Swept to Sea (23 page)

But she must do it for Caspian. She would not be able to live with herself as a free woman, knowing that Caspian or poor, sweet, darling Reed had died or suffered from her selfish actions.

God, please get me out of this situation. If not for me, then for Reed. The child needs a mother, and I would be so glad to provide one for him. Please.

"A sail, Captain! A sail!" The shout drifted from the shrouds above.

"Be silent already, man! I will not tolerate any interruptions on my wedding day! I thought I told all the men that already!" Lord Rutger swung around, his face turning red. His grip on her hand could have crunched her bones into powder.

Rutger twisted to face the captain standing in front of them. "On with the ceremony!"

The captain before them was tall and thin, with curling, blond hair and blue eyes. He appeared to be quite bored with the situation and far more interested in the sails on the horizon than with the wedding vows he was reading.

Eden fidgeted with the borrowed lavender dress and chewed on her bottom lip. Sweat trickled down her back, and a lock of long hair blew across her face in the gusty wind, tickling her nose. She grabbed the strands and twirled them about her finger. A glance over Lord Rutger’s shoulder revealed a ship approaching them at a fast rate. It almost looked like… like they were being pursued.

She held her breath and dared not let her hopes up by thinking that perhaps Caspian had come to save her. If she did, it would only make the pain that much more palpable when the ship passed by without a second glance.

Rutger removed his hand from hers and placed it on her waist as the captain in front of them opened a book and began to read out loud. A light, steady rain began to fall from the sky, darkening Eden’s mood all the more.

Why should she think Caspian would waste his time to come rescue her? She was not anything special. Rutger proved that every time he hit her. Why would Caspian go out of his way in order to save her? He had business to tend to in Port Royal. Surely he was too concerned about exacting revenge for his wife’s tragic death. Why, he would not be interested in saving some useless girl — a stowaway — from her own fiancé.

Besides, how could he know where she had gone to? He had no apparent way of knowing. It was most likely he just assumed she had fallen overboard and drowned. Who would ever think she had actually been snatched straight out of Caspian’s cabin?

Her thoughts drifted back to reality again when Lord Rutger snatched her hands, pulling them away from where they had unconsciously become entangled in her hair. The man had forced her to wear her hair down and loose, like a normal bride, as if this were a typical wedding in a church. He clucked his tongue and leaned forward to whisper into her ear, “We don’t want you pulling out those beautiful locks, my little flower.”

Eden refused to look into his eyes and instead turned her head aside. She did not wish to see the lust and greed in the emerald depths.

Eden glanced at the horizon out of the corner of her eye. The ship was near, so near. 'Twas obvious she was approaching them; why did Lord Rutger do nothing? Her eyes moved to the hull of the ship. She squinted to make out the name:
Dawn's Mist.

Caspian.

Thank you, God. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

He had come for her.

He had come to rescue her from Lord Rutger.

A loud blast rent the air. The racket was shortly followed by the deck shaking riotously beneath her feet.

Clive whirled around. A string of foul curses spewed from his mouth, and then he backhanded Eden, but she was too busy grinning like a fool to feel the sharp sting.

Caspian had come for her. Why, he truly did love her! He had not abandoned her! She would not have to marry this horrible man. Maybe… maybe Caspian would even consider marrying her in Clive’s stead.

Lord Rutger turned to the captain, who had shut his book and appeared about ready for battle. “Do something, man! I will not have my
wedding
interrupted by a foolish little battle. Who is this, anyway?”

The captain ran a finger over his blond moustache. “Well, sir, whoever it is does not appear friendly. I don’t know if this is avoidable. I can’t just sit here performing your wedding ceremony while me ship is attacked, now can I?”

Clive fumed. “Do what you must, but be quick about it. I will not have this wedding delayed any longer!” He tugged Eden closer to himself, running his hand up and down her waist.

She shivered.
Please, God. Please let Caspian save me. Please, please, please.

"Man all the guns. Check for the damage. Fire at will!" The captain screamed at his crew.

Most of the men disappeared below in a flash, bloodthirsty cries on their lips.

