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    The Pirate Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 2
    The Pirate Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 2
    The Pirate Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 2
    Ebook306 pages5 hours

    The Pirate Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower - Book 2

    By Kathleen Y'Barbo

    4.5/5

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    • Adventure

    • Family

    • Betrayal

    • Identity

    • Loyalty

    • Hidden Identity

    • Forbidden Love

    • Secret Identity

    • Enemies to Lovers

    • Fish Out of Water

    • Star-Crossed Lovers

    • Redemption

    • Strong Female Protagonist

    • Loyal Friend

    • Lost Child

    • Pirates

    • Survival

    • Friendship

    • Piracy

    • Revenge

    About this ebook

    Can a former privateer and a determined heiress find lost treasure in 1725?
    A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

    Pasts Collide in New Orleans when a Treasure Goes Missing
    The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear. 

    Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo.

    More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
    The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (coming February 2018)
    The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (coming April 2018)
    The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (coming June 2018)
    The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (coming August 2018)​
    The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (coming October 2018)
    The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (coming December 2018)
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBarbour Publishing
    Release dateApr 1, 2018
    ISBN9781683224990
    Author

    Kathleen Y'Barbo

    RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling award-winning author of more than forty-five novels, novellas, and young adult books. More than one million copies of her books are in print in the US and abroad. A nominee for the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, she has a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y'Barbo has a daughter and three grown sons.

    Read more from Kathleen Y'barbo

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    Reviews for The Pirate Bride

    4.5/5

    32 ratings8 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Title: The Pirate Bride (The Daughters of the Mayflower #2)Author: Kathleen Y’BarboPages: 256Year: 2018Publisher: BarbourMy rating 5+ out of 5 stars.What a fun story to read! I sat and read it in one night and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There is mystery and danger, intrigue and drama; yet, there are some parts of the story that are just comical. Maribel is a young girl who wants to be a privateer. As she reads about these men in books, the sense of adventure just speaks to her heart. Maribel is a character who bucks what is expected of her or even the mold others want to place her in.Maribel experiences many different and dangerous moments she didn’t sign up for, but she is determined nonetheless. She is raised in a convent and becomes a teacher, but there is still a part of her that longs to escape into a book without being bothered. What I laughed about was the place she chooses to read her books and how others react to her choice!Towards the end of the story the author throws a twist in the plot that really made my heart race and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Here is one book I know I will read again and enjoy at some time in the future. Until then, I plan on telling others about the series as well as encouraging people to get the book for their own personal libraries! So, ahoy mateys, grab a copy and come aboard for an adventure you won’t regret it!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the product for free from Barbour even though a review was not required.
    • 4/5
      The Pirate Bride is the second book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book in this series, which tells the story of Mary Chapman, William Lytton and some that number among their descendants, is written by a different author. This story recounts the adventures of Maribel Cardoba, Mary and William Lytton’s great granddaughter. Maribel’s mother left the Colonies and her family to marry Spaniard, Antonio Cordoba. She soon realized that Cordoba was not a man of integrity, but fortunately his father was because she needed his support once Antonio kidnapped their daughter only to lose her at sea. Maribel, always one to romanticize adventure was thrilled to end up as an unlikely crew member about a privateer’s ship until she was once again lost at sea. Those of us who are avid readers will feel a kinship with Maribel whose favorite pastime is to get lost in a book in out of the way places. This book is one that will make one want to do just that. Maribel’s forthright nature makes her all the more endearing as does her ability to cheerfully adapt to her circumstances. Her refreshing honesty and spirit are not lost on the crew of the privateer’s ship or on its captain, resulting in relationships that stand the test of time and of hard times. Y’Barbo did a wonderful job of developing her characters, and of whisking her readers into the various settings within this story. My only concern was that the ending felt a bit rushed, as if Y’Barbo had spent a great deal of time developing her plot and all of a sudden realized she was running out of pages. That said, I would still recommend this well-researched book to friends and family who love historical fiction and quirky characters. I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of The Pirate Bride in exchange for an honest review. I received no monetary compensation.
    • 5/5
      This is a fun and easy book to read. It made me laugh and cry and I did not want to put this down. Maribel is such a great character. I am usually not thrilled with pirate books but I really enjoyed this story. I received this book from Barbour Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 4/5
      Join the adventure on the high seas in the latest book in The Daughters of The Mayflower series, The Pirate Bride. Set on the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the quiet beaches of a remote island, and the busy streets of New Orleans, this novel hits all the right buttons for fans of historical romance — an endearing heroine, a truly heroic (and hunky) hero, and fascinating history of privateers of the early 1700s. This one gets a recommended rating from me.

