Other Oceans: Book Two of the Hook & Jill Saga (38 page)

“Mr. Cecco.…You are promoted to first mate.” The men’s astonishment was audible, a ripple of inhalation. Jill disregarded it. “It will be your duty to make my orders known to my other officers and to my crew.” Her gaze remained on Cecco. Her voice stayed steady. “I charge you with my personal safety.”

Cecco stood unmoving, his expression pleasant but noncommittal. As the sailors absorbed Jill’s words, they traded glances among themselves, but no one interrupted while she concluded.

“Mister Hanover, you will decide today. After I and my officers discuss our terms with you, you may sign the articles and serve as ship’s surgeon— or you may buy your freedom.”

Hanover’s posture didn’t compromise, but a brief, surprised smile crossed his face. Obviously the lady was angling for enough power to get them both off the ship. Still, he would take no chances. Her scheme
might
succeed. Without a doubt, his own design
would
.

“My officers will meet first thing each morning to advise me…as I act in the captain’s place.”

Murmurs broke out as the crewmen turned to one another to comment. Nibs and Tom shifted on their feet, bobbing their heads in support of Jill’s proposal, encouraging the others to approve it. Mullins tucked his beefy thumbs in his belt, considering. Hanover and Cecco exchanged significant looks, and Yulunga, looming behind the Italian, digested the lady’s words with a dark smile. Jill didn’t weaken her stance by seeking Smee’s support; she knew she had it. They both kept their eyes on the crew, unsmiling. She allowed only a moment to pass in indecision.

“We shall put it to the vote.”

All gazes turned toward Jill. She was about to call for ayes when Yulunga stepped forward.

“Lady.” He hardly had to lift his head to her as she rested her hands on the majestic rail. “I will be happy to take the job of duty master— if my shipmates agree. Yours is one suggestion. But there are other angles to consider.” He swung around to face the crew. “All of us worked hard under Captain Hook’s regime. We found success, turning our labors to gain. We’re most of us seasoned sailors. Don’t we want a leader who can hunt down the prizes and prod us like the captain’s claw?” In answer, the men nodded. “The lady assures us of Hook’s return. But is her assurance enough to profit us?”

Smee took one step down. “It is for me! Red-Handed Jill knows us. She’s made a wise plan to be going on with, and I say, let’s follow it. If we slack off, it’ll be our own faults if we’re not raking in the treasure.”

Several of the men hollered, “Aye!” and Nibs and Tom were the loudest among them.

Yulunga shrugged his bulky shoulders. “Let us consider another proposal.” He raised his gaze to Jill. “With all respect, Lady. We men have waited a long time for the privileges Captain Hook used to claim. Why shouldn’t at least one of us benefit? I say that until our old master returns, a new man should serve as captain.”

A gust of enthusiasm blew up from the crowd. As Jill had foreseen, plenty of her men had enough ambition to favor the election of a new captain. To preserve Hook’s authority for him, she had tried to head those ambitions off before discussion. Her apprehension increased when Yulunga finished his thought.

“I only say what everyone’s thinking. A new man in the captain’s quarters would serve also to keep the lady from feeling lonely.”

With sly exclamations, a number of men approved. Jill sought Mr. Cecco’s expression. By appointing him her protector, she hoped to curtail such aspirations. Not surprisingly, like those of several others, Cecco’s eyes smoldered at the opportunity to seize not only the captain’s command, but the captain’s lady. As she expected, these hearty men possessed more than ambition. They wielded a more dangerous combination— a mix of two sure ways to rent the company’s unity. Lust, and a hunger for power. Already, Smee was bristling, and Nibs and Tom fingered their weapons. The surgeon, however, merely observed, unruffled, and toyed with his watch. His detachment made Jill more uneasy than Yulunga’s proposition.

With undisguised desire, Yulunga turned to her, his tone calculated to sustain the eagerness of the men, and to instill panic in Jill. He gestured toward his mates. “You see, Lady. Choose or be chosen! We all want what the captain owned.”

Smee balled his fists, barely holding himself back as he waited for Jill’s response. Crossing her arms, Jill looked Yulunga up and down. She leered as he had done, assessing his physical assets as if he were back on the auction block. Then, as the crewmen smiled, she spoke again. “Neither of us is for sale to the highest bidder. You came aboard the
Roger
to escape slavery. You know better than any of us,” she shook her head, once. “No one on this ship is owned.”

