Harlequin Historical September 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Lord Havelock's List\Saved by the Viking Warrior\The Pirate Hunter (65 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

‘Y
ou—out.'

Mia watched as the guard opened the door to the cell and motioned for her to step forward. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew she wasn't being released.

All morning she'd heard chanting outside the walls of the fort. People were screaming her name with added profanities. A few hours ago she'd heard the crowd grow quiet as they listened to an announcement. Mia hadn't been able to make out what had been said, but the loud cheer had rattled her bones and chilled her blood.

She stepped forward cautiously, holding her manacled hands in front of her so the guard could see she wasn't about to attack him. Not that she would have much chance. The beefy man must've weighed at least double her weight, and towered over her by a good foot.

‘Get in here.'

He shoved her forward into another cell; this one was a small room with just a wooden door with a small grille in it. It was certainly more private, but she was unsure why she was being given this luxury. Not that she would complain. A whole morning of Essie's taunts was enough to make a murderer out of the most saintly of people.

Mia stumbled into the cell and turned to face the guard, ready to ask him what was happening. She was too slow. The door was already closing and she was left alone.

Looking around her, Mia realised privacy was the only advantage of this cell over her previous one. There was a similar mound of mouldy straw in one corner and she could hear squeaks and rustles from inside it that made her reluctant to sit down. There was a tiny window set high up in the wall which let in a ray of sunlight, but it was too high for Mia even to contemplate trying to see out.

She leaned back against the wall, no longer caring that her dress would get damp and dirty. She doubted she was going to go anywhere that required presentable clothing. Just lately she was doubting whether she would go anywhere ever again.

Mia closed her eyes and tried to picture Will's face. His smile, his laugh—those were the things that were giving her the strength to push on. He would be brave and endure, therefore so must she.

Her eyes jerked open as she heard the cell door opening again. Immediately she felt scared; had they moved her somewhere more private so the guards could take their pleasure from her?

When Will walked into the cell Mia almost cried with relief. The heavy door slammed closed behind him but Mia hardly noticed. She flung herself into his arms and hugged him so tightly she wondered he was still able to breathe.

‘I was so scared,' she whispered. ‘I thought you might have forgotten me.'

‘Never.' His voice was husky and low. ‘I'll never forget you.'

She pulled away slightly, just enough so she could see his face.

‘What's happening, Will? Why are they holding me here?'

She saw all the pain and anguish etched on his features and she knew whatever was going on was bad.

‘They've charged you with piracy,' he said.

Mia felt herself sag. Will caught her and gently lowered her to the floor, propping her up against the wall.

‘Piracy?' she asked as he sat down beside her.

He nodded glumly.

‘But I've never been involved in any piracy.'

‘There's more...'

She couldn't imagine what more there could be. This was the worst news imaginable.

‘They've already held your trial.'

‘They can't have,' Mia said. ‘I haven't left the cell block.'

‘It seems they held it in your absence. And mine.'

‘They can't do that.'

‘Apparently they can. The Governor just told me he could do anything he liked.'

‘And?' Mia asked, knowing she didn't really want to know the answer. ‘What was the verdict?'

‘Guilty.' He couldn't meet her eyes as he said it.

Mia let out a sob and started gasping for air. It felt as though she were suffocating.

Will reached out and took her hand, trying to comfort her in some way. She started crying, the tears running down her cheeks, making rivulets in the dust on her face.

He gently grasped her round her waist and pulled her into his lap so she was sitting at right angles to him. Mia buried her head in his shoulder and began to cry in earnest.

Silently Will stroked her hair and her back, making soothing noises as she cried.

‘And the sentence?' she asked through sobs.

Will shook his head, unable to say it, but Mia understood.

‘I don't want to die,' she said into his shoulder, ‘not now I've found you.'

They sat in silence for a while, Mia digesting the awful news, trying to process it. It was impossible. She could hardly believe it was true. A few days ago she'd been so happy, and now that was all going to be taken away from her. She was to be hanged for a crime she hadn't committed.

‘I won't let them do it to you,' Will whispered into her ear.

She lifted her face from where it had been nuzzled into his shoulder and looked into his clear blue eyes.

‘I won't let them take you away from me. I'd rather die myself.'

Mia didn't know what to say. She knew her death was inevitable and that no matter how hard Will wished it she would not escape from her fate.

‘Will you promise me something?' Mia asked.

He nodded his head. ‘Anything.'

