The Last Broken Promise (21 page)

“I think you may make an acceptable brother-in-law, given time and sufficient instruction,” he said. With his powerful legs, he pushed over the side of the swaying ship. “Of course, you’ll never have the upper hand with my sister. And she will, no doubt, lead you on a merry chase the whole of your life. All of which should be very entertaining to witness. I have to say, I’m not at all opposed to the match. Now that I know precisely how smitten you are.”

“I should have killed you in Paris last year when I had the chance,” Finn yelled after the man.

Dylan gracefully rode the rope to the other ship. At the last possible second, he shouted back, “But how would you have explained
that
to your wife?”

His laughter was long and loud. It drifted back to Finn on the whipping wind. If the women had not been watching so avidly, Finn would have responded with a hand gesture universal among the lower orders. But they were watching. And Jess had such a sad, but hopeful look on her lovely face. Finn could do no more than bow to her across the expanse of the raging ocean. His reward was a careless wave from the young woman and a condescending look from each of the St. John males.

“Captain?”

His former first mate demanded his attention. The man sported impressive bruising on his face. Which was as it should be. Finn had not let the slight to his lady go unpunished. Every man on board now had a firm understanding as to how much Miss St. John meant to their master. And they were fully instructed upon how they should treat her, with great respect and instant obedience. No one was idiotic nor reckless enough to cross Captain McLeod.

Finn inclined his head to the sailor indicating the man could speak.

“We’ve a problem below decks, sir,” Hellwise’s tone was entirely submissive.

He’d been reduced in rank to the lowest of the sailors. Now he would answer to them all. It was an awful come-down in the nautical world. His title on board was now cook’s boy. Essentially that meant he would be forced to fetch and carry for any man who demanded it of him. He’d also have to slaughter the animals on board in their turn. He’d need to tend the galley fire, night and day. For the threat of fire was the most feared danger aboard a sailing vessel. And, of course, his portion of any treasure they obtained was severely limited now.

Once the word got out, no other ship would sign him on as anything other than a cook’s boy. He’d made a very bad mistake when he’d chosen to sell his services, such as they were, to Finn’s older brother. His orders from the man had been to harm the captain in any way that presented itself. Slow, painful death was preferable.

But getting the captain into a situation that would lead to his demise was proving far more difficult than the former first mate had anticipated. McLeod was a cagey rogue. One with an especially violent skill set. As was illustrated by Hellwise’s present cascade of bruises and ailments. With that fact in mind, Hellwise had come up with another way to force the big sea captain to his will.

“What’s amiss?” Finn said, not taking his narrowed eyes off the other ship. Jess waved and smiled to him from its lurching deck.

“Captain?” Hellwise needed his superior to turn and face him.

“What?”

McLeod did turn the. And the scowl upon his face was fearful to see. The sailor took a few steps back.

“The cargo’s shifted, Captain.” The man gulped down his fear. It was imperative to get McLeod below decks.

Finn cursed under his breath. He knew the seas were very rough. Apparently the barrels and wooden chests in the hold had broken free of their moorings. In the kind of storm they were facing, he didn’t need the added risk of the whole ship toppling in a rogue wave, if the cargo wasn’t secured in place. He took one long, last look at the swiftly disappearing figure of the girl.

Griffin, ever reckless, had turned his craft so his billowing sails would take full advantage of the building wind. He must think he could outrun the worst of the gale. It was a fool’s choice. For Finn was convinced they faced the fury of a hurricane. One that was, most likely, wide and dangerous.

When the churning waves and lowering clouds totally obscured the fleeing vessel, Finn, with no conscious thought, uttered a desperate prayer to the deity he refused to acknowledge.
“Save her, Lord.”

“What, Captain?” asked a puzzled Hellwise.

The taller man didn’t answer. He just sprinted towards the steep, narrow steps that led to the ship’s hold. Finn frowned when he got to the cavernous, dark belly of the vessel. There was no one there trying to tie down loose cargo. For the simple reason that each barrel and chest was still held fast by a webbing of ropes. Before he could unleash his fury at being led on a fool’s errand, Finn was struck from behind. His head snapped forward with the strength of the massive blow. He blinked once, twice, and then he was engulfed in blackness.

He didn’t know Hellwise spat upon him as he lay there on the mildewed and stinking floor of the hold. He didn’t hear his demoted first mate cackle with malicious glee. He didn’t register the man’s ugly threat.

“You can pray all you want, McLeod. But nothing’s going to save your little dolly-bird. She’ll be drowned and sunk to the bottom of the sea afore you wake up. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Sir? Captain, you got to wake up. The other ship’s in a bad way. We got to do something, and do it right smart or they’ll all be lost,” Saul begged as he shook at the huge lump that was his friend and his master.

