The Princess's Bride (13 page)

"Humphrey." Thomas rushed in with Stephens at his heels.

Humphrey turned and raised an eyebrow. He was pleased to see from the dark circles under his eyes and rumpled jacket and shirt that Thomas hadn’t gotten any rest either.

"Thomas, my man, you look as if you didn't sleep at all last night." Humphrey made his hand tremble as he ran his fingers through his hair. He dropped into a chair and looked down at the rug, pressing his fingers into his forehead, acting as stricken as he could over the taking of Daisy.

Thomas sat down next to him while Stephens went over to the bar, where a pot of coffee had been laid out.

"Don't despair, Lord Humphrey. We will get Daisy back." Thomas squeezed Humphrey's shoulder in sympathy.

Humphrey stood and paced across the room. "That pirate bitch stole the most precious thing in my life! I… if anything happens to Daisy…" Humphrey turned his back to Thomas and trembled to show how emotional he was. He gave Stephens a quick look and titled his head.

Stephens nodded and came forward with the coffee.

"Sir, you must take care of yourself. Her ladyship would want you to remain strong."

Stephens handed the coffee to Humphrey and then walked over to where Thomas sat. "Don't you agree, Mister de Fleurre?"

Stephens went to hand a cup over, but Thomas waved him away and stood. "Stephens is right. We must remain calm. The note said Daisy wouldn’t be harmed as long as we give them the ransom."

Humphrey threw his half-filled coffee cup against the fireplace, making both Thomas and Stephens flinch. "Them? There is no
them
! Only a deranged, diabolical woman who has some vendetta against me for no reason I can think of."

Unwrapping the note, he walked over to Thomas, shaking it in front of his face. "The price she is asking for is impossible to meet. She wants ten million pounds in three days."

Thomas took the note and scanned it. "I have enough at my disposal to meet half of this. I can meet with my banker today and give you the funds."

Humphrey tapped his fingers on his belt buckle and turned to Stephens. "I assume we have another five million?"

Stephens swallowed and looked at Thomas, who turned to sit down. Humphrey grabbed him by his shoulder and quickly whispered in his ear: "Go along with everything I say."

Thomas looked up. "What did you say?"

"I told Stephens to send a note to my banker. We’ll take out five million to match your own."

Thomas's whole face brightened and he exhaled. "Well then. See, everything will be fine.

We have the full amount needed. After we send it to the drop-off location, Daisy will return to us, safe and sound."

Humphrey held back from rolling his eyes and cracked his knuckles. He couldn't believe he would have this idiot as a brother-in-law. "Thomas." He took a deep breath to stop from rushing over and shaking him by the lapels of his jacket. "I think you are missing something very big here. Dread has been my nemesis for years and enjoys making me suffer. She has killed countless of my men and many others, including women and children. She has kidnapped Daisy as her final evil deed against me. I have no doubt in my mind that she will order her men to rape Daisy, or kill her, even if we do give her the money. Now, do you understand the situation?"

Thomas's face went white, and his hand shook as he covered his mouth. "But… Daisy is an innocent!"

Humphrey walked over to his desk and pressed his palms down on top. "Yes, sweet Daisy is the innocent in all of this, but Dread doesn't care. I love…" He broke off and Stephens came over to press a hand against his back.

"I'm fine, Stephens, thank you." Humphrey shook him off, pounding the desk as he turned, walking back out in front and leaning against it. "Please excuse my emotional outburst.

The idea that our Daisy could be suffering at the hands of these villains makes me sick to my stomach. My love for her holds no bounds, and that is why I have a plan to get her back before she can come to any harm."

"What do you mean? If what you say is true about my sister being ill-treated, we may have lost her already!" Thomas stood and walked over to the window.

Humphrey covered a yawn and scratched his crotch. "No matter what happens, even if your sister has been brutally raped and her mind becomes damaged because of it, I will still marry her. She is my soul mate. That is why we will act as if we are playing by Dread's rules.

We’ll make everyone believe we are going to pay the ransom. In actuality, though, we will sail out in secret in one of my strongest and deadliest ships and search for Dread. I have no doubt she is sticking close to the Flaundia coast. I will command the
Master in Arms
, the only brigantine ship with fifteen cannons and enough firepower to blast Dread's pathetic ship out of the water.

