Page 33 of The Summons (Legend of the King’s Ring #1)

One week later, Kingston Harbor, Jamaica

Blake stood at the starboard railing of the Summons , gazing over the turquoise waters of the harbor toward the fledgling town of Kingston in the distance. Somewhere in that city or on its green slopes was the Hyde Estate or Redemption Manor, as Emeline had called it. And somewhere within its walls was Emeline Hyde, finally home where she belonged.

“Allow me to go to my family alone, Blake,” she had pleaded with him. “I will explain to them the circumstances that caused you to kidnap me. I shall tell them you’ve changed, relay the events of our adventure, tell them how you risked your life for me.”

Blake had crossed arms over his chest. “I don’t like it. Seems a coward’s way to me. I should face your father man to man.”

“He will most likely shoot you.” She gave a nervous chuckle and bit her lip. “He’s a godly man, but not one to tolerate any harm done his family.”

Blake’s heart had shriveled. “That does not bode well for him to accept our engagement.”

“Please, Blake. I will return.” A blast of wind tossed a strand of her hair across her cheek, and Blake had eased it aside.

“How long do you need?” His glance took in Fort Charles, knowing it might not take long for the Royal Navy to recognize his ship as the pirate ship Summons .

“A day or so.”

Three days had passed. Blake’s crew, nervous at being in a Royal Navy port, were itching to leave. He could hardly blame them. Hence, against everything within him, he’d finally promised to set sail on the morrow. Too much time had passed. ’Twas quite possible Alexander Merrick Hyde, the next Earl of Clarendon, had locked Emeline in her chamber until Blake would give up and sail away.

Or worse, he intended to alert the Royal Navy to Blake’s presence.

Surely if it were his own daughter, he would do the same.

Charlie moved to stand beside him. “She’ll return. I knows it. She loves you.”

“Perhaps, but ’tis becoming clear her godly family want naught to do with me.”

The smell of Finn’s pipe wafted on the breeze. “I says we set sail now, Cap’n, afore we be spotted fer the buccaneers we be an’ hung at the gibbet on the morrow.” He gripped his neck as if he could already feel the rope.

“We were buccaneers, Finn. Were,” Blake said. “We will find new ways to gain our fortune from now on.”

Finn stared at him as if he’d grown fins and a tail. “What be this madness?”

“I’m giving up my evil ways, Finn.” Blake slapped him on the back, knowing full well the declaration might cost him a knife in the gut. But he must trust God, trust that if he did the right thing, God would protect him.

“Givin’ up the trade?” Straddling the bulwarks, Rummy took a swig of rum. “Scupper, sink, and burn me. The crew won’t go fer it, Cap’n.”

“Then they may find another pirate ship to join.”

Pedro slid down the backstay and landed on the deck, a wide grin on his face. “I think it’s a good idea, Cap’n.”

Before Blake could respond, Bandit, clinging to the ratlines, began squealing and flinging his arm through the air, pointing across the harbor.

Squinting against the bright sunlight, Blake glanced over the sparkling waters. There, in the distance, a cockboat rowed in their direction. He plucked the scope from his belt and positioned it on the craft. Was it possible for a heart to both leap and sink at the same time? Emeline sat among the thwarts, looking like a regal princess. Right beside her sat Alexander Merrick Hyde, looking none too happy. Two other men, fully armed, from what Blake could tell, sat next to them. Along with the rowers, that made six fighting men. The only consolation was that another woman sat on Emeline’s other side. Surely, Viscount Hyde would not bring his women along for a fight. Would he?

Regardless, on the promise they would not be arrested, Blake ordered his crew to stand down and offer no resistance. Not that they could do much in clear view of the fort. Still, despite their protests and grumbling, he prayed not only that he had made the right decision but that they would heed his, most likely, last command.

In moments, after the boat thudded against the Summons and the rope ladder was tossed, Alexander Merrick Hyde, Viscount Hyde, leapt over the bulwarks and landed on the deck with a mighty thump.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto Blake as he drew his cutlass and charged toward him. “I should have you arrested for piracy and kidnapping!”

Curses and growls flooded the deck, but thankfully Blake’s pirates offered no resistance.

He swallowed. The tip of the man’s blade was but an inch from his throat. “A fit punishment, my lord.”

“Papa, stop it at once!” Emeline said from behind her father, where a quick glance revealed the frustration and anger on her face. Not fear, however. Perhaps the man did not intend to arrest Blake, after all.

