by Vale, Jennae
She was much older than him, so it was only natural for her to assume the maternal role. It was also easy. Daniel was a sweet and lovable babe. Hardly ever crying or fussing, and almost always wearing a bright smile on his face. The jostling of the carriage across the heavily-rutted road broke her thoughts of the past. She glanced at Daniel who sat close by her side. He had to be her main focus now. How would she tell him what had happened? Who would care for them? So many questions, so few answers.
They were at the docks in what seemed the blink of an eye, and as they emerged, people catching sight of Pargo either ran out of his way or gazed on him with a combination of fear and respect. Lizette had always been sheltered. Her father wanted it that way. She never came this way. Her father warned her of the types of people she would meet by the docks, putting fear in her heart.
The heart that now beat so quickly, she thought it might burst from her chest. If Lizette wished to venture anyplace other than the seashore near the house, she was to be accompanied by his soldiers. She searched the faces of the strangers she passed along the way, hoping to see those very soldiers, to seek their protection and help, but they were missing. Daniel gripped her hand and rested his head on her arm as they walked. Her heart was breaking. Her father was dead, murdered by an unknown assailant, and Lizette found herself being forced to trust someone she knew nothing about, and helpless to do anything other than go with this man who’d offered his protection.
Once aboard Las Animas and in the captain’s quarters, Lizette realized they were not going to be left alone. She began searching for the words to tell Daniel their father was dead. Pargo stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder. Was there real sympathy there? It was hard to tell. Everything was so raw and new that it was difficult to tell the difference between reality and what was imagined.
“Where is Papa, Lizzie?” Daniel asked, his eyes pleading, and giving her no choice but to tell him the truth.
“Daniel, I have some bad news,” she said, her voice was softened by the sadness she felt as her throat constricted and ached from holding back her tears.
Gazing up into her face, Daniel immediately began to cry. “He’s dead, isn’t he?” His little body quivered in her arms.
Pargo guided them to a settee. Lizette sat and took Daniel’s hands in hers. “I’m so sorry.”
“What will we do?” he asked.
She had no answer. “Don’t worry, Daniel. I’ll take care of you.”
“As will I,” Pargo added, much to Lizette’s surprise.
She was having a hard time believing that to be true, and an even harder time seeing Pargo as their benefactor.
“Tomas!” he called out.
A young lad entered the captain’s quarters. “Si,” he said. Pargo addressed him in Spanish, and the boy nodded his understanding before turning to leave.
“He will bring us some tea and biscuits.” A warm smile crossed his lips as he ruffled Daniel’s hair and then patted Lizette’s hand, which confused her even more.
Lizette didn’t reply. There was nothing to say. Her life was forever changed, and it frightened her to think of where it may now be headed. One thing was certain, she would not allow this man to take her away from Manta Cay, and she would die before she allowed any harm to come to Daniel.
Chapter Two
He was heading back to Manta Cay after a long stay at the Scottish stronghold, Scarba Island, where he spent time with his brethren, The Devils of the Deep. Often thought of by outsiders as a den of vipers, thieves, and murderous ruffians, to Rourke Mackall, it had been a safe haven when he wasn’t aboard his ship, The Dagger. He’d arrived there a young lad in search of adventure.
Descended from Nick Mackall of Dunnet Head, Rourke had heard tales passed down through the years of Nick’s escapades and feats of heroism. Rourke longed to be like Nick, but found life at Dunnet Head didn’t have the level of excitement he was seeking. He’d also heard tales of a legendary Scottish pirate named Shaw MacDougall. Those stories appealed to Rourke, sounding more to his liking than life at Dunnet Head. So, he left home and headed to the nearest port where he became the cabin boy on what turned out to be a pirate ship.
It wouldn’t have stopped him boarding even if he’d known. The life of a pirate seemed to be just what a young buck like Rourke was searching for. The captain, covered in scars, appeared to have been shot and stabbed so many times it was a miracle he was still breathing. He treated Rourke well, but warned him if he disobeyed orders, he’d flog him to within an inch of his life. Rourke never tested him, fully believing every word of the threat.
Over the years, Rourke found all the adventure he’d ever hoped for, both at sea and on Scarba Island. The Devils of the Deep became his family and Scarba his home. He impressed many there with his fearlessness and ability to be a leader in battle. He was rewarded with his own ship, a Dutch sloop plundered by The Devils of the Deep and now called The Dagger. It was a fine vessel, sixty feet in length bearing a crew of seventy-five.
Standing on the quarterdeck, Rourke could see that the inlet to Manta Cay was in sight. It, too, was safe harbor, but where Scarba was home to his Scottish brethren, this island was home to all pirates. Ships from across the oceans were docked here in a port where Governor William Wickham managed to keep the peace and collect a small payment from each ship that arrived in this port. He called it a tax, but Rourke understood only part of what was collected went to the English crown, while the rest remained in Wickham’s possession. And why not? The port was thriving despite the fact it had become a pirate port of call and the English were none the wiser.