We will take it down, storm it and rescue Daisy. And then we will have Dread at our mercy.

She'll watch as I gut her crew and make her walk her own plank to drown in the shark-infested waters."

Humphrey rubbed his hands together, mentally enjoying that soon-to-be real fantasy. Of course he didn't mention the part of the plan in which he would rape Dread before he fed her to the sharks.

Thomas turned back around. "I know you are angry, my lord, but what will our government officials say to this sea battle and possible bloodshed? Yes, Dread is a criminal, but with our laws, she still has a right to a fair trial by jury."

Humphrey walked over and placed his hands on Thomas's shoulder. "Thom, the reason I'm so happy to have you as a part of my family is your idealism and simple nature. You’re much like your sister. But this is a special case. Do you think Dread is thinking of what is right and wrong as one of her men force themselves on Daisy and tear open her virgin flesh?"

Thomas gulped. Humphrey stepped away, not wanting Thomas to vomit all over the very expensive boots he had bought last week.

"We are at war with these pirates. Due to my bravery and heroism as a much-respected naval captain for His Majesty's naval fleet, I can assure you I would be given the go-ahead to finish off Dread. Our country and its waters will be safe once again."

"You are right, Lord Humphrey. I will do whatever you say in this manner. Anything in our power to save Daisy and to finish off this bi… erm, ghastly woman must be done." Thomas hit his fist into his palm and nodded.

"Glad to have you on our side. Now, while you go to the bank to get your five million, I will get my ship and round up my men. Stephens will take care of other matters. We’ll set sail by tomorrow morning." Thomas nodded again.

"Oh and Thomas, be very aware of your surroundings. Don't mention our plans to anyone, even those you think you can trust. I believe Dread has spies all around us. That was how she stole Daisy during the ball and had a messenger bring me the ransom note a few mere hours after she was taken."

"Yes, I will watch my back." Thomas gave Humphrey a small bow and walked out of the library.

"Sir—"

"One moment, Stephens." Humphrey held up a hand. He poured himself a new cup of coffee, walked behind his desk and sat down. He took out a box of cigars and opened the top.

Taking one out, he sniffed it and put it in his mouth. "Take a seat." He motioned for Stephens to sit and lit his cigar, taking in a few puffs and relaxing in his chair.

"We don't have that large amount of money," Stephens said and shook his head no when Humphrey offered him one of his smokes.

"You and I know that. But that idiot Thomas doesn't. We’ll pretend we have our half.

Thomas will bring his. As long as Dread thinks we are pulling together the ransom for Daisy, she will have no clue that we are coming after her."

"You can rest assured, sir, that the
Master in Arms
will be ready to sail."

Humphrey took a long pull on his cigar. "I know. I was going to commandeer the
Arms
after I was given consent from the King to find Dread and take her down by any means necessary. I may even be given another medal for this and perhaps some monetary restitution."

He exhaled deeply. "I wonder if they will hold a parade in my honor?"

"Ahem." Stephens cleared his throat and blinked as the cigar smoke drifted up toward his face. "I'm surprised you are allowing de Fleurre to come with you. He is a civilian, and this rescue is bound to be dangerous."

"Ah, Stephens, I have another plan for our foolish Thomas. The battle will most likely be a fierce one, and many lives will be lost. I can say that Thomas will be one of the unfortunate causalities. Such a shame that the poor man will have his throat slit by one of Dread's pirates. De Fleurre simply is collateral damage. With him out of the way, I will have his five million, on top of his property and his half of the inheritance given to Daisy after his death."

Stephens blinked again and leaned forward. "Sir, what about Miss de Fleurre? You cannot be thinking of letting her have a mishap like her brother?"

Humphrey let out a long sigh and folded his hands on the top of his desk. "You disappoint me. Pay closer attention. How will I ever get Daisy's fortune then? She needs to be alive and marry me. She will be overcome with horror and despair because of the violent rapes she was forced to endure, including the loss of her brother. She will be very much all alone in the world as a fallen woman. She will fall into my open arms, bereft and heartbroken. I will be there to help her recover and to be a shoulder to cry on because I love and adore her. We will marry as soon as she attends her brother's funeral and recovers from her misfortune." Humphrey clapped in delight. "Then I will have her and all her money at my mercy."

