Tyndall - The Reckless

The Reckless

MaryLu

Tyndall

The Reckless

Legacy of the Kings Pirates 6

2018 by MaryLu Tyndall

Published by Ransom Press

San Jose, CA 95123

ISBN: 978-0-9991763-7-5

E-Version ISBN: 978-0-9991763-6-8

All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author, MaryLu Tyndall.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents, and dialogues are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental

Cover Design by Ravv at ravven.com

Editor EditsByLora

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing .

Proverbs 12:18 NIV

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised .

Proverbs 31:30 NIV

Chapter 1

May 1694, English Harbor, Antigua

How could any sane woman enjoy being a trollop? Surely it was the most demeaning trade ever imagined. Adjusting her over-tight corset, Reena Charlisse Hyde, daughter of Captain Edmund Merrick Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, had hoped the night would conceal what her wenchs dress would not. She was not so fortunate. The seaman sitting across from her in the jolly boat had not stopped staring at her chest since theyd left the docks. How she longed to slap the drool-soaked leer from his face. Instead, she flung her unbound dark hair over her exposed skin. It did naught to sever the locked aim of his gaze. The poor man seemed in a trance. She glanced at the officer sitting at the head of the boat, then at the four sailors rowing on either side, and finally at the ten trollops perched upon the thwarts, giggling and chattering like a harem of geese. Would anyone notice if she pushed the seaman overboard just for the enjoyment? If only to put the poor man out of his misery. She smiled at the thought. Which he must have taken as encouragement, for his gaze lifted from her chest to her face, ever so briefly, returning her smile. Holding back the sudden urge to vomit, Reena snapped her gaze away and spotted a shadowy hulk rising from the dark waters of the bay.

HMS Viper .

Her destination. And where her beloved Freddy wasthe man she intended to marry.

Lanterns winked at her from fore- and main-masts, adding a modicum of light to the half-moon that dribbled milky foam over rippling wavelets. The scent of brine, moist wood, unwashed men, and cheap perfume curled Reenas nose. Behind her, on shore, stood the ominous stone walls of Fort Berkeley and beyond, the town of Antigua, nothing but shadows at the midnight hour.

The sailors pushed the oars through the water, grunting and groaning and splashing a few of the trollops. They only giggled louder. Were they truly happy to be servicing a bunch of stench-encrusted, ignorant sailors? Nay . Reena glanced over their facesat least what the moonlight would affordand decided it was all a farce, an act which they had to perform in order to survive. Her stomach soured at the thought, and she reached down to ensure the pistol was still strapped to her left thigh and the knife to her right. They were.

The sailors eyes were still on her chest.

Women had so few options in this world for survival. How much better was it to be a pirate than a prostitute? If she had the time, shed recruit these ladies to join her crew on board the Reckless as shed done with Joand give them a chance to be free, independent, and beholden to no man. She didnt have the time.

The hail came from HMS Viper, and the Oars up command from the officer at the prow echoed over the waters. The sailors lifted the tips of their oars above their heads as the boat drifted to thud against the thick hull of the Royal Navy Ship of the Line.

Reena should be frightened. She wasnt. Instead, she was beyond excited to finally see Freddy. How long had it been? A year, two months, and five days. Seemed like shed spent an eternity tracking him across the West Indies.

A rope ladder was tossed overboard. The officer climbed aboard as two men peered over the railing from above.

Come now, ladies, Get yer bums up and be off to yer night o pleasure. One of the sailors in the boat chuckled as he assisted the first trollop. The craft wobbled beneath her rather excessive weight, but she managed to grab hold of the rope and hoist herself up. The sailor slapped her on the bottom as she ascended.

The second woman smiled his way. Yer a wry one, aint ye?

Ill show ye just how wry if yell wait for me atop. He shoved her, taking liberties once again with his hands.

Reena stood, gained her balance, slapped away the hands that reached for her, and proceeded toward the ladder. If the foul sailor touched her bottom, hed find a knife in his gut.

Gritting her teeth, she followed the last woman, who seemed to be having trouble remaining upright in the teetering boat. Two of the sailors reached to assist her, and Reena took the opportunity to skirt around them, leap onto the side of the rope, and skitter up like the pirate she was.

Amid the laughter, the men made a lurid comment about how anxious she was to take her pleasure.

But she didnt care. She was on the deck of a Royal Navy ship. Much easier than she thought.

Sailors and marines on watch glanced toward the women, and she scanned their faces, looking for her love. Not there. Even so, her heart rate ratcheted, knowing he was close. She allowed herself to be herded with the other women down a ladder to the berth. But before they even landed on the deck below, a horde of sailors, reeking of rum and sweat, advanced toward them like starving dogs to slabs of meat.

She pushed through the throng, slapping away groping hands as she went, peering at facesmost of which leered back at her as if she were a chest full of gold. The chink of money being exchanged echoed through the dank air as some of the sailors retreated with their prizes to the corners. Others sulked to sit in chairs and wait their turn, while others played cards, seemingly uninterested. Someone began playing a fiddle and men gathered around to sing.

Freddy was nowhere to be seen.

Two sailors approached, their eyes scouring over her like holystones on a deck. She shook her head and gave them the look she oft gave her crewthe one that sent them scurrying to task in fear. It had the same effect on these men.

With a frustrated sigh, she turned and surveyed the rest of the deck, purposely avoiding the harlots entangled with their men.

Where are you, Freddy ? She didnt know how much longer she could remain amidst such sordid activities. Had her information been wrong? Had he received a commission instead of being tossed down with the common sailors?

She proceeded toward the far corner, weaving around chairs, tables, and hammocks. More hands reached for her, more salacious offers flung her way.

Finally she came to the end of the row of hammocks and peered around a temporary bulkhead. Lantern light flickered over a man sitting on the floor, his back against the hull, his head dipped into a book.

Freddy ! He looked good. Healthy, strongher Freddy!

In one swift move, she dashed toward him and lowered to her knees by his side. Then before he could even look up, she fell against his chest. His book flew to the side. Air expelled from his lungs in a grunt. She drew in a deep breath of him, his scent of leather, oak, and moss, sparking memories of happier timeslaughter and love and adventure.