Smee and the others settled, their tension easing. Yulunga waited for the chance to stir the men up again.

“Yes, Lady. Point taken. But the fact remains. You are no longer only one man’s woman.”

Placing her hand on her dagger, Jill stood firm. “I am as I have always been. My own woman.” She raised her face to the others and said brusquely, “I see no reason to delay my duty any longer. I’m ready to take charge of Hook’s ship.”

“But Lady, you aren’t the only one who is ready to take charge.”

The moment had come. As the men agitated, Jill proved equal to it. Her sapphire stare, so like the captain’s, pierced the massive man. Unflinching under his intimidation, she waited for silence, and then she aimed her words with precision. “I am the only one the captain
commanded
to take charge. Don’t forget who spoke your name…Mr. Yulunga.”

Squinting, the African nodded. The murmur rumbled once more, and Jill allowed it to swell. With a grim smile, Smee approved the respect in the men’s eyes. His fists relaxed as Jill seized the moment.

“All right then. No more discussion. There’s a cask of ale in the galley, and our next prize may be waiting on the horizon.” Again, her blue eyes blazed like Hook’s. “Give me your agreement, and we’ll get on with it!”

Vigorous cheers arose from the sailors, and they stamped the deck with their boots. Jill felt the tremors in the soles of her feet. She smiled with satisfaction. In another minute, she would have them. Hook’s men would be her own, and the
Roger
’s security restored. As her own mistress, Jill would be free to employ her energies as she saw fit. She could carry out the captain’s orders, anticipating Hook’s return without fear for herself or his interests.…And then, amid the shouting, Doctor Hanover strolled to the foot of the steps. He raised his hand for attention.

“Madam. As you observed, I am not yet officially a member of this ship’s company. I now remind you that I have every intention of becoming one. If certain conditions arise.”

Smelling trouble, Smee interjected, “You’ve said it yourself, Doctor. You’ve no business meddling until you’re sworn in. I’ll cast the first vote. Aye! to the lady’s regimen!”

Nibs, Tom, Mullins, and several others sang out, “Aye! Aye!”

Raising his voice over the din, the doctor broke in again. “I feel it incumbent upon me to point out a sad truth which cannot be ignored— despite the fact that it will increase the burden of responsibility Captain Hook left on our lady’s…fragile shoulders.”

Incensed, Jill summoned every ounce of her dignity while she sought words cool enough to refute Hanover’s implication. His pretentious smile struck dread into her heart. Dread that doubled as, in one sentence, the surgeon upset the balance she had striven to establish.

“I am not convinced Captain Hook will return.”

“We will discuss your reservations when we discuss your future, Doctor Hanover. This is not the time.”

Hanover blinked. “I apologize if I upset you, my dear. I understand how distressing this tragedy must be to a young woman like you.”

The young woman bit back an angry retort. Losing her temper would only prove his point— and he knew it.

He turned to the crew. “As much as it pains me to grieve the lady, as a man of science, I find it beyond logic to hope, against all indication, that the captain lives. Thorough searches of the ship have yielded nothing to prove his survival, and the one piece of evidence we did discover points toward his drowning.”

Smee snapped, “If you don’t mind my saying so, Doctor, you’re hardly the man to be passing judgment on our ways. You’ve held a grudge against the captain since the start!”

Jill grasped control. “Well said, Mr. Smee. Gentlemen, it is up to Hook’s loyal crew to—”

“I admit it!” The surgeon threw his hands up. “As all of you know, I objected to the manner in which Hook ordered my capture and detained me. But if a new captain is named, I will sign your book of articles without hesitation.”

“All very interesting Doctor,” Jill rejoined, “but again, you are interfering with decisions that concern only ship’s company.”

Nibs leapt to the starboard rail, gripping the shrouds to balance there, his legs spread wide. His gaze darted among the crowd as he addressed the men, respectful but forceful.

“I’m not saying the doctor is right. But if anyone else is feeling the same way, well, let’s have a captain, then.” Jill, Tom, and Smee stared at Nibs. Steadily, he returned Jill’s regard. Then he lifted his head. “I say we make it official. Until Captain Hook returns, let’s call Jill what she is. Captain Red-Hand!”