      Maribel Cordoba is just 12 years old when she loses her family and is swept up into intrigue and adventure on a pirate ship. At least she believes the young captain of the Ghost Ship is a pirate. He asserts he is doing the King’s business with Letters of Marque signed by the French government. But whether privateer or pirate, Captain Beaumont is a protector of the vulnerable and determines to take care of the adventure-seeking Maribel. However, a bounty on his head puts all in his care in peril.

      I liked a lot of things about The Pirate Bride. Its main character, Maribel, is an engaging (and exasperating) young girl, and only a bit less exasperating as a young woman. She steals the heart of the crew in her brief time on the ship, and steals the heart of the captain years later. Of course the dashing ship’s captain is also a favorite, but the supporting characters add a wonderful dimension as well. The story is lightly told, yet filled with action, intrigue, and danger. Twists and turns and surprises abound. The historical setting is interesting — I loved the details the author includes to give the novel an authentic feel. Faith in God, with an emphasis on prayer, is naturally woven throughout the book.

      As I was reading The Pirate Bride, I thought what a wonderful beach read for fans of historical romance! A quick and fun book, you’ll enjoy this one next to the pool or on a blanket on the beach.

      Recommended.

      Audience: adults.

      (Thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Kathleen Y'Barbo is a talented author and this book does not disappoint and just proves it. There are two main characters in this book and they are very well developed. You almost feel like you are there. The few supporting characters are done well also.

      The book was an advanced reader copy so I cannot comment on the editing, but what I saw so far, it will be well done.

      The book is a Christian romance and does not disappoint. The romance part is a bit of a stretch but very well done. The Christian part is not preachy but shows that the characters believe in God. It isn't just a "clean" book but does show they are active Christians.

      The plot is a very new idea to me. Starts and ends on the seas. The title does give away the ending to some degree but with a nice twist. There are a few strings that I wish were more neatly tied at the end but they do not distract from the book. It's just my opinion.

      I chose to read and review this book through Netgalley.com and I thank them for the opportunity. I do not give a synopsis in my review as you can read that on the book description. I give you my opinion on if the book was worth reading or not. This book is worth your time and money. Enjoy.
    • 5/5
      As the second book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, “The Pirate Bride” proved to be even more engaging and intriguing than “The Mayflower Bride.” This series is interesting in that it chronicles pivotal points in history from a Christian perspective, with each installment written by a different author. This arrangement keeps the volumes fresh, avoiding the repetitious pattern that could otherwise easily result. “The Pirate Bride” goes a step further and adopts a perhaps unconventional approach to what is obviously a romance, introducing the heroine—Maribel Cordoba—when she is only eleven. Her story begins aboard a ship in the Caribbean in 1724, and her fateful encounter with the privateer Jean-Luc Valmont has implications that travel far beyond that time and place.

      Indeed, Maribel’s somewhat eccentric character—being rather unladylike for the time—continues into young womanhood as the narrative shifts to 1735 for the second half of the novel. Part of what drew me to Maribel’s character was her love of reading and books, which was not common during the eighteenth century, as well as her indomitable spirit. Her journey is a unique one, offering a glimpse of maritime, convent, and domestic life in and around the Caribbean. The story, as such, presents a distinctive narrative with gentle Christian undertones. How the characters’ lives connect and weave together demonstrates Kathleen Y’Barbo’s creative skill, with the romance itself playing out toward the novel’s closing. “The Pirate Bride” is a fascinating work of fiction with plenty of adventure and novelty sure to delight and entertain.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 5/5
      From the moment I started the story I was swept back in time in the early 1700s where we find pirates and privateering going on. I loved the swashbuckling scenes and felt myself on the ship as it swayed back and forth. What would you do if you found yourself on a ship that was being overtaken? I know I would be fighting for my life or maybe hiding so no one could find me.

