Moonlight on the Caribbean
Chapter Five
The imposing hulk of the Vengeance brought up a cheer of triumph from the pirates in the longboat, causing the captives a renewed wave of fear. Somewhere in the back of all their minds, they had hoped that they'd be rescued before they ever got this far. Now, they were faced with the true severity of their situation. So far, none of them had been harmed in any way, but there was no telling what would happen once they were on board the pirate's ship.
To Chloe, the whole situation lost its romanticism the moment she was lifted onto the deck of the ship and saw all around her scarred, disfigured, leering pirates. She unconsciously clutched the bodice of her dress even closer, as if that would somehow make her less conspicuous. She was actually relieved when the rest of the captives had been lifted up, just so she could hide among them.
With her astute eyes, Mimi took in every detail of her surroundings. The ship itself was cleaner, faster, sleeker than the Dolphin. Obviously, her captain and crew were very proud of her. But this held no weight with Mimi, as she studied one hardened face after another. She could see the revolted expressions on Chloe's and Belle's faces as they shot frequent wary glances at the blemished faces and limbs. But Mimi hadn't grown up in a beautiful, lily-white, sheltered world as they had, and the wounds had little impact on her. What frightened her were the eyes devoid of warmth and intelligence and infused with hatred and—at the moment—lust.
She needed to see something to give her hope, and her eyes skimmed across the deck as she unconsciously looked for the one among them who inspired an emotion in her other than fear. Even as she looked for him, Mimi felt his gaze calling her to him. And finally, her emerald eyes locked on Jason Masters' face. He studied her for a moment, his expression reflecting no emotion, even as he seemed to be dissecting every though and feeling flooding through her. As abruptly as the perusal began, it ended. Jason turned on his heel and walked away from he towards the masked man she could only assume was captain and the dark-haired, broad-shouldered pirate talking to him.
Mimi watched intently as Jason interrupted their conversation. The three pirates talked together for several minutes, and Mimi found herself thinking how different they were from the dirty lot that made up most of the crew. The three all had a look of intelligence, cunning, about them. Having conversed with Jason and hearing the masked man speak on the ship, she knew they both were educated men. So what would cause them to choose a life like this? Her curiosity about Jason Masters was increasing by the moment, and it was both stimulating and terrifying.
Mimi's thoughts were thankfully interrupted by the approach of the three men. The masked man stood in the middle, with Jason on his right and the other man on his left. Mimi felt a rush of heat as Jason immediately sought out her eyes and smiled seductively at her. This was not happening to her. Not now. And especially, not with him.
With a quick jerk of the head, Brady waved off the pirates who had been acting as guards in case any of the captives tried to jump overboard. There seemed little chance of that however. Lord John was bound hands and feet, and the girls looked too frightened to do anything even if the idea had crossed their minds. None of them had said a word since they'd been lifted on deck. Philip's lady had seemed to lose much of her fire, since the gravity of the situation had settled in on her; but as his eyes continued to mock and challenge her, he was at last rewarded with a flush of fury in her cheeks and a haughty lift of her chin.
Brady's eyes traveled over the small group, finally settling back on his father. Even tied as he was, Lord John Black had managed to position himself in front of the ladies, and the dark eyes glared defiance at any who might be foolish enough to touch them. Brady impulsively bowed deeply before the wizened statesman. Surprisingly, Chloe thought as she watched, there didn't appear to be anything mocking about it.
Straightening and regaining his cocky manner, Brady smiled charmingly at the prisoners. "Lord Black, ladies, welcome to the Vengeance," he greeted them amiably, laughing to himself at the wave of terror as all but the captivating brunette learned for the first time who their captors really were. "As you may have guessed, I am Captain Blackheart, or this is what you are to call me, at any rate. May I introduce to you my first and second mates, Jase Masters and Kev Lambert." He gestured slightly in the appropriate directions.
Jason rolled his eyes, seeing Brady give in once again to his flair for the dramatics. He and his friend differed in innumerable ways, and this was one of the most obvious. Brady loved to make a grand scene, whereas Jase liked to keep things simple and quick. There was less chance something would go wrong that way. He frowned as he studied Brady in the mask. Brady had insisted that he had to wear it, so that his alias would not be known once they brought the captives back to shore. But Jason kept thinking there was more to it than that. Brady wasn't telling him something, and that upset him no end. If there was one thing Jason hated, it was not being aware of all the forces moving around him. It made him vulnerable, and Jase Masters was never vulnerable.