‘When I'm gone—when they've done this horrible thing to me—I want you to go. I want you to return to England and to your estate and get on with your life.'

‘I can't, Mia.'

‘I want you to forget about me and live your life in happiness. Maybe in a few years take a wife and have lots of beautiful children.' She was crying again, the tears streaming down her cheeks as she thought of all the things she would never share with Will.

‘Mia, no.'

‘I want you to be happy, Will.'

‘I'll never be happy without you.'

She looked up at his face and realised his eyes were moist with tears, as well.

‘You'll have to live for both of us.'

He crushed her tightly to him and held her silently, his chest heaving as he sucked air into his lungs.

‘I'm not going to let them take you from me,' he whispered into her ear. ‘No matter what it takes.'

‘There's nothing we can do,' Mia said, wishing she was wrong.

Will tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. ‘I promise you, Mia, I won't let them do this to you.'

She wanted to believe him, and a small part of her did. At least she believed he would do everything in his power to stop them from hanging her. But Mia knew it wouldn't be enough. One man couldn't single-handedly outfight and outmanoeuvre the entire British Garrison of Barbados. It just wasn't possible. Even if that man was as resourceful and fearless as Will Greenacre.

‘I love you, Will,' she said.

‘I promise you,' he repeated, ‘we will be together again.'

Mia lifted her head and kissed him. It was gentle and passionate at the same time. Their lips melted together as if they were one. Mia felt all the tension leave her body as for a few seconds she was transported away from the dingy cell in Barbados and was instead soaring above the Caribbean Sea in Will's arms.

His lips moved down her neck, making her shudder as he nipped at her sensitive skin.

‘I promise,' he murmured into her neck, ‘we shall be together as man and wife.'

She arched her neck, giving him access to every inch of skin, encouraging him to go lower.

He drew his tongue along her collarbone and Mia felt wickedly aroused. She wanted to possess him one last time, to feel him deep inside her. He paused at the hollow at the base of her throat and blew gently. Mia immediately felt her nipples begin to harden beneath her dress.

‘I promise we will spend every night of the rest of our lives in each other's arms,' Will whispered.

Mia let out a small moan as his lips reconnected with her skin. Slowly, teasingly, he worked his way down her chest, peppering kisses along the swell of her breasts.

‘I love you, Mia, and you will be mine for ever.'

She gasped as he pushed the front of her dress down, exposing her breasts to the air. She could see him taking every moment in, trying to remember every detail about her. Mia wanted the same. She wanted a memory that would sustain her over the next few hours, a picture she could imagine as they fastened the noose around her neck so she wouldn't be quite so scared.

Delicately she started to tug at his shirt, baring the skin of his abdomen. Without stopping his attentions Will allowed Mia to pull the cotton shirt over his head.

She raked her fingers gently over his chest and felt him shiver in delight. Will became more and more desperate in his attentions, his kisses becoming more frantic. He pushed her tenderly away from him so he could watch her face as he cupped her breasts. She felt her teeth sink gently into her lower lip as pleasure coursed through her. He smiled as she thrust her chest forward, silently begging him for more.

Will's breathing grew ragged as he became more and more aroused and Mia could feel his hardness beneath her. She rocked her hips gently as he grazed a finger over one of her nipples.

‘I love you, Mia, and I promise I'll love you for evermore.'

Mia knew she wanted him. She wanted to make love to him one last time, to have one last memory of him to cherish. She didn't care they were in a dingy cell, she didn't care the floor was hard and unforgiving. All she knew was she had to feel Will inside her one final time. Then she would go to her death, not happily, but at least knowing she had lived her last day to the full.

She slipped off his lap and lay back on the floor. He followed immediately, only pausing to pick up his discarded shirt, lift her slightly, and place it under her to protect her back from the stony surface.

‘I love you,' Mia said, ‘and I want you.'

Her words seemed to set him on fire. He lunged on top of her, gently parting her legs with his own. He grabbed handfuls of her skirt and pushed them up to around her waist, exposing her to his eyes only.

Mia watched as he unfastened his trousers and pushed them down, allowing his hardness to spring free. She tried to remember every sight, every touch, every sensation, knowing this would be what kept her strong as she faced her destiny.

He paused before entering her. He was holding himself up with one arm, the other ready to guide himself inside her. Mia looked deep into his eyes and saw the love and desire burning there, love and desire all for her. She knew she'd been lucky, she'd found the one man she loved and who had loved her back and she knew, given the choice, she wouldn't give the last few days up for a long but lonely life.

