Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (87 page)

Relieved, the men’s tension eased. But as his regard lowered to Cecco again, Captain Hook’s aspect threatened.

“As you see, Mr. Cecco, I am aware of the exact degree of my lady’s loyalty. And yours. You have used my absence to advance your interests. You usurped my position, undertook my schemes. You commandeered my crew, my ship, my rank— and my queen. Most ambitious.” He raised his hook, rotating it to find the most efficient angle. “What fate do you deserve for such devotion to your captain?”

Mr. Smee positioned himself behind the gypsy’s back, making ready for orders. The
Roger
’s men remembered the stripes that Smee had paid out, the scars that lingered beneath Cecco’s vest. Captain Hook hadn’t forgotten. He glanced at his bo’sun. “More than the cat-o’-nine-tails this time, I think. A far more fitting reward awaits you today, Mr. Cecco.”

“Long ago I swore to serve you, Sir. My intercession with the surgeon might be my last act, but with it, I served you still.”

“As you say, Mr. Cecco, judgment rests in my rapier.” Hook stepped back, and raised it. With its tip, he pricked Cecco’s throat. “My sword informs me you will never be my sailor again.”

Cecco’s fists tightened, but he resisted reaching for his weapons.

“Let all assembled bear witness: I now reclaim what belongs to me. The
Jolly Roger
is my ship, her crew are my men. But you, Mr. Cecco, will no longer sail her.” With his hook agleam, he cut a flourish. “If you would serve me still, I grant you
L’Ormonde
. She is yours…Captain Cecco.”

Cecco cocked his head, as if he couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing. “‘Captain?’”

Hook sheathed his sword and extended his hand. “I thank you for your service.”

Cecco stared at Hook’s hand. Then, as if in trance, he gripped it. Searching his rival’s face, he said, “Captain Hook…”

Jill seized Hook’s arm. Her eyes glowed as she looked into his. “No. Not Captain Hook.” With loving affection, she pronounced the heady title, “Commodore.”

“Quite right. We sail as a fleet. The
Roger
has taken a lady.”

Cecco almost whispered it, the name of his dream. “My own—
Red Lady
.”

“Hardly an even exchange. But the best I shall offer.”

“Commodore…” Cecco said, “I once claimed to be a more generous man than you. I know now— I was wrong.”

“I have my limits, Captain Cecco. Pray do not test them. Mr. Smee, get the
Roger
’s men aboard her.”

“Aye, aye, Commodore!” Beaming, Smee turned to give the order. “Look alive, now, mates! All hands to the
Roger!”
The deck soon resounded with eager footsteps as Hook’s sailors headed toward the planks. His bo’sun stood by, waiting to escort the commodore and his lady to their vessel, while Hook issued his command.

“Captain Cecco, you may set your ship in order.”

Guillaume signaled and
L’Ormonde
’s men jumped to attention. Regaining his composure, Cecco studied LeCorbeau’s former mate.

“Mr. Guillaume.”

“Oui, Commandant
.
”

“I appoint you my second officer. Mr. Yulunga, Mr. Guillaume will assist you to order the crew. In one hour, I want ship’s company on deck.”

“Aye, Sir.” Yulunga looked down on the dapper second mate. “Mr. Guillaume, assemble the men below for inspection. And you will escort Mrs. Hanover to my quarters.” Yulunga slid her a sideways look. “We must unbury the rest of the commodore’s treasure.”

Guillaume clicked his heels together. “Yes, Sir.
Madame
, if you please.”

But Yulunga stopped him. “No, Mr. Guillaume. You heard the commodore’s order.”

“My apologies,
Monsieurs
. If you please— Mrs. Hanover.”

Blushing with mortification, Liza hastily gathered her unhemmed skirts. When Guillaume offered his arm, she clutched it. Guillaume employed his ready discretion, hustling her away and shouting commands— both French and English. Stealing one last glimpse at the man who outfoxed her father, Liza looked back over her shoulder.

Yulunga stood staring after her. Moving a step to the side, he crossed his arms and straddled the deck, blocking her view of the commodore. As she descended from sunlight to the softer atmosphere of the crew deck, Liza saw only Yulunga and his intimidating smile. Already, his features were imprinted on her senses. His imposing height, the arms too thick to hang at his sides. His glistening skin, lush voice, his overwhelming presence— Liza licked her lips and leaned more heavily on Guillaume. From toes to fingertips, she felt a nascent sense of power. Liza had learned from her father; power was the ultimate pleasure. When her devotee, the blond sailor, bowed to her, she acknowledged him with barely a nod. She was the first mate’s mistress. And once she mastered a physician’s arts, she might become an officer. She might even concoct a potion of her own. A philter, perhaps, to soothe men’s tempers. For now, she must tidy her dress and her cabin, and then she’d count the minutes until Mr. Yulunga came to her. He would be pleased to find her studying…on his bed.

