Davy saw the lonesome tear fall down Miranda’s cheek and changed his sharp tone to one less angry. He knew how sensitive Miranda was and yet he often forgot. She had been this way since she was a little girl. It was because of this that she was rarely punished. When she did misbehave, Stratton and/or Davy had to be careful when yelling at her. The tears she would cry would bring more torment to them than they ever would her. Davy took a deep breath before continuing.
“You regret your decision, lying about your father’s approval, which you never should have given without his permission. You know better, but you regret your decision now because Lord Hammil isn’t the man you thought him to be. You thought he was a man you could control, who had a weak will you could convince to do your bidding. Now, because he has shown to you his true self, you have decided that you do not love him, which is not uncommon. He has wealth and power, which is both encouraged, and yet when he speaks to you of demands, your faith falters. Talk to me, Miry, what has he said for you to change your mind so quickly?” Miranda raised her soft brown eyes to meet Davy’s blue ones and blurted out her answer.
“Lord Hammil can be very demanding. He told me that he expects me to act a certain way, to be trustworthy, honest and faithful. Faithful he said to me as if I was going to go and have an affair as soon as we were married. He tells me that he is a jealous man and that he will kill anyone if they touch his property and that includes me. His hands shook with his words. Yes, his actions scared me very much.” Miranda intertwined her fingers together and placed them in her lap, her eyes looking at the folds of her dress.
“Then, after I saw you in the Hall and you explained to me where that room was where I could fix my appearance, I still could not find it and walked into the wrong room. I was about to leave when I noticed something on a chair. It was a piece of parchment that had a picture of my crystal on it and Lord Hammil had written a list of information on the right side of the picture. Davy, he wrote that Father was missing in the Caribbean and that a man of his crew was captured in Port Royal. It seems that Lord Hammil is going down there, not only to marry me at his estate in New Providence, but to take care of business for the queen in Port Royal. The business of finding the crystals that my father and I have in our possession.
“He had also written that the crystals open a secret vault that is hidden in the mountains in Nombre de Dios. That is why I have no faith in Lord Hammil. What do you think he would do if he found out who I really am? His love for me would crumble and fall, for I could give him everything he has ever wanted that could boost his career to a new level, as well as his greed.” Davy was amazed at the information Miranda had just told him. His hand moved immediately to his chin, his fingers rubbing it in thought.
“We’re in quite a predicament. You’re right. Lord Hammil would use you if he knew who you really were. It bothers me to think of the possibility of him already knowing. Yet, I don’t really see how he could.” Davy paused in thought. “We can agree that you cannot marry him. However, your involvement in this is too deep, one way or another you can get hurt.” Concern filled Davy’s features.
“I would do anything to save my father, Davy, just like I would risk everything to save you if you were in trouble. I am going to play the game as long as I have to. We will use Lord Hammil to go to the Caribbean to find Father. Once there, we will need to work fast to get what we want before he does.”
“If that is the risk you want to take, then you know that I will protect you. The fact that you know what Lord Hammil has planned is an advantage to us.” Davy glanced out the carriage window when he said, “You must keep playing the role of the devoted fiancé. Can you do that? Any change in your behavior may cost us our lives. You must do everything he wants you to do, like it or not.” He then stared at Miranda, wanting her to understand what was at stake.
“Anything?”
“Well,” thought Davy, “anything within reason of course. Everything is always within reason. Do nothing you feel that you cannot handle. Always consult me first if you are unsure. I can always use the excuse that he will have to wait to touch you until you are wed but you must realize that soon he will get tired of that, and then when you are married there will be nothing I will be able to do. You will have to allow him to consummate the marriage. It is a husband’s right, but before that time comes I will keep him at bay. I suggest you do the same. However, you will know when to use your wiles to get what you need from him. He’s too eager to have you in his bed, but most of all he loves to have you for show. You are a trophy to him, nothing more, so we will use that to our advantage. Keep that in mind when manipulating him.”
“I will continue being the obedient fiancée but it will be hard. I can’t stand pretending to be something I’m not. I don’t feel free when I have to act like a well born lady and not myself. Those women get tired when walking short distances, using parasols to cover their pasty complexions and their words can be evil and hurtful. To be with such company, to deal with such false mocking behavior, makes me sick to my stomach. I prefer to be open and honest, but my candor is something that Lord Hammil does not wish for. If I were mute, it would please him.” Davy let out a laugh and smiled at Miranda.
“You do very well at it, I will say. Tonight you behaved exceptionally; I want you to know that. You only cursed once, that’s an improvement.” Miranda grabbed one of her shoes and threw it at Davy hitting him in the shoulder. He couldn’t help but laugh at her. The pair talked a little while longer. Their words lasting the remaining duration of the carriage ride. When the carriage finally stopped in front of their townhouse, Davy stepped out first turning around to help Miranda out of the carriage. When both went inside, Miranda and Davy headed for the stairs and to their rooms, which were right across from each other.
“When are we supposed to leave for the Caribbean again?” asked Davy.
“Tomorrow sometime, so we better wake up early and pack so we can be ready when Lord Hammil comes and picks us up.” Davy rolled his eyes as Miranda shot him a sarcastic smile.
“Goodnight, Davy!” said Miranda.
“Goodnight, Miry, and sleep well,” replied Davy.
“I always do,” spoke Miranda as she closed her bedchamber door, eager to get to bed.
Early the next morning, Captain Locand Riveri was standing on the quarterdeck looking down at his crew, briefing them on the day’s plan. The Captain’s Avenger was clean and ready to sail. The crew were experienced seaman. All or most had sailed under Locand’s command before. Their attire, as well as their appearance, had changed since past times when they had sailed under the black flag. Now, with a letter of marque in his hand, Locand could commandeer any pirate ship within his reach and be called a privateer instead of a pirate. Those days of piracy were fading for him. He was now a man who got most of his wealth from his raids off ships who sailed by England as well as in the Caribbean, which was where he used to pirate the waters consistently. When they looted a ship, which had more wealth then they could ever dream, he gave up pirating for a time, but not sailing. The Captain’s Avenger was his own ship. It was a three masted, square-rigged merchant ship converted for comfort and speed. It had enough guns to defend itself efficiently and take out most ships that would come up against them, and yet it was also quick enough to escape most enemies. He could easily sail away from trouble, or into it. However, today was going to be an interesting day for them all. His new life as a privateer was going to begin.
When he convinced the queen to supply him with a letter of marque, it took most of his strength and cunning. He had to bed the woman, and only afterward did she promise to give it to him. The promise, though, meant nothing until he actually