      Maribel is everything I wanted to be as a child. She is very brave and knows exactly what she wants. It doesn’t matter that girls are not allowed on ships. So what if everyone thinks girls are back luck . Maribel wants to sail the seas and be a pirate. Those sound like wonderful dreams but unfortunately things turn out differently for her. When the ship she is on is attacked, she finds herself suddenly in the brisk water trying to survive. Will the captain save her before she drifts off too far from the ship? Her last thoughts before everything becomes dark is where is Captain Jean-Luc and his men? Why are they allowing her to be lost at sea?

      As the story moves forward we are reacquainted with Maribel who has lived at a convent for many years. She has snippets of her past surface and still remembers being on a ship. Jean-Luc is a distant memory but something is about to change in her life. I loved Jean-Luc and his bravery. He was a fierce person to be reckoned with. What will happen when he sees Maribel after all those years she was left behind swimming for her life? The adventure and history is epic as the story is filled with danger, secrets and a bit of romance. The author really had me on the edge of my seat as Maribel and Jean-Luc see each other after so many years. I know I would be little upset to see the person who left me in the deep sea and never looked back. Can Maribel and Jean-Luc work things out? What secrets have Jean-Luc been hiding all these years? I can't wait to read more books from this series. Don't miss the captivating historical facts the author includes at the end of the book.

      I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 5/5
      A story that you grab you and hold you, right from the beginning we are on an adventure and one you would never expect, being on a privateer or what others call a pirate ship.
      Can you see a young girl and leaving all you have ever known to cross the ocean not knowing what is ahead or really where she is going? We get to see this up close and personal through the eyes of the author, and what a great time you are in for?
      This is the second book in the Mayflower Bride series, and definitely can be read alone, but you might just want to grab the whole series, they are that good.

      I received this book through the Barbour Publishing Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

    Book preview

    The Pirate Bride - Kathleen Y'Barbo

    Town

    MARIBEL AND THE PRIVATEER

    PART I:

    In the waters of the Caribbean Sea

    April of 1724

    He sent from above, he took me,

    he drew me out of many waters.

    PSALM 18:16

    Mama may have been named for the great-grandmother who traveled from England on the Mayflower , but that fact certainly did not keep her in the land of her birth. Twelve-year-old Maribel Cordoba sometimes wondered why Mama refused to discuss anything regarding her relations in the colonies beyond the fact that she had disappointed them all by marrying a Spaniard without her papa’s blessing.

    The mystery seemed so silly now, what with Mama gone and the father she barely knew insisting she accompany him aboard the Venganza to his new posting in Havana. Maribel gathered the last reminder of Mary Lytton around her shoulders—a beautiful scarf shot through with threads of Spanish silver that matched the piles of coins in the hold of this magnificent sailing vessel—and clutched the book she’d already read through once since the journey began.

    Though she was far too young at nearly thirteen to call herself a lady, Maribel loved to pretend she would someday wear this same scarf along with a gown in some lovely matching color at a beautiful ball. Oh she would dance, her toes barely touching the floor in her dancing shoes. And her handsome escort would, no doubt, fall madly in love with her just as Papa had fallen in love with Mama.

    Her fingers clutched the soft fabric as her heart lurched. Mama. Oh how she missed her. She looked toward the horizon, where a lone vessel’s sails punctuated the divide between sea and sky, and then shrugged deeper into the scarf.

    Nothing but adventure was ahead. This her papa had promised when he announced that, as newly named Consul General, he was moving her from their home in Spain to the faraway Caribbean.

    She had read about the Caribbean in the books she hid beneath her pillows. The islands were exotic and warm, populated with friendly natives and not-so-friendly pirates.

