The Reaper

sudden arrival. Turning, Anthony spied Buck in deep conversation with a boldly dressed woman. Her bosom was so open it scarcely left anything to the imagination.

Anthony felt a hand on his upper arm. Turning, he felt like the room was spinning. She was here standing before him. He felt his chest tighten.

“Lady McKean.”

“Lord Anthony.” She was dressed in black, but still she was here.

“I’m very pleased to see you,” Anthony said. “I was not sure you would be here, considering all you’ve been through.”

Lady McKean looked at Anthony, and he was not quite sure how to take her next words. “But sir, you are my rescuer. This reception is in your honor. How could I not be present?” They had moved toward an open window in search of a little breeze. “Did you know my husband?”

Anthony was caught off guard, “Madam?”

“Did you know my husband?” she asked again.

“No, my lady, I never had the honor.”

“Lord McKean was of Scottish descent. He came from a titled family of long standing. Titled, but impoverished. Ours was an arranged marriage. My father was a tradesman-a rich, powerful tradesman, but still a tradesman. Being a tradesman meant he wasn’t completely accepted as a gentleman. This pained my father. He wanted a son, but he had a daughter. He hoped that by my marriage to Lord McKean, he would have titled grandsons. We had a son but lost him to the fever. I’ve had no others. Now my son, my father, and my husband are all gone. When we were attacked, we were headed to Barbados to meet some of my husband’s friends. They were giving him a birthday party. His seventy-fifth.”

Anthony was astounded. Thinking aloud he said, “He was old enough to be your father.”

“One year younger than my father,” she replied. I was never quite sure if the reason we didn’t have any children was my fault or his. But at his age I felt it might have been his.’’

Anthony didn’t know what to say about this discovery but muttered, “Did you love him?”

Lady McKean looked somewhat hurt, “As I said, ours was an arranged marriage. But after a fashion, I guess I did. He was a good and caring man. He dearly loved me, and so I tried to make him happy. I was faithful.”

“Dear God! I should he ashamed of myself,” Anthony said. “I have no right.”

“You have every right, Gil,” Lady McKean said using his given name. “My dashing captain, sweeping down with cannons blazing away. You have all the right.”

Anthony half heard the bell. Dinner was being called, and he could feel the guests closing in.

“I have to see you!”

“I’ll send you a message,” she replied.

Then they were caught up in the crowd headed to the dining room. Looking for his place card, Anthony realized that the admiral was not present. Anthony was seated to the right of Commodore Gardner, and to the left was Harvey, the admiral’s flag captain. He looked at Anthony and said, “Sir Lawrence is ill this evening and sends his regrets.”

Commodore Gardner made a little speech once again honoring Anthony and the men of Drakkar for their bravery and wishing them future success. A toast was then made to recognize Anthony’s broad pennant. Then the meal was over. No further contact with Lady McKean had been possible.

As the more senior officers took their leave from the ladies to enjoy cigars and discuss the situation with the pirates, Anthony observed Gabe, then Buck, as each departed. Each man left with a beautiful lady on his arm, creating a touch of envy in him. Mr. Markham was much in his cups and was in tow with Mr. Earl. Hopefully they’d make it back to Drakkar safely.

“Well, Lord Anthony, we hope you enjoyed your evening.” Mrs. Gardner, the commodore’s wife, was speaking.

“Er-yes, madam. It was a wonderful evening. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess.”

“Not at all, sir. We must thank you for bringing a little excitement into our lives.”

As Anthony took Mrs. Gardner’s offered hand he felt her press a small slip of paper into his hand. He continued his bow and kissed the back of her hand. As Anthony straightened, he thought he caught a wink from Mrs. Gardner.

“I do hope you have a rewarding time while you are at English harbor, sir.”

“Thank you again,” Anthony said. Then he turned to bid the commodore goodnight.

“Could we lunch tomorrow, Gil?”

“It would be a pleasure, sir,” Anthony responded, then walked out into the night. It was warm outside, but still much cooler than it had been inside the house.

Bart was standing beside the coach as Anthony approached. “It’s not over far to the jetty, sir, if you care to stretch your legs. I has yer pipe and Dagan gave me some good smelling tobaccy.”

“Good idea, Bart,” Anthony said, taking the pipe. Bart had already filled the bowl so he lit up and they started their journey down the hill.

“Ye seems to be in a good mood tonight, sir. It appears things are to ya ‘likin’.”

“Aye, Bart, that it is. This island may have some promise to it.”

Bart looked at Anthony. “I left Dagan at the jetty. We ‘ad us a wet or two together and now he’s waiting on Gabe.”

“Might be a long wait,” Anthony answered.

“Nay, sir. Dagan says ‘ell be along in an hour.”

“He does, does he?”

“Aye,” Bart said. “Dagan also said we’d be seeing some big changes in you soon.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes sir!”

“Any specifics?”

“No, sir. I didn’t ask and ‘e didn’t laborate.”

Anthony looked at Bart smiling, “You mean he didn’t elaborate.”

“Nay, sir, ‘e didn’t laborate a’tall.”

Anthony took another puff on his pipe, tasting the gentle sweetness of Dagan’s tobacco. He watched as the smoke drifted on the wind, the aroma of the tobacco intermingling with the smell of salt in the air. Watching the smoke rise and fade away as he exhaled, Anthony pondered Dagan’s predictions. Could it have anything to do with the paper in his pocket? Could Dagan really see the future? Was he a soothsayer?

Chapter Seven

Four bells in the forenoon watch the next day found Anthony, his officers, warrants and midshipmen gathered around his dining table for a meeting. Silas, with the help of a wardroom servant, was pouring lime juice as refreshment. Anthony nodded to Buck to go ahead and start with the meeting. Buck shuffled some papers around, then stepped forward.

“With Commodore Gardner and Captain Harvey’s help, I’ve been able to round up forty-odd hands. With the likelihood that Sir Lawrence will haul down his flag soon, we might pick up a few more sailors who have married and put down roots here. The two schooners are so alike I take them to be sister ships built by the same shipyard. Mr. Earl, you will have command of LeFoxxe. Mr. Anthony will be your second. Mr. Pitts, you will take over the second lieutenant’s duties here on Drakkar.

Pitts couldn’t hide his disappointment. He’d been hoping to get command of one of the schooners. He did manage a “thank you, sir.’’

“The schooner, LeCroix, will be given to Lieutenant Mainard. Sir Lawrence is sending him to us. He was the first lieutenant on one of the brigs that ran around chasing pirates. It was the Admiral’s way of saying that no blame should be directed to the young lieutenant for the brig loss. The captain was killed when the damned pirates came about and poured a broadside into the brig even after she had ran up on the reef. “No mercy, no quarter.” Buck turned to Mr. Markham. “You, young sir, will be Lieutenant Mainard’s second. Each ship will have