Chapter 21

Alex’s hopes began to rise as they rowed against the current through the narrow passage. The Angelica had engaged the schooner, and to his horror he watched as a cannonball came very close to striking the port side of the boat.

Cary must already be on board, and Hestia was obviously with him. The last thing he wanted was for the schooner to go to the bottom of the sea before he’d rescued her.

Jacob, of course, spoke his thoughts. “The silly bastards are going to sink the schooner.”

To add to the woes, Alex could see the anchor chain slowly rising out of the sea. Fredrick was going to make a run for it.

It seemed like an eternity before they managed to reach the Angelica. The three men clambered aboard and Alex instantly halted the cannon fire. “We can’t sink her, we need to get close enough to board. Lady Hestia is on board.”

The only thing on their side was that the usual strong trade winds were absent. The schooner’s sails barely moved in the light breeze. The Angelica, being a much larger ship, had larger sails. They were catching every bit of breeze available, which meant the Angelica was turning faster than the schooner. Just as Alex began to hope Fredrick’s escape would be short-lived, looking through his spyglass he spotted a larger ship rounding the bay farther down the coast.

A cold sweat broke over his body. He’d recognize that ship anywhere.

Murad.

He slowly lowered the spyglass and motioned for Jacob to join him. He pointed down the coast and handed Jacob the device.

Jacob looked long and hard and issued a curse. “Well, you wanted to go after Murad. Seems like he’s found you. He can’t be that ill then. Best we rescue the lass as quickly as possible and send her safely back to Costa.”

“It would be better if she could sail far away from here as soon as possible even if with Fredrick. But if I leave her with Fredrick, I probably won’t be able to find her again.”

“You better hurry and make up your mind what you are going to do. You can’t leave her with Cary. Her life would be over. Being married to that man would be enough to make anyone jump overboard.”

“How long before Murad’s ship’s cannons come into range?” Alex thought they probably had about half an hour before Murad could attack them.

“Half an hour or an hour if we’re lucky. Not much wind.” Jacob looked across toward the schooner. “We will be in gunshot distance in ten minutes. Let’s go get your girl.”

The schooner, being smaller, carried fewer men, and once the gun battle began, the attack was over almost before it started.

Alex swung on a rope across the sea between the two boats and onto the deck of the schooner, which was covered in fighting men. He stepped over one dead sailor making his way to the galley. Before he could step inside, Hestia appeared with Fredrick close behind her. He had a pistol pointed at the back of her skull.

“Well met, Cary. If you let her go I might let you live.”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to dictate terms.” Cary wrapped an arm around Hestia’s waist and pulled her back against his chest. “Did you honestly think your trick with her lady’s maid in England would work? It must be a surprise to see me here.”

“Not a surprise, merely a nuisance,” Alex bluffed.

Fredrick’s grip on Hestia’s arm tightened. “Now, why don’t you take all your men and get back on that large ship of yours, while I quietly sail away with my new bride?” He gave an evil smile. “Or I can simply shoot her.”

Hestia gave a small cry as she slowly nodded her head at the question in Alex’s eyes. They were married.

“That’s right, Bedford. The vicar was kind enough to marry us, and I have the papers to prove it.”

“I did not agree to this marriage, nor did the vicar marry us of his free will. Nor were there any witnesses.”

Frederick laughed. “Alex and I quite understand that once I get you with child no one is going to look too closely at the legalities of our wedding.”

Alex’s fury rose and his face paled. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Who says I haven’t taken her already?”

Alex gave a dangerous smile. “You haven’t had time. Although your reputation says otherwise, the necessity of your escape means even you wouldn’t have been quick enough.”

They were running out of time. Murad’s ship was inching closer by the second. All of them were in danger. Luckily, Jacob had boarded the schooner too and snuck up behind Fredrick. His evil smile vanished when Jacob hit him from behind with the butt of his pistol, knocking him out cold.

Alex raced and gathered Hestia into his arms. The men had placed a gangplank between the two ships, and Jacob ordered the men to lower the schooner’s anchor. That would slow Murad down by putting the schooner between his ship and the Angelica. Alex let out a piercing whistle and all his men left the schooner. Jacob then picked up the unconscious Fredrick and followed Alex back to his ship.

Alex carried Hestia down to his cabin and laid her gently on the bed. She looked exhausted and had a split lip where Frederick had obviously slapped her. “Other than your lip, are you physically hurt?” She shook her head. “Did he hurt you in any other way?”