    Maribel clutched her copy of The Notorious Seafaring Pyrates and Their Exploits by Captain Ulysses Jones. The small leather book that held the true stories of Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and others had been a treasure purchased in a Barcelona bookseller’s shop when Papa hadn’t been looking.

    Of course, Papa never looked at her, so she could have purchased the entire shop and he wouldn’t have noticed.

    But then, until the day her papa arrived with the news that Mama and Abuelo were now with the angels, she’d only seen this man Antonio Cordoba three times in her life. Once at her grandmother’s funeral and twice when he and Mama had quarreled on the doorstep of their home in Madrid.

    On none of these occasions had Señor Cordoba, apparently a very busy and very important man, deigned to speak to his only daughter. Thus his speech about Mama had been expectedly brief, as had the response to Maribel’s request to attend her funeral or at least see her grave.

    Both had been answered with a resolute no. Two days later, she was packed aboard the Venganza.

    She watched the sails grow closer and held tight to Mama’s scarf. Just as Mama had taught her, she turned her fear of this unknown place that would become her new home into prayer. Unlike Mama—who would have been horrified at the stories of Captain Bartholomew Roberts and others—Maribel’s hopes surged.

    Perhaps this dull journey was about to become exciting. Perhaps the vessel on the horizon held a band of pirates bent on chasing them down and relieving them of their silver.

    By habit, Maribel looked up into the riggings where her only friend on this voyage spent much of his day. William Spencer, a gangly orphan a full year older and many years wiser than she, was employed as lookout. This, he explained to her, was a step up from the cabin boy he’d been for nigh on seven years and a step toward the ship’s captain he someday hoped to be.

    Their passing annoyance, which began when she nearly pitched herself overboard by accident while reading and strolling on deck, had become something akin to an alliance during their weeks at sea. To be sure, William still felt she was hopeless as a sailor, but his teasing at Maribel’s noble Spanish lineage and habit of keeping her nose in a book had ceased when she discovered the source.

    William Spencer could not read. Or at least he couldn’t when they set sail from Barcelona.

    He’d been a quick study, first listening as she read from Robinson Crusoe and The Iliad and then learning to sound out words and phrases as they worked their way through Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. By the time she offered him her copy of Captain Jones’s pirate book, William was able to read the entire book without any assistance.

    She spied him halfway up the mainmast. Sails, she called, though he appeared not to hear her. Over there, Maribel added a bit louder as she used her book to point toward the ship.

    The watch bell startled her with its clang, and the book tumbled to the deck. A moment later, crewmen who’d previously strolled about idly now ran to their posts shouting in Spanish words such as "pirata and barco fantasma."

    Pirates and a ghost ship? she said under her breath as she grabbed for the book and then dodged two crewmen racing past with weapons drawn. How exciting!

    Don’t be an idiot, Red. William darted past two men rolling a cannon toward the Venganza’s bow then hurried to join her, a scowl on his face. "This isn’t like those books of yours. If that’s the Ghost Ship, then you’d best wish for anything other than excitement."

    Shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare, Maribel looked up at William. What do you mean?

    I mean they’re bearing down on us and haven’t yet shown a flag. I wager when they do, we won’t be liking what flag they’re flying.

    So pirates, she said, her heart lurching. Real pirates.

    Or Frenchmen, he said. A privateer ship is my guess if they’re not yet showing the skull and crossbones.

    She continued to watch the sails grow larger. "Tell me about the Ghost Ship, William."

    Legend says the ship appears out of thin air, then, after it’s sunk you and taken your treasure, all twenty-two guns and more than one hundred crewmen go back the same way they came.

    Back into thin air? she asked.

    Exactly. Although I have always thought they might be calling Santa Cruz their home as it’s near enough to Puerto Rico for provisioning and belongs to the French settlements. He paused to draw himself up to his full height. "And care to guess who the enemy of the men aboard the Ghost Ship is?"

    Maribel leaned closer, her heart pounding as she imagined these fearless men who chased their prey then disappeared to some mysterious island only to do it all over again. Who?

