The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum

Chapter Fourteen

“Are ye certain ye are well enough for me to go?” Beck asked Eliza the next morning. She’d refused to leave Mull and Captain John, so he’d stayed too, although not with her since she’d shared a bed with Meg.

Eliza nodded. He touched her pale cheek. “I won’t stay for the celebration, just the ceremony.”

“I am well. You stay,” she said, looking away. “’Tis my womanly time.” Her hand slid across her abdomen. “It started last night.”

Beck frowned and lowered his voice. “So ye are not with child, then?”

She stared at him for a moment and then shook her head. He should have felt relief that their coming together hadn’t endangered his isle and clan, but instead disappointment lurked in the tension around them.

She wore a borrowed gown from Meg. It was a deep rose color that cinched around her waist, raising her breasts high along the deep neckline. Hair brushed and pulled back in a thin crown of braids, she looked like a sad princess.

Beck pulled her into his arms. She was stiff. He touched her cheek with his thumb. “What happened in the chapel?” he asked, his voice low.

She blinked up at him. “My uncle refused to listen. He is still taking Captain John and the crew to London.”

He hugged her closer, settling her against his chest. He heard her take a long inhale and kissed the top of her head. “We will follow and petition the courts for his release.”

Would they listen to a Scotsman? Could Tor’s contact with the English help? Could Beck pledge his support of the English throne for John Pritchert’s release? Say he would work in their interests as a privateer? He needed to talk to Adam and Tor, see what they thought. He was a Scotsman through and through, but to save Eliza’s family he might have to…sell his soul to the devil? Aye. Whatever it took.

He blew out a long breath. “We will do everything we can to help them. I know ye care for them.”

She pulled back. “Care for them? Do you care for your brothers?”

“I know. Ye love them,” he said.

She nodded, blinking back tears. The shine of them tore into Beck like talons. He never thought he’d see Eliza weep. She’d been through so much, had grown strong with her bravery and tenacity. And now she blinked back tears.

“Dammit, Eliza. I wish I could do more.”

She grabbed his hand with both of hers. “Go after Jandeau now, before Captain Wentworth can sail away. Before Jandeau can sail away! Trade Jandeau for Captain John.”

“There isn’t time before Wentworth sails,” Beck said. And he had promised to be at the wedding of his mentor’s daughter. Camilla was Cullen’s princess. He would do anything to see her happy, which meant putting on a huge, resplendent wedding. And Cullen had done so much for Beck over the last two years: helping him build the Calypso, teaching him how to sail in any condition, being a friend and mentor. How could Beck not attend his daughter’s wedding?

“And ye said yourself that the Calypso alone cannot capture the Bourreau.” Beck slid his hand over the curls that she’d left down to drape over her shoulder. “I will convince Cullen to sail with me tomorrow, or Tor with his ship.”

Her lips squeezed tight into a thin line. “Tomorrow.”

“Maybe ye will be feeling better then,” he said, trying to catch her gaze, but she only looked at his chest. She gave a quick nod. Beck lifted her chin with his bent finger to bring her gaze up. “What is it?”

Anger tightened her face. “What is it? The only family I have known for the last ten years is going to London to be hanged. Do you not think that would make me irritated and sad?”

He dropped his hand. “Aye.” His chest squeezed. And here he was going to a wedding festival. “No matter what, I will return as soon as I can, and we will set off to find Jandeau.”

She shook her head. “Not good enough. The Calypso isn’t strong enough to take on the Bourreau alone.”

He rubbed a hand through his hair. “I will convince Cullen to sail with me.” He pulled her into his arms. She resisted at first but then gave way, pressing her face into his chest.

“Go, then.” Her words were mumbled with her lips pressed there.

Beck kissed her forehead. “Wait for me here at Aros or head back to Ulva to be with the children.” She nodded against him, and he dropped his arms.

“Beck,” Adam called, “Tor has the Beast ready to sail.”

“Aye,” Beck said, his face tight. “As soon as I can,” he said once more to Eliza.

“Fare thee well, Beck Macquarie,” she said.

His gut tightened. It sounded like a permanent farewell.

Adam grabbed his arm. “Come along. Tor wants to sail with the tide.”

Beck looked back at Eliza over his shoulder. She stood alone in the middle of the massive great hall, seeming small, her arms hanging loosely by her sides. She was beautiful. She was sad.

Mo chreach.

…

The sight of Captain John being forced to board the English ship, shackled so that he could not escape, was one that Eliza would never forget.

Tall Kofi followed him, along with small, angry Edgar, who spat every few steps, and the rest of her family of rough-and-tumble men who hid golden hearts. They saved lost souls far more than they plundered and never killed anyone they considered honorable.

“With both of us rowing, we are nearly across,” Liam Maclean said, his back before her. He had followed her down to the docks after overhearing her last conversation with her very English, very follow-the-law uncle. I’ll send word to Beck that ye are stealing his ship unless ye let me help ye kill that bastard Jandeau. The pirate ruined my life.