“I know what you’re asking, but like you said, he didn’t really have time. He was more interested in getting to his ship so he could slip away. I was so scared you wouldn’t come in time.”

He watched as tears welled in her eyes, and he gently brushed them away. “Don’t cry, darling. I hate it when you cry.”

She gave a sob. “I didn’t know if you knew to look for me. I had no idea that David was going to kidnap me, and I was sure you’d never think he’d do such a thing.” She took his hand. “I’m so sorry. Fredrick shot David. I saw his body in the church. So sorry that you lost a friend because of me.”

He pressed a swift kiss to her lips as he wiped the tear from her cheek. “I’m not sure how much of a friend he truly was. I’d like to think he meant well. I honestly think he thought he was saving you from me.”

Her brow wrinkled as she frowned. “I don’t need saving from you. I love you. I would never have married David.”

Her warmth and love embraced him. He loved her too, but now was not the time to tell her. “Jacob is lowering a boat. He’s going to take you back to Costa.” He bit back the fear that if he didn’t win this battle against Murad, it would likely be the pirates attacking Costa next, and she would be in grave danger. If Murad learned she was on this island no one was safe. Best send her to her father.

“So you are going after Murad.” Her smile dimmed and she pulled her hands from where he held them. “I thought I might be enough for you. That you might have given up your need to seek revenge and chosen me and a life we could have together instead.”

“I wish that I could. But we don’t always get what we wish for.” He knew he should tell her the truth, that it was too late. Tell her that if he had this time again he would have chosen her over his thirst for revenge. She was right, revenge would not change anything about his years in captivity, nor would they bring Tulay back.

“I do choose you. I just wish I had understood that sooner. It seems all my life I have made the wrong decisions. Perhaps David was right, you would be better off without me.”

Hestia cupped his cheek in her palm. “If you choose me and stay with me, then turn this ship around and let’s sail back to England. We can send word to my father that we have captured Fredrick.”

Just then there was a knock on the door. Jacob poked his head in the room. “We have to go. I’ve organized Ned and two of the men to row her to shore.”

“I’m not going. I’m going to stay with you. I have every right to seek revenge against Murad as well. If you go, I go. When do we sail?”

“Sail? Lass, Murad and his cannons will be upon us in under twenty minutes.”

She looked at Alex in disbelief. He merely shrugged his shoulders. “Like I said, sometimes we don’t have a choice. It’s too late, he found me. And if you want me to beat him, you’ll give me peace of mind and be safe on shore.”

Hestia jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. “I’m only prepared to go because I want you to be totally focused on beating him and safely return to me.”

With that Jacob took her by the arm and began pulling her out of the room. She gave Alex one long, lingering look. He could see the fear and the love shining in her eyes. “I promise I’ll be careful.” And he meant those words. He followed the pair up on deck. He took Ned aside and said, “Once you get to Costa, he’ll supply you with fresh horses. Don’t waste any time. Start heading inland. Head for Corfu Town and her father. If we are successful, the Angelica will meet you there. If we are not, then get Lady Hestia and her father onto a ship and heading back to England as soon as possible.”

“Aye, Your Grace.”

“Good lad.”

Then he turned to Hestia. “Go with Ned and promise me you’ll do everything he says. He’ll take you to your father. It will be a hard two-day journey, but the farther you are from the sea the safer you will be.” He put a finger to her lips to stop her rebuking him. “I will see you in Corfu Town. I have too much to live for to let Murad win again.”

“I shall be waiting. Always waiting.”

Alex stood watching as the rowboat was lowered into the water and headed back through the narrow passage. Only when it was finally out of sight did he turn to face his nemesis. His enemy’s ship was almost within striking range. He looked around at his men. Cannons were at the ready, and with the Angelica already in full sail, he hoped his ship had the power to win.

He had to win. He desperately wanted a life with Hestia. It was as if a lightning bolt had illuminated the thoughts in his head. It wasn’t revenge that would heal him. It was her love. Love was more powerful than hate, because you could never kill it. Even if Murad succeeded in killing him, he would live on in Hestia’s heart.

Buoyed by grim determination, Alex strode to the helm. He nodded at Jacob, standing down on the poop deck. Jacob yelled out, “Fire,” and the loud explosion of cannon fire disturbed the tranquil setting. This time he would take the fight to Murad. And this time they would win.