    Spaniards, Red. They hold license from the French crown to take what anyone flying under the Spanish flag has got and split it with the royals. And they don’t take prisoners.

    She looked up at the flag of Spain flying on the tallest of the masts and then back at William. No?

    William shook his head. "No. They leave no witnesses. Do you understand now why you do not want that ship out there to be the Barco Fantasma as these sons of Madrid call it?"

    She squared her shoulders. Well, I care not, she exclaimed. There are no such things as ghosts. My mama said to pray away the fear when it occurred, so perhaps you ought to consider that. Of course, if she allowed herself to admit it, Maribel should be taking her own advice. Much as Mama reminded her of her status as a woman not born in Spain, her father’s lineage and the fact a Spanish flag waved in the warm breeze above her head would seal her fate.

    I’m not scared, William said. If those fellows catch us, I’d rather join up with them than stay here. Wasn’t asked if I wanted to sail on this vessel, so I figure I might as well invite myself to sail on theirs.

    You wouldn’t dare. You’re not the pirate sort.

    Privateer, he corrected. And who says I’m not? I read those books of yours. Sure, I’m not one for breaking the law, but if Captain Beaumont offers honest work for my share of the pay, then I’d be better off than I am here. Besides, I can always jump off at the nearest island and stay there like Mr. Robinson Crusoe did. If I tried that now, the Spaniards would come after me and beat me senseless.

    She recalled the bruises she’d seen on the boy’s arms and nodded. If you go, I’m going with you. I’ll join up with this Captain Beaumont and climb the riggings just like you do.

    You’re just a girl, he protested. Don’t you know girls are bad luck on privateers’ ships? It was right there in the book.

    It was indeed, she said as she cradled the book against her chest. But I don’t believe in luck. If the Lord allows, then it happens. If He doesn’t, then it doesn’t. That’s what my mama says, and I believe it is true. So I’m going to pray that Captain Beaumont is a good man.

    That’s ridiculous, Red.

    The praying? she said in a huff. Prayer is never ridiculous.

    No, of course not, he hurried to say. But to suggest that Captain Beaumont might be a good man—

    You there, boy, a sailor called as he jostled past William. Back to your post and look smart about it.

    William fixed her with an impatient look. While you’re doing all this praying, go down to your cabin and hide, he told her. Bar the door and, no matter what, do not let anyone inside except me or your papa, you understand?

    Papa, she said as she looked around the deck. I need to find him.

    Likely he’s helping prepare for the attack and won’t want a child bothering him, William said. Do as I said and make quick work of it. Oh, and Red, can you swim?

    I can, she said even as his description of her as a child stung. My mama taught me but said we couldn’t tell my papa because he thought swimming was undignified and beneath our station. Why?

    Then if all else fails and you’re faced with being captured or the threat of death, jump overboard. It’s a known fact that most pirates cannot swim, so you’d be safer afloat in the ocean than aboard a sinking ship. He nudged her shoulder with his, a gesture that reminded her once again of their friendship. Now off with you, Red. I’ve got work to do.

    But what about privateers and Frenchmen? she called to his retreating back. Can they swim?

    You better hope you don’t find out, was the last thing William said before he disappeared into a crowd of crewmen.

    Maribel stood there for a full minute, maybe longer, surveying the chaos unfolding around her. Though she was loath to take William’s advice—he was always such a bossy fellow—she did see the wisdom in making herself scarce until the fuss was over.

    Oh but she’d not run to her cabin where she would miss all the excitement. There must be a place where she could stay out of the way and still watch what was happening on deck.

    Pray away the fear.

    She raised up on her tiptoes to look over the men gathered around the cannon. The sails of the approaching vessel were much closer now, their pristine white matching the clouds on the horizon.

    A roar went up among the men of the Venganza, and then the cannon fired. Covering her ears, Maribel ran in search of the nearest shelter and found it behind thick coils of rope and stacked barrels. Only when she had successfully hidden herself inside the coil did she realize she had dropped her prized book. She had to retrieve it; nothing else would do.

