Northern Lights Trilogy (88 page)

“Splendid. Please tell him that is most kind and gracious of him.” She bowed low.

The servant returned her bow while the Emperor looked away, as if bored. “In three days, Captain Ramstad.”

“In three days.”

In her absence, Riley had made no progress in persuading the locals to buy their hardwoods. Even with a bit of “lining their pockets,” as he put it, no inroads were made. “This month lost at harbor and in fruitless negotiation has cost Ramstad Yard a pretty penny,” he said, his face churlish. Elsa felt guilty for a moment, thinking of her frequent jaunts through the countryside and to the nobles’ homes while Riley labored on. But that was his duty as first mate, she reasoned. And she had the children to think about. Excursions within foreign lands were one of her reasons for bringing them along, to broaden their experience. If they got to know exotic places now, they would never fear exploration later in life.

“Well, I think I can resolve it,” Elsa said, peeling off her gloves and placing them on the desk.

Riley crossed his arms. “Just like that? I’ve been workin’ my tail off
for nigh on to six weeks, and you think you can fix it like that?” He snapped his fingers.

Elsa did not react to his irritation. She supposed she would feel the same if their roles were reversed. “I met the Emperor today,” she said quietly.

“Emperor Meiji?” Riley asked in wonder, sinking to the settee across the table from her.

“Aye. One and the same. He arrived in a carriage, just as I shot my pistol so we could get to the Bund again. We were swamped with well-wishers.”

“I told you, Elsa. I told you you shouldn’t be going about without an armed guard. You don’t know—”

“I told him we were having difficulty selling our cargo since the trade laws changed the week before we arrived,” Elsa smoothly interrupted his well-known tirade.

Riley paused. “
And?
”

“And he said that if we hadn’t sold our cargo by the end of the day to come to Tokyo. There, he would see to it that we get the highest amount. We’re to attend a reception in three days, apparently in my honor.”

Riley’s face was a mask of relief. “Well, I’ll be …” His apparent exhaustion evolved into a smile. “I suppose it pays to travel with the Heroine of the Horn,” he quipped. “Peder’s ugly mug never got us anything.”

Elsa returned his smile. “I still miss that ugly mug.”

“As well you should, missus. But I do appreciate the fact that traveling with a female captain has suddenly made my job a good sight easier.”

“I take it we’ll weigh anchor and leave for Tokyo in the morning?”

“Aye. And I won’t be sorry to leave these choppy, unfriendly waters.” He rose to leave.

“Riley?”

“Yes?”

“I do appreciate all your efforts on behalf of the
Grace
and Ramstad Yard. On my behalf. I hope you didn’t feel … abandoned.”

“Not at all. I’m glad you and the children were able to travel while I messed wi’ those …
gentlemen
at the trade house. Gave me the freedom to concentrate on what I had to do. Not that it did much good.”

“It must be frustrating for you. But at least we know we can unload and be off for the States again within the week.”

“Aye. That is good news.” He rose to go and then paused. “I don’t mind telling you that I have an uneasy feelin’ about being here.”

“Uneasy?” Elsa asked with a frown.

Riley shook his head. “Can’t shake it. I’ll just be glad to set sail again and be off for the States.”

They arrived in Tokyo two days later. Elsa left her children in Mrs. Hodge’s care and dressed in the gown she had worn to Lady Bancock’s ball. At the wharf, she and Riley went to talk with the trade-house officials, who greeted her warmly and seemed to know all about the special agreement with the Emperor. Seeing that all was in order, she placed a hand on Riley’s elbow. “Thank you for seeing to the business of this, Riley. I intend to hail a jinrikisha and go to the palace now. I will see you there later?”

Riley held up a hand to a man speaking poor English to turn toward her. “Elsa, I think you should wait for me. You’re not expected for another few hours. This will take no more than an hour or two.”

“Or perhaps three or four. I’m dressed for the ball and liable to draw more attention than we want,” she whispered back, remembering Yokohama and the mob. “I think it would be much better to get along to the palace.”