The two crews parted with hearty farewells, returning to their respective duties. Like seconds at a duel, Yulunga attended his captain and Smee took his place by the commodore, hands clasped behind his waist.

Hook stood near the foremast, watching the sailors disperse. At last he turned to Jill, and, finally, he touched her. With a gentle stroke that thrilled her, his hand settled on her cheek. “And now, LeCorbeau’s boat fades from the horizon. It appears to be up to me to console you, Madam, as your husband has deserted you.”

The gypsy accent interrupted. “With all respect, I must disillusion you on this point, Commodore.”

It was Hook, now, who was surprised. “Captain?”

“The lady’s husband has
not
deserted her. Nor has he any intention of doing so.”

Hook’s face grew suspicious as he contemplated the canny officer before him. Gradually, his features evened and he drew himself up to his tallest. Smooth as usual, his voice cooled. “I believe, Madam, that ‘best wishes’ are in order.”

“Thank you, Commodore.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You are, indeed, a crafty woman.”

“I hope I have done my duty, Sir.”

“You bound yourself, not to that loose cannon of a surgeon, but to my own sailor.” Hook’s shrewd look fell away, to be replaced with a satisfied smile. “You never disappoint me.”

“I knew you would wish me to avoid entanglement with Doctor Hanover, Sir. I discussed the situation with Captain Cecco, of course, counting on his loyalty. He agreed that Doctor Hanover must believe himself to be my husband— and that I must remain free of any legal tie to that man. Thanks to Captain Cecco, we own the doctor’s diamonds, we are assured a share of his profits. And best of all, I am unshackled— like you.”

Cecco nestled Jill’s hand in his own, regarding her with warmth. His feelings were plain to see. “I could not refuse my lady when she proposed marriage. I welcomed it, and, most happily, I took her to be my wife.” On Cecco’s hand glimmered the wedding ring that once was the surgeon’s. “Under this glove,
Signora
Cecco bears the ring I exchanged for hers.”

Smee’s color deepened behind his spectacles. He blinked in surprise. Yulunga simply nodded, his face creasing in a knowing smile. He could see there was no danger of things becoming too quiet in this fleet. The truth was out, now, and already his good friend Captain Cecco was stirring up trouble with it. If Cecco survived this affair, he would need his first mate to steady his Italian temperament.

Still hoping for happiness, Cecco continued. “Commodore, the captain of the
Unity
obliged us the day we captured his ship. He was persuaded even to order his cabin boy to open a bottle for a toast. Our marriage is entered in the
Unity
’s log. Her ship’s surgeon signed as witness.”

“Ah. Indeed.” The commodore maintained an even keel. “You see now why I forbade you to set foot upon any other ship, Jill. It seems each time you do so, you collect another husband.”

“I apologize, Sir. In pursuing the
Roger
’s interests, I disobeyed that particular directive. I believed it the most efficient way to win the diamonds. And Sir—” She sparkled like the surgeon’s gems. “We have secured them.”

“Excellent work, Jill. When I hold them again, I will deal with your defiance.”

The promise in his eyes made Jill dizzy.

Increasing the strength of his grip, Cecco brought her back to earth. Knowing his Jill, he gave her time to collect herself while he explained, “The lady and I saw justice in foiling Hanover with his own principles. She is a lawful wife, now. Just…not his own. His other treasure lies in my sea chest, Sir, waiting to be divided among us.”

“I shall attend to that— Tomorrow.” Hook knew his Jill, too. Half-smiling, he waited for her sense of duty to overcome the effect of his insinuation. Her pulse was pounding, and he knew it.

She subdued her plunder-lust, and steadied herself. “Captain LeCorbeau learned of our marriage immediately afterward, when he himself boarded the
Unity
. Before he performed today’s ceremony, LeCorbeau made sure I understood the consequences. But, as I anticipated, he dreaded another delay. He didn’t dare inform the doctor a legal wedding could not take place. As you heard, Commodore, LeCorbeau agreed that Doctor Hanover is more likely to produce our profits if he remains unenlightened.”

“And so you declined to destroy his marriage lines.” Hook laughed. “Two husbands, Jill! The gypsy and the gentleman.”

