An Inconvenient Mistress, page 32
Sure enough, Turner was aiming a pistol at Phillip, who was dangling just over the bulwark chained in what appeared to be the same shackles she had used to bully her way aboard the Intrepid. The sight of him made her breath catch. His eye was blackened and already swollen shut and his nose was bloodied. Turner’s crew had thrown the chains over the block and tackle from the destroyed mast and raised him high enough that his arms were stretched tight over his head, and his toes just brushed the rail. He swayed back and forth slightly.
Robert Turner and Mr. Witt both looked over at her. A slow, nasty grin spread across the pirate’s face and he dropped the pistol. “Well, well, Ashford,” he said, motioning for his crew to bring her to him. “Look what I found.”
Phillip had closed his eyes upon seeing Bella reveal herself. Several men eagerly scurried to help her from the launch, but before any of them could Brownie pulled away from where the crew of the Intrepid had been corralled. One of the pirates smashed him in the gut, dropping him to his knees, but Turner laughed and said, “It’s all right, lads. We’ll let Brownie help her.”
The quartermaster’s assistant rose, gasping for air, and walked over to the gig. He helped Bella down and offered her his arm. She raised her head high defiantly, and let the sailor escort her to the pirate.
Turner cooed at her, grabbing her arm from Brownie. “Good lad,” he clucked at the sailor. Brownie nodded and returned to his crew.
“Lovely little thing,” Turner said, and he placed a kiss squarely on her mouth. Phillip struggled against his chains but was unable to find purchase with his feet. He swung helplessly as he swore under his breath.
Bella pushed away from Turner, and he looked up to taunt Phillip. “So sweet. It’s unkind of you not to share, Ashford.”
“The girl is of little consequence,” Witt whined. “We need the boy.”
Bella wiped at her mouth in disgust but took a steadying breath. She looked down her nose at the pirate and said, “If you promise not to shoot Captain Ashford, I’ll tell you where to find my nephew,” she said.
The pirate seemed taken aback by her boldness. He shook his head but didn’t respond quickly enough. Witt answered, “Deal.”
Turner rolled his eyes. “I ought to string you up alongside Ashford. You’ve been nothing but a thorn in my side since you boarded my ship.”
The thin man grimaced. “We need the boy,” he stated. Looking at Bella, he barked, “Where is he?”
Bella shook her head. “Let Captain Ashford down first.”
The pirate was pouting at having his power usurped, so he folded his arms and glared. Frustrated by this unexpected reticence, Witt blustered, “You heard the lady. Let Ashford down.”
Captain Turner raised a brow and then lifted his hand. “Have it your way,” he said. Then he called to his men, “Let him down.”
The men holding the other end of the block and tackle released them abruptly. Unable to find his footing, Phillip went over the rail. Bella screamed, “Phillip!” and several of his crew members started forward as though to help, only to be stopped by pirates. An instant later they heard a splash as he hit the water.
Turner grinned at her. “I hope he can swim.”
“Pull him up,” she begged, her voice cracking.
“Let him down, pull him up,” Turner shrugged. “You should make up your mind, Missy.”
“Up,” she ordered.
The captain motioned for his men to drag Phillip from the water. They quickly hauled on the ropes, and soon enough they maneuvered Phillip—coughing and dripping and twisting—back onto the bulwark. They fussed with the line until he dangled over the railing just as before.
“Now,” the pirate said to Bella, “where’s the brat?”
“Bella, no,” Phillip sputtered.
“Please,” Bella pleaded with the pirate captain. “He’s just a boy.”
“Oh,” Turner nodded in understanding. “In that case—” He gestured to his men. “Dunk him.”
Phillip went down again and Bella cringed at the splash. “He’s going to drown,” she said between clenched teeth.
Turner looked at her with mock sympathy. “You did tell me not to shoot him,” he pointed out.
“Pull him up and I’ll tell you what you want to know,” she said.