Will pushed into her, filling her completely. Mia's hips rose to meet his and they thrust together in perfect synchronisation. Mia felt the heat spreading through her body and the energy thrumming just beneath the surface. The sensation built as he plunged into her again and again and again until Mia knew one last thrust would push her over the edge.

Mia looked up into Will's eyes as she climaxed, enjoying the look of pure pleasure on his face as he exploded inside her.

He collapsed down on top of her, holding enough of his weight on his arms to ensure she wasn't crushed, but allowing his body to press against hers.

‘Thank you,' she whispered in his ear.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

W
ill looked down at the woman beneath him and made a silent vow: he wasn't going to let her die. He didn't care what he had to do or what he lost in the process. They could hang him if it meant Mia going free.

He knew she'd wanted him to make love to her to give her one last fond memory before she took her trip to the scaffold and Will had been happy to oblige. But there was no way this was going to be their last moment together.

Will pulled himself off her, knowing time was short. Thatcher had agreed to help him see Mia one last time—in the circumstances it was the least he could do. As much as Will wanted to hold Mia in his arms through the long night that was to follow he had things to do, plans to make.

‘I need you to be strong, my love,' he said as he refastened his trousers and pulled his shirt back over his head.

‘I will be.' There was a tremor in her voice that pierced through Will's heart.

‘And I need you to believe in me.'

She looked at him questioningly.

‘I won't let you die,' he promised her. ‘I vow on everything I hold sacred, I vow on the love I have for you, I won't let you die.'

He could see Mia wanted to believe him, but the despair was still in her eyes.

‘I won't let you die,' he repeated one final time.

He pulled her to her feet and started to right her dress. The last thing he wanted was the guards to get a glimpse of her honey-coloured flesh and decide they wanted to sample her delights for themselves.

When she was as presentable as possible Will grasped her by both shoulders and bent his head ever so slightly so they were on the same level.

‘I need you to listen carefully, Mia,' he said, his voice low and serious. ‘Look out for me tomorrow. And be ready.'

She looked confused. ‘Be ready for what?'

Will shook his head and motioned to the door. He didn't think anyone was listening, he'd paid the guard handsomely to take himself away to the other end of the cell block, but he couldn't be sure.

‘Just be ready,' he repeated cryptically, ‘and remember I'll come for you.'

He bent down to give her one last lingering kiss. He never wanted it to end, he wanted to stay locked to her lips for ever, but he knew that just wasn't possible.

With a clenched fist he banged loudly on the door and listened as the guard made his way from the other end of the cell block, inserted the key in the lock, and opened the door.

‘Farewell, my love,' he said.

The look of loneliness and desperation on Mia's face as the cell door closed behind him was enough to spur him into action.

His first act was to take out a silver coin from his pocket and hand it to the guard.

‘See she isn't put back with any other prisoners and isn't bothered by anyone,' he said, handing the coin over. ‘There'll be another one tomorrow if she's well cared for.'

The guard took the coin readily and within an instant it had disappeared somewhere on his person.

‘I need some information, too,' he said, producing a second coin.

The guard looked at it greedily. Two silver coins were probably worth more than four months' salary. Will held it back for a second, waiting to hand it over until the guard had answered his question.

‘The execution tomorrow—Miss Del Torres is to be last, is that correct?'

The guard nodded, his eyes only leaving the coin for a second.

‘And the other pirates will be hanged before her?'

Again he nodded mutely.

‘In any particular order?'

‘There's twenty to be executed tomorrow, not including her in there,' the guard said, finally speaking. ‘They'll go in the order I chain them.'

This was exactly what Will wanted to hear.

‘And if I was to ask you to chain a certain man in the middle, would that be possible?'

‘For a price, sir.'

‘Of course.'

‘Which one do you want in the middle?'

Will was glad the guard didn't seem to want to know his motivations for such a request.

‘Why don't you take me to them and I can point one out.'

The guard walked back through the cell block with Will following behind. He opened the door at the end and motioned for Will to step through into area with the more crowded cells.

‘These will all be hanged tomorrow,' the guard said, indicating the silent men squeezed into the two communal cells.

Will scrutinised them. They were a sorry-looking bunch, once-feared pirates reduced to scared little men by the prospect of inevitable death.

He motioned to a small man in his twenties with a livid scar across one cheek.

‘You got any family?' he asked, leaning in and speaking softly so no one else could hear.

