The Pirate's Jewel (16 page)

She turned her face up to the sky and bathed in the wash
of soft stars strewn like a luminous net across a dusky blue void. Caribbean
nights proved as sultry as the days. Jewel had spent many an afternoon
marveling at the azure sky that seeped into the turquoise ocean, painting
everything in hot blue light. She longed to reach out and touch the clear
water, to test Wayland’s promise that the sea here was as warm as the constant
winds. Despite the fact that she had never learned to swim, she imagined she
could ride the waves with the dolphins that followed the ship.

Yet recalling her joy at watching the sea creatures tag along
behind them couldn’t salve the sting of her last encounter with Nolan. Not even
Parker could stir a smile from her. He had tried. And since he had been sent to
shore with Wayland on a scouting expedition of Nassau, Jewel’s mood had turned
even more morose.

Nolan wanted news of the impending revolution as well as
whether word had leaked that Captain Kent’s grandson was again looking for the
infamous treasure. If all went well—and in this case, no news was good news—Nolan’s
crew would have leave. If not, they’d sail on.

She turned her back on Nassau and searched the deck for
Nolan. He cared for her, though obviously without the same intensity she felt
for him. His aversion to love was clear. Every time she mentioned the word, he
looked like he’d stepped on a jellyfish. He had charted the course of their
relationship and decided it led nowhere he wanted to go. He relied on cold,
hard facts. Feeling was something to struggle against. The very fact that he
cared for Jewel worked against her.

Yes, she realized, Nolan forced himself to live by some
standard that defied natural reason. He was strict about propriety, about
control. Why else would he continue to wear his coat when the weather turned
sweltering? Somewhere along the way, he had stopped trusting his heart and
decided to live by a code alone. Getting through to him seemed impossible. He
and Jewel each spoke a language the other didn’t understand—and he didn’t seem
to want to learn the language of faith and love. Jewel sucked in her breath and
turned to face the ocean, letting the warm breeze relax the tightness in her
chest. A surge of awareness rushed through her limbs as Nolan stepped on deck.
She glanced in his direction, but he quickly averted his gaze, turned and
headed away. The wall he used to shield himself had been rebuilt.

She leaned on the railing, no longer able to enjoy the
night’s beauty. God, she hated knowing there was no chance for them. She still
longed for him. It scared her how thoroughly.

Wayland’s head popped up over the side, right next to
where Jewel was standing. He startled her out of her spiraling thoughts.

“Didn’t you hear me, chit? I yelled at you to fetch a
lantern. Parker almost slipped coming up the ladder.”

“I did not,” yelled Parker from over the side. “Get out of
the way, old man, so I can get on board.”

Wayland swung his leg over the rail. He seemed to have
enjoyed himself in Nassau. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked absolutely
jolly in the pirate garb they’d all donned to go ashore.

Parker, who followed up the ladder, appeared pale. His
baggy canvas pants and striped shirt hardly disguised the starched young
officer beneath. His clean hair looked far too neat, even with the red kerchief
tied on his head. He even sported an earring.

As if he noticed Jewel’s scrutiny, Parker yanked out the
gold hoop and winced. She plainly saw red on his pale earlobe. “You’re
bleeding,” she said. She reached out to examine his ear, but Parker pulled
away.

“I’m fine. It was just bloody uncomfortable is all.” He
covered his ear with his palm.

Wayland laughed. “Thought we were going to have to get
Parker here a wet nurse. Should have heard him mewl when I stuck his ear to get
the hoop in.”

Parker glared. “It was unnecessary.”

Wayland winked. “As green as you look, we would have been
picked for spies or redcoats.”

“Your drinking certainly fooled anyone who doubted we were
honest-to-God pirates.”

Wayland playfully shoved Parker, sending him stumbling.
“‘Honest to God?’ That’s it, Parker. We might get you swearing yet.”

The lieutenant spun, his hands balled in fists, but Nolan
approached before he could take a swing.

“What are you two doing back so soon?”

For the first time since Jewel knew him, Parker didn’t
snap to attention under Nolan’s harsh gaze. “He’s impossible. Completely
unprofessional.”