“Yet it is unseemly for a woman to travel alone—”

“Nonsense,” Elsa said, lifting her chin in the air in jest. She cocked one eyebrow and leaned closer to his ear. “They expect nothing less from the Heroine of the Horn.”

Riley sighed. “I don’t like it. If you would simply—”

“I will see you at the palace,” Elsa said firmly. “See to it that you are not late for supper.” With that, she turned and walked through the crowd of grinning, filthy men to the welcome fresh air outdoors.

Just outside the trade house was a dark, covered carriage that bore the mark of the Emperor. A short, squat Japanese man in a pristine uniform bowed deeply toward her and opened the door.
The Emperor has sent a coach!
Never in her life had Elsa felt so honored. She bowed back toward the footman, accepted his small hand, and climbed the tiny gold steps into the luxurious carriage. Once seated, she could see that she was not alone. She smiled as her eyes adjusted from the bright midday sun to the darkness of the carriage, assuming it was another guest of the Emperor, or perhaps his emissary. He smelled of vanilla and soap, a vaguely familiar combination. Where had she noted that scent before?

A second later, a scream lodged in her throat.

“Good afternoon, Captain Ramstad,” came his silken voice. “It has been too long, has it not?” Mason Dutton tapped on the roof and the carriage lurched to a quick pace.

Elsa lunged, ready to jump out of the moving carriage if necessary, but Mason was too quick for her. He grabbed her from behind and pulled her to his side, covering her mouth. She noted that the shades had been drawn, preventing anyone from seeing her plight.
How had he commandeered a royal carriage?
she wondered.

“You do like to travel in style, do you not?” he whispered in her ear. “It is nice that you were unescorted. Much easier for me, all in all. Where is your husband now? Oh, that’s right, poor dear. He’s dead, correct? Pity I couldn’t kill him myself. Someday soon I’ll catch up with Karl Martensen. I’ll simply have to extract justice from him instead. And you.”

Elsa writhed, aching to be away from the scoundrel, but she was inhibited by her tight bodice and long skirts, and he easily held her back.

Mason let out an exaggerated sigh. “Yes, it has been too long, my dear. We have so much to catch up on. So much to settle. And it will be delightful settling accounts with you alone.” His other hand moved from her waist upward.

Furious, Elsa elbowed him in the stomach and lurched to the other side of the carriage. Mason laughed. “That is fine. Play hard to get for now, my dear. There will be time enough for us to become … close.”

“Never. I will never allow you to touch me. I’ll die first.”

“Perhaps,” Mason said, raising a brow. “But it might not be up to you to decide.” The carriage hit a bump and both braced themselves. “Whoa,” Mason said with a delighted smile. “You see? Even now we’ve left the civilized streets and are making our way to my secret little harbor. We are surrounded by my men, and the carriage will not be missed for some time.” He pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. “You are not expected for what? Another three hours?”

Karl Martensen pulled his pocket watch from his vest and frowned. She was late, by more than an hour. He glanced at Emperor Meiji, who was now openly scowling in frustration. His guests shuffled in their places at the edge of the ostentatious receiving hall, getting tired and hungry. Never had Karl known Elsa to be tardy anywhere, especially for an event such as this, in her honor. It had been providence that brought Karl to Tokyo the day before with a load of cotton. The
Tempest
had made incredible time, allowing him to bypass Hawaii altogether on the way back east. The first trip had been so profitable, Kenney had proposed they ship back out in two days’ time. It was tight, but now he was here, in Tokyo, the same day Elsa Ramstad was to be honored by the Emperor. He grinned.
Won’t she be surprised?
he wondered for the hundredth time. But where on earth was she?

Just then a man moved through the crowd. The people parted, ladies gasping and men stepping forward in a motion that said, “Explain
yourself.” It was Riley, dressed in common street clothes. Two guards grabbed him and held him back. “I am the first mate to Captain Ramstad!” he called over their shoulders, his chest heaving for breath as if he had run all the way. “Let me through!”

Karl came forward and shoved the guard nearest him back. “Let him pass!” he said through gritted teeth. “Riley, where is Elsa?”