The crew had all been alarmed when Hellwise told them their captain was sick in his cabin. The first mate had quickly, with the use of a pistol, reclaimed his former position as second-in-command. No one offered him any argument. Hellwise was known to be a dangerous man. And his quick, surly temperament made him a hard man to cross, as well. But when their sister ship’s top mast had been splintered by the force of the wind, they’d all assumed their vessel would draw closer to give aid. That had not been the case. Their new acting captain forbade them to try and mount a rescue. He’d said it was too dangerous. That was when the crew became suspicious.

Saul and the others knew Finn was never sick. The man was the picture of robust masculine vigor. And they now understood they’d been deceived. Saul, without saying anything, began a systematic search of every nook and cranny of the ship. He’d been at it for a full hour before he’d stumbled upon Finn’s still prostrate form.

Finn heard the words through the fog that was his aching brain. Once he fully understood the sailor’s urgent hissed whispers, he came instantly and fully awake. With sheer force of will, he shambled up to his unsteady feet.

“Make to intercept them,” he growled out harshly. He wiped a hand over his mouth. A sour tide of nausea threatened to unman him. He choked back the need to gag.

“We’re in the eye of the storm,” Saul nodded. “If we’re to save them, this is surely the time. I’ll give the order.”

“When did we pass into the calm?” Finn rasped out. He knew their window of opportunity was slim. If the opposite wall of the storm caught up with them when they were roped to Griffin’s ship, both vessels would quickly go down.

“It’s been awhile,” the other man admitted. He too knew the dangers facing them.

“Then get over there quick,” Finn growled out. He used one of the beams of the ceiling to help him walk through the hold. “Have Hellwise put in irons. Prepare ropes to board the other ship. We may need to transport the injured.”

“Aye, sir.”

“And Saul?” Finn said as he began to make his way up the wet, slippery steps.

“Aye?”

“Pray.”

The captain knew Saul was a believer. The old seaman had spoken at length with his master about his personal faith several times. Finn never gave the older man’s ramblings much credence. Now, maybe, Saul’s beliefs would save the others on the sinking vessel. Maybe his prayers would save Jess. Finn hoped so. As he made a few battlefield promises to the Almighty of his own, the sailor nodded and scrambled up towards the deck.

In the privacy of the darkness at the foot of the stairs, Finn found himself speaking to God as if he pleaded with an old friend.

“Lord, if you’re truly there, do something to save her. I vow upon my life, I will do whatever you require of me, if you will just save Jess. I’m not a good man. You know this. But she is all that is good in this world. And she is everything to me, God. I will gladly forfeit my life for hers. Take me. Sink this ship instead of her brother’s. Or if that’s not enough, show me what else I have to use as her ransom. Demand anything, Lord. I’ll do anything. I’ll go back to my brother’s house and humble myself. I’ll even forgive the monster who held me captive so long in that hellish cellar. Just tell me what I must do to settle accounts with you, so Jess may live.”

No sooner than the words poured from his lips, Finn felt an overwhelming, regenerating peace. Every sin he’d ever committed tumbled through his mind. And each and every one of them no longer had the power to wound him. For now he was forgiven. The bitterness he’d cherished towards others evaporated like a morning fog. Because Christ had shown Finn forgiveness, now he could, in turn, forgive the ones who’d spitefully harmed him. The world seemed a clearer, more serene place. He could see it in its true light. And to his ultimate dismay, he also felt he knew exactly what God required of him.

“Thank you Lord. I’m yours. Now and forever I’ll be obedient and grateful.”

With a newfound faith and a sense of purpose, Finn mounted the steps. He scanned the quiet deck. Sailors scurried to fulfill his orders to come abreast of the nearby founding ship.

“You’ll kill us all, McLeod,” Hellswise snarled. He’d yet to be lashed to the mast, though two burly men struggled to hold him. It was as if he was possessed by a powerful evil force.

The other sailors looked to their captain to see how he would respond. In truth, they were all very wary of getting any closer to the mangled and listing vessel. One wrong shift in the gathering wind, and they would, every man, be forced to pay for the captain’s gallantry.

“We’ll be fine,” Finn said with notable calm. “Bind him to the mast.” He directed the order to Saul, who quickly jumped forward to obey.

As the older man got closer to Hellwise, he stumbled against one of the sailor’s holding back the madman. The first mate used the opportunity to break free. He drew a hidden knife from the waist of his britches.

“Any one of you who comes any closer will taste the point of this pig-sticker,” he screamed, a look of unholy glee in his rabid eyes.

The crew faltered. They all looked towards McLeod for orders.

“Hellwise, this isn’t going to end well for you,” Finn said.

