When the captain called his crew to the main deck the next morning, Nelson wasn't sure what to expect. He knew, from the shouting during the night, that something had been amiss, but he assumed it had been a petty argument amongst drunken sailors. The captain called the men up early, and Nelson hadn't even had time to check on Julianne, though he was sure his sister was fine. Julianne was always fine.
"Last night," Wade told his crew, walking back and forth in front of them, hands behind his back. "I was surprised to discover that my first mate had no further interest in being a member of this crew." Wade paused for a moment, meeting the eyes of each of his men before adding, "In fact, he attempted to shoot me."
A series of gasps shot out of the mouths of the sailors. Betrayed? Wade? What had happened? Though Nelson had no knowledge of Rupert's intended mutiny or who could have been involved, he suddenly wished he had checked on Julianne sooner. Was she okay? Had anything happened to her? Had Wade discovered her?
As if reading his mind, Wade met Nelson's eyes and held them for just a minute too long. Nelson had his answer. He wanted to flee, to run, to hide. He wanted to get to her. He felt his eyes grow wide as Wade stared at him, but then the captain moved on and continued speaking.
"Fortunately, I was not alone when Rupert approached me. My colleague, and the newest member of our crew, was with me." A murmur spread amongst the sailors. A colleague? Who was new? They looked at each other, mumbling and shrugging. No one knew what was going on.
"Hello, boys," Nelson heard his sister's familiar voice and his mouth dropped open when he saw her. Julianne was dressed in slops and a loose top. Her hair fell in long, loose curls over her shoulders. Her feet were bare, but so were most of the men's, so it wasn't strange. Nelson cocked his head as he looked at her, but Julianne ignored him. What the hell had happened last night?
"This is Julianne," the captain spoke again, silencing the crowd. "And she will be continuing with us on this here journey. When Rupert cornered me, I was preparing to leave a meeting with Julianne. She had just brought me new information about our search for Mad Drake's gold."
A few of the sailors nodded appreciatively, seemingly pleased with the information. Others shook their heads, obviously disgruntled with the idea of a woman on the ship. While Nelson knew that some ships managed to function well with a female on board, many pirates still hated the idea. There was a notion that women were bad luck, and that was a rumor Nelson thought would never die.
"When Rupert pulled out his pistol, I gave Julianne the signal to kill him, which she did." Nelson knew that this was not entirely true. In fact, he knew that it wasn't true at all. What Wade needed right now, though, was not the truth. What he needed was for his men to continue to fear him and find him unbeatable in battle. He needed his men to respect him. He needed to send a message that if anyone was in cahoots with Rupert, they could face the same fate.
Nelson didn’t know why the captain was sparing his sister’s life, but he knew that it was only obvious to him. He was the only one who knew about The Dark Lovely’s stowaway, after all. He was the only one who could be certain that until yesterday, no one but he knew Julianne existed on the ship.
“I will not tolerate a mutiny,” the Captain said, and all eyes were glued to him. “Any of ye start thinkin’ you’re better than what ye are, and there’ll be hell to pay and a plank to walk, and in that order.”
Captain Wade Docherty went on to explain all of the ways he would torture and kill his crew if he caught any of them in cahoots to overthrow his rule of The Dark Lovely. Nelson started to tune out the words. He’d heard them all before and at this point, he knew this was all just for show. There wasn’t going to be a mutiny, but the Saucy Devil still had to ensure no one started feeling brave in the weeks to come.
They were closer than ever to the coveted treasure, and if what Wade said about new information was true, there could be a breakthrough. They might be able to find it soon. After all of this time, Nelson knew that this was what Wade wanted more than anything else in the world. His sister’s name caught his attention and Nelson turned back to Wade.
“Miss Rye is here as my consultant. She is not to be bothered by the likes of you scallywags.”
No one spoke as the sailors continued to eye Julianne. Nelson knew that his sister was a beautiful woman, but he hated the idea that these men were looking at her in such a manner. He knew they were hoping for a quick lay after a long day at sea. He knew they were thinking of ways to seduce her. Nelson spoke up.
"Captain," he said. Wade turned to him with an expressionless face, and Nelson continued. "Do you intend for her to stay on the mess deck with us?" A few of the sailors started hooting and hollering, but one look from Wade shut them right up.
"Julianne will stay with me, Rye." Nelson nodded, not sure whether to be pleased that she would be safe from the sailors or nervous that she would be alone with Wade.
"That'll be all," the captain told his men, and the group quietly dispersed to prepare for their early morning departure. As the crowd scattered, Nelson remained behind, and Wade motioned for him. "Meet me in my cabin," he said with a low growl.
Nelson obeyed.
**
When Wade arrived at his room a few minutes later, Julianne was sitting quietly on the bed and Nelson was pacing nervously in the center of the room. He wondered if the boy was afraid he'd be killed for keeping a stowaway on board or if he was relieved that Wade had decided to spare his sister's life.
The captain entered the room with broad, quick strides and marched right over to Nelson. He raised his hand and slapped him in the face, the way he would silence an unruly servant or an insolent woman. Nelson did not react, not even to cry out or to rub his cheek. He knew he was getting off easy.
"Never again," he told Nelson, "will ye lie to me on my ship. The next time, I won't be so forgiving."
Nelson nodded.
"Tell no one Julianne is your sister," Wade continued. "For her own safety, no one can know. She will stay with me as we continue to seek Mad Drake's gold until she chooses, of her own accord, that she no longer wishes to experience a life of piracy." Though Wade had no intention of keeping Julianne as a prisoner, a small part of him hoped she would stay with him, at least for awhile. There was something about her so enticing, so pure, that he worried he would quickly become addicted to her.
"Aye-aye," Nelson said. Wade jerked his head toward the door, letting Nelson know that he was excused, but the boy paused at the door and turned back.
"Captain?"
Wade turned and raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you for saving my sister."