The turquoise waters and bright blue skies dotted with white clouds, were his welcome to the island of green, rolling hills, a bustling harbor, and docks filled with men loading and unloading ships. Rourke skillfully navigated his boat to a spot far enough away from the dozen or so other ships waiting to dock. Hawes, Rourke’s first mate, directed the crew to drop anchor and ready a skiff for their captain. While Rourke took care of business, his men would be tasked with replenishing their stores of supplies and seeking news about other ships in port and still at sea. His cabin boy, Jamie, along with Hawes, would stay aboard with a small number of men to guard The Dagger and its contents.
“Jamie, follow orders or ye’ll answer to me when I return.” The lad reminded him of himself when he was a young’un, so he was well aware of the trouble Jamie could get himself into without stern guidance.
“Aye, Cap’n.” A huge grin beamed across his face and was quickly replaced with a scowl when Hawes gave him the evil eye.
“Hawes, see that the men get time ashore. I’ll return after my meeting with Wickham.”
“Aye, Cap’n.” He turned and began barking orders at the men on deck.
Rourke smiled to himself. Hawes would see that all work was finished first and then there would be time for the men to visit old friends and share some drink and news and perhaps, after such a long voyage, find a lass to see to their needs at Red Legs Tavern. If the ship’s quartermaster, Lynk, had his way, the men would already be falling down drunk with little care for returning to The Dagger or their duties.
Rourke was a fair captain and had little trouble with his crew. They were all eager to do his bidding and rarely balked at his orders as conveyed through Hawes. They reaped the benefits of the ships they plundered. Any man who attempted to sew seeds of discontent was not long for The Dagger.
Manta Cay had a reputation as a place of freedom and friendship, but Rourke chose to be cautious. The majority of those in the place were pirates, and it was his duty to protect his ship from anyone fool enough to board without consent.
Leaving his men to attend to the skiff, Rourke whistled a bright tune as he made his way through the crowded streets of the town. He was greeted by many who knew him and eyed suspiciously by those who didn’t. He noted many people clustered together, some running from group to group to impart the latest news from others.
“What’s going on?” he aske
d a man familiar to him from previous visits to the island.
“The governor’s been shot. Rumor is he’s dead.”
“Thank ye,” Rourke said.
He quickened his pace and once out of the dock area, broke into a run. If Wickham was dead, there would surely be chaos to follow. He had to find out if it was true. He hadn’t seen his old friend in some time and had been looking forward to sharing a tot of whisky with him, but now it seemed unlikely that would happen. As he approached the governor’s mansion, he noticed that a crowd had formed in the yard. He searched for Guyton among the people milling about.
“Guyton!” he shouted as he spied him at the base of the stairs leading to the doors.
Rourke pushed his way through the crowd of servants and soldiers until he reached Guyton. “What’s going on?”
“The governor has been shot.”
“Is he…”
“He is. Come with me.” Guyton led him into the massive foyer of the home.
People called to Guyton as he showed Rourke inside.
“They want to know what will happen now. Who will be in charge.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Some men came today to speak with him. I was in the kitchen when I heard a gunshot. Daniel was with me. I was unsure what had happened, and I hesitated before entering the house with the boy.”
“Who were these men?” Rourke asked.
“I’m not sure. I did not see them arrive. I do not know if they were invited guests or not. The governor never met with anyone here. It was always at the tavern.”
“Who saw them?”
“Maria, the housekeeper. She told me they were here, but I haven’t seen her since. She was probably frightened and has gone into hiding.”
Rourke took the stairs two at a time to the second floor where the governor’s office was located. The doors were open, and Wickham lay on the floor. His papers were strewn on the floor around him. A warm breeze caused them to flutter across the room, and Rourke noted the balcony doors were open, too. He took a step outside and glanced around.
“Where are the children?” he asked as the older man entered the room.
“Miss Lizette and young Daniel were taken.”
“Taken? By who?”
“Pargo and his man. They arrived after the shooting. He said they were in danger and should not stay here.”
Rourke didn’t like the sound of that. Pargo was a notorious Spanish corsair. If he was here and took Lizette and Daniel, there could be no good reason for it. He scrubbed his hands through his hair. What could he want? “Guyton, I’m going to find them. I’ll bring them back to the mansion. See that the governor is moved before I return. And find Maria.”
“Of course.”
He would head back to his ship, gather some of his men, find Pargo, and then discover who killed his friend. William Wickham had asked him on his last visit if he would do him the honor of caring for his children should anything happen to him. He’d promised he would. He never thought he would see the day when it would be necessary, but here it was. He would see to it that they were returned to London where they had family who would care for them, but first, he must find them. He prayed they were still alive.
“So, Rourke Mackall has not only stolen my treasure, but he has also murdered your father. We must find him,” Pargo said.
“But how?” Lizette asked. A certain numbness had come over her, blocking out her last moments with her beloved father. She was alone with Pargo. Daniel had been hungry, and one of Pargo’s men took him to find something to eat.
“My men are in town where they will get answers for me. It is possible his business here is finished and he is no longer on the island. Once I know where he is, we will set sail to find him.”
