by Vale, Jennae
Jamie scurried from the room, and Rourke chuckled to himself before sitting behind his desk, legs propped atop it. He had no idea what Lizette and Daniel even looked like. Governor Wickham had always been very careful to keep them safely away from the docks and the pirates of Manta Cay. This might make it difficult to find them, but then again, how hard could it be to find two children among an island of pirates? He had no doubt he would, and that Pargo would pay for what he’d done.
“It appears Mackall’s boat is in the harbor,” Pargo announced as he returned to his quarters.
Lizette’s stomach roiled as the implications of that announcement became clear to her.
“Do you know how to use a pistol?” he asked.
“My father saw to it that I learned.” He’d had the captain of his soldiers spend time teaching her.
“Good. I’ll arm you with a pistol and cutlass. You may need them, but if I know Rourke Mackall, he’ll be taken by you. This will give you opportunity to get close to him.”
Lizette didn’t care for the assumption that she would surrender herself to this pirate who’d killed her father. If she was going to find what Pargo wanted, she would do it her way.
“My crew has readied a boat. They will take you to his ship. Remember, your brother’s life is in your hands.” He held out a hand for her. “Come.”
Lizette ignored his offer, instead, placing her hands in the pockets of her dress. She followed him out onto the main deck, where once outfitted with her weapons, she was helped aboard the boat that would ferry her to The Dagger. She had never felt so helpless in her life. As doubt about her ability to succeed crept into her head, Lizette thought of Daniel. The sooner she did this, the sooner he would be safe. She had to believe that.
As the men rowed out into the clear blue waters that surrounded Manta Cay, she gazed down into the depths beneath the boat, glimpsing fish, both big and small. She’d never spent time on the water. There was no need for her to ever leave the island, and so, she was both curious and fearful of what she was seeing. As they seemed to have cleared the last ships in port, Lizette became worried. Where were they going? And then a ship, anchored far from the others, came into view. This must be The Dagger.
The sight of it heightened the fear she was already feeling, causing her heart to beat so loudly in her ears she thought she might actually faint. She closed her eyes, gulping in air and trying to calm herself in the same way she calmed Daniel when he was afraid. The ship loomed larger as they approached. She repeated in her head the words she so often spoke to her brother. Don’t be afraid. All will be well.
Cap’n,” Jamie poked his head into the captain’s quarters. “A boat approaches.”
“Whose boat?”
Jamie shrugged.
Rourke rose to his feet and followed Jamie to the ship’s deck. The lad was right. There was a boat approaching. What he’d failed to tell his captain was that a lass was seated among the men rowing toward them. It pulled up alongside.
“What business have ye?” the deck boss, Elijah Jones, asked.
“I’m here to see your captain,” the lass said. She stood in the boat, having a momentary issue with her balance. One of the men reached out to help her, and she slapped his hand away.
Rourke smiled and nodded to Jones.
“You may board,” he shouted over the side.
The lass glanced around, seeming unsure of what to do next. Rourke leaned over the side and offered a hand. She was going to have to climb to reach it, and he hoped he wouldn’t be going for a swim to save her if she lost her footing. She grabbed hold of the rope ladder and began to climb. He was impressed with her gumption. When close enough, she placed her hand in his, gazing up at him with an icy blue gaze. He guided her the rest of the way up and onto the deck.
“It seems they’re not going to wait for ye,” Rourke said.
She glanced back over her shoulder, seeming surprised and taken aback as she watched the boat head back toward shore. When she turned back to him, she’d regained her composure, lifting her head and pulling back her shoulders.
“Where is your captain?” she asked.
He nodded to Jamie. “Take her to the captain’s quarters.”
He watched appreciatively as her hips swung to and fro as she climbed the steps to the quarterdeck and then disappeared through the doorway that would lead down to his quarters. Rourke was puzzled. He’d never met this lass before. He would surely have remembered someone as beautiful as she. What could she possibly want? He turned to find Hawes, mouth agape, staring after her as well.
“Ye might keep yer eyes in yer head, mate,” Rourke said, slapping him on the back.
“Aye, Cap’n. She be a fair piece.” He licked his lips.
Rourke pointed his finger at the man. “Mind yer manners, Hawes.”
“We’ll not disturb ye unless ’tis needed,” he said, chuckling to himself.
Rourke took his time on deck. He had to admit his curiosity was getting the better of him with regard to the woman, but if she was here for the reason he suspected, she could wait. He saw to all of the things that needed his attention and then when he was good and ready, he headed to his cabin.
When he opened the door, the lass, who had been going through the papers on his desk, jumped back and placed one dainty hand to her bosom.
“Have ye found what ye’re searching for?” he asked, closing the door behind him.
“I’m here for your captain.” She moved around to the front of the desk, awaiting his answer. “Well, where is he?”
“Who?” He was purposely being obtuse as he moved closer.
Her feathers were certainly ruffled now. “Your captain.” She backed away from him and ended up against his desk.
“I’m the captain,” he said, following her and stopping just short of too close.
She seemed to have lost her ability to speak, and he was enjoying her discomfort. Those blue eyes gazed up at him. He could see her confidence waning as he tipped his head and cocked an eyebrow, examining her from head to toe.