The shorter man snorted in disdain. “That’s where you’re wrong, Captain. I been paid a pretty penny to deliver your comeuppance. And I intend to collect the rest of what’s owed me for the job.”

“What are talking about?”

Finn was sure the sailor had entirely lost his wits. McLeod knew he had many enemies. It was the risk of posing as a pirate. But the simple fact that one of them would go to such lengths to claim vengeance was outlandish. The truth was, Finn had never stolen anything. He’d never raped a woman. He’d never kidnapped anyone. He’d been a very prosperous sea merchant. One who’d been successful at posing as a bloodthirsty pirate.

“I’m talking about your brother, Lord Maitland,” the other man sneered. “The Duke of Maitland hired me to do my worst to you.”

Finn was not surprised by this turn of events. He’d long known Cedric wanted him dead. As his brother’s heir, Finn stood to inherit not only the title, but all the wealth and land that belonged to the Maitlands. Since Cedric had failed to sire a son, it would all come to Finn.

The tall man shook his head. “There’s no need for any of this. I already wrote my brother that I would decline the title and the riches. He has no need to fear my taking his place.”

Finn spoke the truth. Even more so, at this moment, than when he’d written the letter. For now his life was ransomed by Christ. He held no ill will towards Cedric. And Finn knew he’d never be a part of the aristocracy. His new life’s role was to be much more humble.

“He don’t believe you,” Hellwise cackled as he waved the knife in an eerie pattern to and fro. “And who would? Give up all that land and coin? Not to mention that toothsome wench himself calls wife. Oh aye, she’ll be looking to latch on to you, soon as the old lad cocks up his toes. I’d wager gold on it.”

Finn shook his head. “I’ll never be the Duke of Maitland.”

“That’s what I’m to make sure of,” Hellwise agreed. “But to make it more sportin’, what say we see just how much you want that tasty little wench.” He jerked his head towards the other ship. “I’ll be taking my leave. But we’ll meet again. And it’ll be very soon.” He ran for a waiting rope.

Grabbing it, he swung with a mighty jerk over to the other vessel. Giving a mocking salute, he landed with a thump that could be heard all the way across the short span of water.

The first person to rush forward to aid Hellwise was Jess. She ran towards him with a blanket.

“No!” roared Finn as he watched horrified as the sailor twisted the girl’s outstretched arm up behind her. The man settled the lethal knife to her throat.

“Now who’s got the whip hand, Captain?” Hellwise’s shriek was high and maniacal. He shoved Jess closer to the railing of the ship.

Suddenly the stiff gale began to power back up. The flag drooping from the ship’s bow came to life with an explosive snap. Both vessels lurched dramatically up, then plunged down in the trough of a huge wave. Jess’s pale face pleaded with Finn to save her. To do something, anything, to stop this madness. Before he could make a move, another wave hit them broadside.

Finn watched in horror as Jess was swept, like a rag doll, over the railing and into the roiling ocean. Without thought he sprinted to the railing of his own ship. He searched the churning water below.

“She’s gone, Captain. There’s naught to be done,” Saul said in a consoling voice.

Finn pushed the man’s restraining hand away and dove into the maelstrom of the water. His first thought as he plunged beneath the surface, was that his would be an unorthodox baptism. Then he began silently praying.

“Help me, Lord. Help me find her.”

His urgent prayer was answered when he caught sight of her light-colored hair. Under the water, it slowly and gracefully swayed and enveloped her like a burial shroud. He saw her eyes were closed. But her mouth was open in the scream that had overtaken her when she’d been forced into the ocean. Finn wondered if she was already gone. If she was dead, he made a solemn vow to his Creator that he would stay here in the deep with her. He would join her eternal rest.

As if she’d somehow heard him, Jess’s eyes opened. She smiled at him across the distance of murky sea between them. Her expression was a final benediction.

Finn would have none of it. He powered through the water separating them. He clasped her to his straining body. He kicked towards the surface. But it was too far above them. He knew he’d never make it. So he did the only thing he could. He saved her life.

Cradling her cold face between his two hands, he lowered his lips to hers. Even as she shook her head denying his sacrifice, Finn captured her mouth under his. The sweetness and agony of the moment was awful. It was their last kiss. A last token of affection bestowed by a drowning man to his one and only love. He forced every last gasp of breath he possessed into her lungs. When he had nothing left to gift her, he abruptly tore free of her clinging lips and arms. He nodded up towards the surface as if to order her to live. He knew that she would. For was that not the bargain he’d made with God? Her life for his?

Jess refused to cooperate. She snared the front of his coat in frantic hands. She began kicking, for all she was worth, to get them to safety. To life-giving air, to a future she wanted with this stubborn, honorable pirate.