"Are we expected to say 'Nice to meet you'?" John spat out, easily asserting himself as the girls' protector. He had failed them already. They shouldn't even be here. Their virtue was already irredeemably compromised, and so far, no one had laid a hand on them. And he'd die before anyone did. His eyes met the challenge in the cool blue eyes. There was something familiar about those eyes, like he had seen eyes like that before. He shoved the thought aside. What mattered now was protecting his daughter and the other girls in his care.
Brady chuckled, already finding something admirable in his father. He didn't understand what had happened, why his mother had thought John Black had drowned; but he was determined to find out. And only then would he consider revealing his true identity to the man who was responsible for his very existence. "I think that would be overreaching given the circumstances, your lordship. I merely wish to acquaint you all with the reason for your detention here. No doubt you're wondering what this is all about."
Chloe found herself continuing to study the pirate captain. There was something about him that just didn't fit in amongst these other common criminals. Maybe it was his poise, the way he spoke, the way he carried himself. He was born to more than this. He was brought up to more than this. So why was he here? And why did she care so much? This man had just abducted her! She should be conceiving a plan to push him overboard, instead of trying to decipher the mysteries of his past.
"I'm not as naïve as you might think, Captain," Lord John returned, a definite sarcastic emphasis on the title. "I'm aware that there must be something you want, something you think I can get for you. And I must admit it was a stroke of genius to take my daughter as well. You knew that I would die before I let anyone make any deals for the sake of my life. Now, I have to consider the well-being of my charges as well. So what is it you want? Money? A pardon for your atrocities?"
Brady shook his head, his eyes flinty with irritation at the viscount's haughty tone. "As appealing as I'm sure you think that must be to common criminals like us, we want nothing from you. While I'm sure you'll dismiss everything I'm about to tell you, the truth of the situation was this. Word reached my ears that the King of Spain would consider it a personal affront if your lordship reached Jamaica alive. I've made it a mission of mine to deny His Royal Majesty anything he desires, so here you all are. Safe and sound and sure to remain so until I've seen you entrusted into the custody of someone I trust to bring you to your destination alive and well."
Lady Belle Black stared incredulously at the intimidating man in front of her. If she had followed the complicated statement correctly, he was saying that they had taken them hostage to save them from a Spanish attack. But that made no sense at all. What reason would the King of Spain have to want her father dead? He was simply accompanying her and Chloe to be married. Wasn't he? She didn't know what to think. Why should she take the word of a bloodthirsty pirate who had made her faint with fear only hours before? And yet, something about him made her want to trust him.
Lord John tried to read the expression in the blue eyes, so startling in the black mask. What exactly did this man know? Whatever it was, he didn't want to discuss it in front of Belle and the others. They knew nothing of his mission, and he intended to keep it that way. He glanced sidelong at his daughter, to see what she was thinking at the moment. Judging by the curious, discerning look on her face as she stared at him, she was trying to piece it together already. John looked back at Captain Blackheart, pleading silently for him not to say any more in front of them.
Brady's mouth tipped as he correctly read the warning on John's face. As divided as his feelings were about his father, he shared no such compunctions about his sister. She was an innocent, being thrust into a world she couldn't possibly understand. He was already responsible for putting her in a precarious situation. He wouldn't put her in even more risk by a knowledge she was unprepared for. He nodded imperceptibly in John's direction.
"Captain, I think this is a situation we could discuss without the presence of the ladies," John returned coolly, somewhat confident that he wouldn't be challenged. "What I find to be of more pressing concern is what will befall these women on this ship. You say that we will be returned to Jamaica untouched. I assume the same holds true…forgive me for speaking bluntly…the same holds true for the virtue of my daughter and all the rest?" His eyes swept over the disreputable looking pirates who had returned to their duties, before coming back to rest on the more gentlemanly sailors in front of him. They might prove more dangerous than the ugliest among them.
Belle turned a shockingly bright pink at her father's words. She had never in her entire life heard anyone—let alone her own father—speak so openly of such things. She barely had an understanding of what the term "virtue" implied. She was a true Victorian lady, and possessed all the blessed ignorance that the term implied. But she had enough common sense to be wary of all the swarthy men around her. She wished with all her soul that Shawn were here to protect her.
Jan rolled her eyes. He called that blunt? And the horrified looks on Chloe and Belle's faces nearly made her laugh aloud. Honestly, they were mere children. It actually might be a bit amusing to see their reactions if one of these filthy pirates did make an advance on them. Poor dears. If they ever did lose their "virtue" in such a way, they'd feel compelled to throw themselves into the sea, in order to preserve their honor or some such ridiculous concept. As for Jan…well, she could take care of herself.