“Aw, he’s just pissed because I asked Maria to let him
suck on her tit. Don’t know why he’s so mad. She didn’t mind at all, and she
returned the favor by sucking on his—”

“Shut up.” Parker’s face reddened, except for his lips,
which formed a thin white line. He jerked his head in Jewel’s direction, but
the gesture only confirmed Wayland’s tale. “I was trying to see if she knew
anything.”

“Lieutenant Tyrell, I don’t want to know what happened
unless it pertains to our plans. What news do you have?” Nolan seemed to have
no sympathy. No doubt he had experienced similar situations in his youth. Jewel
could only imagine what it must have been like with a whole crew of Waylands
and no one to keep order. No wonder it took a knife in his shoulder to keep him
on her father’s ship. All the same, Jewel felt sorry for Parker’s
embarrassment.

The man somehow found his dignity. He released his hurt
ear and stood a little straighter. “We spotted some of the crew from the
Neptune
.
It’s down here. Greeley and some of the others who boarded us were milling about.
I think they recognized us—or at least they recognized Wayland. He’s pretty
hard to miss.”

Wayland clapped his hands and then rubbed them vigorously.
“What do ya think, Nolan? Are you ready for a fight?”

Nolan shook his head. “We don’t have a letter of marque,
nor do we stand a chance against a man-of-war.”

Wayland stepped forward. “Hell, I saw a load of me old
mates at the Devil’s Bounty. They’d be glad to fight with us.”

Parker clasped his hands behind his back. “They do have
our men, Captain. You said yourself the war is on. They’ve blockaded Boston
Harbor. They’re keeping us from our home. I don’t think they should be allowed to
keep our crewmen, too.”

Nolan raised his eyebrows. “You’re looking for a fight,
Mr. Tyrell?”

“He wasn’t keen on it at first, but after a few shots of kill-devil
he came around.” Wayland reached into his coat pocket and removed a bottle.
“Here. Brought you some.”

Nolan took the bottle and flung it over the side. “I’m not
going to get drunk on bad rum and attack a British warship. Nor are we ever—and
I mean
ever
—going to throw our lot in with a bunch of pirates who are as
likely to slit our throats and take our ship as they are to help us.”

Parker glanced at the deck, but the stern set of his jaw showed
he wasn’t happy. Wayland put his hands on his hips.

“If we’re going to turn tail and run, we might as well put
on skirts and start serving ale at the Devil’s Bounty. Hell, I already saw a
couple of mates eyeing Parker. His fast friendship with Maria broke their
hearts.”

Parker blushed again. He continued to look at his feet and
didn’t comment.

“We’re not going to do that, either.” Nolan didn’t appear
annoyed by Wayland’s remark. In fact, he almost smiled. “We’re going to be
smart
and
we’re going to get our men back. Parker, are you sober?”

“No, Captain.” The red that tinged Parker’s ears paled to
translucent white. “I think I might be ill.”

“I imagine you will. Go do it, then meet me in the navigation
station. I’ve the design of a British man-of-war somewhere. Wayland, come with
me. We have a mission to plan.” Nolan turned on his heel and strode to the
companionway. Wayland followed in almost a skip.

Parker stumbled over to the side of the ship, and Jewel
cringed when she heard him retch violently. Quietly, she stole away. She would
have made sure he was all right, but she had more important things to do. This
was her chance to be part of the adventure.

***

Nolan wasted no time. By eavesdropping and just standing
around—no one seemed to take notice of her anyway—Jewel learned the plan. And
surprise was a key factor.

She went to her cabin to retrieve her weapons and change
into her men’s garb. If surprise was what Nolan wanted, surprise was what he
would get. Jewel had no intention of staying in her cabin and playing the
damsel in need of protection. She would help somehow. Harvey had taught her
well how to use a sword, and she wanted to help, to pull her own weight. She
had asked to come along, after all.

She recalled Nolan’s face as he had spoken to his men. He
had been lit up from within, growing more handsome with each word. Jewel had
never seen him so passionate, and his crew hung on his every move. The few
lanterns that hung from the riggings were extinguished, but the excitement in
the air was apparent. As was the fact that, at this moment more than ever, this
crew loved their captain.

No longer did Nolan hide behind a guise of formality. He
was Captain Kenton, a natural leader. There were no rifts or struggles in his
personality tonight. The ease and passion with which he planned their assault
was inspiring.

