The Sea Hawk (27 page)

"Of course. We will return her to the home she loved best."

"I...I will miss her,
Faucon
," Joaquin said. Tears streaked his cheeks.

Pulling the boy into her arms, Simone whispered, "We shall all miss her spirit."

"What will become of me now?"

"I will care for you,
mon chou
, as always. You will live with us on Martinique. I shall be proud to call you my son. Your mother's last words were of you. She loved you in her own way. Now go into the chapel and light a candle in memory of her spirit."

Simone watched Joaquin enter the small chapel and wiped away her own tears. She loved the boy as if he were her own and made a silent vow to give him the best life she could. Straightening her shirt she stood and climbed the stairs toward her future.

Chapter Twenty-one

THE FIGHTING AT New Orleans was costly. Simone lost twenty-five of her crewmen as well as Esperanza. Following a week of rest and preparations, Simone helped Julia and Joaquin aboard
Le Faucon de Mer
for the final journey home to Martinique. The feel of Julia beside her filled her soul with happiness despite the losses they had suffered.

The day after her return to New Orleans Simone and four of her crew members crossed the Mississippi River to the western bank. She personally cleaned her former lover's body before sealing it in a simple wooden casket. Across the river the British were also going about the grim task of preparing their dead for burial. They had all fought valiantly, but the toll was more than Simone could comprehend.

As the ship weighed anchor and slowly made its way out of Timbalier Bay toward the open sea, Simone stood on the wheel deck. "Take us home, Gaston," she said to her new first mate. "The most direct course you can navigate."

"
Oui
, Captain," the man nodded as the ship cleared the channel entrance to the Gulf of Mexico.

A brisk winter breeze filled the sails. Simone wrapped a cape around her shoulders and walked to the stern. Her black hair fluttered around her head as she sat and watched the
Northumberland
fall in behind her. This would be her last voyage.
Le Faucon
had been her home for too many years.

A smile crossed her lips as she gazed back at her brother's ship. He and Kitty married the day before they left New Orleans. St. Louis Cathedral was filled with rugged looking crewmen as they exchanged their vows. Most of their men practiced no religion and seemed uncomfortable and uncertain as to the proper behavior. They were much more comfortable at the celebration afterward.

The captains of Simone's other two ships made the decision to remain with Laffite. They knew no other life and she wished them well. They were loyal to her and deserved their rewards for such loyalty. Her thoughts were interrupted by the feeling she was being watched. She turned her head toward Gaston and saw Julia staring at her. Motioning her closer, she pulled Julia against her for warmth and covered them both with her cape.

Julia had been unusually quiet as they made their final preparations to leave New Orleans, but offered no explanation. Simone had been reluctant to question her then. "What is troubling you,
mon amour
?" she whispered. "You seem unhappy."

"No. I am indescribably happy, but...there is something you need to know about me."

"Is it something serious? No matter what it is, it could never diminish my love for you," Simone said, brushing her lips against Julia's neck. "We have survived much worse, I am certain."

"It's chilly up here," Julia said. "Can we speak about it in your cabin?"

"It is
our
cabin now and I would enjoy being there with you." Simone stood and offered her hand to Julia. She left an order with Gaston not to be disturbed and escorted Julia down the steps to the main deck. Had Julia changed her mind and now had no wish to accompany her to Martinique? Simone refused to think of such a possibility. As they entered their cabin Simone pulled Julia to her. She was shocked when Julia pushed away from her and walked to the windows overlooking the sea behind them.

Simone followed her and placed her hands on Julia's shoulders. "Have I done something to upset you?" Simone asked. "If so, you have my deepest apologies."

"No. You are everything I have ever desired. The problem is with me," Julia answered.

Simone took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around her lover. "Tell me what you believe is wrong and I will do what I can to change it."

Julia laughed. "You can do many things, my love, but this isn't something you can fix. No one can."

Simone turned Julia to look at her. "I love you, Julia, but I cannot play these guessing games. I have given you my heart and now you are ripping it apart."

Julia looked down for a moment. When she looked up again she saw the worry in Simone's eyes, and stroked the side of her face. "I don't belong here," she finally said softly.

