Chapter Fifty-Four

The Unmasking Of The Dastardly Plot

"Shouldn't we alert the Rebecca, Sir?" Mr Jarvis asked anxiously. "I mean, if we were to disappear in a puff of smoke, then someone needs to know the why and the how of this dreadful plot to send us down below to Davey Jones' locker."

"The dynamite is safe enough for now," Daniel replied. "But this is not business we shout across the waves for all to hear. The men will become afraid and careless."

He walked to the rail to stare at the silhouette of the Rebecca who was keeping pace beside them. "We will signal her a message and invite Captain Beaumont aboard. Then we shall appraise him of our position and what is at stake."

He looked back at his watching first mate. "Be discreet, Mr Jarvis. A simple message of invitation to dine at my table tonight, if the captain pleases. Nothing more."

"Aye, aye, Sir!" Jarvis saluted smartly before he turned and hurried away, calling for the ship's signalman to attend him immediately.

※※※※※

"Oh, no you don't, Uncle," Carolyn told Claymore shortly. "You can and you will," she continued as she took his arm in a firm grip.

She led the way across the stout planking to the harbourmaster's office where the lights still burned brightly. "Your young Jack told me that the Snow Goose is a true greyhound of the seas. I pray she's still in port. I did see her on the same day Daniel sailed."

"But the Carolyn's long gone," Claymore wailed pitifully. "There's no catching her now. This is such a bad idea. I'm already feeling sicker than a damned dog."

"If you cross the palm of the captain of the Snow Goose with sufficient gold, I think you'll find she can truly fly," Sally responded as Claymore reluctantly held the office door open for them to pass inside.

"Gold?" he squeaked. "Oh, now, see here, young lady. This insane charade has gone on quite long enough…" He made to step backwards again.

"Oh no, you don't…" Sally seized his arm in a close grip and pulled him into the office behind her. Claymore stumbled against her, muttering an expletive beneath his breath.

The grizzled old harbourmaster rose from behind his stout oak desk looking anything but pleased with the unexpected new arrivals. "Claymore? What displeasure is it of mine that you darken my doorsill again so soon?"

He rounded the desk and frowned at the two women. "Mrs Gregg…" He touched his forelock respectfully. "Is there something I may do for you on this fine evening? I was about to lock up and go home for my supper. But you look upset. What has Claymore done now?"

"The Snow Goose," Carolyn replied quickly. "She is still in port?"

The old man frowned. "Aye, she is. But she sails very soon on the evening tide for France with a cargo of good woollen cloth and some barrels of tallow. The master has his papers and all are in order. You will have to be quick if you seek to catch her still tied up."

Carolyn pulled a very reluctant Claymore forward. "My uncle would ask her captain if he could put to sea immediately. And he will pay to be her passenger."

"Immediately?" The old man's brows crawled up his wrinkled forehead in astonishment. "Is there a problem, Mrs Gregg? This smacks of a bad business. May I be of some assistance?"

"I need to get an urgent message to my husband aboard the Carolyn," she replied. "And my uncle has kindly agreed to carry it to him in person. I have been reliably informed that the Snow Goose is the fastest ship around."

"Aye, that she is…" The old man stroked his bearded chin with one thoughtful hand. "Faster than the wind itself. But Claymore here… well, he throws up as soon as he even looks at the sea."

He chuckled despite the obvious gravity of the situation. "Why, I remember well the only time he sailed for France. I doubt I've ever seen anyone who looked greener than the very grass when he finally staggered ashore and fell to his knees…"

He clapped Claymore heartily on the shoulder, making the thinner man stagger slightly. "Don't you remember? You vowed mightily then and there, never again! Never again, you cried to the heavens!"

"Yes, well, now needs must. The matter is extremely urgent…" Carolyn put her hand on the old man's arm. "Uncle Claymore will carry the message. Can you direct me to the captain of the Snow Goose?"

"I will do better than that for such a lovely lady as yourself…" The old harbourmaster gallantly extended his crooked arm for her to take. "I shall escort you aboard the ship myself and introduce you to her captain. This is a show I have no intention of missing. Not for all the gold in the world!" He extended his other arm to Sally, who took it with a small curtsy and a smile.

