Thirty-four

Emma was trapped. She was crammed in her own large trunk, on top of her gowns and medical kit. Was Dare trying to help her? Why had he stuffed her in a crate? Nothing was making sense and she was having a difficult time catching her breath.

Should she try to break free? Pound on the lid until someone released her? Panic surged through her. She needed to get out!

The lid of the trunk suddenly lifted, and Dare’s face appeared once more. “Stay hidden. I swear I will see you safe or die in the trying.”

Emma took a breath and only had a second to shift her position before the lid was shut once more. The sounds became muffled as she tried to ascertain what was happening. If Dare was there to rescue her, why did she need to hide? Something was very wrong. No, everything was very wrong.

Voices drew near, commands were barked, and the chest was lifted up and swung around. She clenched her jaw tight to avoid screaming and giving herself away. One side of the trunk dropped, and she banged her head against the side. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out.

Dare cursed at someone, using a tone and language she had never heard from him before. Another man responded in an apologetic manner, and her trunk was lifted again. She had no choice but to trust Dare, and she prayed he knew what to do and would keep her safe. The trunk swayed again, and she began to pray earnestly that she would not be dropped into the ocean. Her pulse pounded so loud in her ears she feared it could be heard by the men outside. She almost wanted to scream just so she could be released from her prison. Her coffin.

The trunk was moved and jostled and tipped until she felt she could take it no longer. Dare’s voice came again, near yet muffled, and she focused on the sound of it. As long as she could hear him, she had hope. He was there. It was all she had to hold on to.

At last, the trunk was set down onto solid ground. “Oh!” cried Emma when the lid of the trunk finally swung open and she was allowed a breath of fresh air. Immediately, a hand clamped down over her mouth.

Emma stared into the eyes of a man she thought she knew. Captain Lord Darington glared back at her with a ferocity she had never before seen. His hand over her mouth was rough, and he made no attempt to be gentle about it. Dare demanded silence, and even if she not been inclined to comply, the shock of seeing such a wild man would have stunned her into remaining mute.

Dare pulled her from the trunk, glancing over his shoulder. She was in a different ship’s cabin and she guessed Dare had taken her on board the Lady Kate. They were alone in what appeared to be the captain’s dayroom, the door shut and bolted. Emma was relieved to be out of the trunk and away from Captain Grimes, but her hope that she was now in safe hands was lessened greatly by the unorthodox manner of her arrival on board and the stern manner of her reception.

He drew her to himself, so close her bosom pressed up against his chest in a manner that would have made her gasp had she not feared reprisal for a sound.

“Not a word,” he breathed into her ear in so low a register she could barely make out the words. It was an unnecessary rejoinder, since he had made his wishes quite known.

She gave a quick nod of understanding as a knock came to the door. Before she could react, Dare grabbed her elbow and shoved her through a narrow side door with a hatch so low they both had to duck their heads to get through. The smaller cabin appeared to be Dare’s private quarters. He gave her an ominous look and shut the door in her face.

Emma took a deep breath and leaned on the nearest object for support, only to jump back when she realized she was resting on the barrel of a cannon.

“Enter!” came Dare’s voice, and she could hear a man enter the captain’s dayroom. She pressed her ear to the door, trying to discern what was going on around her and why her entry onto Dare’s ship had taken place in such a clandestine and uncomfortable manner.

“Mr. Pricket, we must take inventory of the transferred cargo.”

“Aye, Cap’n, the tally’s underway,” the man replied with confidence.

“I hope by honest men, if they can be found on this ship.”

“As honest as we have,” replied Pricket with less certainty.

“Do you know your letters, sir?” asked the captain.

“Aye, sir, for me job, I can function.”

“Good. This trunk needs to be inventoried with the rest. Take note, if you please.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Let the log show six gowns of various types, one coat—”

“That’s a pelisse, Cap’n, and a nice one. And that one there is a ball gown, while those two are day gowns,” said Mr. Pricket with surprising accuracy.

Emma’s face heated substantially as she listened to the men describe her belongings. The thought that her personal effects were being inventoried by Darington and a common sailor sent her heart racing into some sort of palpitation.

“Thank you, Mr. Pricket,” replied Dare in quelling tones. “There are additionally two wraps and sundry unmentionables.”

“Oh, now, let me see those ladybird’s knickers. Oh, she was a fancy thing, weren’t she?”

“Mr. Pricket!”

Emma feared she might expire on the spot while the men inspected her unmentionables.

“Oh, lacy, they are. Good quality. You think she was one of those fancy high fliers? These is nice things. She weren’t no wharf wench.”

“Enough, Mr. Pricket!” said Dare in a warning tone.

“Aye, Cap’n.”

“Let the log show a medical kit and articles for a lady’s toilet. Do we have a surgeon aboard?”

