Read Becoming Lady Lockwood Online

Authors: Jennifer Moore

Tags: #Jamaica, #Maritime, #Romance & Love Stories, #West Indies, #England/Great Britain, #Military & Fighting, #19th Century

Becoming Lady Lockwood (3 page)

BOOK: Becoming Lady Lockwood
6.71Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Sidney’s raised voice recaptured her attention, and she turned toward him as he continued to describe the ship over the din. “The
Venture
is one of the most powerful warships in the world, but she’s also a small city. We’ve livestock aboard, a surgery theater, a well-stocked galley, an officers’ wardroom, a schoolroom for the trainee officers, and a hold the size of a giant warehouse.” His excitement was contagious, and Amelia put the captain and his superior manner from her mind.

“You’re speaking as if persuading me to embark upon a leisurely voyage, Mr. Fletcher. Why the effort to convince me of the ship’s merits when, as you know, I have no choice in the matter?”

“Merely to show that you will indeed enjoy the journey, no matter the circumstances that led to—”

A shrill whistle interrupted Sidney. He looked toward the quarterdeck and spoke quickly. “Please excuse me, Miss Becket. I must man my post. You’ll want to remain on deck as we make sail. It’s spectacular; however, portside aft will be a safer position to observe.” Seeing her confused expression, he pointed to a spot to the left and close to the upper deck before he pulled on the brim of his hat and hurried off.

Amelia made her way to the corner he had indicated.

The pipes whistled shrilly again, and the quartermaster’s voice called, “All hands on deck!” A thunderous pounding followed this order as hundreds of feet ran across the wooden planks. Amelia felt a moment of terror as so many wild-looking men gathered around her, but it was short-lived, as Corporal Ashworth moved closer to stand between her and the crowd.

As she peered around him, she saw that most of the men were unshaven and barefooted. Many wore no shirt. Their hair was long and dirty, and their skin was dark from hours spent in the sun. Amelia cringed away into the corner when one particularly frightening man scowled at her. It was a stark contrast between these sea dogs and the marines who wore full regimentals and stood at attention around the decks. Their job was not only to fight the enemy but also to protect the officers from the other sailors.

“Man the capstan!” the quartermaster’s command boomed. Amelia watched as both sailors and marines carried heavy wooden bars and inserted them into the large circular winch on the deck. Once the bars were in place, they stuck out like spokes on a wheel. Six men manned each bar, and on the quartermaster’s command—“Weigh anchor”—the men began to heave, pushing to turn the capstan slowly as the heavy anchor was raised from the ocean floor.

Amelia was thrown slightly off balance and placed a hand upon the gunwale to steady herself. Once the anchor was secured and its heavy cable properly stowed, the quartermaster called out through his blow horn, “Hands to sails!” Sailors scampered up the riggings, running gracefully along the yards, and at the quartermaster’s command, they loosed the main sails, climbing and swinging and dropping from the ropes high above the decks like monkeys. Amelia was terrified at the thought of the men falling and breaking their bodies on the decks or plunging into the sea. But the sight was equally exhilarating, and she felt a rush of excitement when the wind caught the sails, bowing them out. The ship surged forward. The men cheered, and although Amelia wanted to cheer with them, she had to remember that proper young ladies didn’t behave in such a manner. She was unable to stop herself from applauding, however.

The
Venture
moved down the channel through Port Royal Bay, past the location where, decades earlier, an earthquake had devastated the city. As the ship navigated through the narrow passage, Amelia’s gaze moved to the mouth of the bay, where many pirates—most famously, Calico Jack—had been hanged for their crimes. She loved her island home and its strange history, and her anxiety was returning at the thought of leaving behind a place she knew so well. The ship continued south past Mosquito Point and, with that, emerged into the open sea.

The crew released more sails as the breeze quickened, and Amelia watched, craning her neck as her island home, Jamaica, the pearl of the Antilles, gradually became no more than a small mound on the horizon. A wave of homesickness washed over her. The ship rolled on the larger ocean waves, and she realized that her discomfort was not strictly limited to nostalgia. She was growing increasingly seasick.

Just as she reached this realization, she heard steps coming toward her. Turning, she saw Captain Drake approaching.

“Miss Becket, you are looking most unwell. I must insist you take to your quarters and lie down.”

Even though he was completely correct, and her stomach was threatening to empty itself, the lack of compassion in his demeanor put her on the defensive.

“Indeed, Captain Drake. While I am touched by your concern for my well-being, I have no intention to retire, as I am feeling quite well.” The ship pitched again, and Amelia’s stomach pitched along with it.

“I assure you, my concern is for the deck of my ship and for my crew charged with keeping her in shipshape condition.”

Did the man’s arrogance know no bounds?
Amelia felt her head spin in a wave of dizziness, and the captain grabbed her elbow.

