Captain Vane's Daughter, page 11
"I told the captain as they led him away that I'd do what I could to get him out and when that failed, I promised myself to protect his name."
"After all this time, I'd say you've more than made good on that promise. Now leave her alone."
He shook his head, defiant even on the ground and vulnerable.
I picked up his cutlass and clutched the handle. "I'll keep this until the lady is away from Jamaica."
"That's mine. You can't steal it." Silas sat up and glanced around at the crowd that seemed to have grown larger in the last few minutes. Things must not have been interesting since the fight a couple of nights ago.
One old man in the group said, "He's right. You can't steal his weapon."
"Silas just said when this place wasn't run by the governor that he could've done what he wanted to the lady. I'm merely following his own rule. There was a time on this island when a sword was earned in a fight. I think I earned this one." I stopped and looked at each person in turn. "But I will give it back when the lady is safely away."
"Any thought about when that will be? I'll be needing it ’fore too long,” Silas said.
"Planning on another fight against a woman?" I sneered.
"No. You." Silas lunged at me and grabbed my ankle. He wasn't strong enough to pull me down. I almost kicked him in the face, but decided he wasn't worth it. And besides, I was hungry.
Walking away with the knife, I made my way to Rosie's where I knew I could get a hot meal. And possibly find a ship to get Lydia out of Port Royal.
Inside the inn, I found a table near the back of the dining area. I sat alone for a few minutes, but when the girl came to take my order. She was followed by an old friend who used to sail with me. I almost didn't recognize him as he'd shaved his head and face. "Barnabas. What happened to you? You have no hair."
He laughed and shrugged at the same time. Pulling out a chair, he straddled it. "I don't know. It all fell out. Woke up one day and it was thinner. A few weeks later, it was gone."
"I'm glad to see you. I have a favor."
"I know. I heard. That's why I'm here."
"What?" How would Barnabas know I needed a ship? With a legal Captain?
"You can't imagine that little show you put on out there on the main road went by unnoticed? Everyone on the island is talking about it. In fact, I'd wager that brother of yours will be by any moment." He snickered. "Or maybe he'll send old Bess out here to get you so he doesn't have to sully himself by entering a place of ill repute and harlots."
I couldn't resist joining in the laughter. Yes, Tobias had become a prudish vicar since coming here and he surely wouldn't be seen in this place. Back home in England, it wouldn't have bothered him, but here, he had to ensure his reputation stayed intact. God forbid a parishioner see him in such a place.
“Tobias once told me he couldn’t patronize these establishments because he’d lose his credibility if one of his flock ran into him. I said that was ridiculous. They couldn’t judge him if they were there as well.”
“Good point.” Barnabas tapped the tabletop with his fingers.
“He disagreed. Apparently, he’s held to a higher standard than us mere mortals.” I took a swallow of my ale.
“Lord save us from the saints of the world.” Barnabas clinked his ale against mine. “When would you like to set sail? I was planning to leave in two days anyway and could make room for you and the woman.”
“Is there any chance you could rush your preparations so we’d be able to get her safely away from that crazy old Silas? Good Lord, I thought the man was dead and then he showed up here with cutlass in hand. Where the hell has he been? Does anyone know?”
“No. Rumor started a few nights ago that he was seen over in the cemetery beside your brother’s church, but no one knows where he’s been for years. Must’ve been on the far side of the island.”
The girl from the kitchen brought us our meals.
“I wonder why he’d show up at the same time as this woman, Lydia, appearing and saying she’s Charles Vane’s daughter.” It really was a mystery and one I wanted to solve. Was there a connection? Or was it merely coincidence? I had my doubts about the latter.
“It may be possible for my stores and ship to be ready to cast off on the afternoon tide. I can’t promise, but I’ll certainly urge my men to get it done.”
“That would be helpful. It gives me the morning to find out what I can about Silas and will leave it as only one day to keep Lydia safe from him. She has that man Benedict to guard her, but I’d really like them away from here as soon as possible.” I cut into my fish.
“Rosie sure knows how to cook.” Barnabas inhaled with his nose close to his meat. “That smells fine, doesn’t it?”
“It does. Let’s eat it.”
We both focused on our food for a few moments.
When I sensed a shadow looming over us, my hand went directly to my weapon.
“Excuse me, Mr. Mountbank, but Miss Lydia was asking to see you.” Benedict stood at our table.
“You mean you left her alone?” I stood so fast, my chair clattered to the floor.
“She’s fine. She has her firearm. She’s—”
The sound of a shot from upstairs cut him off midsentence.
I ran to the stairs and took them three at a time.
Chapter Ten
Lydia
I couldn’t believe the nerve of the man Leo had been fighting in the street. Here he stood in my room. He entered almost as soon as Benedict left. “How did you get in?”
I’d felt safe being left alone as I had both the firearm and the knife Benedict had given me. I also didn’t believe the old man would be able to get past the people in the bar and restaurant downstairs and up to this room.
How naïve I was. Leo was completely right about that.