The attack was based on an event Nolan had been involved
in a few years ago called the Boston Tea Party. Jewel had heard of the
uprising. Everyone had. And while the insurrection had shocked the world, Jewel
was more surprised Nolan had taken part. She would have sworn him incapable now
of stepping outside the limits of the law.

Tonight, Nolan’s crew would be pirates instead of Indians.
They would create a row, sneak on board the
Neptune
and get their men.
It was common strategy to force recently impressed men to stay on board while
the rest of the crew had leave. With any luck, the ship would be far away
before the British discovered what had happened.

The men gathering on deck were too busy chattering and
perfecting their disguises to notice her when she returned. Jewel straightened
her scabbard, glad she wouldn’t miss out on the excitement—even if it meant risking
Nolan’s wrath. At least, if she were caught, he’d be forced to confront her
rather than continue to dismiss her with cool politeness.

Nolan arrived on deck in a crisp blue coat. Its brass buttons
caught the light, making them glow in the semi-darkness. Jewel ducked behind a
mast. If anyone noticed her, it would be him. But he seemed just as excited as everyone
else. Jewel sneaked a peek around the mast, wondering if he intended to go with
them. He was dressed even more formally than usual. If he had decided to stay
on board the
Integrity
, it would ruin her plan to be available to help.
He’d banish her to her cabin as soon as he saw her.

Wayland blocked Nolan’s path to the center of the gathered
men, examining him from head to toe. “I don’t like it,” he was saying. “You
think polished boots are going to fool them lobster backs if they catch you
onboard their ship?”

Nolan brushed him aside. “Only the marines wear redcoats.
When they aren’t in dress uniform, the officers wear plain blue coats. Trust me.
They’re not in full dress on a muggy night anchored in Nassau.”

“I still think we should just swarm the ship. I don’t like
you going on board alone.” Wayland stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced
away.

Jewel leaned around the mast to get a better look. Her departure
to change her clothes had been too soon. She must have missed part of the plan.
And if she didn’t know better, she would think Wayland was actually worried
about Nolan’s safety.

Nolan seemed set on his course of action. “You said yourself
most of the
Neptune
’s crew is on leave. The guards left on board won’t
dare to question an officer,
if
they see me at all.”

Parker stepped forward. “I’ve already passed out the clothing
I secured on shore. We’re ready to go, Captain.”

His eyes were red rimmed, but some color had returned to
his face. His haggard appearance finally succeeded in making his pirate garb
look believable.

“Good work, Mr. Tyrell. You’ll lead three boats full of
men to the port side, and I’ll take two empty skiffs with me starboard. Make
sure some of your skiffs stay out of sight, but make a lot of noise. We don’t
want them to be sure how many launches are with you.”

“You’re not taking them skiffs by yourself. I’m going with
you,” Wayland said.

Nolan turned and shook his head. “Our decoy is a rowdy
pirates’ brawl. I think you should go with Parker and make sure everyone plays
his part correctly.”

Wayland smiled his famous gap-toothed grin. Jewel noticed
the crew no longer cringed when he did. “Parker’s a fast learner. He don’t need
me—do ya, boy?”

The lieutenant didn’t answer. “You’re the one who’s got me
worried, Nolan,” Wayland continued. “I’m thinking you’re getting ahead of yourself,
going at this alone. Not very fitting of a captain to put himself in so much
danger. You got to keep that in mind.”

Nolan paused. He studied Wayland. The uncharacteristic
seriousness of the pirate’s words chilled Jewel, too, despite the warm night
and knee-length coat she wore over her breeches. She agreed that Nolan shouldn’t
go alone. The way things appeared, he definitely needed help. And she’d be
damned if she were going to sit around and watch him commit suicide.

Nolan turned to Parker. “Mr. Tyrell, do you think you picked
up enough expertise in being a drunken pirate to lead the men in this without
Mr. Wayland?”

Parker stood straighter, visibly composing himself. “Aye,
Captain, I’m afraid I have.”

Obviously struck by the absurdity of the situation, Nolan
grinned. He turned away from the crew to hide his amusement, but Jewel’s
position allowed her to catch it. She found herself thinking there was hope yet
for her and him.