"I just know I'm going to die…" Claymore groaned as he followed them from the office and out onto the dock. "Or I'm going to be drowned at sea without a single stone nor a fair cross to mark my sorry grave."

He sighed roughly as he stared down at his ink-stained fingers. "And I'm being forced to pay over some of my good gold for the ghastly privilege. I do not know which confounded fate will be the worst…"

His hand closed into an impotent fist around the dark stains. "I will need to pen a note to give instructions to my clerk of office for the morning. He will fret to find me gone without explanation."

"Here…" Captain Lacey immediately pushed forward a notepad before he dipped a quill pen in the ink well and held it out.

"I'll see that Jack gets it," Carolyn said, watching her uncle scribble a hasty note.

"I would ask you also pray for me, Niece," Claymore asked as he blotted the note, folded it and held it out. "I have the feeling I am going to need them."

Again, the captain of the Snow Goose and the harbourmaster exchanged telling glances. One man was relieved the affair was no longer of his concern while the other wondered what troubles lay ahead for an honest captain and his little trading ship.

※※※※※

The Carolyn and her sister ship rode the dark waves as close as they dared without coming to mishap. The sun had long since sunk below the distant horizon, but there was still a deal of frenetic activity aboard both vessels.

Their sails had been furled and all set in order while both crews waited and watched, seeing their respective captains were intending to confer in person. Talk and speculation as to the mysterious cause of this unexpected halt was rife among the men on both ships.

Those six from the Carolyn, and their first mate, who knew about the mysterious deck cargo kept their counsel as ordered. None would betray their captain. His word was law among his men.

Elroy fidgeted badly as he stood beside Old Alfred and watched the boat being lowered over the side of the Rebecca. The ancient sailmaker pulled his evening pipe from his lips and spat over the side. "It's gonna be a bad night's work and no mistake, my lad," he complained bitterly. "We should all be in our hammocks by now."

"Why do you say bad?" Elroy asked nervously.

"Captains don't furl their sails in the middle of the Atlantic for no purpose," the old man replied stoutly. "Something's up. I can smell it in the wind. Something dastardly and underhanded."

Elroy raised his nose and sniffed the salty air. "I don't smell anything."

His master turned to glare at him in disbelief. "You were gone longer than your wont, tonight. I was about to come lookin' for you. And you were agitated when you finally came below. Do you know anything of this bad affair?"

"No…" Elroy lied baldly, deciding the less he said the less he would be found wanting. "I was on deck looking up at the stars."

"And dreaming of your fair maid, no doubt…" The old man spat over the side again. "Women!" He sighed, shaking his grizzled head. "Better off without them, but what sort of world would that then be?" He shook his head again at the unanswerable conundrum. "If I had my time again…" He clamped the stem of his pipe between his teeth again.

Both men went back to watching the activity at the rail of the other ship. Lucius had ordered a boat to be lowered and rowed across to the Carolyn. He climbed the rope ladder, that had been thrown over the side, with the ease of long practice. He threw one long leg after the other over the ship's rail and jumped down onto the deck.

"You summoned me, Captain." He grinned as his seaboots landed with a thump before he stepped forward to grasp Daniel's forearm in a hearty grip.

"It concerns both of us," Daniel replied, his grip tightening. "But it isn't something to be shouted across the waves."

Both men stood for a long moment, going through the time-honoured ritual of testing each other's strength of arm. The Carolyn's men crowded around, waiting and watching, breathlessly ready to cheer the victor. Of course, they cheered louder for their captain if he should win. Calloused hands touched briefly as surreptitious bets were whispered and laid.

"I swear you're failing, old man," Lucius said with confidence, as the corded muscles stood out on his powerful arm.

"Who're you calling 'old', old man?" Daniel queried through gritted teeth as the pressure on his strong flesh tightened to the point of pain.

He could feel his grasping fingers going numb, but he wasn't about to surrender. He redoubled his efforts as beads of sweat began to stand out on the foreheads of both men. At the next moment, he heard Lucius groan softly and Daniel knew he would win this time.

"Confound it!" Lucius cried as he suddenly released his grip, dropping his arm to shake the feeling back into his benumbed fingers. "I thought I had you this time," he grumbled good-naturedly.

Around them, the men cheered and slapped each other on the back. Handfuls of coins quickly changed hands as they saluted their hero.

