Page 19 of The Summons (Legend of the King’s Ring #1)

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meline leaned her face toward the rising sun, relishing its warm caress and praying it would wipe away the darkness and foreboding that had consumed her during the night. After the captain fell asleep, she’d carefully laid the violin down and returned to her bed. But her mind and heart found no peace. One minute she sensed a tenderness in Blake, a humility even. The next, the steel returned to his eyes. One minute he opened his heart a crack and allowed her entrance. Then the next, he slammed it shut. One minute, he caressed her cheek gently as one would a lover. The next, he threatened to ravish her. Which man lurked beneath his pirate exterior? Hero or villain? Gentleman or rogue? He was a man of mystery. A mystery she honestly had no desire to solve.

Therefore when Charlie knocked on her door in the morning and offered to give her a tour of the gardens, Emeline gladly accepted. They broke their fast with papaya and freshly brewed coffee before leaving the big house through one of the French doors in the dining room. When Emeline inquired after the captain, Charlie said he had risen early and was attending business on board the Summons .

Good. Emeline had no desire to see the man after his lewd threat. She glanced over the well-maintained gardens, filled with manicured bushes and tropical flowers in every color of the rainbow—hibiscus, jasmine, ginger lilies, and bougainvillea. Their sweet scent filled the air with God’s best perfume, and Emeline couldn’t inhale enough of the aromatic fragrance. In the middle of the garden, birds of every color imaginable fluttered about an ornate stone fountain filled with water sparkling in the sunlight.

“It’s truly beautiful,” she said as they proceeded down a stone pathway that wove through the tropical paradise. “Who would have thought a pirate would own such an elaborate mansion and lavish gardens.”

“Aye, surprised me as well when he first brought me here.” Charlie drew a deep breath, quieter and more pensive today than usual.

They continued walking past a row of Ackee trees, the sweet fruit dangling from branches. “I’m sorry the captain assigned you to watch over me. No doubt you have better things to do.”

Charlie flashed her a smile. “Not watch. He asked me t’ show you around is all. An’ no, I do not have duties at the moment. I use these visits here t’ rest.”

“Hmm. Am I free to wander about, then?”

Charlie cocked her head. “Well, you are on an island, Miss. With no chance of escape.”

“Call me Emeline, please.” The woman had a point. Unless, of course, Emeline could find a small fishing boat or shallop to steal. She knew how to sail, and her father had taught her to navigate by the sun and stars. Even so, sailing on the open sea was dangerous in so small a craft.

Female giggling tickled the air as they turned another corner to find Maston, one arm on a post, leaning over a comely servant girl who stared up at him adoringly.

Emeline’s stomach soured.

The pirate’s eyes lit with surprise when he saw them, and he gave a mock bow. “Ladies.”

“Don’t you lady us, you witless barracuda,” Charlie spat out, then faced the young girl. “If you know what’s good for you, girl, best get as far away from this puckish princox as you can.”

Emeline frowned. Wasn’t it just last night Maston had fondled her on the dance floor, whispering flatteries in her ears? And here he was already onto his next conquest. Weaving her arm through Charlie’s, she led her away before she and Maston drew swords again.

“Come, let’s go dip our feet in the sea, shall we?” Emeline said. That way she could get the lay of the land, see how big the island was and more importantly, if there was any possible way to escape.

“I’d think you’d be sick o’ the sea, Miss…Em. I’m goin’ t’ call you Em.” She shrugged. “But why not?”

The gardens opened to a narrow path lined by thick jungle and riddled with tree roots and vines. Air, heavy with moisture, grew abuzz with all manner of insects. Colorful birds flitted through the canopy as Charlie navigated the winding trail, Emeline on her heels.

Finally, they emerged from the tangled web of leaves and branches to a narrow strip of sand. A single-masted fishing boat had been pulled up from a tidal pool onto shore and tied to the trunk of a tree.

A boat! The perfect size for a single person skilled in sailing. Why had Charlie brought her here? There was barely enough sand to sit upon, a mere ribbon of water in which to dip their toes, and a thick canopy overhead blocking the sunlight. Emeline stared at Charlie quizzically, while trying to hide her excitement. “Not exactly what I had in mind. Is there not a better beach?”

