That is what frightens me. Because I don’t know where she is, I fear Billingsford has killed her.”
The burning tingles in her legs had returned, but she couldn’t concentrate or worry about that feeling. As long as she could walk, she was fine. She tested her legs by taking a few steps. When she was confidant she would be able to walk off this ship by herself, she gave Gabe a nod. “Let’s go.”
Mr. Hampton pulled away from the door and motioned with his hand. “I don’t hear anything on the other side. I think all is well.”
“I pray you are correct, Mr. Hampton.” She touched his arm once she reached him, and smiled. “Thank you so much for helping Gabe.”
“Think nothing of it.” He stroked her cheek. “And you are the daughter of my good friend, as well. I am doubly blessed to be helping.”
“And I’m doubly blessed as well.”
Gabe picked up the small
lantern before moving to the door. He turned off the light before carefully opening the door and peeking out in the hallway. Emmie held her breath, hoping they would be able to leave without any problems.
Finally, Gabe looked back and nodded. He took her hand, and she tightened her fingers around his, never wanting to let go—ever again. They all took careful and very slow steps down the darkened hallway. Darkness was thick through these halls, and she trusted Gabe would lead them out without any difficulty.
A sliver of light shone up ahead, almost a bluish color. She wanted to sigh with relief, knowing it was probably the moon shining off the ocean, but she didn’t dare. They weren’t out of danger yet. The closer they came to the light, the quicker their footsteps became. It was hard to walk careful when hope—and freedom—were so close.
Wonderland By Night (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 26