As soon as the man came in the door, I pointed the gun at him. “I suggest you leave me alone. I don’t know how you got in here, but I’m asking you to go. If you set down that key in your hand and walk away, I won’t shoot you and I won’t ask any questions about how you even got it.”
“I’m not going anywhere before I kill you. Then I’ll leave your body here for your dark-skinned lover to find.”
“Why would you want to kill me? I’ve done nothing to you.” My hand shook a little. I prayed the man wouldn’t notice. He might take it as a sign it would be safe to attack me. I refused to remark on his comment about Benedict.
“I have a duty to Captain Vane and I must do what he would have me do.”
“Do you really believe he’d want you to kill an innocent woman?”
“I have no way to know if you’re innocent. In fact, as a woman, it’s most likely you’re going to make trouble.”
“Enough trouble for me to die because of it?”
“Yes, now that you mention it.” He whipped a gun from the back of his belt so fast, I was almost too late getting my own shot off.
Stunned to see that I’d hit him in the arm causing him to drop his own weapon, I darted across the room and kicked his firearm away.
Unsure if he had another on him, I kept mine trained on his head, hoping I could hold him at bay until someone came to assist me. “Move one inch and the next one goes in your head.”
I wasn’t sure if I could kill him, but if it came down to me or him, I would win.
“You already missed. Why would I think you could hit me in the head?”
Before I could answer him, the door slammed all the way open and bounced against the jamb. Leo, Benedict and what had to be at least half the people in the inn must have come charging up the stairs. They filled the room.
Leo practically shoved Benedict in an attempt to be the first to me. But perhaps I imagined that.
“Are you all right?” they asked in unison.
Several people held the old pirate as he wailed about his injuries.
“Is there a constable on the island?” I asked. “This man broke in here with the intention of killing me.”
“I told you it wasn’t a good idea for me to leave you up here alone,” Benedict said.
“It’s done. We can’t change it, but at least for now, I’m all right.” I wiped the back of my hand over my forehead. Could one sweat fear from the pores on the face?
“Did he say what he wanted? Besides killing you, I mean,” Leo asked.
“No but I imagine we’ll find out soon enough.” I nodded toward the pirate as a couple of men in British Army uniforms appeared to take him into their custody.
"Where will they take him?" I asked Leo.
"Probably to the garrison. They'll question him and you as well since you actually fired the shot."
"I can't be in trouble for defending myself in the rooms I paid to rent. Isn't there some law in this God-forsaken place about being safe on your own premises whether owned or let?" This was not to be borne. Stunned, I stared at Leo, waiting for an answer.
I should've known he'd have a cheeky response. "This place isn't God-forsaken. We have the inestimable reverend Tobias Mountbank to watch over his flock."
"Stop being an imbecile and tell me if I'm going to be hanged for protecting my own life."
Panic washed over me. My God. Could that truly happen?
A soldier stepped forward and looked at me. "Could you come with us, ma'am?"
"You say that as if I have a choice. Do I?"
"I'm afraid not. We're here as peacekeepers and need to question you about what occurred." His face was kind, but I could tell by the way he held himself that I better accompany him willingly.
Having no desire to be embarrassed by being dragged from the premises, I said, "If you'll allow me one moment to pull on my slippers. I'm afraid I was dozing with my stays loosened and stockings off when that man barged in here with his gun drawn."
He inclined his head. "That will be fine, but please don't make any more statements before we get to headquarters. My captain wouldn't like you and I chatting about the events of today without him present."
So much for trying to make the man take pity and help me. Terrified, with sweat rolling down my back, I'd hoped to make an ally of the man.
"I'm coming along," Leo said.
"And so am I," Benedict said.
The army man said, "I can't stop you from walking peacefully down the street, but be sure, you won't be allowed in the inside the fort or the interrogation room."
My stomach threatened to empty what little contents it had at the word interrogation.
It was all I could do to squeak out the word. "Interrogation?"
"Yes, ma'am. It's where we interview people and where you'll be taken."
Leo tossed me a grin as if that would reassure me. "Interview is a much kinder word. Can we use that one instead?"
The soldier merely shook his head, not deigning to acknowledge Leo. “Make yourself decent and we’ll be on our way.”
I made haste to put on my slippers but left off the stockings. With all the men in my room, it was not my plan to entertain them by the sight of my bare legs.
When I nodded at the officer, he clicked his heels and took me by the elbow, leading me past everyone and down the stairs.
As we made our way to the front door, the smell of hot meats and spices assailed my nose and I almost collapsed from hunger as well as the fear that clutched my insides. My knees gave way and I stumbled.
“Come along. The sooner I deliver you to the captain, the sooner I can get to my evening meal.” The man was practically dragging me along.
“Will I be provided a meal? I haven’t eaten for most of the day.”
“You’ll be fed something while there, I imagine. Depends on how long they are with the man as he’ll be interrogated first.”
He marched me up the street past a number of curious people who stopped to watch and whisper. Probably wondering what I’d done. If I’d stolen some bread from the baker, perhaps.