"Of course you do! You will always belong here with me," Simon said with authority.

"Do you remember Bernadette?"

"That foolish old tarot reader in New Orleans? What of her?"

"She said I didn't belong here. Being near me frightened her."

"She was an old fool. Nothing more than a street vender stealing money from the gullible," Simone said dismissively.

"But she was right, Simone. I don't belong here."

Simone dropped her hands and took a step back. "Do you wish to leave?"

Closing the distance between them, Julia shook her head. "No, no. I never wish to leave you. You are everything I have wanted my whole life."

"Then what is wrong?"

Julia took Simone's hand and pulled her toward the bed. When they both were seated Julia took a deep breath and turned to face Simone. "I am from a different time, Simone. I don't know how I came to be here, but I am."

Simone stared at her lover and opened her mouth to speak, but could think of no response. Julia smiled. "I am from a time in the future. I live on Tybee Island on the Georgia coast. I am a marine archaeologist. I was diving alone when my boat was stolen by...by pirates." The more she said, the faster the words tumbled from her mouth. "Pirates in my time are mostly drug smugglers. They took my cabin cruiser and left me in the open sea to die. When I was rescued by the
Viper
I was certain I was dreaming, seeing things that weren't really there. But now the dream has gone on for over six months. I...I can't explain how I came to be here in this time, with you." She stopped and looked at Simone. "Now you know. The woman who loves you is insane. You are a figment of my imagination. None of this can be happening, but it is." Suddenly tears sprang to Julia's eyes and she buried her face in her hands. "I don't want to lose you, but I'm afraid if I ever awaken from this dream you will be gone. I couldn't bear that, Simone. I love you too much to go on living without you."

Simone took Julia's wrists and pulled them away from her face. She wiped the tears from Julia's cheeks and leaned closer until their lips met. At first, even after the passionate nights they had already spent together, Julia was tentative. As Simone's kiss became more insistent, Julia's lips parted and she wrapped her arms tightly around Simone, pouring every ounce of emotion within her into the kiss. Breathless when the kiss came to an end, Simone whispered, "A kiss such as that cannot be only in a dream, my love." Her hand brushed over Julia's breast and she felt the nipple harden. "Your body would not react to my touch in a dream. As long as you breathe I shall be with you."

"I hope you are right."

Simone lowered Julia onto the bed, kissing along her neck. "Let me show you other things that cannot occur within a dream."

As she felt Simone's body move over hers, a feeling of dread and profound loss swept through Julia. She had dreamed these very things and felt them as much in her dreams as she was now. Please don't let me ever awaken, she silently prayed.

JULIA FELT BETTER after telling Simone the truth, or at least what she thought was the truth. They spent the next two weeks strolling the deck of
Le Faucon de Mer
, discussing their future together. Neither of them brought up the future as Julia knew it although they did discuss Julia's family and occasionally the work she was doing. Simone seemed fascinated by the excavation Julia described even though Julia was certain Simone was merely humoring her insane lover. Nevertheless, she had told the truth, knowing they might never discuss it again once they reached the island sanctuary.

A week from Martinique Julia leaned against the railing and gazed out over the orange and yellow sunlight streaming across the water's surface from the horizon. Nothing was more beautiful than a sunset on the waters of the Caribbean. A kiss against the back of her neck brought a smile to her face. "If you are not Captain Simone Moreau then you are in serious trouble, crewman," she laughed.

"In a week I will only be Simone Moreau," her lover said as she joined her to look out over the calm waters.

"The water is very still this evening," Julia commented.

"Yes, it is. Almost too calm. Without a wind we will make little progress."

"In a hurry to get home?"

"The journeys we are most eager to complete always take the longest. Or so it seems," Simone said with a smile. "Our dinner is ready."

Julia took Simone's arm as they made their way to their cabin. "You know, Simone," Julia started. "The things I miss most about the future are my cargo pants and t-shirts. Oh, and my sneakers. They were so comfortable!"

"When we reach Martinique I will see that you have pants at least," Simone smiled.

"Would you really?"

