Rogue Wave (The Rogue Wave Series Book 1), page 18
“They will be alright for a couple hours. Doc will call for you if he needs assistance.” Lucas glanced at Doc.
“Of course I will, Miss Catherine. The men are all resting anyways so there is not much we can do at the moment.” Doc reassured her, patting her hand gently.
“Very well, if you two insist.” She smiled, slipping her hand around Lucas’s arm.
They walked out onto the quarter deck. Catherine gasped at all the ships around them. A large British Man O’ War was cutting through the water, heading out of the ports and into the deeper ocean . Smaller Schooners rushed about, delivering goods, fishing off the shores, and assisting in monitoring the waters near the ports.
“Incredible.” She whispered, hair blowing in the breeze and mouth slightly hanging open.
“I agree.” Lucas replied putting his hand on her back, “When we reach France, we will head to a place I know of where we can stay. There we will be able to clean up and change into something more appropriate.” His eyes roamed her body. “From there, we will need to take you to the dress makers and get you a few more things. We will most likely be in France for a couple of days and will need to attend a dinner or two in order to meet with Monsieur Dupont,” he added.
Catherine nodded, staring at all the ships coming and going.
“It will be a few hours before we make it into the port and ready to depart from the ship. Until then, you are welcome to stay above deck and take in the sights. Or if you prefer, you can do one last round and check on the injured.” It felt odd leaving his ship and the injured crew. He was usually the one that stayed aboard, only stepping onto land for a few hours at a time and seeing to any business he might have at the various ports.
This time, not only would he need to make his appearance known and show his face in society, but he needed time to be able to approach Dupont. Lucas imagined Monsieur Dupont was likely a busy and very well-known man of the French nobility. Simply calling upon the man would not be enough to change Dupont’s mind about the plantation. They would need to catch him in an agreeable moment.
He also wanted to make this short time in France special for Catherine. She had told him the reason she had tried boarding a passenger ship was that she had longed for adventure. That she had felt trapped in the estate, always waiting for her father to come back from his voyages but never allowing her to go along with him. Her loneliness prompted her to get out and see more of the world, even if it was just once. He understood her restlessness and admired her for doing what she had longed to do.
“I will find you when the times comes. I would like a chance to speak with Alaric before we reach port.” He excused himself and left Catherine looking out at the sights.
Lucas made his way to the surgery and walked over to where Alaric was sitting up in a hammock. “You don’t look like much.” Lucas said lightly. They had been through a lot together but nothing quite like this.
Alaric turned to him, cocking an eyebrow, and looking him up and down. “I reckon I look a right sight better then you, and I’m the one with the fever. What’s your excuse?”
Lucas chuckled and leaned up against the table near the hammock. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at the floor. “We are only a few hours from making port in France.” Lucas felt his chest tighten; he knew how excited Benjamin had been to go to France.
“Aye, I figured as much.” Alaric replied curtly. He stood up, running his hands through his hair. Grabbing a bottle of some kind of herb from the table, he threw it against the wall, causing the bottle to shatter and the contents to fly about the cabin.
Lucas ran his hand over his face, “Mate, I…” he dropped his hands to his sides. Trying to find the words to apologize for costing Benjamin his life and wishing there was some way he could bring the lad back.
“I know.” Alaric turned and faced Lucas. “I am sorry, I was wrong to blame you and Catherine. I know you cared for Benjamin a great deal and I know Miss Catherine became good friends with him.” He shook his head and looked towards the hatch. “He did good, he was brave that night. He saved Catherine’s life and the life of the injured men.” Alaric shuffled his feet. “He was too young. I should have waited until he was older to let him sail with us.”
“No, you did the right thing. He was more than ready and he learned fast, despite his age, the crew respected him. He could not wait to be on The Trinity with you. Besides, we were about his age when we were thrown onto a ship. It is no one’s fault, no one except Thomas Banning’s.” Lucas said, squeezing his friend’s shoulder. “You are welcome to come with Catherine and I. We need to find Francois Dupont once we get to France. I am getting a couple rooms at the Inn until we hear from our old friend, the Marquis. My only hope is that he is here in France and not at his Château or in some other place on business.”