With both Leo and Benedict following behind us, I imagine the residents of the town thought we were some odd parade.
Surprisingly, the walk wasn’t long and before I was ready, I was being taken inside the fort.
The soldier made Leo and Benedict stop where the guards stood. He led me in past the sentries and across a forecourt.
I could hear Leo shout, “We’ll be inside to assist you as soon as we can.”
Hoping he was right and I wasn’t doomed to stay here in this fort for the rest of my life, I glanced up at the stoic man leading me. “Where are you taking me?”
“To a cell to await my captain’s pleasure. I’m sure it won’t be too long. I’ll ask the kitchen crew to send you something to eat while you wait.”
We arrived at an area that looked like it led to caves or some other equally as foul places.
When we came to a large metal door, the man stuck a large key into the lock and opened it. “I’m sorry, but this is the best I can offer. We don’t have much call for a room for women. Most of them don’t behave in a manner that requires them to be brought in to see the captain.”
Not sure whether he was complimenting me, shaming me or apologizing for the accommodation, I nodded and entered the compartment.
As soon as I was inside, my spirits fell even further. This was surely a jail cell. And I was probably going to hang.
The sound of the key turning again was the end for me. I collapsed to the floor and sobbed.
When my tears were spent, I sighed deeply and decided I’d at least see where I was and if there was any hope of somehow escaping my situation.
Standing and brushing the dirt from the floor off my clothing, I paced the area. There wasn’t much to see. It had an arched roof and was quite dark inside.
My eyes eventually got used to the lack of light and I made out a large boulder that appeared to be the only place to sit. There was also a bucket in the far corner, which I didn’t even want to think what it had been used for.
It wasn’t as if I wasn’t familiar with their use, but I was used to someone to take it away as needed. And when I was living with my grandmother, I was the one to empty these pots often even though my mother’s mother had plenty of servants. She said it would make me stronger.
All I knew was I didn’t want to be in this place. Locked in at that. I shuddered and prayed for a swift resolution of this part of my life.
Hopefully I wasn’t fated to die in the same manner and in the same place as my father.
The thought of Captain Vane gave me a boost of energy. I knew he’d been held in a cell for a while before his hanging. Could it have even been this very one?
Running my hands along the wall as I eased my way around the perimeter of the room, I searched with my hands to try to determine if anyone had scratched anything into it.
Periodically, my fingers would trace something that seemed as if someone stuck in here for a period of time had etched lines as if to count days. Perhaps they did so by keeping track of the meals they were served.
Thinking of my stomach again, I wished again for something to eat.
Since it didn’t seem as if the food would ever arrive, I continued my circuit of the room.
Startled from my concentration a few moments later by someone calling out. “Here’s some hot food for you,” I dashed to the metal door.
A young boy stood there with a tray. Whatever was on it at least smelled good. Not as good as the food that was being served at Rosie’s, but at least it was a meal and was hot.
“Not much today, I’m afraid. You coming in this late in the day, the cook had to find something for you.”
I was hoping the boy would unlock the door even though I had no idea where I’d run if I were to escape. Besides, I didn’t really have the energy after last night’s lack of sleep because of a man in my bed and being scared of Nathaniel. To say nothing of the lack of food in my stomach this day.
“I can’t be opening the door so I’ll slide this under the bottom. Once you’re done, you can slide it back out and someone will come fetch it.”
“Thank you very much. Can I ask you a question?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“How old are you and how did you come to be working for the cook in a military fort?”
“That there’s more than I be wanting ta answer.” He knelt and pushed the tray under the bottom and left me alone with my food and drink.
At this point, I didn’t care what it was. It was going to be eaten, but first, I had to know, was the captain coming soon to question me. I rattled the spoon they left me against the rails of the door, but no one came.
Giving up, I decided to eat. My hands were filthy and disgusting from my exploration of the walls, but it seemed that might be something I’d have to get used to. A sob escaped. I sniffed back my tears and opened the lid on the meal.
My stomach turned, but I shut my eyes and stuck the spoon into the glop of what appeared to be congealed soup. It would either fill me up or kill me. At this point, I didn’t care which.
Leo
When that arrogant soldier left Benedict and me standing at the gates to the fort as if we were mere beggars on the street, my ire rose and I wanted nothing more than to punch someone or something. My fists clenched of their own volition.
Benedict reached over and tapped my right hand. "Save that for later."
"Later?"
"In case we need to break her out of there."
"How do you plan to accomplish that? If you haven't noticed, it's an armed fortress manned by a large number of soldiers." Had I been mistaken about Benedict? Was he actually an imbecile of some sort? Was that why Lydia worried about him and where he was at all times?
"First, I plan to stroll in there and ask kindly for them to release her. If that don't work, I'll find a way."
"I'm sorry to say that's not much of a plan. I'd rather we had a stronger idea of what happens if they don't kindly release her as you say.”
He held up his left hand. "God will provide. He always does."