Brady smiled lazily at Lord John's fatherly concern. He found it amusing, given the precarious situation they were already in. But he respected the man more for it. Of course, the thought had already been dealt with appropriately by Brady and Jason before they ever set foot on the Dolphin. The whole crew knew that if they so much as touched any of the women, they would be killed by Captain Blackheart's own hand. No one doubted he meant it either.
"You have my word, your lordship," he promised smoothly. "Their virtue will be regarded as sacred by my men. The ladies will be staying in the cabins, while Jason and I bunk with the rest of the men. The contact between them and the crew will be minimal, and purely innocent. I pledge myself for their honor." His eyes flickered suddenly to land on the fiery dark haired beauty. She flushed immediately, and he couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment, anger, or passion. Maybe a bit of all three.
For the first time, Brady began to wonder if the threat to them wasn't truly from the crew. The way Jason's eyes stayed glued to that pretty, petite little maid was an obvious clue to his growing preoccupation with her. Brady had seen that Jason's gaze hadn't wandered from her in the whole of the confrontation. And the girl continued to turn her bright green eyes his friend's way as well. He tried to comfort himself with the knowledge that the girl was only a maid. No international incident would be started over the fate of some common servant.
And yet again, his eyes made their way to the goddess in blue. Now, she was most definitely off-limits. A lady, under the protection of Lord John Black, engaged to marry Philip Kiriakis. No, it was completely out of the question. Yet the heat in her sapphire eyes as she met his gaze unflinchingly was enough to make him realize that the sooner Shawn caught up with them, the better it would be. For all their sakes.
John studied the pirate under raised eyebrows for several minutes, before nodding. He didn't know if the word of this man was worth anything, but it was all he had to rely on. "All right, Captain. So what happens now?" He looked over at his little girl, his most priceless treasure in the world. She didn't look well at all, and he wanted her safely off this deck as soon as possible.
Brady followed the look to gaze upon his sister. The ethereal beauty was melting in the heat, beads of sweat rolling down the cheeks turning red with sunburn. He tried to keep the emotions of love and pity and protectiveness from showing on his face. Instead, he turned to his first mate. "Jase, please escort the ladies to their cabins. Kev and I will take his lordship to his new quarters."
At his words, Belle darted forward, impulsively wrapping her arms around her father's neck. "Please don't take Father away, sir. Let me stay with him." She couldn't lose her father. He was her only protector, her only place of safety. If he was gone, then she would be at the mercy of all these bloodthirsty pirates. She didn't even want to contemplate the possibilities.
John flinched under his daughter's hysterical reaction. He couldn't even hold her in return to comfort her with his hands and feet tied the way they were. "It's all right, my Izzy," he whispered so only she could hear. "Nothing will happen to you. I swear it. Let me handle this. Just go with the gentleman. Mimi will look out for you." He gave a silent prayer of thanks for Belle's dependable maid. She would manage to see his daughter through this, would gladly give her life to protect her mistress.
As if on cue, Mimi stepped up to gently pry her friend off her father's shoulder. Belle gave a wail and turned into the maid's arms, still sobbing in fear and frustration. Poor Belle. She still wasn't fully recovered from the seasickness, and then this added on top of it. Mimi honestly thought that if they had a chance to get only one of them away from here, she'd gladly send Belle off to safety. She was the least prepared for such a thing.
Swallowing back any hint of emotion, Brady stepped forward with Kevin and pulled Lord Black away to lead him down to the only place on the boat where Brady felt there was a modicum of safety for him. Jason then stepped up to bridge the gap Brady had left. Mimi's accusing gaze pierced him, as she continued to comfort the weaker lady. He wished he could make her understand that they were only trying to insure their protection. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Ladies, if you please…" He bowed them in the appropriate direction.
With no other options open to them, Chloe, Jan, Mimi, and Belle followed along towards the cabins they'd been promised. It was a grim, silent procession, only disrupted by an occasional sniffle from Belle. Jason stopped in front of the captain's cabin and ushered them in. "Lady Black and Lady…" He stopped, suddenly aware, that with the exception of Mimi Lockhart, he knew none of their names. "You know, conversation would be much easier if I knew your names. Would you mind introducing yourselves?"
When none of the others seemed willing to speak, Mimi sighed. If she had to choose one person on this boat she could trust, he would be the one. "My mistress is Lady Isabella Black," she said, as Belle continued to lean almost completely on her. She gestured to the tall, exotic brunette. "This is Lady Chloe Wesley and her maid, Jan Spears." She threw Jan a dark look. Nothing would make her bond with that girl, not even captivity.