When the smoke cleared from the hit they had taken, she noted Caspian on the forecastle deck of his handsome ship, fists planted firmly on his hips. She couldn’t resist a smile at him, the picture of confidence.

She moved closer to the rail for a better view.

The ship shook as the captain called his men to fire upon Caspian. Eden covered her ears and coughed as the smoke entered her lungs.

She prayed the shots had not hit Caspian’s ship. If anyone was harmed, or… or died on her account, she would not know how to forgive herself.

Chapter Twenty

Anger shot through Caspian in waves as he saw the man who he assumed to be Lord Clive Rutger shove Eden down onto the deck. He had no right to hurt the sweet lady.

Eden rose, and her eyes snapped to his. Caspian could not help but feel manly pride creep into his heart. He was the first person she had turned to. She could have looked to Gage, but no, she looked straight at him. That sent his heart soaring.

Caspian gave the dear woman a comforting smile and a wink, hoping she was not too frightened. He prayed that the wretched man had not hurt her badly. But this Lord Rutger would regret ever harming Lady Eden Trenton. Caspian would make sure he saw to that.

Gage turned to Caspian. "She raises her white flag, Captain."

Caspian had guessed the coward would. The enemies were under-gunned, and Caspian had the element of surprise. He was glad Lord Rutger did not have a warship or something of that kind. At least rescuing Eden would not be as hard as it could have been.

"Good. Grapnels ready. Prepare to board her, armed, but do not attack until you have my command. I want to see if he will talk civilly first before we need to shed any blood."

"Very well." Gage relayed the orders to the crew.

****

Lord Clive Rutger appeared to be seething with anger about the interruption of his wedding.

Eden slipped away from his grasp and hugged the main mast in an attempt to be out of the way of his wrath. Caspian had told her the main mast tended to be one of the safer places on the main deck of a ship during a battle because it was at the center of the deck. It was likely a cannon ball would hit the edges of the ship before the center. She had chosen the main mast because she feared there would be some type of battle this day.

Eden watched intently as Caspian boarded the ship. He grabbed onto a rope and swung over in one quick swoop, the thick muscles in his arms bulging. Eden felt her knees weaken. He certainly was quite the handsome man. Disregarding Lord Rutger completely, Caspian sauntered straight toward her.

Everything will be over in no time,
Eden reassured herself. She was safe with Caspian here. He would protect her, and he would take her back to his ship where she would be safe. A tear of relief slid down her cheek.
Thank you, God.

Caspian strode toward her, ignoring everyone else.

"You came for me." She could not stop the tears from pouring down her face as she gazed up at him gratefully.

Caspian enveloped her in his warm, strong embrace. He wiped her tears away with a single finger. "Of course I came for you, my love. Why would I not? I love you, sweetheart. Don't you ever forget that."

Rain began to pound down on them like a thousand tiny pebbles. Eden had completely forgotten about the storm when she had seen Caspian.

"Captain," Master Thompson's voice came out rather timidly.

Letting out a groan, Caspian faced him, releasing her.

Eden already missed the strength and warmth of his arms wrapped around her.

"What is it, Gage?"

"The crew wishes to know when we can search this ship for treasure. They await your directions, Captain."

The sea rioted, sending murky waves lapping all the way up onto the deck. It appeared that the dark sea was equally rebellious as Caspian’s money-hungry crew.

"Not now," Caspian ground out, turning to face Lord Rutger with a clenched jaw and fists held tightly together. Eden had only just realized the man was approaching them. They would have to deal with him before Caspian would be able to take her back to his ship. She did not want to think about the other possibility. "And you, sir; I shall have to challenge you to a duel."

Lord Rutger snorted. "You wish to fight me for this… this pirate’s whore? I daresay she is not worth it," he sneered.

"Believe me, the
lady
is worth it. I will fight you to the death if I must because of what you did to Eden. You kidnapped her and obviously have beaten her since last night. She did not have that bruise on her cheek the last time I saw her, and her lip was not cut yesterday. By fire and thunder, I saw you strike her just moments ago!"

