Fire and Ice Page 28

  “I’ve heard tell of another female ancestor of ours who was also a sea pirate many years ago. She made quite a name for herself striking down Viking ships. Most folks think she is just part of a colorful legend, though.”

  “Such a pity!” Kathleen sighed.

  “Yes, but better than another relative of ours who simply walked off in the middle of the night leaving a broken-hearted husband and three motherless children. They found her clothes neatly folded on a rock at the edge of the sea, but she was never seen again.

  “Yet another beautiful young lass was captured in a raid long ago and taken prisoner aboard an enemy ship. She escaped by diving overboard, rather than submit her fair body to the lustful crew. It is said she sang a haunting ghost song long after she was supposedly drowned, and she lured the ship into unchartered seas in the nether world. Neither girl nor ship was ever found again. They say on a clear night the first of June every seven years just at the stroke of midnight, ye can hear her haunting song, and if ye look closely enough ye can catch a glimpse of the ghost ship still sailing on the dark waters.

  “So ye see, lass, ’tis the special gift of the mermaid ye carry, and not so strange after all. Enjoy it and pass it on to later generations.”

  Kathleen smiled, not really ready to believe all Kate told her, but relieved to know her gift had been shared by others of her family before her, and possibly generations to come. She felt honored in some special way to have been blessed with this unique affinity.

  With Reed gone, she began to plan again, and almost immediately saw this as a golden opportunity. Charles came by to check on her after breakfast and was pleased with her condition.

  “My ship sails for New York this evening, Kathleen, but if you wish me to stay, I will,” he offered.

  “You are a dear, Charles, to even consider it, but I’ll be fine. Kate and Eleanore are excellent nurses. You go to your seminar and don’t worry about me.” She reached for his hand, her face suddenly thoughtful and sad. “Thank you for all you’ve done. I know you would have saved my child if it were possible.”

  Ted was to drive Charles to Savannah, and Eleanore was going along. By the time they left, Kathleen had entrusted a note to Dan into Eleanore’s hands. “Ted will know where to locate him,” she instructed. “Don’t deliver it until Charles has sailed.”

  “This is all very mysterious, Kathleen. What are you up to now?”

  “I’ll tell you when the time is right. Please don’t question me about it now.”

  In the note Kathleen had instructed Dan to make certain all preparations to sail were made ready. Everyone must be standing by and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

  Kate filled her in on Reed’s plans. He was sailing down the coast to the Florida keys where he would lay in wait for a Spanish ship. There should be no problem in encountering either a galleon laden with gold and treasure sailing from Mexico, or one laden with goods from Spain heading west. They would be easy prey not only for Reed, but for any of Lafitte’s seasoned privateers. After Reed captured the ship, he would take his booty to Grande Terre and return to Savannah.

  “If all goes well, he will have nothing but sad tales to give to Jean.” Kathleen’s eyes shone like emeralds in her excitement. “I have sent a message to Dan to ready my frigate.”

  “Ye can’t risk moving about so soon!” Kate exclaimed. “Surely ye cannot mean to take Reed’s cargo while ye are so weak. ’Tis impossible, lass!” Her face was lined with worry as she studied Kathleen’s determined look. “Wait until next time.”

  Kathleen explained eagerly. “Don’t you see? Now is the perfect time. Even if Reed should see through my disguise, he would not believe it. I am here in Savannah recuperating. You must tell the others that I am severely homesick and depressed and wish to see no one for a while.”

  “It might work, but what of yerself?” Kate wanted to know.

  “I will have nearly a week to recover aboard ship before we hit the keys. Besides, I do not plan to leave until Tuesday night. Can you have my hair rinse ready by then?”

  “I’m sure I can. There is another problem ye are overlooking. What of Eleanore?”

  “Oh, dear!” Kathleen chewed her lower lip anxiously. “We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it, won’t we?”

  By late Monday afternoon her sailing gear was smuggled from Chimera and her hair rinse was finished. Her breeches fit snugly, but when she attempted to pull on the high boots, she found the material of the trousers too thick to allow the boots to fit properly over them, and the legs of the breches were too tight to fit on the outside of the boots.