Jason nodded his head towards each of them, filing away all the undercurrents among them for future reference. Mimi, Lady Black, and Lady Wesley seemed to have a sort of understanding, friendship, between them, that the other maid had no part of. Nor did she seem to want to. As far as he had seen, that woman was determined to hate the world. "It's a pleasure, ladies, though I'm sure we all wish it was under different circumstances."
Mimi smiled weakly at him, while all the rest kept their dazed, weary looks. Deciding that this wasn't the moment to focus on the beauty of Mimi's smile, Jason continued, "Lady Black, Lady Wesley, this is your cabin. Mistress Lockhart, Mistress Spears, you'll be sharing my cabin, which I'll show you to momentarily. First, I wanted to give you some words of warning. The crew has strict orders not to touch you or harass you in anyway. Nevertheless, it would be to your added safety to stay in the two cabins. You should also lock the cabin doors from the inside, and only open them to myself, the captain, or Kevin."
"You mean we're going to be stuck in these cabins day and night for who knows how long?" Chloe complained, speaking for the first time since they'd been brought onto the ship. The idea of confinement was to her possibly the worst thing she'd heard today. To not be able to see the sky and the sea she'd fallen so in love with seemed inhuman.
Jason's mouth tipped as he took in the arrogant beauty. He'd seen that she'd already grabbed Brady's attention, and there was no denying she was exquisite. But there was something about her that he found off-putting. Most likely her haughty manner. But then, Brady had always liked a challenge. "The decision wasn't mine, my lady. If you wish for greater freedom, I'd suggest taking it up with the captain." He watched as a becoming blush rose in her cheeks, and she turned away. Obviously, Brady wasn't the only one intrigued.
"Now, ladies, I'll leave you to get settled. Mistress Lockhart, Mistress Spears, would you come with me please?" It was only with the greatest reluctance that Belle let go of her maid and then only with the assurance that Mimi would be back as soon as she could. Mimi and Jan followed Jason the short distance to the first mate's cabin, which was considerably smaller than the captain's cabin. Mimi grimaced, thinking of how hideous it would be to be stuck with Jan in that little room for any length of time.
Jan simply sniffed in disapproval and entered the room to slump dejectedly into the sole chair in the cabin. Mimi hesitated a moment at the door, biting her lip as she considered the man in front of her. Jason raised an eyebrow and smirked down at her, wondering what was causing her such indecision. "Is there something I can do for you, Mistress Lockhart?"
"Mimi," Mimi returned absently. "Call me Mimi. Everyone does. And call her Jan, just because she doesn't deserve any respect." An impish smile passed over her features before being replaced by the solemn expression of one who fully realized the complexities and horrors of this situation. "I want to thank you, Jason. You've treated us with a respect I didn't expect from anyone here."
Jason knew there was something more she wanted to say, so he simply nodded silently, waiting for her to continue. Mimi took a deep breath, before voicing all the questions swirling in her brain. "What exactly is going to happen to us now, can you tell me? Why were we brought here? How long do we have to stay here? I'm sorry, but I don't understand any of this. So far, except for the whole abduction thing, you've all behaved like we're passengers, not prisoners. I don't understand what's going on. What do you want from us?"
Jason sighed. She was too intelligent and inquisitive to be satisfied with half answers. Unfortunately, that was all he had to give her. He didn't even know all the reasons that had made Brady decide to take the Dolphin. "All I can say to you is that you're safe here. I promise you, on my life, that I won't let anything happen to you." There was a touch of steel to his tone that comforted Mimi. It seemed that she at least had found a protector.
~~*~~
John wasn't unduly surprised when they brought him down to a makeshift brig in the ship's hull. He had expected it from the beginning. Whatever the captain might have said, the truth was that he and the girls were going to be used as some form of ransom. He said not a word as they unbound him and locked him in a cell. He only stood in silent dignity as he and the captain sized each other up.
"Leave us," Brady finally ordered Kevin. "But wait outside." Kevin nodded once and immediately obeyed his captain. Again, the silent duel of intimidation began. Smirking, Brady retreated to the chair across from the cell and leaned indolently back in it. "So, your lordship, you no doubt believe as you said earlier that you're being held here as a hostage. And once again, I inform you that your assumption is completely false."
John raised an incredulous eyebrow, crossing his arms as he stared at the disdainful youth. For that's what he was. Barely a man, and yet aged by a hard life, a life he had no doubt chosen for himself. "Of course," he returned caustically. "I forgot. You're protecting me, was it? From the King of Spain." Everything about him spoke his disbelief.
