Chapter XVI
XVI
At the edge of the bay beyond Penglas Cove, a ship was on fire.
Bess watched the conflagration from her window, fuelled by terror to remain seated upright.
Was it the Halcyon? And what of her crew?
She had heard terrible rumours of desperate folk on the beach pulling half-drowned men from the sea, and instead of giving them succour, they’d helped them on their way to meet their maker.
If one of those men was James… She must try and gather strength to rise from the bed.
Most certainly the ship and all its crew were lost and even if they were not, there was nothing she could do.
But how could she live with herself if she did not at least try—
As she attempted to move her weak, aching body, a knock came at the door.
‘Maggie?’ she called out. Her friend had taken the baby from the room to clean her, but even a few minutes of separation felt like her soul had been torn in two.
The door opened, and her nemesis, Old John Dog, entered the room. She shuddered with fear; it was too late to play dead again. If he’d come back to finish the job, there was nothing she could do.
‘Come on, maid,’ he said. ‘You need to go, now. Down the backstairs to the cellar.’
‘The cellar!’
‘Shh,’ he said. He came up to her and put a dirty, gnarled finger to her lips.
She recoiled, but he made no move to harm her.
‘From the cellar, you can get into the old mine workings that lead to the cove. Right now, the coast is clear, but not for long. If you value your life, then rouse yourself.’
‘I… will try. But what of the babe?’
As if in answer, Maggie entered the room with the infant. ‘I’ve wrapped her up warm and given her a few drops of tincture to keep her quiet. She’ll be going with you. I’ll carry her for now, and Old John here will be leading the way.’
‘But why?’ she said to the old man, still wary. ‘Why are you helping me?’
The old man snorted. ‘Because killing a woman don’t sit right with me,’ he said. ‘And besides, my Maggie here thinks of you like a daughter. And me… well, I do what I’m told.’
‘First time for that.’ Maggie sniffed.
John grinned. ‘And some extra coin from a wily young “pirate” didn’t do no harm either.’
‘A “pirate”?’ Bess’s mind reeled. She couldn’t think…
couldn’t dare to hope… could she? Love swept through her, washing away her pain and fear.
As the old man pulled her to her feet, her limbs began to cooperate.
‘My reticule,’ she said, reaching for the bag.
The pieces of the broken ship were still inside.
Perhaps they were the talisman – the good luck charm – that had made hope possible…
She looped the bag over her arm and leaned on the old man. Together, they hobbled out of the room and down the corridor to a panelled door at the end. On the other side was a servant’s staircase. The steps were so steep… Bess faltered.
‘I… can’t,’ she said.
‘You must. I can’t carry thee.’
‘Just try,’ Maggie said. ‘Do it for Hope.’
For Hope… She must go on for the sake of James’s child…
The way was dark. She tripped and stumbled but somehow managed to stay on her feet.
Down the stairs to a cold, dark cellar, and then, worse yet, he took her down another passage to a cave.
Her fingernails bled as she clawed at the sharp, slippery rocks, trying to keep her balance.
Each step was agony, as, despite Maggie’s handiwork, she was still losing blood.
‘I can’t go any further…’ she gasped. But despite the old man’s frail appearance, somehow, he kept her on her feet, step after step.
And eventually, before her, she saw the light of a single lantern. The cave opened up into a sea cavern. And in the cavern was a boat.
‘In you go, ma’am,’ Old John said.
‘But where are you taking me?’
‘To your freedom,’ he said. ‘And the man you love. And you don’t even have to thank me.’
* * *
Freedom… Bess’s eyes swam in and out of focus as she was helped into the tiny rowing boat.
She didn’t know where they were going or how it would be managed, but all she could do now was trust in the two people who had saved – and spared – her life.
The vessel rocked as the old man got in and Maggie handed him the oars.
‘You sure you’re up to this?’ Maggie asked John.
‘Reckon no one’s a better rower than I.’
‘You’d better make sure she’s safe. And this little one.’
Maggie’s deft hands fastened the wrap onto Bess’s chest and pulled her cloak around the infant. The older woman kissed the babe’s head. ‘Go with God, the both of you.’
Old John laughed. ‘Why wife, I didn’t know you thought so highly of me.’
Maggie cuffed him. ‘Come back when the mistress’s safe and we’ll see what I think.’
‘I’ll do that.’
Bess felt the hard boards under her body, and the warmth of the tiny beloved life on her chest. The tide was going out, and although the sea was rough, the movement of the boat was soothing like a lullaby.
She closed her eyes, drifting in and out of consciousness.
Once, when she opened her eyes, she saw the burning ship far away.
But as the clouds shifted across the moon, it was there one moment and disappeared the next.
When it appeared again, it seemed to be floating not on the horizon, but above it, tossed on a sea of clouds and mist. The fog swirled like ghostly arms, and the ship vanished again.
Was it really there at all? The dipping of the oars was as rhythmic as a heartbeat – was this the last few minutes that her own heart would beat? For where could they be going…?
A dark form appeared before them, silhouetted against the sky. A wooden hull, two spindly masts, dark sails billowing in the wind.
‘A… second ship?’
She spoke the question aloud.
‘Aye, maid. She’s called the Seagull. Commandeered from the harbour in Fowey right under the noses of the watch. Not by Frenchies, but by a crew of good local boys. Loyal to your good Cap’n James.’
‘Oh!’ She held the babe closer, willing it all to be real.
‘Give him my regards, will ya, maid? And remember to tell him that I’ve done my bit. The rest is up to you and him.’
‘Thank you…’ The words left her lips even as she struggled to believe what was happening. The Halcyon burned and wrecked. And now, the Seagull.
She heard voices – the old man and someone else aboard the ship. The next thing she knew, strong hands pulled her on board the ship. Her body was dead weight; she was so tired. The tiny babe was heavy… so heavy.
‘Is she here? Is she safe?’
That voice… A ghost, a dream, surely.
She tried to speak but her throat was too parched, her body too weak to stop shaking. Her eyes were cloudy, the world indistinct. But then she smelled the scent of him; felt his hands upon her skin. It could not be a dream… He could not be a ghost.
‘James?’ Her voice was a hoarse whisper. ‘Is it really you?’
The answer came not in words, but with the touch of his lips on hers. Living, warm… and everything she had ever desired. He held her racked body gently in his arms. Only then did he notice the babe.
‘This is Hope,’ she said. ‘Your daughter.’
‘Oh, Bess,’ he said. ‘I am beside myself with joy. And this little one makes it perfect. We are all three of us together now. And nothing shall ever part us again. Now, we must get you below and get you warm. The tide has almost turned, and then we shall be away.’
‘Away,’ she repeated. He led her to his cabin as the ship was caught by the tide. A deep sense of peace swept over her. James took the babe from her arms and cradled her tenderly. Safe…
Bess lay down on the bed. Smiling, she closed her eyes and drifted away into a gentle sleep.