“No, ain’t got no bone setters or limb launchers.”

“Then I will keep these items here and use the medical kit to treat ailments as necessary and to the best of my ability.”

“Very good, Cap’n.”

The voices went silent, and Emma leaned against a small desk for stability. Her hands shook and her legs threatened to buckle. The captain’s quarters consisted of a small, unadorned room containing a built-in bed, a small desk, a chair…and a cannon.

The door opened once more and Dare stood before her. She had thought she could not blush any more, but at the sight of him, her cheeks burned. Not only had her unmentionables been inspected by Darington, but she was also still dressed only in her thin chemise.

Dare opened his mouth and then shut it again. It was the first time she had seen him unsure since her awkward arrival. For her part, she was too mortified to speak. He leaned in close to her ear, his cheek brushing momentarily across hers. Her heart, which had been beating at a gallop, skipped a beat and she pressed her hand to her chest.

“I do apologize,” he whispered in her ear. “It was against protocol to bring a trunk into my private quarters. Makes the men think I’m hiding something. Can’t have them sneaking in to look at what’s inside.”

Emma nodded, trying to understand. She turned her head to whisper back into his ear and brushed her lips across his jawline in the process. It was accidental, but the contact sent thrilling ripples through her. “Why put me in the trunk?”

He clenched his jaw before leaning back toward her to answer. “These are men without scruple. If they saw you so attired, they would take you for… They would not understand. They would not show restraint. Must keep your reputation intact and can’t do that if they know you’re here. Best to keep you hidden until I can return you to shore.”

“Have you settled accounts already with Harcourt?”

Dare shook his head. “I tracked him to the Kestrel.”

“You found him?”

“Yes, I hope so. We were following him, but lost him…”

“Because you stopped to rescue me.” Realization dawned at what Dare had given up to attack a British ship and save her. “No, you must go on to find him. Heaven only knows when you could find him again and what more trouble he could make for your family if you do not stop him now.”

Dare shook his head with grim determination. “I must set you safe on shore in Portsmouth. But why…why were you on the Rooster?” Dare gave her an anxious glare.

Shame at being found in such a compromising position pricked at her skin. With as few words as possible, not wanting to linger on the unfortunate situation, she explained how running into her stepbrother had led to the unfortunate decision to put her faith in Captain Grimes.

“Oh, Emma,” whispered Dare, his breath hot on her neck. “I should not have left you.”

Her body shivered in response. Immediately, he grabbed a folded blanket from his bed and wrapped it around her. She breathed in his scent, knowing it was only making her body tremble even more.

“I shall have you back to port soon,” he reassured, standing close so his faint whisper to her could be heard.

It was Emma’s turn to shake her head firmly. “But I cannot go back to Portsmouth. Eustace is looking for me.”

“My sister can—”

“Your sister is much engaged at present, and I would not think of interfering with her wedding plans. Besides, if you return now, Harcourt will get away.”

“I fear that has already occurred, so it does not matter.”

“No, I refuse to give up. Did you not tell me the Lady Kate was one of the fastest ships on the seas? Could you catch up to him?”

Dare paused. “It is too dangerous for you.”

“I fear it will be dangerous for me, and all of us, if we do not. What is to keep him from coming back and effecting revenge against you again, and me as well, since he knows my attachment…my connection with you?” Emma stuttered, not sure how to phrase her relationship with the Earl of Darington.

“I cannot put you at risk. I had to take on a new crew, one that I do not trust. You are not safe if they find you.”

“I trust you can keep me safe.” Emma’s hand brushed against his as they stood near. She trailed a finger across his hand and he took it in his.

Dare looked down, shaking his head.

Emma knew what she needed to do. She had questioned her faith in a moment of desperation, but seeing Dare restored it once more.

“God has brought you to rescue me twice, but I cannot think that it was done to prevent you from confronting Harcourt. I have faith that I will be safe with you. I fear I must insist that you apprehend the criminal Harcourt.” Emma spoke in a hushed whisper, trying to keep her words soft yet convey her determination.

Dare took a deep breath. “If we go after him, you will not be safe.”

“There is nowhere safer for me than with you,” she replied. She had fallen into doubt today; she would not do it again.

He shook his head, but he was clearly torn. “I cannot assure your safety.”

“Truly, only the Lord can do that. You prayed today, and it seems your prayers were answered. Maybe you should do it more often.”

“Maybe.” He bowed his head, touching his forehead to hers. “I hope going after Harcourt is the right choice. Stay hidden.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze before releasing her.

Dare straightened and his face hardened into a cold mask. He brought her trunk into his quarters and, with a final grim-faced nod, locked her in without further commentary.

Emma took a long, shaky breath and collapsed onto the bed. She stared at the long, iron barrel of the cannon. She was committed now.