How strange it was that this pleasant-enough girl he’d woken to was his betrothed. He burned to tell her immediately that they’d never marry, but he only listened as she said, “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re alive. We’ll be able to build a good life back in Jamaica once you’re well enough to travel. Or England, even.”
“What of this place?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “Don’t worry yourself about it. My father will see us set up nicely elsewhere. No matter how stubborn your father is. As I said, nothing to worry about! Susanna is lovely, and she’s told me so much about you. I feel I know you already.”
“Uh…” This was the part where he should say something kind in return, but he could only blink at her, his mind blank.
Susanna appeared, thank goodness. “Oh! You’re awake again. Mr. Taggart is here.”
The tall, balding man had much to say about how lucky Nathaniel was and how the wound nearly killed him outright, never mind the infection. Elizabeth and Susanna stood back, giving the surgeon room, but Walter strode right in and practically elbowed him aside.
“Are you finally in your right mind?” he demanded.
Nathaniel blinked up at his father, seeing him again for the first time in years. The curls of his white wig were perfectly powdered, and his pale shirt, waistcoat, jacket, and breeches weren’t creased despite the syrupy heat.
Nathaniel had remembered him as an old man but saw now that he was still relatively young. His face was lined as he neared fifty years, but his spine was straight, a sharp vibrancy about him that called to mind a knife’s edge.
“Yes, Father.”
Walter seemed slightly mollified. “Well, good. Since you were almost murdered by that pirate, we’ve been eager for you to recover.”
“I… Thank you. But H—he didn’t stab me. Captain Hawk. It was your emissary.”
Walter laughed like the crack of a whip. “Nonsense. Your mind is clearly still muddled. Surgeon?”
“Oh yes, some confusion is quite natural. Don’t trouble yourself, m’lord.”
“But I’m telling you, it wasn’t the captain or any of his men who injured me.”
Mr. Taggart leaned over Nathaniel. “Now, now. Don’t agitate yourself. Too much laudanum will slow your recovery.”
Nathaniel cringed at the thought of the bitter medicine and the powerless, long sleep it brought. He needed his rest, but also required his wits about him. “I simply want the truth to be known.”
His father stared at him imperiously. “The truth is that one of the most dreaded pirates in the New World kidnapped you and almost killed you once he had his ransom. They are a scourge that must be destroyed. All those devils care for is money.” He glanced around the room. “Of course I would have paid any sum to see my son returned.”
As the surgeon and Elizabeth nodded in agreement, Susanna piped up with, “I thought Bart said it was mostly counterfeit anyway.”
Walter gritted his teeth. “Regardless, the Sea Hawk shall hang. That is all that matters.” Belatedly, he added, “And that Nathaniel is safe.” Sighing, he seemed to soften, coming closer to the bed to rest his hand on Nathaniel’s arm. “We were greatly concerned for your welfare.”
Despite everything, Nathaniel still wanted to believe his father cared, cringing at the childish longing welling up.
A bewigged man appeared in the doorway. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Governor, we have a problem.”
“What is it?” Walter snapped. “Can’t you see I’m tending to my son, who was nearly murdered by pirates?”
“More wood is needed to board up windows on the main street as the storm approaches.”
“Then get more bloody wood! Why should I be concerned with such trivial matters?”
“There aren’t enough men left to cut it. As it transpires, several transports left yesterday for Jamaica in advance of the storm. More citizens fleeing.”
Clearly all was not well in the least on Primrose Isle. Nathaniel wanted to ask for the details, but didn’t wish to anger Walter any further at the moment.
“We’ll need to board up our windows as well, won’t we?” Susanna asked.
With a tight smile, Walter said, “Everything is in hand. Don’t worry, my dear. Rest up, Nathaniel. When the storm has passed, the pirate will arrive and his trial will begin. Your ordeal will soon be at an official end.”
Walter strode out before Nathaniel could argue, and the surgeon banished the ladies to examine Nathaniel’s wound thoroughly, poking and prodding, humming to himself from time to time.
Finally, he said, “It’s healing well, now that the infection has passed. You’ll be up and about soon enough.” He glanced at the darkening sky through the closest window. “Rest up, and by the time the sun returns, you’ll be out of bed.”
If his sluggish mind understood it all correctly, the storm’s passing would herald Hawk’s arrival. Nathaniel nodded. “Yes. I’ll certainly be on my feet by then.”