Sweet William by Dianne Hartsock

Author:Dianne Hartsock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
Published: 2016-01-11T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

FREDRICK FLOATED THROUGH layers of pain, coming awake to a dull throb in his temple. He was in a cool room, dark except for the grease candle sputtering in a dish on a low table to his right. The planks beneath him were hard, and he sat up, surprised to find his feet unfettered, though his wrists were tied behind his back by a thick rope. Where was he? The room shifted, boards creaking around him, and he realized he must be on a sea vessel of some kind.

Ice crept into his veins. Had he been shanghaied, like so many other men in the area? He’d heard the stories of men disappearing without a trace, only to resurface months or even years later, broken by the long voyage to the orient and back. Dear Lord, save him from such a plight. What good could he possibly be on a sailing ship? He didn’t know the first thing about it.

A hard shiver ran over him. The first mate said he had other uses for him. Did he know of his attachment to William? Would he use him to somehow blackmail the young lord? He recalled the man’s heated gaze on him. Perhaps he had other designs, keeping Fredrick below deck to torment and rape as he chose, idling the time during the long voyage.

Fredrick drew a hard breath. Would the man share him with others, favorites among the crew? A reward for good service? They’d come to him one at a time, or more, bodies filthy, sweaty, rough-handed, cocks cruel, caring only to slake their vile lusts in his body.

“I’ll escape,” Fredrick vowed to the dark corners. One day he’d make it to the deck above, run for the rails and over, letting the cold sea take him away from the waking nightmare.

But would he? More likely he’d cling to William’s dear image in his mind, counting the long days until the ship returned to Boston and he could find his lover. Even if William no longer wanted him, he’d be kind, helping Fredrick along until he could start a new life for himself. Tears stung his eyes and he bowed his head, letting despair wash over him.

He jumped when the door opened above him. Sunlight flooded the small space and he watched in surprise as a young man descended the ladder. The lad stopped halfway down and eyed him worriedly. “The captain says we’ll sail in a few hours with the tide. Is there anything you need?”

Fredrick’s heart leaped. They hadn’t sailed! God, if only he had the means to escape. Perhaps the boy....

“What’s your name?” he asked kindly.

The young sailor looked suspicious. “Francis. I’m the cabin boy aboard The East Star,” he said proudly.

“And do you approve of your captain shanghaiing innocent men and pressing them into service?”

“I do what I’m told,” the lad said, mouth thinning with anger. He started back up the ladder, and Fredrick took a desperate breath.

“Wait! Do you know William Wilkerson?” he asked, grasping at the slim hope.

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