Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (52 page)

Even if Hook forgot his promise upon achieving freedom, even if Captain Cecco gave the woman up to him, by using her father’s potions— and poisons— Liza would keep Jill from the master. And since the surgeon had been spurned, everyone would believe his jealousy was to blame. In one stroke, Liza would be rid of both her father and her mistress, and no one would suspect it the work of a clever ‘little girl.’ A daughter who, in matters of life and death, might emulate her sire. Watching her frowning father pace the room, Liza remembered to hide that smile she had stolen from Jill. The one that came to her lips so easily.

Right now, there was only one woman aboard the
Roger
. That was the way it would stay.

§ § §

Near sunset, the two men clattered up the steps of the companionway. They wanted to give plenty of notice of their coming. After the interruptions of last night, none of the company wished to surprise the captain and his lady again. When they arrived before the door, Tom laid a hand on Nibs’ shoulder to delay his knock. “Are you sure this is what you want, mate?”

“What I want has nothing to do with it. It’s what I have to do.”

“Then I’m in, too.”

“We’ll see what Jill has to say about that. We agreed.”

Tom’s usually cheery face was troubled, and he fingered his scar. “Aye, but it goes against the grain! We’re brothers.”

Nibs summoned the spirit of his old smile. “It’s like I told you before. We’ll always be that, no matter who we’re up against.” He and Tom clasped arms, then he faced the door, raised his fist, and struck.

After a moment’s pause, the voice of the new captain answered. “Enter.”

Nibs led the way in. “Sir; Lady.” He nodded his respects as Tom’s voice echoed his own.

“Tom, Nibs! Come in.” Jill stood near Captain Cecco, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. Cecco was placing a leather pouch in his sea chest, which had taken up residence at the foot of the bunk. As the captain secured the lock, Nibs cast his gaze around the room until he found the other chest, the one belonging to Hook. Still padlocked, it now reposed in the corner with the bookcase. At the sight of it, Nibs’ face set in determination, the grim crease between his eyebrows deepening.

Tom was observing Jill. Although she smiled readily, he remembered her efforts earlier this afternoon, when she’d met with her sons to lay their concerns to rest. Jill had spoken encouragingly of the changes on the
Roger
and hopefully of Hook’s return. When, at that point, her tears caught up with her, she tried to banish them by relating incidents revealing Captain Cecco’s cleverness. Nibs and Tom were relieved he was kind to her, but the young men had exchanged glances as she continued to speak of her new lover. Jill’s arms glowed with his gold; less obvious to the lady herself was the extent to which their friend the Italian sailor engaged her affection. Difficult as it was to contemplate, her sons found comfort in the fact that Jill would not be alone if Hook failed to return.

But, as Nibs and Tom discussed after she left them, that comfort was offset by the consequences facing both Jill and Cecco…if and when Hook materialized. From what they knew of both men, the one certainty was that neither would give up his winnings. And the longer Hook was away, the more difficult it would be to recapture his supremacy— on the
Roger
, and maybe, in Jill’s heart.

Although Nibs doubted at the beginning, he agreed at last that Jill was following Hook’s orders. Loyal, no matter what. He now had an idea of doing the same. Tom felt his innards lurch as he watched Jill, the way he had felt in his first storm at sea. She wouldn’t be smiling by the time she’d heard Nibs’ decision. The moment would be difficult. But Jill respected truth, painful or otherwise, and Tom was sure Cecco did, too. It was better not to delay. Puffing out his chest, Tom spoke up. “Captain, Nibs and I have a request to make.”

“So you have come on business.” Eyeing the two sailors, Cecco indicated his desk. “Please.” As he settled into his chair, the captain took the initiative. “My lady informs me the three of you came to terms this afternoon. This pleases me.”

Nibs tightened the knot of his kerchief. “Yes, Sir. I apologize for busting in on you last night. I understand now. You have Jill’s confidence, and you’re the men’s choice for captain. I’m with you, Sir.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nibs. I accept your apology, and I bear no ill will. Because I have known the two of you since you were boys, I have often witnessed as you questioned and sought answers. In spite of a captain’s tendency to wish for instant obedience, I recognize these as traits that make good officers.”

Nibs suddenly believed Jill’s claim that Cecco was a wise leader. “Thank you, Sir.”