“I’m afraid I am a bigamist. My signature could, indeed, get me hanged— as LeCorbeau is hoping.”

Hook caught her in his embrace. “He’ll have to capture you first.” The power of his grip, the familiarity of his arms around her, made her weak with joy. “But you shall be safe with me, aboard the
Roger
.”

“No, Commodore.” The gypsy’s hand on Jill’s shoulder was equally warm, every bit as possessive. Once again, Captain Cecco was unapologetic. “She will be safe aboard the vessel her husband named for her. My
Red Lady
.” Cecco drew her from her lover’s arms into his own. With bewitching words, he murmured in her ear, “Lovely one. I know your gypsy heart. Wander with me.”

“Captain—”

“The ship is ours. We will sail her together.”

“But we agreed.”

“Our accord is dissolved, but not our affection.
Bellezza
, you will not forget my first kiss.” With no hesitation, Captain Cecco leaned down to embrace his lady.

But he didn’t lean for long. She floated up to meet him, her feet dangling loose in the air, her arms rising of their own accord to wrap themselves about him. With Cecco’s kiss burning on her lips, Jill remembered every night, every day of their union. She recalled her gaiety in the captain’s quarters of the
Unity
, the pleasure of her fluttering heart the day she bestowed her hand upon her lover. Her red hand, stained with her blood— and another’s.

“With grace she flies to my embrace.” Cecco kissed her again, ardently, then lowered her so that her feet brushed the deck. “The perfect woman.”

Hook strode forward. “I warned you, Captain Cecco, not to test my generosity.” Jill released her husband, turning to look up into the heavenly blue of Hook’s eyes— her own eyes.

“Madam Red-Hand.” Hook inclined his head. His kiss hung, waiting, inches from her own. He didn’t touch her. He didn’t bend to her. He bided his time. Hook had mastered the art of patience, there in the surgeon’s chains.

“Hook.” Drawn by his magic, Jill took to the air. She was light as a butterfly. She was nearly level with him. She moved toward him, but he drifted upward. Just off balance, she felt nervous as a fledgling. His hand enfolded hers to steady her. Longing for his kiss, Jill left the ship below, ascending but never coming closer because Hook was rising, too.

Like a magician, he kept his Jill suspended. As they almost touched, they felt the winds encompass them. He waited, delaying until the moment she could bear his restraint no longer. Then, in a sudden movement, Hook pressed his kiss upon her. Her black silk swirled around his legs, his arms enveloped her while, like their first flight, they forsook the world beneath them.

Cecco stared up at them. He stepped back. Smee and Yulunga exchanged glances, then watched him warily. His eyes fired, his chest rose and fell with his emotion. The gypsy smile dimmed, this time, perhaps, forever.

His gaze fell slowly to the base of the mast. The wound Jill inflicted today cut deeper than those of his whipping. Like those marks, this was a scar he would bear for all time. Yet, on his face, a determined look manifested. Captain Cecco was a patient man. He had waited for Jill before— and won her. With an aching heart, Cecco looked up at his angel, and kissed his fingertips. Squaring his shoulders, he began his vigil. One day, his opportunity would come again. And he would seize her.

A little at a time, Hook and Jill descended. When she felt the deck supporting her, its solidity brought her back to the present. At the foot of the mast, Jill released her lover to speak to her husband. Her voice fell gently. “Captain.”

Cecco’s dusky eyes clung to her. He said, softly, “You are my heart.”

“She is my soul.” Standing beside Jill, Hook encircled her shoulders.

Jill looked down to her golden bracelets. One by one, she removed them. “Captain, I return your belongings.”

“An insignificant portion. But you won this treasure. It is yours to keep, to remember me.” He slipped the bracelets on her wrist, then he settled his hand on the golden band on her upper arm, the one that matched his own. “But this I will wear, to keep it warm for you.” He pried it open and replaced it on his biceps. Then he took hold of the leather lace at her wrist. “I release you, until you wish to be bound once again.”

“It cannot be untied.” Jill felt the chill as the shining hook slid under the leather.

“Whatever this represents,” Hook said, “it can easily be severed.”

“No.” Cecco grasped the band in both his hands. “The sacred binding cannot be untied. It must not be severed. But, like our union, it can be stretched.” With the strength of his two hands, Cecco pulled. The leather lace grew longer, thinner, until Jill’s wrist slid easily from its hold. She drew her last glove off, and Cecco did the same to the binding of her other arm. Then, catching her hand, he bent to lay a kiss on her crimson palm. But when he opened it, another glint of gold appeared. Surprised, he raised his gaze. “Madam?”