“We cannot go with you. We must stay here on Manta Cay to bury my father and await the arrival of the new governor.”
“There will be no new governor,” he said resolutely.
“I don’t understand.”
“The pirates will run the island. There is no need for an English governor. There was never any need for your father.”
“Pirates? This is a merchant seaport. Only ships doing business with the king visit our shores.”
Pargo laughed. “Your father kept you sheltered from his dealings. There are no merchant ships here.”
“That can’t be. Father would never lie to us.”
“I have no doubt your father loved you and your brother, but he knew you would think less of him if you were aware of what really goes on at Manta Cay.”
Lizzie’s head was spinning. This couldn’t possibly be true. “You are a pirate?” It had been her first thought on seeing him back in her father’s office, but she had hoped he wasn’t. It was becoming clear, and as such, she and Daniel were in far more danger than she’d thought.
“Of course. All the ships you see in the harbor are pirate ships from every corner of the world.” He came closer, lifting her chin with his finger and gazing into her eyes. The deep black depths she saw there showed no sign of emotion. “I sense you are afraid. There is no need as long as you do what I ask.”
“What is that?” She pulled her head away from his touch.
He snickered. “I want you to befriend Mackall. He would never suspect you are not to be trusted.”
“I am very trustworthy, sir.”
“Please, I told you to call me Tío. I do not doubt you are trustworthy, but for my purposes, you will not be. You will find him and discover what he has done with my treasure.”
“Why don’t you find him yourself?” she asked.
“I do not wish to engage in battle with him, and that is what would happen.”
“Are you afraid of him?”
“Of course not. I fear no man.”
She tipped her head, waiting for him to continue.
“Why wage war when a pretty face can accomplish what needs to be done?”
She scowled at this suggestion. “What if I won’t do it?”
“You love your brother, Daniel, do you not?” A sinister glint appeared in his eyes.
She nodded. Was he threatening Daniel?
“Then you will not wish to see him come to any harm, am I correct?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then we are in agreement.” Pargo’s smug smile was replaced with a serious glare. “Mackall is the man who killed your father. You have not forgotten that, have you?”
“No.”
“I will provide you with a weapon. Once you have my treasure, you can have your revenge.”
Lizette would do anything to keep Daniel from harm, but killing Mackall to avenge her father’s murder had never crossed her mind. Could she do it, she wondered? She was kind-hearted to a fault. So much so, she often rescued mice from the jaws of the house cats kept on the property for just that purpose. The thought of Mackall killing her father set her blood boiling. Lizette pictured herself aiming a pistol at the faceless Mackall and pulling the trigger. Perhaps she was angry enough to do it. Her mind turned back to the task at hand.
She would do as she was told, and somehow find this missing treasure. “Is the treasure aboard his ship?”
“I do not believe so. It is likely hidden on this island somewhere. He was working with your father, so you are the perfect one to help me.”
“When I find what you want, will you let Daniel go?” She couldn’t believe her father would have stolen his treasure. He was a good man. He was here to serve the king, not himself.
He shrugged. “I will not need either of you once my treasure is safely back in my quarters.”
That didn’t sound like a guarantee of safety to Lizette, but it didn’t seem she had much choice in the matter. She would find Mackall and then find the treasure.
“I have matters that need my attention. You will stay here in my cabin. I’ve a man stationed outside the door, so do not even think about escaping.”
“What about Daniel?”
“He is with one of my
men. You will not see him again until I have my treasure.”
He left her, giving Lizette time to think. She couldn’t believe her papa would ever do anything like this. He was not a thief.
Chapter Three
“Amaro Pargo is on this island, and he has Lizette and Daniel Wickham,” Rourke announced to Hawes.
“I’ll gather the men and we’ll get them back for ye.”
“No. That would be too dangerous. They might be hurt if violence broke out. We must take care.” He paced back and forth across his quarters. Young Jamie sat cross-legged atop the corner of Rourke’s desk, listening intently.
“Send the men to inquire as to Pargo’s whereabouts. Once we know his location, we can plan to board his ship when the fewest men are there.”
“Do ye believe he’s keeping ’em on Las Animas?”
“Possibly, but that is what we must learn.”
“I’ll see to it then.” Hawes was out the door in a hurry.
Rourke tipped his head as he gazed at Jamie, who hadn’t taken his eyes off of him.
“Is there something I can do, sir?” Jamie eagerly awaited his orders.
“Ye’ve plenty to do here aboard The Dagger.”
The lad appeared disappointed. Rourke understood how he felt. He’d once been in Jamie’s position. Granted, he’d been a few years older, but he’d still needed time to learn the ways of the pirates he served. Jamie would do the same and someday, be grateful to find himself captain of his own ship.
“Get off my desk,” Rourke barked.
Despite the affection he felt for the lad, Jamie was in need of discipline. He’d never laid a hand on him. The lad seemed to understand his place and never did anything to warrant Rourke’s wrath. Hawes and Lynk, on the other hand, had been the recipients of Jamie’s boyish pranks more than once, and Rourke had been forced to step in to save him from a beating on those occasions.