“’Twas brave of ye to come here to my boat for a visit with me. I would have been happy to meet with ye at Mistress Anna’s brothel, but now that yer here, I’ll happily allow ye to join me in my bed. If ye’re good, I’ll be sure to let the mistress know, and I’ll pay her handsomely.”
Her breathing quickened as her face flushed with embarrassment.
“How dare you insult me, sir. I am not one of those…one of those…”
He laughed. “One of those lovely lasses who see to a man’s most urgent needs?” He was enjoying this. Whoever she was, she was not the kind of woman to be found near the docks of Manta Cay.
She swallowed hard. “You make fun,” she muttered, lowering her eyes to the ground.
“I’m sorry. I canna help myself.” He lifted her chin with one finger. His gaze traveled from her honey-gold locks to her perfectly plump, pink lips, to the creamy, soft skin of her neck where her pulse jumped, showing her discomfort. He imagined kissing that neck and those lips, but despite the fact he was a pirate and could take whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, he would never kiss a woman who didn’t wish to be kissed. As was the case with most women, he was certain she’d want to be kissed by him and soon. “I have made ye nervous,” he observed.
“Not at all,” she answered. Her attempt at composure amused him.
“Ye haven’t told me yer name or why ye’re here.” He stared pointedly into her eyes as she glanced away and toward the ceiling.
She cleared her throat before speaking. “I am Lizette Wickham.”
It was Rourke’s turn to be caught off guard. This was Governor Wickham’s daughter. Why had he thought she’d be a young child? She was a fully-grown woman and a beauty at that. He’d succeeded in insulting his friend’s daughter. The daughter he’d been asked to take care of. He quickly walked around his desk and sat.
“Did you not hear me?” she asked, regaining her composure.
“I heard ye. Yer father nev
er told me ye were…” What words could he use to describe her that wouldn’t make him sound like an idjit? “Well, let’s say I assumed ye were a wee lass.”
“I see. Is that all you’ve got to say for yourself?” He heard anger in her voice.
“Was I supposed to say something else?” he asked. From the murderous look on her face, he was sure of it. “My apologies for my behavior. If I’d known, of course, I would have spoken to ye as a gentleman would speak to a lady.” That didn’t seem to appease her, and he wondered once again why she was glaring at him.
Lizette was doing her best to keep the shaking that racked her body under control. The pistol she carried hidden in her pocket gave her courage. This man had murdered her father and no matter how handsome he was, she had a task to complete. Her brother’s life depended on it. She hadn’t decided yet if she would use that gun to avenge her father’s murder or if she even could. She was staring at him, wondering what her next step would be.
“What can I do for ye, Lizette?” he asked.
“You have something I want,” she answered.
His lips curled in an amused smile. “Am I to guess what it is?” He casually leaned back in his chair, resting his legs atop the desk.
“I’m here for the treasure,” she squeaked out.
His furrowed brow told her she would have to share more information with him. Perhaps he’d stolen so much treasure that he had no idea which one she was speaking about.
The door opened behind her, frightening her into pulling the gun from her pocket and aiming at the entry. A young lad, not much older than Daniel, bounded into the room, but upon seeing the gun, he ducked and ran for his life.
“I’ll take that if ye doona mind.” Rourke Mackall was at her side, removing the pistol from her hand. “You might hurt someone with that.”
The shaking was so pronounced now that she could no longer hide it.
“Ye appear quite shaken. Come, sit.” He led her to a settee and sat beside her, holding her hand. “This has been a difficult day for ye. Ye must be in shock. I understand ye are the one who found yer father.”
She couldn’t speak. She almost shot that lad. She wasn’t a killer, not like this man who sat beside her patting her hand and trying to comfort her. Regaining her senses, Lizette pulled her hand away.
“How dare you, sir.”
Mackall seemed puzzled.
“How dare you sit there and pretend that you care about me and my father.”
“I do care. Several months ago yer father asked me to take care of ye and yer brother should anything happen to him. Now that I look back on it, I believe he was in fear for his life.”
“I don’t imagine at that time he thought you would be the one killing him,” she said through gritted teeth.
Rourke Mackall sprang to his feet. “What! Ye think I am the one responsible for yer father’s murder.”
“Yes. My father told me so.”
“Explain.”
“When he lay dying, he was trying to speak, but I couldn’t understand most of what he was saying. Then he very clearly said your name. I asked him if you were the one who killed him and he said you were.”
“That is simply not true. I just arrived on the island a short while ago. I was planning to meet yer father in town, and I heard from the locals that he’d been shot. I went to the mansion, but it was too late.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said, but the funny thing was that what he was telling her made sense. “Why would he tell me that?”
“Maybe he was trying to tell ye to find me. That I would help ye.” His voice was soft, and she wished he would sit beside her again.
Lizette was silent, taking in what he’d just told her. She shifted her gaze to Rourke Mackall’s face. He was a ruggedly handsome man. His tall, muscular frame exuded a kind of masculinity that she hadn’t seen much of in her years on Manta Cay. Now that it was up to her to care for Daniel, she wished she was more worldly. Her shoulders slumped as she gazed down at her hands in her lap. Everything weighed heavily on her shoulders.