"Of course. I want you to be happy. But I do not know the things you call 'sneakers'. Are they for stealth?"

"I suppose so. I'm unsure how they acquired their name."

SIMONE WAS AWAKENED from a deep sleep by a thumping sound and sat up in bed. Looking at the windows on the far side of the cabin she saw water streaming over them.

"Is something wrong?" Julia asked, her voice heavy with sleep.

"No. Go back to sleep. I will see what has happened."

Simone slipped on her pants and boots, throwing her cape over her shoulders before she stepped onto the main deck. Cold rain pelted her face. The ship was listing slightly into the wind as she made her way onto the wheel deck. "What is happening, Gaston?" she said loud enough to be heard over the wind.

"The wind began increasing almost an hour ago, Captain. We have only just been struck by the rain. It is becoming more difficult to pilot the ship now that the wind has begun to swirl." The first mate clung to the wheel to maintain control of the vessel.

Simone went to the railing overlooking the main deck. "Lower the sails!" she ordered. "Gaston! Turn into the wind to let the wind from the sails!"

The wind velocity seemed to grow stronger by the minute as Simone and Gaston both attempted to hold the wheel away from the wind. She wiped rain from her face and watched her crew slowly making their way up the lines to take in the sails. If the wind filled them and continued to grow one or more of the masts could be broken or severely damaged at the very least. She glanced over her shoulder, but the rain made it impossible to see the
Northumberland
. It was a slightly smaller ship and she hoped Anton's sails were already lowered.

"Simone! What is happening?" Julia's voice called out.

Simone maintained her hold on the wheel. She couldn't believe Julia was standing halfway up the steps to the wheel deck. "Go back inside the cabin! You will be safe there! I will join you when this storm passes!"

Julia nodded and turned to descend the steps. It seemed as if a hole suddenly opened on the surface of the water and the ship plunged downward. To her horror Simone saw Julia fall the last two or three feet to the main deck. "Go to her,
Faucon
! I can hold the wheel alone for a few moments, but hurry!" Gaston said over the wind and rain.

Bracing her body, Simone carefully made her way to the main deck. As she reached Julia a wave of water poured over the deck, knocking both women off their feet. Simone held Julia's hand tightly, attempting to regain a foothold on the slickened deck. "Don't let go!"

It took every ounce of strength Simone could summon to maintain her grasp on Julia as they began to slide closer to the main deck railing. "Raul! Francois!" Simone called out. "Hurry!" She looked around and she saw the men making their way toward her, hanging onto ropes to pull themselves along. They were no more than a few feet away when a second wave washed across the deck, dragging Julia over the side, still clinging to Simone's hand. Simone's shoulder slammed into the railing support, sending jolts of pain through her arm. Fighting against the pain she managed to grab Julia with her other hand as well. "I've got you!"

Simone felt someone grab her legs and hold her in place. They would be all right. She only had to pull Julia back a few feet onto the deck. She felt her grip beginning to slip, her muscles screaming from the strain. "Pull me back!" she called over her shoulder. "Quickly!"

"Simone!" The sound of her name caused her to look over the railing at her lover. "I love you, Simone! Never forget that!" Julia shouted up to her.

"Don't leave me!" Simone called back. "Hang on a moment longer!"

"I can't. I don't belong here," Julia said, her strength finally giving way as she lost her grip on Simone's hands and fell toward the churning water below her.

"No!" Simone screamed, pulling herself up to the railing. "Julia!!" Only the grasp of Raul and Francois prevented her from throwing herself into the water after her lover. Unable to break their hold, her knees buckled and she fell to the deck sobbing. Finally the men picked her up and carried her back into her cabin. She was soaked to the bone and shivering, but not from the cold. She curled into a tight ball as the men drew the coverlet over her and left her to grieve.

When she opened her eyes again the sun was shining brightly. Her clothes were still wet, but she ignored them. She stumbled onto the main deck and glanced around, hoping the night before had only been a nightmare. From the averted looks of her crew she knew the truth. The ship seemed to have sustained only minor damage and they suffered only one casualty from the storm, the one who mattered most to Simone.