At first Will thought the man might not answer. There wasn't much motivation for him to do so.

‘Mum and two sisters. They'll probably starve now.'

Perfect. This was just the sort of man Will had been looking for.

‘What if I was to promise to take care of them, seek them out and give them a gift of gold?'

The man looked at him suspiciously, but Will was pleased to see some of the life returning to his previously dead eyes.

‘Why would you do that?'

‘I want you to do something for me in return.'

‘You're the man who killed the Captain,' the man said.

Will nodded, hoping this revelation wasn't going to spoil his chance.

‘What do you want me to do?'

Will bent forward and spoke quietly so only the man could hear. From the corner of his eye he could see the other pirates edging closer, curious.

When he'd finished explaining, the other man nodded.

‘If you can prove my family is going to be taken care of, I'll do it.'

‘Deal.'

Will pushed his hand through the bars and grasped the pirate's. They shook firmly.

‘Where can I find your family?' he asked.

‘Brooker Street. Becky Watts is my mam.'

‘That one,' Will said, turning back to the guard. ‘And I want him in a separate cell tonight so he doesn't come to any harm. And I don't want you asking any questions.'

Will held out a whole purse full of silver coins.

‘Fine by me,' the guard said.

Will watched as he moved the young pirate out from the communal cell and across into the quieter cell block.

‘I'll be back later with that man's family.'

‘Yes, sir.'

Will felt his plan slowly coming together. It wouldn't be easy—in fact, it would probably be the most difficult thing he'd ever done—but if he managed to pull it off it would most definitely be worth it.

He thought of Mia alone and afraid in her cell and forced himself to resist the urge to go back to her. She would have one night of misery, but if he managed to save her he would make it up to her with a lifetime of love.

Will strode out of the cell block and spied Thatcher leaning against a wall. His old friend looked haggard and haunted and Will wondered if he could trust him.

Taking the risk, he walked over to Thatcher and leaned against the wall next to him.

‘How is she?' Thatcher asked gloomily.

‘Awful. She's given up hope.'

‘I spoke to the Governor again. He's not budging.'

‘Thanks for trying.'

‘I feel terrible, Greenacre. I only wish there was something I could do.'

Will regarded him for a few seconds, trying to work out how serious he was.

‘There is something,' he said slowly, ‘but it isn't exactly legal.'

He watched as Thatcher considered his statement.

‘How illegal are we talking?'

‘It's more turning a blind eye,' Will hedged.

Thatcher thought some more.

‘I suppose hanging Miss Del Torres isn't really legal in itself,' he said. ‘Let's see if two wrongs can make a right.'

‘I need you to arrange the men standing guard at the execution tomorrow in a particular way.'

‘The Commodore oversees the Navy men,' Thatcher said.

‘But I'm sure if you highlighted a particular security concern and a way to remedy that the Commodore would listen. He strikes me as a reasonable man.'

‘He is a reasonable man. We happen to play chess together.'

Will grinned. Maybe, just maybe, he had a chance.

‘What do you want me to persuade him to do?' Thatcher asked.

‘It's probably best if I show you.'

They walked silently away from the cell block and out into the square beyond. Already the soldiers from the garrison were setting up the scaffold, readying it for the executions in the morning.

‘Point out to me the likely points the Commodore will station his men,' Will requested.

‘He'll have a long line in front of the scaffold so the crowd can't surge forward,' Thatcher began explaining. ‘Then he'll have men every few feet or so around the perimeter. A couple with each line of prisoners and a couple more to take them to the scaffold. And then he'll station a few up on the walls above to keep an eye out for troublemakers.'

‘And how about behind the scaffold?' Will asked.

Thatcher looked over to the half-built platform and assessed it carefully.

‘Maybe one or two, not more than that. That alleyway there—' he pointed to the narrow opening that came out just to one side of the scaffold ‘—you wouldn't get a good view from there so the locals won't be pushing their way through that way.'

‘Perfect,' Will said, his plan taking shape. ‘Now I need you to persuade Commodore Wilkins to take the man he might have positioned in front of that alleyway and instead get him to guard the prisoners as they wait to be executed.'

Thatcher looked at him assessingly.

‘You can say they look to be a rowdy bunch and you think they'll need an extra man there, not wasted on this alleyway.'

Thatcher nodded. ‘I don't want to know what you have planned, Greenacre, but I wish you the best of luck.'

‘Thank you.'

‘If anyone can pull this off, it's you.'