Robert Turner shook his head. “We’ve already tried that,” he said. “And yet you’ve told me nothing.”
“Charles is on the ship,” she bit out. “Now pull Captain Ashford up.”
The pirate considered her for a long moment. “All right,” he said pleasantly.
Phillip was hauled up once more, gasping for air and struggling against the pain of being lifted by his wrists. He coughed and glared at the pirate. “You are going to pay for this, Turner,” he threatened softly.
“I don’t think so,” Turner replied. “I seem to hold all the cards, while you’re being used as shark bait.” He turned back to Bella and said, “Where’s the boy?”
Before Bella could answer there was a commotion from below deck. A pirate popped his head up from the hatch and boasted, “We found a few more crew, Cap.”
He pulled himself up and then motioned to someone. Kolton emerged, followed by Sully and another sailor. Kolton took one look at Phillip—then at Bella—and his lips thinned. The pirates began parading them over to where the rest of the Intrepid’s crew were being held at gunpoint.
Turner opened his arms wide. “Join the party, boys,” he said.
Without warning Kolton broke from the pack and raced toward the bulwark. He managed to knock two of Turner’s men to the ground before he reached Phillip, grabbing him just as he was about to tumble over again. With some slack in the line, Kolton pulled him down from the rail and began pulling at the block and tackle in a vain effort to unhook his captain. Two more of the Gypsy’s crew were suddenly on top of them, pummeling both Kolton and Phillip.
A pistol shot rang through the air, stopping the melee. Turner dropped his arm and gestured to one of his men to hand over a loaded firearm. He pointed it at Bella and said, “I don’t think you want to do that, Kolton.”
Kolton shot Phillip a look of helplessness. Phillip nodded. “Thank you, Kolton,” he said to his shipmate. “You take care of Miss North.”
The quartermaster’s shoulders drooped in defeat, but he capitulated. As the pirates dragged him over to his crew, one of them punched him in the gut, causing him to double over. Phillip was returned to the bulwark, dangling precariously at the edge.
Turner returned his attention to Bella. “Now, Missy, where were we? Oh, yes. You said the boy is on the ship.”
Bella looked at Phillip, hanging helplessly. “I—” she stammered, uncertain how to save the people she loved most in the world. “He—”
“I’m getting impatient,” the pirate warned.
“Miss North,” Phillip called. “Do you remember the little trinket Charles brought with him the day you first came aboard the Intrepid? We spent the better part of the day haggling over it if I remember.”
Bella’s breath caught. The key. He was talking about the key to his manacles. If he had the key...
Witt looked at her greedily. “What is he talking about?” he asked.
Bella shook her head. “He’s mocking me. It’s nothing of any value...just a little metal trinket. It was a gift from a mutual friend in Kingston.”
“I want to see what it is,” Witt insisted.
“You’d have to ask him,” she said defiantly. “He took it from me the day we boarded.” She called to Phillip, “Will you tell me where it is, Captain? I’d like it back.”
Phillip grinned at her, pleased that she’d caught his meaning. “No, I think I’ll keep it a little longer. Perhaps I’ll return it...if you answer my earlier question, Miss North,” he said.
“Stop stalling!” Turner bellowed.
“This is hardly the time, Captain,” Bella said, annoyed and flattered by his attempt at diversion.
Phillip met her eye and raised the brow that wasn’t swollen. “It’s unkind to leave a dying man in suspense,” he pointed out. “So you know, I haven’t changed my mind. I won’t change my mind. I think it only fair to know what your answer would have been.”
It was all she could do not to rush to him. “Yes,” she whispered. “My answer would have been yes.”
He grinned at her. “I’ll hold you to that,” he promised.
“Enough!” Turner roared. “Stop yer talking and tell me where the boy is.”
He leveled the pistol at Phillip and looked at her. “My finger seems to be getting itchy.”
“You said you wouldn’t shoot him,” Bella reminded him.