  “Drat!” Kathleen shouted in frustration. “What do I do now, Kate? We haven’t time or material enough to start again.”

  “Ye’ll jest have to wear yer old breeches this time,” her grandmother commented before noticing the sly gleam in Kathleen’s eye.

  Reaching for her knife, Kathleen carefully sliced around the legs of her breeches. This complete, she donned her boots and breeches again. Her grandmother stared in amazement. Kathleen stood in black boots reaching to her knees and green breeches that barely covered her bottom. Her entire upper thighs were left bare!

  “Ye Gods and little fishes!” Kate cried. “Ye don’t dare wear that!”

  “If I dare piracy, Gram, any outfit I appear in won’t be more of a shock than that. At least I can move about easily this way.” Studying her image in the mirror, Kathleen wondered to herself if she might further dare to wear the vest without the shirt beneath. After all, she was not supposed to present the picture of a proper lady, but that of a daring female pirate! It would be an extremely bold costume, but so were the actions she was preparing for.

  “Why not be alluring as well as daring? Perhaps they’ll be too stunned to fight!” Kathleen giggled to herself. The mirror showed that the small green eyemask covered her cheekbones just enough to hide the contours of her face and disguise her identity.

  Kate had prepared the hair coloring herself. Flax seed had been cooked in water and strained to make a gel. Strong black tea had been brewed and the leaves strained from it. Then the tea was combined with vinegar in an iron pot and simmered slowly until only a small amount of dye liquor remained. When it had cooled, it was stirred into the gel. It would not be a permanent dye, neither would it rinse out easily. It would take strong soap and baking soda to remove it, and a lemon rinse afterward, but it could be applied and removed time and again without causing damage to Kathleen’s beautiful hair.

  Kate helped Kathleen apply it with a small brush. Together they worked the dye through Kathleen’s hair, then rinsed and brushed it dry. Kathleen exclaimed over the final result. It was as black as coal, and as shiny as satin. Even Kate was surprised at how much it changed her appearance. The effect was stunning! Her suntanned face suddenly seemed Latin, and her bottle-green eyes appeared even more brilliant in contrast to the ebony hair.

  So involved in their examination were they that they failed to hear the bedroom door open until Eleanore let out a small gasp. “Kathleen! Is that really you? Whatever are you doing?”

  Kathleen stepped forward and pulled Eleanore into the room as Kate hurriedly closed the door again, this time bolting it. Kathleen turned slowly in review, modeling before her friend.

  “Don’t you like it, Eleanore?”

  “It’s stunning, to be sure, but I am quite confused. Your own coloring is so beautiful! Why change it? This just isn’t you! In fact, it took me a moment to realize it actually was you!”

  “Good!” Kathleen stated satisfactorily.

  Eleanore looked from one to the other of the ladies in bewilderment. “Are either of you going to tell me what this is all about?”

  Kate answered first. “That depends on whether your loyalties lie with Kathleen or with Reed. After all, ye have known him longer.”

  “True, but so have you. Whatever mischief you are planning against him he deserves. I’ll certainly not tell him.” Eleanore turned to Kathleen with a
sincere, slightly hurt look. “You should know that without asking, Kathleen. I was there. I saw how he treated you on the island, the way he allowed Rosita to taunt you, how he forced you to leave Grande Terre against your will.”

  Kathleen smiled sadly as she recalled the more loving scenes from that time. “Yes, but you also tried to tell me he loved me. You know of the passion that passes between us, and you’ve seen how generous he can be. The actions I am about to take against him may seem too drastic to you. ”

  “Nothing short of murder would be too drastic, Kathleen!” Eleanore declared vehemently, her dark eyes smoldering. “I cannot honestly say I believe Reed married you for the Kat-Ann alone. I think he wanted you as well, but his methods were definitely underhanded. Perhaps I sympathized with him a little, even wished him well, but not when I recall the words he spoke to you the other morning.” Tears filled her brown eyes. “How could he have said such awful, hateful things to you! I would not blame you if you chose never to forgive him. Whatever you intend to do, Kathleen, you can count on my help if you need it.”