"That is correct, your lordship," Brady countered, unruffled. "You see, your secret mission to arouse interest in attacking the Spanish Main wasn't so secret after all. It even made its way into the court of Madrid. Sad to say, but King Phillip was not pleased. In truth, he issued an order that you weren't to reach Jamaica alive. Luckily for you, I found this out before the order could be carried into effect. So here you are. Safe under guard until you can complete the mission you came here to accomplish."
John eyed the young man warily. Whoever he was, he had excellent sources. And he couldn't help believing him. His facts were too good. But that still left so much unaccounted for. "You admit to being the infamous Captain Blackheart. It's well known that you have no regard for the sanctity of human life. Even in England, we've heard of your dastardly deeds. Why interfere to spare me?"
"Let's just say I have a vested interest. And you're wrong, by the way, when you say I don't have regard for human life. Just not Spanish life. You wouldn't either if you'd seen the things I have and knew the things I know." His mouth tipped as he considered the upcoming events. "But you'll learn, your lordship."
"What's that supposed to mean?" John asked suspiciously. What did this arrogant son of a bitch think he had to teach him about? He had triple the life experience of the kid in front of him. "I thought we were being taken to the authorities at Port Royal. That is what you said, isn't it?"
Brady grimaced, as the only down side to the plan was brought again to his attention. He had to hope that when everything was explained to him, Shawn would be forgiving. Otherwise, this one noble action of his life was going to accomplish what none of his crimes had. It was going to hang him. "No doubt you will be, my lord. But you'll understand when I say that I can't exactly sail the Vengeance into the harbor."
John's eyes widened under the bushy black brows as realization settled in on him. "You plan on getting caught," he breathed incredulously. What game was this daredevil playing? How could he still look so confident when faced with certain death?
Brady smirked arrogantly. "I plan on getting you and the ladies safely to Jamaica. Believe me, no one plans on getting caught. It's just something that must be faced." There was something so fatalistic in his tone that it drew John's attention. There was so much about this man that didn't sit right with him, so much he wanted to learn; but he had the distinct feeling that questions wouldn't get him anywhere. Not yet, at any rate. As if on cue, Brady added, "But enough of that. Your lordship and the ladies in your care will be protected, however, I'll feel safer with you here, where you can be under constant guard. A simple precaution in case there is a traitor on board my ship, which in my opinion, is not even a possibility, but Jase feels it's necessary to consider. So either myself, or one of my mates will be with you every moment of the day. And with any luck, you'll be back in King Charles' court in a matter of months, telling him how to eradicate the Spanish menace on the Main."
His curiosity growing by the instant, John continued to watch the pirate captain. "Your single-minded hatred is something to see, captain. Tell me, is that the only reason you saved myself, my daughter, and the others? Or can it be there is some spark of heroism in you after all?"
Brady smiled wryly. "I wouldn't count too much on my heroism, my lord. I'm a pirate, a criminal, fit for nothing more than to hang at Execution Dock. I kill because it satiates me, because—as the name of my ship tells—I'm out for revenge. I saved you, and by extension those women, because it furthers my aims. I want to see the Spanish presence gone from the Caribbean, and if possible, from the entire world."
John felt his bitterness as if it was his own. "I take it this is a personal vendetta of yours. I can tell you're an educated man, an intelligent man, so what would make you resort to the life of a criminal? What do you seek vengeance for?"
Brady hid all the emotions rioting under the surface. He had to believe that his father knew nothing of what happened. He had to believe that Lord Black was completely ignorant of all that had come upon him and his mother. He had to believe that, but he wasn't sure he did. And until he was, he would keep his silence. "I have my own reasons, as does any member of this crew. Listen to them. Talk to them. They'll tell you. All about what has been done to them in the name of King Phillip and Spanish rule. In England, the Inquisition might be a topic for debate over high tea; but here, it's the reality of life."
John released a deep breath and ran his hand back through his hair. He knew that of course. He had heard the horror stories. He had just never stopped to think of all the victims still left alive and willing to fight back. Victims whose scars were all on the inside, like this man before him. "I'll listen to anything you and your men have to tell me," he promised. "As long as you keep your end of the bargain. My daughter and the rest, they must reach Port Royal. Alive and untouched."
Crystal blue eyes drilled into the distinguished lord as Brady sat in silence for a full minute. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and determined. "You have my word of honor." John nodded, hoping to heaven that the word of honor of a pirate was worth more than he thought it was.