Alaric and him had enjoyed several months with the Duke of Choiseul a few years back. They had come across him when he was traveling on business. He was a very influential man with friends all over and was a highly respected figure amongst the French court.
The Duke’s ship had been attacked by two enemy vessels that hoped to gain information about the French King. Lucky for the Marquis and the King, the letters were never discovered but the Duke of Choiseul did lose a great deal and needed assistance. The Trinity came upon his ship as the remainder of the crew were trying to make much needed repairs. Lucas offered their help and the Marquis rewarded them by hosting him and Alaric in France for a time. During their stay at the Duke’s residence, they met members of the French nobility and had attended countless parties and balls. It had been awhile since then. Lucas was not sure how many of the Lords and Ladies they had met were still prominent figures in French society.
Alaric chuckled. “It would be good to see the Duke again and his beautiful wife. We really enjoyed ourselves when we stayed with him last.” Alaric said, kicking at a piece of broken glass from the bottle he had thrown. “I’ll come with you to the Inn just in case you run into any trouble. As I recall, the streets of France are crawling with expert thieves and scoundrels.” Alaric said. “I’ll get my things together and prepare to dock.” Lucas was thankful Alaric wanted to get off the ship and see France again. Perhaps it would take his mind off of what had happened, at least for a bit.
“I’m glad to hear it. Catherine and Doc said your fever is nearly gone and you would be ok to move about more. I was hoping you would accompany us.” Lucas smiled and nodded to his friend. “I will see you on deck.”
Lucas went to his cabin to collect some of the items. As Alaric had said, the city had many unsavory people lurking about. He strapped his flintlock to his belt and his small blade as well. Lucas reached into the chest and pulled out a fresh shirt. He had a countless number of shirts in his chest and with each voyage he still seemed to need new ones.
Sailors did not have much time to wash their clothes and they tended to get tattered and worn, fairly quickly. Therefore, most of the men carried several shirts on board. Lucas went over to the wall, pulling a plank out, it opened into a small closet like space where a coat and other clothes were stored. Clothes that were reserved for being seen with the Lords. He was not too fond of the garb and found it to be stiff and uncomfortable but there was not much he could do about that.
Walking over to the desk he grabbed the deed and tucked it safely in the inner pocket of the coat he wore. There was a knock on the hatch, “Come in.” He said, shuffling through the papers on his desk. “Ah Ethan, what can I do for you?” He asked, as the man ducked in through the hatch.
“When we were fighting Thomas, I snuck aboard his ship to try and find him. I did not see him in the battle until the end, I had assumed he had gone to his cabin to hide.” He explained, walking over to the desk.
“I assumed the same. I saw him on deck as they approached but also did not see him until he had Catherine.” Lucas said, his anger rising.
“I went into his cabin to confront him about my sister. He was not in there, but I noticed his logbook on his desk and grabbed it.” He placed the book on the desk and opened it. Lucas glanced down at it. “I thought that if I could prove he was in Barbados during the time of her attack, I could prove it was him and if I was unable to catch him myself or find him again, perhaps the Royal Navy could help me in his capture.” He pointed to a date that was written in the logbook. “This is the date it happened.” He said, watching Lucas scan the documents.
Lucas looked up at him in confusion, his brow furrowing. “I do not understand. You said it was a blonde man that resembled a pirate, or at least that is what the witness had stated. You also say he has your sister’s bracelet that you gifted her and I certainly would not put it past the man to do what was done to your sister,” He paused, searching Ethan’s face. “But in here, it says he was just off the coast of Africa when she was attacked. If this ledger is accurate, then he could not have been the man that harmed your sister.” Lucas looked back down at the ledger in front of him.