Enthusiasm erupted from the deck, and glad shouts burst from Tom. Smee pounded his hands together, grinning with pride, and it took some time for the noise to abate enough for further discussion. With victory in her sights, Jill surveyed her sailors. “My proposal has been amended. Who says ‘Aye?’”

As the crowd of men gathered its breath, a simple gesture stopped Jill’s momentum. One man stepped calmly forward, tapping his chest.

“I.”

All heads turned to see him.

“I have a comment, which I believe is critical to our decision.” It was Mr. Cecco, watching Jill, as always, with admiration. “As you know, Lady, I have every confidence in you. You are a jewel among women. And I have no objection to your captaincy…” He shrugged, “Except for one thing.”

Jill met yet another setback, steeling herself for a battle of wits. “Well?”

Cecco tilted his head. His earrings swung. “I prefer to serve a captain who has more experience of sailing than myself.”

“If you recall, Mr. Cecco, I have selected experienced officers— including you— to advise me. I am the captain’s choice to guide the
Roger
.”

Over the years, Cecco, too, had observed Hook’s methods. Now his timing was impeccable. Before he spoke again, everyone was listening, with rapt attention.

“Aye, Madam. You
were
the captain’s choice. And a beautiful choice…for his mistress.”

The silence split the sky. Jill inhaled, but stared without wavering. Cecco’s remark was both an insult and a compliment. Although Jill was more than able to stand under Cecco’s assault, he had cunningly designed it to play on the faith of her men. Compelled to observe their reactions, she pulled her gaze from Cecco and scrutinized the surrounding faces. In the stillness, everything changed.

Considering what argument to employ, Jill found that no words of her own could prove Hook regarded her as more than his paramour. In front of those he distrusted, like Hanover and LeCorbeau, Hook intentionally played down her importance in order to protect her. Her duties as Hook’s partner were subtle, obvious only to those who studied the couple— such as Mr. Cecco. And now, speaking as a veteran crewman, Cecco indicated he regarded Jill not as an extension of Hook’s power, but merely a symbol of it. Falling for his deception, the men who had rallied behind her hesitated, rethinking the confidence they placed in her.

A clipped voice addressed her, expressing solicitude. “Are you quite well, Madam? You look faint.” Placing one foot on the stairway, the attentive physician held himself poised to rush to her aid. Smee planted himself in the middle of the stairs, blocking the doctor’s path.

Jill narrowed her eyes. Her reply was stony. “You know, Mister Hanover, that I do not faint.”

“Perhaps, under the stress of this catastrophe, you have forgotten the evening I first attended you for your unfortunate condition. I am afraid that, once again, you are overwrought.”

Tom barged his way to the fore to confront the surgeon, the cut on his temple throbbing with outrage. “Jill was only shamming that night!”

Hanover smiled, condescending. “Indeed? And this is your professional opinion?”

“No, but I know Jill! She’s never been delicate like you’re implying! She was pretending just to get you to—” Tom halted and shot an uncertain look at Jill.

Her position was already precarious. Knowing the folly of revealing the truth to the surgeon, she finished for Tom. “To get you to speak privately with me. You are well aware, Doctor, that I feigned that spell. And why.”

“I am aware that you are effective in manifesting your will. I understand your young men’s desire to support your bid for the captaincy. Life on the
Roger
has been pleasant for your sons— with their mother in a position to influence their advancement and intervene in their interests. In point of fact, my daughter indicated that Mr. Tootles managed to avoid a severe punishment.”

Catching Tom’s eye, Smee gave a single shake of his head to restrain him, and, just in time, Tom remembered Hook’s order of silence regarding Liza’s beating. Knowing Jill must feel more frustrated than he, her son looked to his mother and watched her eyes burn as she answered.

“Hook never engages in favoritism.”

Her fiancé gestured toward Smee, throwing Jill’s own words back at her. “Come now, my lady. We both know of one exception to every rule.”

“It seems your rules of integrity have found an exception, Mister Hanover. If Mr. Tootles avoided punishment, it was because he deserved none.”

“In your opinion, I am certain he didn’t. My daughter, however…Well, let us just say that she didn’t get
her
way with a fit of fainting.”

Jill clung to her dignity. “I remind you, Sir, that you purport to be a gentleman. As such, it would be to your credit to place culpability on the appropriate shoulders. And to show more respect to those you claim to revere.”