Riley looked at him in wonder at his presence and then gripped his hand fiercely. The other guard let him go and the crowd took a step back as the Emperor waved them away. “He’s here, Karl. Here in the vicinity.”

“Who?”

“Mason Dutton.”

Karl closed his eyes.
O dear God. O Father in heaven! Help us! Protect Elsa! Give me wisdom!
Knowing what he had to do as if God had directed his thoughts in response, Karl strode down the great hall and knelt at the Emperor’s feet. When he was acknowledged, Karl looked him in the eye. “Emperor Meiji, I have bad news. Your royal guest, Captain Elsa Ramstad, is missing. And I think I know why.” The translator hurriedly did his work.

“There is a pirate that roams your waters. One with a personal vendetta against Elsa Ramstad. His name is Mason Dutton.” A hush went through the room. Even in the Far East, the people had heard of Elsa’s narrow escape from the clutches of Mason Dutton. The Emperor rose. He spoke softly, assuredly.

“Your Western navies apparently have not the capabilities of ours,” the translator said, his face betraying no emotion. “It is time that this man be stopped. He has dared to enter my waters and take my royal guest hostage. He will pay for it with his life.”

The Emperor nodded at two men in full military regalia and they moved forward at once.

“Do you know where this man hides?”

Karl looked to Riley, and Riley shook his head, grim faced. “They cannot be far,” Riley said. “They took her in a royal carriage. I spotted
a man I recognized as one of Mason’s crew, clinging to the back as they left. I ran after them, tracked them for a time, but they got away.”

Emperor Meiji’s face darkened. “They dare to abscond with one of my carriages?”

Karl faced him. “I know this man. Captain Ramstad is in imminent danger. He is a man of no moral account.”

“You will accompany my naval commanders,” the Emperor stated. “You will know how he works and will be best at coming up with a plan for capture.”

“Yes,” Karl said.

Riley stepped forward. “I would like to go along also, your Grace.” The Emperor nodded. “Go,” said the translator. “Find this leech and bring him back to me. I shall have the skin flayed from his back.” “If he lives that long,” Karl said under his breath.

The pirates aboard Mason’s ship hooted and hollered as Elsa was unceremoniously hauled aboard in a basket and dropped. Her wrists were tied and she lurched one way and the other, trying to escape the daring hands of all those on deck. “Gentlemen, gentlemen,” Mason chided. They parted, clearing the way from him to her. “This is not some parlor maid I brought back for your enjoyment. Can you not see from her dress that this is a lady?”

A man nearby tilted Elsa’s skirt with the tip of his cane. She slapped it away as the men laughed. “The lady’s legs look as good as any parlor maid’s, Cap’n,” he said. He drew near and Elsa spat in his face. The men roared with laughter.

“Enough, enough!” Mason intervened, stepping between the two. “She has gumption. But surely someone aboard recognizes the lady.” He looked around as if interviewing a harmless group of schoolchildren for the answer to an elementary question.

“Why, that’s Elsa Ramstad!” shouted one.

“I’ll be! The famous Cap’n Ramstad!” exclaimed another.

“Heroine of the Horn, right here on our ship!” said still another.

Elsa’s heart sank. Never had she felt so helpless. Last time she had encountered Mason Dutton, it was at Peder’s side. The time before that, Peder’s sailors had fought valiantly for her, Peder, and their ship. Here she was alone. Entirely alone. Only one thought consoled her. At least her children were not in danger. Wildly, her eyes searched the crowd, looking for one decent man who might dare to stand by her side and fight. But all she saw were villainous, ravenous looks. She lifted her chin, nostrils flaring, daring them to touch her.

“Elsa?” Mason beckoned from the doorway to his quarters. “Shall we retire to a place more … private?” His inference was clear. She glanced from him to the others. Regardless of the danger he posed, she was outnumbered among his crew. Perhaps if she cooperated, she could buy some time and figure out a means of escape. In a hidden pocket of her gown was a tiny pistol with one round of ammunition. In another was a small knife in a slender sheath. She had not gone out entirely unprepared; she simply could not get to her weapons. Elsa had to choose her timing carefully. Even armed with those basic weapons, she would not be able to hold an entire crew at bay.