An impish smile sat upon the master gunner’s lips as she nodded toward the boat.

Emeline raised her brows. “Are we sailing somewhere?”

“Nay, but you could if you needed to.” Understanding sparked from her eyes. “See that speck o’ land?” She pointed out to sea where Emeline could barely make out a brown dot upon the blue waters.

She nodded.

“That be Bear Island. Wit’ calm seas, someone wit’ knowledge of sailing could make it. Word is there is a fishing village there an’ a small port.”

Emeline swallowed a lump of emotion at the woman’s kindness. Quickly followed by suspicion, for she well knew that Charlie’s loyalty to the captain could not be questioned. “Even should I dare attempt such a feat and make it to shore, with what shall I book passage?”

A burst of salt-laden wind spun Charlie’s long hair behind her as she offered a sly grin. “Aye, I thought of that, an’ when no one were looking, I put a pouch of coins and a flintlock in the bottom drawer of the dressing bureau in your chamber. You do know how to fire it?”

Confusion joined Emeline’s suspicion. “Of course, but I do not understand. Why…why would you help me?”

“You saved me from Maston at great risk t’ yourself. We women must help each other in this world run by men, eh?” She winked. “An’ also because you didn’t do nothing deserving of your fate.”

Emeline forced back the moisture in her eyes, still unsure whether she should trust the woman. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“No need.” Pivoting, Charlie headed down the narrow strip of sand.

Mind spinning with both renewed hope and joy at Charlie’s kindness, Emeline followed. Within minutes, they entered the same shore upon which Emeline had first set her feet. ’Twas even more beautiful than she remembered. The perfect bay, deep enough for a brig, yet hidden from passing ships by the embracing arms of a wooded inlet. Turquoise water lapped ashore in glittering waves as Charlie plopped to the sand and began removing her boots.

In the distance, the Summons sat like a regal prince upon the calm waters, and Emeline could make out men on its deck and hear muffled shouts. If the captain was indeed on board, the last thing she wanted was to face him.

“Is there no other shore we can enjoy?”

Charlie squinted up at her in the sunlight. “Nay. Not wit’ a beach this nice.” Then rolling up the hems of her breeches, she leapt to her feet and headed toward the waves.

Grinning at the woman’s childlike playfulness, Emeline removed her shoes, hiked up her skirts, and joined her.

The warm water tickled her feet as her toes sank into the silty sand. Just offshore, fish in a myriad of gorgeous colors darted here and there without a care in the world. The words of Jesus swelled in her mind.

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

No doubt that applied to fish, as well. Then why was she worried? God was in control. He knew exactly where she was, even if her parents didn’t.

A spray of salty water splashed her. Shocked, she looked up to see Charlie wearing a devilish grin and about to dip her hand in the surf again.

“Oh no, you don’t!” Emeline teased as she leaned over and flung foamy droplets over her friend.

They continued splashing and giggling as if they were little girls enjoying a day at the beach…instead of the master gunner of a pirate ship and the prisoner of its captain.

Still, it felt good to laugh, good to pretend that all was well with the world. If only for a moment. Finally, with their attire damp and their moods much improved, they both lowered to the sand once again.

“You’re not at all like I first thought, Em.” Charlie laughed. “I thought you were one o’ them shrewish hoity-toity ladies who look down their regal noses at the rest of us.”

Emeline smiled. “Then I thank you for the compliment.”

No sooner did Charlie stretch out her legs, than the jovial mood from only moments before slipped from the woman.

“Is something wrong?” Emeline asked.

Shaking her head, Charlie leaned back on her hands.

Emeline sensed a loss, a longing in the woman. “You are missing someone.”

Charlie snapped a suspicious glance her way.

“A child, perhaps?” Emeline pressed.

“How do you know such things!?” Charlie’s shout startled Emeline, reminding her that this woman was as hard and tough as any man. Anger flared in her eyes before she huffed and looked away.

Emeline proceeded with caution. “I think God shows me things. Gives me knowledge about people.” Her father had called the gift a word of knowledge. She should be excited, happy that she, too, possessed a special talent. But she’d yet to see its value. Other than angering those she told.