Alexander Hyde pressed the cutlass closer. “What is your defense?”

“None. I am guilty as charged.” Blake stood his ground, returning the man’s forceful gaze with one of his own. “But you should know, my lord,” he added, “I have made my peace with God and repented of my evil ways.”

A woman sashayed forward who surely must be Emeline’s mother. Sunlight glinted off golden curls cascading down her back and lit her eyes with the same purity and goodness that filled Emeline’s. Only a few lines at the edges of her eyes gave away her age. Oddly, she cast Blake a smile before turning toward her husband with a frustrated sigh. “Do leave him be, dear. He seems quite penitent.”

Ignoring her, Viscount Hyde kept his eyes on Blake. “You believe yourself to be worthy of my daughter, Emeline?”

“Nay, I do not. I doubt any man would be, my lord.” Blake shifted his gaze to Emeline. “But if you allow it, I vow to protect and love her all her days like no one ever could.”

This appeared to satisfy Viscount Hyde, for he sheathed his blade and took a step back. “Good.”

The entire ship seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Tugging from the grasp of a man who must be her brother, Emeline dashed toward Blake, casting a look of reprimand at her father. “You didn’t have to scare him so, Papa.”

One brow lifted as Viscount Hyde nodded toward Blake. “I doubt this man is so easily frightened.”

Blake slipped his hand into Emeline’s. “I thank you, my lord, for believing me.”

“You? Nay. My daughter, aye.”

Bandit dashed across the deck and leapt into Emeline’s arms, grinning and leaning his cheek against hers.

Emeline’s mother laughed. “Who might this be?”

“This is Bandit. He’s the real hero aboard this ship.” Smiling, Emeline winked at Blake.

He scratched beneath Bandit’s chin. “Indeed. I quite agree.”

“I cannot wait to hear that story.” Emeline’s brother approached, the perfect image of his father with his black hair and penetrating eyes—now honed in on Blake. “So you’re the man who stole my sister away?”

“Caleb, my brother,” Emeline announced.

Blake glanced at Emeline. “If you’ll have the truth of it, I believe ’twas the other way around.” He winked at her, then faced her father again. “I made an attempt to return her to you safely, my lord. Did you receive my post?”

A gust of wind tossed a strand of Alex’s black hair across his cheek, and he snapped it away, frowning. “I did. And after we received Emeline’s missive yesterday, we were preparing to set sail when”—he smiled lovingly at his daughter—“ by God’s good fortune she appeared on our doorstep.” He took a step closer to Blake. “But the next time you leave my daughter alone and undefended in a dangerous port, you’ll wish you had never been born. Do you take me?”

“Quite well, my lord.” Blake met the man’s sharp gaze, hoping to convey his sincerity.

“Papa, cease now,” Emeline said. “He’s a changed man.”

One of Alex’s dark brows arched. “We shall see.”

Emeline’s mother glanced over Blake’s crew, most of whom stood about with shocked looks on their faces. Others with admiration. No doubt the Pirate Earl’s reputation had stunned them into silence. An unusual occurrence. Even Sam stood at a distance, eyeing the proceedings with interest. “Now where is this female master gunner you told me about?”

Emeline gestured for Charlie to approach, and the woman did so, albeit with suspicion in her gaze.

“Emeline has explained your situation, Charlotte,” Emeline’s mother said. “My husband and I would like to offer you employment either at our estate or, if you prefer, one of our many ships. We would move your…”—she leaned in close to whisper—“family here to Kingston so you could be close.”

For the first time since Blake had met Charlie, tears filled her eyes. “I would like that very much, milady.”

“And you, lad.” Viscount Hyde strode up to Pedro, who was leaning against a barrel. “I hear you’re a fine up-and-coming seaman. If Captain Keene won’t give you a position, you may have one on my ship.”

Pedro’s blue eyes lit like sapphires. “You mean it? I can?” For a moment, it seemed the boy would cry, but then he straightened and gathered himself. “I’d like that very much, my lord.”

“Good, then.” Viscount Hyde gripped his shoulder, then turned to Rummy. “A one-armed helmsman. I admit I didn’t believe my daughter when she told me.”

Rummy grinned but said naught as Finn approached and withdrew his pipe. “The best helmsman in the Caribbean, my lord. But only when ’e ’as a bottle o’ rum in hand.”

They all chuckled.