Turner scoffed, “Pirates aren’t exactly known for keeping their promises.”
“I’ll tell you...but only if you put down your pistol,” she said. Once he’d lowered the weapon, she said defiantly, “I said Charles was on the ship. I never said he was on this ship.”
Witt growled in frustration. Turner, however, simply chuckled. “You may look dainty but you’ve got pluck, girl,” he told her. Pointing to the two men holding the rope, he said, “Let him go, boys.”
“No!” Bella cried as Phillip disappeared over the edge. “Pull him up.”
“No,” he said.
Bella covered her mouth with her hands, unable to breathe evenly. Her knees were beginning to buckle, and she was feeling lightheaded. Bella forced herself to draw a deep breath—she would do Phillip no favors by fainting.
Witt turned on the pirate. “Why are we wasting our time with Ashford?” he demanded. “Make her tell us which ship the boy’s on.”
“I’m trying to do that,” the pirate snapped. Turner gave her a sideways glance. “I wonder how long he can hold his breath,” he mused. “I’ve never heard of anyone lasting longer than a couple minutes.”
“Please,” she said on a small sob.
“Do you fancy him, my lovely?” he asked. “I’m told he’s a rather pretty bloke, though I don’t really see it.”
“Yes,” Bella said. “I love him.”
“Ah. Young love,” he said mockingly. “How sweet. Would you like to see if your sweetheart is still breathing?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Then give us the name of the ship,” he said coolly.
Bella choked back a sob, praying she hadn’t misunderstood Phillip’s last words. “I don’t know,” she said hoarsely.
“I wonder how much longer he can last. It’s been well over a minute.” Turner shrugged. “I can’t bring him up until you tell us.”
She looked over at Kolton, who shook his head almost imperceptibly. Bella squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she weren’t completely helpless.
“Tick tock,” Turner taunted.
Witt eyed Bella with disdain. “Give us the name of the ship.”
“Two minutes,” Turner noted. “I don’t think anyone can hold their breath this long.”
“The Revenge, out of Salé,” she blurted.
Turner patted her head. “That wasn’t so difficult now, was it?” he murmured encouragingly.
“You said you’d pull him up.” Bella gulped.
“Oh, I will,” he said. “In another minute. Or two.”
Tears were streaming down her face, though Bella hardly noticed. She barely breathed as they waited. Finally, Turner gave the order to raise the line. The men were muttering something nervously as they did, and a moment later, everyone could see what had them on edge.
The chains were empty.
Turner howled in rage. “Find him!” he ordered his men. Pointing to the Intrepid’s crew—who had grown silent to a man—he barked, “Stow the officers in the brig, and put the rest in the hold. Anyone not willing to go peacefully can be shot. We’ll decide what to do with them once we return to Tenerife. The boarding crew will stay on the Intrepid and search for Ashford. Everyone else return to the Gypsy and make ready.”
Grabbing Bella painfully by the arm, he said, “You, come with me.”
Witt was fast on their heels, berating the pirate for letting Phillip escape. Turner ignored the ranting and dragged Bella past the Intrepid’s crew, who were being lined up in preparation for their march below deck. The men looked at her apologetically, and several looked as though they were about to step forward on her behalf. Kolton, however, ordered them back into line. Bella was relieved to see that they obeyed.
The quartermaster nodded to her. “Keep your wits, Miss, and you’ll be all right,” he said as she passed him.
Turner yanked her hard away without a word, practically throwing her on top of the bulwark. He dragged her across the gangplank that joined the two ships and ordered the crew to cut the lines of the grappling hooks.
She struggled as much as she dared, not really willing to incur Turner’s wrath. When at last they reached his cabin, he opened the door and shoved her inside. Bella wasted no time putting as much distance as possible between her and the pirate, searching frantically for anything that could be used as a weapon. Fortunately, Turner was busy with Witt, who was still dogging him.
“The girl is the only incentive we have to draw Ashford out,” Witt argued. “If you hurt her...”