The sun peeked over the tall palms of the cove, spreading rays of warmth over Emeline. She closed her eyes, longing for the carefree moments she’d only just shared with this volatile woman, longing for a friend amidst the enemies who surrounded her. The gentle lap of waves and trill of birds caressed her ears but brought no peace to her soul.

“There is a child,” Charlie finally said. “Michael.” Such love, such longing rang from the sound of his name on her lips that a lump swelled in Emeline’s throat.

Charlie gave a sad smile and picked up a shell.

“Aye,” Emeline said. “I think I met him. In Basseterre.”

“What? How? Why?” Charlie leapt to her feet, planting fists at her waist.

“I’m so sorry. I followed you.” Looking down, Emeline ran her fingers through the sand. “I was so alone and lost. I thought perhaps you could help me.”

“You saw him?” The master gunner’s voice squeaked with emotion.

“Aye. For a moment, but the woman at the house sent me away.”

Dropping to the sand, Charlie clutched Emeline’s arm. Tight. “You must never tell anyone. No one.”

“You have my word. You can trust me.”

Her brown eyes flitted between Emeline’s before she turned to face the sea. “Aye, I believe I can.”

“May I ask what happened?”

Charlie dug her feet deeper in the sand and glanced over the waters, rubbing the shell between thumb and forefinger. “The usual sad tale. I fell in love. Believed every word he said. Allowed him to seduce me, an’ then when I announced I was wit’ child, he got on his ship an’ sailed away.”

The words spilled from her lips so fast and devoid of emotion that they seemed but a fabrication. Emeline had heard far too many similar stories from the poor women begging for scraps in the streets. “Who was he?”

“Captain Marcus Hanson or Sir Marcus Hanson, as he likes to be called. Baronet, merchantmen, plantation owner. Rich an’ powerful.” She drew a deep breath and stared out to sea. “He swept me away on wild adventures, treated me like a princess, a precious thing to be cherished.”

Exactly what Emeline always longed for. A hero, a romance like her parents. “I understand. I truly do. What woman wouldn’t have fallen for such attention?” Would she? Was she? Her gaze landed on the Summons , seeking a glimpse of the captain.

“I am a fool, Em. A complete fool.” Charlie pasted on a hard smile. “But I learned. I grew stronger. I know what men are now. What liars they are. Not a one to be trusted.”

Emeline longed to tell the woman that not all of them were like that. The men in her family, those who had turned to God, were honorable, trustworthy, true heroes. “Yet look at you now. You’re a master gunner aboard a successful pirate ship. A man’s job, to be sure. And you do it well.”

Finally, the lady smiled again. “Better!”

“Indeed.” Emeline laughed as a tiny crab skittered across the sand and dove into a hole.

Minutes passed in silence before Emeline dared to ask, “Who is the woman who cares for Michael?”

“My mum.”

“And you support them with the treasure you earn?”

“Aye, the only way I can. That’s why I joined wit’ Cap’n Keene. I could not provide for Michael doing anything else. Nor my mum. We would be begging on the streets.”

Taking a risk with the capricious woman, Emeline laid her hand on Charlie’s. “You are so brave and strong. I admire you immensely. You entered a man’s world, even dress like them, and you possess more courage and strength than them all.” So unlike Emeline, who had the confidence of a gnat. Even more shameful was this woman did not even rely on God.

Charlie gave her hand a squeeze. “You are kind. I see why he likes you.”

Emeline had no doubt to whom she referred. “He likes only himself.”

Charlie laughed. “Well, they do say opposites attract.”

Emeline couldn’t help but join in her laughter.

“You know, my family and I help people in situations like yours. There are other opportunities for women on these islands. Thievery is no decent life. God can help you.”

Charlie tossed the shell into the water with a plunk . “If God were gonna help me, He’d a done it already.”

Emeline longed to say more, to help this lady see how much God loved her, but movement caught her eye, and Bandit came darting across the sand and barreled into her arms, nearly knocking her over. Behind him, Captain Blake Keene marched toward them.

Looking none too happy.