Summons From the Castle, Regency Christmas Summons Collection 3 by Catherine Gayle

Author:Catherine Gayle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, regency romance, regency england, regency era, duke, romance anthology, regency christmas, regency anthology
Publisher: Catherine Gayle

~ 6 ~

Someone pounded on the door just as the thunder of a cannon blasted them awake. Entangled with Jewel, Rand scrambled from the bunk and threw on trousers and boots before yanking open the door.

“It’s Blythe. He’s got us pinned in,” O’Conner said.

“Stay put,” Rand said, pointing in Jewel’s direction. She nodded and hid her flaming cheeks beneath the sheets.

Rand brushed past the Irishman, heading for the quarterdeck. His quartermaster followed in his wake as he slid his shirt on. Their boots battered through the companionway.

La Osidiana shuddered and tossed Rand against the bulkhead. “Blast!” Rand darted through the hatchway until he reached the main deck. “Run out the guns, O’Conner. Let’s show Blythe a good time.”

A storm rolled over the horizon like a thick velvet blanket from the southwest. “Full sail, O’Conner, bring us in across her bow. We can squeeze between the shoals and the ship.”

Sean nodded, relaying Rand’s orders. A full broadside erupted from the enemy and screeched through La Obsidiana’s rigging. Sails shredded under the assault and the crew scurried across the decks like worker ants.

Their only advantage was the wind at their backs. Rand planned to use it. The crew ran out the guns and knocked the wedges out from under the wheels while the chief gunner issued orders, waiting for the command.

La Obsidiana gathered speed. “Fire at will,” Rand called out. The schooner streaked through the cove, headed right for the frigate’s bow. Her battery of cannons exploded and cleaved through the HMS Gallant’s hull in a direct shot. A cloud of black shroud settled over the decks and clung to the rigging like ghosts, clogging the air and making breathing difficult.

Veils of drifting smoke blinded Rand as he stood at the helm. The Gallant moved toward them, ready to ram La Osidiana through the guts.

“Fire!” the chief gunner called and lead balls plowed through the nose of the enemy like a heavy ram, cracking timbers and planks in half. Shouts echoed off the cliff’s rocky shoals next to them.

La Obsidiana barely skimmed between the Gallant’s bowsprit, and the reefs. Sails ballooned with the breath of the gods and propelled her towards freedom.

“They’re going to try to usher us right into the cliffs, Cap’n,” O’Conner shouted.

Come on, don’t let me down now. Timbers creaked as the vessel picked up speed. Dark clouds swallowed the last rays of the sun, and the first wet pellets showered across the decks. Winds assaulted the already damaged rigging and tore shredded sails to pieces.

Water curled off La Obsidiana’s bow as the Gallant’s bowsprit missed gouging her stern by mere inches. Enemy seamen aimed pistols and fired at Rand’s crew. Bullets dinged off the side of the ship and embedded into three of his men. Shouts of pain resonated through the cove.

Rand cursed as return fire ensued.

Clear of the shoals and ship, La Obsidiana tacked toward freedom just as the Gallant loosed a full broadside to her rear. A cannonball shattered the stern’s railing, sending a fatal spray of splinters across the decks.

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