“Your face is green, Miss Becket. I insist you take to your berth.” He spoke sharply, turning to the marine next to her. “Corporal, fetch Dr. Spinner to Miss Becket’s quarters.”

She wrenched her arm from his grasp. “Captain, I am not in the least ill.” She spoke through clenched teeth, afraid that if she opened her mouth, the contents of her stomach would make a most unwelcome appearance. In a manner that she hoped appeared casual, she rested her hand against the netting of hammocks lining the rail of the ship. But truthfully, besides her determination not to allow the captain to order her about, the netting was the only thing holding her up.

Amelia nearly swooned with relief as Sidney Fletcher hurried toward them. “Miss Becket, are you unwell?” He held her elbow in the same manner as had Captain Drake a moment before, and Amelia leaned against him. “Will you allow me to escort you to your quarters then?”

“Thank you, Mr. Fletcher. That would be most welcome. How very gentlemanly of you.” She looked at Captain Drake and narrowed her eyes.

A slight smile tugged at the corner of the captain’s lips, and Amelia found that it infuriated her. But when she opened her mouth to tell him so, her stomach betrayed her, and she was horrified to see her breakfast splatter over Captain Drake’s shiny boots.

Amelia and Captain Drake stared at each other in disbelief for one mortifying instant before she felt her stomach clench again and pressed her gloved hands against her mouth.

“A bucket!” Captain Drake bellowed.

Luckily the bucket arrived just in time, and Sidney held it as Amelia heaved into it. He lowered her gently onto the deck, with the bucket in her lap. She accepted his offered handkerchief and wiped her mouth with a trembling hand. “Captain, I’m so dreadfully sorr—”

But the captain ignored her and continued to shout for a crew to swab the deck and someone to find a cabin boy to clean his boots. Amelia hung her head over the bucket, waiting for the next wave of nausea to overtake her. She was too weak to fight back the tears of embarrassment. She hoped Captain Drake would just forget about her and leave her to her humiliation, but she heard his voice once again. “Lieutenant Fletcher, see to it that Miss Becket remains in her quarters until such time as she is no longer a threat to the cleanliness of this ship.”

Amelia heard the captain’s footsteps as he left, presumably to change his boots, and when she felt well enough to stand, she permitted Sidney to lead her down the companionway and to her quarters on the deck below.

Chapter 4

The morning after the HMS
Venture
set sail, Captain William Drake leaned over the table spread with rolls of maps, charts, and navigational instruments in the captain’s sitting room. He had called a council of the lieutenants to discuss the particulars of the voyage. Some of the officers were gathered around the table; others stood or sat on the captain’s sofa or wingback chairs. Sidney sat on one of the padded bench seats that ran beneath the windows covering the stern end of the room. The men looked up as a knock sounded and Riley, a young cabin boy, entered.

“Sorry to disturb you, Captain; I’ve finished polishing your boots.”

From the corner of his eye, William saw a few of the officers steal glances at one another, each maintaining a straight face, but the captain was certain the years of discipline in the British military was the sole reason they were able to contain their grins.

He gritted his teeth in irritation as he took the boots from Riley.

“And is there anything else you’ll be needing, Captain?”

“No.”

“Aye, aye, sir,” Riley said, saluting energetically as he turned to leave.

William felt a swell of affection for the boy. Riley was a reminder of himself eighteen years earlier, when he had signed on as a cabin boy on his first voyage at the age of ten.

“Master Riley?”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Well done. I imagine it wasn’t a pleasant chore.”

A noise resembling a muffled cough came from Sidney’s direction, but William ignored it and continued talking to the cabin boy. “You did a fine job.”

Riley’s face broke into a grin. “Thank you, Captain.”

When the cabin boy had left, William turned his attention back to the map spread on the table.

“And, Captain, what is your opinion of this curious route?” Sidney asked.

William looked at the men spread around the room before he answered. Each of these men trusted him, had sailed with him for years, and had fought alongside him. They would follow him to the ends of the earth, yet he saw unease in many of their eyes.

“My opinion, Mr. Fletcher, is that the Lords of Admiralty, in consultation with the cabinet, dispatched the orders, setting our course and assigning our mission. It’s not my job to have an opinion.”

“But the Bay of Biscay brings us within an easy distance of France. And the entire French navy. We’ve no armada for support. Surely there has been a mistake.”

Lieutenant Wellard spoke up. “We always follow the north Atlantic Gulf Stream. In all my years at sea, I’ve never seen such a course as this one. And to pass through enemy waters seems folly. It shall be nearly impossible not to encounter any French ships in their own territory. Even with the blockades in place, we will certainly meet runners.”

William looked at Lieutenant Wellard. Though lower in rank, the lieutenant was well experienced, and the captain trusted his judgment. “True, Mr. Wellard. It’s not the typical route. I can only assume the admiralty has a reason for laying this course. And speculation as to their purpose will do us no good.”

