Ransome's Quest by Kaye Dacus

Author:Kaye Dacus
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736941662
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

Chapter Sixteen

The pirate’s delays in obeying William’s command to stand down and prepare to be boarded stretched his patience to the breaking point. He stood on the starboard side of the poop deck, trying to discern meaning from the activity aboard Vengeance’s quarterdeck. The frigate still had her guns run out, but, unlike the marines lining the side of Alexandra, muskets raised and ready to fire, the upper decks of Vengeance were mostly empty.

“Commodore, signal from the other ship. It’s Audacious, sir. They—

William cut Lieutenant Eastwick off. “Signal Audacious to flank the enemy ship and prepare to fire on my signal.”

Eastwick hesitated rather than immediately obey William’s command. “Sir, the captain of Audacious requests permission to come aboard Alexandra.”

Rather than relay his message through the third lieutenant, William marched to the forecastle himself.

“Signal Audacious to flank the enemy ship.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” The midshipman grabbed the appropriate flags and hoisted them.

Audacious changed tack and moved to take up position on the other side of Vengeance.

“Now signal permission for Captain Cochrane to come aboard.”

“Aye, aye, sir.” The midshipman lowered the first message and raised the second. William returned to the poop deck to keep watch on the pirates.

Half an hour later, Ned approached him.

“Thank you for your assistance with the first ship, Captain Cochrane.” William turned to his friend and protégé. “With the second pirate ship coming astern, I do not know if I could have extricated Alexandra from this battle.”

“It is my honor, sir, to have arrived in time to help. I saw the mast fall. Your handiwork?” Ned tapped his fingers against his legs, a sign of agitation that belied his calm words.

“Aye. What is going on, Ned?”

Ned glanced at Vengeance and then back at William. “You cannot fire on her, sir.”

“I know I cannot. He has Charlotte, and I cannot put her life in such jeopardy.”

“No, sir. Captain Salvador does not have Charlotte.”

William pulled the note out of his pocket and thrust it toward Ned. “He does have her. I have proof. He will pay for his crime.”

Ned turned and motioned to someone behind him. William stepped to the side—and then closed his eyes in blessed relief. Charlotte wrapped her arms around him. He returned the embrace for a moment and then took hold of her upper arms and held her away from him for closer inspection.

“You are well? Not injured?”

Charlotte shrugged his hands away and stepped back toward Ned. “I am quite well, thank you, William.”

Her downcast eyes and timid stance, with hands folded demurely in front of her, indicated she was anything but well. “Are you certain? I want you to tell me what the pirate did to you, no matter how indelicate it seems.”

Her head snapped up. “He did nothing to harm me. In fact, Captain Salvador saved my life when I…fell overboard and might have drowned. He has been nothing but solicitous and courteous toward me. And all of his crew as well.”

William looked at Ned, who kept his gaze conspicuously turned away from Charlotte. Unusual, given their conversation about Ned’s wanting to marry her last they talked.

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