Scandal in the Sun by Burnett Jean

Author:Burnett, Jean
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chetwynd Books
Published: 2022-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

December 4th

Only a day later, after the sounds of much scuffling and swearing were heard above our heads, we were told that Tom had taken over the ship and the captain was locked in the hold. My necklace lay winking in the lamplight on Lafitte’s table as Tom Ramirez admired it.

‘I trust you are satisfied, sir, and that you will release us as soon as possible?’ He nodded, then said that he would put us ashore at a suitable place. We were already heading out of the bay and Paraty was rapidly receding from view. Alarming visions of the Isla Mujeres swam before my eyes. This villain would betray us like the others of his kind. At that moment Dona Serafina burst into the cabin escorted by two members of the crew who appeared to be mortally afraid of her. Perhaps she had put a curse on them.

‘Release these ladies at once!’ she barked at Hernandez. ‘A vessel from Rio is entering the bay in pursuit. It is fully armed and it will be the end of you if you are caught. You will hang from the yardarm of your ship.’ Ramirez’ charm slipped visibly at this and he began to curse volubly. ‘I am an American citizen!’ he exclaimed. Dona Serafina replied that he was a pirate and a criminal in Portuguese waters and he would hang regardless. When Adelaide attempted to take his hand he threw her across the cabin.

In the ensuing fracas we all clambered on to the deck aided by the crew who could not wait to be rid of us. Sure enough, a ship was sighted on the horizon, but we could not tell whether it was friend or foe.

We were rowed to shore while the pirate ship prepared to leave once more. On shore Dona Serafina hastened us away from the direction of our house to the lonely Chapel of the Generous Woman on the edge of town. When I protested she said we would be safe there.

‘What have we to fear now?’ I asked. ‘The pirates have gone and a Portuguese ship approaches. We are saved.’ Dona Serafina looked unimpressed.

‘Ask her for the reason.’ She pointed accusingly at Adelaide who sheepishly produced my necklace from her pocket. She had managed to seize it from its pouch while Ramirez was otherwise occupied.

‘When Ramirez realises his loss he will come back. He is protected by the count who, I am afraid, has been in collusion with the pirates for his own financial ends.’ Dona Serafina’s pain at this evidence of Portuguese perfidy was palpable. Adelaide protested that she had taken the necklace for my benefit and because Ramirez had thrown her aside.

At this point I confessed that the necklace was worthless paste which I had caused to be made in Rio. The real necklace was in the care of the Luccombes. Overcome by these events, I collapsed in an empty confessional while Dona Serafina and the nurse resorted to keeping baby Sebastian quiet by mixing a few drops of brandy in his milk.

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