Hearing the new esteem in Nibs’ voice, the lady smiled. “I discussed your situation with Captain Cecco, Mr. Nibs. He is gracious enough to understand that you were motivated by duty.”

Cecco turned to Tom, questioning.

Tom said, “I’m with you, too, Sir. Like the lady, I want what’s best for the
Roger
.”

“Then we are all agreed.” The captain’s pleasant expression hardened then, and he sat back in his seat. “But I see by the look on the faces…there are more questions.”

Jill’s face clouded. “You don’t have bad news to report?” All at once she was afraid. She leaned forward, her hands clenching on the arms of her chair. This afternoon her sons promised to keep searching for Hook. Had they found evidence of an accident— or worse?

Nibs recognized the panic in her eyes. “No, Ma’am, it’s not what you’re thinking. But I’m afraid you won’t like what I have to say.” He shifted on his feet. “I’ve reconsidered LeCorbeau’s offer.”

“No!” Jill shot from her seat. “No, Nibs, you can’t!”

Cecco rose to stand behind her. Laying his hands on her shoulders, he spoke softly to her. “Lady. Do not upset yourself. Listen to what your son has to say.” With gentle pressure, he pushed her into her chair. As he seated himself, his expression was unreadable. “I had wondered if this would be the case, Mr. Nibs. Go on.”

Finding the right words, respectful but final, was harder than Nibs anticipated. “Well, Sir, with Hook gone and all, I’m not bound to the
Roger
anymore. I got to thinking maybe I should try something new, see how things are done on another vessel…gather more experience.” A long silence followed, during which Nibs returned the intense regard of the captain and avoided looking at Jill. She had recovered, but she was staring at Nibs with a mixture of pride and dread. At last Cecco broke the stillness.

“Well. And Mr. Tootles. What have you to say?”

“Sir…Ma’am. I can’t stand to see Nibs go off alone. If you grant me leave and if LeCorbeau will take me on, I’ll go with him.”

Jill sat with perfect posture. “No. I won’t allow it.”

Cecco said, “Madam. I will make this judgment with your participation, and I will not decide in haste.”

“Captain, you know what kind of man LeCorbeau is! Look what he’s done to his officers. In front of everyone he shows them disrespect. They cringe at his displeasure, yet they lie for him, even procure for him. And if what we hear is true, he has a penchant for luring boys to his service. He gives them no choice, using them for his own amusement! He’s already made overtures to Nibs—”

Tom broke in, frowning. “We’re hardly boys anymore, Ma’am!”

“I am aware of that. But what chance will you have if that despicable man uses his stores of the surgeon’s philter?”

Glancing at each other, Tom and Nibs fidgeted. Nibs said, “We hoped you wouldn’t worry about that, Ma’am. We don’t even know that LeCorbeau has any of that potion.”

Cecco observed Nibs closely. “We have discussed the Frenchman in the past. You are aware of the reason he courted you.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And still you will serve him?”

“In any way but one, Sir.” Nibs’ face was dark.

Jill’s voice shook. “And how will you defend yourself when you are accused of disobedience?”

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that, Ma’am. He’s still got his mates.”

The captain said, “It is as we discussed, Mr. Nibs. LeCorbeau’s mates do not appear to last so very long.”

“No, Nibs! I won’t have that happen to you. I forbid you to go!”

Cecco’s voice was sharper than Jill had ever heard it. “Madam. You forget your place.” Ignoring the shock on her face, he turned to Nibs. “Before I make this very serious decision, tell me what you are thinking.”

Nibs looked at his boots to begin, then warmed to the subject. “I’m thinking I’d advance quickly under LeCorbeau. He favors me already, and it’s a smaller ship, less crew. I’d soon be earning a good percent of the takings. And…well, I would be a legitimate seaman then, wouldn’t I? Not as likely to be hanged by the Royal Navy.”

The new captain spoke evenly, but his displeasure smoldered. “Never before have I heard you voice any such concern. If, as the lady fears, your chosen captain orders you to lie for him, you will now have had some practice.”

Jill gasped, forgetting her place again. “Captain! Nibs has never been untruthful before! You must give him another chance—”

His bracelets jangled as he held up his hand to silence her. “Mr. Nibs. You are not afraid of LeCorbeau, and you are not afraid of the law. If ever a man was born to be a pirate, you are the one.”

