Page 59 of Kidnapped by the Pirate
“Yes. He’d been appointed a judge. He had total power. In an instant, I was declared a pirate. I’ve heard of other privateers being similarly branded. If treaties are signed while privateers are still at sea, they can return to port having captured a ship of a nation that is no longer an enemy. No quarter is given, and the privateer is suddenly heading to the gallows, considered a pirate.”
“It’s so unfair. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“That’s government for you. In your father’s case, I think he was desperate to get a foothold in the New World. Rumor says he seized my prize to keep it for himself, that he and his cronies only gave a portion to the Crown and lied about the cargo.”
Nathaniel sighed. “I can believe it. He has always had a thirst for power, which requires riches. Riches he feels are owed to him. He married my mother for her estate and modest wealth, then squandered it. Doomed her for me so he could have a son for the sake of his pride. His name.”
I’m sorry for your mother’s fate, but glad of your life.
The words burned on his tongue, but Hawk choked them down. Instead he said, “Fortunately, your father underestimated me and my crew. They freed me, and we made our escape.”
“Now revenge is close at hand.” Nathaniel burrowed nearer, pressing his lips to Hawk’s throat.
Hawk wished he could see Nathaniel’s face and ask what he was thinking. Only days remained before the ransom exchange. Hawk’s gut seized, acid roiling. He wrapped Nathaniel in his arms, and it seemed neither of them wanted to speak aloud the hard questions they should.
How had they entangled themselves so thoroughly in such a short time? What would happen if Walter Bainbridge didn’t pay the ransom? Had they both gone mad to lower their defenses?
As much as Hawk tried to deny it, this fragile, wonderful peace was merely the eye of the storm.
Chapter Sixteen
Hawk’s voice carried over the deck from where he stood at the bow, the sun at his back. “We’ll be going ashore for two nights.”
The men cheered, and Nathaniel grinned where he stood off to the side. He was grateful the men had voted to allow him up on deck, but aside from Mr. O’Connell, the crew largely kept their distance. Nathaniel was still their prisoner, after all. Their chance at a windfall.
As the date of the ransom exchange neared, his worries increased. Taking a deep breath, he scolded himself to focus on each day in turn. Each hour, even each minute. It was all he could do.
He allowed himself another smile. If they were going ashore, he would finally have the chance to run. If Hawk tried to renege on his prize again, Nathaniel would raise holy hell. But he was confident Hawk wouldn’t go back on his word this time.
Nathaniel had glimpsed white beaches in the distance and leafy trees far more exotic than those in England. Oh, how he longed to explore. Inhaling the salty air, he focused on how wondrous it would be to finally run for the first time in months.
“Are we going to Nassau?” a hopeful voice called.
Mr. Snell answered, “Do you still not have any fucking sense of where we are, Barney? We’re many miles from Nassau, you loggerhead. In fact, the closest port is Primrose Isle, where we’ll be heading immediately after this excursion.”
Nathaniel’s stomach swooped, bumps rising on his skin as Snell’s gaze came to rest on him as he added, “The time is almost here to exchange our piece of loot for money in our hands.”
Of course all eyes now cut to Nathaniel, although Hawk kept his gaze firmly ahead, his jaw tight and hands clasped behind his back, spine straight. The men closest to where Nathaniel stood by the starboard rail edged away from him, even grateful Mr. O’Connell. Nathaniel kept his gaze on his bare feet, sweat prickling his spine, the attention like needles.
Hawk spoke as if the unfortunate Mr. Barney hadn’t interrupted. “We’ll spot land any minute now. The island is out of the trade channels, big enough for our needs, and uninhabited. There should be crab, fish, and fruit.” He smirked. “Of course we have brought a large store of rum.”
After another cheer, he added, “And quick as lightning, we’ll be repairing the ship tomorrow. Careening what of her we can now that we’ve found a suitable beach.”
A collective groan filled the air, and Snell held up his hands. “It’s no one’s favorite task, but we all know it has to be done. Those barnacles on the hull slow us down. Our cargo holds are empty, so it’ll be far less work to beach the ship. We made all the repairs we could inside after our skirmish with the Javelin, but some work needs to be done on land. And we want every knot of our speed to make off with our ransom from that scum Walter Bainbridge. Just think of the money you’re soon to receive. You want to keep it, don’t you? After we drop off the little lord, we must make haste and leave Primrose Isle firmly behind us.”
