Kidnapped by the Pirate

“Please, Susie. If you alert Bart, it will put him in an untenable position. He must remain blameless so you can start anew in Jamaica. I’m leaving, one way or another. I’m embarking on a new life. I must look the part. It’s silly, I know. An earring. It feels symbolic, though.”

“A new life as a pirate?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that I must save him. And even if…” The idea that Hawk wouldn’t want him after everything was a lead ball in his gut, and he tasted bile, the uncertainty of it all gnawing at his nerves. “Even if it doesn’t turn out the way I want, Nathaniel Bainbridge will be dead. I must forge a new path, and you must go to Jamaica with Bart and get out from under Father’s thumb. He doesn’t care about any of us. Only his own glory. He’s gone mad.”

“I know. Oh, Nathaniel. But I only just got you back.” Her eyes glistened in the candlelight.

He whispered, “Tell me you understand.”

Lips trembling, she gave another look over her shoulder at the closed door to her chambers, where Bart snored faintly. Then she took the candle and bent over the jewelry box, putting on a brave face, voice quavering. “Silver or gold?”

His throat was so thick he could barely answer, “Gold.”

After several moments, she straightened up and set down the candle on the polished wood dresser. He turned his pierced ear toward her, and she gently inserted a small, simple hoop. “There. You look quite the swashbuckler now.”

“Thank you.” He barely managed to get the words out.

She inspected her jewelry box. “Here. You must take all of these. I have pearls, and these earrings are ruby. Oh, this necklace as well. And these. None should have been mine in the first place. Father likely cheated them from someone.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

She gave him a sharp look. “Open your pockets. You certainly can. And you will.”

He nodded, not speaking for fear he’d sob. They embraced fiercely, and he inhaled her lavender scent, resting his cheek against her soft, wild curls.

Nathaniel told himself it was a luxury most people were never afforded—to know beyond doubt it was the last time he’d see her. They would never meet again in this life barring a miracle, but as he tore himself away and picked up the candle, he said a quick prayer for a merciful reunion in the next.

“I shall think of you always and wish you only happiness.” Susanna took a shuddering, wet breath as he opened the door to the hall.

Nathaniel couldn’t resist turning for a last look, hating that he could see the tears so clearly on her cheeks even though she stood half in shadow beyond the candle’s reach. “And I you. Always.” Tears streamed down his own face.

He plunged into the corridor with his satchel, carefully slinging it over his shoulder, wincing as pain lanced through his stomach. Downstairs, light shone from beneath the door of Walter’s study, and Nathaniel realized the rumble he heard was his father’s drunken muttering.

Part of him wanted to fling open the door and savor the look on Walter’s face when he discovered his only son was running away for a life of sodomy with an enemy, and that the Sea Hawk would escape his noose if Nathaniel had his way.

But of course Walter wasn’t worth it—not even a little bit—and Nathaniel slipped into the night without a word. Hawk was waiting, and he was all that mattered.

Nathaniel was barely out of the crumbling house’s shadow when a figure appeared out of the foliage, hissing, “Mr. Bainbridge! It’s me, Alan O’Connell.” He had a pistol in hand, and the blade of his sword gleamed in the moonlight.

“Mr. O’Connell?” Nathaniel stared at him, not quite believing his eyes.

Alan grinned. “I’m no phantom, I assure you. I’m relieved to see you alive, let alone up and about.” He held out his hand, and Nathaniel clasped it.

His wound already tugged, but he ignored it. “I’m glad to see you too. You’ve come to rescue the captain?”

“Aye. Mr. Snell and some of the others are waiting in the hills west of the harbor while a few of us get the lay of the land. We stole a little sloop in Hispaniola. Left her on the windward side. Have two dozen crew, barely enough men to sail her, but we had to try and save Captain Hawk. He gave himself up so we could escape those privateers.”

Nathaniel’s pulse raced, but he breathed easier. “I was just going to attempt a rescue of my own, and I’m extremely glad to hear I won’t be doing it alone. Hawk is aboard the privateer ship anchored in the harbor.”

“All right, you leave it to us. The captain would never forgive us if you were hurt again. We’ll swim out and board them before they know what’s happening.”