    She rose slowly, clutching the ends of Mama’s scarf just as the vessel made a turn to the right. With the tilt of the deck, the book slid out of her reach. Braving the throng of people, she headed toward the book, now lodged against the mainmast.

    Pray away the fear.

    She removed the scarf from her neck and tied it around her head like the pirates whose likenesses filled her books. The ends fluttered in the breeze, and if she thought hard, she could remember Mama wearing this scarf.

    She did that now, thought about Mama. About how she loved to tie the scarf around her waist when she wore her pretty dresses. Someday she would tie this scarf around her waist like Mama did.

    Someday when she was a grown-up lady.

    A cannon sounded from somewhere off in the distance, and then the vessel shuddered. Stifling a scream, Maribel took a deep breath and said a prayer as she grasped the edges of the scarf.

    Smoke rolled toward her as Maribel struggled to remain upright on the sloping boards beneath her feet. She reached the book and then slid one arm around the mainmast to steady herself against the pitching motion.

    Pray away the fear. Pray away the fear. Pray away …

    The cannon roared again. A crack sounded overhead and splinters of wood and fire rained down around her.

    Then the world went dark.

    Captain Jean Beaumont took ownership of the Venganza before any man aboard had given it up. He did so simply by claiming it for the crown and glory of France. From that moment, according to the rights granted him in the Letters of Marque, the issue was not whether but how the Spanish vessel would be turned over to its new owner.

    Predictably, the Spaniards had resisted all efforts to be peacefully overtaken. A pity, for it was obvious these men stood no chance against his well-trained crew. Now they were paying the price.

    All around him his men worked as a team to corral the ship’s crew and passengers and prevent any brave souls from seeking retribution. Those assigned to document and remove all valuable items from the vessel had begun their work as well.

    Of these men, Jean was most proud. It was a badge of honor to be known and feared by reputation but also to be considered fair in his execution of the privileges extended to him as a privateer.

    Each item taken from the vessel would be accounted for, with a list being sent back to the king along with the crown’s portion of the spoils. The remainder would be divided among the crew with Jean forgoing his own share.

    If the crew thought it odd that their captain took no profit from their voyages, none had been brave enough to say so. This voyage, however, was different. He would take his share, but not in the supplies and silver coin that were now being carried across the deck.

    With command of the ship now his to claim, Jean stepped over a fallen Spaniard and kept walking. He sought only one man: Antonio Cordoba.

    His second-in-command, a mountain of a man who had escaped slavery to pledge his allegiance to Jean, stepped in front of him holding a man by the back of his neck. It was Israel Bennett’s job to go straight to the man in control of the vessel and subdue him.

    He did that job well.

    The gentle giant offered no expression as he held his quarry still with seemingly little effort. Claims he’s the captain, sir.

    Jean looked down at the pitiful captain, taking note of the terror in his eyes and the spotless uniform. Revulsion rose. There was only one reason a man’s clothing would be spotless on an occasion such as this. The coward had hidden himself and allowed his men to do the fighting for him.

    See that he understands we have boarded under Letters of Marque on behalf of France and King Louis XV. We wish him and his crew no harm, but we must confiscate what now lawfully is ours.

    Israel Bennett dutifully repeated the words in flawless Spanish, saying exactly what Jean would have had he wanted the captain to know he spoke the language fluently. Jean nodded when the message had been delivered.

    I thought he would be older, was the Spaniard’s muttered response. It appears the ghost captain has ceased to age. I claim sorcery.

    Israel chuckled, his laughter deep and resonant. He is of sufficient age to best you and your ship, and I assure you no sorcery was used.

    This captain’s response was a common one. Though Jean would soon see his twenty-fifth birthday, he was often mistaken for one of his crew rather than the man in charge.

    Perhaps this was due to the legend that had grown up alongside the reputation of the vessel that had been dubbed the Ghost Ship, not by him but by those who hadn’t seen the ship coming until they were close enough for the cannons to reach them. Or perhaps it was because he felt twice his age most days.