Stephens stared down at his lap. "I do hope the poor miss's mind isn't broken from her ordeal." He visibly shuddered. "Those pirates are lusty, sexual deviants."

Humphrey took a gulp of his coffee and stretched his arms above his head. "All the better for me. Daisy will have no choice but to do what I want and when I want it. My own perfect little doll to mold and use in whatever way I see fit."

"I should go to the bank now and play the part." Stephens stood, fixing his glass that had fallen down his nose.

"Good. I will stop by the shipping yard, check over the
Arms
and round up the crew. You should get some rest." Humphrey stood and let out a large yawn.

"You should also, sir." Stephens bowed and started to walk out of the room when Humphrey stopped him.

"Before you go, have that new maid… what's her name? Ada… Aileen… the one with the big tits and very bright red hair… have her come in here to clean up this mess." Humphrey waved at the fireplace where the broken coffee cup still lay.

Stephens glanced over his shoulder. Humphrey poured a glass of brandy and sat down low in the chair with his legs spread. He unfastened the top of his breeches, and his front was tented where his arousal thrust up, rising to be free. There was also a small damp spot growing on his lap.

"Yes sir," Stephen said in a resigned voice. "I assume you will take the next few hours for sleep?"

Humphrey unbuttoned his shirt until it reached down to his waist. "I have other ways to relax than sleep." He gave Stephens a cruel smile and sipped his brandy. "Hurry along now and bring me the girl."

Stephens didn't say another word. He just walked down to the hall to fetch the young Abigail, who he’d just wished a happy fourteenth birthday to last week.

****

Chelsey stood at the bow of the ship as the mid-morning sun rose high in the sky. The horizon was clear and a few dolphins swam alongside the ship as it sped over the water. This was her favorite time of day, when she could enjoy her morning coffee and have time to herself before she had to handle the duties of the day.

But this morning was so very different, all because of the young woman still lying abed in her cabin who hated her. Chelsey's heart was a heavy one. For the first time in a very long time, she was at a loss over what to do in a situation she had no real control over. If she took off her disguise and told Daisy who she was, she couldn't even imagine how Daisy would react.

What if Daisy did really hate her then, for abandoning her all those years ago by no choice of her own? God help her if Daisy really did love Humphrey.

"Bollocks." Chelsey grumbled and sighed.

Matters of the heart were a tricky thing indeed.

She scowled down into her coffee mug and took another sip of the bitter brew.

"Captain?"

Chelsey turned. Mister Martin stood holding his own mug. A towel lay around his neck from his morning ablutions.

"You have a spot of shaving cream on your face." Chelsey pointed to her own chin and shifted back against the mast.

Martin wiped his chin with the towel and came over to stand beside her. Both were silent for a moment as they enjoyed their coffee.

"If you won't mind me saying lassie, you look like shite. Did you get any sleep last night?"

Chelsey touched her cheek. Her scar felt more pronounced. The phantom pain did nothing for her mood. She shrugged. "I slept a few hours. I found an empty hammock in the crews' quarters."

"And why didn't you sleep in your very large and comfortable bed?"

Chelsey squinted up, concentrating on a large seagull flying by. "Our guest was not too pleased with me. She threw me out."

Mister Martin let out a booming laugh and slapped his knee. "You, the feared pirate Captain, C.W. Dread, were thrown out of her bed by a mere slip of a girl?

"I am so happy you find this funny. I don't."

"Sorry, lass. I'm confused. I would have thought you’d be enjoying the wench's sweet, succulent flesh."

"Her name is Daisy," Chelsey whispered longingly.

Martin raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar tone in Chelsey's voice. "You know her name? Did she tell you in the throes of passion? The boys and I heard her screams from one of the open portholes."

Chelsey didn't blush or act offended. It wasn't the first time her crew had heard the cries of a woman's pleasure coming from her cabin.