Title: Pirates of Darkness
Author: Sherry Thornburg
Author's Email: Thornburgs77 a gmail
Feedback: Yes, please
Permission to Archive: Privately only, with notice to me where it is.
Category: Suspense
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: SAJV and original characters copywrite Tailsman/Promark/etc., no infringement is intended.
Characters: Phileas and Rebecca Fogg, and the return of Lady Katharine McCullum
Summary: After Phileas's run in with the spider queen in Dust to Dust, he and Rebecca return the sarcophagus to Egypt. Which allowed them to help an old friend, abducted by pirates. But then they find out who was in control of the abduction and League of Darkness's new ambitions–Ambitions that put Lady Katharine and the Foggs in new perils.
Chapter 1/ It started as a pleasant voyage
Lord Andrew McCollum of Glenshire Island was walking across the Parliament building, heading to a meeting. This is so tedious. I've been wrangling with the same fine point about shipping tariffs for days. Had I any idea… he frowned to admit it, but, yes, I would still have come to London.
This trip had been an opportunity for him to help push through needed changes in trade law. He had spent several weeks working the House of Lords toward that end.
The Scottish Earl was not very tall. He was only slightly better-than-average height for a man. He was handsome, but not excessively so. Andrew had thick wavy dark reddish-brown hair and blue eyes the color of the sea. His massive shoulders and strong build were the most striking thing about him. Besides being a working lord, willing to lend his muscles to tasks, Andrew was an avid fencer and weapons collector, especially of antique swords. He had broad swords, claymores, and distinctive weapons from countries around the world. His newest acquisition had been a French cavalry sword dating back to the last crusades. The Earl had spent months tracking down a sword master to teach him to use it.
Of interest above his hobbies was his growing family. Mary Kate, his wife, had presented him with a son fourteen months ago. They named him David Steven Phileas, after both the boy's grandfathers and an English gentleman his parent's owed their lives to.
Andrew had then taken Mary Kate on a four-month grand tour of Europe, stopping at every point of historical or personal interest she had desired. They had come home exhausted, but deliriously happy, with trunks full of loot and the baby seven months to come.
The family reorganization since their union was handled with few problems. The Glenshire and McCollum sides of the clan were now one enormous family, and the Earl had become the family fleet's co-steward with his wife. He took to the job with studious attention, spending the last year immersing himself in the business of merchant shipping and the laws of international trade. Mary Kate still knew more about the finer points of where and how their fleet operated, but she had never put no time into learning the prevailing laws governing the enterprise.
Andrew took the stairs to the office set aside for him.
Right now, she should be close to Rome. I should have gone with her.
She had suggested a long cruise across the Mediterranean after receiving a letter from her cousin, Penelope Harrison. The chatty letter had informed them of her husband's move to the consulate in Rome, Italy. It had sounded like a fine idea to him. Mary Kate had been nailed to not just to the island, but to the estate grounds for most of little David's infancy. That was normal, but he could sense her restlessness.
Andrew later postponed the trip when he had been approached to help deal with this trade policy change. Mary Kate had been disappointed, but understood how much this meant for him.
"I could set it up for later," she had said.
True, but later when?
The Mary Kate, their newest clipper, had been due for a quick cruise of Mediterranean ports of call with a special trip by central Italy to put them near Rome. The vessel's maiden cruise made her a showpiece to renew and expand contracts. It would have been the best time for them to go, having had the ship to themselves.
So, Mary Kate got her trip, sailing away with Cousin Samuel, and I made my trip to London. Fool. You could have had her all to yourself for a month. Instead, you are here with this headache.
I'm homesick.
An image came to him, his wife, standing on the deck waving goodbye. Her soft hair had caught the late evening light, glowing red like the coals of a low fire. He had a sudden urgent yearning to call the ship back and go with her. He couldn't believe the folly of leaving her side. Now, preparing for another meeting with stogie politicians, he still couldn't.
The Duchess, Katharine of Glenshire Island, now also Countess McCollum by marriage, stood at the rail looking out at the endless blue. Her blue eyes glittered with happiness. A marriage of love and motherhood had increased their brightness.
Looking out over the sea, Katharine had to admit she was truly enjoying her trip, though she missed Andrew and the baby. She wished every day they had come with her. Watched the waves and listened to the surf. She had seen dolphins, fed seabirds, and had busied herself learning the day-to-day sailing business as explained by Cousin Samuel.
At each port, Samuel had made calls on merchants and suppliers they contracted with, making the ship available for tours. After each tour, they had been offered hospitality on shore. The dinner parties and dances were quite fun.
The ship made its first stop in Nantes, then Barcelona, and a stop in Corsica before going on to Italy. In Sicily, Katharine received a telegram from Penelope saying her two children were sick and Richard, her husband, had been sent away on business. She made apologies, but there would be no one to bring her into Rome, and she should not visit with the children ill.
"Well, that settles it. I will just send a letter of condolence/regret back to Penelope and stay with the ship," she told Samuel.
"Don't be too disappointed," he offered. "The next few ports of call are not to be missed. You are going to have a wonderful time."
Samuel did not lie. The further east they went, the more wondrous the sites. Off the coast of Istanbul, they did their tour and were invited to a large ball being held that evening at an import businessman's residence. Samuel knew him and his wife well. He took hospitality with them often and regaled her with the splendor of their host's home and hospitality.
Katharine dressed up in her blue dinner dress with great care, before they left at sunset. The residence was indeed grand, and the meal and company were stunning. Dancing started after dinner. Katharine danced several rounds with Samuel and their host.
Halfway into the evening, a server offered her a glass of water after a waltz. Flushed, she took it gladly. Refreshed, she looked around for her next partner. A short time later, she felt light-headed and dizzy.
"It's just the dancing," she insisted.
Katharine sat out the next several dances. Time only made the dizziness stronger and added queasiness to her discomfort. She caught her cousin's attention and asked to be taken back to the ship.
Samuel thanked their hosts, making apologies and called for a carriage. The carriage had to stop twice on the way, as Katharine was overcome by queasiness. His unease increased as they drove.
"It must be the spicy food," Katharine said, making light of it. "It was all so delicious, but I am not used to such fare."
When they reached the dock, Samuel had to help her up the plank. Katharine became sick again over the side. That bout of vomiting weakened her, so Samuel had to carry her to her cabin. As he sat her on the bed waiting for a local doctor to come to the ship, she fell into a deep sleep.