    One more thing, Jean added as he looked up at Israel. Tell him I wish him and his crew no further harm. However, I demand he produce Consul General Antonio Cordoba immediately so that he and I might have a private discussion.

    The captain’s eyes cut sharply to the left at the sound of the nobleman’s name. Jean recognized this as a telling sign of acknowledgment without the man having spoken a word.

    While Israel repeated the demand in Spanish and clutched tighter with his massive fists, Jean looked over in the direction where the captain had glanced. Under the watchful eye of one of Jean’s crewmen, a dark-haired man in fine clothing knelt at the base of the mainmast. The man’s attention was focused on what appeared to be a puddle of cloth.

    Then he looked up.

    When his eyes met Jean’s, he slowly rose. Every muscle in Jean’s body went on alert, and his eyes never moved from the man across the deck.

    Jean was vaguely aware of a spirited conversation between Israel and the captain, but he kept his attention on the stranger. His last memory of Antonio Cordoba was etched in his mind, although it had been two decades since he had seen the man.

    Two decades since the Spaniard pirate and his murdering crew had accosted an innocent French passenger ship. Two decades since they sent every passenger aboard except for a five-year-old boy to the bottom of the sea.

    Why he had been saved, Jean had long ago stopped asking the Lord. Every day he awoke alive and healthy, he did so with the realization that he had a debt of gratitude to repay.

    What he would do when he found Antonio Cordoba, however, he had long ago decided. Two decades, and now the time had come.

    Everything around him ceased to exist in that moment, leaving only Jean and Cordoba. Jean rested his hand on the grip of the jeweled cutlass he’d chosen for the occasion, the same weapon left behind on the deck of that French ship twenty years ago.

    The cutlass that had been used to cut down his mother and baby brother.

    Jean walked toward the Spanish murderer, stepping over fallen men and stepping around debris that tilted with the list of the ship. All the while, the man Jean knew must be Cordoba merely stood his ground and stared.

    Antonio Cordoba? Jean called when he was close enough to make his move.

    Who is asking? the Spaniard responded.

    Jean’s heart thudded against his chest, every muscle in his body taut and his nerves on alert. "The only survivor of the sinking of the passenger ship Roi-Soleil."

    Cordoba’s expression never changed as he lifted one shoulder in an almost disdainful shrug. "The Sun King, eh? No, the name means nothing. Perhaps I have forgotten," he finally said with a dismissive sweep of his hand.

    Forgotten.

    The murder of his mother and brother.

    Forgotten.

    Jean’s own brush with death and the long journey to be reunited with his father and brother. All of it as meaningless as a sweep of a Spaniard’s jeweled hand.

    Something inside Jean snapped. His tight rein on control slipped even as his fingers held tight to the cold metal of the grip. Something akin to a fog blocked out everything except the motions he wished to take.

    He lifted the cutlass and held it up. The next blood that stained this weapon would belong to Antonio Cordoba.

    Forgotten no more.

    A fist grasped his shoulder and held him in place. Jean attempted to break free but failed.

    This is not how you want to do this, sir, Israel said evenly, his deep baritone cutting through to gain Jean’s attention. Let the Lord handle that man His way. Revenge is His, not yours.

    This from a man whose entire family had been separated and sold at the whim of others. Who had been beaten and chained and sold into slavery in Africa by kinsmen bent on revenge.

    And yet his words had no effect on Jean. He’d been waiting for this day too long to be dissuaded.

    It is exactly how I want to do this, Jean managed as he kept his attention focused on the arrogant expression on the Spaniard’s face.

    Fair enough. But it is not how this should be done. Israel released him and then moved to stand between Jean and Cordoba. If you proceed, then you’ll have to get past me first.

    Not since the day Israel Bennett walked out of the hold of a slave ship that had just been taken by Jean and his men and announced he was joining the crew had he seen such resolve on the big man’s face. Then, in an instant, his expression contorted and Israel crumpled to the deck.

    Jean crumpled with him, dropping the cutlass as he

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