Lieutenant Wellard nodded his head in acceptance.

“And as for the French navy,” Captain Drake continued with a smirk, “not only do we have superior weaponry and warship, but the discipline of the British military is second to none. The best strategy is to continue to train these sailors and marines for the inevitable.”

The men agreed, nodded, and began discussing their drill schedules for the upcoming week.

Sidney remained lost in thought, not participating in the discussions but staring out the stern window.

“And are we in agreement then, Mr. Fletcher?”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” Sidney replied in a dull voice. His face remained impassive, and William knew his old friend well enough to recognize his apprehension.

When William dismissed the officers, Sidney had asked to have a private word with the captain—as William knew he would.

“I’ll speak plainly, Captain. This appears to me to be a trap or a ploy of some sort; I suspect there is a piece to the scheme that we have not been made privy to.”

“Be that as it may, Mr. Fletcher, as soldiers, it is our duty to follow orders.”

Sidney began to pace. He ducked his head to avoid a hanging lantern and stopped at the table, studying the map for a moment before jabbing his finger at the area in question. “This course comes at the end of our voyage, when we are most vulnerable. Not to mention the unpredictability of the seas this time of year. We could hardly find a more dangerous situation if we sought it. I suspect for whatever reason, we’re being unwittingly played as a decoy.”

“You believe we are being sent to our doom by our government? That the Lords of Admiralty intend to sacrifice the lives of nearly eight hundred men and an expensive warship?”

“I’m saying it doesn’t sit right with me. The orders are—”

William’s voice was a growl as he cut off what Sidney was going to say. He stepped closer. “I suggest, Mr. Fletcher, that you lower your voice lest we both find ourselves accused of insubordination or even treason.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Sidney forced his eyes away from the map and, letting out a deep breath, schooled his features into his characteristic jovial expression. His lips curled in a smirk. “I wouldn’t want anything to prevent your lordship from assuming your position as the earl. It would be a pity for the House of Lords session to commence without Lord Lockwood in attendance.”

William let out a groan and rubbed his eyes. “You know I have no aspirations to such a thing. I would much rather be fighting a losing battle with the French than sitting in Parliament.”

Sidney placed his hand on William’s shoulder, and his eyes sparked with mischief. “I have a feeling, sir, that notwithstanding the French, your final voyage as captain of the HMS
Venture
will indeed be memorable. Why, a lovely young lady and a certain pair of boots have already made it most unforgettable.”

“Why must you bring up that woman?” William scowled and walked to the window. “Miss Becket is insolent and stubborn, to say the least. You saw how she defied my order to retire to her berth, even when she was so ill that she could barely stand.”

“Yes, she is stubborn. But you must know that a woman responds more favorably to a polite suggestion than a direct order.”

“I am the captain, and as long as she is aboard my ship, I expect her to follow orders.”

Sidney had the audacity to laugh. “Captain, you are in for a long, miserable voyage if you cannot understand how to behave toward a woman.”

“I
know
how to behave toward a woman.”

“Threatening to kidnap her if she refuses to sail with you, then once she’s aboard your ship, telling her she looks sickly and demanding that she get to her quarters? This is not the way to a lady’s heart, sir.” William could tell Sidney was jesting, but there was an undercurrent of truth in the subtle reprimand, which served only to make William more defensive.

“I’m not interested in Miss Becket’s heart. I only want her to remain as far away from me
and my boots
as possible until we are in London and I am able to discredit her claim to my brother’s jointure.”

Sidney raised his eyebrows, surprised. “You must realize how difficult this is for her. She has left a home she loves, a veritable paradise.” He picked up a mango from a bowl of fruit on the sideboard and held it out toward William for emphasis. “She has never been to sea before. She does not know what will happen when she reaches London. Her future is unpredictable, and to make matters worse, she is at the moment lying on a pallet on her cabin floor, since the doctor deemed her too ill to even rest comfortably in her hammock.”

William felt a twinge of guilt that he didn’t like one bit. Just because he entertained unpleasant feelings toward the woman was no reason not to treat her well while she was under his care. She wouldn’t be able to hold it over him or claim that he had not acted like a perfect gentleman when they reached London. And then he would see to it that Miss Becket relinquished her claim to his family, and he would wash his hands of her permanently.

BOOK: Becoming Lady Lockwood
6.71Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

The Memory of Us: A Novel by Camille Di Maio
Star Woman in Love by Piera Sarasini
Going Out in Style by Gloria Dank
Less Than Perfect Circumstance by Clarke , Kristofer
A Change of Pace by JM Cartwright
The Invincibles by McNichols, Michael
the Emigrants by W. G. Sebald
The Boys Start the War by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Secret Letters by Abby Bardi