Emeline’s mother wove her arm through her daughter’s, and the look of love between them sent emotion burning in Blake’s throat. His own mother had cast him out, and he’d always blamed God for it. But the God he now knew as a Father would never do such a thing. He stepped forward. ’Twas the perfect time to make his announcement, to inform Emeline’s family, as well as his crew, of his plans. “Emeline may have told you I own an island.”

Viscount Hyde crossed arms over his chest and nodded.

“I understand part of your mission here in the Caribbean is to help the poor, the widowed, and orphans.”

Emeline stared at him curiously.

“I would like to offer my island as a refuge for those in need. There is plenty of food, fresh water, and an estate that can house hundreds.”

At first, Viscount Hyde merely stared at him, his brow furrowing. Emeline’s mother, however, clapped her hands together. “How wonderful!”

Caleb nodded his approval while grunts of shock filtered among his pirates.

The viscount stepped toward Blake, a look of admiration on his face—an admiration he’d never received from his own father. He swallowed down a burst of emotion as the man gripped his shoulder. “I am most pleased. Most pleased.”

“Wha’ ’bout us?” Finn spoke up, garnering grunts from the rest of the crew.

Blake scanned his men. “You are welcome to join us in our new mission, or I’m happy to leave you on an island of your choosing. Sam,” he called to the surgeon, “we could use a man of your skill and education.”

To which the old pirate nodded. Was it Blake’s imagination or did a smile replace the man’s perpetual frown?

Emeline glanced at her father. “After we explain the truth of God’s Word to them, that is?”

Viscount Hyde drew his daughter close. “So good to have you home safe, darling. And look what you have accomplished.” He waved a hand over the brig. “Egad, with God’s help, you have redeemed an entire pirate ship!”

At that last comment, some of Blake’s crew appeared to be having trouble breathing. Yet a wave of raw emotion swept over Emeline’s face at the compliment.

Then turning to Blake, her father raised an incriminating brow. “Now, where is this Ring my daughter tells me about?”

Blake flattened his lips, loathing even the sound of the foul relic. “I kept it under lock and key in my desk, my lord. I wanted naught more to do with it and would have tossed it in the sea, if not for Emeline’s insistence I bring it to you. She said you’d know what to do.”

“Indeed. Fetch it.” He glanced at Caleb. “My son will take it and dispose of it in a place where no one will ever find it.”

Lady Hyde wove her arm through Emeline’s. “Enough of all this. We have a wedding to plan!”

b

Hours later, Emeline found Blake at the bow of the Summons , one hand on the hilt of his cutlass, staring out over the moonlit waters of Kingston Harbor. “Father is ready to leave.”

Turning, he drew her close and kissed her forehead. “I wish you could stay on board.”

“It wouldn’t be proper.” She glanced up at him. “But in a week, I will be your wife.”

“I cannot believe it.” He eased a strand of hair from her cheek. “I never thought…never thought…”

“Anyone could love you?”

“That someone like you could…” He drew her against his chest. His warmth and scent of oak and the sea flooded her as the beat of his heart thumped against her cheek. How she wished she could stay in his arms forever.

“When you first stole me away on your ship,” she said. “I could never have imagined so wonderful an outcome.”

“Me either.” He chuckled.

Reaching up, she fingered the stubble on his jaw. “How often I wondered why God had allowed such a tragedy to happen to me. What possible purpose could there be? Was I doing any good at all, helping anyone?”

“You cannot be serious?” Blake huffed, then gripped her shoulders. “You radiate the love and light of God everywhere you go. ’Twas why the demons scattered in your presence. Why Delphine quit the trade.”

“What?” Emeline blinked.

“Aye. She told me as much when I went looking for you.”

Emeline shook her head.

“Pedro and Charlie are rescued,” he continued. “And even Sam is considering that God might exist.”

“Now, you tease me, Captain.” She gave a coy grin.

A breeze tossed a strand of hair onto her cheek, and he gently brushed it aside. “Nay. He told me so yesterday.”

If Blake announced that Bandit sprouted wings and flew away, she’d believe that over Sam turning to God.

Cupping her chin, he lifted her gaze to his. “But ’tis me you saved most of all.” He eased the back of his fingers over her cheek. “I promise to always be the hero of your dreams.”

So much joy and love burst within her she could hardly contain it. “And I promise to never lie to you or betray you and to always love you.”

Leaning down, he kissed her like he never had before. With the intensity and passion of a man who truly cherished her, a man who would protect and love her forever.

A most unexpected answer to all her prayers and dreams! But in the end, all things truly did work together for good for those who love God.