"I think there are men here who are neglecting their duties and are bone idle," Daniel remarked quietly as he also shook the feeling back into his hand.

He needed to say no more. There was a discreet clattering of sea boots on the decking and suddenly the two captains were standing alone beside the rail.

Lucius leaned against it as he frowned at his good friend and business partner. "So, your message said you wished to dine with me. It's so unlike you to tarry on a crossing of the ocean. You seek to be first into port, always."

He grimaced. "I fear there's something more devious afoot that you couldn't shout across the waves. I'm all agog to know what you've found. I like a good mystery." He rubbed his hands together.

"Then, come along and follow me…" Daniel turned and began to walk away across the deck.

※※※※※

The good captain of the Snow Goose stood immediately from behind his desk the moment Carolyn was shown into his cabin. He dragged off his sea cap and bowed his head as he respectfully touched two fingers to his temple.

"Ah, good evening, Mrs Gregg…" He eyed the three who had entered behind her with curiosity. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company so late in the evening? Nothing's amiss, I hope."

"Good evening, Captain Lacey," Carolyn replied as she took hold of her uncle's arm and dragged him reluctantly forward. "I have a message that needs to be delivered to my husband with the greatest of urgency. And to speed up the matter, my uncle will deliver it in person. He requests to sail with you."

"Claymore Gregg?" The captain's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "I am sorry, Mrs Gregg, but I was sure your uncle had sworn off the sea after his last voyage. What has changed, may I ask?"

"He's had a total change of heart," Carolyn asserted firmly just as her uncle stepped forward to open his mouth to reply. "He knows how urgent this matter is. Our family's honour and reputation are at stake."

"Well, if you put it like that…" The old seaman ran his hand over his grizzled hair in honest confusion. "But we're bound to sail in the matter of an hour. The Goose is the fastest ship hereabouts and will make good enough time. She will be able to catch up to the Carolyn and no mistake. But can your uncle be ready by then? I cannot wait for him."

He began to twist his sea cap between his gnarled fingers. "I mean, there is the um… ah, rather delicate matter of the price of his passage…" He looked deeply discomforted to be discussing the fare with a lady.

"Oh, he's already packed and ready to sail," Sally replied as she nudged Claymore's elbow. "Go on now and pay the good captain…"

"I…" Claymore cringed, going even more pale. "No. I… I've changed my mind. I don't sail. I barely can stand having two inches of water in my bathtub! Why does it have to be me?"

"Uncle…" Carolyn warned softly, stepping up to his side. "Pay the captain's fee or you know what will happen to you…"

"Oh, very well…" Claymore frowned as he dumped his bags at his feet.

He thrust one hand into the pocket of his greatcoat and pulled out a small canvas bag that clinked with coins. "How much?" He scowled direfully at Captain Lacey. "And remember I am not any green spring chicken for your plucking, Sirrah! I know the worth of the voyage there and back."

Captain Lacey and the harbourmaster exchanged glances then both men shrugged. Lacey named a fair enough price, and the Schooner Bay master nodded his agreement.

"Robbery…" Claymore grouched as he drew the mouth of the small bag open before he counted out the required amount with a long-suffering sigh. "Sheer robbery…" He recounted the coins before he handed them over.

Captain Lacey accepted the fare with a nod. He didn't bother to count the coins again as he pocketed them while slanting a deeply respectful glance at Carolyn.

Seeing the deal was done, Carolyn held out her gloved hand. "Thank you, Captain. I am indebted to you. We won't keep you any longer. I would wish that you were on your way as soon as possible."

"My absolute pleasure, Mrs Gregg…" The old man smiled at her as he shook her hand. "And, if I may say so, your husband is a fine and honourable man. I would do anything for him. Anything for him and you. He will get your message as soon as humanly possible, fear not."

He glanced at Claymore who had picked up his bags again and was standing looking impatient to be gone. "It's such a great pity, I cannot say the same for the honour of some other members of his family."

"Sadly, nor can I," Carolyn replied with a sigh as she turned to her uncle and kissed his cheek. "Bon voyage, Uncle." She moved closer to him and dropped her voice. "You will make good the issues you've caused by your greedy nature. Or there will be no place for you to hide."