“I know, that is why I brought this to you. I do not understand any of it. I was sure it was him when I saw the bracelet. I am not mistaken that that was hers. My only thought is that he must have stolen it or traded for it from someone else. Either that or it fell off her and Thomas found it and kept it.”
Ethan shook his head, running a hand through his dark hair and turning his back to Lucas, walking around the cabin. “I thought I had finally found the man and even though he got away, it would be easier finding him this time since I had a name instead of just a vague description. Now I am doubting his involvement in it and I’m going to have to start over.” He slammed the logbook closed.
“You had every reason to believe it was Thomas. It was a logical guess. I do not think the ledger is lying. I heard awhile back that a few ships had been hired by some of the rich plantation owners to travel to Africa and bring goods and slaves back. I am sorry you have to start your search over again. I have no doubt you will find the man, though. I wish you the best of luck and if there is anything I can do to help you, let me know,” Lucas said.
“Thank you, if I can stay on with you until I find out more information, I’d greatly appreciate it.” He reached out, shaking Lucas’s hand.
“Of course, you can stay on as long as you need to. You are a fair fighter and an experienced sailor, I certainly have no objection to having you on my ship and a part of my crew,” Lucas replied.
A few minutes later, Catherine came in through the hatch and into his cabin. “And what can I do for you Miss Benedict?” He asked, his eyes trailing over her.
She put her hands on her hips, “I am here to gather my things, Captain. Ol’ Shorty said we are preparing to make port and that I should get ready to go ashore.”
Lucas’s chest rumbled, “Right then, you best do as you are told.” He winked, enjoying the blush that spread across her cheeks. Lucas waited for her to gather the items she would need for the next few days in France. He led her on deck as the crew dropped the plank down to walk across and onto the docks.
“Well, Miss Catherine, welcome to France.” He grinned down at her. The twinkle in her eyes made him tighten his jaw, trying to hold back from kissing her in front of an entire port full of merchants and sailors. He cleared his throat, “Let us head to the inn to get our rooms and clean up. We can eat there and I have a letter I need to post.”
His hand rested on her back, keeping her close to him. People were rushing around, loading and unloading crates, barrels and cages, filled with goods, foods and animals from ports around the world. He watched Catherine as her eyes darted about, trying to take every sight in.
They made their way through the crowds of the docks and onto a street. They passed by stores, businesses, and taverns, winding through the streets. They eventually reached an inn that stood snug between a hat maker and a shop that sold various herbs, oils and remedies for all sorts of ailments. The wooden sign with a small orange and brown colored bird carved into hung just above the door. The edge of the sign was painted an off red color and the bright, white lettering read Le Merle.
“The Robin?” Catherine looked up at Lucas quizzically.
“Aye,” he nodded, grinning. “The woman who owns the Inn is Madame Merle but we have always called her Robin and she loves those little birds, so she named her Inn the same.” “We stayed here a few years ago when we were in France last. It is a nice place and very friendly.” He looked back at Alaric who was grinning and shaking his head.
“Oh, she is friendly to be sure, just a wee bit,” he cocked his head to the side, trying to find the right word to describe the owner. “Excited, I suppose you can say.” He said, gesturing for Lucas to open the Inn’s door.
They were hardly in the door when a rather plump and rosy cheeked woman came bounding towards them, squealing. “Well, if it isn’t Captain Lucas Harding and his first mate, Alaric.” She bellowed in a thick French accent, winking at Alaric flirtatiously, who looked slightly uncomfortable. The woman wrapped her arms around Lucas and embraced him in a bone crushing hug. Then she turned her attention back to Alaric, placing her large, round hands around his arms. “And as handsome as ever.” She said, placing a kiss on his cheek.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Madame Robin.” Alaric laughed, “I am glad to see you are doing well.”
“You two are a long way from the West Indies, what brings you all the way to France?” She asked curiously, her tight, brown curls bouncing.