Nibs fell silent. Still staring at him, Jill shook her head. Frantically, she sought an avenue of retreat for him. She spoke quietly, dreading to incur Cecco’s wrath on herself or her son, but determined. “Tell me this proposal is simply your reluctance to serve under Hook’s successor, whoever was chosen. Then we can settle your doubts.”

“No, Ma’am. I won’t tell you that. Captain Cecco is a fine master.”

“…Tom?” Her voice held a note of desperation.

“Lady, I don’t want Nibs to go off without me, but we agreed that if you’re needing me here, I’ll stay.”

Jill drew herself up. The pirate queen had never looked so regal. “I wouldn’t dream of separating you. If you must perform this duty, you will find some other way to do so, and you will both remain on the
Roger
— where you have sworn your loyalty.”

Tom said simply, “Begging your pardon, Ma’am, but we swore to serve Captain Hook. And he’s gone.”

Jill’s face blanched. Nibs’ words cut deeper still.

“Tom means to say, Ma’am, that Hook’s just not
here
.”

The tiny hope of finding Hook in LeCorbeau’s grasp wasn’t enough to risk her boys on it. Jill was ashen, now, with grief for Hook and anxiety for her sons. Surely, she believed, if this captain didn’t punish them for dissembling,
L’Ormonde
’s captain would condemn them as spies.

Displaying no urge to comfort her, Cecco sat back and crossed his arms, one hand resting on the golden band that matched his gift to Jill. He leveled a stare at Nibs. “And you are determined to keep on serving Captain Hook. Are you not?”

Neither man answered.

“You will not say to me that you go to
L’Ormonde
to search for him. But this I know to be true.” Cecco aimed an appraising look at Jill. “Most fortunately for your mother, it is also true that she does not encourage you in this folly.” He studied Nibs, then Tom, and with a cold look he said, “You are both good men. I am sorry to dismiss you.”

Jill’s eyes opened wide. “Sir! Don’t let them go on such a foolish errand.”

“I have made my decision.”

“Excuse them! They’re in shock over losing Hook. He was the closest thing to a father my sons have known.”

“Madam. You try my patience.”

Reckless now, she faced him. “You’ve seen what manner of man LeCorbeau is. Please, Captain. Don’t send my boys away in anger.”

“Lady, I do not send them. They have asked to be released.”

“And I ask you
not
to release them!”

Cecco said with dignity, “Of ship’s company I hold no man, and no woman, against the will. As for anger, I harbor none. Only sorrow to lose two fine crewmen, who could not trust me to do right by our former master.”

“But Captain—”

“Hush, Lady. It is clear that these men understand the situation into which they plunge.” Jill had never seen his eyes so devoid of sympathy. “Like you, they are willing to take imprudent risks— in this case, for the sake of their…captain. That they are your sons is unfortunate.”

Falling on her knees before him, she laid her hands on his legs, nearly sobbing. “Because they
are
my sons, Sir, you cannot let them go!”

“Lovely one.” He looked down on her. Impersonally, as if she were an object of art, he ran his hand over her hair. “You yourself insisted I show no favor or prejudice. To do other than this would be a violation of our accord.”

As all sense of balance deserted her, Jill closed her eyes and pulled her hands away. Feeling for her chair, she dragged herself into it. Tom saw her sinking.

“I know it makes it harder for you, Lady, to lose us, too. But Nibs is set on doing his duty, and I’m set on following him.” Making sure his shirt was tucked first, he faced the captain straight on. “Sir. None of this is Jill’s idea. She’s devoted to you. Will you swear to us you’ll take care of her?”

From far away, Jill heard Cecco’s reply.

“You have my word.”

“Lady. Don’t worry too much. You taught us to watch out for ourselves.”

The words tore themselves from her lips, “And to do your duty.” She felt sick.

“Aye, Ma’am. And that.” Tom leaned over the desk and bent his head to look into her downcast face, smiling. “There’s no changing us now!”

Jill looked on her sons, and saw that they
had
changed. They were fully grown men, marked by their experiences, and honor-bound— soon to be bound to a man without honor. She pushed herself out of her chair and turned her back. “Captain. When shall we rendezvous with
L’Ormonde?”

“It is my intention to allow her to catch us tomorrow.”

Jill collected herself, then spoke over her shoulder to her sons, commanding. “Mr. Nibs, Mr. Tootles. You will say good-bye to me before you go.”

“Aye, Madam. We will.”