Turner took a step toward the other man, causing the pale man to shrink a bit. “I’m the captain, Witt. I’ll deal with this my way,” he warned.
Witt regrouped. “Your way has left us without Ashford and without the boy. The woman is the only leverage we have. Keep her in the open. Tie her to the mast if you like,” he said. “Use her to get to him.”
The pirate shook his head. “When I’m done with her,” he said. “Until then, you’d best get out of my sight.” With that he slammed the cabin door.
He caught sight of Bella and grinned. “All alone, my lovely.”
Bella glared at him, determined not to be cowed. “Don’t touch me,” she warned.
“I promise not to hurt you,” Turner teased, reaching for her.
She dodged his advance and danced away, putting his chart table between them. He feinted left, but she waited until he moved. When he did, she pulled a chair into his path as she scuttled away from him. He didn’t adjust quickly enough and cracked his shin on the wooden leg. Cursing, he hopped a little and resumed tracking her. Desperate to keep him at bay she glanced again for anything she could use. Seeing the navigational tools, she grabbed the sextant and chronometer that were lying on the table.
“I’ll smash them,” she threatened, raising them high. “I wonder what happens to pirate captains who get their crews lost at sea.”
He paused for a moment, debating whether or not she was serious. “I know these waters,” he told her finally.
“Then you don’t need this,” Bella shrugged and threw the timepiece against the wall with as much force as she could. Glass shattered, and the pirate growled, rushing at her.
“I’ll smash this too,” she warned, raising the sextant higher.
He stopped himself. “When I get my hands on you,” his voice low and menacing, “you’re going to wish you hadn’t crossed me.”
She stared him down and offered, “It is my understanding that the mirrors are necessary to the use of this tool. I don’t think you want them broken.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” He took a step forward, scratching his cheek. “‘’Course, the navigator has his own set of instruments.”
Bella raised a brow. “That gives him an awful lot of power over you, Captain. I hope you trust him.”
Turner narrowed his eyes at her, assessing her. “I’ve underestimated you.”
Taking a deep breath, she said, “If you have any sense at all, you won’t touch me.”
“And why is that?” he asked.
She raised her chin high. “Because I’m guessing Witt lied to you.”
“That’s a bold assumption,” Turner said, tracking her as she stepped farther away from him.
Bella continued staring him down, trying to tamp down the fear that was rising in the pit of her stomach. “How much did Witt offer you for capturing me?”
The pirate captain sucked in his cheeks. “Two thousand pounds,” he admitted. “And the Intrepid.”
“He’s taking advantage of your ignorance,” she scoffed. “I’m worth more than that. Much more.”
It was Turner’s turn to scoff. “Ha!”
“I am,” Bella insisted, hoping she sounded convincing. “Have you ever heard of the Duke of Pembroke?”
“Can’t say that your hoity-toity titles mean anything to me,” Turner muttered.
“Hmm,” she sniffed, pretending to seem monumentally offended. “He’s rich,” she said. “One of the richest men in the British Empire.”
“So?” Turner asked, though by the greedy gleam in his eye, Bella knew she’d sparked his interest.
“So,” she said haughtily, “the boy you’ve been chasing—my nephew—is the duke’s only remaining heir. We’re on our way to England so that the duke can recognize him before he dies. He’s going to sign his entire estate over to the boy.”
“I can ransom the lad without your help,” he said, trying to work it through.
“But the estate won’t care about him until the duke acknowledges him,” Bella shook her head, praying the pirate had no clue about the peerage and its legal matters. “The old man is dying. Once he’s gone, I will be Charles’s only living relative. That means I will have full control of his estate until he reaches his majority. I can see to it that you’re compensated for your troubles.”
Turner exhaled. “I don’t believe you,” he said, though he seemed uncertain.
“I was paying Captain Ashford five thousand pounds to bring us to London,” Bella said. “I’ll double that for you—provided you give us safe passage.”