Eliza threw all her worry and anger into the oars as they rowed. Her gaze drifted to the open sea to the right, but Tor’s ship had sailed half an hour before with the tide, the wind probably giving them a quick trip to Islay Isle for the wedding.

Dammit!She yanked on the wooden oars until they brushed blisters along her palms. He left. For a moment, she had thought Beck would agree to forget the wedding and help her. Then she wouldn’t have to steal his ship. But nay, Beck had abandoned her to save Captain John and the crew of the Devil’s Blood all on her own.

“How many do ye have to sail the Calypso?” Liam said over the wind. “’Tis a right large ship.”

“I have you and me right now,” she said. “But I know the children will help, and Alice.”

“Children? Helping to sail a three-masted carrack?”

The rocky sand crunched as the rowboat landed on Wolf Isle, saving her from having to give some confident comment that would be a lie. Raising Meg’s dress above the waterline, Eliza jumped out, Liam on the other side. They hauled the rowboat up onto the beach. She turned to run up the path to Gylin Castle and heard the man following. She didn’t trust him, but what choice did she have but to bring him along? And he had two hands to help with the ropes.

Laughter filtered out from behind the lowered portcullis. “I’m back,” she called as she ran over to the door, pounding on it until Anders pulled it open.

“Who is he?” he asked, glancing behind her.

“Liam Maclean,” Liam said, a friendly smile in his voice.

“Are the captain and crew at Aros Castle?” Alice asked, Hester on her hip. In the bailey, Muriel hurried over with her young girl and Pip. The cook, Jasper, stood behind holding a hoop that the children could chase. In his large hands, with no smile on his face, it looked odd. He stared at Liam as they walked inside.

“They were at Aros,” Eliza said, her breath coming quickly. “But they have boarded an English ship.”

Pip gasped. “To be hanged?”

“If we don’t help my uncle, the English captain, to capture Jandeau, they will be. We have until tomorrow sometime to find Jandeau and help Captain Wentworth or he’s taking them all to London to swing from the gallows.”

“Bloody hell,” Alice said, and Hester hid her face in the side of her neck.

“So he is your uncle,” Anders said.

She nodded. “Seems I am related to English royalty. And…” She took a deep breath, feeling the heat rise in her face. She looked at Alice, who had been with her since the beginning. “Jandeau has my brother, Peter.”

“Good Lord,” Alice whispered. Pip’s hand went to her mouth.

“He wasn’t killed,” Eliza said. “Jandeau took him to port and had a woman raise him. Peter was just retrieved, and Captain John saw him.”

“That’s why the captain wanted to follow him north,” Anders said, his face pale. Was he thinking that it could be him on board the Bourreau right now, surviving the worst pirates on the seas?

Eliza nodded. “And left us on Eilean Mòr while he tried to rescue him, but then Wentworth crippled the Devil’s Blood and took our crew captive. But Wentworth will trade them for Jandeau and Peter, so we must help him before he takes Captain John and the rest to London.”

“What can we do?” Anders asked, his young face seeming to grow older with determination.

Eliza took a full breath, thankful that no one asked her how she’d missed the fact that her brother had survived. “We are to meet Captain Wentworth on our own ship on the west side of Wolf Isle. We will sail around Eilean Mòr to see if Jandeau is there, and then down to Gometra isle if he is not.”

“Why would they still be in the area?” Liam asked.

She looked directly at him. “Because Jandeau is willing to trade Peter for me.” She took a deep breath. Silence sat heavy in the bailey.

“So…” Anders said slowly, his gaze shifting beyond the portcullis, “we are taking the Calypso.”

“As soon as I change into my sea clothes,” she answered. “But I need a crew, one bigger than Liam and myself.”

They all knew the dangers of getting close to Jandeau and his men. If they failed, they’d be captured, killed, or worse—sold into slavery or kept on board for their sadistic pleasure.

“I’ll not go near that monster again,” Muriel said, her gaze resting on Liam. “And I wouldn’t trust that one not to give ye over to him.”

Liam’s face turned red. “I made a deal with Jandeau before I knew what type of man he was. I was trying to protect my isle against the English by forming an alliance with the French. I did not know he would try to take ye and Lark and the other girls. My life since has been full of…” He ran his hands through his hair. “I need to redeem myself to the Macleans and Macquaries if I have any chance of living peacefully here.”

Eliza looked back and forth between Liam and Muriel. Regardless of Liam’s past sins, she needed his hands on the Calypso. “Muriel, could you watch Hester for us?”

“Aye,” Muriel said, relief in her voice.

Eliza’s eyes turned to Alice in question. “Unless you don’t—”

“I am with you,” Alice said, “always.”

“Thank you,” Eliza whispered.

“I am going too,” Anders said. “It could be me on that floating hell.”

“And me,” Pip said, looking far more serious than her eight years. “I can assist with the lines and climb into the topcastle as lookout if Anders is working below.”

Lord help them. She would not risk sweet Pip if there were any other way. “Pip, it could be—”

“Captain John saved me,” she said, her voice strong. “I need to at least try to save him.”

