Tempest's Embrace

Chapter 8

He stood at the railing on the quarterdeck looking out at the rough sea. His mind restless with thoughts and images of the women in his cabin gave an uneasy sensation. What shall become of them if he does not get them quickly somewhere safe?

His jaw clenched more when his mind fell on her.  So defiant and wild. He had to fight to keep the smile forming on his lips thinking about how she fiercely fought him trying to protect herself and the other woman.

He closed his eyes for a moment. Trying to vanquish the vision from his mind of what they could have endured when Cuthburt held them captive. The other woman could not have been like that from the start; withdrawn and distant. Mute even. The ever lingering sensation anguished him at the thought of Cuthburt's men raping her. He knew the dog and his men were merciless cads.

Hatred for the man boiled in his veins. He loathed the lying bastard with so much conflict. It was true he raised him but his deceitful way of coming about it infuriated him.

For a brief moment, he considered tossing him overboard to let the elements take them. His jaw clenched and his fists tightened. If not for the fact that he swore to bring him in, In exchange for that bloody pardon and escape from being hanged, he would have cut him down himself long ago.

All of this in any other circumstance would have persuaded him to go along with it. To kill the bastard where he stood. He could have cared less about the pardon and continued his merry way of life at sea plundering and taking over any ship in his path. But he could not. He made a promise long ago that he would end the mutinous life he was living. He had to if he desired a wholesome life out of the water.

Suddenly his thoughts were on her again. And his chest tightened at thought of a beautiful lass such as she waiting for his return. He shook his head and chuckled to himself. Such as she, he doubted any girls in London had her fire.

Although admirable, her courage was dangerous when it came to their situation. She was aboard a ship with men that lacked chivalry and finesse. Men that would not hesitate to strike her or anyone down that poses a threat to them. With a deep breath, he inhaled the fresh sea air; battling the decisions rolling in his head. He needed to carefully watch over her.

*******

In the short expanse of the two days following their heated confrontation, he decided not to be in her presence. He needed to think clearly about what to do with them once they get to Tortuga. Leave her there and let them return her to her family? or hand her over personally to them in England?.

He pondered with the idea coming to no real solution.

His mind was exhausted with the decisions plaguing him.

"Cap'n?" he heard Quinn call to him.

Slowly he turned to face the man that approached him on deck.
He frowned at Quinns perplexed look.

"What is it?"

Lowering his head, Quinn began to fidget.

"I don't know how to go about it Cap'n."

"Speak Quinn, what is it?" Justin waited impatiently for him to speak.

Quinn swallowed hard and lowered his head.

"One of the women has fallen ill Cap'n I fear it be something very bad. I pray it is nothing we will catch."

Justin frowned. "Which one of them?"  He asked.

"The one that don't speak," he said. "She is fading fast," he added sadly.

With that, Justin stormed off past him.