Castle of Fire by Peter Greene

Author:Peter Greene [Greene, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781365316180
Published: 2012-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

On the main deck, the bell rang just as Jonathan and Harrison joined Sean and the remaining Dowdeswell girls.

“Is Delain feeling better?” asked Jonathan.

“Oh, much better, Mr. Moore, thank you for asking,” Penelope answered. “She is sleeping like a baby.”

Just then Steward happened by, calling out orders to a few of the crew and then addressing the Governor’s daughters.

“Ladies, it’s time to depart! Board your chariot to London, HMS Drake. We all hope to see you there soon—right, boys?”

The boys all agreed and walked the ladies to the gangway, avoiding the last few crates and barrels being loaded by the crew.

“Aren’t we missing one?” asked Steward innocently. “I don’t see Miss Delain.”

“She is already aboard the Drake, in a deep slumber, Mr. Steward,” said Rebecca. “We will make sure she is tucked in. Please be careful and return safely to port. We wish you all farewell.”

They all shook hands politely, and even Sean held Penelope’s hand for an extra moment or two, smiling and looking at the deck in embarrassment, shuffling his feet.

“Mr. Flagon,” Penelope said, “I will see you in London, I hope?”

“Oh! By all means!” Sean said excitedly. “Though I am originally from Ireland, London is now my hometown! I will be glad to show you around upon my return.”

“And hopefully you will show her some of the finer areas, Flagon,” added Harrison, who smiled deeply at Rebecca, causing her to turn almost as red as the Captain did from time to time—though in joy, not anger.

“Until our reunion, Miss Rebecca?” Harrison asked softly, boldly holding the eldest Dowdeswell’s hand.

“Until then,” Rebecca answered, and touched Harrison’s cheek ever so gently.

As the ladies left, Steward just shook his head.

“Ah, Cupid’s arrows strike deeply upon departure, the poets say!”

HMS Danielle departed Nassau to little fanfare, as did HMS Drake. The Governor wished his daughters well from the dock, Lady Dowdeswell blowing kisses to Penelope and Rebecca and worrying visibly about Delain, who was still ill.

As the sun washed golden sparkles along the top of the calm sea, the Drake and Danielle let down all sail, sheeted home by tightening all attending lines, and within a few minutes were racing eastward with a strong wind at their backs and nothing but open sea ahead. It seemed a contest to all who watched the ships from shore, though within a minute or two, the Drake, with its much lighter load and smaller draft, surged ahead, and within another few minutes, it was gone from sight.

Walker stood on the poop deck and enjoyed the sunshine in his face and the breeze at his back. Alone at last, he could take pleasure in some solitude and be with his thoughts. Now in the midst of a real mission, he was content and engaged.

Click . . . click . . . clickity-click . . . came the sound of rattling.

“Good Lord!” he exclaimed aloud, scaring a few crew members, even the stone-like Mr. Watt who was nearby. “Where in the bloody blue blazes is that coming from?”

He stood still once again and listened.

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