Behind them, Jasper’s voice came strong and deep, his accented words heavy with unspoken memories. “I have known captains like this Jandeau.” His face had hardened into the promise of death, and a chill ran down Eliza’s spine. “I will help you, Eliza of the Devil’s Blood, and I know how to sail.”

That was six! Captain John said she needed at least six people to sail the Calypso. She could surely do it now, at least until a few of Captain Wentworth’s men came on board to help.

“Thank you,” she said, meeting each set of eyes.

Alice handed Hester off to Muriel, kissing the little girl’s cheek. “We will be back tomorrow,” she said, but she passed a look to Muriel.

Muriel nodded, hugging Hester close. “Hester will be one of my own until ye return.” She smiled, but her eyes were haunted. Muriel knew Jandeau firsthand. If they didn’t come back, she would become Hester’s mother.

“Thank you,” Eliza said, giving Hester a kiss too. “I hear they have kittens at Grissell’s place.”

“Aye, white and black kittens,” Muriel said and clasped her daughter’s little hand. “We will have fun and bake some biscuits. Grissell loves biscuits.”

Eliza turned to her new crew, each of them watching her with stern expressions. She nodded. “Everyone dress for sea and find your weapons.” She looked at Liam. “Perhaps Jasper can find you a dagger and sword.”

Jasper frowned but nodded. He turned to stride toward the castle, and Eliza waved at Liam to follow him. Liam looked unsure. She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Do not kill him, Jasper. We need six sets of hands to sail the Calypso.”

“I will try my best,” Jasper said over his shoulder, making Liam glance back at Eliza.

She shrugged. “He said he’d try his best.” She flipped her hand after him to get him moving and turned to Alice. “Our clothes?”

“Fresh and up in our rooms,” she said.

They strode toward the castle, Beck’s castle, to ready to take Beck’s ship. She rubbed a hand against the hollow feeling in her stomach. What would he think if he returned to see his ship missing? I might be back before then. Not if he returned on the morrow, but there was no helping it. She must do everything she could to save Captain John, her crew, and her brother, Peter. Even trading yourself for him?

Maybe.

…

Beck threw his energy into pulling on the oars as questions and curses churned in his head. Why was Eliza rowing back over to Wolf Isle with bloody Liam? Wasn’t she having her woman’s monthly and not feeling well? He glanced at the packet of raspberry leaf brew he’d obtained from the apothecary on Mull when he’d disembarked the Beast before it sailed.

After snapping at his brothers over and over as they prepared to leave, Adam had taken him aside and basically thrown him off Tor’s ship. I’ll tell Cullen ye were detained.

I need to be with her.

I can tell. We all can.

I am not breaking things off with her.

I see that.

No matter what the bloody curse says.

Then go.

When he couldn’t find Eliza in Aros Castle, he’d walked back through the village and spotted her rowing with Liam across the narrow stretch of water.

“What the bloody hell is she doing?” Muscles straining, Beck threw his weight into the oars, battling the choppy waves. It had taken him a quarter hour to find another rowboat to borrow.

Maybe Eliza just wanted to return to Alice and her children with news about their Captain John, but Liam’s presence worried him. Liam Maclean had been shunned after his traitorous dealings two years ago. Why he remained on Mull was a mystery, but Liam continued to try to convince people that he was, in truth, honorable. Had he convinced Eliza to help him do something foolish?

Ocean spray coated Beck’s face as he rowed through the white caps that had kicked up with the growing breeze. Stroke. Bloody hell. Stroke. Damn, I should have stayed. Stroke. Did she lie to me? A small thought bored into him. Is Eliza leaving? Her farewell had sounded final.

“She is just going to Gylin,” he said, and the words made his stomach untwist somewhat. Captain John was on Wentworth’s ship, and the Devil’s Blood had lost a mast in battle and needed numerous repairs. Nay. Eliza wasn’t going anywhere.

He pulled in deep breaths as he rowed until he hit the beach. The power in his rowing propelled him high enough that his boots stayed dry when he jumped out, dragging the boat ashore. He jogged past the tethered Macquarie boat toward Gylin. The portcullis was down, and no one was in the bailey except for Whisky and her pups. They barked as he yanked open the unlocked door in the wall, nearly shattering the old hinges. The dogs ran on his heels across the bailey as if this were a game.

“Eliza!” he yelled, running into Gylin. He stopped in the great hall to listen. Vacancy permeated the air as the dogs’ nails tapped across the stone floor. He took the winding steps two at a time to reach the floor where Eliza shared a room with Anders. Throwing the door open, he stared at the trunk, its lid flipped open. He closed his eyes and exhaled. She would have taken it with her if she’d left for good.

After striding down the hall, he descended the stairs quickly. “Eliza? Alice? Jasper?” he called, his voice booming, but silence was the only answer. Where was everyone?

Go after Jandeau now, before Captain Wentworth can sail away. Trade Jandeau for Captain John.

Beck sucked in a large breath, his hands curling into fists. He straightened as Eliza’s words caught at his pulse. “Bloody foking hell, Eliza,” he said, his voice more like a growl. She was going after Jandeau without him. And she was going on the only ship available to her—the Calypso.