  Kathleen quirked an eyebrow at her friend and asked quietly, “Even if Jean sees less of Reed’s cargo in the future?”

  Confusion registered on Eleanore’s fair face. “What? How could that be unless you plan to have him caught by the authorities? You would be breaking your word if you did that.”

  “My word is true, Eleanore. I’ll not dishonor it. Reed will simply be relieved of his booty before he reaches Barataria Bay.”

  “You are going to have him pirated!” Eleanore stood rooted to the floor, wearing a look of disbelief. Suddenly she began to laugh heartily, her slight frame quaking as her laughter filled the air. “Oh, Kathleen, it is perfect! Tell me, how did you find anyone daring enough to agree to this insane scheme?”

  Kathleen flashed a look of develtry toward Kate, and both pairs of emerald eyes glowed with excitement. “I didn’t have to look far, Eleanore. I will attend to the task myself. I have my own ship and crew standing by even now, thanks to the note you delivered for me Sunday evening.” Kathleen laughed delightedly as Eleanore’s mouth sagged open.

  “Surely you are not going along on this venture!” Eleanore exclaimed when she had regained her speech.

  “Sit down, dear, before your knees give out,” Kathleen giggled, gently propeling her friend into a nearby chair. “In answer to your question, yes, I am going along. In fact, I am captaining the ship myself.” At Eleanore’s frantic look, she waved away her fears. “Please do not concern yourself. I am an excellent captain. I can handle a ship as well as I do a rapier.”

  A glimmer of admiration crept into Eleanore’s eyes as understanding dawned. “I’ll be switched! Then it wasn’t just a fluke when you sliced Pierre’s arm! You actually are proficient!”

  Giving an exaggerated bow, Kathleen smiled slyly. “At your service, ma’am. Now you see the need for my disguise. Reed must never suspect it is I who am pirating him. If you truly mean to help, you could assist Kate in covering up my absences.”

  At Eleanore’s nod, she stated firmly, “Good. I sail tonight.”

  Kate voiced Eleanore’s thoughts. “Are ye sure ye’re well enough, lamb?”

  “Don’t you two worry about me. This voyage and the sea air will do me more good than anything Charles could think up. I draw my strength from the sea. It will provide all my needs and restore my spirit. It won’t fail me when I need its power most.”

  Chapter 18

  IT WAS nearly midnight by the time Kathleen pulled her horse up on the shore nearest the island. She had been forced to ride slowly, for she still had not regained all her strength and had recurring spells of weakness.

  Two men stepped toward her from out of the shadows, and just for a moment Kathleen thought her heart had stopped. They came forward, and the taller of the two led her horse away while the other led her to the waiting dinghy. Not a word passed between them as they rowed to the ship.

  Once aboard, she tossed her small bundle of clothes to a waiting sailor and told him to take them to her cabin. Dan waited for her on the quarterdeck.

  “Are the stores in and everything in readiness?” she inquired. At his nod, she asked, “How many hands have we?”

  “Forty aboard, and three at the warehouse I rented in town,” came the immediate answer.

  Kathleen frowned slightly. “Sounds a bit light, but it’ll have to do. I suppose they are all good men.”

  “Aye, Cap’n. Good fighters and loyal.”

  “They know what we are about?”

  “That they do, and they’re eager fer it, let me tell ye. ’Specially if we come across a few of those devil-be-damned British.”

  Kathleen settled herself on the rail. “Tell me what you’ve done since we last met.”

  “Well, let’s see now.” Dan scratched his beard. “We’ve painted her and dyed the sails and changed her name. She’s real purty in the daylight, ’specially since we fixed the figurehead.”

  “Oh?”

