The Pyrate's Daughter

Part Two

Of course, Mr. Fulford was furious when Izzy did not hand over the journal. When she insisted she didn't have it anymore, he forbade her from leaving the house.

At the man's order, Constance made a search of Izzy's bedroom. Naturally, the woman didn't find the journal, which only made Mr. Fulford even more furious. Ordering Constance to keep Izzy inside, he departed for his law office later than usual.

As the hours stretched on, Izzy paced the floor of her bedroom. She wished she could let Sam know she wasn't coming, so he wouldn't be waiting for her. However, she saw no one from her window who could help her, and she didn't dare try to climb out herself.

When she brought up the noonday meal, Constance shook her head and chided Izzy for disobeying. "You should have done as your grandfather told you to do," she said. "Now look at the mess you've made."

Izzy bit her tongue to keep from talking back. She knew arguing with Constance wouldn't get her anywhere. Instead, she focused on finding a way out of her predicament.

She heard something hit the window. Startled, she rushed to see what it could be. She opened it and leaned out. Her hope that it was Sam died when she didn't recognize the boy peering up at her.

"Are you Izzy?" the grimy boy asked. He looked as though he was only six years old.

"Who are you?" Izzy demanded.

"I'm Jack, a friend of Sam's," the boy answered, his tone impatient. "Are you Izzy?"

"Yes, yes. What do you want?"

"Sam's in trouble."

Horrified, Izzy stared at him. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Captain Thorn found some book that Sam was hiding on the fishing boat, and he thinks Sam knows more about it," Jack explained. "He has Sam locked in a cellar at the docks."

Book? The journal! Izzy groaned. "What does the captain want?"

The boy shrugged. "He said something about treasure and pirates. I don't know any more than that."

Treasure would make a man do something he wouldn't otherwise have done. Was there more in the journal that Izzy hadn't read yet? She'd have to worry about that later.

"I'll get help," Izzy promised, focusing on the important thing. "Where in the docks is Sam?"

"At the tavern, The Blue Bell," Jack answered, glancing around. "You better hurry. Captain Thorn says he's going to sell Sam off."

"He wouldn't!" Izzy was horrified at the mention. She knew Sam was indentured to the captain, but that didn't mean the man could just sell her friend!

Jack shook his head. "Well, he'll then sell Sam if Sam doesn't tell him where the journal came from."

Heartsick that her actions had endangered her friend, all Izzy could do was nod. She pulled herself back in and closed the window.

"And what do you think you're doing?" Constance asked from behind her.

With a start, Izzy spun around. "I didn't leave the house!" she protested, holding her hands up.

The housekeeper eyed her. "That may be, but I don't think your grandfather will see it the same way," Constance said, disapproval in her voice. "Who were you talking to?"

"A friend of Sam," Izzy said honestly. "Sam's in trouble. I need Grandfather to help him."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Captain Thorn thinks that Sam knows something about pirate treasure," Izzy explained in a rush. "Jack says that the captain is going to sell him if Sam doesn't tell him everything he knows."