"It was an accident. The clumsy woman simply tripped and hit her head on the deck. She has always been uncoordinated. But very well. We shall see who will die in a fight to the death. But better be warned, I have been trained extensively in sword play,” Lord Rutger cautioned, a cocky smirk painted across his face.

"No, Caspian! Do not do this! Please, I can't let you die. Not when it is my fault. Please do not fight him, I beg you, Caspian." Eden gripped Caspian’s arm, fighting back tears.

But Caspian looked extremely calm for a person in his situation. Almost too calm. Should she be worried or was that a good sign?

"You have naught to fear, Eden. I am the most feared pirate in the Caribbean. You know that, sweetheart. I can take care of one little English lord. I am sure of it." He winked at her.

Lord Rutger glared at Eden. “Very well.”

Both men drew their swords. Rutger moved his first, swinging at Caspian’s blade.

The sailors around them, Lord Rutger’s hired crew and Caspian’s crew, all took a step backward, forming a small circle around the two men. They shouted and cheered, some placing bets on who would win the fight.

Eden closed her eyes, fear taking over the urge to watch. She could not, would not, see Caspian come to his death before her very eyes.

****

Caspian easily parried all the blows Lord Rutger sent his way. Soon the earl was panting from exertion when Caspian had barely even broken a sweat.

As Caspian fought, all he could think of was the bruise on Eden’s cheek. There was no way something like that had come from a fall onto the deck. No, the monster had been beating her while Caspian wasn’t there to protect her. That propelled his rage enough that he was certain he would be able to fight for hours if he was needed to.

A loud scream sounded from Caspian’s and Lord Rutger’s left. A feminine scream.

Both men stopped in their fight immediately.

The sailors around them all spun around, their shouts fading.

Caspian swiveled to discover Kelton bolstering a knife to Eden's throat.

Blast it, he had forgotten about the whelp! He had no doubt escaped while there was no guard over him. Why had Caspian called all hands on deck? This was
entirely
his own fault.

"Forgot about me, didn't you,
Captain?
" Kelton sneered, drawing the blade tight against Eden's delicate throat.

Her face was white with terror. Those pretty, brown eyes pleaded with his.

"Don’t you worry,
Captain.
Everyone seems to forget about me. Even the guard you stationed to watch me forgot. Well, from now on you will not. You see, I will be taking your ship. And your little stowaway here. She shall serve nicely as my mistress, don't you think?" He leaned his head into Eden’s hair.

A tear cut its path down Eden's pale cheek, mingling with the rain that was pouring down.

Caspian’s gut clenched with disgust and anger. "No, I'm afraid you will not be taking my ship, boy. You would have to have the support of my crew, and from what I have seen, you have none of the sort." Caspian clenched his jaw shut tight. He needed to think of something he could do to rescue Eden. Quickly. He would not let this jackanapes take her and his ship. He
would not
leave her in his hands to be tortured.

The blade sliced deeper into her throat, drawing a trickle of cherry-red blood.

"Ah, but I will. For if you object, I will just have to kill your precious, little Lady Trenton."

Eden's brown doe eyes widened and pleaded with Caspian. So trusting. So innocent.
Sweetheart, I'm not sure I have a way out of this one
, he answered with his eyes. She had such faith in him he almost wanted to cry. He could not fail her like he had failed Isabelle. The Lord had put Eden on his ship to protect her, and he would do just that. Somehow.

Caspian wiped a sleeve across his forehead to remove a bead of sweat that had formed there, even though chills of dread spread down his spine.

"Please, Caspian. Just let him kill me. I will not have this… this
ninny
commanding your ship, and I definitely
will not
be his mistress. I would gladly die first." Fire shot from Eden’s eyes as she turned her head to glare up at Kelton. That sweet voice of hers was cut off with a gargle as the blade pressed tight against her throat.

****

Gage crept up behind Kelton on silent feet, pistol securely in hand. If he could strike the man unconscious with one blow to the head, he could save Eden. He would just have to make certain that the blow was hard enough so he only needed to strike him once. Otherwise, the man might turn on him with the knife or dig the blade deeper into Lady Trenton’s throat, no doubt killing her.