“Lizette, I would never hurt yer father. He was my friend. Are ye sure he did no’ say anything else?”
“I don’t know. It was such a shock to find him there.”
“We’ll go back to the house. Guyton will vouch for me.” He was kneeling in front of her now, imploring her to believe him.
The sound of rushing feet running toward them caused them both to gaze at the door where Hawes, Lynk, and Jamie all stood armed to the teeth with pistols and swords.
“Hawes! Put your weapons away,” Rourke said, his voice strong and commanding.
“Jamie told us the woman here has a pistol. Almost shot him.” Hawes withdrew his pistol and elbowed Lynk to do the same.
“I’ve got the pistol now and I’m in no danger,” Rourke assured them.
“Pargo’s ship is here in the harbor. Some of his men are ashore. Drink loosened their tongues. Yer lass is aboard with her brother.”
“The lass is here, Hawes.” He turned to Lizette. “Where is Daniel?”
“He’s aboard Las Animas.”
“You must tell me everything that happened, from the time ye found yer father.”
Lizette looked up at the group of men standing in the doorway. They were a rough looking lot, but then they were pirates. It was to be expected.
“Leave us, Hawes,” Rourke commanded.
“Aye, Cap’n.”
The group of men turned on their heels, closing the door behind them.
“Tell me about Pargo,” he held her hand in his, gently rubbing it.
She imagined he meant to calm her and it was working.
“He was there after my father was shot.” A slight hiccough was the only indication that she was holding back tears.
“And ye doona believe he may have been the one who shot yer father?” Rourke asked.
“No. He told me we were in danger and must go with him. He seemed concerned about us.”
“Did he send ye here?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Is the treasure ye spoke of earlier his?”
“It is.”
“And he wanted ye to get it from me?”
“Yes.”
He stood, pacing back and forth across the cabin. “Did he want ye to shoot me as well?”
“No. I wanted to shoot you to avenge my father’s death.” She was embarrassed to admit it, but it was true.
“I see. I don’t have Pargo’s treasure. I’ve been nowhere near his ship in several months. Ye will take me to him. We must save Daniel.”
Lizette felt a small sense of safety with this man. Could she trust him? There was no way to know, but if she wanted to save her brother, she would have to. “All right.”
Chapter Four
Lizette pulled in a deep breath as she stood outside the door of Pargo’s cabin. One hand was poised on the knob as the other knocked. She glanced around at the men who stood behind her, knowing the plan and hoping it wouldn’t result in harm to Daniel.
“Come in,” Pargo shouted.
She opened the door and entered.
“You’re back.” He set aside the papers he had been examining. “What did you find? Do you know where my treasure is?”
“I’m afraid not.” Lizette clenched her hands at her sides. She would not let him see her fear.
“Then you should not be here. You’ve brought me nothing.” His eyes narrowed as he slapped his hand on his desktop.
“On the contrary. I’ve brought you something that will answer the question of where your treasure is not.”
“You come to me with riddles?” He stood, leaning his hands on his desk.
Lizette sighed and held her head high. “No. I wouldn’t do that.”
“What is it then?” he snarled.
“You mean who is it,” Rourke Mackall said as he entered the room along with Hawes and two of his men.
Pargo, for his part, remained where he was, seemingly unfazed by
the fact these men had arrived onboard his ship.
“You are as daring as they say,” Pargo noted. “Why are you here and where is my treasure?”
“I am here because I was charged with the care of Lizette and Daniel, and because I do not have your treasure.”
“So you say.” Pargo stroked his beard into a fine point beneath his chin. “Why should I believe you?”
“I have only just arrived on Manta Cay. It wouldn’t be possible for me to have stolen it.” Rourke moved to the desk and his men followed.
Lizette watched from the safety of the doorway.
“It would be unwise to kill me. My men have young Daniel. You wouldn’t wish any harm to come to him.”
“Where is he?” Rourke asked.
“I cannot tell you, but he is in good hands and being cared for lovingly as any child that age should be.”
“I want my brother back,” Lizette said, moving to stand beside Mackall.
“Then you will need to complete the task I have given you.”
“But I have. Rourke Mackall doesn’t have your treasure,” Lizette protested.
“Then you must continue the search. Perhaps Mackall will help you, because if you fail, you may never see your brother again.”
Lizette gasped.
Rourke leaned menacingly across the desk. “Did ye kill the governor?”
“No.”
“Ye’d best hope I don’t find out differently. I will help Lizette find yer treasure, if it is still here on Manta Cay, and I will find out who killed Governor Wickham. Whoever that man is, will pay dearly.”
Pargo nodded before turning back to the papers on his desk, dismissing them without a word.
Hawes and the men cleared a path for Rourke, who took Lizette’s elbow and guided her through the passageway and out onto the deck where the rest of his men were holding Pargo’s men at bay.
“Let ’em go,” Hawes shouted as they headed across the deck to their waiting boat. Rourke made his way over the rail and then helped Lizette as they climbed down the rope ladder. The rest of the men joined them and they were on their way without a shot fired.