“Ah, you have the Governor of the West Indies himself to thank for the opportunity to see us again.” Lucas said, giving a dramatic bow.
“And thank him I will, it has been far too long since you two graced Le Merle with your presence.” She beamed and ushered them to a table. “Oh? Qui est-ce?” Madame Merle turned from Catherine to Lucas, her hand resting gently on Catherine’s shoulder. Catherine still wore sailor’s clothes and though her hair was tied up with a thin rope, it still draped down in long waves against her back. She no longer bothered tucking it up in her hat to hide it.
“This is Miss Catherine,” Lucas replied, putting his arm around Catherine’s waist. “It is a long story, but she is with me and is now a valued part of my crew,” Lucas explained.
“I see,” Madame Robin giggled. “It was about time one of you found a feisty little slip of thing to keep you in line.” She took Catherine’s hand in hers and patted it. “Welcome to Le Merle Miss Catherine. If you should need anything at all you just let me know, Sweetie.”
“Thank you, it is a pleasure to meet you. You have a wonderful place here.” Catherine replied politely. Lucas was amused, Catherine did not seem the least bit surprised or awkward towards the exuberant woman. The last time they had stayed at Le Merle a few people were quite taken aback by Madame Robin’s enlivened personality, but Catherine appeared completely at ease.
“Allow me to go dish up some food and drink. I hope you will be staying here tonight?” She asked, her hands folded in front of her, resting on her large cream dress, dotted with orange and yellow blossoms.
“Yes, we would greatly appreciate some food and lodging, though we are not sure how long we will be staying. We have some business to attend to and we hope to be hearing from the Duke of Choiseul very soon. In fact, I have a letter I need to get to him. Do you have a man that can take it to him?”
“Oui, of course. I hope you will be keeping out of trouble this time.” She said, taking the letter from Lucas. “You should have seen them Miss Catherine, they certainly did have their fun. Stealing the hearts of all the ladies, dueling in the nearby woods, and causing quite the fuss.” Madame Robin let out another giggle and nudged Catherine.
Lucas cleared his throat and looked at Alaric who was enjoying himself quite a bit at his friend’s expense. Catherine’s eyebrow cocked and a grin slowly spreading across her face. “Yes, that was some time ago.”
Madame Robin threw her head back and let out a loud laugh, causing other patrons to look at them curiously. She turned and walked to the long counter. Going through a doorway that sat behind it, she emerged a few minutes later carrying a tray with three bowls of hot stew. She set the bowls down on the table and then sat the glasses of wine and an extra bottle down next to them. “Only the best for my favorite customers.” She turned to Catherine, “I hope you enjoy the stew. The wine is the best around. When you are finished, I will have a hot bath set up in your room.” She smiled at Catherine and patted her shoulder.
“Oh, thank you. The stew looks delightful.” Catherine replied.
“Oui, prendre plaisir.” She said and bustled off to help a group dining at another table.
The food was indeed delightful, and the wine was suburb. Lucas had not cared for wine until he had to drink so much of it when they had stayed with the Duke of Choiseul. By the end of their stay, him and Alaric had grown accustomed to the taste.
Catherine sunk deeply into the warm water, causing some of it to spill over the side of the large tub. Closing her eyes, it felt as if her whole body was simply floating weightless in the tub. The last time she had a warm bath was when the Captain had taken her to the pond and waterfall. The water had been warmer than she had expected.
Heat rose in her face when she thought of how he had sat on the hot rock and guarded her, making sure no one came down the path. He had not looked, not until the end, when she was drying out her hair. The look on his face burned into her mind, she could not explain what she saw in his eyes at that moment, she only knew she had felt the same.
Catherine grabbed for the bar of rough soap and scrubbed until she felt all the salt and sand was completely washed from her skin and her hair. Running her hands through the water, she leaned her head back and relaxed. It was beginning to grow cooler; it was time to get out, she sighed and slowly stood, letting the water roll off her.