"We will both make very sure of that," Sally Hall joined them to add with a firm look up at him. "Your cherished reputation as a trader will be ruined. That will hurt you more than anything."

"Yes, well…" Claymore sighed again as he rubbed at his abdomen and scowled at the slow burn of a renewed bout of dyspepsia. "I could wish I was safely tucked up in my bed and all of this was nothing but a truly dreadful dream…"

※※※※※

Lucius crouched beside the carefully reassembled pile of cargo. It was still free of its ropes and oilskins. Daniel wanted to show his friend before they returned it to its original condition to avoid raising any suspicions it had been tampered with when they eventually docked in Marseilles.

"A dastardly plot, indeed…" Lucius shook his head as he gingerly opened one drawer containing the sticks of dynamite. He peered inside. "And you think you know who is behind this foul piece of work."

"I think there is more than one perpetrator," Daniel replied. "You remember the passenger you conveyed home from London to Boston on our last voyage."

Lucius whistled as he rose to his feet. "The Countess Beauvoir…" He stared hard at his good friend. "She was a termagant of the first order. There was no pleasing the harridan. But to do something like this."

He waved one hand at the cargo. "To seek to sink you without a trace, she must really hate you."

Daniel shrugged with disinterest. "It's of no matter to me what that woman does or cares about. But she disliked being spurned and for that, she will pay. She should have kept to her own affairs and not go meddling in mine."

"Well, there's nothing to be done about it now," Lucius replied, licking his lips. "I'm hungry," he complained. "Since you've invited me to supper and I'm accepting we might as well repair to your cabin. But, I guess, there's no chance of any of your Miss Grant's excellent stew?"

Daniel shrugged. "Sadly, no. You will have to settle for whatever menu the cook has decided on for tonight."

"A pity…" Lucius stretched and rubbed his bearded jawline. "I certainly could do with a woman like her aboard my ship. My confounded cook is even worse than yours."

"Yes, a very great pity…" Daniel concurred as he led the way toward the aft hatch and his cabin. "We shall open a bottle or Madeira and salute our ladies before drowning our sorrows to lessen the grimness of the meal."

Lucius nodded. "Sounds fine by me. Lead the way."

※※※※※

Carolyn stood on the dock of Schooner Bay in the gathering gloom of night. She and watched the Snow Goose unfurl her sails as she tacked toward the heads that marked the entrance to the harbour. Sally linked her arm through Carolyn's and tightened her grip in sympathy.

"Thank you, but I'm all right." Carolyn gave her a distracted smile as both women watched the small vessel pick up speed as the wind filled her sails and she rose onto the breast of the dark ocean waves.

"Amazing…" Sally breathed as the little ship seemed to skim the waves rather than plough through them. "She is fairly named indeed. She appears to truly be able to fly."

"I pray that Uncle Claymore does not forget his mission in his misery or fall overboard in his carelessness," Carolyn whispered. "That would be the end of all. I could not bear that."

She kissed her fingers to the freshening offshore breeze. "Be safe, my love. Come back to me and soon…"

Sally watched her closely. "That is why I took the forethought of penning a letter and putting it in an envelope," she replied. "I entrusted it to Captain Lacey, in case of such an unforeseen accident. I knew you would have done so, but you were preoccupied with your blasted uncle's attack of conscience and nerves."

"Thank you, Sally…" Carolyn breathed as she continued to watch the ship. "It is all we can do now…" She turned away, unable to watch the little vessel any longer.

"Let us go home then," Sally advised, still holding her friend's arm as they left the dock and walked back toward the carriage waiting for them. "Perhaps we could indulge in a glass or two of sherry and drown our sorrows."

"An excellent idea," Carolyn concurred as they walked. "No doubt my parents have gone to bed by now. But first, I need to stop at Uncle Claymore's office to pin the note for young Jack to the door."

She compressed her lips. "And once my husband is back on shore and in full command of our house, we shall take a trip down to Boston and deal with Countess Beauvoir, once and for all. She will pay very dearly for daring to put the lives of my son and husband in grave danger for her own greed."

"Oh, yes, she will." Sally nodded firmly as they reached the waiting coach. "That welcome event, I shall look forward to with a great deal of keen expectation. My father will also rue the day he decided to interfere with my friends."

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