  “Aye, Cap’n. We took the stars out of her hands. She carries two cutlasses now. We darkened her hair a bit and put the stars in her hair. Call me superstitious, but it be bad luck to remove a ship’s figurehead, and since we had to change her looks, we just rearranged some things a bit. Looks good, too, if I do say so meself.”

  “And the flag,” Kathleen pressed. “Did the sailmaster finish the flag?”

  “All done and ready to run up anytime ye give the order.”

  “Are the guns all in working order and plenty of balls and powder laid in?”

  “All we should be needin’. And the hands are all armed to the teeth. Begorra! Some of the lads look like walkin’ arsenals! They been practicin’ every chance they git. Some of ’em are going to make ye right proud.”

  “That’s a weight off my mind,” Kathleen admitted. “I’ve been worrying a bit about that.” She paused and went on. “That about covers all I need to know for now. Gather all hands on deck and I’ll let them know what they can expect from me as their captain.”

  She drew herself up to her full height, hands on her hips, with one daintily booted foot propped on the rail. Eyeing them critically from the quarterdeck, she waited until all eyes turned her way and silence fell the length of the ship.

  “Listen up, lads!” Her voice rang out commandingly. “We are about to set sail. The rules are simple enough. I am in full command here. Each and every order I give will be carried out immediately. Your lives may depend on it. Deserters will be shot. Mutineers will be hung. When we are engaged in battle, anyone who refuses to defend this ship will be keel-hauled—if he lives that long. There will be no gambling or drinking to excess as we will need clear heads at all times. You’ll have ample time for celebration between runs. Disobey, and you’ll feel the lash on your back.

  “All booty will be divided into shares according to pirate law, although for the protection of your good names I’ll not require you to sign an article of piracy. Only Dan and I are in danger of being recognized, so as you see, we are disguising ourselves. You will call me Captain at all times, and never by my given name. Dan will simply be Mr. Bosun.

  “Also, if you value your skin you will resist any temptation that may arise to take advantage of my feminine weaknesses. You may find my attire to be provocative in nature, but do not be so foolish as to be misled. The outfits will be solely for the purpose of disguising my identity from my husband and his men. It would prove fatal to underestimate my skills with pistol and rapier. All of you have sailed under my command when my father was alive. We go back many years together, and I know most of you well. I would hate to have to kill any one of you. I demand not only your allegiance, but also full respect as your captain.”

  Kathleen paused to let her words sink in, and to judge their reactions. They all seemed to be in agreement as far as she could tell. She scanned the faces below her until she found the one she sought. A smile played at the corners of her mouth.

  “Hal Finley!” she called. �
��You will be our quartermaster, if you please, sir!” Her smile broke loose full force as she continued. “And please accept my apologies for taking your position as captain.” She swept him a gallant bow.

  The young man grinned and shouted over the laughter of his shipmates. “Thank you, Captain. The pay will probably amount to more now, anyway!”

  Kathleen joined in their laughter. She felt selfconfident and very sure of her crew. Finley would be an excellent man for quartermaster. He was experienced, and the men not only respected him, they liked him. He was in his mid-thirties, of medium height and build, with thick reddish-brown hair and beard. His face was pleasant, and there were laugh lines around his mouth and merry brown eyes. A man of good humor, he was nonetheless a skilled swordsman and sailor. Kathleen recalled somewhat sheepishly that she’d had an enormous crush on him when she was twelve.

  “All right, men! Let’s get underway. Mr. Finley, take charge of your men while I man the wheel. Station a couple of lookouts to keep an eye peeled for navy cutters. No lamps and no noise!”

  They stole silently out of the cove under Kathleen’s delicate hand. It was a tricky feat maneuvering the shoals, but she managed it with ease. Under cover of darkness, they slipped past the shore patrol and headed south for the Florida keys. The sea breeze snapped the canvas to life, and as they sliced through the waves Kathleen felt a hidden part of her soul revitalize itself and spark to life. She felt new strength flow through her as she breathed deeply of the ocean air and felt the deck shifting beneath her feet. Again she realized she could never stay away from the sea for long. She must always return, for part of her soul rested deep within the bosom of the sea.